Snowshoeing

From Europe to North America to Asia, people began using snowshoes over 4,000 years ago out of a basic need to explore new territories. The primitive wood-frame models have long been superseded by aluminum, as snowshoeing has gradually evolved over time into an increasingly popular winter pastime.

Snowshoes allow you to travel across snow-covered ground without sinking or struggling. This is much easier than walking with regular snow boots. Snowshoes provide flotation by spreading your weight evenly over a large, flat surface area. The flotation allows you to hike, climb, or even run. The larger the shoe is, the more flotation it will provide, but choosing a snowshoe that is too large will add weight, and may be more awkward to walk in.

You should seek out snowshoes that are designed for your weight. Each size of snowshoe lists a suggested user weight range. So, if you usually carry a backpack, the pack's weight should be added to your body's weight when determining the correct weight range. Large snowshoes keep heavier people from sinking too deeply into the snow. Generally, the heavier the person, the more surface area of a snowshoe is required.

It is also important to take into account the snow conditions you're most likely to encounter. Wet, compact snow is best handled by smaller snowshoes (with less flotation) than you need in powder snow, which requires larger snowshoes (with more flotation). So, if you expect wet, heavy snow, a smaller snowshoe will provide enough support and give you excellent grip.>> Form đăng kí giải đề thi thật IELTS 4 kĩ năng kèm bài giải bộ đề 100 đề PART 2 IELTS SPEAKING quý đang thi (update hàng tuần) từ IELTS TUTOR

There are three types of snowshoe available. "Recreational" snowshoes have good grip and work best in conditions that don't require a lot of steep climbing and descents. So, if you're planning to go on flat trails these snowshoes are ideal. If it's high peaks you're after, you'll need "mountaineering" snowshoes. Like recreational snowshoes, they have big crampons, or teeth, which dig into the snow, but unlike the others, they are equipped with heel grips for climbing. They are recommended if you want to tackle sharp inclines, icy summits and unmarked trails. "Running" snowshoes are light and small, for great mobility in all but very steep, harsh and icy trail conditions.

Questions 9-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text on page 47?

In boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Snowshoes were originally made of wood.
2. Snowshoes weigh more than regular snow boots.
3. The recommended size of snowshoes depends only on the weight of the user's body.
4. Large snowshoes are more suitable for use in fresh, dry snow conditions.
5. Two types of snowshoes are fitted with heel grips to provide good traction.
6. Running snowshoes can be worn on every type of ground.