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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 far does Simon lower Joe each time before he descends himself?

2. What does Simon insist that Joe not do on this trip?

3. What is a "Friend"?

4. How long do Joe and Simon expect to be gone on their climb of Siula Grande?

5. At what altitude does Joe realize that both he and Simon have set a personal altitude record?

Short Essay Questions

1. When beginning his climb for the summit from the bivouac site 300 feet below the summit, what pros and cons does Joe mention about climbing in the daylight?

2. On page 65 in "On the Edge", Joe says, 'Funny how my anxiety [about Simon's frostbitten fingers] seemed to have more to do with whether he would be able to carry on climbing after we got down rather than concern for his injuries'. Why is this statement significant?

3. On the first practice climb to Seria Norte, Joe loses sight of base camp and immediately notices what?

4. Why is Joe nervous about the first bivouac site?

5. While thinking about the possibility of having fallen off the ridge while roped together, Joe talks about what incident witnessed by Simon?

6. Describe the Peruvian family that lives in the huts.

7. Joe says that a 'warm feeling' stays with him while Simon lowers him. What 'warm feeling' is he referring to?

8. In "Storm at the Summit", how does Joe get a bloody lip and a cracked tooth?

9. On the eve of the summit conquest, what does Simon do that leaves Joe in disbelief?

10. Toward the end of "On the Edge", Joe awakens in the snow hole with what sensation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and/or contrast Joe's use of patterns and rhythm throughout the book. Does he use them as a function of his personality, as a result of the essence of climbing, or out of necessity? Discuss the appearance of these patterns in climbing, in the rescue attempt, and in Joe's journey back to base camp.

Essay Topic 2

In the last few discourses of "the voice", how do the tone and content of its messages change? Can you draw an analogy between this and Joe's condition? How does Joe's outlook or state of affairs improve (or worsen) when "the voice" finally leaves him?

Essay Topic 3

Some may argue that the accident could have been avoided. Explore the possible causes of the accident. What single mistake leads to a chain reaction of events? Explain the cause and effect of each of these events in the chain, and how different decisions would, or could, lead to a different outcome. Why do most climbing incidents, accidents, disasters, and deaths occur on the descent? Is there anything that Joe and Simon could do differently to prevent the ordeal, or is it just a freak accident, no matter what they do?

(see the answer keys)

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