典范英语6(3)

Chapter 5: One Last Chance

In 1908 Robert and Matthew sailed from New York to make their fifth attempt to reach the Pole. But they agreed（达成共识）, because of their age, that they would make this their last trip to the Arctic. This would be their last chance to reach the

North Pole!

On their way north, they stopped in Greenland to buy the huskies, furs and equipment（设备）that they needed. They also visited several villages to hire Inuit men and women to come with them and help them on their last journey.

As their ship sailed further north, the sea began to freeze over. At first the ship was able to cut through the ice, but as the ice got thicker they sometimes had to use dynamite（炸药）to help them break through.

In the end the sea ice was just too thick and they could go no further. So they set up their base camp on an island off the coast of Canada（靠近加拿大海岸线的）. They spent the winter getting ready for their last attempt to reach the Pole.

In the spring they were ready to set out. Robert put the men into teams and they began setting up a line of camps across the sea ice. At each camp they left food, equipment and igloos for Robert and Matthew to use on their way back from the Pole.

But this was not easy. Time and time again they were held up by the ice and the bad weather. At times the ice was so jagged it broke their sledges. Other times it was so high that they had to drag their heavy sledges over it by hand.

The ice creaked and moaned and cracked open without warning.

Once Robert was going to sleep when he heard a noise. Looking outside, he saw a crack open up around one of the other igloos! He and Matthew shouted to the men who just had time to leap to safety（差点来不及跳到安全的地方）.

When they were 130 miles from the Pole, they set up their last camp. Robert sent the last support team back to base camp, as they were no longer needed.

Then, with Matthew and four Inuit men, he set off on the last leg of their journey to（踏上他们去往…的最后一段路程）the Pole itself. For once the ice was smooth and the weather good, and for the next few days the six men made good speed. But, just a few miles from（就在离…几英里的地方）the Pole, Matthew suddenly fell through the ice. Luckily one of the men was close by and pulled him out before he drowned. Later that day the six men reached the Pole. It was 6th April 1909.

After years of hard work, disappointments and danger, Robert and Matthew had done it（成功了）at last. They were the first people ever to stand at the North Pole!

Chapter 6: Back Home

Matthew and Robert arrived back in New York months later, expecting to be treated as heroes. But this was not to be. While they were away, a man called Frederick Cook had claimed to have reached the North Pole before them!

In the end, Cook’s claim was shown to be a hoax. Robert, being the leader of the expedition, was rewarded with the fame and medals he deserved（配得到，应得的）.

But sadly in America at that time, black people were given little respect. So, at first, Matthew was not rewarded for his part（发挥的作用）in the expedition. Chapter 7: Rewarded at Last

It wasn’t until（直到…才） he was an old man that Matthew was given any rewards for his part in reaching the North Pole. And even now, years after his death, the world is still only just learning about this great explorer. In 2000 the greatest medal an explorer could ever wish for --- the Hubbard medal --- was awarded to Matthew’s niece on Matthew’s behalf.

Matthew Henson --- the man who helped to discover the North Pole --- would now be remembered by people all over the world!

More information about Matthew Henson

In 1998 a film called Glory and Honor（《光荣与荣誉》，中文译名又为《极地悍将》） was made, claiming to be the true story of the search for the North Pole.

Then, in 2001, a radio programme called Stealing the Glory was produced. You can find more information about Matthew Henson on these websites:

第三篇范文：典范英语6-16

Arctic Hero: the Story of Matthew Henson

Introduction

In 1909 a black American explorer called Matthew Henson helped to discover the North Pole.

This story tells you how Matthew became an explorer and the dangers he faced in the bitter cold of the Arctic.

Chapter 1

Running Away

As a boy, Matthew always longed for adventure.

When he was about 12 years old, he ran away to sea. He joined a ship as a cabin boy, peeling potatoes and cleaning the decks.

When he left, at the age of 18, he had already travelled the world. Chapter 2

Matthew Meets Robert Peary

A few years later Matthew was working in a shop when he met an explorer called Robert Peary. Robert offered him a job, as his servant, working in the jungles of Central America. Matthew was keen to travel again, so he took the job.

While they were in the jungle, one of Robert’s survey team fell into some quicksand. Then man was so frightened, he left the expedition.Matthew asked if he could take over the man’s job, and he never worked as a servant again. …… 此处隐藏：2848字，全部文档内容请下载后查看。喜欢就下载吧 ……