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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. Abbey compares cultures of Indians and cowboys in that

2. Vernon Pick managed to sufficiently purify his water by

3. Quicksand is simply

4. Abbey describes the scene he observes as

5. Since the visit from the government workers, The Arches Park has

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Abbey decide not to kill the rattlesnake under his doorstep?

2. What is Roy Scobie's problem?

3. What concession does Abbey make to man's ingenuity when it comes to life in the desert?

4. Explain Abbey's vague contempt for human beings that emerges in this chapter.

5. How does the author project his own sensibilities onto the doves that he hears calling? Why?

6. What is one of the innate demands of industrial tourism?

7. Is it beneficial to the Navajos that their population is increasing?

8. Where in this chapter does Abbey foreshadow a story involving quicksand?

9. Explain Abbey's description of the life cycle of the spadefoot toad.

10. Discuss Abbey's relationship with the natural world as he watches the stars.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Abbey feels that cowboys and Indians primarily make a living these days by presenting their images to the curious in shows and mimicry of the old West. In a researched essay, determine the size of the population of cowboys in our country today. Were Scobie and Viviano part of a dying breed? How has the cowboy's lifestyle changed since Abbey's time? Do they still raise cattle in this part of the country? If possible, try to contact a cowboy who resides in the Moab area, and interview him or her about his daily routine and how modern technology has affected his work.

Essay Topic 2

The man-made lakes that have been developed by the federal government in the Arches parks are named after men who personally experienced those areas. Research and write about the two men after whom the major lakes have been named, and their contributions to the area. Do you feel their contributions are congruent with the projects that have been named in their honor? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Consider the time(s) in history that this book was written. By the time of the last printing of this story, what had happened that had exposed, particularly to Americans, the true nature of the rat race we had created? Would this book have been more important if it had been written during another era? Would it have been given more attention by reviewers and critics if it had been written in this decade? Be sure to read Abbey's Preface to learn about how the book was received.

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