第13章 Lesson 13: Rock On!
People have always climbed mountains, either to hunt wild animals that lived there, or to find good grazing for their domestic animals. Today, people mostly climb for adventure excitement, and even competition.
There are three basic types of climbing: alpine climbing, ice climbing, and rock climbing. The first two are done on mountains and use teams of people to get to the top. Sometimes alpine and ice climbing can take many days to complete. Rock climbers, however, are more concerned with the physical part of climbing and will find a rock face or cliff anywhere they can, even if it is indoors!
There are two kinds of rock climbing. Free climbing is when a person uses only their hands and feet to ascend a cliff or rock wall. Ropes are used only as a safety precaution. The climber puts their fingers into cracks or holes, or grabs onto rocks that stick out. Free climbers use all their muscles to ascend a wall.
The other type of climbing is aid climbing. In this type of climb, the person can use a variety of different tools. Ropes are still used for safety, but they can also be used to help pull the climber up. For long climbs, there is even a sling that can be brought along so that the climber can sit and rest.
Before a new climber tries scaling the side of a steep, rocky cliff or wall, he or she needs to practice somewhere safe. One method is called bouldering. Climbers find a site where large rocks are close to the ground. They can practice without worrying about falling a great distance. Another great place for practicing is at an indoor rock-climbing facility.
Rock climbing competitions are usually held at these indoor spaces as well. One kind of race is about speed. Two identical walls are set up next to each other, and the climbers race to the top.
The other type of competition is about decision making. Each climber is given the same amount of time to climb the same wall, and whoever gets to the highest point wins. The climbers must decide which path is the best to get to the top.
I. Word List
domestic animals: pets
alpine: mountain
ascend: climb up
scaling: climbing
identical: exactly the same
II. Vocabulary skills—Find the correct words in the reading.
1. to go up: a _ _ _ _ _
2. to protect against danger or mistakes: p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. climbing to the top: s _ _ _ _ _ _
4. no differences: i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5. route, way to go: p _ _ _
III. What's the mistake? Each sentence has one mistake, correct them.
1. There are three kinds of rock climbing. ______________
2. In aid climbing, ropes are not used for safety. ______________
3. Today, most people climb to hunt animals. ______________
4. Rock climbing competitions are usually outdoors. ______________
5. In bouldering, climbers ascend a very high rock. ______________
IV. How about you? Answer the following questions.
1. Would you like to try rock climbing? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________.
2. Which kind of climbing do you think sounds the most interesting?
___________________________________________________________.
3. Do you like climbing mountains or hiking?
___________________________________________________________.
4. Rock climbing can be dangerous. What are some other dangerous sports?
___________________________________________________________.
5. How do you think indoor rock climbing is different from outdoor rock climbing?
___________________________________________________________.