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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. In what year is the Appalachian Trail formally completed?

2. Who is the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail in a single summer?

3. How does Bryson feel about not hiking the entire Appalachian Trail?

4. What is college student, Zack, doing about the snowbound situation?

5. Where were twenty miles of trail lopped off in 1958?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Summarize why the US Forest Service builds so many roads.

3. What are the benefits Bill Bryson believes he will get from hiking the Appalachian Trail?

4. Describe the contrast between the weather in the south with the weather a hundred miles further north in Virginia.

5. Summarize Katz's attitude toward hiking.

6. Summarize the realization that Bryson and Katz come to as they look at a map of the Appalachian Trail in Gatlinburg.

7. What is the reaction of Katz and Bryson when they come out of the wilderness to the civilization of Knoxville?

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

9. Summarize the secret pact that Bryson and Katz make about how to get to Hiawassee.

10. Describe the physical condition of Bryson and Katz when they reach Clingman's Dome.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Evaluate the elements of cause and effect in this story using examples from the book.

2) Choose three events from the story which cause either Bryson's or Katz's life to undergo a change.

3) How does he react to the events and their effects?

4) How does he grow emotionally in his own life and in his attitude toward the hike because of these changes?

Essay Topic 2

1) Examine how Bill Bryson uses humor throughout the book, even in dangerous circumstances.

2) Analyze and describe at least three instances of humor depicted in the story.

3) Explain why Bryson writes the situation with comical imagery and what is revealed to the reader through humor.

Essay Topic 3

1) Evaluate the relationship between Bryson and Katz.

2) Describe if they are good hiking partners or not ?

3) How do they interact with one another?

4) What are the qualities of the friendship?

5) Cite examples from the story proving their acceptance of one another for who they are?

(see the answer keys)

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