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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. As ____________, Tukten receives a bonus from Matthiessen.

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

3. What does Matthiessen discover about Crystal Mountain?

4. What rare event is Schaller happy to witness outside the monastery?

5. What sabotaging act does the porter do that prevents progress during Schaller's climbing trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the animal that Matthiessen and Schaller think that they have found outside the monastery?

2. When Matthiessen thinks about the letters in his rucksack, he grows restless. What does he start to imagine?

3. What are the conditions Matthiessen faces when he arrives in Kathmandu for the second time at the end of the book?

4. What is the rumor surrounding Tukten when he goes with Gyaltsen to collect the mail and supplies in town?

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

6. As the group hikes around Crystal Mountain, what is the change that happens to Matthiessen and Schaller?

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

8. What do Matthiessen, Tukten, and Dawa discuss around the campfire and what does Tukten say?

9. When Matthiessen reaches Shey, what does he notice?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Schaller is a noted biologist who travels to remote areas. What are some of the animals he studies and searches for in the Himalayas? Why are they important? Discuss their significance.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

At Crystal Mountain, Matthiessen and the group arrive at a monastery. The head of the monastery called the lama is away. In Buddhism, what is the importance of the lama? Describe the role of the lama. Do some research on the Shey Monastery. What does the area look like today? How does it resemble the description provided by Matthiessen when he visited the area?

(see the answer keys)

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