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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. The beautiful flower Larkspur can be
(a) Deadly for cattle
(b) Made into healing salve
(c) Poisonous to humans
(d) Used for herbal teas

2. The desert winds of May have
(a) Cleaned out the flowers and debris
(b) Dried the river to a stream
(c) Burned the green things to saffron and auburn
(d) Brought huge thunderclouds

3. The meaning of Abbey's words, "claritas, integritas, veritas" can be found in this quote:
(a) Paradox and bedrock.
(b) ...the desert reveals itself nakedly and cruelly, with no meaning but its own existnece
(c) I am here...to confront, immediately and directly if it's possible, the bare bones of existence
(d) To meet God or Medusa face to face, even if it means risking everything human in myself

4. A man is shouting from the shore to Abbey and Newcomb about
(a) How boaters are not allowed
(b) Something important to Abbey and Newcomb
(c) Something private to Abbey and Newcomb
(d) Something the reader never learns

5. In late summer the quietness, or somnolence of the desert leaves Abbey feeling
(a) Hungry for the ocean
(b) Haunted by voices
(c) A certain madness
(d) Tired of the heat

Short Answer Questions

1. The character Mackie is

2. Abbey's reference to the beavers building another dam is really about

3. The German who befriended Abbey was, in Abbey's opinion,

4. The group's reactions after the man is taken away involve

5. Abbey wants his readers to know that the desert is

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the difference between Abbey's heat waves and a mirage?

3. Do Abbey and Newcomb enjoy the "rapids" they encounter?

4. Abbey mentions thinking the unthinkable as he drives through the desert past the Arches headquarters. To what is he referring?

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

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

7. Do you think Edward Abbey is a fanatic? Is his fear of a future dictatorial regime unfounded?

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

9. Abbey gives us two facts in the early part of this chapter that make it clear that this trip was taken in a decade long-past. What is it?

10. Try to explain Abbey's rambling about naming things.

(see the answer keys)

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