Peak by Roland Smith

Student Package May 2013 Name: Class:

Task #1 Vocabulary from the Novel. Write the page number where the word is used and provide a synonym. 23. pandemonium 1. ascent 24. auspicious 2. precarious 25. flourish 3. pelting 26. disheveled 4. audacious 27. surly 5. alleged 28. pristine 6. enunciating 29. poignant 7. elicited 30. cairn 8. demeanor 31. balaclava 9. stupor 32. belligerently 10. remorseful 33. garish 11. incredulously 34. daunting 12. unwavering 35. debilitated 13. duress 36. vigil 14. wherewithal 37. disperse 15. begrudgingly 38. blindsided 16. concurred 39. devastated 17. mellowed 40. enmeshed 18. re-evaluate 41. efficiency 19. cringed 42. elusive 20. underestimated 43. blanch 21. undisclosed 44. denouement 22. concierge

Task #2 Choose 10 words from above. Write your own sentence using the vocabulary word on a separate sheet.

Task #3 Tibet and China Based on our discussions in class, make 5 jot notes about the political and historical conflicts between Tibet and China.

Task #4 Literary Devices Quote Page Identify Explain the importance of the quote number (What does the quote tell us?) “…tearing off his neck tie like 26 it was an anaconda.” “They were 30 feet up the wall, 33 free climbing. For rock rats like them, this was like strolling across a level parking lot.”

“For a climber, saying that you 43 are stopping by Everest is like saying you’re going to stop by and see God” “It’s sort of like asking a 59 magician to tell you how he does a trick.” “When you’re at the end of your 27 rope there’s no one better than Joshua Wood. Unfortunately, he doesn’t pay much attention when you’re dangling.”

“the motorcycle belched out a 56 column of grey smoke so thick that I thought it had burst into flames along with my new friend.”

Task #5 As you read the novel, find ten or more examples of figurative language. Quote, identify and explain each one.

Task #6 Important lines of the story. “You can never tell who the mountain will allow and who it will not.” (pg.133)

Answer each question on a separate sheet of paper.

a) Explain what this quote means. How would it be possible for a mountain to choose who gets to climb and who does not?

b) What kind of figurative language is this quote? Explain. c) Peak uses the same phrase when he is climbing Everest with Sun-Jo (pg. 229). How has the meaning of the quote changed? Why is it important to the story?

Task #7 Characterization

Peak Marcello is the main character in this novel because he goes through the most changes, and the novel is written from his perspective. a) List 4 of Peak’s dominating character traits. b) In a paragraph form, describe Peak and provide support for your ideas.

d) Write a simile or a metaphor to describe Peak.

Task #8 Poetry

Write a free verse poem about Peak, his experience on Everest, the mountain itself, mountain climbing, or another idea attached to the novel. 7-10 lines

Example “I am the mountain, Everest.”

Task #9 Reading Questions

Choose 1 question from each category. Answer the question in complete sentences.