[ENVIRONMENT ★★★]
EXPLORER DIES TRYING TO CROSS ANTARCTIC
(P1) The explorer Henry Worsley, who was ON THE BRINK OF becoming the first man to cross ANTARCTICA by himself, has died in his attempt.
(P2) The former British army officer was just 30 miles short of completing the record solo crossing when he had to be AIRLIFTED off the ice, his family announced on Monday.
(P3) Worsley, 55, had covered 913 miles over 71 days on his own, including passing the south pole, when he was forced to call for help after SUCCUMBING to EXHAUSTION and SEVERE DEHYDRATION.
(P4) His wife, Joanna, said in a statement: “It is with HEARTBROKEN sadness I let you know that my husband, Henry Worsley, has died following complete organ failure, despite all efforts to save him.”
(P5) After spending two days unable to move from his tent, the married father-of-two decided to end his attempt.
(P6) He was flown to a hospital in Punta Arenas where he had surgery after doctors discovered his ABDOMEN was affected with PERITONITIS. He died on Sunday.
(P7) Peritonitis occurs when the thin layer of tissue lining the abdomen becomes INFECTED. SYMPTOMS can include swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, chills, lack of APPETITE, and a high temperature. COMPLICATIONS include SEPSIS and septic shock.
(P8) Worsley was attempting to complete Sir Ernest Shackleton’s unfinished journey to the south pole a century ago in 1915. Shackleton’s ship Endurance was trapped and sunk by PACK ICE, leaving his team STRANDED.
(P9) Shackleton’s granddaughter Alexandra Shackleton spoke of her huge sadness. She told BBC News: “Henry will be a huge loss to the adventuring world. The fact that he very nearly made it, only 30 miles short of his goal, makes it in some ways even worse.”
(P10) Paul Rose, the former base commander of the British Antarctic Survey, paid tribute to Worsley’s organisation and DEDICATION. “He wasn’t just a HEADCASE going off on mad adventures. Henry really THOUGHT THIS THING THROUGH,” Rose told BBC News.
(P11) He added: “The conditions haven’t changed from Shackleton’s days. The Antarctic is still an incredibly HOSTILE place.”
(P12) Prince William, who was PATRON of the EXPEDITION, expressed his sadness at the explorer’s death, saying he and Prince Harry had lost a friend.
(P13) The TREK was raising money for the Endeavour Fund, a CHARITY managed by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
(P14) Prince William said in a statement: “Harry and I are very sad to hear of the loss of Henry Worsley. He was a man who showed great COURAGE and DETERMINATION and we are incredibly proud to be associated with him. We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all, especially those who will benefit from his support to the Endeavour Fund. We will now make sure that his family receive the support they need at this terribly difficult time.”
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, the British MOUNTAINEER George Mallory replied, “Because it’s there.” Henry Worsley felt the same way about Antarctica. Does this answer make sense to you?
- Henry Worsley had a wife and two children. Was it fair to them for him to take this kind of risk?
- Many people who are not adventurous enjoy reading about adventure or watching movies about it. Is that true of you?
- Why is Antarctica described as “the last FRONTIER on earth”?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- On the brink of
- Pack ice
- Think through
