View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The heat of the desert makes objects appear

2. Abbey gets sidetracked to Havasu on his way to

3. Major John Wesley Powell was the first to

4. Abbey gives us an idea of how he laces his conversations with tourists

5. The meaning of Abbey's words, "claritas, integritas, veritas" can be found in this quote:

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Edward Abbey seemingly push the limits of safety by living in isolation and putting himself in dangerous situations?

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

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

7. Why was Abbey not interested in living with the Supai Havasu Indians?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story of Moon-Eye reveals Abbey's compassion for animals. Write a researched essay about animal abuse in our country, and include detailed information on such groups as PETA and the SPCA, who try to protect animals from humans who neglect or abuse them. In your essay, explain your position regarding the ethical treatment of animals.

Essay Topic 2

Is Edward Abbey depressed? His inability to stop or shift the tides of progress comes through in his writing. Is he hopeful, or has he given up on the human race altogether? Explain your impressions, and provide examples.

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)

This section contains 1,059 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample