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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 do the other mushers unofficially vote Gary to be?

2. What happens when the team gets to the end of the driveway to run in the first snow of the season?

3. How often does Gary harness his "problem" dogs?

4. The Canadian dogs remind Ruth of what?

5. During race training, how long does Marge stay with Gary and his team?

Short Essay Questions

1. What goes wrong for Gary between the start of the race and the time he rejoins the trail?

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

3. Why is Gary elated when he reaches the checkpoint at Rainy Pass Lodge?

4. In the first chapter, what amazes Gary about Marge and the grouse?

5. How do the dogs show their desire to run in the first snow of the season?

6. In the Prelude, what warning signs of the coming storm does Gary miss?

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

8. What does Gary do to "become dog?"

9. What have the mushers NOT been told about Happy Canyon?

10. Why is Gary in a doctor's office at the end of the book?

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

How does the author use writing to convey emotion? Discuss his techniques for conveying emotion in "Prelude", "Pre-Race", "Dalzell Gorge and the Burn", "Don's Cabin", and "An End."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample