Which author wrote the Alaska-set tale 'To Build A Fire'?

• A. Steinbeck
• B. Twain
• C. Melville
• D. London

Answer: (D)

This question tests your knowledge of authors known for Arctic survival stories and who wrote the Alaska-set tale To Build a Fire. The author who produced that stark, survival-focused Yukon story is Jack London, famed for fiction grounded in harsh northern landscapes and the relentless tests nature imposes on humans. London’s writing emphasizes realistic details, the cold, and how quickly a simple decision can mean life or death, reflecting his own Klondike experiences and a worldview that treats nature as powerful and indifferent. The other authors are known for very different settings and themes: Steinbeck profiles California life and social issues, Twain writes about the Mississippi and American humor, and Melville explores the sea. So London is the best fit for this Alaska survival tale.