Reading Text
Imagine living high up in the mountains where the air is very thin. For most people, breathing at high altitudes is difficult because there is less oxygen. It can cause headaches, tiredness, and altitude sickness. However, the Tibetan people have lived in the Himalayan mountains for thousands of years without these problems.
Scientists discovered that Tibetans have a special gene variant called EPAS1. This gene helps their bodies use oxygen very efficiently. Instead of making extra red blood cells—which can make the blood thick and dangerous—their bodies naturally adapt to low oxygen levels. Researchers believe they inherited this unique gene thousands of years ago from an ancient human relative. Because of this adaptation, Tibetans can run, work, and live comfortably at high altitudes where other people struggle to breathe.
1. Key Vocabulary
- altitude (noun): The height of a place above sea level.
- efficiently (adverb): Working well without wasting time or energy.
- inherit (verb): To receive a physical characteristic or trait from your parents or ancestors.
- ancient (adjective): Belonging to a period of history long ago; very old.
- struggle (verb): To try hard to do something that is very difficult.
2. Reading Comprehension Questions
- Why do most people find it difficult to breathe high up in the mountains?
- What is the name of the special gene that Tibetan people have?
- How does the Tibetan body react to low oxygen compared to other people's bodies?
3. Grammar & Tenses Focus: Past Simple vs. Present Simple
Complete the sentences using the correct tense of the verb in brackets.
- Long ago, ancient humans ________ (pass) a special gene to the ancestors of Tibetan people.
- Today, Tibetans ________ (live) comfortably in the high Himalayan mountains.
- Scientists ________ (discover) this unique gene variant a few years ago.
- When a normal traveler ________ (visit) high altitudes, they often feel sick.
