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. How long is Matthiessen's group forced to stay inside the monastery in their tents?

2. What does Matthiessen feel that his body needs to readjust to?

3. What indicates the presence of Japanese mountain climbers at their resting place?

4. Matthiessen describes seeing a rare blue sheep called ____________.

5. Despite getting rid of everything that they do not need for the journey, what does Schaller complain is still very heavy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Schaller discover when he returns to Kathmandu that prevents travel in the Land of Dolpo?

2. When Jang-bu and another sherpa go in search of firewood, where do Matthiessen and Schaller wander and what do they find?

3. What is the rare event concerning the bharal that Schaller is delighted to see outside the monastery?

4. Who gets sick along the last leg of the journey and requires immediate treatment?

5. While Schaller is happy watching the blue sheep near the monastery, what does Matthiessen get concerned about and why?

6. What does Matthiessen share from the letters he receives from Schaller dated December 8th and 9th in the last part of the book?

7. What event do Matthiessen and Schaller witness outside the monastery that surprises them because they did not expect to see that animal or for it to act in the way that it does?

8. With whom does Matthiessen share a special bond and what about this individual surprises him in Jumla?

9. When Matthiessen goes to the city of Patan, whom does he see and how does he feel?

10. What does Schaller wonder about the juvenile sheep that he sees outside the monastery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Matthiessen frequently reminisces about his past, particularly his relationship with Deborah and her experience with cancer. How does travel help Matthiessen cope with his grief? Does it work effectively? With whom does Matthiessen share his feelings about Deborah on the trip? What events, people, and surroundings during his trip remind Matthiessen of Deborah? Describe.

Essay Topic 2

Both Peter Matthiessen and George Schaller are the people this book focuses on the most.

Part 1) Compare Peter Matthiessen to George Schaller. How are these two individuals similar and how are they different?

Part 2) What inspirational purpose does Schaller's mission to Nepal ultimately offer Peter Matthiessen? Elaborate on this.

Part 3) The two men have ultimately two very different experiences. Why does this happen? Schaller encounters the snow leopard at the end, which makes him happy. Peter Matthiessen experiences something different, bonding with the sherpa Tukten who ultimately disappears. Share your opinion on these two experiences.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 762 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample