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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 would the name of their press be, according to Japhy's plans for he and Ray's future?

2. Who does Ray dream of as Japhy and Ray sleep after their hike?

3. Who offers snide comments about other writers and poets?

4. In what city did Ray go to have a swim and some food over a nice wood fire in the sand?

5. The answer to #139 says that _________ is no good as a writer because he is always drunk.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ray hear Japhy wants to do with his life at this time?

2. Where is Ray's future job during the summer months?

3. What does Ray do as he stays in the shack behind Sean and Christine's home?

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

5. Where is Ray's lookout location to be situated?

6. What does Ray realize during one of his meditations he is empowered to do?

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

8. What do Ray and Japhy do when they begin to get bored of the party?

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

10. How does Ray get from El Paso to Los Angeles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea that you can't fall off a mountain is a glorious realization for Ray as he is climbing on the mountain with Japhy.

Part 1: Describe the moment when Ray finally understands the idea of not being able to fall off the mountain.

Part 2: What does this realization really mean to Ray?

Part 3: What does Japhy interpret this realization to mean?

Essay Topic 2

One might say the sexualized descriptions of the women in this story are an indication of Kerouac's own feelings about women and his own perceptions of women.

Part 1: Describe the female characters who are introduced in this novel.

Part 2: What are the motivations of these women, as one can tell from reading about their actions? What does this say about the author's feelings about women?

Part 3: Which female character is the most important to the story? Why?

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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