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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. Upon what did Meg reflect when she thought her father was dead?

2. How many in Beck's group made it to the summit?

3. What side of Everest was Beck's group planning to climb?

4. When did Beck's team make High Camp on the South Col?

5. How many feet above sea level was the base camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Dan fly to be with Beck while Beck was in a hotel recovering?

2. How does Beck contrast current weather conditions with the conditions when he started up the summit eighteen hours earlier?

3. What happened when the camp radioed down the mountain about Beck's arrival?

4. What route did Beck's group take, and what was the first tragedy on the climb?

5. How did Beck's longtime recovery proceed?

6. What does Beck say about hiking the Khumbu trail on his way to base camp?

7. What does Beck learn about his rescue as he reaches Kathmandu?

8. What did Beck do while waiting to travel to base camp on Everest?

9. Whom did Peach and her friends contact to get Beck off the mountain?

10. What does the rest of Chapter 7 describe after Beck arrives at Camp II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase Left for Dead describes what happens to Beck Weathers on Everest. Research the story and write why you think this book was given this title.

3. If you were the writer of Left for Dead and your editor said the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

Essay Topic 2

The topic of marriage is woven throughout Left for Dead. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the attitudes toward marriage that Beck Weathers has as opposed to his wife's attitudes.

2. How much do you think Beck's depression influences his views of marriage? Discuss thoroughly using examples from the book.

3. Compare/contrast the normal American view of marriage with Beck's. How are their views similar? Different? Which views are more like your own?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes the story interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Beck. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Peach. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the story? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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