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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 does Ray find profound as he sits and contemplates the immensity of the mountains?

2. What does Morley rent from the trail's lodge house?

3. What does Ray think about his life when he begins to contemplate Japhy's choices and outlook?

4. What is the name of the girlfriend of the answer to #63?

5. Where does the truck driver say he will take Ray to in exchange for Ray showing him around Mexico?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the house where Ray Smith is staying.

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

3. What does the bum tell Ray to do in order to cure arthritis?

4. What does Ray ask Japhy to help him do once Ray receives money?

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

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

7. How will Japhy and Ray find their way along the mountain trail, according to Japhy?

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

9. What does Ray notice about Los Angeles as he rides the bus to Riverside?

10. Describe the character of Japhy Ryder.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of 'yabyum' is one that is not only mysterious in the beginning of the story, but also even more mysterious as it is 'revealed' to Ray.

Part 1: How is the idea of yabyum defined by Japhy?

Part 2: How is Ray introduced to the idea of yabyum?

Part 3: Does yabyum seem to be truly experienced by these men? Or is it just an excuse to have sex as often as possible? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The voice of the narrator is always a concern for a novel. Since the author's own life and opinions often influence the narration, the narrator's voice must be questioned.

Part 1: Who is the narrator of this novel?

Part 2: What does the narrator bring to the story and the telling of the story?

Part 3: How does this particular narrator affect the telling of the story? Is he/she a positive or negative influence on the story telling? Is he/she they trustworthy?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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