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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 vegetable does Thoreau chiefly grow at Walden Pond?

2. What does Thoreau sell before he moves into the woods?

3. What kind of animal does Thoreau find in his house?

4. What instrument does Thoreau use to watch the war more closely?

5. What does Thoreau do when ice first forms on the pond?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the old man see when he was hunting ducks?

2. What did Thoreau use as an excuse to carry a gun?

3. What does Thoreau learn from his experiment?

4. Why does Thoreau admire the 'wild men' who go ice-fishing on Walden Pond?

5. Who is the poet with whom Thoreau has a conversation at the beginning of the chapter?

6. Why does Thoreau leave Walden Pond?

7. How does Thoreau describe his encounters with cats in the forest?

8. What game does Thoreau play with the loon?

9. Why does Thoreau 'visit' particular trees?

10. Why does Thoreau's self-respect fall when he goes fishing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the pros and cons of living an isolated life. In what situations is it considered beneficial to be solitary, such as during meditation? In what situations is being isolated considered a punishment, such as during solitary confinement? Why does solitude have such different effects in certain situations?

Essay Topic 2

If you tried to carry out Thoreau's experiment today, would it be possible? Why or why not? Write an essay explaining how our modern society can prevent us from living such a simplified lifestyle. Be sure to include any modern inventions that would actually assist a minimalist lifestyle.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining the opportunities and hardships immigrants faced in the United States in the 19th century. Do present-day immigrants have better opportunities now? What is the American dream, and is it possible to achieve it?

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This section contains 945 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample