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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. Where does Brian prick Derek with a knife to see if he is responsive?

2. How much weight did Brian lose during the ordeal?

3. About how many miles will Brian travel if he uses the river to get to the trading post?

4. What injuries does Brian suffer from falling off the raft?

5. How long ago had some of the older trees been felled by the beavers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brian see when he begins hallucinating?

2. Describe the trading post and the people who live there.

3. What does Brian decide when he hears a whooshing sound, at the end of Chapter 21?

4. What does Brian find in Derek's briefcase?

5. Where does Brian put a note in case someone comes looking for them before they make it to the trading post?

6. Why does Brian decide he has to swim to find the raft?

7. What horrible thought does Brian have toward morning as he struggles to return to the river?

8. Why does Brian decide that he was foolish to leave the lake and trust the map?

9. How does Brian position Derek on the raft?

10. Where does Brian find himself after he awakes from sleep?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Brian remembers how he became famous after his wilderness survival experiences. Discuss why Brian became famous and how being famous affected his life.

Essay Topic 2

There are times when there is anxiety and uncertainty that lead to suspenseful moments. Discuss suspense and how Paulsen uses suspense in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Brian finds a better shelter for Derek and himself. Compare and contrast the two shelters that Brian and Derek have.

(see the answer keys)

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