View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Besides the commands of the voice, what does Joe rely on to keep him going?

2. What does Joe do when the voice tells him what to do?

3. What does Simon assume the foul taste in his mouth is from?

4. How does Joe resolve to die?

5. Why does Joe decide to descend deeper into the crevasse?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Joe decide to descend deeper into the crevasse?

4. Through the moraines, Joe's watch is a strong preoccupation. Besides pain, what is his obsession?

5. What logic does Joe use to assume that Simon believes he is dead?

6. While trying to reach base camp, what single thought springs Joe into action, but also holds the possibility of being the final death of him?

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

8. While abseiling to the right of the wall over which Joe had tumbled, why does Simon suddenly stop his descent?

9. 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?

10. After discovering that Simon had cut the rope, Joe turns off his head torch and cries himself to sleep. When he awakens, what are his immediate thoughts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In "Ten Years On", Joe includes an excerpt from Simon's book "Against the Wall", in which Simon describes the rope as representing a "powerful symbol of trust and friendship". Cite examples in the book that support or refute this notion. Is the climber's rope simply a safety measure or, as Simon suggests, symbolic of a powerful life-and-death bond of trust between men on the mountain?

Essay Topic 3

In the Epilogue, "Bad Memories", Joe talks about his experience of returning to Siula Grande for the filming of "Touching the Void". He says repeatedly that he feels "panic" and mentions post-traumatic stress syndrome. Research the effects of post-traumatic stress syndrome, its history, and the advances in its treatment. Why doesn't Joe get treatment for the disorder? Does he have the disorder? What has helped with getting over his traumatic experience?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,123 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample