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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 will be responsible for providing the campsites with

2. The loveliest, and sweet as a pretty girl, in Abbey's opinion, is

3. Edward is overcome with a desire to

4. A civil engineer believes a road will help

5. Edward Abbey lies like a snake on the edge of a dune to

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss how different the daily life of an pre-Columbian Native American was, as compared to the daily life of an American now.

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

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

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

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

6. What does Abbey mean by "pox vobiscum," and "swinish politics?"

7. Explain why many of the petroglyphs are found in caves too high for us to reach.

8. Explain why Abbey prefers not to use a flashlight in the dark.

9. How seriously is Abbey taking this government job?

10. Why was Turnbow Cabin built?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a researched essay on the current state of the Arches. Has it been mined, drilled, dammed and cemented over, as Abbey dreaded and anticipated? Research, describe and evaluate the changes, and determine whether you feel they have improved the park. Explain your position.

Essay Topic 2

In his chapter on exploring the "maze," Abbey encourages his friend, Bob Waterman, to hide from the draft board out in this country where no other human resides. Why is it ironic, or not, that this particular interaction takes place in the maze? Do a close reading of this chapter and determine whether Abbey has layered it with additional meaning and symbolism, and provide examples. Is Abbey a true patriot, as he claims?

Essay Topic 3

Abbey practices civil disobedience when he has the opportunity. Write about these instances and describe them, and what they accomplish. Who are Abbey's heroes and mentors and how does he emulate them? Is he simply an angry man? Describe his motives for these acts.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 913 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample