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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. What are Katz and Bryson confronted with when they reach High Top?

2. What does Katz buy in Franklin that irritates Bryson?

3. What is the weather like in Virginia?

4. What does the cabdriver suggest Bryson and Katz do to get to their destination?

5. What is the unexpected factor with the snowstorm?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Stephen Katz, Bryson's hiking partner.

3. Summarize the weather report the man at the airport check-in gives to Bryson and Katz as they prepare to leave for the Appalachian Trail.

4. Summarize what Mary Ellen says about Bryson and Katz when she meets other hikers on the trail.

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

6. Describe the Chattahoochee Forest.

7. 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.

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

9. Explain the type of hiking that Bryson and Katz will have to do through the Smoky Mountains.

10. Describe the two things Bryson is shocked about when he goes to buy equipment for the hike.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Compare and contrast the characters of Bill Bryson and Stephen Katz.

2) Summarize the impact each character has on the other.

3) Which character is the stronger character of the two both physically and emotionally? Defend the answer with examples.

Essay Topic 2

1) Compare Stephen Katz's thoughts and ideas as he hikes in the first section of the novel his emotional state when he goes to hike the Hundred Mile Wilderness with Bryson.

2) Cite examples from the book that describe his emotional problems and the need for alcohol.

Essay Topic 3

1) Describe the changes to the Appalachian Trail from the time it first came into being to the present day.

2) What differences from the original plan have been made?

3) What effect does the National Forest Service have on the trail?

(see the answer keys)

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