The Value of a Sherpa Life

As of the date the story was written, how many people had died attempting to reach the summit of Mt. Everest?

• 17

• 68

• More than 200

• More than 500

What is the main job of the Sherpa porter during a climbing expedition?

• To lead the climbing party up the trails to the top of Everest

• To haul supplies to Camp I and Camp II before climbers arrive

• To show climbers new routes no one has yet taken to the top

Which group below is most adamant about NOT stopping climbing activities on Everest?

• Outfitters who sell camping supplies

• Clients who pay to be taken to the top of Everest

• Sherpas who haul the supplies up the mountain

What does the story say is the best solution to the deaths on Everest?

• Decreasing the number of permitted climbs up Everest each year

• Ending all climbing activities on Everest due to the danger

• Increasing the value of a Sherpa life

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

Where do most deaths occur on Everest?

• Near the top of the mountain

• Near the Khumbu Icefall and the Lhotse Face

• Near the very bottom where all avalanches end up

• Just after Camp II crossing glaciers

In order to help the Sherpas, the Nepalese government did what?

• Mandated a minimum pay per expedition of $12,000

• Doubled the required insurance each porter must purchase with their own money

• Closed all climbing activities except for the month of July

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

According to the story, when a Sherpa is killed while climbing, what should the clients paying for the expedition acknowledge?

• That mountain climbing is very dangerous

• That Sherpas should be given free life insurance

• The deep sense of responsibility they bear for hiring Sherpas to do such a dangerous job

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

Why do Sherpas spend so much time trying to recover the bodies of their friends who die on the mountain?

• They get paid a large sum for recovering the bodies

• Buddhists believe the body must be cremated to ensure reincarnation

• They believe if they fail to recover the bodies, they will be unable to have children in the future

What is deceptive about calling Sherpas "guides"?

• They rarely guide. They are primarily freight haulers.

• They usually require the client climbers to go ahead of them.

• They don't always know the routes to take.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Mount Everest is located between

• Nepal and Japan

• China and Russia

• Tibet and Nepal