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 did Matthiessen's wife die of?

2. Which two groups of indigenous people does Matthiessen think are similar?

3. What is Bardo?

4. How is the yeti described?

5. What keeps delaying the trip for Matthiessen's group that cannot be prevented?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Matthiessen after he walks for 10 hours on the first day of their trek?

2. What do Matthiessen and the party see as they hike up the mountain in high spirits that reminds them of their mortality?

3. What does Matthiessen do while Schaller climbs the countryside, looking for bharal after they pass through Dunahi?

4. Whom does Matthiessen think about when the sherpa fetches him and Schaller wine to drink in the old cow shed?

5. What does Matthiessen remark about Asia as they begin their trip?

6. When did Matthiessen meet his wife and how does he feel about that experience while writing the novel?

7. What do the sherpas do that reminds Matthiessen of being in New York with Deborah?

8. Why is Matthiessen so affected by the rain and bad weather after they pass through the canyon?

9. What does Matthiessen notice in the Jaljala Ridge?

10. While Matthiessen sits outside the stone hut and relaxes in the sun, what does Schaller do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the transformation that occurs to Matthiessen on Crystal Mountain that changes his perspective to some degree? How does he act consequently?

Essay Topic 2

In a simile, the author might compare an individual to an animal. Matthiessen compares Tukten the sherpa to the snow leopard. Why do you think he does this? Is this comparison convincing? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Peter Matthiessen points out the resilience in the crippled child who is still hopeful as she makes her way up the mountain side in the beginning of the journey. How does this child's behavior contrast severely with the attitude of many sherpas and porters who leave the group? What is the character trait expressed in the child that is inspiring and deeply moving? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample