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29/10/2016 Achieve3000: Lesson
Printed by: Isabelle Gorgeu
Printed on: October 29, 2016
Did Mallory Make It?
Before Reading Poll
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. In 1923, George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb it.
Mallory said, "Because it's there." Is that a good enough reason to take such a risk? What do you think?
Something is worth exploring just because "it's there."
Agree
Disagree
Explain why you voted the way you did.
For me, it's important to explore all which exists to increase the knowledge of the humanity.
http://portal.achieve3000.com/kb/lesson/do_print?lid=15261&c=77&step=all&pagebreaks=1 1/18
Article
PART 1
LHASA, China (Achieve3000, August 24, 2007). Mount Everest is the
world's tallest mountain. Who was the first person to reach its summit?
Was it George Mallory or Edmund Hillary? American climber, Conrad
Anker, wanted to find out. He just led an expedition up Everest seeking
the answer.
In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine climbed Everest. They scaled
the northern side of the mountain in China. The two Englishmen were last
seen about 900 feet (274 meters) from the summit. It would have taken
them only a few more hours to reach the top. Witnesses spotted the men
from below. Then, swirling mists closed in. After that, no one ever saw
AP Photo / Hiroyuki Kuraoka,File
them again.
Climbers rest after reaching the top
of Mount Everest. Did George
Twentynine years later, New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mallory make it to the top?
Everest. A Nepalese guide, Tenzing Norgay, was with him. The two
reached the top on May 29, 1953. They received credit as the first to reach the summit. Through the years, however,
many mountaineers have suggested otherwise. They believe that Mallory and Irvine actually reached the peak first.
Then, the two must have died on the way down.
Anker wanted to find out what really happened. In June 2007, he and his team retraced Mallory and Irvine's path. They
hoped to find the answer to the mystery.
Anker's search actually began in 1999. That's when he first led an expedition up Everest. There, Anker discovered
Mallory's remains high on the mountain. Anker and his team also found goggles, an altimeter, a pocketknife, and a
piece of rope. In addition, they found handwritten letters addressed to Mallory. However, something was missing.
Mallory's daughter said that her father carried a picture of his wife. He had intended to leave the picture at the summit.
Yet, it was not found with Mallory's remains. This means that Mallory might have reached the summit. There, he would
have left the picture. However, no one who has reached the summit has found the photo.
Did Mallory make it to the summit? After the 1999 expedition, Anker's team seemed divided.
"The two could not have made it to the summit due to the length of time they were gone and [degree] of difficulty [of
the climb]," Anker said. Another team member, Andy Politz, did not agree. Politz said, "I still think they made it to the
top." That would mean that Mallory, not Hillary, was the first to reach the summit.
The 2007 expedition gave Anker another chance to find out. The team also wanted to see how Mallory and Irvine's
clothing and equipment faired on the climb. The expedition team posted it goals on its Web site.
"The 2007 expedition team will investigate Mallory and Irvine's last journey . . . [and] test the [strength] of their clothing
and equipment in the unforgiving conditions of Everest."
Anker and his team set out from their base camp on June 10, 2007. They reached the peak on June 14. The climbers
sent movies of their trip to their Web site. However, they did not say what they had learned. They're saving that for a
2008 film.
Information for this story came from AP.
PART 2
Dig Deeper
George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest. What did he say? "Because it is there." (Can you
think of a better reason?) The world's highest mountain attracts hundreds of climbers each year. Some make it to the
summit. Still, many more turn back. And a few lose their lives. What's it like to climb the world's tallest mountain?
Some say the experience is exciting. One thing's for sure—it's dangerous!
Mount Everest is located in the Himalayan Mountains between Nepal and Tibet in Asia. The mountain rises 29,035
feet. That's about as high as 20 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. Imagine trying to climb that! To
reach the top, people climb through several zones. Each level is hard in its own way. The climb from the south has five
camps along the way. Climbers stop at these camps. While there, they adjust to the changes in altitude.
The Base Camp is at about 17,500 feet. From there, climbers use ropes and ladders. They cross moving ice and deep
valleys to reach Camp 1 at about 20,000 feet. Between Camp 1 and Camp 2, at 21,300 feet, climbers experience
uncomfortable heat. The heat comes from strong sunlight, little wind, and the high altitude. At the next level, climbers
cross a wall of ice to reach Camp 3 at 24,500 feet. They use fixed ropes. Camp 4, located at 26,000 feet, is the last
main stop before the summit.
