- 1. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen is a profound and reflective narrative that chronicles the author's journey into the remote mountains of Nepal in the early 1970s, as he embarks on an expedition to study the elusive snow leopard and to find inner peace following the death of his wife. The book intertwines themes of nature, spirituality, and introspection, as Matthiessen grapples with existential questions while navigating the breathtaking yet harsh landscape of the Himalayas. Through his encounters with the local people, specifically the Buddhist monks, and the majestic wildlife, he reflects on Buddhist philosophy and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The compelling prose captures the magnificence of the snow leopard itself, a symbol of mystery and grace, while also delving into Matthiessen's personal journey of grief and self-discovery. The Snow Leopard transcends a mere travelogue; it is an exploration of the human condition, the search for meaning, and a meditation on the fragile beauty of the natural world.
Who is the field biologist that accompanies Matthiessen on his expedition?
A) George Schaller
B) Sir Edmund Hillary
C) Tenzing Norgay
D) David Attenborough
- 2. The journey is also a spiritual quest influenced by Matthiessen's practice of what?
A) Christianity
B) Taoism
C) Zen Buddhism
D) Hinduism
- 3. What is the name of the remote Himalayan region they are traveling to?
A) Katmandu
B) Dolpo
C) Tibet
D) Bhutan
- 4. What is the primary prey animal that Schaller is studying?
A) Mountain goat
B) Yak
C) Markhor
D) Bharal (blue sheep)
- 5. Matthiessen's journey is also shaped by the recent death of his:
A) Child
B) Expedition partner
C) Father
D) Wife
- 6. The Crystal Mountain is a sacred site for which religion?
A) Judaism
B) Islam
C) Buddhism
D) Shinto
- 7. The book is structured as a:
A) Journal
B) Historical novel
C) Biography
D) Collection of short stories
A) Snow leopard den
B) Buddhist monastery
C) Village market
D) Mountain peak
- 9. The book won which major literary award?
A) Man Booker Prize
B) National Book Award
C) Pulitzer Prize
D) Nobel Prize in Literature
- 10. What is the local name for the blue sheep?
A) Bharal
B) Sha
C) Tahr
D) Naur
- 11. The expedition takes place during which season?
A) Spring
B) Autumn
C) Summer
D) Winter
- 12. What physical challenge is a constant of the journey?
A) Extreme heat
B) Attacks by wild animals
C) Altitude sickness
D) Lack of water
- 13. Matthiessen's previous profession, besides writer, was:
A) A commercial fisherman
B) A politician
C) A doctor
D) A university professor
- 14. The book was first published in what decade?
A) 1970s
B) 1980s
C) 1960s
D) 1950s
- 15. A central philosophical concept in the book is:
A) Impermanence
B) Nihilism
C) Hedonism
D) Absolutism
- 16. What does the journey reveal about the goal of seeing the snow leopard?
A) The goal was easily achieved
B) The quest is more important than the goal
C) The goal was never possible
D) The goal was not worth the effort
- 17. The journey is a spiritual pilgrimage to which mountain, sacred in Tibetan Buddhism?
A) Mount Everest
B) K2
C) Crystal Mountain
D) Annapurna
- 18. What elusive animal becomes the symbolic focus of Matthiessen's quest?
A) The Tibetan wolf
B) The red panda
C) The yeti
D) The snow leopard
- 19. What is the name of the Tibetan New Year festival mentioned in the book?
A) Losar
B) Diwali
C) Holi
D) Wesak
- 20. The book intertwines the physical journey with what other kind of journey?
A) A political investigation
B) An inner, spiritual journey
C) A historical analysis of trade routes
D) A culinary exploration
- 21. What is the name of the monastery at Crystal Mountain?
A) Tengboche Monastery
B) Rumtek Monastery
C) Shey Gompa
D) Key Gompa
- 22. What does Matthiessen suggest is the true value of the journey?
A) The scientific data collected
B) The fame from writing a book
C) The experience itself and the insights gained
D) The maps they created
- 23. What is the status of the snow leopard as a species?
A) Common
B) Endangered
C) Extinct
D) Not a real animal
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