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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did Chris decide to go to San Diego?
(a) To catch a steamer going up the coast to Alaska.
(b) To find work for money for his Alaskan trip.
(c) To catch a train to Alaska.
(d) To get a suntan at the beach before heading North.

2. How did Chris describe Charlie, the man who let him stay in a vacant mobile home?
(a) As a father figure.
(b) As being benevolent.
(c) As uneducated.
(d) As a lunatic.

3. What did Chris make at Franz's house?
(a) A pair of moccasins.
(b) A new leather backpack.
(c) A leather belt that depicted all his travels to date.
(d) A wallet to give to Franz.

4. How does Krakauer classify Chris as opposed to the way most people saw him?
(a) As a classic example of a true Robinson Crusoe.
(b) As not very different from many idealistic, if short-sighted, young people.
(c) As mentally unbalanced.
(d) As a true hero others should look up to.

5. What complication did Chris face while living in The Slabs?
(a) He got into an argument with Jan Burres.
(b) Tracy, a 17-year-old girl developed a huge crush on him.
(c) The other drifters believed he was an undercover cop.
(d) He could produce no identification when the border patrol came to the camp.

6. Where did Jim Gallien first encounter Chris?
(a) In a hardware store in Fairbanks, Alaska.
(b) In the library at Fairbanks, Alaska.
(c) In a cheap cafe on the outskirts of Fairbanks.
(d) Hitchhiking about four miles outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.

7. After surviving 10 years living off the land, what became of Rosellini?
(a) He traveled around the world backpacking.
(b) He went on the lecture tour.
(c) He commited suicide and left no note.
(d) He settled down in a small town and raised a family.

8. What food was Chris extremely fond of?
(a) Rice.
(b) Broccoli.
(c) Hotdogs.
(d) Grilled cheese.

9. Impressed with Chris's intelligence, what did Franz try to get him to do?
(a) Write a book about his travels.
(b) Clean up and get a good job.
(c) Start teaching young people.
(d) Get an education.

10. How do Waterman and Chris differ?
(a) Chris burned his money, but Waterman always had money with him.
(b) Chris was able to make friends, Waterman was socially awkward.
(c) Chis was short and Waterman was very tall.
(d) Chris was afraid of the water and Waterman feared heights.

11. What do some people think about Chris McCandless?
(a) That he was murdered in Alaska.
(b) That he was accident prone.
(c) That he was a foolish boy who threw away his life.
(d) That he had the spirit of Daniel Boone.

12. What did Chris realize after he decided to abandon his once beloved Datsun?
(a) That he missed his family and wanted to go home.
(b) That he needed better hiking shoes since he was now walking.
(c) That he was free from material possessions that tie him down.
(d) That it would be impossible to continue without a car.

13. What message did Chris leave taped to the door of the bus?
(a) That visitors were welcome.
(b) That he had staked a claim on this bus.
(c) That he was near death.
(d) That he would return in an hour.

14. What is Krakauer's obvious purpose of including the information in Chapter 9?
(a) Krakauer gives examples to leave the reader confused about Chris.
(b) Krakauer points out that there have historically been examples of sick isolationists.
(c) Krakauer skillfully shows that there has never been someone like Chris McCandless.
(d) Krakauer gradually and artfully transforms the reader's view of Chris from mentally ill isolationist to knowledgeable spiritual seeker.

15. What happened when the moose hunters got to the bus where they plan to camp out?
(a) The bus had been moved and they didn't know where to look for it.
(b) The bus was a burned out shell.
(c) There was a terrible smell coming from inside the bus.
(d) There was a pack of wolves surrounding the bus.

Short Answer Questions

1. What similar classic books are favorites of Ruess and Chris?

2. What prevented Jan and Bob from going to Bullhead City to pick Chris up?

3. What strange actions did Chris take right after graduating college?

4. What parallel does Krakauer draw between Chris and Carl McCunn?

5. What device does Krakauer use to open Chapter 1 and subsequent chapters?

(see the answer keys)

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