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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 the total walking distance of the typical American in one week?

2. What has devastated a mountain of foliage in Palmerton?

3. Where does Katz join Bryson?

4. How large were the Appalachian Mountains eons ago?

5. Where is Bryson's wife supposed to pick them up, now that the first stage of the hike is over?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize Bryson's experience hiking in Pennsylvania.

2. Describe Chicken John's claim to fame.

3. Summarize what Katz does to pass the time while Bryson is at Kmart.

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

5. Explain why Mount Washington has such extreme weather conditions.

6. Describe Kitattiny Mountain and how it was formed.

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

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

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

10. What has Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, inspired?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Analyze the character of Mary Ellen.

2) How is she depicted by the author?

3) How is she revealed through her own words and actions?

4) In what way is she revealed through other character's comments?

Essay Topic 2

1) What is the message Bryson is trying to convey about the wilderness and civilization?

2) How does he depict a realistic and relevant view of human nature and the wild?

3) Are the human qualities of each character true to life? Explain.

4) How do the characters react to the everyday struggles of hiking the Appalachian Trail?

Essay Topic 3

1) Analyze the resolution of the story as it relates to each of the characters in the novel.

2) Explain the metamorphosis each of them experiences in the final chapter.

3) How has their experiences on the trail affected their attitudes toward the future?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 601 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample