English
Reading –Comprehension Passage
Exam Practice
Name: ___________________________ Grade 8 ___________ Date: _____________
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Text A
Hanging on (no threads allowed!)
El Capitan is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, USA. This monster
of exposed granite stretches for about 900 metres from base to summit, providing
the ultimate challenge for rock climbers.
On 27 December 2014, after years of preparation, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson
set out
to climb the Dawn Wall, so called because it is the first part of El Capitan to get sunlight
from 5
the east. This climb is considered El Capitan’s most treacherous route and one of
the hardest climbs in the world.
To climb huge rock faces such as El Capitan, mountaineering equipment is usually
needed. A climber hammers pegs into small cracks in the rock face. Nylon rungs,
like steps on a ladder,
are then clipped into place and the climber moves up the rungs far enough to
repeat the 10
process. However, free climbers do not use any equipment, using nothing more
than hands and feet to progress upwards. Caldwell and Jorgeson joined forces in
2009 to map a free climb route up the Dawn Wall. Free climbing the Dawn Wall
had never been done before – it had always been considered impossible.
The climb involved slippery footholds, the men relying only on the friction of their
rubber-soled 15
shoes against the rocks to prevent them from falling. They were forced to hang on by
their fingertips to tiny razor-sharp edges protruding from the smooth rock. One section
of the climb, which they referred to as Pitch 15, almost defeated Jorgeson. This is a
lengthy, sideways traverse*, which is the most challenging section as there is almost
nothing to cling onto. However, Jorgeson was determined not to abandon the
venture and Caldwell refused to 20
continue alone. So, they carried on together. On 14 January 2015, after 19 days on
the sheer rock face, Caldwell and Jorgeson hauled themselves over the upper lip of
the Dawn Wall and into the history books.
Glossary
a traverse: a route on the side of a rock or cliff
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Text B
Rock climbing can take you to amazing and unimaginable places. It will inspire you
to do things that others may think are impossible to achieve and it will, in all
probability, change your whole outlook on life.
The perfect way to begin is by heading out with friends who already know how it’s
done. But actually, for most people that isn’t a possibility. I remember sitting alone 5
in my climbing harness, hanging on a rope about five metres above the ground,
thinking, ‘Why can’t I go up any further?’ This was my debut to climbing on natural
rock. I hadn’t even tried climbing on an indoor wall prior to that trip. It may well be
wise for you to do this before venturing outside. Many towns and cities have indoor
climbing walls these days, and they’re easy to find with a quick search on the10
internet. Wall climbing is great fun, however good or bad you are at it, but if you do
want to go outdoors straightaway there’s no reason you shouldn’t. But at least get
the basics right first. You can do this by: starting on lower-level slopes without a
harness, making yourself familiar with the rock face, and getting used to walking in
climbing shoes – they can feel quite different from your ordinary trainers.
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New climbers tend to try to move directly upwards, when they should be thinking
about moving sideways or even stepping down when necessary. The important
thing is to always maintain three points of contact with the rock (for example, two
feet and one hand), and when you feel confident enough, try leaning slightly away
from it so you have a clear view of where to put your feet next. If you do decide to20
invest in kit, the essentials are a helmet, harness and rope. If you’re intending to
explore a new region, a local climbing guide is also a must. They will have details of
Read Text A in the Insert, and answer questions 1–6.
1 Give one word and one phrase from the first paragraph (lines 1–3) that tell the reader that
climbing El Capitan is not easy.
word:____________________________________________________________________________
phrase:__________________________________________________________________________
2 Look at the second paragraph (lines 4–7).
(a) How did the ‘Dawn Wall’ get its name?
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(b) Give one word that means dangerous.
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3 Look at the third paragraph (lines 8–14).
(a) Give one word that introduces a contrasting idea.
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(b) Give one two-word phrase that tells the reader Caldwell and Jorgeson worked together.
__________________________________________________________________________________
4 Look at the fourth paragraph (lines 15–23).
(a) Explain in your own words what makes the Dawn Wall such a difficult climb.
Give one quotation from the text to support your answer.
Explanation: _______________________________________________________________________
Quotation: _________________________________________________________________________
(b) After completing the challenge Caldwell and Jorgeson became famous.
Give one phrase from the text that tells the reader this.
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5 Look at the heading.
Why do you think this heading is suitable for this text? Give two ideas.
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6 How is this information text structured? Tick () two boxes.
The text has numbered points. _______
The text has an introductory paragraph. _______
The text is non-chronologically organised. _______
The text uses one-sentence paragraphs. _______
The text uses time connectives. _______
Read Text B, in the Insert, and answer questions.
7 What is the purpose of Text B? Tick () one box.
to persuade _______
to recount _______
to argue _______
to advise _______
E/S7/INSERT/
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8 Give one word from the second paragraph (lines 4–14) that introduces a contrasting and
surprising idea.
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9 (a) Look at line 12 in Text B. Why has a colon ( : ) been used? Give one reason.
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(b) Why has a dash ( – ) been used in line 13? Give one reason.
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10 (a) Your friend wants to take up rock climbing and has asked you what they should do.
Write a list of tips using the information from Text B.
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Section B: Writing
Write an account for your friend about a new activity that you have tried.
Think about:
the type of activity
what you need for the activity
persuading your friend why it is a good activity
any helpful tips.
Planning Box
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