On Screen B1. Module 2. Reading Test.

LIVING ON THE LEDGE

You probably know the name of the highest mountain in the world, but have you heard of ‘anti-Everest’? Meru Peak is actually three peaks, the central of which is called the ‘Shark’s Fin’; and if you saw it, you’d know why. It’s considered one of the toughest and most dangerous peaks in the world to climb and includes a massive 1,400 metre wall of granite that goes almost straight up. To reach the top of this enormous wall, climbers must drag their gear up behind them on ropes and spend their nights sleeping on a portaledge*. Some of the greatest mountaineers in the world attempted the feat, but all failed.

That was until 2011, when three close friends finally managed it. Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk had made a previous attempt in 2008, but that ended in heartbreaking failure when they got to within 100 meters of the summit before turning back. They got stuck in severe snow storms and had to take shelter inside their portaledge for four days, which used up much of their food. After nineteen days on the mountain and suffering from hunger, frostbite¹ and trench foot², they finally had no choice but to give up. However, the trio would not be defeated and returned to Meru to take on the Shark’s Fin once more.

Although the men had suffered greatly on the first expedition, they weren’t frightened to repeat the risk. As Chin says, “Mountaineers have the worst memory.” This time, they brought warmer boots and sleeping bags and kept the weight of their equipment to a minimum, even removing the labels from their clothing and cutting the handles off their toothbrushes.

In the end though, it was not just their preparation and courage that was put to the test, but also their friendship. “On Meru, trust was everything,” said Chin. These three brave men refused to give up on their dream, and this time, they succeeded. On the eighth day, they reached the summit and celebrated becoming the first to conquer the deadly Shark’s Fin – the greatest prize in Himalayan big-wall climbing

1 What is the purpose of the text?

A to describe an unusual landscape

B to advertise a documentary film

C to warn people about dangerous sports

D to describe an extraordinary achievement

LIVING ON THE LEDGE

You probably know the name of the highest mountain in the world, but have you heard of ‘anti-Everest’? Meru Peak is actually three peaks, the central of which is called the ‘Shark’s Fin’; and if you saw it, you’d know why. It’s considered one of the toughest and most dangerous peaks in the world to climb and includes a massive 1,400 metre wall of granite that goes almost straight up. To reach the top of this enormous wall, climbers must drag their gear up behind them on ropes and spend their nights sleeping on a portaledge*. Some of the greatest mountaineers in the world attempted the feat, but all failed.

That was until 2011, when three close friends finally managed it. Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk had made a previous attempt in 2008, but that ended in heartbreaking failure when they got to within 100 meters of the summit before turning back. They got stuck in severe snow storms and had to take shelter inside their portaledge for four days, which used up much of their food. After nineteen days on the mountain and suffering from hunger, frostbite¹ and trench foot², they finally had no choice but to give up. However, the trio would not be defeated and returned to Meru to take on the Shark’s Fin once more.

Although the men had suffered greatly on the first expedition, they weren’t frightened to repeat the risk. As Chin says, “Mountaineers have the worst memory.” This time, they brought warmer boots and sleeping bags and kept the weight of their equipment to a minimum, even removing the labels from their clothing and cutting the handles off their toothbrushes.

In the end though, it was not just their preparation and courage that was put to the test, but also their friendship. “On Meru, trust was everything,” said Chin. These three brave men refused to give up on their dream, and this time, they succeeded. On the eighth day, they reached the summit and celebrated becoming the first to conquer the deadly Shark’s Fin – the greatest prize in Himalayan big-wall climbing

2 What does the writer say about the 2008 attempt to climb the Shark’s Fin?

A It was the team’s first climbing expedition.

B The attempt was nearly successful.

C The team ran out of food after four days.

D The last part is impossible to climb.

LIVING ON THE LEDGE

You probably know the name of the highest mountain in the world, but have you heard of ‘anti-Everest’? Meru Peak is actually three peaks, the central of which is called the ‘Shark’s Fin’; and if you saw it, you’d know why. It’s considered one of the toughest and most dangerous peaks in the world to climb and includes a massive 1,400 metre wall of granite that goes almost straight up. To reach the top of this enormous wall, climbers must drag their gear up behind them on ropes and spend their nights sleeping on a portaledge*. Some of the greatest mountaineers in the world attempted the feat, but all failed.

That was until 2011, when three close friends finally managed it. Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk had made a previous attempt in 2008, but that ended in heartbreaking failure when they got to within 100 meters of the summit before turning back. They got stuck in severe snow storms and had to take shelter inside their portaledge for four days, which used up much of their food. After nineteen days on the mountain and suffering from hunger, frostbite¹ and trench foot², they finally had no choice but to give up. However, the trio would not be defeated and returned to Meru to take on the Shark’s Fin once more.

Although the men had suffered greatly on the first expedition, they weren’t frightened to repeat the risk. As Chin says, “Mountaineers have the worst memory.” This time, they brought warmer boots and sleeping bags and kept the weight of their equipment to a minimum, even removing the labels from their clothing and cutting the handles off their toothbrushes.

In the end though, it was not just their preparation and courage that was put to the test, but also their friendship. “On Meru, trust was everything,” said Chin. These three brave men refused to give up on their dream, and this time, they succeeded. On the eighth day, they reached the summit and celebrated becoming the first to conquer the deadly Shark’s Fin – the greatest prize in Himalayan big-wall climbing

3 How did Chin feel about going back to Meru in 2011?

A He was frightened to go through so much suffering again.

B He wanted to forget about the first attempt.

C He knew it was dangerous but wanted to go anyway.

D He was worried that they would not succeed.

LIVING ON THE LEDGE

You probably know the name of the highest mountain in the world, but have you heard of ‘anti-Everest’? Meru Peak is actually three peaks, the central of which is called the ‘Shark’s Fin’; and if you saw it, you’d know why. It’s considered one of the toughest and most dangerous peaks in the world to climb and includes a massive 1,400 metre wall of granite that goes almost straight up. To reach the top of this enormous wall, climbers must drag their gear up behind them on ropes and spend their nights sleeping on a portaledge*. Some of the greatest mountaineers in the world attempted the feat, but all failed.

That was until 2011, when three close friends finally managed it. Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk had made a previous attempt in 2008, but that ended in heartbreaking failure when they got to within 100 meters of the summit before turning back. They got stuck in severe snow storms and had to take shelter inside their portaledge for four days, which used up much of their food. After nineteen days on the mountain and suffering from hunger, frostbite¹ and trench foot², they finally had no choice but to give up. However, the trio would not be defeated and returned to Meru to take on the Shark’s Fin once more.

Although the men had suffered greatly on the first expedition, they weren’t frightened to repeat the risk. As Chin says, “Mountaineers have the worst memory.” This time, they brought warmer boots and sleeping bags and kept the weight of their equipment to a minimum, even removing the labels from their clothing and cutting the handles off their toothbrushes.

In the end though, it was not just their preparation and courage that was put to the test, but also their friendship. “On Meru, trust was everything,” said Chin. These three brave men refused to give up on their dream, and this time, they succeeded. On the eighth day, they reached the summit and celebrated becoming the first to conquer the deadly Shark’s Fin – the greatest prize in Himalayan big-wall climbing

4 Which could be another suitable title for the text?

A Thirty Years to the Top

B Don’t Try This at Home

C The Conquering of Anti-Everest

D A Shark’s Tale