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

2. According to the Chomolungma chapter, how high was the Chang La face that Messner had to navigate on his way to the North Col?

3. As Messner passed 8000 meters, how many paces was he taking between rest breaks?

4. According to the Chomolungma chapter, how far of a hike was it from the standing camp and the high camp?

5. Where did Nena and Messner build their main camp after choosing to leave the Rongbuk monastery in the Tibet chapter?

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. In the North Col chapter, why did Nena decide to change her socks just as Messner said he was ready to go for their walk?

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

4. During the Cultural Revolution, what were the "Four Ancients" that the Chinese tried to destroy?

5. What was the reaction of the world when the Chinese government announced that a Chinese expedition had successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1960?

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

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

8. Describe what a monsoon is.

9. According to Nena in the Tibet chapter, why would Messner's solo ascent be lessened if he took a walkie-talkie with him?

10. How did Messner react in the Chomolungma chapter when he escaped the crevasse alive?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nena Holguin was the woman who accompanied Reinhold Messner as his technical assistant when Messner prepared and scaled Mount Everest solo. Describe Nena Holguin, her strengths and weaknesses, and her overall role in the success of Messner's historic climb. Would Messner have reached the summit alone without Nena supporting him?

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

The mindset of a mountaineer, especially a mountaineer who climbs solo, is different from the mindset of the "average" person. With the danger inherent in mountaineering, a climber's mindset probably has to be different to continue to go up and push the outer limits.

a. Describe the coping mechanisms that mountaineers have in place to help them deal with the enormous stress of their chosen sport.

b. Discuss the coping mechanisms the mountaineers' support teams have to have in place to deal with the enormous stress of their climbers' sport.

(see the answer keys)

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