Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 532
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 532 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 532
READING PASSAGE – 3
Caving
A. Caving is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems. In contrast, “speleology” is the scientific study of caves and the cave environment. The challenges involved in caving vary according to the cave being visited, but, in addition to the total absence of light beyond the entrance, often include the negotiation of steep angles, squeezes and water hazards. Cave diving is a distinct, and more hazardous, specialty undertaken by a small minority of technically proficient cavers.
In an area of overlap between recreational pursuit and scientific study, the most devoted and serious minded cavers become accomplished at the surveying and mapping of caves and the formal publication of their efforts. Many caving skills overlap with those involved in canyoning, as well as mine and urban exploration. Sometimes categorized as an extreme sport, it is not commonly considered as such by long-time enthusiasts, who may dislike the term for its connotation of disregard for safety.
IELTS General Reading Test
B. Caving has also been described as an “individualist’s team sport” by some, as cavers can often make a trip without direct physical assistance from others but will generally go in a group for companionship or to provide emergency help if needed. Some, however, consider the assistance cavers give each other as a typical team sport activity. Too much emphasis on the labeling of caving as a sport can narrow the goals of caving as a whole.
Caving is often undertaken for the enjoyment of the outdoor activity or for physical exercise, as well as original exploration, similar to mountaineering or diving. Caving often puts the needs and welfare of a cave before those of the active participants. It is fair to say that while caving shares some attributes of sport activities, for many it goes beyond sports as many cavers pursue cave science, mapping, and the management and conservation of cave resources.
IELTS General Reading Test
C. Physical or biological science is also an important goal for some cavers. Virgin cave systems comprise some of the last unexplored regions on Earth and much effort is put into trying to locate, enter and survey them. In well-explored regions, the most accessible caves have already been explored, and gaining access to new caves often requires cave digging or cave diving.
Caving, in certain areas, has also been utilized as a form of eco and adventure tourism. Tour companies have established an industry leading and guided tours into and through caves. Depending on the type of cave and the type of tour, the experience could be adventurous or ecological. In many areas, there are tours led through lava tubes by a guiding service. Exploring such structures is not without some element of risk.
IELTS General Reading Test
D. Caves can be dangerous places; dangerously low body temperature, falling, flooding, falling rocks and physical exhaustion are the main risks. Rescuing people from underground is difficult and time-consuming, and requires special skills, training, and equipment. Hard hats are worn to protect the head from bumps and falling rocks. The caver’s primary light source is usually mounted on the helmet in order to keep the hands free. Electric LED lights are most common. Many cavers carry two or more sources of light – one as primary and the others as backup in case the first fails. More often than not, a second light will be mounted to the helmet for quick transition if the primary fails.
Clothing is also of vital importance. The type of clothes worn underground varies according to the environment of the cave being explored, and the local culture. In cold caves, the caver may wear a warm base layer that retains its insulating properties when wet, such as a fleece suit, and an over suit of hard-wearing or waterproof material. Lighter clothing may be worn in warm caves, particularly if the cave is dry, and in tropical caves thin clothing is used to provide some scratch protection whilst remaining as cool as possible. Other specialized equipment, also used in climbing, is important to have on-hand.
IELTS General Reading Test
E. Ropes, for example, are used for descending or ascending pitches or for protection. Knots commonly used in caving are the figure-of-eight-loop, bowline, alpine butterfly, and Italian hitch. Ropes are usually rigged using bolts, slings, and carabiners. In some cases cavers may choose to bring and use a flexible metal ladder. In addition to the equipment already described, cavers frequently carry packs containing first-aid kits, emergency equipment, and food.
Containers for securely transporting waste are also commonly carried. During very long trips, it may be necessary to camp in the cave – some cavers have stayed underground for many days, or in particularly extreme cases, for weeks at a time. This is particularly the case when exploring or mapping very extended cave systems, where it would be impractical to go back over the route back to the surface regularly.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 29-33
Select the most appropriate heading for each paragraph above from the heading options box. Write the letter of the heading next to each paragraph.
List of Headings
i. Be careful
ii. Caving for discovery
ii. Be prepared
iv. A responsible activity
v. Caving explained
vi. Digging and diving
vii. Caving culture
IELTS General Reading Test
29. Paragraph A
30. Paragraph B
31. Paragraph C
32. Paragraph D
33. Paragraph E
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 34-40
Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
34. Cave diving is only done by a _____ of very experienced cavers.
35. Cavers often explore caves without _____ from others.
36. Many people believe that caving _____ sports.
37. Some tour guides lead cavers through an adventurous tour of _____.
38. People wear _____ to protect their heads while caving.
39. Thin clothing is worn in _____ caves.
40. It is sometimes required to _____ in caves during long trips.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
29. V
30. IV
31. II
32. I
33. III
34. SMALL MINORITY
35. PHYSICAL ASSISTANCE
36. GOES BEYOND
37. LAVA TUBES
38. HARD HATS
39. TROPICAL
40. CAMP
IELTS General Reading Test