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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. What did Beck say he blamed for his unhappiness?

2. What did Beck enjoy doing after they moved to Dallas when he was not working?

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

4. What does Beck do when he slips back into a depression after his presidency ended?

5. What did Beck find on his second major climb?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What did Kit relate about the Weathers' family life?

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

6. What did Meg ask of her father? How did she feel about him?

7. What sort of student was Beck at Northwestern?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Peach began to notice some differences in Beck's mental attitude. He was reaching out to her and seemed to care about all the pain he caused others.

1. What do you think are the steps to forgiveness? What type of thinking and processing do you think Peach has to go through in order to forgive Beck? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Beck would have changed if he had not gone through the pain and suffering he did? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. How do you think Beck reaching out to Peach and caring more about others might help his chronic battle with depression? 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

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)

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