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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 came out of the willows?

2. What is the perfect temperature for running?

3. What was Gary's ignorance based on?

4. What does Gary define as "serious cold"?

5. What was the little mean hen's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are northern coyotes like wolves?

2. What had Gary believed before he was forty?

3. Why didn't Gary put the deer out of her misery?

4. What did Gary think he was doing when he picked up the grouse eggs?

5. What happened to Russel and Quincy that summer?

6. Why do young dogs need to be taken on training runs?

7. What would the grouse chicks do at first when mother called, and what happened when they didn't?

8. What was the game Gary witnessed Columbia play with Olaf at his expense?

9. What mistake does Paulsen never hope to make again and why?

10. What did Paulsen not know about dog feed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Paulsen's lessons of mercy throughout the novel. How might this have changed his attitude in regards to the dogs, and in regards to other people? Suggest an explanation for this utilizing quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the qualities that make a good sled dog. How are these qualities that Paulsen prefers and talks about more often than the dogs that don't possess these qualities? What are the least desirable qualities in a sled dog?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the things Paulsen learned at the expense of his dogs health and welfare. What changes might he have made, early on, knowing now what he does, and how might he have done things differently?

(see the answer keys)

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