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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. How did Beck choose the mountains he climbed?

2. What did Beck look forward to seeing on his climb of Mount Elbrus?

3. What is Peach's real name?

4. Of what did Beck become President in 1982?

5. Where did Beck decide to climb after his climb in Colorado?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Beck write about his life in Japan?

2. What does Peach say about Beck's "obsessions"?

3. What made Beck decide to climb Everest? How does he start getting ready for the climb?

4. Why does Beck blame Peace for his unhappiness and what is her response?

5. What happened to Beck's emotional state during his first year at Midwestern?

6. What does Ken want Beck to decide while descending Mount McKinley? What is Beck's response?

7. What did Beck relate about his time when his father was stationed in Saudi Arabia in 1958?

8. What does Peach write about the women in her family?

9. What does Beck see as his contribution to the household, and what does he neglect?

10. Who served as a surrogate father to Peach, and what was Beck's relationship with the man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

After Beck came home from Mount Everest. He didn't realize the extent of his own injuries. Since he couldn't feel his hands, he didn't know how badly they were injured. He found out that he was going to lose both his hands. He also lost his nose.

1. How do you think Beck's types of injuries would change a person's life? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think people respond so poorly to a person's appearance when they are badly scarred or injured, like Beck? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. If you were Beck's wife, how would you feel knowing that your life will be more difficult having to do many tasks for your husband you didn't used to have to do? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Beck Weathers. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an opponent? Do you think he is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

2. Thoroughly discuss the character of Peach. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

3. Thoroughly discuss two other persons of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be opponents to your way of life? Do you think each one is loving? Compassionate? Accepting? Tolerant?

(see the answer keys)

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