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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Messner find to be comical and an unnecessary waste of strength as he was climbing Everest in the Chomolungma chapter?
(a) Stopping to photograph himself.
(b) Stopping to relieve himself.
(c) Stopping to cook soup.
(d) Stopping to write in his diary.

2. When Messner and his team finally set off on July 13 from the base camp, how many yaks were carrying Messner's supplies?
(a) Five.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) Three.

3. When the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet, where did the Dalai Lama go?
(a) India.
(b) Vietnam.
(c) Egypt.
(d) Portugal.

4. What does "Tashi delek" mean?
(a) Safe travels.
(b) Many blessings.
(c) Peace be yours.
(d) Luck be with you.

5. What was the name of the first woman to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest?
(a) Tung.
(b) Phantog.
(c) Tabei.
(d) Ganpei.

Short Answer Questions

1. Long, unbroken stays above what altitude will make people gradually deteriorate?

2. As Messner described Nena watching his ascent from the base campin the Chomolungma chapter, what did Messner liken his tracks to from Nena's perspective?

3. What was the Potala that Messner spied sitting on the Marpori in the Tibet chapter?i

4. In the Tibet chapter, how did Messner and Nena actually travel to their intended destination as they waited for the weather on Everest to clear?

5. On the first day of his Everest ascent, how long did Messner climb before finally erecting his bivouac tent?

Short Essay Questions

1. As the expedition rested at the start of the East Rongbuk Glacier in the North Col chapter, Nena wrote in her diary that she was disillusioned with humanity. Why?

2. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, why would an attempt to preplan his solo climb be madness?

3. Why is the summer monsoon of extraordinary importance for the people of India and Nepal?

4. As Messner's team traveled back to the base camp in the Rongbuk chapter, what did he notice as he looked at the mountains that made Messner hopeful?

5. During the Cultural Revolution, what were the "Four Ancients" that the Chinese tried to destroy?

6. Why were Nena and Messner surprised when they reached their small intermediate camp in the Chomolungma chapter?

7. In the North Col chapter, why did Nena decide to change her socks just as Messner said he was ready to go for their walk?

8. As Messner began his ascent of Mount Everest in the Chomolungma chapter, suddenly reaching the summit was not important to him. Explain why reaching the summit lost its importance.

9. In the Tibetan chapter, how did Messner describe the province of Szechuan?

10. What was the reaction of the world when the Chinese government announced that a Chinese expedition had successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1960?

(see the answer keys)

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