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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. Who is the doctor for Fischer's group?

2. From whom does Rob Hall attract criticism?

3. What is keeping the men in the tent from getting out of their sleeping bags?

4. Who carries most of the gear for the climbers as they continue their hike up the mountain?

5. Krakauer sees a dead body wrapped in a ______________ as they are climbing their second acclimatization climb.

Short Essay Questions

1. Which two people are in the picture Krakauer takes when he gets to the summit?

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

3. What has Goran Kropp been doing on Mount Everest?

4. Describe the character of Pete Shoening.

5. Describe the character of Rob Hall.

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

7. What phrase does Krakauer use to describe the people on the trip with him right now?

8. Who does Krakauer idolize from his own town, as related to his own hiking love?

9. Describe Krakauer's feelings when he reaches the summit in his description at the beginning of this book.

10. Why are the climbers eager to leave Lobuje?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anatoli Bourkeev is a person who might be considered a strong hiker, as he was also a guide on the trip to the summit. However, he does not always act in a way that seems to support his role.

Part 1: Describe the character of Anatoli Bourkeev.

Part 2: What kind of hiker and guide is Anatoli Bourkeev? How does this differ from other guides on the trip?

Part 3: In what ways does Anatoli Bourkeev help the hikers? In what ways does he harm the hikers?

Essay Topic 2

Giving into death must seem the easier route when you're stuck up on a mountain, waiting for someone to rescue you.

Part 1: Which hikers were stranded on the mountain while they waited for help?

Part 2: In what ways did they try to survive and to live through the night?

Part 3: What are some other ways hikers might have been able to keep themselves moving and motivated to live?

Essay Topic 3

Deciding what is real and what is not becomes difficult as the altitude changes and the oxygen tanks run low. But there are other ways the hikers' perception of the mountain can shift.

Part 1: Which characters have troubles distinguishing between reality and delusions? Why?

Part 2: In what other ways are hikers cut off from reality?

Part 3: Is there any way to make sure the hikers can remain aware of their surroundings at all times? Are any of the hikers able to keep their heads calm and collected?

(see the answer keys)

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