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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. How did Lou's son die?

2. What band did Jonathan say he knew personally in Chapter 15: “Box of Rain”?

3. Who does Cheryl describe in Chapter 18: “Queen of the PCT” as "hilarious and a little bit strange, with a dark edge of mystery"?

4. Where did Cheryl stop to have a burger two days after leaving Rick and the others in Chapter 17: “Into a Primal Gear”?

5. What was Lou's son's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cheryl consider about her trail nickname in Chapter 14: “Wild”?

2. What positive feelings about her mother does Cheryl reveal in Chapter 16: “Mazama”?

3. Who is the reporter that Cheryl encounters in Chapter 11: “The Lou Out of Lou”? What happens during their exchange?

4. Where does Cheryl pick up her resupply box in Chapter 10: “Range of Light”? Who does she encounter in this town?

5. What dream keeps recurring for Cheryl in Chapter 14: “Wild”? What does she make of the dream?

6. Describe Cheryl's mindset in the beginning of Chapter 17: “Into a Primal Gear.” How has Cheryl changed mentally and physically at this point in the journey?

7. What is Cheryl's mindset like as she continues along her journey in Chapter 13: “The Accumulation of Trees”?

8. Where does Cheryl travel on the PCT in Chapter 13: “The Accumulation of Trees”? What destination does she reach?

9. What discoveries does Cheryl make upon arriving in Ashland, Oregon, in Chapter 15: “Box of Rain”?

10. What realization does Cheryl reach regarding her father in Chapter 14: “Wild”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the history, geography, and physical demands of the Pacific Crest Trail. When was the trail built? How many miles long is the PCT? Where does the PCT begin and end? What mountain ranges does the PCT traverse? How much of the trail did Cheryl Strayed travel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Cheryl’s encounter with Frank, Walter, and Carlos in the reading. What were Frank, Walter, and Carlos doing when Cheryl found them? What fears did Cheryl face as she sat in Frank’s truck? Were these fears well-founded?

(see the answer keys)

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