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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What evidence does Krakauer find that suggests Chris was ready to re-enter society?
(a) The graffiti Chris drew on the bus indicated he wanted to see people again.
(b) Chris's journal indicated that he was beginning to doubt Thoreau.
(c) Chris had written down the names and addresses of everyone who had helped him so he could visit them again.
(d) Doctor Zhivago, a book Chris was reading, includes that genuine happiness must be shared with one's fellow human beings and Chris had made a note beside that passage.

2. Why did Chris write in his journal that he had found the Magic Bus?
(a) Because it was stocked with wilderness essentials by the hunters who use it during moose season.
(b) Because it saved him from having to pitch his tent.
(c) Because it popped up out of nowhere.
(d) Because it reminded him of a magic flying machine.

3. When did Jon Krakauer interview Walt McCandless?
(a) Seven weeks after Chris's body was recovered.
(b) A year after Chris died.
(c) On what would have been Chris's birthday.
(d) Never. He would not speak with Krakauer.

4. How is Carine different from Chris?
(a) She always returns home when she disappears.
(b) She is a good cook.
(c) She made peace with their parents.
(d) She is interested in helping the homeless.

5. What kind of business do Carine and her husband operate?
(a) A publishing company.
(b) An auto repair business.
(c) An electronics shop.
(d) A daycare for the elderly.

6. What daunting challenge did Krakauer set for himself as a young man?
(a) To ski down Mt. McKinley.
(b) To scale a mountain called the Devils Thumb alone.
(c) To prove that he is always right.
(d) To find out how much terror he can stand.

7. What was the skeleton in Walt's closet that stressed the whole family, Chris in particular?
(a) Walt kept a mistress after Chris went to college.
(b) Walt had affairs with several women.
(c) Walt and Billie divorced but later remarried.
(d) Walt had lived a bigamist life for some years after Chris was born.

8. What family outings did the McCandless family mention to Krakauer?
(a) Going to the Grand Canyon every year.
(b) A yearly trip to Texas.
(c) A beach house in Cape Cod.
(d) Camping trips with an Airstream Trailer.

9. What connection did Jim Gallien make when he read the article about Chris's death?
(a) Chris was the young hitchhiker he had given a ride to the Stampede Trail.
(b) The empty bag of rice the article said the police found in the bus reminded him of the hitchhiker he'd picked up.
(c) The rubber boots the news article mentioned were the ones he'd given Chris.
(d) The .22-caliber rifle they found in the bus was the same as the hitchhiker's he'd given a ride to.

10. After Chris left home, why didnn't Carine get upset when he won't tell her where he was?
(a) She knew Chris was happy and thought he would come home some day.
(b) She didn't want to know because she didn't care.
(c) She was glad he was gone so she could have his room.
(d) She thought their father would try to bring him home if he knew.

11. How does Roman Dial, who teaches at the University of Alaska, interpret Chris's actions?
(a) Roman admires McCandless's efforts but would not undertake them himself.
(b) Roman thinks no one should ever attempt what Chris did.
(c) He thinks the native Alaskans are right to condemn Chris.
(d) He agrees that Chris was borderline neurotic.

12. What characteristic of his father's does Krakauer mention as a flaw?
(a) That his father was too kind to everyone.
(b) That his father never climbed a mountain.
(c) That his father worked too many jobs.
(d) That his father could never admit to being wrong.

13. What spurred Krakauer on after his failed attempt to climb Devil's Thumb?
(a) The prospect of defeat.
(b) His mood after he naps.
(c) A spider that keeps working after its web breaks.
(d) The fact that he has enough food to try again.

14. What happened to Billie in July of 1992?
(a) She had a vivid dream of Chris calling her for help.
(b) She had a nervous breakdown.
(c) She was diagnosed with cancer.
(d) She had a dibilitating auto accident.

15. What did Krakauer do similar to what Chris did when he needed to go to the village of Petersberg?
(a) He sent postcards to friends.
(b) He bought a big bag of rice.
(c) He abandoned his car.
(d) He burned his money.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Krakauer reached an impassable place on the mountain, what did he do?

2. What did Billie realize as she get to the bus?

3. What is prominently displayed in Carine McCandless's home?

4. What two requests did Stuckey make of Alex as they parted company?

5. How far did Chris travel on the Stampede Trail before he located the abandoned bus?

(see the answer keys)

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