Peak

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Describe the transformation of Holly Angelo’s character over the course of the novel.

• How does Holly Angelo change throughout the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe Holly at the beginning of her journey, in the middle, and at the end.
• In your concluding sentences, explain what brought about the changes in Holly’s character.

2. Describe Peak’s role in the death of the boy who fell.

• Do you think Peak has any responsibility for the death of the boy who fell after copying Peak? (topic sentence)
• Give three reasons Peak is or is not responsible for the fate of the boy who fell.
• In your concluding sentences, describe how the actions of the boy who fell changed the trajectory of Peak’s life.

3. Explain Teri’s decision to quit climbing.

• Do you think Teri made the right decision when she decided to stop climbing after her injury? (topic sentence)
• Provide three reasons Teri did or did not make the right decision to stop climbing.
• Explain how Teri’s decision changed the way Peak viewed Mount Everest.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider Peak’s decision not to climb to the peak of Mount Everest. Explain why you believe he made that decision. What are the different factors that influenced Peak not to climb to the top? How were the close relationships Peak developed pivotal in his final decision? How were the relationships Peak was unable to cultivate also possible motivators for his decision?

2. What does Mount Everest mean to the Sherpa people? How is the mountain viewed differently by the Sherpa than by other people in the camp? Why are the Sherpa willing to risk their lives to help foreign people climb their sacred mountain? What is the significance of the religious ceremony performed by the Sherpa before climbing the mountain?

3. Describe the different viewpoints of the adults who knew Peak was going to climb Mount Everest. Should children be allowed to climb to the top of Mount Everest? What are some of the obstacles people face on the mountain that may prevent a child from safely making the climb? What were the motives of the adults who traveled with Peak? Were the adults appropriately concerned for Peak’s safety?