In 2004, Pen Hadow became the first person to trek to the North Pole alone, without being resupplied on the way. That meant swimming through unimaginably cold waters, fighting frostbite and risking encounters with polar bears. Just eight months later, he made a similar trip to the South Pole. Now he is back in the Arctic again, preparing for an expedition he says is even more ambitious. Explorers are confident, driven individuals. They have to be. This time, however, there is far more at stake. Pen and two colleagues will set out on a threemonth, 1,000-kilometre trek to the North Pole, taking detailed measurements of the thickness and density of the ice. Nobody has ever done this before, and he knows the results will be of vital importance to the scientific community. This will be the truest picture yet of what global warming is doing to the ice that covers the polar region. 

Pen is married to Mary, a horsewoman, who says he has a ‘spine of steel’ and who shares his love of the outdoors. She helps to run his polar guide business and claims to be more worried about him when he’s at home: ‘He’s in more danger driving along the motorway because I know that in his head he’s somewhere in the Arctic.’ For fun, she once competed against him in a famous mountain event in which riders on horseback race against people on foot. Mary and her horse finished an hour ahead of Pen. 

Pen and Mary live in the country with their two children. ‘It’s much harder to be away from them this time,’ he admits. ‘They were one and five when I last went, and I made a mistake in the way I said goodbye. I thought it would be a good idea to say to my son, “You’re the man of the house now, look after your mum

and your sister.” He absolutely took it to heart, [line 40] asking his mum how she was all the time, but the strain eventually became too much. While it was well intentioned, it was an unfair thing to do.’ For similar reasons he is planning to have very little contact with them while in the Arctic. ‘If you call them, you remind them how far away you are.’

He is spending these last days before departure preparing his kit, obsessively. ‘Out on the ice, one is virtually incapable of mending things or doing anything that isn’t absolutely straightforward,’ he says. With him will be Ann Daniels, one of the world’s leading polar explorers, and the expedition photographer, Martin Hartley. They will be supported by a crew of six, flying in supplies. Being part of a team is actually more stressful to someone with his mentality, says Pen, and something else is on his mind too. ‘I’m going to be 47 on Thursday. I’ve done far less training than I’m comfortable with.’ Why? ‘Organisational things always seem more urgent. So I’m almost fearful of what I’m going to ask of myself.’

Pen believes his mission reconnects exploration with the search for knowledge that drove previous generations into the unknown. ‘Making it to the North Pole was ultimately a personal ambition,’ he admits, ‘and of limited value to anyone beyond the polar adventuring community. This time, scientists will profit from the data, and we’re creating a platform in which to engage as many people as possible in what’s happening in the Arctic Ocean. This is important work, and nobody can do it but us,’ he says. ‘Our skills, which are otherwise bizarre and socially redundant, have become hyper-relevant. Suddenly, we’re socially useful again.’

31 In the first paragraph, what do we learn about Pen Hadow’s opinion of the new expedition?

A He feels certain that it will be successful.

B He thinks it may be harder than his previous journeys.

C He is aware of the huge significance of its aims.

D He is looking forward to the scientific work it will involve.

32 What does Mary Hadow think about her husband?

A He isn’t as determined as she is.

B He can’t run as quickly as he thinks he can.

C He hasn’t got enough time to manage his business properly.

D He finds it hard to think about anything except his expeditions.

33 When talking about leaving his children for long periods, Pen mentions feeling

A ashamed that his wife has had to look after them so much.

B guilty that he once added to the pressure caused by his absence.

C sad that he is missing so much of their growing up.

D sorry that he can’t telephone more often.

34 What does ‘took it to heart’ mean in line 40?

A He memorised his father’s words.

B He carried out his father’s words precisely.

C He started to feel unwell.

D He was afraid of the responsibility.

35 What is worrying Pen about the new expedition?

A whether he will still be fit enough to take part

B whether he will be mentally prepared

C whether the equipment will work properly in icy conditions

D whether the arrangements he has made will turn out well

36 When he compares the new expedition to his previous ones, Pen feels

A pleased that more people will benefit from it.

B uncertain if it will collect information.

C doubtful about its long-term usefulness.

D relieved that the general public will be more supportive.