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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 close inspection, what does Joe determine the "floor" of the crevasse to be?

2. In the opening scene of the chapter "Shadows in the Ice", Joe is convinced that he and his partner are going to die. What does Joe hope?

3. 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?

4. What is the first thing Richard gives to Simon?

5. After waking from his nightmare, what does Joe see?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. The morning after arriving back at base camp, Simon revisits his feelings about the place while urinating on a boulder. How does he describe these emotions?

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

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

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

7. Why is Joe so worried about losing Simon's tracks?

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

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

10. What does Joe discover upon reaching the "bottom" of the crevasse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

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)

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