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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 nationality was the man who helped Paulsen?

2. What did Paulsen see as if in a dream?

3. What did the man put in the sled with Paulsen?

4. How far is the run downhill on day twelve?

5. What causes the warm gentle feeling that Paulsen gets at the checkpoint on day eleven?

Short Essay Questions

1. What things didn't make sense about where the deer was?

2. Why did Cookie stop before the arch?

3. What does it not seem possible to accomplish and why?

4. On day nine, who comes and offers Paulsen a proposition? What is this proposition?

5. What happens to the dogs when they get tangled up and turn inwards, and what was the risk created?

6. Why did the stump glow, did Paulsen find out later?

7. When does Gary's friend appear again, and what does he do?

8. What tradition did Storm start, and what did it come to mean?

9. How does it feel, on day three, for Gary running the dogs?

10. What had Paulsen never seen in a deer as he did that day on the lake alone?

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 both sides of the argument of dog sledding as a sport. What things are said, by both sides in regards to the treatment of the dogs? Decide which side of the argument you believe in and support it with three different arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The woods is a central theme throughout the novel, and plays various roles of education, stimulation, and inspiration. Discuss the roles the woods plays in the novel, and how many times it emerges as one of the most central themes.

(see the answer keys)

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