View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. A great glacier expands and retracts across North America for the last few _____________ years.

2. The trees that now populate the region are the trees of __________.

3. The author observes that single leaves __________ turn different colors.

4. After the evening chorus dies off, what does the author do?

5. In "Burning Wood," the author writes that he is happy he has cut down so much wood, and it has given him a feeling of accomplishment. Nevertheless, what is he annoyed about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the author's relationship with Jack. What does this reveal about the author?

2. What takes place in "August 4 Wanderers"?

3. What does the author learn about the life cycles of plants and animals in "The Urgency of Spring"?

4. How is the author like Jack? Why?

5. Describe "October 1 The Foliage." How is "October 1 The Foliage" an important chapter?

6. What does the author notice about the wasp and caterpillars?

7. What is the geologic history of the region? Why might the author give this information?

8. How does "August 9-13 Some Berries" lead to a reflection of the author's childhood?

9. How does the author feel about his housemates in "October 7 Housemates"? Why?

10. Describe the author's traveling companion. Why might he want this companion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although the author's life may seem more simple, he is often very busy.

Part 1) What is he often busy doing? Why? What does this reveal about the "simple" life? Is it truly all that simple? Explain.

Part 2) How is the author affected by this simple life? How does he feel about his new routine and daily activities? Why does he feel this way?

Part 3) How might you be changed by simplifying your life? Would your life slow down if you simplified it? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The author gets close to several animals.

Part 1) Describe these encounters. How does the author feel about these encounters? Why does he feel this way? What does this reveal about him?

Part 2) How else does the author grow closer to nature? Why? How might this affect him after he leaves the cabin?

Part 3) Why might it be important for all people to get more in touch with nature? How could this affect our communities and our planet as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

The author keeps records of his experiences for one year in the woods of Maine.

Part 1) Describe these records. Why does he want to do this? Why does he decide to spend a year in Maine? Do you see this as a beneficial experience? Why or why not?

Part 2) How did the author change throughout this year? What caused these changes? How might the author have been permanently affected by his experiences in the Maine woods?

Part 3) What have you learned from the author's experiences during this year? How might you benefit from this? Has reading this book changed you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,507 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample