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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. When do the narrator and his friends begin their trip to mine for silver?

2. What do the assayers do?

3. How does Slade develop a reputation for being a fearless fighter?

4. During their second unsuccessful attempt at starting a fire, how many matches does the party burn?

5. How often are the horses switched that are pulling the mail coach on the way to Carson City?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes the narrator to work for a Quartz mill and how does his employment there end?

2. What is the writing style of Mark Twain that is established in the Prefatory?

3. What is the myth of the Pony Express Riders?

4. Why does the story of Hank Monk and Horace Greeley irritate the narrator so much?

5. What is the experience the narrator has in buying a horse in Carson City?

6. Why is Slade feared and what happens between him and the narrator?

7. What is the reality of the alkali desert as the narrator experiences it after leaving Salt Lake City?

8. What is Roughing It about, according to the author?

9. How does the narrator's party claim their mining areas along the mountains in Unionville, and what happens as they try to work in them?

10. How long is the Prefatory in Roughing It, and what is its purpose?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A two-day visit to Salt Lake City gives the narrator a chance to analyze the lifestyle of the Mormons.

1) Describe how the narrator views the Mormons, the way he approaches his analysis of them, and why.

2) Explain the different cultures that the Mormons have during the 1800s and the reasons for them.

3) Describe 3 examples that the author uses to depict the Mormons' philosophy and way of life, along with the conclusion he makes for each example.

Essay Topic 2

Twain uses a variety of literary techniques to bring his story to life in Roughing It.

1) Describe 3 examples of symbolism and how they are important to the theme of the story.

2) Describe 3 examples of foreshadowing and their impact on the narrator's life experiences.

3) Explain at least 3 examples of how Twain uses both humor and descriptions to provide an informative, yet entertaining account of the changing West in the 1800s.

Essay Topic 3

The author's tone in Roughing It changes throughout the book to reflect the narrator's journey. Analyze how Twain changes slightly between a humorous narrative and an informative reporting style of writing. Use the entire book to provide examples of which chapters feature each style, why the style was chosen for them, and how both styles contribute to the effectiveness of the story in general.

(see the answer keys)

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