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. In what condition was Beck?

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

3. Who initiates a helicopter rescue at Base Camp Two for Beck?

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

5. What did Beck feel at base camp?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why did the search party leave Beck and Yasuko where they found them?

5. What was Peach told about Beck in a phone call, and what happened just as she was relaying the news to the children?

6. What did Beck say was the reason he climbed, and what was the impact of his climbing on his family?

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

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

9. What happened after Mike Groom arrived?

10. Describe the storm that pummels Beck's tent as he lay helpless inside.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Left for Dead. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Left for Dead. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in Left for Dead. Consider the death of some of the climbers as an random act of nature and the near death of Beck as the result of poor choices.

Essay Topic 2

Mountain Climbing is one of the predominant themes of Left for Dead. Discuss the following:

1. Research the history of mountain climbing and write an informative essay about what you find. Relate the information to what you read in Left for Dead.

2. Explain whether you would or would not like to climb mountains and give your reasons for your choice.

3. Why do you think people try to climb Mount Everest knowing how many people have died trying to do it? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Left for Dead ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a book? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read non-fiction? Discuss each one in light of Left for Dead and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Left for Dead is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 976 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample