Climbing Without Ropes
The popular image of the mountain climber is of a person carefully climbing a steep cliff with a network of safety ropes, but it is not the only kind. Many climbers now enjoy bouldering. It's more accessible and better for the environment.
What is bouldering? Bouldering is a sport that involves climbing on, over, and around boulders up to approximately twenty feet above the ground. Participants employ no safety ropes. | ||
Why boulder? ● improve your climbing skills by focusing on basics ● places to climb, such as climbing walls at gyms and parks, easy to find ● less time commitment to bouldering than to mountain climbing ● intellectual and physical enjoyment as one solves problems |
| Bouldering Terms crimp: a very small handhold foothold: a place where one may place a foot to aid in climbing boulder jug: a very large handhold that is easy to use problem: The path up a boulder is referred to as the "problem" that one must solve. The "solution" is the sequence of moves one makes up and over a boulder. |
Here is an example of a climber addressing a bouldering problem.
Figure 1: The climber has two routes she could take, one to the left and one to the right. The left one appears easier because it has a jug within easy reach, but look what happens if she chooses that direction. She gets stuck on the rock and has to go back down. Sometimes that is even more difficult than going up.
Figure 2: The climber takes the one to the right this time. Using a foothold and placing her right hand in a crimp, she is able to lift herself up and locate other handholds. After only a few moves, she is able to throw her leg over the top of the boulder and pull herself up.
1.According to the passage, bouldering __________.
A. is an indoor sport B. needs maps and equipment
C. has no safety protection D. is a steep cliff climbing
2.Bouldering becomes popular because __________.
A. it challenges the limits B. it costs less
C. it builds minds and bodies D. it is a team game
3.According to the example, the right route is _________.
A. tough but to the top B. a dead end
C. a shortcut D. lined with jugs
4.The passage is likely to appear in _________.
A. a book review B. a science report
C. a newspaper advertisement D. a sports magazine
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the Golden Rule ask people to do?
A. Develop personal rules.
B. Respect their families and ancestors.
C. Treat others as they wish to be treated.
2.Which is a teaching of Confucius?
A. Governments should be moral.
B. Husbands should respect wives.
C. People should memorize rules of behavior.
3.How did Confucius teach lessons?
A. Through arguments.
B. Through reasoning.
C. Through personal examples.
4.What does the speaker say about Confucius’ influence?
A. He used to be even more important.
B. He has influenced many cultures.
C. He has little effect on people today.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Which decorations are on the sofa?
A. The Christmas ones.
B. The Halloween ones.
C. The Thanksgiving ones.
2.What did the man use to get the box out?
A. A pole. B. A chair. C. A ladder.
3.Where might the conversation take place?
A. In the basement.
B. In the bedroom.
C. In the living room.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How old was Jonathan’s mother when she started doing laundry?
A. 8 years old. B. 10 years old. C. 16 years old.
2.Which temperature will Jonathan use for now?
A. Hot. B. Cold. C. Warm.
3.What is the “light” spin cycle used for?
A. Jeans and towels.
B. Most of Jonathan’s clothes.
C. Sheets and pillow cases.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is Anna’s chemistry grade now?
A. B. B. B+. C. D.
2.When does Anna’s study group meet?
A. After school.
B. On the weekends.
C. During lunch hour.
3.Who is Anna speaking to?
A. A study group member. B. Her teacher. C. Her father.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.When will the man start his new job?
A. Tomorrow. B. Next week. C. Next month.
2.Why is the man paying for the woman’s lunch?
A. She helped him a lot.
B. It is his turn to pay.
C. He wants to congratulate her.
