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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 Krakauer land when he arrives in Nepal?

2. What does Krakauer notice about the Sherpas' culture when they arrive in Namche?

3. Who is suspected to have frostbite and a frozen larynx?

4. Hall says it's actually easy to get up the mountain, "The trick is get down _________."

5. What is so special about the man who is the answer to #27?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which two people are in the picture Krakauer takes when he gets to the summit?

2. What phrase does Krakauer use to describe the people on the trip with him right now?

3. How is Krakauer feeling when he arrives at Camp Two?

4. Describe the Icefall.

5. After whom was Mount Everest named after?

6. How experienced are the climbers in Hall's group?

7. Why do Krakauer and Hansen have troubles getting out of their sleeping bags in the morning?

8. Why do the climbers have to return to Camp Two as they are making their way up to Camp Three?

9. What is different about this climbing experience from other climbing experiences Krakauer has had?

10. What is Krakauer alarmed to see other climbers doing as they prepare their equipment for their first acclimatization climb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of competition among the teams seems to also affect the outcome of the climb to the summit. Some feel it's a race rather than an achievement for themselves.

Part 1: What teams seem to be in competition during this story?

Part 2: Does the idea of competition seem to help the hikers or hurt them? Why? In what ways?

Part 3: How might competition have been avoided among the teams? Could it have been avoided? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The relationships between characters is something intriguing to the reader. At times, there is an open sense of competition, for others, there is a sense of camaraderie.

Part 1: What are some examples of positive relationships between hikers on the mountain?

Part 2: What are some examples of potentially negative relationships between hikers on the mountain?

Part 3: How might this difficult challenge of hiking to the summit affect those hikers on the mountain? What does such an impossible task do to those around the hikers? To their families?

Essay Topic 3

The gradual ascent of the hikers to the different camps allows them to get adjusted to the altitude at different points, without exhausting them.

Part 1: How many camps are located between Base Camp and the Summit?

Part 2: What are some ways hikers acclimate to the decrease in the air density at each phase of their hike?

Part 3: What can happen if the hikers don't take their time in ascending Mount Everest? What are some effects of the altitude on the human body?

(see the answer keys)

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