Gateway B1+ Unit 2 Reading + Use Of English Quiz

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 make 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 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 program 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 of 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-meter rowing boat in another race.C.  Many teams have tried the same challenge and failed. D.  Is it maybe the desire to push your body to its limits?E. All three had lost a lot of weight and were in severe pain.F.   This time, they were joined by another amateur, Doctor Ed Coats.G.  For three young men in 2009, it meant a journey of 430 miles across some of the most hostile countries on our planet, Antarctica, in a race to the South Pole.