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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. How is Steinbeck able to travel unnoticed?

2. Of what is Steinbeck an avid collector?

3. What does Steinbeck see when he takes Charley for a walk?

4. What does Steinbeck mean by a "blown-in-the-glass" bum?

5. To what does Steinbeck compare the futility of trying to control a trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Steinbeck respond to his friends' concerns about the dangers of road travel?

2. Describe Steinbeck's encounter with the young sailor.

3. What is Steinbeck's explanation for the junk yards and garbage dumps surrounding the small towns and villages through which he passes?

4. Describe some of the things that Steinbeck packs.

5. How does Steinbeck communicate in the book?

6. What is so depressing about Steinbeck's stop in Bangor?

7. What urge has Steinbeck felt all his life?

8. What is John Steinbeck's view on the journey he is about to take?

9. What does Steinbeck think about the personality of each journey?

10. Why does Steinbeck ignore his doctors' advice following an illness the previous year?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is Steinbeck changed after a Sunday morning service in a small Vermont town? What impresses him about the experience? Does Steinbeck prefer fire and brimstone over vague, feel-good preaching? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Lonesome Harry. How does Steinbeck know Lonesome Harry without ever having met the man? Is Steinbeck envious of Lonesome Harry? Or does he feel pity for him? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain why one of Steinbeck's New York friends had asked Steinbeck to bring back any honest men Steinbeck found on his trip. What was the state of the economy, the government, etc. in America in 1960 that could have benefited from authentic, honest men? Do you think Steinbeck ever found anyone who would have qualified? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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