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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. Where did Beck's family move in 1954?

2. What did Beck do to his body as he was making it stronger?

3. What happened to Beck as a freshman in college?

4. How did Beck think of himself in high school?

5. Where did Beck go hunting on a family vacation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did Beck attend medical school, and what specialty did he enjoy?

2. Why does Beck go to Mexico? What does he realize while he is there?

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

4. What does Beck say about the early years of his marriage?

5. What sort of student was Beck at Northwestern?

6. How did Beck choose the mountains to climb?

7. Discuss what Beck wrote about his parents in Chapter 11.

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

9. How did Beck and Peach end up back in Dallas?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Epilogue, Beck summarized his experience. He covered the spiritual ramifications of his experience and recognized that every person has determination and strength within themselves, and that hardship bring the strength out.

1. What do you think are the spiritual ramifications of undergoing an experience like Beck's? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Define what you think are Beck's strengths before and after he went through his ordeal. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think hardship is essential in order for a person to find his or her own strengths? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of memoir place themselves in the position of the author, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Left for Dead help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Left for Dead? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Left for Dead to discuss and compare Beck's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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