Question

Large black flies the size of acorns buzzed in swarms around our small group and bit hard
wherever they could land. The air was thick and hot in late August, and the breeze had all
but vanished as the sun neared the horizon across the wide expanse of the frigid waters of
Lake Superior. Here in the wilderness of the Porcupine Mountains, in Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula, I truly felt transported to another world, even if the nagging flies made me
sometimes miss the comforts of my home in Milwaukee, a six-hour drive south.
(2) We were four days into a six-day backpacking trip with a group led by my friend Jim, a more
experienced backpacker who had suggested I join his group on their annual trip. I was drawn
to the 87 miles of trails, the scenic views of Lake Superior, and the largest old-growth
northern hardwood forest west of the Adirondack Mountains.
(3) Our campsite was set just inside the line of trees that borders the rocky beach of Lake
Superior. Tempting though it was at the end of a day’s hike to wash off the accumulation of
sweat and trail dirt with a quick plunge in the lake, even a newcomer like myself had learned
a little caution. Though summer was at its height, the water of the greatest of the Great
Lakes still held its glacial cold. The shock of skin slapping ice-cold water was an excruciating
reminder of the lake’s elemental power.
(4) Instead, we contented ourselves that night with enjoying the food and the company, both of
which were sweeter given the day’s long hike and our relative isolation. The crackle of the
evening fire and the chatter of dinner conversation combined to create a soundtrack that
seemed to echo across the lake. Finally, the embers of the fires fading, we each retired to
our tents to rest up for another day’s hike.
We were back out on the trail in the morning. The wind had picked up again, providing a
welcome relief from the heat of exertion and a guard against the buzzing flies. We walked
along in twos up another Porcupine mountain, gaining height with each step, and pausing at
the occasional overlook. There is nothing quite like cresting a ridge and seeing through the
trees an endless expanse of water, too calm to be the sea, too tumultuous to be mistaken for
any typical lake. The sun sparkled off the waves, and the rocks along the beach seemed to
glow. It took my breath away.

Briefly explain which characteristics of travel journalism are illustrated by the
passage. Identify at least two characteristics, and provide examples from the
passage as evidence.

Answer 1

1) Vivid, sensory description that evokes place — travel writing often paints scenes to make readers feel present. Evidence: “Large black flies the size of acorns buzzed…bit hard,” “The air was thick and hot,” and “The sun sparkled off the waves, and the rocks along the beach seemed to glow” use concrete sensory details and imagery.

2) First‑person, experiential narrative — travel journalism commonly uses the writer’s personal experience to tell the story and give it immediacy. Evidence: the passage is told in first person (“I truly felt transported,” “we were four days into a six‑day backpacking trip”), recounting activities, emotions, and group dynamics (friend Jim leading the annual trip).

3) Practical/contextual information and local orientation — useful facts and location details help readers understand and possibly plan a visit. Evidence: specific place names and facts (“Porcupine Mountains, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” “87 miles of trails,” “largest old‑growth northern hardwood forest west of the Adirondack Mountains”) and practical cautions about the water’s coldness show informative reporting.