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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. West of the Mississippi, Abbey says the cult of "cowboyism" is growing as fast as

2. Abbey suggests that former cowboys, like Indians, may be

3. Natural springs that seep through canyon walls are

4. Abbey feels if you have reached the point of needing moisture from the barrel cactus

5. The natural wonder that Edward is able to see in his new location is

Short Essay Questions

1. What concession does Abbey make to man's ingenuity when it comes to life in the desert?

2. Why was Turnbow Cabin built?

3. How does Edward Abbey seem "polemic" in his views about national parks?

4. What advantages did the government's Atomic Energy Commission have in finding uranium? Are they portrayed as a benificent agency?

5. How were the Park Service rules ambiguous as they were written in 1916?

6. Why does Abbey kill a wild rabbit?

7. Why would the obsidian shards be named "Apache tears?"

8. Discuss Abbey's relationship with the natural world as he watches the stars.

9. Abbey describes areas where one can find artifacts from Native Americans in the form of arrowheads and spearheads, made from obsidian. There is a law that prohibits removing stones from the national park. Do you think these artifacts can still be found in the "shady alcoves under canyon walls" in the Arches?

10. For what does the author seem to be searching by taking this job?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Abbey and his friend, Newcomb, enjoy an incredible rafting trip down the Colorado River, separating themselves from humanity in general. Discuss in a detailed essay Abbey's mixed feelings of revulsion and delight about the human race. How does this trip down the river bring things into focus for him? Since he is a human himself, does he simply feel superior to most people, or are his objections more theoretical? Is the trip down the river a statement of some kind - does it hold a deeper meaning?

Essay Topic 2

Edward Abbey goes into great detail in his story about Husk and Graham and the search for uranium. Why would he embellish this story so much, given that it was simply a legend in the area and he could not possibly have known such detail? What is the point of drawing the reader along through this story? Is there some hint that he provides that tells us who the real villain is? Do a detailed reading and write about Abbey's literary license in turning this into a detailed tale, and describe what effect he is attempting to create with it. What devices does he use within his story of Husk and Graham for irony?

Essay Topic 3

Abbey feels that cowboys and Indians primarily make a living these days by presenting their images to the curious in shows and mimicry of the old West. In a researched essay, determine the size of the population of cowboys in our country today. Were Scobie and Viviano part of a dying breed? How has the cowboy's lifestyle changed since Abbey's time? Do they still raise cattle in this part of the country? If possible, try to contact a cowboy who resides in the Moab area, and interview him or her about his daily routine and how modern technology has affected his work.

(see the answer keys)

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