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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. About how long does Gary and his team stop at the Finger Lake checkpoint?

2. What happens to Gary's food at Finger Lake?

3. Where does Gary sleep after his skunk encounter?

4. What does Gary see Marge hunt?

5. The Canadian dogs remind Ruth of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the moose encounter at The Burn.

2. What does Gary do to "become dog?"

3. In "Beginnings," what does Gary mean when he writes, "I began to notice the dogs"?

4. In "Alaska," what does Gary mean when he writes, "Sleep died early"?

5. Describe how Gary and his team finish the race.

6. How does the snow accumulate in northern Minnesota?

7. How do the dogs show their desire to run in the first snow of the season?

8. When Gary hears his diagnosis at the end of the book, what does he think about? Be specific.

9. How does the red-bearded musher in "Alaska" react when his lead dog bites Gary?

10. What happens when Gary asks the doctor, "Is there a time?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of setting in the book. Include a discussion of time and at least four places.

Essay Topic 2

What positive experiences does Gary take away from his experience training for and running of the Iditarod? Discuss at least four.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the sacrifices made for the race by Gary, the dogs, Ruth, and Gary's son. Do you think they would say the sacrifices were worth it?

(see the answer keys)

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