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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 drug did Matthiessen use that possibly had a negative effect on him?

2. What part of Matthiessen is wet after reaching the Jaljala Ridge?

3. What do Matthiessen and Schaller discard before starting their climbing journey?

4. Who told Matthiessen and Schaller about the abominable snowman living in the Himalayas?

5. What animal could possibly leave behind a sign similar to that of a snow leopard?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is the journey initially very peaceful when Matthiessen and Schaller leave Pokhara?

3. Whom does Matthiessen admire as they trek along arduous paths and why?

4. What do the sherpas do that reminds Matthiessen of being in New York with Deborah?

5. What does a sherpa point out to Schaller while they take a break on the mountainside that makes Schaller happy?

6. What happens to Matthiessen after he walks for 10 hours on the first day of their trek?

7. What does Matthiessen remark about Asia as they begin their trip?

8. What does Matthiessen have hallucinations about that inspire him to pull out his book The Tibetan Book of the Dead?

9. When Matthiessen and Schaller arrive in Pokhara, whom do they meet?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who or what is the yeti? Describe the yeti as mentioned in "The Snow Leopard". Explain the significance of the yeti to the Nepalese people in your own words.

Essay Topic 2

There are frequent delays due to inclement weather, government restriction, sickness, and change in porters. Matthiessen spends a lot of introspective time during these periods. Describe what he thinks about and does during these sporadic intervals along the journey.

Essay Topic 3

Peter Matthiessen points out the resilience in the crippled child who is still hopeful as she makes her way up the mountain side in the beginning of the journey. How does this child's behavior contrast severely with the attitude of many sherpas and porters who leave the group? What is the character trait expressed in the child that is inspiring and deeply moving? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample