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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 "Path of Peace"?

2. What color suspenders does William wear while on his journey?

3. What are Bob, Tony, and Kirk rebuilding?

4. What do the Thurmonds in Tennessee feed to William before sending him on his way?

5. Who does William talk with in Charlie's bar in Shreveport, Louisiana?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does William name his van "Ghost Dancing"?

2. Does William enjoy the open landscape of New Mexico?

3. What figure in history is Dare County, North Carolina, named after?

4. Describe William's dinner at Swamp Guinea's Fish Lodge.

5. When does William begin to question his plan to travel across America?

6. What is William's experience when he jumps into Hat Creek to wash up?

7. What does William tell the reader about the Natchez Trace Parkway?

8. Describe Mr. Watkin's appearance.

9. What is Portal Paradise?

10. What do Barbara Pierre and William talk about over lunch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism of William's van, Ghost Dancing. Why does he give this name to his van? What does it represent to him?

Essay Topic 2

Why is Portal Paradise a surprise for William? What does he like and dislike about his stay in this place? What unsettles the peacefulness he originally finds there?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of food in this travel experience. What is his most memorable eating experience on this trip? Where does he like to stop to eat? What advice does he have about cafes?

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