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

2. Who is the inexperienced climber that made it to the top of Everest with a guide?

3. Harris and his wife helped run a clinic at __________ which is on the way to Base Camp.

4. Who is the quiet Australian that is the third guide in Rob Hall's group that is climbing to the summit?

5. How many times has Fischer climbed Mount Everest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the character of Mike Groom.

2. What does Krakauer describe Tenzing as saying about climbing Mount Everest?

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

4. Describe the Icefall.

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

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

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

8. How is the influence of Western culture seen in the village of Namche?

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

10. What alarms Krakauer as he begins to make his own descent from the summit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The determination to live and to survive seems to be the only reason why people like Gau and Weathers actually made it through their ordeals. There was no other reason for them to live and to make it through the night.

Part 1: What happened to Gau during his time on Mount Everest?

Part 2: What happened to Weathers during his time on Mount Everest?

Part 3: What makes these two characters stronger than the other hikers who perished, in your opinion?

Essay Topic 3

In reaching the summit, it can be a amazing feeling of accomplishment. But it almost seems anti-climatic when you realize you still have to go back down - and quickly.

Part 1: Describe how Krakauer feels when he reaches the summit. Are his feelings positive? Negative? Mixed?

Part 2: Do you think hikers might rethink their plans if they knew they only had a few moments to spend on the summit itself? Why or why not?

Part 3: What might you do in the few moments you'd spend at the top of Everest?

(see the answer keys)

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