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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. Near what river does Steinbeck spend the night?

2. What is the only valuable thing that happens on this day?

3. In what city in Louisiana does Steinbeck decide to stop?

4. Where does Steinbeck get lost in heavy traffic?

5. What impresses Steinbeck about the Oregon coast?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the irony of the situation Steinbeck encounters at the Canadian border?

2. What happens to Steinbeck in Minneapolis/St. Paul?

3. What philosophical thoughts does Steinbeck have when he passes into Idaho?

4. What does Steinbeck encounter in New Orleans that sickens him?

5. Why does Steinbeck fall in love with Montana?

6. What is Steinbeck's intention for stopping at Sauk Centre, Minnesota?

7. How does Steinbeck justify his opinion that the river crossing at Bismarck is the true demarcation between east and west?

8. Why is the rock with the mica in it so important to Steinbeck?

9. What does Steinbeck learn about truckers when he takes breaks at roadside rest stops?

10. Explain how the Badlands are a study in opposites.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the Cold War in America. Why are Steinbeck and the people he meets so obsessed with it? How does Steinbeck come to terms with the Cold War in order to live his life with some sort of calm?

Essay Topic 2

Explain why Steinbeck thinks that people are basically nomads at heart. Do most people favor putting down roots or moving around? What are the benefits and drawbacks to both ways of life? Why does the development of the mobile home increase options for Americans?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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