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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. How do you describe Ralston's video by Thursday in the canyon?

2. Who does Ralston originally forget and then remember to talk to on his videotape?

3. At the bottom of a rappel, what does he find?

4. Who is the original Aspen Police contact Brian and Mrs. Ralston work with to find Ralston?

5. How do the two hikers identify Ralston's truck on Sunday?

Short Essay Questions

1. Sleepless in the canyon, Ralston is reminded of what other occasion in his life and why?

2. Describe the sequence of events the leads to locating Ralston's truck.

3. From Ralston's perspective, what significance is there in knowing what his friends are doing during his entrapment?

4. Once Ralston is missing, how does his friends handle the situation?

5. If Ralston knows how to successfully amputate his arm days earlier, does the outcome be the same or different? How come?

6. What does Leona sense about Ralston's current situation from Boulder?

7. Describe common themes in Ralston's memories.

8. As time continues in the canyon, what does Ralston's water supply mean to him?

9. What training does Ralston do within a 60 hour period that tells him he is ready for his Denali trip?

10. Summarize the two hikers' weekend after they leave Ralston in the canyon, right before his entrapment. Note the circumstances that affects the timing of Ralston's rescue.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research near death experiences. Choose one and compare and contrast the person's life before and after the event. Then compare and contrast their changes to Ralston's changes. Are there similarities and differences amongst people who experience near deaths?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Betty Darr and Aron Ralston's role in other people's lives.

Essay Topic 3

Over time in the canyon, Ralston begins to lose his practical way of thinking. Explore the causes of his inability to stay rational over time. What signs are there? Does Ralston notice? If so, what does he do to reframe his mind? Does he want to reframe his mind back to the way it used to be? Does this help him in any way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,142 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample