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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. What is Benton MacKaye's job?

4. What is David Anderson doing when the bear attacks?

5. What does Bryson consider a miracle about the Appalachian Trail?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain how a hiker manages to get on the Appalachian Trail at Amicola Falls State Park when it is seven miles from the nearest highway.

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why do Bryson and Katz feel guilty about leaving Mary Ellen behind in the woods?

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

10. Describe the Chattahoochee Forest.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

1) Describe the damage to the environment that Bryson and Katz witness as they hike the Appalachian Trail.

2) Include the day hikes Bryson takes in Pennsylvania in the evaluation of environmental issues.

3) Analyze the men's reaction to what they see. Discuss.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample