Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Test
English question paper 1 insert
Stage 9
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Section A: Reading
Text A
The text below is an extract from A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby, published in 1958.
Two men, Eric and his friend, Hugh, are climbing a mountain in Nepal in 1956.
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We dug ourselves a hole in the snow and considered our position. The view was colossal.
Below us on every side mountains surged away, it seemed forever. We looked down on
glaciers and snow-covered peaks that perhaps no one had ever seen before, except from the
air. We could see a great sweep of mountains in every direction. Away to the east was the
great snow-covered mountain, Tirich Mir, the 25 000 foot giant on the Chitral border.
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Our own immediate situation was no less impressive. A stone dropped from one hand would
have landed on one of the upper glaciers of the Chamar valley, while from the other it would
have landed on the east glacier. Hugh now gave a practical demonstration of this by dropping
the compass, which fell with only one bounce into the Chamar valley.
‘Oh well,’ said Hugh gloomily. ‘I don’t think it was much use anyway.’ Above us large black
birds circled uttering melancholy croaking noises. ‘We’ve got to make a decision about going
on,’ he said. ‘And we’ve got to be absolutely certain it’s the right one, because our lives are
going to depend on it.’
Anywhere else such a remark would have sounded over-dramatic. Here it seemed no more
than an accurate statement of fact.
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‘How long do you think it will take to get to the top?’
‘All of four hours, and then only if we don’t go any slower.’
It was now 1.30. We had been climbing for nine hours.
‘That means 4.30 at the summit. Going down, four hours at least. It’ll be nine o’clock. Then
there’s the ice slope. Do you think we can manage to find the camp in the dark?’
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‘The only alternative is to sleep on the ridge. We haven’t got any sleeping bags. I’m afraid we
wouldn’t last out. We can try if you like.’
For a moment we were dotty enough to consider going on. It was a terrible temptation: we
were only 200 metres below the summit. Then we decided to give up. Both of us were nearly in
tears. Sadly we ate our nougat and drank our cold coffee.
The descent was terrible. With the stimulus of the summit gone, we suddenly realised how
tired we were. But, although our strength and morale were ebbing, we both agreed to take
every possible precaution. There was no mountain rescue service on this mountain. If anything
happened to one of us, it would be the end for both.
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Text B
Finnish Wilderness Week
Relax in an unspoilt wilderness location
In the heart of Oulanka National Park sits Basecamp Oulanka, in a truly stunning location. You
are able to enjoy a variety of winter activities in this beautiful landscape and hardly ever see
another soul. In the silent, snow-caked forests, you couldn’t feel more removed from the hustle
and bustle of city life. Get back to nature this winter and head to Basecamp.
Cross-country skiing
On a beginner’s cross-country skiing course your instructor will choose the trails carefully;
however, you should expect to fall over. Most cross-country falls happen at slow speeds, and
cause no injury. Although it is very rare, some falls do lead to injury, in the worst cases this may
include broken bones. Overall cross-country skiing is a safe sport to take part in if you have
proper instruction.
Snowmobiling
As snowmobiles can reach high speeds, drivers must be responsible for safe driving, and must
follow the guide’s instructions to prevent injury and damage to the snowmobile. Snowmobiles
are not for everyone and can be difficult to master. However, accidents are very rare if drivers
are careful.
Weather and seasonality
In the regions close to the Arctic Circle temperatures during the season range from –30 to
+5 °C. December will normally be the coldest month (usually below –20 °C), but early April can
see temperatures around –10 to +5 °C.
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If the thought of such temperatures scares you, then think again. When dressed in Arctic
clothing, –20 °C can actually feel very pleasant. The Arctic cold is a dry cold, there is usually no
wind, and remember, we will keep you active.
Daylight hours
In mid-winter (December/January) the sun remains just below the horizon, but it is not dark, as
there is plenty of light reflected off the snow.
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Copyright Acknowledgements:
Text A
Text B
© Eric Newby; A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush; Picador; 1974.
© Exodus Travels; Finnish Wilderness Week; http://www.exodus.co.uk/finland-holdays/winter/finnish-wilderness-week/cfa-82781
Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2017
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