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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. Where did Greg and Cheryl take a Greyhound bus to from Lone Pine in Chapter 8: “Corvidology”?

2. What is the title of Part Two of the memoir?

3. What was author Cheryl Strayed's birth name?

4. How many times had Cheryl been backpacking previously when she set out to journey the PCT?

5. What vehicle did Cheryl encounter on the jeep trail as she was making her way toward Quincy in Chapter 9: “Staying Found”?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe Cheryl's mindset as she returns to the PCT in Chapter 9: “Staying Found”?

2. What are the "last-minute" items that Cheryl remembers to bring as she sets out in Chapter 3: “Hunching in a Remotely Upright Position”?

3. How does the author introduce herself and her mindset regarding her journey in the memoir's Prologue?

4. What internal and external conflicts are presented for Cheryl in Chapter 8: “Corvidology”?

5. How does Cheryl describe her past relationship with Joe in Chapter 4: “The Pacific Crest Trail, Volume I: California”?

6. How long does it take Cheryl to reach Golden Oak Springs? How much time does she spend there in Chapter 5: “Tracks”?

7. What are Cheryl's initial thoughts about facing snow in the High Sierras in Chapter 7: “The Only Girl in the Woods”?

8. What encounters with animals does Cheryl describe along her journey in Chapter 5: “Tracks”? What realizations do these encounters lead her to?

9. Where did Cheryl go before she left Minnesota for her hike? What did she do here, according to the narrative in Chapter 2: “Splitting”?

10. When does Cheryl stop hiking on her first day on the PCT in Chapter 4: “The Pacific Crest Trail, Volume I: California”? What are her thoughts as she camps?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe some of the oversights that Cheryl made when preparing for her trip. What are some oversights Cheryl made when packing her supplies? How might Cheryl have prevented some of the conflicts in the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Cheryl’s flashback and discussion of James Michener when she meets Christine and Jeff in Chapter 10: “Range of Light.” Why did Cheryl disregard and insult her mother’s love of Michener? Why did Cheryl choose a Michener book from Jeff’s collection? What does this action symbolize in the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the setting of Kennedy Meadows in California and discuss the origin and history of “trail angels” along the PCT. What are trail angels? What do they do to assist hikers? How many miles had Cheryl hiked when she reached Kennedy Meadows? What is the terrain like in this area?

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