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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. What doesn't Base Camp have as one of its many luxurious amenities?

2. Who is the Surveyor General of India that names the peak Mount Everest?

3. What is Ang Dorje called by the other climbers in the group?

4. What is the name of Scott Fischer's climbing organization?

5. Who is in charge of making medical decisions for Fischer's group, although she has no altitude experience?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Krakauer looks out his airplane window, what does he find so absurd?

2. What did Rob Hall and his climbing partner, Gary Ball, achieve as climbers together?

3. Why do Krakauer and Hansen have troubles getting out of their sleeping bags in the morning?

4. After whom was Mount Everest named after?

5. Why does Doug Hansen stay behind while the rest of the climbers head up to Camp Three?

6. Describe the character of Mike Groom.

7. What does Krakauer notice in the snow as they are climbing up to Camp Two?

8. Why does Fischer have to descend to help one of his clients, instead of one of the guides?

9. What are some examples of Krakauer's potential feelings of snobbery towards Mount Everest?

10. List some of the amenities the climbers have while at Base Camp.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationships between characters is something intriguing to the reader. At times, there is an open sense of competition, for others, there is a sense of camaraderie.

Part 1: What are some examples of positive relationships between hikers on the mountain?

Part 2: What are some examples of potentially negative relationships between hikers on the mountain?

Part 3: How might this difficult challenge of hiking to the summit affect those hikers on the mountain? What does such an impossible task do to those around the hikers? To their families?

Essay Topic 2

With the teams, there seems to be trouble brewing between some of the guides and the leaders. This is thought to be another contributing factor to the tragic events.

Part 1: How did Anatoli's absence affect Fischer's team?

Part 2: In what ways did other guides affect their teams? For example, what might Beidleman have done better to help his team?

Part 3: What is crucial in the formation of a team like this? What would have been the ideal situations for the leaders and the guides?

Essay Topic 3

The gradual ascent of the hikers to the different camps allows them to get adjusted to the altitude at different points, without exhausting them.

Part 1: How many camps are located between Base Camp and the Summit?

Part 2: What are some ways hikers acclimate to the decrease in the air density at each phase of their hike?

Part 3: What can happen if the hikers don't take their time in ascending Mount Everest? What are some effects of the altitude on the human body?

(see the answer keys)

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