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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 happens to the moose on the trapping trail?

2. What does Gary see Marge hunt?

3. At the end of "Alaska", how does Gary feel about the start of the race?

4. What does it mean when a musher comes from "Down Below"?

5. When do Gary and the dogs arrive in Alaska?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Alaska," what does Gary mean when he writes, "Sleep died early"?

2. In "Skwentna," describe the encounter with the moose on the way back to the true trail.

3. In "Major Wrecks," what happens when Gary does a training run with an old bicycle pulled by five dogs?

4. Describe Gary's fear when he learns his diagnosis in "An End."

5. How does the red-bearded musher in "Alaska" react when his lead dog bites Gary?

6. In "Finger Lake," how does Gary justify eating the meat that has mixed with the dog chow?

7. What happens when Gary asks the doctor, "Is there a time?"

8. Describe Don's Cabin. How did it get its name?

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

10. In "An End," what is the difference between Gary's version of a normal life and his doctor's version?

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

What are some of the biggest mistakes Gary makes while running dogs? Include mistakes he makes while training, as well as those he makes during the race.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Gary conveys his ignorance in "Beginnings", "Dogs from Hell", "Major Wrecks", "Pre-Race", and during the race. Why do you think he shares his ignorance with the reader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 970 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample