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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the similar experience that led to both of these stories of drop out and adventure?
(a) Both of them graduated from Emory University.
(b) Both of them were classical musicians.
(c) Both of them had issues with their family life.
(d) Both of them drove Yellow Datsons.

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

3. What human contact did Chris have as he hikeed West from Lake Mead?
(a) A troop of Boy Scouts.
(b) People in a small village.
(c) A few vagabonds and some law officers.
(d) Men working on an oil drilling rig.

4. After a series of misadventures on his way to San Diego, why did Chris call Franz?
(a) To see if he had gotten any mail.
(b) To come pick him up.
(c) To ask him to send money.
(d) To tell Franz that he was in the hospital.

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

6. Where did Chris's canoe trip eventually take him after going as far as he could down the Colorado River?
(a) He headed South and ended up in Acapulco.
(b) He ended up staying with a Mexican family for six weeks.
(c) He retraced his way back upstream.
(d) Some duck hunters agreed to drive him to the Gulf of California.

7. What story does Krakauer tell that resembles Chris's in many ways?
(a) The adventures of Edmund Scott.
(b) The life of John Mallon Waterman.
(c) The loneliness of Henry David Thoreau.
(d) The troubles of Carl Jennings.

8. What comment does Krakauer make about Chris's fondness for Jack London?
(a) That London had never actually been in Alaska.
(b) That Chris did not recognize London's lifestyle was different from the people he wrote about.
(c) That London lectured against doing exactly what Chris was doing.
(d) That London's books had all been proven to be false.

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

10. What did Chris and Ruess each do shortly before their deaths?
(a) Post several letters.
(b) Dig their graves.
(c) Write out a will.
(d) Burn their money.

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

12. Why did Chris adopt the name Alex Burres?
(a) He took it when people thought he was Jan's son.
(b) He realized he needed a second name.
(c) He became a surrogate for Jan Burres's estranged son.
(d) He liked the initials AB.

13. Where did Alex stay outside of Salton City?
(a) Palm Springs.
(b) Right at Oh-My-God Hot Springs.
(c) Joshua Tree National Park.
(d) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

14. What did Chris tell Gallien his plans were?
(a) To hike from Mt. McKinley to the Gulf of Mexico.
(b) To walk into the wilderness near Denali National Park to live off the land for several months.
(c) To write a book like Thoreau.
(d) To hike as far north as he could go.

15. Why did Christ steal a bicycle in Northern California?
(a) The man he worked for refused to pay him.
(b) He was delirious at the time and did not know what he was doing.
(c) He had always wanted a bike like that.
(d) He intended to return and pay for it.

Short Answer Questions

1. What news seriously alarmed Jan Burres?

2. What did Chris realize after he decided to abandon his once beloved Datsun?

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

4. Why was author Jon Krakauer interested in writing Chris's story?

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

(see the answer keys)

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