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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. Moon Eye, the wild horse, has been living alone for

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

3. The heat of the desert makes objects appear

4. Why does the sign instructing skiers to ski in a clockwise direction irk Edward Abbey?

5. When Abbey finally confronts Moon-Eye, he is

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the men make jokes about the dead man?

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a researched essay on the current state of the Arches. Has it been mined, drilled, dammed and cemented over, as Abbey dreaded and anticipated? Research, describe and evaluate the changes, and determine whether you feel they have improved the park. Explain your position.

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

Edward Abbey is a reporter and narrator, explaining what he sees, hears, feels and experiences. However, he does not necessarily let the reader into his heart and soul regarding his personal life. He chooses this reclusive job, and makes journeys into wilderness areas where there are no people. Is Abbey a recluse by nature? Why does he seem to prefer this solitude? Are there hints in the story about his personal life? If so, describe and interpret them.

(see the answer keys)

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