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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are grizzly bears not a concern on the trail?

2. What happens three or four times a day as Bryson and Katz hike the trail?

3. How do Katz and Bryson get to Knoxville?

4. What is the name of the blind man who hikes the entire Appalachian Trail with his seeing eye dog?

5. What is the primary role of the Forest Service?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize what Bryson does when he brings all his camping equipment home.

2. Explain why Katz is angry with Bryson when he says that they are leaving Rainbow Springs in the morning to get back on the trail.

3. Summarize the first decision Bryson and Katz make about continuing their hike along the AT.

4. How does Bryson summarize the quality of Appalachian Trail maps?

5. Describe the forest of the Appalachian Trail in 1948.

6. Describe the vision Benton MacKaye has for Appalachian Trail.

7. Summarize the accomplishments of Earl V. Shaffer during the summer of 1948.

8. Describe the first look Bryson and Katz have of the Smoky Mountains.

9. What are some of the issues Bryson worries about with regard to hiking on the AT?

10. Summarize the plan that the Appalachian Trail Conference forms from Benton MacKaye's original idea.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Analyze the fears Bryson experiences throughout the book.

2) Describe three events in the story where Bryson's fears paralyze him.

3) How does Katz help Bryson with his fears?

Essay Topic 2

1) Summarize how Bryson uses local color and imagery to describe the wilderness and the towns he and Katz visit.

2) Cite descriptive examples of trees, wildlife, waterways, towns, shelters, and motels.

3) Does the imagery Bryson uses depict a clear and accurate picture of the wilderness and towns along the Appalachian Trail? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

1) Interpret the feelings Bryson and Katz have for the trail in the first part of the novel with the emotions and reaction they have later in the novel.

2) What regrets do they have at the end of the novel with regard to their journey?

3) How does their relationship differ from the first part of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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