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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How are Steinbeck's political views perceived by his family?
(a) As an insult to his upbringing
(b) As an uninformed person
(c) As a radical
(d) As a nuisance

2. What does a friend want Steinbeck to bring back from his trip?
(a) Tumbleweed from the desert
(b) Beer from all the states he visits
(c) Any honest men
(d) Rocks from the mountains

3. Why will Steinbeck never move back to Monterey?
(a) Monterey is too old fashioned.
(b) New York City is his home now.
(c) Monterey is too dirty.
(d) He wants to be away from his family.

4. On what does Steinbeck reflect at this point of his journey?
(a) If he is doing the trip as it should be done
(b) If he should get a different camper
(c) If he should take a break
(d) If he should turn back

5. What impresses Steinbeck at the rest stops?
(a) The really clean facilities
(b) The variety of goods in the vending machines
(c) The friendliness of other travelers
(d) The dog walking areas

6. Of what does the Columbia River region remind Steinbeck?
(a) Camping trips with his son
(b) Lewis & Clark's expedition
(c) Fly fishing with his father
(d) His childhood along the Pacific coast

7. What does Steinbeck call the previous guest of a hotel room he waits in temporarily?
(a) Lonesome Harry
(b) Johnny on the Spot
(c) Marvel the Magician
(d) The Invisible Man

8. What starts to slow Steinbeck's progress?
(a) Charley is having urinary trouble and their stops are taking longer.
(b) Steinbeck stops to take more photographs.
(c) Steinbeck is in awe of the scenery.
(d) Steinbeck diverts from his itinerary.

9. What impresses Steinbeck with its strange rock formations?
(a) The Grand Canyon
(b) The Wisconsin Dells
(c) Mount Rushmore
(d) Yosemite

10. In what city in North Dakota does Steinbeck stop?
(a) Minot
(b) Bismarck
(c) Grand Forks
(d) Fargo

11. What holiday does Steinbeck celebrate with his wife in Texas?
(a) Halloween
(b) Christmas
(c) Thanksgiving
(d) Yom Kippur

12. What does Steinbeck exclude from the novel?
(a) The Chicago reunion with his wife
(b) The notes he makes on a tape recorder
(c) Phone calls he places to his family
(d) The notes he makes in a journal

13. What is the occupation of Steinbeck's camping neighbor for the night?
(a) A Shakesperian performer
(b) A plastics salesman
(c) A farming implements salesman
(d) An auto executive

14. What does Steinbeck enjoy in Idaho?
(a) Snow-capped mountains
(b) Baked potatoes
(c) Wildflowers
(d) Fly fishing

15. What does the park ranger warn Steinbeck about as he enters the answer to #130?
(a) Bears
(b) Falling rocks
(c) Coyotes
(d) Extreme temperatures

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose birthplace is Steinbeck anxious to visit?

2. Why does Steinbeck stay in Texas three extra days?

3. Why do many people invest in house trailers?

4. To which state would Steinbeck like to move?

5. What is the source of trouble Steinbeck runs into while trying to cross the border into Canada?

(see the answer keys)

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