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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. In the Kanchung chapter, how many lectures was Messner scheduled to give during his European lecture tour?

2. In what year did the proclamation of the "Autonomous Region of Tibet" occur?

3. Who led the second British expedition to Mount Everest in 1922?

4. A few days after being forced to descend Everest because of the storm, which two team members were able to ascend to 8,321 meters during the second British expedition?

5. What does Ganpei mean?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Bulle returned to his "real" life in the Kanchung chapter, he threw himself into his job. What was Bulle's primary motivation for taking up his work with such enthusiasm?

2. What was the most interesting part of the lecture tour schedule for Messner in the Kanchung chapter?

3. According to Messner in the Mount Everest-Fairytale and Reality chapter, why did no one understand the local people better than the leader of the second British expedition to Mount Everest in 1922?

4. Describe what the oxygen apparatus of the 1920's looked like.

5. In 1922 and 1924, the British set up their base camp in the shelter of a moraine under the end of the Rongbuk Glacier. Why was this spot considered ideal?

6. Why did the second person to attempt a solo ascent of Everest decline to use oxygen gear?

7. According to Messner in the early pages of the Mount Everest-Fairytale and Reality chapter, why was Oelz depressed as the team packed for their trip to Syangpoche?

8. In the Kanchung chapter, how did Messner characterize his homeland of South Tyrol?

9. What unusual item was a standard item placed in the rooms by the hotel in Syangpoche in the early pages of the Mount Everest-Fairytale and Reality chapter?

10. What did the British recognize as too difficult a route in the 1920s and 1930s that is still not climbed to this day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the main themes in this book involved conquering fear.

a. Identify three individuals that had to overcome their fears.

b. What were each of these individuals afraid of, and was there any true basis for their fears?

c. What was the outcome for these individuals? Were they successful in overcoming their fears?

Essay Topic 2

The mindset of a mountaineer, especially a mountaineer who climbs solo, is different from the mindset of the "average" person. With the danger inherent in mountaineering, a climber's mindset probably has to be different to continue to go up and push the outer limits.

a. Describe the coping mechanisms that mountaineers have in place to help them deal with the enormous stress of their chosen sport.

b. Discuss the coping mechanisms the mountaineers' support teams have to have in place to deal with the enormous stress of their climbers' sport.

Essay Topic 3

The Chinese government used many different tactics to not only take over but also to rule Tibet and keep the Tibetan people in line.

a. Identify three tactics used by the Chinese government to rule Tibet and keep the people in line.

b. For each tactic identified, explain why the government used this method of control.

c. Compare these tactics in terms of their operational style, level of involvement, and operational success or failure.

(see the answer keys)

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