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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. On the way back to the base camp in the Rongbuk chapter, where did the team stop to refill their supplies?

2. The advanced base camp that Messner and Nena had been in was once a camp of the 1920s expeditions. Which camp was it?

3. How many bivouacs above the North Col did Messner believe he would need in order to reach the summit of Mount Everest?

4. 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?

5. In what city did the authorities have a celebratory reception for Messner and his team?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the Tibet chapter, what was Nena's egotistical reason for not wanting Messner to take the walkie-talkie with him for his summit attempt?

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

3. As Messner packed for his ascent of Mount Everest in the Chomolungma chapter, he shared his motto regarding packing. What was Messner's motto?

4. In the Tibetan chapter, what three topics did the interpreter assigned to Messner and Nena continually ask about?

5. Describe what a monsoon is.

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

7. In the Tibetan chapter, why did Uemura want to scale Mount Everest in the winter?

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

9. According to Messner in the Chomolungma chapter, why would an attempt to preplan his solo climb be madness?

10. As Messner began his ascent of Mount Everest in the Chomolungma chapter, suddenly reaching the summit was not important to him. Explain why reaching the summit lost its importance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is no doubt that Messner had been greatly affected by the disappearance of George Mallory years earlier as Mallory attempted to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Discuss how Mallory's disappearance affected not only Messner's worldview but also his decisions as he attempted his solo climb of Everest. How did Mallory affect Messner's mental state, his ability to persevere, and his ability to climb?

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes is this book centered on taking risks in order to reach full potential.

a. Identify three individuals that strove to reach their full potential and describe how their actions indicated that they were doing their best.

b. Why did these individuals strive to reach their full potential?

c. What was the outcome for these individuals? Were they successful in their endeavors or would they have been happier if they had been "ordinary"?

Essay Topic 3

One of the main themes in this book involved conquering fear.

a. Identify three individuals that had to overcome their fears.

b. What were each of these individuals afraid of, and was there any true basis for their fears?

c. What was the outcome for these individuals? Were they successful in overcoming their fears?

(see the answer keys)

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