View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Japhy and Ray talk about how the _________ will meet the West.

2. What is the profession of the person who comments that El Paso gets 360 days of sunshine a year?

3. What kind of writer has Ray gained a reputation as being?

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

5. Who does Ray find to be cynical and even jaded as they continue to talk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does a local confide to Ray when the two become drunk together?

2. What realization does Ray have that truly makes him feel free?

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

4. What does Ray want to do when Japhy suggests they go to the lecture and discussion session?

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

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

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

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

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

10. For how long does Ray continue to meditate in the woods?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of simplicity is another obvious idea that is tested and acknowledged as the story continues.

Part 1: What are Ray's ideas about simplicity? What are Japhy's ideas about simplicity?

Part 2: What are some examples of Ray and Japhy's adherence to simplicity?

Part 3: Why is living simply preferable to living any other way, according to these characters?

Essay Topic 2

Settling into one area seems to be something Ray is unable to do, preferring instead to travel from one location to the next as his moods dictate.

Part 1: What does the idea of always moving seem to say about Ray?

Part 2: Do you think Ray is truly a wanderer or someone who is always trying to run away from his life? Why?

Part 3: What does the wandering of Ray seem to say about the idea of being still? What does the author seem to be saying about staying in one place?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample