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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. Who came the farthest to visit Thoreau in the winter?

2. For what does San Nutting exchange bear skins?

3. Where was it rumored that Col. Quoil had been a soldier?

4. What animal does Thoreau sometimes eat with relish?

5. In what state is Walden Pond located?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Thoreau say Walden Pond got its revenge on the men who were harvesting the ice?

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

3. Why does Thoreau leave Walden Pond?

4. Why does Thoreau throw sweet corn on the snow by his door?

5. What does Thoreau compare the spring melt with?

6. How does Thoreau describe the condition of the hut that John Field's family lives in?

7. Why does Thoreau 'visit' particular trees?

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

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

10. Why does Thoreau describe wood as a precious commodity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing Thoreau's description of winter with that of another author in another book. How are their views of the season similar/different? Who do you relate to more? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay for or against vegetarianism. What are the impacts of your personal eating habits on your body, the environment, and the economy?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay comparing the personal philosophies of another author involved in the Transcendentalist Movement with those belonging to Thoreau.

(see the answer keys)

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