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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. The human figures Joe sees in the broken ice of a cliff are in "bas-relief". What does this mean?

2. What name does Joe shout over and over in the crevasse?

3. What is the first thing Richard gives to Simon?

4. After coming to the conclusion that Joe is dead, Simon is determined to do what?

5. What does Joe do to find out if Simon has fallen to his death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What logic does Joe use to assume that Simon believes he is dead?

2. After he sees the frayed ends of the cut rope, what goes through Joe's mind?

3. While trying to reach base camp, what single thought springs Joe into action, but also holds the possibility of being the final death of him?

4. Before setting out across the moraines, what does Joe do with his Karrimat?

5. Through the moraines, Joe's watch is a strong preoccupation. Besides pain, what is his obsession?

6. Joe tells of the most difficult thing he has ever done, and the best view he has ever seen. What are these?

7. When does the "voice" utter its first words of discouragement? What does it tell Joe?

8. Describe Joe's one article of clothing that Simon can't bring himself to burn.

9. As Simon descends Siula Grande at the beginning of "Silent Witness", how does he feel about the mountain?

10. While preparing for his escape attempt up the snow cone towards the light, how does Joe's view towards the crevasse briefly change?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Climbers acclimatize before a climb, meaning that they adjust to the conditions, especially the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. To what other conditions, either physical or mental or both, does Joe "acclimatize" throughout the story?

Essay Topic 2

The Prologue of the book is the quote by T.E. Lawrence, preceding the first chapter. Why do you think the author chose this excerpt? What do you think it means? How is it significant? What does it have to do with the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Simon's inner conflict regarding telling the truth about what happened. How does he justify the fabrication of a lie or the editing of the complete truth? How does he justify complete honesty? Does he believe he will be criticized? If so, why, and by whom? Does he believe he will receive support? If so, why, and by whom?

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