View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why didn't Beck join the group that was headed down the mountain?

2. What does the caller tell Peach about Beck?

3. What did Beck feel at base camp?

4. Why did Beck feel guilty?

5. Why was Beck almost suffocated in his tent?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened after Mike Groom arrived?

2. Describe the storm that pummels Beck's tent as he lay helpless inside.

3. What does Beck say about hiking the Khumbu trail on his way to base camp?

4. What astonishes the climbers at Camp IV as they prepared to descend to Camp II, and what did the climbers do?

5. What route did Beck's group take, and what was the first tragedy on the climb?

6. What does Beck learn about his rescue as he reaches Kathmandu?

7. What did Beck say about a climber's drive?

8. How did Beck's longtime recovery proceed?

9. What does the rest of Chapter 7 describe after Beck arrives at Camp II?

10. What is the purpose of the climbers' stay at Base Camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After Beck came home from Mount Everest. He didn't realize the extent of his own injuries. Since he couldn't feel his hands, he didn't know how badly they were injured. He found out that he was going to lose both his hands. He also lost his nose.

1. How do you think Beck's types of injuries would change a person's life? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think people respond so poorly to a person's appearance when they are badly scarred or injured, like Beck? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. If you were Beck's wife, how would you feel knowing that your life will be more difficult having to do many tasks for your husband you didn't used to have to do? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of memoir place themselves in the position of the author, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Left for Dead help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Left for Dead? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Left for Dead to discuss and compare Beck's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes the story interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Beck. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Peach. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the story? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,091 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample