Which of the following best describes Mike Groom?

Which of the following best describes Mike Groom?

• A. Australian guide with red hair who is toe-less, quiet and reserved.
• B. American climber who leads the rope teams.
• C. Nepali guide who carries heavy loads.
• D. British medic with a loud personality.

Answer: (A)

Think about how the book describes Mike Groom. He’s portrayed as an Australian guide with red hair who lost toes to frostbite, and he’s known for being quiet and reserved. That exact combination—Australian guide, red hair, toe-less from frostbite, and a calm, reserved demeanor—is what distinguishes him in the narrative, so the description that matches all of these details is the best fit. The other options don’t line up with how Groom is depicted: he isn’t American and not the one leading rope teams, he isn’t Nepali carrying heavy loads, and he isn’t British with a loud personality.

Think about how the book describes Mike Groom. He’s portrayed as an Australian guide with red hair who lost toes to frostbite, and he’s known for being quiet and reserved. That exact combination—Australian guide, red hair, toe-less from frostbite, and a calm, reserved demeanor—is what distinguishes him in the narrative, so the description that matches all of these details is the best fit.

The other options don’t line up with how Groom is depicted: he isn’t American and not the one leading rope teams, he isn’t Nepali carrying heavy loads, and he isn’t British with a loud personality.