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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 Steinbeck head after leaving California?

2. What crime does the U.S. Customs Officer accuse Steinbeck of committing?

3. What are the Bad Lands like during the day?

4. Where does Steinbeck head after spending the night among the sequoias?

5. What does Steinbeck do to accelerate his trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the irony in the scene where Steinbeck and Charley explore a sequoia grove.

2. Explain how the Badlands are a study in opposites.

3. What effect is the Cold War having on average Americans?

4. How does Steinbeck diffuse a father and son fight when he rents a cabin one night?

5. What lessons does Steinbeck learn about house trailers in 1960 that could also apply to 2009?

6. Why is the rock with the mica in it so important to Steinbeck?

7. What happens to Steinbeck in Minneapolis/St. Paul?

8. Why does Steinbeck fall in love with Montana?

9. How does Steinbeck perceive Seattle?

10. How does Steinbeck justify his opinion that the river crossing at Bismarck is the true demarcation between east and west?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Rocinante, the camper. Why did Steinbeck choose this name for his vehicle? Do you think Steinbeck envisioned himself to be a Don Quixote-like character?

Essay Topic 2

Steinbeck is amazed by all the garbage dumps and junk yards he sees along the way. What would Steinbeck's perception be if he were to encounter the waste management system in America today? What would he say about the sheer volume of consumption and waste in America today? Would Steinbeck be a vocal recycling proponent?

Essay Topic 3

Explain why Steinbeck looks forward to a visit to his hometown. What happens during the visit with his family? With an old friend? Why does Steinbeck think he disappointed them? How did they disappoint him? Explain.

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