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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What object does Joe have trouble with in the beginning of the story?
(a) His rucksack.
(b) His crampons.
(c) The petrol stove.
(d) His tent.

2. How far does Simon lower Joe each time before he descends himself?
(a) Approximately 150 feet.
(b) Approximately 300 meters.
(c) Approximately 300 feet.
(d) Approximately 300 abseils.

3. What collapses under Simon's feet?
(a) The summit.
(b) A crevice.
(c) A snow ridge.
(d) An ice bridge.

4. How does Simon cut the rope?
(a) He touches a knife to it.
(b) He cuts it with a set of climber's rope-shears.
(c) He saws at the rope with a knife for one hour.
(d) He uses a sharp rock.

5. When Joe says to Simon, 'We should top out today' (p41), what does he mean?
(a) We should beat our altitude record.
(b) We should reach the summit.
(c) We should drink the maximum amount of fluids.
(d) We should consume the maximum amount of calories.

6. How long is one length of climbing rope?
(a) 150 feet.
(b) 300 feet.
(c) A hundredweight.
(d) 150 metres.

7. Before recounting the Mont Blanc incident, Joe determines that Simon...
(a) Is indeed frostbitten.
(b) Is suffering from altitude sickness.
(c) Is going to leave without him.
(d) Has broken his leg.

8. On their first night on Siula Grande, what do Joe and Simon sleep in?
(a) A pigsty.
(b) A natural cave.
(c) A man-made cave.
(d) A tent.

9. In his climbing rhythm, Joe says to look at what?
(a) The ice axe.
(b) Your feet.
(c) The ice.
(d) Your watch.

10. When Joe follows Simon, he is careful to do what?
(a) Follow Simon's footsteps exactly.
(b) Not lose sight of Simon.
(c) Keep Richard informed of their progress.
(d) Avoid Simon's footsteps entirely.

11. At the beginning of the chapter "On the Edge", on which side of Siula Grande are Joe and Simon descending?
(a) The South Face.
(b) The East Face.
(c) The West Face.
(d) The North Face.

12. What is verglas?
(a) Vertical scree.
(b) A type of eye lens used to help climbers with vertigo.
(c) A thin glaze of glass-like ice covering the rock.
(d) Vertical ice.

13. What does Simon insist that Joe not do on this trip?
(a) Smoke cigarettes.
(b) Snore.
(c) Smoke marijuana.
(d) Drink beer.

14. When Joe falls and lands on the slope at the base of the cliff, what happens?
(a) He ruptures his left knee.
(b) His right lower leg bone is forced through the knee joint.
(c) He breaks his left leg.
(d) He rips Simon off the mountain.

15. How does the weather look when Joe and Simon start up Siula Grande?
(a) Perfect.
(b) Dreadful.
(c) Blustery.
(d) Foggy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What device does Joe wish they had in their possession as they descend from the summit of Siula Grande?

2. On what mountain range do two climbers witness the deaths of two other climbers?

3. Where do Joe and Simon first meet Richard?

4. What part of the body does a gaiter cover?

5. When referring to their experience on the ridge, Simon tells Joe that he is...

(see the answer keys)

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