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 is Matthiessen carrying that is very heavy?

2. Who told Matthiessen and Schaller about the abominable snowman living in the Himalayas?

3. When is the perfect time to travel and for harvesting potatoes, according to Matthiessen?

4. What does Matthiessen's group suffer from as they travel through the canyon?

5. Why does Matthiessen get rid of his boots?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the young biologist asks Matthiessen why he is on the journey with Schaller, what does he say?

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

3. When the sherpas lag behind Matthiessen and Schaller, what does Schaller fear that he will miss?

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

5. What do Matthiessen and Schaller pass as they trudge up along the footpath in the mountains at the beginning of their journey?

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

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

8. Why does Matthiessen exhibit some reservation about traveling with Schaller at the beginning of the trip?

9. When they are hiking, what disgusts Schaller but he is powerless to prevent from happening?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Along the trip, Matthiessen, Schaller, and their climbing group have to procure government permits to enter the Land of the Dolpo. What is a government permit? Why is it necessary to travel to certain areas? Why do you think the Nepalese government restricts access to certain areas for foreigners? How is the restriction enforced? Schaller is willing to break the rules to reach his destination but the others warn against doing so. Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The author reiterates the theme of loss in "The Snow Leopard". Identify at least two themes about loss in the book. Cite an example to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Along their journey, Matthiessen, Schaller, the sherpas, and porters all exhibit signs of fatigue ranging from bloody feet to altitude sickness and snow blindness. How does the elevation of the mountains affect them? Describe the symptoms of altitude sickness. What does the topography of the mountains demand from them physically?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 715 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample