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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 have people always told Steinbeck about his wanderlust?

2. What does Steinbeck invite the Canadian family to do?

3. What does Steinbeck notice that surrounds the small towns and villages?

4. What is the genre of this book?

5. What does Steinbeck think is the trouble with New England voices?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Steinbeck's purpose for taking this trip?

4. What angers Steinbeck about some neighboring boats anchored close to his just prior to the hurricane?

5. What does Steinbeck's 13-year-old neighbor boy symbolize?

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

7. Explain how Steinbeck interjects humor into the book.

8. Why does Steinbeck decide not to take a human traveling companion?

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

10. What urge has Steinbeck felt all his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Steinbeck's interest in writer, Sinclair Lewis. What are Steinbeck's feelings about the people in Lewis' hometown who rejected him for writing the book Main Street, but now elevate his prior citizenship after Lewis is dead? Can you tell Steinbeck's feelings about hypocrisy? Could that be part of the reason Steinbeck does not stop to see Lewis' birthplace even though he is close? 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

Discuss Steinbeck's writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in this book.

(see the answer keys)

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