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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Abbey describes the experience of noontime in the desert like
(a) An occult fantasy
(b) A psychedelic drug experience
(c) A dark nightmare
(d) A religious experience

2. The German who befriended Abbey was, in Abbey's opinion,
(a) A naieve German
(b) A typical, common Nazi
(c) A crazy Bavarian
(d) A Zionist

3. Abbey tries to convince Moon-Eye to come with by telling him a story about
(a) How he will get the others and come for him
(b) How he will die and be eaten
(c) His own childhood
(d) His pet horse back in Albuquerque

4. Abbey's exploration of the Maze with Bob Waterman is
(a) Impulsive
(b) Dangerous
(c) Haphazard
(d) Ironic

5. Abbey is wistful about leaving behind
(a) His job
(b) His government pickup
(c) This valley of paradox
(d) His cozy trailer

Short Answer Questions

1. Unlike Thoreau, Abbey's intention is to

2. Moon-Eye rejected humans when he was subjected to

3. Abbey sees the value of wilderness, in a political sense, as

4. Abbey's campsite is

5. A large influx of tourists to the park is marked by

Short Essay Questions

1. The poet to whom Abbey refers in this chapter when he says, "It was all foreseen a half century ago," is Robinson Jeffers, and his poem is entitled "Broken Balance." Why does Abbey not provide the reader with that information, when he has so adamantly laid out his reasoning and feelings for us in the previous paragraphs?

2. If Abbey is somewhat indifferent to the death of a fellow human being, why would that be true?

3. Abbey does not speak highly of the man-made lakes on the Colorado. Why?

4. The trip down the Colorado for Abbey and Newcomb is blissful and idyllic. What, if any, is the dark side of this story?

5. Why does Abbey prefer the desert to other environments?

6. What does Abbey say, indirectly, about change?

7. How does Abbey feel about leaving the desert and returning to the city?

8. Why do you think Abbey wants to own Moon-Eye?

9. Where is the heart of the desert, according to Abbey?

10. What influences Abbey's final decision to abandon his quest for Moon-Eye?

(see the answer keys)

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