Most climbers spend several days moving up and down between camps. This helps their bodies get used to the low
oxygen. The distance between Camp 4 and the summit is sometimes called the death zone. At that altitude, people
struggle with low oxygen levels. Those who succeed in reaching the top stay only a short time. The temperature on a
good day is about 15 degrees below zero. Winds blow at more than 100 miles an hour.
People who try to climb to the top of Mount Everest must be fit. They must have the right clothing. Climbing tools
include harnesses and boots equipped with spikes to help walk on ice. Climbers must have trained guides who are
familiar with conditions on the mountain.
Climbing Mount Everest is dangerous and expensive. To date, however, more than 3,000 people have stood at the
summit.
Dictionary
altimeter (noun) instrument for measuring height above sea or ground level
conditions (noun) environment or surroundings
expedition (noun) a trip to find out about something
investigate (verb) to look into
summit (noun) the highest point or top of something, such as a mountain
Activity
PART 1
Question 1
Based on the article, which fits best in the empty box above?
This question asks about when events happened. It does not ask where in the article the events appear. Look back at
the article for clues, such as dates.
Mallory and Irvine disappear near the top of the mountain.
Mallory and Irvine are seen standing on top of the mountain.
Mallory and Irvin receive credit as the first to reach the summit.
Mallory and Irvin decide to give up and start climbing down.
Question 2
This article is mainly about__________.
Mountaineers reaching the summit of Mount Everest on the northern side in China
Mountaineers retracing George Mallory's attempt to climb Mount Everest
Mountaineers discovering George Mallory's goggles, altimeter, and pocketknife
Mountaineers making a movie about their 1999 climb to the top of Mount Everest
Question 3
According to the article, why was Conrad Anker trying to retrace George Mallory's route up Mount Everest for a second
time?
Anker's team never made it to the top of Mount Everest during the 1999 climb.
Anker's team wanted to investigate Mallory and Irvine's last journey as well as test out the two
men's clothing and equipment.
Anker's team wanted to be the first mountaineers with a movie camera to make it to the top of
Mount Everest.
Anker's team wanted to find Mallory's picture of his wife and return the picture to Mallory's family.
Question 4
The reader can tell from the article that__________.
Conrad Anker did not tell what he found on his 2007 climb because he wants people to watch his
2008 film.
Conrad Anker will lead an expedition to prove that Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to reach the
top of Mount Everest.
Conrad Anker is not planning to tell anyone except George Mallory's family what he found on the
climb in 2007.
Conrad Anker is already planning another expedition to the top of Mount Everest.
Question 5
The article says:
In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine climbed Everest. They scaled the northern side of the mountain in
China. The two Englishmen were last seen about 900 feet from the summit.
The word scaled must mean the same as __________.
Taught
Saw
Knew
Climbed
Question 6
The article says all of these except __________.
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed Mount Everest.
George Mallory carried a photograph of his wife that he planned to leave at the summit.
In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine climbed Mount Everest.
George Mallory had already climbed several tall mountains in Asia and Europe.
Question 7
The article says:
"The 2007 expedition team will investigate Mallory and Irvine's last journey . . . [and] test the [strength] of their
clothing and equipment in the unforgiving conditions of Everest."
Which is the closest synonym for investigate?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning. Sick and ill are synonyms.
Represent
Avoid
Explore
Pronounce
Question 8
Which of these is an opinion?
An opinion tells what someone thinks or feels.
Conrad Anker's team retraced Mallory and Irvine's path this year.
George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were last seen 900 feet from the summit of Mount Everest.
George Mallory and Sandy Irvine should never have tried to climb to the top of Mount Everest.
Conrad Anker's team discovered George Mallory's remains in 1999.
RESULTS
Activity First Second

Try Try
1.
()
Based on the article, which fits best in the empty box above? ()
2. This article is mainly about__________. ()
3. According to the article, why was Conrad Anker trying to retrace George Mallory's route up
Mount Everest for a second time? ()
4. The reader can tell from the article that__________. ()
5. The article says:
In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine climbed Everest. They scaled the northe
rn side of the mountain in China. The two Englishmen were last seen about 900 fe
et from the summit.
The word scaled must mean the same as __________. ()
6. The article says all of these except __________. ()
7. The article says:
"The 2007 expedition team will investigate Mallory and Irvine's last journey . . . [a
nd] test the [strength] of their clothing and equipment in the unforgiving conditio
ns of Everest."
Which is the closest synonym for investigate? ()
8. Which of these is an opinion? ()
Activity Score 100% 100%
After Reading Poll
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement.
Agree
Disagree
Thought Question
Some people say that George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Others say
they weren't. Explain both points of view. Which one do you think is true? Use facts and examples from the lesson to
back up your answer.
Write your answer in the box below.
Poll Results
OPINION STATEMENT:
BEFORE READING AFTER READING
HOW YOU VOTED
Agree Agree
Disagree Disagree
You did not change your opinion after reading the articles.
Click here (javascript:void(0);) to see the response you wrote before reading.
WORLDWIDE RESULTS
68% 68%
Agree Agree
Disagree
32% Disagree
32%
17% changed their opinion after reading the article.
Math
PART 1
Mount Everest is 29,028 feet tall. How many kilometers tall is it?
8,848 kilometers
95,236 kilometers
5.5 kilometers
8.85 kilometers
RESULTS

Try Try
1. Mount Everest is 29,028 feet tall. How many kilometers tall is it? ()
Stretch Article
PART 1
LHASA, China (Achieve3000, August 24, 2007). Who was the first person
to reach the summit of Mount Everest? Was it George Mallory or Edmund
Hillary? An American climber just led an expedition up Everest, the world's
highest peak, to try to resolve the debate.
In June, Conrad Anker and his team retraced the 1924 climb of George
Mallory and Sandy Irvine on the northern side of the mountain in China.
The two Englishmen were last seen about 900 feet (274 meters), or just a
few hours, from the summit. They were spotted from below as swirling
mists closed in. After that, no one ever saw them again. Twentynine
years later, on May 29, 1953, New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and
AP Photo / Hiroyuki Kuraoka,File
Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay successfully scaled the mountain and
In this photo, climbers rest after
received credit as the first to reach the summit. Through the years, many
reaching the top of Mount Everest.
mountaineers have speculated that Mallory and Irvine reached the peak of Conrad Anker wanted to know if
Everest but died on the way down. Anker wanted to find out what really George Mallory ever reached this
happened. point.
Anker's investigation actually began with a similar expedition in 1999. He became intrigued with what he found on that
climb—and with what he did not find. Anker and his team discovered Mallory's remains. They also found handwritten
letters addressed to Mallory, goggles, an altimeter, a pocketknife, and a piece of rope. They did not find a camera that
experts believe Mallory was carrying. Something else was missing, too. Mallory's daughter said that her father carried a
photograph of his wife with him that he had intended to leave at the summit. Yet, this photo was not among the objects
Anker found with Mallory's remains. This means that Mallory might have reached the summit, where he would have left
the photograph. However, no one who has reached the summit has found the photo or evidence that it was ever there.
After the 1999 expedition, Anker's team seemed to be divided about whether Mallory had made it to the summit.
"The two could not have made it to the summit due to the length of time they were gone and depth of difficulty [of the
climb]," Anker said. Another team member, Andy Politz, disagreed. He said, "I still think they made it to the top." If
Mallory did make it to the top, then it was he, and not Edmund Hillary, who was the first to reach the summit of
Everest.
The 2007 climb gave Anker a chance to settle this dispute. The team outlined its objectives for the expedition on a
Web site.
"The 2007 expedition team will investigate Mallory and Irvine's last journey . . ., test the durability of their clothing and
equipment in the unforgiving conditions of Everest, and piece together eyewitness accounts—all to reconstruct Mallory
and Irvine's final, fateful hours."
Anker and his team set out from the advance base camp on June 10, 2007, and reached the peak on June 14. They
brought along a camera and sent videos of their climb to their Web site, but they did not immediately reveal what they
had learned. They're saving that, they said, for a 2008 documentary.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
PART 2
Dig Deeper
When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, George Mallory responded, "Because it is there." (Can you think
of a better reason?) The world's highest peak continues to attract hundreds of climbers each year. Some make it to the
summit, many more turn back, and a few lose their lives in the attempt. What's it like to climb the world's tallest
mountain? The experience may be described as challenging or exciting, but one thing's for sure—it's dangerous!
Nestled in the Himalayan Mountains on the border of Nepal and Tibet in Asia, Mount Everest rises 29,035 feet. That's
about 20 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. Imagine trying to climb that! To reach the peak, climbers
ascend through several zones. Each level has its own special characteristics and challenges. The ascent from the
south has five camps along the way. Climbers stop at these camps as they adjust to the changes in altitude.
