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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. After 12 hours in the crevasse, Joe finally escapes. Although briefly mentioned in the chapter "In the Far Distance", a new character is now officially introduced. Who is it?

2. What method of movement does Joe first try when he is out of the crevasse?

3. Who does Simon dread talking to upon his return to civilization?

4. When sorting through Joe's possessions, what does Simon salvage?

5. To what does Joe compare the figures in the ice?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the reasons Richard gives for their expeditious departure?

2. While crawling away during his escape from the crevasse, what is Joe's most common excuse for stopping, and what persuades him to continue?

3. How does Joe describe his night in the moraines under the stars?

4. While preparing for his escape attempt up the snow cone towards the light, how does Joe's view towards the crevasse briefly change?

5. When Joe finally clears the crevasses of the glacier and arrives at the moraines, what painful condition does he realize that he is stricken with, and how does he describe it?

6. Joe tells of the most difficult thing he has ever done, and the best view he has ever seen. What are these?

7. As Simon turns for one last look at Siula Grande, what goes through his mind?

8. After learning that the rope had been cut and after getting some sleep in the crevasse, what are Joe's thoughts about the end of his life?

9. As Simon descends Siula Grande at the beginning of "Silent Witness", how does he feel about the mountain?

10. When Simon sees the cliff over which Joe had been hanging, how does he feel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his ordeal, Simon mentions the presence of songs and song lyrics in his head, even ones that he hates. Research and write about why this happens in the human psyche. Do you think that this means music plays an important role in Joe's life? How, exactly, is the music helping Joe? Is the music as prevalent as the voices and thoughts? Briefly mention your own experience with this phenomenon when under stress, if any.

Essay Topic 2

Joe mentions more than once in the book that he has strange feelings of dread or uneasiness before bad things happen. Why do you think this is? What are Joe's ambiguous feelings on the summit? Research other climbers' similar comments, and compare. Why does he continue to climb mountains if he is so dubious about the ultimate objective? Is the journey more important, or the destination, or even the return journey? Do you think the unspoken final objective of mountain climbers is the summit, or actually making it back alive to tell about it?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Simon's inner conflict regarding telling the truth about what happened. How does he justify the fabrication of a lie or the editing of the complete truth? How does he justify complete honesty? Does he believe he will be criticized? If so, why, and by whom? Does he believe he will receive support? If so, why, and by whom?

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