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

2. Abbey suggests to Waterman that, perhaps, like a German poet, we humans

3. What reigns in the desert on this late-spring day is

4. Abbey's reaction to the man's manner of death is one of

5. The character Mackie is

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Why does Abbey refer to himself as a true patriot?

6. Of what is Abbey reminded as he lay naked on top of Tukuhnikivats?

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

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

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

10. Do you think Abbey intended to risk his life by spending the entire day trying to entice Moon-Eye to come to him.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think Abbey's general attitude is toward his fellow human beings? His cynicism is obvious, however, are we able to see a softer side of Abbey when it comes to people? If so, explain and describe it. What emotions is Abbey capable of feeling in this environment?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Could you, and would you, volunteer for a job through the summer in the desert, knowing the harsh conditions? Why do you think Edward Abbey deliberately, and more than once, took the Park Ranger job for the summer, which was clearly an extreme challenge? Is he a little crazy, as he notes? What does the experience provide him with, if anything?

(see the answer keys)

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