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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 did Ray notice about the big Texan with whom he rides?

2. What do the men in the town wish they could also do in the woods?

3. What does Japhy do to his girlfriend before the boat departs?

4. Who comes with Japhy's sister when she visits him?

5. About what mountains does Japhy begin to tell Ray stories?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ray realize as he settles into his position in the middle of the woods?

2. For how long do Japhy and Ray stay away from the party on their hike?

3. What does Ray refuse to do at a wild party at Sean and Christine's house?

4. What does Ray's brother-in-law think about his time in the woods and in the house?

5. Why does Japhy want to introduce Ray to some friends at a lecture and discussion session?

6. What does Ray realize he misses when he goes to Juarez and meets some people for drinking and smoking?

7. What does Ray dream about when he is sleeping during the night after Japhy and he begin their hike?

8. What is Japhy's reaction to Rhoda's fiance?

9. What does Ray realize about himself once he arrives at his summer job?

10. What does Rheinhold Cacoethes do during the going away party for Japhy?

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

The various settings of the story seem to convey different moods for the story. From beginning to end, the environments of the characters inform the characters themselves and vice versa.

Part 1: List three of the settings within the story.

Part 2: What is the mood of each of these settings?

Part 3: How does the mood of the story change from beginning to end? Reference different settings as they relate to these shifts in moods.

(see the answer keys)

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