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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. Who stays behind and doesn't climb with the group on this particular day?

2. What was the nationality of the two climbers who are thought to have reached the summit first, although they never returned to camp?

3. Hall says it's actually easy to get up the mountain, "The trick is get down _________."

4. Which magazine does Krakauer query in order to climb Mount Everest for a story?

5. What does Krakauer notice about the Sherpas' culture when they arrive in Namche?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the climbers eager to leave Lobuje?

2. Describe the character of Rob Hall.

3. What does Krakauer help Ang Dorje with when they are back at Camp One?

4. What has Goran Kropp been doing on Mount Everest?

5. What does Krakauer notice in the snow as they are climbing up to Camp Two?

6. List some of the amenities the climbers have while at Base Camp.

7. Describe the Icefall.

8. What is Krakauer alarmed to see other climbers doing as they prepare their equipment for their first acclimatization climb?

9. Why does Fischer have to descend to help one of his clients, instead of one of the guides?

10. What does Krakauer realize about his breathing when they reach Base Camp again before starting their second acclimatization climb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of competition among the teams seems to also affect the outcome of the climb to the summit. Some feel it's a race rather than an achievement for themselves.

Part 1: What teams seem to be in competition during this story?

Part 2: Does the idea of competition seem to help the hikers or hurt them? Why? In what ways?

Part 3: How might competition have been avoided among the teams? Could it have been avoided? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

John Krakauer is the author of this book and a skilled hiker, though not with higher elevations. This is actually the case with many of the members of his team.

Part 1: Describe Krakauer's feelings about the inexperience of his team at the beginning of the story.

Part 2: What does Krakauer think of the hikers as the climbing continues? Does he feel more confident or less confident?

Part 3: Does this seem like a team that should have been going up Mount Everest? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

With the teams, there seems to be trouble brewing between some of the guides and the leaders. This is thought to be another contributing factor to the tragic events.

Part 1: How did Anatoli's absence affect Fischer's team?

Part 2: In what ways did other guides affect their teams? For example, what might Beidleman have done better to help his team?

Part 3: What is crucial in the formation of a team like this? What would have been the ideal situations for the leaders and the guides?

(see the answer keys)

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