View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The Canadian dogs remind Ruth of what?

2. Gary discovers that this spice helps dogs eat when they're not hungry.

3. What does Gary do when he finds a snared doe while training for his first race?

4. How does the other musher's lead dog die on the trapping trail?

5. Where is the true start of the race?

Short Essay Questions

1. What "absolute fundamental knowledge" scares Gary at the end of the Prelude?

2. In the last chapter, how does the doctor tell Gary about Gary's test results?

3. According to Gary, what are "problem" dogs?

4. How cold does it get during the Yukon part of the race?

5. At the end of the book, what does Gary ask his friend to do? Why?

6. After Gary starts back from the wrong trail outside Anchorage, he sees "the extent of the damage." What does he mean?

7. Describe Gary's run in The Yukon.

8. At the Rohn River checkpoint, how does Gary rationalize the idea of quitting the race?

9. What is Gary's dilemma about helping the other team at the beginning of the race? What does he decide to do?

10. What is the challenge of running from Koyuk to Nome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What positive experiences does Gary take away from his experience training for and running of the Iditarod? Discuss at least four.

Essay Topic 2

How does the author use humor to convey his story? Discuss how he uses humor with Ruth, other mushers, and himself.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Gary's relationships with Cookie and Devil. How does Gary communicate with each of them, and how do Cookie and Devil communicate with Gary? Give specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 954 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample