A
The cheerful smiles and legendary strength of the Sherpas(夏尔巴人) have been an essential part of Mount Everest climbing expeditions(探险) from the very beginning. Indeed, very few significant successes have been achieved without them.
When Western mountaineers first set their sights on the world’s highest peak, they found in the Sherpas a people ideally suited to the hardship of high-altitude climbing, unfailingly positive, stout at altitude, and seemingly resistant to cold.
Sherpas did not venture into the high peaks until European mountaineers began arriving to climb in the world’s greatest mountain range. Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma or “Goddess Mother of the Land” to the Sherpas, was long considered as a living place of the gods where humans were not allowed to go.
Although Everest now sees many a human footprint, the Sherpas still regard the mountain as a holy place. All modern expeditions begin with a Puja ceremony in which Sherpas and other team members leave offerings and pay respect to the gods of the mountain, hoping to remain in their good graces throughout the climb.
Sherpas were first employed as porters, tasked with carrying large amounts of equipment to supply the military-style expeditions of the day. The early climbers were amazed at the strength of these people, from the fittest of mature men to the young and elderly. In addition to their heavy loads, some of the women even carried along their babies. The whole troop of Sherpas slept outside, using only rocks for shelter, as temperatures dropped well below freezing.
Stronger Sherpas soon graduated from porter status and began to undertake challenging climbing. Those who distinguished themselves were awarded the Tiger Medal, and many desired this honor and the higher pay rate it afforded. Despite the potential dangers, the Sherpa people remained enthusiastic about taking part in Everest expeditions, which even then were becoming an important source of income for a poor mountain folk.
21. Sherpas didn’t go into the high peaks before Europeans’ arrival mainly because ________.
A. they enjoyed staying at low altitudes B. they were short of proper equipment
C. they were unaware of their potentials D. they considered the mountain as holy
22. By mentioning the “rocks” in Paragraph 5, the writer emphasizes _______.
A. the intelligence of the Sherpas B. the challenges for the climbers
C. the physical ability of the Sherpas D. the wild landscape of Mount Everest
23. Which of the following can best describe the Sherpas according to the text?
A. Talented for high-altitude climbing. B. Adventurous and crazy about wealth.
C. Generous and willing to help climbers. D. Professional in treating altitude sickness.
【答案】21. D 22. C 23. A
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了夏尔巴人，当西方登山者第一次把目光投向这座世界最高峰时，他们发现这个民族非常适合艰苦的高海拔攀登，始终保持着积极向上的态度，身体很结实，能抵御寒冷。文章还介绍了夏尔巴人对攀爬珠穆朗玛峰人们做出的贡献。
【21题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段中Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma or “Goddess Mother of the Land” to the Sherpas, was long considered as a living place of the gods where humans were not allowed to go.可知珠穆朗玛峰被夏尔巴人称为“大地之母”，长期以来被认为是神居住的地方，不允许人类进入。由此可知，夏尔巴人在欧洲人到来之前没有登上高峰，主要是因为他们认为这座山是神圣的。故选D。
【22题详解】
推理判断题。根据第五段中Sherpas were first employed as porters, tasked with carrying large amounts of equipment to supply the military-style expeditions of the day. The early climbers were amazed at the strength of these people, from the fittest of mature men to the young and elderly. In addition to their heavy loads, some of the women even carried along their babies.可知夏尔巴人最初被雇为搬运工，负责搬运大量设备，为当时的军事远征提供物资。早期的登山者对这些人的力量感到惊讶，从最健康的成年人到年轻人和老年人。除了负重外，一些妇女甚至还带着她们的婴儿。由此可推知，当气温降至冰点以下时，夏尔巴人的整个队伍都睡在外面，只用石头作为栖身之所。故在第5段中提到“岩石”，作者是为了强调了夏尔巴人的体能非常好。故选C。
【23题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段中Those who distinguished themselves were awarded the Tiger Medal, and many desired this honor and the higher pay rate it afforded. Despite the potential dangers, the Sherpa people remained enthusiastic about taking part in Everest expeditions, which even then were becoming an important source of income for a poor mountain folk.可知那些杰出的人被授予了老虎奖章，许多人渴望获得这一荣誉和更高的报酬。尽管存在着潜在的危险，夏尔巴人仍然热衷于参加珠峰探险，即使在那时，珠峰探险已经成为贫穷山区居民的重要收入来源。结合上文提到了夏尔巴人体能方面的优势，由此可推知，夏尔巴人在高空攀爬方面很有天赋。故选A。
