Read the passage and answer the questions that follow. A new and extreme tourist attraction has just exploded on to the scene in Iceland: Volcano Walking. It would appear, according to Trip Advisor, that this is one trip that cannot be missed, despite the extortionate cost. The idea of making Thrihnukagigur volcano accessible was the brainchild of Ami B. Stefansson, a doctor in Reykjavik and a lifelong cave enthusiast. He has been studying caves in Iceland since 1954 and some would argue that there is no-one who has more experience. Thrihnukagigur has always been special to Stefansson ever since he was the first to descend down to the crater base in 1974. Like most people who experience it, he was utterly spellbound by its uniqueness and beauty and made it his mission to protect and preserve this stunning natural phenomenon. Unlike others who may have only seen the profit that could be made from walking into the mouth of a volcano, Stefansson believed that the primary focus was to treat such a grand natural wonder with the utmost respect, to protect and defend it. The first 'volcano tourists' entered the volcano in 2005 and it has since been labelled as one of the most unique tourist attractions in the world. Volcano walkers are taken to the mouth of the crater from where they are lowered in a basket into the depths of the earth. People once thought that volcanoes were portals to Hell and associated with death and destruction and yet the entrance to the crater is awe-inspiring and almost ethereal. The vastness of it can feel overwhelming; it is the size of a cathedral and the Statue of Liberty could easily fit into the shaft. After 6 minutes and 120 metres, visitors arrive at the crater base. The ground space is the size of three full-sized basketball courts placed next to each At the bottom there is a reverent hush. People whisper in respect to the sleeping giant who has lain dormant for 4,000 years. The subterranean walls are scorched with colours from a divine palette: magenta red, vibrant purple, burnt orange, vivid green and honey yellow. The colour intensifies in certain places where 4000 years ago the magma was pushed out with brutal force. This is Mother Nature's secret place, her private art studio where visitors feel like trespassers. The protruding rock faces show a tapestry of patterns and formations that have been molded by heat, pressure and time. Floodlights illuminate the walls and draw attention to the beauty humans were never intended to see. A light rain weeps from the porous rock above and covers the crater sides with a shine that makes it sparkle. The scorch marks can be seen close up - at one point in time these rock faces were glowing red with fiery heat. This giant, although sleeping, is still dangerous: an 80-metre drop into the void is disguised by a collection of rocks close to where visitors stand. It is a soul-enriching experience and visitors often report feeling deeply moved by the beauty and tranquillity of something that was once so destructive and angry. Confronted with this result of the unrestrained forces of nature, it is hard not to feel small and powerless in comparison. Sadly, the magical spell is broken when the basket appears, indicating that it is time for visitors to return to reality. On the return hike, visitors walk across the lava fields as though they are astronauts on the moon. They pass enormous open wounds where the landscape is literally tearing itself apart as tectonic plates slowly shift. It serves as one final reminder that this giant is merely dormant, not dead.
How do tourists reach the base of the crater?
Understanding How Tourists Reach the Thrihnukagigur Crater Base
The question asks specifically about the method used by tourists to get down to the base of the Thrihnukagigur volcano crater, as described in the passage. To answer this, we need to read the passage carefully and identify the part that explains the descent into the crater.
Locating the Answer in the Passage
The passage details the experience of volcano walking in Iceland's Thrihnukagigur volcano. It describes how tourists are taken to the mouth of the crater and then what happens next to get them inside. The key sentence providing this information is:
"Volcano walkers are taken to the mouth of the crater from where they are lowered in a basket into the depths of the earth."
This sentence clearly states the method of descent.
Analyzing the Options
Let's examine each option based on the information given in the passage:
- Option 1: They go through the tectonic plates
The passage mentions tectonic plates on the return hike, describing the landscape "where the landscape is literally tearing itself apart as tectonic plates slowly shift." This is related to the surrounding area and the landscape's formation, not the method of entering the crater itself.
- Option 2: They go across lava fields
The passage mentions walking across lava fields "On the return hike". This happens after visitors have been inside the crater and are on their way back. It is not the method used to reach the crater base initially.
- Option 3: They walk down
The passage uses the phrase "lowered in a basket," indicating a controlled descent using equipment, not simply walking down a slope or steps. Therefore, this option is not supported by the text.
- Option 4: They descend in a basket
This option directly matches the description in the passage: "they are lowered in a basket into the depths of the earth." This is the specific method used for volcano walkers to reach the crater base.
Conclusion
Based on the direct statement in the passage, tourists reach the base of the Thrihnukagigur crater by being lowered in a basket. This makes Option 4 the correct answer.
Revision Table: Key Details from the Passage
| Aspect | Description from Passage |
|---|---|
| Volcano Name | Thrihnukagigur |
| Tourist Activity | Volcano Walking |
| Method of Descent into Crater | Lowered in a basket |
| Depth of Descent | 120 metres |
| Time for Descent | 6 minutes |
| Crater Dormancy Period | 4,000 years |
| Activity on Return Hike | Walk across lava fields |
Additional Information: Thrihnukagigur Volcano Tourism
The passage provides fascinating details about the Thrihnukagigur volcano experience. It highlights the unique nature of being able to descend into a volcanic chamber, which is a rare geological occurrence. Typically, volcano craters collapse after an eruption, but Thrihnukagigur's chamber remained intact. Ami B. Stefansson's vision was key to making this unique site accessible while also emphasizing its protection. The experience is described as soul-enriching, contrasting the current tranquility with the volcano's past destructive power. The reference to the scale of the crater (size of a cathedral, fitting the Statue of Liberty) helps visitors visualize its immense size. The colours inside are a result of mineral deposits and the intense heat from past volcanic activity. The slight rain inside is due to water seeping through the porous rock. The overall experience combines adventure, geological wonder, and a reminder of the powerful forces of nature.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
