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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. Why does the driver who gives Sal a ride from Harrisburg to New York refuse to give Sal any food?

2. How does Sal feel about the friendship between Dean Moriarty and his friend?

3. Where does Sal go with Babe Rawlins in a mining town outside of Denver?

4. Who does Sal introduce to Dean with whom he forms a strong friendship?

5. How does Dean treat Sal's friends while in Denver?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dean Moriarty visit Sal at his aunt's house in Patterson, New Jersey?

2. What does Sal find out when he calls Chad King after he arrives in Denver?

3. What are Sal's living arrangements while he is in Denver?

4. What favor does Remi ask Lee Ann before he moves out of their house?

5. Why does Sal break up with Lucille?

6. What is the wildest ride of Sal's journey?

7. What does the group of friends do while in New York on New Year's Eve?

8. Why do Sal and Terry go to Terry's home town of Sabinal?

9. Why doesn't the driver offer Sal any food on his trip from Pittsburgh to New York?

10. Why does Sal Paradise travel West?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sal and Dean mention finding "IT" throughout the novel

a. How do Sal and Dean define "IT"?

b. Do they ever find "IT"?

c. Do you think that "IT" has religious or spiritual undertones? Why or why not?

Cite specific examples from the book to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Jazz music is an underlying theme in On the Road.

a. Describe the role of jazz in the Beat movement.

b. Describe how jazz influences how On the Road was written.

Essay Topic 3

Sal has views about different groups who were marginalized in mid-20th century America. What are his views on these groups? Are there any differences among categories of people? If so, why? Cite specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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