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. To whom did Peach turn to for comfort after Muffin died?

2. What did Beck feel that he would some day do?

3. Where did Beck learn survival skills?

4. Why did Beck run out of food on his second major climb?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What did Beck begin to do after his term as president of Medical City ended? How did he cope with the problem?

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

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

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

8. How did Beck choose the mountains to climb?

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

10. What does Beck write about his experience climbing Mount McKinley?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction/memoir?

2. Analyze and discuss Left for Dead based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Left for Dead is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is Left for Dead a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,108 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample