Unit 4 Adversity and Courage拓展阅读 讲义 2023-2024学年高中英语人教版选择性必修第三册

人教课标新教材选必3Unit 4拓展阅读

 

1

12 women aged above 50 complete trans-Himalayan expedition

人均年过半百的女子队伍克服重重困难，完成了徒步横穿喜马拉雅山脉的探险活动。

Determined to make a mark, 12 women, all above 50 years of age, have completed one of the toughest mountaineering expeditions in the world, covering a distance of approximately 50,000 km and crossing over 37 passes in five months from East to West of the Himalayas.

The team was led by a famous mountaineer, Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to scale (攀登) Mount Qomolangma, and consisted of women from various backgrounds such as retired corporate professionals, retired army persons, housewives, retired drivers, grandmothers, and working women. The youngest member is 54 years old, while the eldest member is aged 68.

The team had to overcome extreme weather conditions, dangerous climbs, and limited resources every step of the way. Some of the routes in Eastern and Western Nepal were extremely remote and many times the team trekked (长途跋涉) for days on end at an altitude (海拔高度) of 10,000-14,000 feet. While the longest day of trekking was 13.5 hours at an altitude of above 10,000 feet, the longest distance covered in a day at a high altitude of 12,000 feet was 29 km. The team also shared some memorable and unique experiences including staying at a graveyard, a chicken farm, abandoned buildings, and old schools.

As the expedition progressed, each team member slowly started pushing their limits and began adjusting and adapting to the surroundings. Bachendri Pal's inspiring talks and constant reminders of the final goal strengthened their resolve.

Talking about the 5-month-long journey, Bachendri Pal said, “Initially the team had their own share of physical limitations and psychological anxiety. But as the journey progressed the focus and goal of the expedition took the front seat. I strongly believe that the biggest risk in life is not taking risks. I am very happy that despite many uncertain conditions, challenging routes, and severe weather conditions, the team managed to stretch the limits, and joined hands to realise our dream.”

“The motive of this expedition was to highlight the need to remain fit and show that age is no barrier to realising one's dream,” she added.

 

2

Beethoven

     On 16th December 1770 the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. Both his grandfather and father were musicians. Beethoven gave his first public appearance, playing the piano, when he was 8 and had his first piece of music published at 12.

When Beethoven was 17, he went to Vienna where he auditioned (试音) as a student of Mozart. However, he quickly returned home when he found out his mother was dying. 5 years later Beethoven went back to Vienna. In a few years he had earned a name for himself and was playing for the rich and famous. They supported him and in return, Beethoven dedicated his music to his benefactors. When Beethoven was 28 years old, he noticed his hearing was going and finally he was left stone deaf. He only communicated with visitors and trusted friends by writing. But it didn’t stop him from writing music.

Life wasn’t easy for Beethoven and he was seriously ill. He moved more than 52 times during his final years. When the famous composer died at the age of 56, almost 30,000 people attended his funeral. Unlike some other composers of that time, Beethoven enjoyed recognition before his death.