Question

Which of the following supports the idea that Tenzing Norgay might not be a reliable narrator? Question 1 options: We moved just one at a time, taking turns going ahead, while the second one wrapped the rope around his ax and fixed the ax in the snow as an anchor. The weather was still fine. We moved just one at a time, taking turns going ahead, while the second one wrapped the rope around his ax and fixed the ax in the snow as an anchor. The weather was still fine. In regard to this, I must say in all honesty that I do not think Hillary is quite fair in the story he later told, indicating that I had more trouble than he with breathing and that without his help I might have collapsed. In my opinion our difficulties were about the same—and luckily never too great—and we each helped and were helped by the other in equal measure. On top of the rock cliff we rested again. Certainly after the climb up the gap we were both a bit breathless, but after some slow pulls at the oxygen I am feeling fine. I look up; the top is very close now; and my heart thumps with excitement and joy. Then the rocks, too, are beneath us. We are back among the snowy humps. They are curving off to the right, and each time we pass one I wonder, "Is the next the last one? Is the next the last?" Finally we reach a place where we can see past the humps, and beyond them is the great open sky and brown plains.

Answer 1

The option that best supports the idea that Tenzing Norgay might not be a reliable narrator is: "In regard to this, I must say in all honesty that I do not think Hillary is quite fair in the story he later told, indicating that I had more trouble than he with breathing and that without his help I might have collapsed. In my opinion our difficulties were about the same—and luckily never too great—and we each helped and were helped by the other in equal measure."

This passage shows that Tenzing's version of the story is not the only one, that Hillary tells it differently. So the reader can't believe Tenzing 100%.