Why climb mountains? - Test 1

C2 Proficiency · Open Cloze · Cambridge English Proficiency 1, Cambridge University Press

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.

There's (0) ___ more likely to irritate a mountaineer or explorer than to ask them why they do it, or why they are so willing to put (1) ___ with danger and discomfort. In 1924 when George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, he replied: 'Because it's there.' It may be that, having been asked the same question several hundred times, Mallory just didn't care any more and this was the first phrase to (2) ___ into his head. Then again, for (3) ___ we know, it was simply his way of saying, 'Why not?' This might seem self-evident (4) ___ someone like Mallory. You climb Everest because you can. One way to look at people like mountaineers or explorers, or successful ones at any rate, is to see them (5) ___ people who have realised what they are good at. When you read their books, more often than (6) ___ they will come across as people who are (7) ___ ease with their environment, (8) ___ alien it might seem to an outsider.

Why climb mountains?

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