Q2. Both sources highlight the differences between the companions accompanying each respective authors on their climbs. In source A, Simon and Joe are descending the mountain, and when asked what to do, Simon says: ‘I think we should keep going’. This suggests that he is a determined person, and is not easily deterred from a potentially dangerous situation, almost eager to descend. Whereas in source B, Maurius is shown to be the opposite; he speaks to her ‘calmly’ leaving the author to wait- this suggests he is more of a patient person, calm and level-headed, while also willing to take longer if needed.

Continuing in source A, as they are descending the mountain, Joe was clearly in agony- however ‘howling and screaming for Simon to stop achieved nothing’. This suggests that Simon is worried about Joe’s safety to the point of becoming frantic and careless- he is too concerned about lowering them to base camp to consider the pain he could be inflicting upon his partner.

Q3. In the extract, the writer uses emotive language to reflect the harrowing fear and pain he was experiencing. We see this in the phrase ‘Three faint tugs trembled the taut rope’. The emotive verb ‘trembled’ describing the rope mirrors the fear he feels at that time. Similarly, the adjective ‘taut’ could indicate the fragile state of his mind and body- his broken leg, and damaged resolve, close to snapping. Also, the author uses alliteration which could be representing the physical effects of the situation- mirroring the sound of his teeth chattering and hands shaking from the vicious cold.

The writer’s continued use of sibilance is used to display his attitude towards the descent as harsh, and draining. For example, he says ‘The terrible sliding stopped, and I hung silently against the slope’. The use of the repetitive ‘s’ sound implies a sinister sense to the action his partner is putting him through. This is juxtaposed with later on in the quote ‘hung silently against the slope’ the adverb ‘silently’ implies a sense of defeat, and is at odds with the mass pain he previously experienced.