Biography Cloze Activity
Instructions: Read the passage carefully and fill in each blank with the most appropriate word from the word bank below.
Word Bank
Sir Edmund Hillary: A New Zealand Icon
Sir Edmund Hillary was born in Auckland in 1919 and grew up to become one of New Zealand's most famous ________________. Before his climbing career, Hillary worked as a ________________, tending hives in the Auckland region. However, his ________________ spirit led him to pursue more challenging adventures in the mountains.
On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from ________________, became the first people to reach the ________________ of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. This remarkable ________________ made Hillary an international hero and brought pride to New Zealand. The climbers used bottled ________________ to help them breathe in the thin air at such extreme altitude.
Hillary's successful ________________ to Everest was just the beginning of his adventures. He continued to work as an ________________, travelling to the South Pole and leading expeditions in Antarctica and the Himalayas. He ________________ numerous peaks throughout his lifetime.
Beyond mountaineering, Hillary became known for his ________________ work. He established schools, hospitals, and infrastructure for the Sherpa people of Nepal, showing gratitude to those who had helped him. His ________________ continues to inspire New Zealanders to pursue excellence and give back to their communities.
Challenge: On the back of this page, write three interesting facts you learned about Sir Edmund Hillary from this passage.