Two years ago, I watched the film Everest, in which adventurers get stuck on the mountain during a snowstorm. I immediately knew I had to start climbing. It's not the reaction most people have to that film; maybe I just needed more adventure in my life. And six months later, I climbed my first mountain, Mount Whitney, in California - North America's highest peak.
In the summer of 2017, I decided to climb the highest peak in every European country.
Growing up in Sweden, I was encouraged by my father to be outdoors all the time, but I wasn't a serious adventurer. I wanted to see if someone ordinary like me could climb mountains.
I didn't do any preparation for the first mountain, which was Mount Elbrus in Russia. It was exhausting, but I thought I would get fit climbing the rest, and I did.
Climbing mountains is an experience that is hard to put into words. You are in a beautiful environment and, when you reach the top, you feel incredible ( 不可思议的 ). But you also have to climb down, which is when most accidents happen. I don't climb mountains that I am not ready for, but each one I climb takes me to the next step.
I wanted to end the project at home, on Sweden's highest peak (2,097m). It has two peaks : the north is rocky, and the south is icy. So alongside my camera assistant, I climbed both while wearing a superhero suit. It didn't feel as special as I'd hoped when I reached the top, but when I posted on Instagram, people started congratulating me. I felt proud.
In total, I spent about €50,000 (378,240 yuan), which is double what I had planned, but I eventually climbed 61 mountains in Europe.
You have to work on your weak sides while climbing. I don't like not being in control, but you cannot control anything on a mountain. It's made me a better person, When you're on a mountain for hours alone with your thoughts, it's like meditation ( 冥想 ). It makes you so much stronger, physically, and mentally.
My goal now is always to have a mountain in my calendar. One day I will climb Mount Qomolangma (known as Everest by the West) when I'm ready for it.
( )19 . What was the possible reason the author started climbing after watching the film Everest?
A. |
To get fit through climbing. |
B. |
To have some changes in life. |
C. |
To help adventurers in trouble. |
D. |
To enjoy the beauty of mountains. |
( )20 . How did the author feel after her first climb of her 2017 project?
A. |
Climbing was too hard for ordinary people. |
B. |
She wanted to give up because it tired her out. |
C. |
She found the benefit of mountain climbing. |
D. |
It was not necessary to do preparation for climbing. |
( )21 . What's the correct order for the following events from the author's life?
A. |
a. She successfully climbed the highest peak in her country. |
B. |
b. She climbed the highest peak in North America. |
C. |
c. She decided to climb all of the highest peaks in Europe. |
D. |
d. She climbed Mount Elbrus without any preparation. |
E. |
e. She was encouraged by her father to be outdoors. |
A. |
c-b-e-d-a |
B. |
e-b-c-d-a |
C. |
e-c-b-a-d |
D. |
c-e-b-a-d |
( )22 . What is the passage mainly about?
A. |
It was very expensive for the author to climb mountains. |
B. |
It was hard and dangerous for the author to climb mountains. |
C. |
The author succeeded in climbing 61 mountains in the world. |
D. |
The author made herself a better person by climbing mountains. |