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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. When Paulsen let Storm run free of harness or anything, what did he do?

2. What did Gary see on a river in Alaska?

3. What happened as a result of the interaction between Olaf and Columbia?

4. What was the lead dog's name?

5. Which dog did Gary define as having had a sense of humor?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What kinds of time can dogs make on a run?

3. What happens in serious cold?

4. What traits did Obeah possess that Paulsen thought made him a good lead dog?

5. What situation occurred to make Paulsen do something he didn't want to do?

6. What kind of personality did Olaf have and why was he liked in spite of it?

7. What is an "honest dog"?

8. What did Paulsen not know about dog feed?

9. What had Gary believed before he was forty?

10. How are northern coyotes like wolves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the domestication of animals to serve a purpose for humanity. Suggest purposes for each domesticated animal, and how it might have been tamed in the first place. How have these needs changed throughout history, and to what major purpose to most domesticated animals serve today? What are some notable exceptions to this? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Paulsen's experience on the Iditarod trail. Compare them to his experiences on his trail at home. What changes in the over all tone of the Run section? Discuss at least three different ways the second section contrasts to the first.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,064 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample