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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 is the surprising contrast in scenery that Matthiessen's group sees on their way through the canyon?

2. Where does Matthiessen's group have to stop to be checked by government officials?

3. What does a sherpa bring Matthiessen's group while they rest at a shelter on route to Kali Gandaki?

4. As Matthiessen and Schaller attempt to cross cliffs over treacherous precipices, Matthiessen has to ____________.

5. What does Matthiessen's group have to cross on their way up the canyon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What makes Schaller furious because he is afraid of being stranded?

4. What are the final arrangements that Matthiessen and Schaller make before they can start their trip?

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

6. Whom does Matthiessen think about when the sherpa fetches him and Schaller wine to drink in the old cow shed?

7. What change of plans makes Matthiessen and Schaller feel liberated but also makes the trek more difficult after the sherpas leave?

8. What creature is Matthiessen interested in possibly seeing in the Himalayas that he discussed previously with a young biologist?

9. What do Matthiessen and the party see as they hike up the mountain in high spirits that reminds them of their mortality?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief portrait study of Peter Matthiessen. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him through his life? How does he change from the beginning of the book, to his trip to the Shey Monastery, and finally as he gets ready to leave Kathmandu?

Essay Topic 2

Matthiessen learns about Nepal during the trip and in particular, its environmental problems. Describe what he notices and what its impact in on Nepal's economy as well as the forested habitats. Without conservation, what could happen to these areas? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Along their journey, Matthiessen and Schaller employ both sherpas and porters. What is a sherpa? Where does a sherpa originate from? What is a porter? How are sherpas and porters similar and how are they different? In a hierarchical sense, who has more authority and independence of the two? How do Matthiessen and Schaller relate to the sherpas and the porters on their trip?

(see the answer keys)

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