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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 is Bryson afraid is staring at him when he sees two glowing eyes in the darkness?

2. What was the name of the greatest hotel in the White Mountains?

3. What mountain inspired Melville's Moby Dick.

4. How do people get to the top of Mt. Washington if they do not hike?

5. What prevents Bryson from continuing his hike in Pennsylvania when he is just hitting his stride?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bryson's thoughts on areas through which he thinks the Appalachian Trail should pass.

2. Summarize the plans Bryson and Katz make now that they have completed the first stage of their hiking journey.

3. Describe Chicken John's claim to fame.

4. Explain why Katz starts drinking again.

5. Describe Kitattiny Mountain and how it was formed.

6. Summarize why Bryson is so angry about Katz drinking again.

7. Summarize the weather conditions in which most people fall victim to hypothermia.

8. Summarize the statistics Laurie Potteiger, the Information Specialist at Harper's Ferry, gives to Bryson about the number of thru hikers who hiked the Appalachian Trail the year before.

9. How do Bryson and Katz adapt to hiking through Maine's wilderness?

10. Describe what is killing the hemlock trees along the AT in the Blue Ridge Mountains and how is it being treated.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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) Analyze Bill Bryson's reasons for wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail.

2) In what ways did he accomplish what he set out to do?

3) In what ways is the hike a disappointment for him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 613 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample