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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. Where are the two boys from Minnesota headed in their flat bed truck?

2. What does Sal confess to Dean on their trip to Virginia?

3. Which of Sal's friends stayed with Sal's aunt while he was away?

4. What is "The Ghost's" destination?

5. What does Dean want his friends to help him with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the vow Sal and Terry make when Sal leaves for New York?

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

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

4. Who is traveling with Mississippi Gene?

5. Why does Sal break up with Lucille?

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

7. Who does Sal meet on the bus from Bakersfield to Los Angeles?

8. What do Sal, Ray Rawlins, and others do in an old mining town outside of Denver?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are conflicting views about Dean Moriarty. One is that he has a zest for life and the other is that he is crazy. What is your opinion on these views?

Support your answer with specific evidence from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In Des Moines, Sal experiences the distinction of the East of his youth and the West of his future.

a. What does the West represent to Sal?

b. Contrast his life when he is living on the east coast and when he is living out west.

c. How have his voyages changed his views on life?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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