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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. On day seven, what is Paulsen offered that he turns down?

2. What made the dogs nervous?

3. What does Paulsen call while mushing?

4. What things disappeared around Storm?

5. What wasn't one of the rumors that were abounding at Norton Sound?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does it not seem possible to accomplish and why?

2. On day nine, who comes and offers Paulsen a proposition? What is this proposition?

3. What did this person do for Paulsen?

4. Why is there chaos in the first night?

5. What had Paulsen never seen in a deer as he did that day on the lake alone?

6. What is the difference with hallucinations during the race?

7. What was Gary worried about in day four?

8. Why is Gary unworried about the rumors he hears on the mandatory twenty-four hour layover?

9. What are the hills dotted with that Gary sees on day nine?

10. Why did the stump glow, did Paulsen find out later?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the qualities that make a good sled dog. How are these qualities that Paulsen prefers and talks about more often than the dogs that don't possess these qualities? What are the least desirable qualities in a sled dog?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Paulsen's lessons of mercy throughout the novel. How might this have changed his attitude in regards to the dogs, and in regards to other people? Suggest an explanation for this utilizing quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 3

The does play an interesting role, and often show up to illustrate something strange. Discuss the roles of the does in the book, and what literary device they may represent for their appearance in his novel.

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