Gateway B1+ Grade 9
Unit 2 Reading
1 Read the article about adventure. Six sentences have been removed from the article.
Choose from the sentences A–I the one which fits each gap. There are three extra
sentences.
Across Antarctica
For many people, an ‘adventure’ is something quite simple, like going to another country
for a holiday and experiencing a different culture and unfamiliar scenery and climate.
However, for others, adventure has an altogether different meaning. (1) ………………………
They were competing with a team from Norway to do the journey in the fastest time.
However, unlike the Norwegians, who were professional skiers and familiar with the
conditions, the British team were amateurs and had never skied in Antarctica before. For
them it was a real adventure, and one that they only just survived!
It was not the first crazy journey for Ben Fogle, a TV presenter who loves a challenge, and
James Cracknell, an Olympic rowing champion. (2) ……………………… During that journey, the
pair had had to deal with a range of problems. These included heat exhaustion, lack of
sleep, hurricane-type weather, and nearly drowning when their boat was turned upside
down by huge waves! Amazingly, they decided to get together again for another difficult
challenge – the race to the South Pole.
(3) ……………………… This adventure was even more dangerous because Ben had just
recovered from a very serious medical condition he had caught while he was filming for a
TV programme in the jungle.
In spite of all his problems, Ben recovered in time and, together with the other two, spent
months training for the expedition ahead. This journey proved to be even more difficult
than the rowing race. (4) ……………………… They only allowed themselves four hours sleep a
night and, before they could rest, they had to spend four hours melting ice to provide
enough water for them all to drink. They finished the race completely exhausted, with no
food left and with their hands and feet suffering from the icy temperatures. (5)
……………………… Even worse, they didn’t beat the Norwegians!
So, what is the attraction of adventures like these? Is it the fascination of going to places
that very few other people have been to? (6) ……………………… It is certainly very exciting to
read about challenges like these and perhaps be inspired to take part in one yourself. It
would certainly be an experience you would never forget!
A Every day they had to cover over 25 miles in freezing conditions.
B A few years before this, they had rowed across the Atlantic in a seven-metre rowing
boat in another race.
C Many teams have tried the same challenge and failed.
D It’s never the same again.
E Is it maybe the desire to push your body to its limits?
F All three had lost a lot of weight and were in severe pain.
2 Read the text again and answer these questions.
1 What ideas of most people's definition of 3 What factors made the journey more
adventure are mentioned in the first difficult than Ben and James had
paragraph? expected?
……………………………………………… ………………………………………………
………………………………………… …………………………………………
2 What is the author's opinion of Ben Fogle 4 How would you describe the author’s
and James Cracknell's love of adventure? opinion of people who like the types of
adventures described in the text?
………………………………………………
…………………………………………
………………………………………………
…………………………………………
3 Read the article again and choose the best answers, A, B, C or D.
1 According to the text, most people like adventure
A if it means they can experience different cultures.
B when they’re young.
C but are satisfied with journeys which are not dangerous.
D but are too frightened to go on dangerous journeys.
2 What do we learn about the teams’ preparation?
A The British and the Norwegians were equally prepared.
B The British were better prepared because this was their second trip and they had
trained for it.
C The Norwegians were better prepared because they were professionals.
D Neither team was adequately prepared.
3 According to the text
A the British men had different professions, but they shared a passion for adventure.
B the British men had met at university doing extreme sports.
C none of the British men were professional sportsmen.
D the three British men had been on many expeditions together.
4 What do we learn about the boat race?
A It was a difficult race for the three men.
B It didn’t put them off going on a new adventure.
C It was the most difficult race of all.
D It was quite an easy race.
5 During the race to the South Pole they
A slept at night and melted ice during the day.
B finished the race, but were ill from exhaustion and cold.
C had difficulties, but they finished victorious.
D didn’t manage to finish the race.
6 In the author’s opinion, most people
A would like to have adventures if they had the chance.
B hate the thought of going on adventures.
C don’t ever think about being adventurous.
D find these adventures interesting, but wouldn’t like to take part in them.
