Q 1: Read the passage carefully and answer all the questions that follow. Give the answers in your own words. All questions carry equal marks. (10 Marks) Nothing better sums up the outdoors than the centuries-old human endeavor to scale mighty peaks. Mountaineering involves hiking, climbing, or just simply walking on hilly or mountainous ground, with the help of technical equipment and support. In mountaineering, you come across different types of terrain - mainly snow, glaciers, ice, or just naked rocks. The feats of the likes of Edmund Hilary and George Mallory to mention just two legendary mountaineers, have contributed to making this activity a popular one all around the world, one that has also been known to build a person's character. One has to be physically robust, very fit and display a decent level of athleticism and suppleness of body to climb mountains; training, conditioning and preparation are essential if you are looking to attempt an ascent on a particularly challenging peak. In addition, the mountaineer, often having to withstand extreme climatic conditions, has to display a good degree of mental fortitude to survive and succeed. Mountaineering is as old as the earth, as old as human life. In the 19th century, many people would climb just for pleasure, for the sheer thrill of conquering peaks near and far. But over time, the sport has split into separate disciplines, each of them calling for varying degrees of skills and preparation. Today, climbers have the comfort of having the most advanced equipment and gear at their disposal. In contrast, men in ancient times had to rely on their feet, their legs, their arms, and their hands - and their wits - to climb mountains. These old climbing techniques are still very much relevant today (as well as being utterly reliable and safe) but the 21st-century mountaineer has the added advantage of depending on hi-tech safety equipment. Closer home, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute has played a big part in the conquest of the Greater Himalayas. Many of the planet's mountaineering greats have tested their skills, and earned their name, in the Himalayan Theatre of Dreams, considered the ultimate arena for climbing enthusiasts. Mountaineering demands a lot of your physical fitness and attempts on the highest peaks can push your body to the limit. Before attempting any climb, make sure you are fit enough to endure everything that nature and the elements may throw at you. Remember that mountaineering may be a very exhilarating activity and it is far from being an easy sport! At high altitudes, it is important to give enough time for acclimatization. And make sure you get a clean bill of health from your doctor before embarking on an expedition.

Questions:

I. What are the different types of terrain one come across in mountaineering?

II. What is the preparation that is essential for an ascent on a particularly challenging peak?
III. How has mountaineering developed as a sport over a period of time?
IV. What is the main idea of the passage?
V. Suggest a suitable title for the passage.