View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Scott Fischer's climbing organization?

2. What does Krakauer help the Sherpas chop ice for when they get back to camp?

3. Who is the person on Fischer's team who is a legend in Himalayan climbing?

4. Who does Fischer actually depend on for financial support for his climbing?

5. What kind of attitude does Fischer have towards mountain climbing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Rob Hall and his climbing partner, Gary Ball, achieve as climbers together?

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

3. What phrase does Krakauer use to describe the people on the trip with him right now?

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

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

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

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

8. What are some examples of Krakauer's potential feelings of snobbery towards Mount Everest?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even with all of the possible ways that the trip up Mount Everest in the spring of 1996 could have been better, the events still seem to have been the most likely outcome.

Part 1: How could the hikers have better planned for weather conditions? Could they have done anything or was this truly out of their control?

Part 2: How might the health problems have been addressed better? Or were these events simply out of everyone's control as well?

Part 3: Does this trip seem 'cursed' from the start? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of possible heroes in this story as the events unfold. Some people go above and beyond their duties and responsibilities to help others, while others simply fend for themselves.

Part 1: What is the definition of a hero?

Part 2: Who might be considered heroes in this story? Why?

Part 3: Which characters seem to have been unwilling to help others? Perhaps even selfish? Why do they seem this way?

Essay Topic 3

Deciding what is real and what is not becomes difficult as the altitude changes and the oxygen tanks run low. But there are other ways the hikers' perception of the mountain can shift.

Part 1: Which characters have troubles distinguishing between reality and delusions? Why?

Part 2: In what other ways are hikers cut off from reality?

Part 3: Is there any way to make sure the hikers can remain aware of their surroundings at all times? Are any of the hikers able to keep their heads calm and collected?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample