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. What does "Tashi delek" mean?

2. In the Tibet chapter, who did Nena send back to Shigatsa because of altitude sickness?

3. When Messner and Nena decided to leave their base camp and travel throughout the region because the weather on Everest was terrible in the Tibet chapter, where did they head to?

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

5. Instead of returning to the base camp after leaving the Four Dragon Village in the Rongbuk chapter, Messner's group took a detour. Where did the group overnight?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, it would be impossible to reach the summit of Mount Everest without doing what first?

2. As Messner studied the North Col, what did he hope would hold true based on the sixteen year weather cycle?

3. As the expedition rested at the start of the East Rongbuk Glacier in the North Col chapter, Nena wrote in her diary that she was disillusioned with humanity. Why?

4. Describe what a monsoon is.

5. According to the North Col chapter, what was Messner's strongest experience when climbing?

6. Why is the summer monsoon of extraordinary importance for the people of India and Nepal?

7. While trapped in the crevasse in the Chomolungma chapter, what promise did Messner make?

8. As Messner climbed to the summit of Everest in the Chomolungma chapter, what were his only two aids?

9. In the Tibetan chapter, how did Messner describe the province of Szechuan?

10. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, why did nomads love their homelands more than stationary citizens do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Reinhold Messner seemed to be a man who was supremely confident in his ability to succeed. Identify at least three instances from the book that highlighted his confidence. How was Messner helped by his confidence? How was Messner hurt by his confidence?

Essay Topic 2

The book's main title is "The Crystal Horizon." Why did the Messner choose this title? How does the title foreshadow Messner's experiences on Mount Everest?

Essay Topic 3

During the time period in which Messner was attempting his solo climb of Mount Everest, the political climate in Tibet was tenuous.

a. Briefly discuss the historical events that led to Tibet's occupation and rule by China.

b. How did the political environment in Tibet affect the early expeditions to Mount Everest?

c. How did the political environment in Tibet affect Messner's solo expedition to Mount Everest?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 752 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample