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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Nena first asked Messner to go for a walk with him at the beginning of the North Col chapter to explore the area around the base camp, Messner told her to wait for him. How long did Messner think it would be before he'd be ready to go?
(a) Forty-five minutes.
(b) 90 minutes.
(c) 60 minutes.
(d) Thirty minutes.

2. After sharing barley beer with a family in the Four Dragon Village in the Rongbuk chapter, what did Messner leave with the family as a guest gift?
(a) His compass.
(b) His handkerchief.
(c) His diary.
(d) His pocket knife.

3. As Messner climbed in the Chomolungma chapter, he felt better than ever climbing above 7000 meters. What caution did Messner give himself?
(a) To not over-strain himself.
(b) To not lose focus.
(c) To not go too fast.
(d) To not get complacent.

4. How many women who were part of the 1975 Chinese expedition were able to reach heights of more than 8000 meters?
(a) 10.
(b) 20.
(c) 40.
(d) 30.

5. While Messner studied the North Col through his binoculars and planned his next objective in the North Col chapter, where were Cheng and Tsao?
(a) At the base camp.
(b) At the midway camp.
(c) In Lhasa.
(d) In Peking.

6. As Messner passed 8000 meters, what did he liken his progress rate to?
(a) A yak.
(b) A moose.
(c) A hare.
(d) A snail.

7. According to Messner in the Tibet chapter, how long after landing in the Tsangpo valley did he expect it would take to reach Lhasa by jeep?
(a) Two hours.
(b) One hour.
(c) One day.
(d) Two days.

8. As Nena and Messner camped for the night at the Rongbuk river just at the edge of a village while waiting for the water to go down enough to safely cross the river, what did Nena write that she felt like?
(a) A novice explorer.
(b) A worker bee.
(c) A prize trophy.
(d) A monkey in a zoo.

9. When Messner and his team finally set off on July 13 from the base camp, how many yaks were carrying Messner's supplies?
(a) Five.
(b) Three.
(c) Four.
(d) Two.

10. In what city did the authorities have a celebratory reception for Messner and his team?
(a) Kathmandu.
(b) Peking.
(c) Shingu.
(d) Lhasa.

11. When Messner and Nena were reunited on the glacier, what was Messner's reaction?
(a) He weeps.
(b) He shouts.
(c) He sings.
(d) He laughs.

12. Long, unbroken stays above what altitude will make people gradually deteriorate?
(a) 6,000 meters.
(b) 7,000 meters.
(c) 6,500 meters.
(d) 7,500 meters.

13. When Messner finally reached the summit, how did he feel?
(a) Elated.
(b) Overwhelmed.
(c) Completely empty.
(d) Buoyant.

14. As Messner passed 8000 meters, how many paces was he taking between rest breaks?
(a) Thirty.
(b) Twenty.
(c) Fifty.
(d) Fifteen.

15. What did Messner estimate the nighttime temperatures on Everest were?
(a) -40 degrees Celsius.
(b) -30 degrees Celsius.
(c) -10 degrees Celsius.
(d) -20 degrees Celsius.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Messner feel when he and Nena were in the ruins of the Rongbuk monastery in the Tibet chapter?

2. On the first day of his Everest ascent, Messner forced himself to drink fluids even though he did not feel thirsty. How much fluid had Messner decided he must drink?

3. Who did Messner send from the base camp to order a jeep for his travel westward in the Rongbuk chapter?

4. As the Chomolungma chapter opens and Messner finally began his ascent of Everest, how long had he been at an altitude of 5000 meters or higher?

5. What was the coldest night that Messner ever remembered enduring while climbing (albeit not on Everest)?

(see the answer keys)

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