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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. Why is Peach frustrated?

2. Where is Beck Weathers trapped?

3. Who is Madan?

4. Why do the climbers have to stay in a base camp for a while?

5. Where did Dan meet Beck?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the purpose of the climbers' stay at Base Camp?

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

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

5. What does Peach say about Beck's and her relationship in Chapter 8?

6. How did Beck communicate with his family during most climbs, and how did he do so on the Everest expedition?

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

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

9. What happened after Mike Groom arrived?

10. How did Beck end up making it back to Camp IV?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Does non-fiction have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Left for Dead, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot because of Left for Dead being non-fiction? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Left for Dead. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

4. Do you think having a plot in non-fiction is important? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Beck Weathers at the beginning of the novel to him at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they both sympathetic characters? Which "Beck Weathers" would you most likely have as a friend? Why?

2. Compare/contrast Beck Weathers at the beginning of the novel to Beck Weathers at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why?

3. Compare/contrast Beck Weathers to Peach Weathers. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one compassionate? Honorable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Beck was reliant on those closest to him, including Peach. He underwent physical and emotional pain as he dealt with people's reactions to his unsightly body and fought infections. He had eleven surgeries over the next year. The pain was excruciating.

1. Do you think the average person would resent his or her life becoming more difficult because of a spouse's poor choice? In other words, all of a sudden Peach is faced with having to do many tasks her husband cannot do for himself, as the the result of him being determined to climb a mountain she asked him not to climb. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Humans often have a tendency to think someone deserves pain or suffering if they are the cause of their suffering. Beck chose to climb, even when his daughter and wife asked him not to do it. Does Beck deserve his suffering? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Everyone has done something unwise and suffered the consequences of the behavior. Do you think the consequences of a bad choice is the best way for a person to grow? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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