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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 sees the value of wilderness, in a political sense, as

2. Abbey has been promised by a Mormon woman that he

3. Abbey tries to convince Moon-Eye to come with by telling him a story about

4. The German who befriended Abbey was, in Abbey's opinion,

5. Abbey and Newcomb are in denial about the

Short Essay Questions

1. What influences Abbey's final decision to abandon his quest for Moon-Eye?

2. Abbey mentions thinking the unthinkable as he drives through the desert past the Arches headquarters. To what is he referring?

3. Do you think Edward Abbey is a fanatic? Is his fear of a future dictatorial regime unfounded?

4. If Abbey is somewhat indifferent to the death of a fellow human being, why would that be true?

5. The poet to whom Abbey refers in this chapter when he says, "It was all foreseen a half century ago," is Robinson Jeffers, and his poem is entitled "Broken Balance." Why does Abbey not provide the reader with that information, when he has so adamantly laid out his reasoning and feelings for us in the previous paragraphs?

6. Do Abbey and Newcomb enjoy the "rapids" they encounter?

7. Abbey does not speak highly of the man-made lakes on the Colorado. Why?

8. Why does Abbey refer to himself as a true patriot?

9. What does Abbey say, indirectly, about change?

10. Why does Abbey prefer the desert to other environments?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on your close reading of the section of the book where Abbey describes the noonday sun as if it were a drug-induced experience. Try to explain and expand on the description he has given, and consider why he describes it the way he does. Do you feel he was suffering from heat stroke? Do you think being alone might have caught up with him? Do you think he is afraid for his survival in this moment of extreme heat? What is the reality of this section, in your opinion?

Essay Topic 2

What do you think Abbey's general attitude is toward his fellow human beings? His cynicism is obvious, however, are we able to see a softer side of Abbey when it comes to people? If so, explain and describe it. What emotions is Abbey capable of feeling in this environment?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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