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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. What did Gallien know about city people who came to do what Chris had in mind?

2. What is ironic about Krakauer's descriptions of Walt McCandless and that of his rebellious son, Chris?

3. On his last trip to Carthage, who is the woman Chris became close with?

4. What did Chris do with the $24,000 he had left over from his inheritance?

5. To whom did Chris send a postcard from Bullhead City?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a literary parallel between Chris and Ruess?

2. How did Wayne Westerberg come to notify the police?

3. What are some particulars about Alex (Chris) deciding to go to San Diego?

4. Explain the origins of the Stampede Trail.

5. When Jim Gallien picked Chris up, what went through the back of his mind?

6. Describe Westerberg's comments to Krakauer two months after Chris died.

7. Discuss the difference between Chris's treatment of his parents and the way he treated strangers.

8. Discuss Chris's abandonment of his beloved Datsun.

9. How does Krakauer rebut the idea that Chris was a reckless idiot, a wacko, a narcissist?

10. How did there happen to be an abandoned bus where Chris could find it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about respect for authority. Using the example of Chris failing one course, physics, because he refused to turn in his assignments according to the way the professor wanted them. Then broaden the point of view. You may want to write about taggers (delinquents who paint graffiti on public buildings). Conclude with your idea about what society would be like if everyone simply did whatever he or she pleased without regard to others or the law.

Essay Topic 2

Given the amount of information Krakauer includes about Chris's abilities, write and OP-ED piece about another successful course Chris might have taken to realize his ideals. You might want to have him go into the Peace Corps or get involved in something like Habitat for Humanity.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about loneliness. Using Ron Franz as an example, write about how losing loved ones can affect one's life and what one can do to fill the void. Give your opinion of Ron Franz as to whether he had a good plan for living alone.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 841 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample