Beginning of Peak Novel Quiz

Explain Base Camp using three descriptions.

1) Base Camp is a frozen outhouse/garbage dump. 2) Climbers from all over the world are there. 3) There are several commercial climbing operations set up there.

What are the three parts of Peak's punishment?

1) Peak is on probation until he is 18, which means if he gets in trouble again, he will return to a juvenile detention facility. 2) He has to pay a $150,000 fine, which will be returned if he doesn't violate his probation. 3) He can't discuss the case with anyone, so it goes away and no one else tries to copy him.

What are the three reasons they have to keep the climb quiet?

1) They have not told Peak's mom what he is doing. 2) He was supposed to have "disappeared", so his New York climbing stunt would be forgotten. 3) The Chinese might pull the permit because they have been trying to get a teenager to the summit.

What terrible event occurred as a result of Peak climbing the skyscraper?

A boy climbed the Flatiron Building trying to imitate Peak. The boy fell and died.

Describe Greene Street School

A school for child prodigies who excel in certain subject areas or the fine arts.

Who is Captain Shek?

Captain Shek is a Chinese officer who contantly checks the climbers to see if they have the correct permits to climb Everest on the Chinese side. He watches them from a distance and spies on their radio transmissions.

What was the change in travel plans that surprised Peak?

Josh told Peak that they would be going to Kathmandu and Mount Everest instead of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Why does Josh want Peak to be the youngest to summit Everest?

Josh's company is having financial problems. If he can help Peak become the youngest person to summit Everest, his company will receive good publicity. More people will want to climb with Peak Experience, and Josh will make money.

Why does Josh need to take people up to ABC now?

Many of the climbers have been there for weeks. He needs to get them higher before they riot.

Why did Peak start climbing skyscrapers?

Once Rolf and his mom got together, they moved from Wyoming to New York City. Peak didn't have anything tall to climb. He would get bored in between climbing camps.

What is Peak Experience and why did Josh start it?

Peak Experience is Josh's travel company. He runs expeditions up mountains. He started it to help plan for his future/retirement.

What record could Peak make?

Peak could be the youngest person to summit Mount Everest at the age of 14.

What were the two "hurdles" Peak had to overcome?

Peak had to 1) pass a physical examination and 2) obtain a Chinese Visa.

In "The Hook", where is Peak and what is he doing?

Peak is in New York City, New York. He is climbing the Woolworth building at night.

In "The Assignment", where is Peak and what is he doing?

Peak is in the back of a truck in Tibet writing a story as a part of his year end assignment for his literary mentor, Vincent. He sees Tibetan prisoners chipping away at a boulder in the road with Chinese soldiers guarding them.

Why didn't Peak want to change his last name?

Peak liked his own last name, and he did not like Rolf very much.

What injuries did Peak sustain?

Peak ripped open his right cheek and right ear. He split four fingernails down the middle.

What did Peak do with the spray paint?

Peak spray-painted a blue mountain as a way to tag the building and show he was there.

Why is Peak's dad famous?

Peak's dad is considered one of the greatest climbers in the world.

What happened to Peak's mom when he was three months old?

Peak's mom was free climbing a wall. She grabbed a handful of rotten rock. She fell, shattered her hip, and broke her back.

Describe Peak's family

Peak's parents are divorced. He lives with his mom, his stepdad Rolf, and half sisters/twins named Patricia and Paula who are six years old. His dad, Joshua Wood, is a famous mountain climber who is currently in Nepal.

Who is Sun-Jo?

Sun-Jo is a Nepalese boy who Zopa sent to pick up Peak from the hotel. He is near Peak's age. He and Peak are becoming friends as Zopa trains them for climbing up to Base Camp.

What is the Friendship Bridge?

The Friendship Bridge is the bridge that connects Tibet and Nepal. On the fourth da of conditioning, Zopa gave Sun-Jo and Peak a break from walking and let them ride in the truck to cross the bridge into Tibet.

What special day do Peak and the twins have in common?

They share a birthday. The twins were born on Peak's eighth birthday.

What assignment did Vincent give Peak?

Vincent told Peak to fill a moleskine with a story that has a beginning, a middle, and a denouement (final scene). He said it should not be a journal. Peak must use the literary techniques Vincent taught him.

Who is Zopa?

Zopa is a Buddhist monk who used to be a head Sherpa. He was with Josh the day Peak was born. Zopa will be taking Peak up to Base Camp because Josh needs to return to his climbers as soon as possible.