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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Steinbeck think about as he packs the camper?
(a) What kind of weather he will encounter
(b) The strong desire in everyone to do what he is about to do
(c) Whether his wife will be mad at him
(d) Whether he will be back in time for Christmas

2. Who wants to accompany Steinbeck on the trip?
(a) A neighbor boy
(b) Steinbeck's lawyer
(c) Steinbeck's son
(d) Mrs. Steinbeck

3. What material is everything in the attached diner made of, including the waitress' apron?
(a) aluminum
(b) wood
(c) plastic
(d) polyester

4. What is the genre of this book?
(a) Travel memoir
(b) Biography
(c) Autobiography
(d) Essays

5. Where has Steinbeck's friend made a reservation for him?
(a) Kennebunkport
(b) Mt. Killington
(c) Niagara Falls
(d) Deer Isle

6. What infuriates Steinbeck about a neighbor's boat anchoring prior to the storm?
(a) Their amateurish preparation endangers his boat.
(b) They have used his anchor without preparation.
(c) They anchor too far away from shore.
(d) They don't use any anchor.

7. What does Steinbeck expect to experience on the road?
(a) Desolation
(b) Spirituality
(c) Elation
(d) Boredom

8. How is Steinbeck able to travel unnoticed?
(a) People do not expect famous authors to be traveling in a trailer with a dog for a companion.
(b) He gains a lot of weight.
(c) He dyes his hair black.
(d) He wears a wig and sunglasses.

9. What does Steinbeck mean by a "blown-in-the-glass" bum?
(a) A traveler who will only drink out of crystal.
(b) A traveler who drinks too much.
(c) A traveler who works as a glassblower.
(d) A traveler who is as fragile as glass.

10. With what was the vehicle outfitted?
(a) A GPS system
(b) A stereo system
(c) A mattress on the floor
(d) A CB radio

11. What have people always told Steinbeck about his wanderlust?
(a) He needs to indulge it.
(b) Everybody has it to some degree.
(c) He will grow out of it.
(d) He is crazy to even think about it.

12. What do Steinbeck's friends warn him about regarding this trip?
(a) That he will not have the perseverance to complete it.
(b) That he will not be able to travel incognito.
(c) That he will get bored very quickly.
(d) That he will realize that his life at home was preferable.

13. What happens to delay Steinbeck's plans?
(a) The camper's tires go flat.
(b) A blizzard hits New York.
(c) Hurricane Donna hits.
(d) His wife needs emergency surgery.

14. Why does Mrs. Steinbeck shout at Steinbeck?
(a) She is frustrated by his lack of attention.
(b) He cannot hear her over the sound of the wind.
(c) He has been knocked unconscious.
(d) He heads out into the storm to tend to his boat.

15. What does Steinbeck buy at a farmhouse?
(a) Smoked ham
(b) Dog food
(c) Cured bacon
(d) Fresh eggs

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Steinbeck plan to stay the next night?

2. Why does Steinbeck not take another person on the trip?

3. What do some of the migrant families use for shelter?

4. In this book, Steinbeck's style is neither ______________ in nature nor completely ________________.

5. According to Steinbeck, _____________ is the greater part of recognition.

(see the answer keys)

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