The elevation of Base Camp is about 17,500 feet. From there, climbers use ropes and ladders to cross shifting ice and
deep crevasses to reach Camp 1 at about 20,000 feet. Between Camp 1 and Camp 2, at 21,300 feet, climbers
experience uncomfortable heat due to intense sunlight, little wind, and the high altitude. The next challenge is using
fixed ropes to cross a wall of ice to reach Camp 3 at 24,500 feet. Camp 4, located at 26,000 feet, is the last major stop
before the summit.
Most climbers spend several days moving up and down between camps to help their bodies get used to the reduced
oxygen. The distance between Camp 4 and the summit is sometimes called the death zone. At that altitude, oxygen
levels are low, and people struggle to survive. Those who succeed in reaching the top stay only a short time. The
temperature on a good day is about 15 degrees below zero. Constant winds blow with a hurricane force of more than
100 miles per hour.
People who attempt to climb to the top of Mount Everest must be physically fit. They must have proper clothing.
Required climbing gear includes harnesses and boots equipped with crampons, which are spikes to prevent slipping on
ice. Climbers must have trained guides, such as the Sherpa people of Nepal, who are familiar with conditions on the
mountain and survival techniques.
Climbing Mount Everest is dangerous and expensive. To date, however, more than 3,000 people have overcome all
obstacles to stand on its peak.
Dictionary
altimeter (noun) instrument for measuring height above sea or ground level
fateful (adjective) having tragic consequences
intrigued (adjective) curious or fascinated
Stretch Activity
PART 1
Question 1
Which event had not yet taken place when this article was written?
Conrad Anker and his team revealed the results of their investigation in a documentary.
Conrad Anker and his team learned that George Mallory carried a photo of his wife with him while
climbing.
Conrad Anker and his team tested the durability of equipment in the conditions on Mount
Everest.
Conrad Anker and his team found handwritten letters addressed to George Mallory.
Question 2
This article is mainly about__________.
Mountaineers testing the strength of their clothing and equipment under strong weather
conditions
Mountaineers recently finishing a documentary film about climbing Mount Everest
Mountaineers trying to beat a world record set by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay
Mountaineers trying to find out whether climbers George Mallory and Sandy Irvine reached the
top of Mount Everest
Question 3
According to the article, what made Conrad Anker want to retrace George Mallory and Sandy Irvine's last climb of Mount
Everest?
Anker had found Mallory's remains on an earlier expedition on Mount Everest.
George Mallory's climb had never been completed successfully after his attempt and Anker wanted
to be the first.
George Mallory's family had asked Anker to find out what really happened to Irvine.
Anker had brought a photo of his wife and wanted to leave it at Mount Everest's summit.
Question 4
The reader can infer from the article that__________.
Sir Edmund Hillary has been helping Conrad Anker with the filming of his documentary.
Conrad Anker wanted to help Sir Edmund Hillary prove that he was the first to reach the top of
Mount Everest.
Conrad Anker and his team believe that George Mallory and Sandy Irvine may still be alive.
Sir Edmund Hillary was more interested in reaching the top of Mount Everest than in finding out
what happened to George Mallory.
Question 5
The article states:
Through the years, many mountaineers have speculated that Mallory and Irvine reached the peak of Everest
but died on the way down. [Conrad] Anker wanted to find out what really happened.
Which would be the closest synonym for the word speculated?
Regulated
Postponed
Wondered
Supervised
Question 6
Which question is not answered by the article?
Who was George Mallory climbing with when he disappeared?
Who is credited as being the first to reach the top of Mount Everest?
How did Conrad Anker and his team plan to find answers to their questions?
How does George Mallory's family feel about Conrad Anker's documentary?
Question 7
Which is the closest synonym for the word intrigued?
Favored
Anguished
Interested
Despised
Question 8
Which of these is a statement of opinion?
Climbing Mount Everest should not have been attempted by George Mallory and Sandy Irvine.
Climbing Mount Everest led to the disappearance of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay received credit as the first to reach the summit.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the top of Mount Everest in
1953.
RESULTS

Try Try
1. Which event had not yet taken place when this article was written? ()
2. This article is mainly about__________. ()
3. According to the article, what made Conrad Anker want to retrace George Mallory and Sand
y Irvine's last climb of Mount Everest? ()
4. The reader can infer from the article that__________. ()
5. The article states:
Through the years, many mountaineers have speculated that Mallory and Irvine re
ached the peak of Everest but died on the way down. [Conrad] Anker wanted to fin
d out what really happened.
Which would be the closest synonym for the word speculated? ()
6. Which question is not answered by the article? ()
7. Which is the closest synonym for the word intrigued? ()
8. Which of these is a statement of opinion? ()

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29/10/2016 Achieve3000: Lesson

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