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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. How tall was the icy gully that Buhl climbed the day after climbing the Spider?

2. In the third successful climb up the North Face, what nationality were Jermann's guides?

3. Why did Fraissl and Brankowski turn back?

4. How far did Schlunegger and Krähenbühl climb in 1946 before having to climb back down?

5. What did Fritz crave and lack, after climbing the Spider?

Short Essay Questions

1. What metaphor did the author use to describe the societal function of mountain climbing?

2. What research did Harrer do for his book?

3. Why did Heckmair and Vörg turn back from their climb on July 21?

4. What are the hazards on the North Face when the ice is melted?

5. What is the author's position on the psychology of seeking danger?

6. How does Harrer portray the climbers' relations with the newspapermen?

7. When Allmen checked on the mountaineers he knew were climbing toward him, what did he find?

8. Describe the end of Sedlmayer and Mehringer's attempt to climb the North Face.

9. Describe the first climb up the Eiger.

10. What seemed unexplainable about Primas and Gollackner's actions on their climb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Extreme mountain climbing pushes the limits of human ability. Discuss this aspect of climbing in Harrer's book.

1) What drives human being to push the limits of human ability, according to Harrer? Is this a worthwhile pursuit?

2) How do the limits of human accomplishment change over time? Does climbing the North Face become less of an accomplishment in any way over time?

3) What does it mean to say that a task is impossible? How does the impossible become achievable?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss teamwork and friendship in Harrer's book.

1) How is teamwork important to climbers? How do climbers help each other?

2) How is a solo climb different from a climb by a team or group up the North Face?

3) What is the role of friendship or camaraderie between climbers? How is Harrer's relationship with Fritz an important part of his portrayal of his own climb up the North Face? What other friendships are important in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the idea of rescue in Harrer's book.

1) Why are rescue attempts not guaranteed for climbers? How does climbing affect the local guides and governments who participate in rescue attempts?

2) How does Harrer view rescuers and rescue attempts? Are his portrayals of rescuers romanticized?

3) Should climbers expect rescue? What aspects of human nature make rescue attempts inevitable? What happens when rescue attempts are impossible? Discuss specific rescue attempts in the book.

(see the answer keys)

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