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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. What or who chases after Matthiessen, forcing him to defend himself with a stick?

2. What was supposed to be finished by the first week of October but does not stop and causes delays in the journey?

3. A snow leopard weighs about _____________ pounds.

4. Who is making it difficult to pass through the region without a government permit?

5. Who has blood in his shoes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does a sherpa point out to Schaller while they take a break on the mountainside that makes Schaller happy?

2. What creature is Matthiessen interested in possibly seeing in the Himalayas that he discussed previously with a young biologist?

3. What makes Schaller furious because he is afraid of being stranded?

4. What makes the journey through Kali Gandaki especially difficult?

5. When Matthiessen and Schaller arrive in Pokhara, whom do they meet?

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

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

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

9. Whom does Matthiessen admire as they trek along arduous paths and why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief portrait study of Peter Matthiessen. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him through his life? How does he change from the beginning of the book, to his trip to the Shey Monastery, and finally as he gets ready to leave Kathmandu?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Matthiessen learns about Nepal during the trip and in particular, its environmental problems. Describe what he notices and what its impact in on Nepal's economy as well as the forested habitats. Without conservation, what could happen to these areas? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample