A 36-year-old woman has become the first person from China and the third woman globally to ascend all 14 mountains in the world that exceed 8,000 meters in elevation without relying on supplemental oxygen.

    He Jing is from Xi’an in Shaanxi province. She began climbing mountains as a sport at the age of 18, with her initial ascent taking place in 2006 in the Qinling Mountains, which aroused her love for the sport. In 2012, while mourning the death of her grandmother, she tackled her first peak over 5,000 meters — Mount Siguniang in Sichuan province — and found peace and comfort through the experience.

    From that point on, He committed herself to scaling high-altitude mountains. In 2016, she reached the summit of her first 8,000-meter peak, Mount Cho Oyu, using only a single bottle of oxygen. Recognizing her ability to endure extreme altitudes, she resolved to undertake future ascents without supplemental oxygen, partly to reduce expenses. Climbing expeditions above 8,000 meters can range in cost from 100,000 yuan ($14,000) to 400,000 yuan. Climbing without oxygen poses considerable dangers due to the thin air at such elevations. To prepare, He engaged in lots of training, running at least five times a week, climbing 200 flights of stairs with a 20-kilogram pack three times a week, and using an oxygen-restricting mask to mimic high-altitude conditions.

    On September 25, 2017, she accomplished her initial summit of Mount Manaslu in Nepal without the aid of supplemental oxygen. Later, on May 14, 2022, she made history as the first Chinese woman to scale Mount Qomolangma (Everest) from the south side without bottled oxygen. On October 9, 2024, she ascended to the peak of the 8,027-meter Mount Shishapangma in Tibet, China, thus completing her historic quest. “I did what I was supposed to do, just at the right time,” He said, noting that it was her personal way of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

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1.1. What significant event prompted He Jing’s first climb over 5,000 meters?

A Her graduation from high school.

B Her marriage.

C The death of her grandmother.

D Her move to Xi’an.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段的“In 2012, while mourning the death of her grandmother, she tackled her first peak over 5,000 meters — Mount Siguniang in Sichuan province”可知，在痛失姥姥的悲痛中，何静攀登了她人生中第一座超过5000米的山峰 —— 四姑娘山。故选C。

2.2. What was part of the reason why He Jing decided to climb without supplemental oxygen?

A To set a new world record.

B To reduce the cost of her climbs.

C To prove her willingness to climb.

D To work on her climbing skills.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段的“Recognizing her ability to endure extreme altitudes, she resolved to undertake future ascents without supplemental oxygen, partly to reduce expenses.”可知，何静最初开启无氧攀登挑战的时候，部分原因是减少开支。故选B。

3.3. What significant achievement did He Jing accomplish in 2017?

A She reached the summit of Mount Manaslu without supplemental oxygen.

B She climbed her first 5,000-meter peak without relying on supplemental oxygen.

C She became the first Chinese woman to climb Mount Everest.

D She completed her first 8,000-meter peak climb using a single bottle of oxygen.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第四段第一句的“On September 25, 2017, she accomplished her initial summit of Mount Manaslu in Nepal without the aid of supplemental oxygen.”可知，何静在2017年9月25日完成了她第一次无氧攀登超过8000米山峰的壮举，这座山峰是尼泊尔的马纳斯鲁峰。故选A。

4.4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A The introduction of mountaineering without supplemental oxygen.

B A woman’s difficulties of climbing high-altitude mountains.

C The history of climbing 8,000-meter peaks.

D A woman’s achievements in mountaineering.

解析：选D。主旨大意题。文章主要讲述了无氧攀登者何静成为中国首位（世界第三位）无氧登顶14座8000米以上高峰的女性的事迹，重点在于她在登山方面取得的成就。故选D。