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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What family outings did the McCandless family mention to Krakauer?
(a) Going to the Grand Canyon every year.
(b) A yearly trip to Texas.
(c) A beach house in Cape Cod.
(d) Camping trips with an Airstream Trailer.

2. In light of his own experiences, what does Krakauer think of Chris's tactics?
(a) Except for a bit of bad luck, Chris was right to do what he did.
(b) More young people should do what chris did.
(c) They are exemplary.
(d) They are understandable but not justifiable.

3. Why did Chris write in his journal that he had found the Magic Bus?
(a) Because it reminded him of a magic flying machine.
(b) Because it saved him from having to pitch his tent.
(c) Because it was stocked with wilderness essentials by the hunters who use it during moose season.
(d) Because it popped up out of nowhere.

4. What daunting challenge did Krakauer set for himself as a young man?
(a) To scale a mountain called the Devils Thumb alone.
(b) To prove that he is always right.
(c) To find out how much terror he can stand.
(d) To ski down Mt. McKinley.

5. What trait did sports reveal in Chris?
(a) He was not interested in competition.
(b) He did not take defeat well.
(c) He was lazy about training.
(d) He wanted other people to win.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Krakauer reached an impassable place on the mountain, what did he do?

2. What was in the McCandless house that speaks to the feelings of Walt and Billie McCandless toward Chris?

3. How does Roman Dial, who teaches at the University of Alaska, interpret Chris's actions?

4. Why does Krakauer relate his own experiences in Chapter 14?

5. August 12, Chris left the bus to forage for berries. What did the note he left on the door say?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is so unusual about Chris's never seeing another human being while he was camped at the bus?

2. Explain Jim Gillien's difficulty in contacting the Alaska police.

3. What was the irony Krakauer thought about as he kept attempting to climb Devil's Thumb?

4. How does swainsonine become lethal in the body?

5. Carine knew that Chris was leaving but she didn't know where he was going. Why?

6. To show his kindred spirit with Chris, what does Krakauer write about in Chapter 14?

7. How did Chris manage the last leg of his trip into Fairbanks?

8. What discovery about himself did Krakauer make after conquering Devil's Thumb?

9. What was Chris's problem with his parents monetary success?

10. What items did Billie and Walt McCandless leave behind in the bus?

(see the answer keys)

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