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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. Whose life is considered to be on the good path?

2. How much were the flannel shirts Ray buys?

3. Who is the backwoods boy who grew up in a log cabin in the woods?

4. Who is noted to have enormous hiking endurance?

5. Who offers to give Ray his old sleeping bag cover?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Cody concerned about when Ray arrives to say his goodbyes?

2. When the waitress asks the men where they will be hiking, what do the men reply?

3. How do Japhy and Ray find Morley again?

4. What kinds of stores do Japhy and Ray go to in order to find the best hiking equipment?

5. What is the realization Ray has when he watches the way Japhy descends the mountain?

6. How does Ray feel once they have reached a higher point of elevation as they hike up to Matterhorn?

7. Describe the character of Henry Morley.

8. Describe the character of Ray Smith as he arrives in Los Angeles.

9. Where is Japhy and Ray's campsite for the night?

10. Where does Ray decide to sleep once he arrives at his mother's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within the friendship of Ray and Japhys lies gray area in which they are not as friendly as they seem, at times.

Part 1: Describe Ray's feelings towards Japhys throughout the novel. How do they change? What is the eventual feeling Ray has for Japhy?

Part 2: How might one describe the relationship between these two men?

Part 3: Does the relationship between these two men seem to be convincing? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One of the basic tenets of Buddhism is the practice of compassion for others. In giving of one's self, one can attain true enlightenment and peace.

Part 1: How do the characters in the story define the idea of compassion?

Part 2: Describe at least two instances in which one character is compassionate to another character.

Part 3: Do the characters in the story seem to be able to be compassionate to each other? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

While the characters profess to have a strong believe in Buddhism and its tenets, there is still the underlying theme of superiority.

Part 1: In what ways do Ray and Japhy feel they are superior to others?

Part 2: Why doesn't this idea of being better than other become problematic to these two men? Or does it?

Part 3: Does it seem like these men are true followers of Buddhism when they talk about how other people are not living the 'right' way? Can one be Buddha-like when they are critical of others?

(see the answer keys)

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