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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. The pika is an animal that lives and feeds on

2. All creatures in the desert at this time of year

3. Moon-Eye rejected humans when he was subjected to

4. Abbey sees the value of wilderness, in a political sense, as

5. When Abbey gets a call to help with a search, he assumes

Short Essay Questions

1. What are a few good words that would describe Abbey's impression of the desert at this time of year, and at noon? Is there any other place, time, state of mind or being, to which this same set of words also applies?

2. Why do you think Abbey wants to own Moon-Eye?

3. Why does Abbey persist in pursuing Moon-Eye when the heat and conditions have become quite uncomfortable for him?

4. What is the difference between Abbey's heat waves and a mirage?

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

6. The trip down the Colorado for Abbey and Newcomb is blissful and idyllic. What, if any, is the dark side of this story?

7. Do you think Abbey intended to risk his life by spending the entire day trying to entice Moon-Eye to come to him.

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

9. Abbey gives us two facts in the early part of this chapter that make it clear that this trip was taken in a decade long-past. What is it?

10. Why was Abbey not interested in living with the Supai Havasu Indians?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Edward Abbey is a reporter and narrator, explaining what he sees, hears, feels and experiences. However, he does not necessarily let the reader into his heart and soul regarding his personal life. He chooses this reclusive job, and makes journeys into wilderness areas where there are no people. Is Abbey a recluse by nature? Why does he seem to prefer this solitude? Are there hints in the story about his personal life? If so, describe and interpret them.

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