Study Questions

Group 1: Plot

Give a short plot overview of the film

Group 2: Quotes

Read these quotes from the book and say which events they refer to.

• ‘We’ll have to find a new dream.’
• ‘We were no longer two friends working together as a team.’
• ‘But I did not care anymore. I was not even frightened of death.’
• ‘It was not a difficult decision to make, because I had no other choice.’
• ‘Then I understood what had happened to Joe.’
• ‘It was the most wonderful sight I had ever seen.’
• ‘You did the right thing. Thanks for getting me down.’

Group 3: Describing characters

http://www.macmillanreaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Touching-the-Void-FCE-worksheet.pdf

1. There are two main characters in the book. Answer these questions about them.
2. What are their characters like?
3. What are they like physically? 3 How are they similar?
4. How are they different?
5. Do they change during the story?
6. How would the story have been different if Simon, not Joe, had broken his leg?

Example

• Joe is determined, brave and loyal but can sometimes be …
• Simon is courageous, confident and emotionally strong. He is also …

7. Which character do you admire most or least? Give reasons.

Tips

• Briefly introduce the character.
• Give examples to show what the person is like and why you admire/do not admire him.
• If you don’t admire the character, try to give some reasons why he might have chosen to do the things he did, or find some examples of good things he does. This gives a balanced view.

Group 4: Themes

With a partner or in small groups discuss  these questions about different themes that come up in the book.

1. What new things did you learn about mountain climbing from Touching the Void? (e.g. equipment, sleeping on a mountain, drinking and eating, climbing with a partner etc.)
2. What do you think makes people like Joe and Simon risk their lives doing dangerous things?
3. Do you think Joe and Simon were right to make this climb? Why/Why not?
4. How does the relationship between Joe and Simon change during the story? What do you think it will be like in the future?
5. What part does the weather play in the story?
6. Could the accident and the events on the mountain have been prevented?
7. What does the story tell us about the instinct of survival?
8. How do you think Joe and Simon’s lives will be changed by the events in the story?
9. Do you know of any other stories of survival like this?

Group 5: Giving opinions and recommending

When you finish watching, give your opinion on the following:

• the story
• the beginning
• the ending
• ending
• movie in general

http://www.macmillanreaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Touching-the-Void-FCE-worksheet.pdf