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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 does Steinbeck see when he takes Charley for a walk?

2. How is Steinbeck able to travel unnoticed?

3. Where does Steinbeck live?

4. What does Steinbeck call this state of journeying?

5. What does Steinbeck consider himself to be?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Charley.

2. What does Steinbeck share with the adults in the Canadian family as a gesture of good will?

3. Describe some of the things that Steinbeck packs.

4. Describe Deer Isle.

5. What happens to disrupt the launch of Steinbeck's trip?

6. Why are Steinbeck's friends concerned for his safety on the road?

7. Explain how Steinbeck interjects humor into the book.

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

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

10. What are Steinbeck's requirements for this state of journeying--or bumdom as he calls it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steinbeck is amazed by all the garbage dumps and junk yards he sees along the way. What would Steinbeck's perception be if he were to encounter the waste management system in America today? What would he say about the sheer volume of consumption and waste in America today? Would Steinbeck be a vocal recycling proponent?

Essay Topic 2

Why do Steinbeck's friends caution him about being a celebrity on the road? Why is Steinbeck's answer so very "Steinbeck"? Explain the differences between being a celebrity today as opposed to 1960 when Steinbeck made this trip.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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