Out of the Death Zone

1. Which statement expresses a central idea of the section “The Risks”?

• A. There are strong winds on Everest.
• B. Climbing Mount Everest is incredibly dangerous.
• C. In 2010, 13-year-old Jordan Romero summited Everest.
• D. The Sherpa are accustomed to living at high altitudes.

2. The section “The Opportunity”

• A. helps readers understand why people climb Mount Everest.
• B. explains what led to Poorna’s decision to climb Mount Everest.
• C. describes what it is like to climb Mount Everest.
• D. explains how to rock climb.

3. Consider this line: “A sudden blizzard descended on climbers near the summit.” What does "descend" mean?

• A. jump.
• B. lay a trap.
• C. move or fall downward.
• D. surprise someone.

4. Which word best describes Poorna?

• A. gentle
• B. funny
• C. determined
• D. mysterious

5. Which lines best support your answer to which word best describes Poorna?

• A. “She was sad and frightened, but Poorna put any thought of giving up out of her mind.”
• B. “A book was written about her, and a movie was made.”
• C. “‘Keep going,’ she told herself. ‘Just keep going.’”
• D. “Poorna was born in a farming village in Telangana, a state in India.”

6. Which detail should NOT be included in a summary of the article?

• A. It can cost more than $100,000 to be guided up Mount Everest.
• B. Poorna Malavath was 13 when she climbed Mount Everest.
• C. Poorna Malavath is from Telangana, India.
• D. In 2014, Poorna Malavath became the youngest girl to summit Mount Everest.

7. The mood of the section “The Death Zone” could be described as suspenseful. Explain how author Kristin Lewis creates this mood.

8. 8. Lewis has a common theme of determination throughout the article. Describe three examples where the main character showed determination from the text.