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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 does Lewis think he can find the Cahulawassee River himself?

2. What kind of men work at the graphics studio?

3. What kind of pictures does Ed think resulted from the Kitt's photo shoot?

4. Which of the four men going on the canoe trip is very social and well-liked by most people?

5. While driving to Oree, what does Lewis tell Ed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the discovery of Drew's body change the dynamics of the situation?

2. How does the canoe trip change Ed's attitude towards his work?

3. Why does Drew want to bring his guitar on the canoe trip?

4. What's the significance of the owl hunting from Ed's tent the first night?

5. Why does the sheriff keep asking questions after saying he accepts Ed's story of the accident?

6. Why does Ed tell Drew's wife of her loss before getting a good rest at home?

7. In the After section, why does Ed go to Bobby's room at Biddiford's?

8. How does Ed feel upon learning that Drew was shot?

9. Why does Lewis decide not to chide Ed for failing to hit the buck while hunting?

10. After getting back down the cliff, why is Ed enraged with Bobby for doing exactly what Ed expected him to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the trip, Bobby Trippe experienced a terrible traumatic event. Discuss how this may have changed him both during the rest of the canoe trip and afterward. What kind of man was he before the trip? Do you think he is basically the same man after the trip as before? Explain your answer? How long do you think the trauma will remain a part of his personality? Why do you think this?

Essay Topic 2

What would you have done if you had taken a whitewater canoe trip similar to the one described in the story? Would you have acted as Lewis and Ed did if you were attacked in a similar manner, or would you have made a choice similar to the one Drew made? Why would you have decided the way you did? What factors would you have considered when making your decision? What do you think would have happened as a result of that decision?

Essay Topic 3

The story the men tell the authorities later is crucial to their not being arrested. Describe the story they originally came up with to explain Drew's disappearance and why they decide that story needs changing. Tell what happens that necessitates their changing that story and how this adds to conflict in the novel. What does Ed do after he realizes the story won't hold up? When Ed goes home, does he believe the truth will remain buried forever? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample