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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which group is responsible for the maintenance of the trail?
(a) Solely volunteer groups
(b) U. S. Department of Environmental Affairs
(c) National Park Service
(d) U. S. Department of the Interior

2. What is Bryson's joking impression of God's plan for him?
(a) Fall from a cliff 100 yards before the end of the trail
(b) Spend a little time with "each of the most stupid people on earth"
(c) Not realize he reached the end of AT, hike a thousand miles in to Canada
(d) To be treed by a bear and starve to death in the tree

3. Where is Gatlinburg located?
(a) Close to Waynesboro
(b) Just outside Knoxville
(c) Near Shenandoah Valley
(d) Just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4. Which is another of Bryson's fears?
(a) Inadequate planning
(b) Inadequate supplies
(c) Diseases
(d) Lack of needed stamina

5. What is Bryson surprised to find at the first shelter?
(a) A crowd of hikers
(b) The shelter is teeming with bugs, spiders and crawlies
(c) The shelter has burned from a careless campfire
(d) The shelter has fallen in and has no roof

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the unexpected factor with the snowstorm?

2. What do Katz and Bryson hear about Mary Ellen two days after they leave her behind?

3. Who joins Bryson and Katz on the morning hike after the snowstorm?

4. What does Bryson say is his universe while he is on the Appalachian Trail?

5. What do Bryson and Katz decide to do when they see a full map of the Appalachian Trail?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the reaction of Katz and Bryson when they come out of the wilderness to the civilization of Knoxville?

2. Summarize the secret pact that Bryson and Katz make about how to get to Hiawassee.

3. Summarize what Bryson does when he brings all his camping equipment home.

4. What are the benefits Bill Bryson believes he will get from hiking the Appalachian Trail?

5. Describe the contrast between the weather in the south with the weather a hundred miles further north in Virginia.

6. Describe the forest of the Appalachian Trail in 1948.

7. Describe the two things Bryson is shocked about when he goes to buy equipment for the hike.

8. Why do Bryson and Katz feel guilty about leaving Mary Ellen behind in the woods?

9. What are some of the issues Bryson worries about with regard to hiking on the AT?

10. Summarize the first decision Bryson and Katz make about continuing their hike along the AT.

(see the answer keys)

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