What did Peak do only a few feet from the top and why?

• A. Tomorrow was Sun-jo's birthday, May 30, and Peak stopped so that Sun-jo would be the youngest to reach the top.
• B. Peak took a final victory photo at the summit.
• C. Peak surveyed the terrain and adjusted his gear.
• D. Peak shouted a celebration to the team.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is Peak’s motivation and the moment of moral choice when you’re right at the edge of a goal. He stops only a few feet from the summit because he wants to give Sun-jo a chance to be the youngest person to reach the top, and he does this because tomorrow is Sun-jo’s birthday, May 30. It shows Peak putting Sun-jo’s achievement and celebration first, turning the climb into a meaningful gift rather than a personal record.

This isn’t about taking a final victory photo, or doing routine terrain checks, or shouting a big celebration. Those actions don’t capture the same personal, selfless decision at the climactic moment near the summit. Peak’s pause is a deliberate, compassionate choice that hinges on Sun-jo’s birthday and the desire to honor him.