A Long Way to the Top - Unit 1
C1 Advanced · Multiple Choice Reading · Ready for C1 Advanced 4th Edition, Macmillan Education
You are going to read an article about a free-solo rock climber. For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
One of the most famous quotations in mountaineering history is surely 'Because it is there'. These words were reportedly spoken by English adventurer George Mallory in 1923 in response to a journalist asking why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. No doubt one of the reasons for the quote's longevity is that it still represents the attitude of many of his kind today. But Mallory and his iconic words also continue to capture the public imagination because of the mystery surrounding his fate. Mallory and his climbing partner were last seen alive approximately 245 m below the summit. From here they may have pushed on and reached the summit, but the evidence is inconclusive. Had Mallory been in possession of the kind of camera adventurers take for granted today, his fate would no longer be the subject of speculation. The American film documentary Free Solo documents climber Alex Honnold's attempt to ascend El Capitan's 900-metre vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park. Powerful lenses capture every fleeting expression on Honnold's face, and we are left in no doubt as to just how gruelling – and potentially fatal – the ascent is. As with many extreme sport films, Free Solo offers the viewer a fascinating glimpse into the world of a top athlete, revealing the routines, incredible physical performance, and sheer determination required to achieve a goal. But the directors of Free Solo go further and offer a remarkable story of a complex character: a man with enormous courage and humour, yet someone who also sometimes seems incapable of reading the emotions of the people closest to him. Interestingly, in an interview with Esquire, Honnold wonders whether people have possibly read too much into 'Because it is there', and suggests it may simply have been a throwaway remark made by a tired man at the end of a long press conference. Yet, like Mallory, Honnold is constantly being pressed about what drives him to attempt the seemingly impossible. The Esquire interviewer cannot help but ask the same. If you believe, as I do, that Mallory's statement was profound, then the question Honnold throws back to the interviewer querying the reason for doing anything challenging seems only to paraphrase it. Honnold has been active in free-solo climbing for the best part of twenty years. In interviews, he explains how he rehearses extensively before the most demanding climbs, working out each intricate move and memorising them in sequence – to the point of obsession. But it can sensibly be argued that climbing without ropes or a safety harness makes such an approach essential. Honnold claims to love climbing for climbing's sake, and that for him, it is all about minimising unnecessary risk. To hear this is refreshing, in a world where thrill-seekers often boast about terrifying experiences and near-accidents. Alone on the Wall, Honnold's autobiography, which came out several years before the El Capitan climb, offers further insight into the man and his accomplishments. Alternating sections are written by Honnold – describing his experiences in the first person – and his co-author, David Roberts. Professional writers such as Roberts are vital in the sports autobiography genre, often for the reason that top athletes can seldom convey what it's like to have such extraordinary talent – in the same way you or I would have difficulty rationalising the process of breathing – simply because it comes naturally. Professional writers must interview, tease out, and reassemble an elite athlete's thoughts into text that makes sense to the rest of us. In this case, Roberts' name appears alongside Honnold's on the cover. When we ordinary people hear about athletes such as Honnold breaking new records and pushing the boundaries of human achievement, there is a tendency to think, 'Shouldn't I be trying harder to be the best possible version of me? What could I achieve with a little more effort?' And towards the end of Free Solo, Honnold himself recommends that people identify clear goals, and do everything they can to achieve them. But the goals you or I might set ourselves to run a half marathon, master a new language, or get that promotion are not in the same league as Honnold's. Watching Free Solo should be a form of escapism, rather than a general lesson in how to live our lives.
Climbers in the modern day will never be able to attain his level of fame.
People continue to wonder whether he accomplished his goal or not.
Better technology might have changed the outcome of his mission.
Articles regarding his achievements have sometimes been inaccurate.
What point does the writer make about George Mallory in the first paragraph?
emphasises the role of mental strength in overcoming challenges.
features scenes which some audiences may find very disturbing.
presents both positive and negative sides of its subject's personality.
satisfies the curiosity of ordinary people and mountaineers alike.
The writer suggests that Free Solo is unique in the way it
give an example of the kind of common question Honnold finds frustrating.
show how people are unwilling to question the motives of their heroes.
suggest that Mallory and Honnold may have a similar outlook on life.
argue how Honnold deserves just as much recognition as Mallory.
The writer refers to the interview with Esquire in order to
He is not interested in impressing his fellow climbers.
He has no sense of fear while he is climbing a rock wall.
He is unwilling to rely on standard climbing equipment.
He is reluctant to climb without thorough preparation.
What do we learn about Alex Honnold in the fourth paragraph?
Great athletes are rarely able to explain the abilities that they possess.
Some athletes do not wish to admit they had assistance with writing.
Writers may sometimes misinterpret what an athlete is trying to say.
It can be difficult for the best athletes to avoid sounding boastful.
What general problem regarding sports autobiographies does the writer explain?
People should just enjoy and let themselves be distracted by Free Solo.
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