View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do Matthiessen and Schaller discard before starting their climbing journey?
(a) Extra clothing.
(b) Books.
(c) Ropes.
(d) Electronic devices.

2. What does Matthiessen's group have to cross on their way up the canyon?
(a) Snake pit.
(b) Moat.
(c) Swamp.
(d) Treacherous ice.

3. What area is 11,200 feet above sea level?
(a) China.
(b) Jaljala Ridge.
(c) Kali Gandaki.
(d) Tibet.

4. Who is almost two hours behind Matthiessen and Schaller trekking through the mountains?
(a) Sherpas.
(b) Nepalese nomads.
(c) Ponies.
(d) Beggars.

5. Who remains in the group and gains Matthiessen's trust even if porters do not like him?
(a) Jang.
(b) Tukten.
(c) Schaller.
(d) Dawa.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was supposed to be finished by the first week of October but does not stop and causes delays in the journey?

2. What do Matthiessen and Schaller feel is against them as they journey forward?

3. What does Schaller leave behind for Matthiessen?

4. What are Matthiessen and Schaller afraid of after they talk to the Tibetan guide who tells them that they need government permits?

5. Why does Matthiessen have wet and cold feet?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the young biologist asks Matthiessen why he is on the journey with Schaller, what does he say?

2. How does Matthiessen adjust to the higher elevations once they pass 12,000 feet?

3. What are the two conditions that affect the group because of the heavy weather as they hike up the canyon?

4. In Part 2, how does Matthiessen describe his relationship with Deborah before she died?

5. What makes the journey through Kali Gandaki especially difficult?

6. What does Matthiessen find on the Nepal side of the mountains that inspires a lot of questions from the group and could mean that they have gotten closer to finding what they came for?

7. When did Matthiessen meet his wife and how does he feel about that experience while writing the novel?

8. What does Matthiessen learn is one of the biggest problems in Nepal and how is it caused?

9. What is a Vedic belief that Matthiessen has great respect for and shares on his initial ascent up the mountain in Part 1?

10. What is one of the rarest of cats, where does it live, and why is it considered rare?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 724 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample