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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 daunting challenge did Krakauer set for himself as a young man?
(a) To prove that he is always right.
(b) To find out how much terror he can stand.
(c) To scale a mountain called the Devils Thumb alone.
(d) To ski down Mt. McKinley.

2. What spurred Krakauer on after his failed attempt to climb Devil's Thumb?
(a) The prospect of defeat.
(b) His mood after he naps.
(c) The fact that he has enough food to try again.
(d) A spider that keeps working after its web breaks.

3. What characteristic of his father's does Krakauer mention as a flaw?
(a) That his father could never admit to being wrong.
(b) That his father worked too many jobs.
(c) That his father never climbed a mountain.
(d) That his father was too kind to everyone.

4. Where did Chris leave from on April 15, 1992 on his journey to Alaska?
(a) Los angeles.
(b) Carthage.
(c) Oregon.
(d) Seattle.

5. When Krakauer was at the mountain he came to climb, what enhanced his emotions?
(a) The clean air which gave him an oxygen high.
(b) The cheers of the people who came to see him off.
(c) The beauty of the snowy terrain and clear sky was intensified for him by his solitude.
(d) Two sturdy aluminum curtain rods with him, lashed in a cross shape, to prevent him from falling into a crevasse.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two requests did Stuckey make of Alex as they parted company?

2. At the time of publication of the notice of Chris's death, what problem did the police have?

3. What did Billie realize as she get to the bus?

4. How far did Chris travel on the Stampede Trail before he located the abandoned bus?

5. What important work does Walt McCandless do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What indicates to Krakauer that there was a very close relationship between Carine and Chris?

2. What discovery about himself did Krakauer make after conquering Devil's Thumb?

3. What defense does Krakauer make of Chris's ability to survive in the wild?

4. Explain Jim Gillien's difficulty in contacting the Alaska police.

5. How does swainsonine become lethal in the body?

6. Carine knew that Chris was leaving but she didn't know where he was going. Why?

7. How was Krakauer's Alaska experience different from Chris's?

8. How did Chris manage the last leg of his trip into Fairbanks?

9. What was Chris's problem with his parents monetary success?

10. To show his kindred spirit with Chris, what does Krakauer write about in Chapter 14?

(see the answer keys)

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