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.
Why is the bottom of the volcano called 'nature's art studio'?
Understanding the Question: Volcano Walking in Iceland
The question asks why the bottom of the Thrihnukagigur volcano crater, as described in the passage, is referred to as 'nature's art studio'. To answer this, we need to carefully read the section of the passage that describes the experience at the base of the crater.
Analyzing the Passage Description
The passage describes the bottom of the crater after visitors are lowered down. It explicitly states:
- "The subterranean walls are scorched with colours from a divine palette: magenta red, vibrant purple, burnt orange, vivid green and honey yellow."
- "The protruding rock faces show a tapestry of patterns and formations that have been molded by heat, pressure and time."
- It then calls this place "Mother Nature's secret place, her private art studio".
This description directly links the idea of an 'art studio' to the appearance of the walls and rock formations at the crater base, specifically highlighting the vibrant colours and intricate patterns.
Evaluating the Options
Let's examine each option in light of the passage's description:
- the walls are covered with patterns in bright hues:
This option aligns perfectly with the passage. The passage mentions "colours from a divine palette" (bright hues) and "a tapestry of patterns and formations". This is the primary reason given for calling it an art studio. - the rocks sparkle with a divine light:
The passage mentions that light rain covers the crater sides with a shine that makes it sparkle. While sparkling is mentioned, the term "divine light" is not used to describe the light source, and more importantly, the reason it's called an 'art studio' is due to the colours and patterns, not the sparkle. - the entrance is vast and ethereal:
The passage does describe the *entrance* as vast and ethereal. However, the question is specifically about the *bottom* of the volcano being called 'nature's art studio', not the entrance. - it looks like a cathedral:
The passage mentions that the *vastness* of the crater (referring to its size) is comparable to a cathedral, and the *ground space* at the bottom is the size of three basketball courts. It doesn't say the bottom *looks like* a cathedral, and this comparison is related to size, not the reason for calling it an art studio.
Conclusion
Based on the detailed description in the passage, the reason the bottom of the volcano is called 'nature's art studio' is because of the vibrant colours (bright hues) and intricate patterns on the walls and rock formations. Option 1 accurately reflects this.
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term/Concept | Description from Passage |
|---|---|
| Thrihnukagigur | Name of the volcano in Iceland. |
| Volcano Walking | Extreme tourist attraction involving descending into the crater. |
| Crater Base Appearance | Subterranean walls with vibrant colours ('divine palette') and rock faces showing patterns ('tapestry'). |
| Nature's Art Studio | Term used to describe the crater base due to its colourful, patterned walls. |
Additional Information: Volcanic Craters and Colors
Volcanic craters often display a wide range of colours on their walls. These colours are typically caused by the oxidation of minerals within the rock due to exposure to heat, gases, and atmospheric conditions over long periods. Different minerals and varying degrees of heat and chemical reactions result in different hues, such as reds, yellows, oranges, greens, and purples, similar to those described in the passage for Thrihnukagigur. These geological processes create unique and often beautiful visual displays within dormant or extinct craters.
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'?
