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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. How does the author think the clearing will look in the end, even though his style of harvesting trees could be considered sloppy?

2. As the author cuts wood for the winter, he notices areas he cleared only a few years before are covered with __________.

3. After the author runs, how does he feel?

4. In "Late Summer Ramblings," the author writes about the changing of the seasons and the life cycle of ________.

5. What are the author and his son doing as the section "August 30" begins?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the author's traveling companion. Why might he want this companion?

2. What is the purpose of "Beginnings"?

3. What does the author do in "Election Time?" How does this reveal his feelings regarding elections?

4. Describe "October 1 The Foliage." How is "October 1 The Foliage" an important chapter?

5. How does the author feel about his housemates in "October 7 Housemates"? Why?

6. Describe the author's relationship with Jack. What does this reveal about the author?

7. What takes place in "August 14 Whispers of Fall"?

8. What takes place in "August 4 Wanderers"?

9. How does "August 9-13 Some Berries" lead to a reflection of the author's childhood?

10. How is the author like Jack? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author goes for many runs.

Part 1) Describe these runs. Why does the author choose to go on these runs? Why are they important to him? What do they reveal about him?

Part 2) How are his runs tied to other events in this book? What else is important to the author while he is living in the cabin? Why?

Part 3) What activities do you participate in? Why? What do they reveal about you? How are they important to you and your life?

Essay Topic 2

The author teaches a fifteen-day intensive course.

Part 1) Describe this course. Why does the author teach it? What does this reveal about him? What does this experience also reveal about him? What does this experience also reveal about his students? Describe the relationship between the author and his students.

Part 2) What are the benefits of a course such as this? Would you be interested in participating in something like this? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does this course compare to a regular college or high school course? What can teachers and professors of regular classroom-based classes learn from the course taught by the author? How might aspects of this course be incorporated into a regular classroom setting?

Essay Topic 3

Fishing is often discussed in this book.

Part 1) Describe the author's fishing expeditions. Why does he go fishing? How is fishing important in this book? What other activities pertaining to his relationship with nature are also important? Why?

Part 2) What else is also discussed a great deal in this book? Why? How is this important to the author and to this book?

Part 3) What activities in your own life are of importance? Why? How do these activities compare to those of the author?

(see the answer keys)

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