On Feb. 5, 2025, five members of a research team dived to photograph rare cave fish in the underwater caves, but on their return at 7 p. m. , two team members, both surnamed Zhou, were found to be missing.
Liang Liang, a rescue officer, said, "The complex environment of the cave was unknown to us, which was the biggest challenge."
Visibility was limited to just 3 metres, forcing rescuers to use portable lights. With water depths reaching 18 metres, rescuers used five 200-metre reels to lay guide ropes from the cave entrance into the water. They also needed boats to stay on the water.
"The exact places of the lost members were unclear, and we could only hear the sound of knocking on the rock walls to find a general direction," said Xu Shide, a diver. The elder Zhou was found at 4:30 a. m. on Feb. 6, in an air pocket 16 metres below the water surface and about 300 metres from the cave entrance. After 90 minutes of further efforts, he was finally outside the cave.
Xu Shide said the younger Zhou was trapped much deeper, so they scanned more than 10 underwater air pockets. Fortunately, around 6:50 p. m. on February 8, they discovered younger Zhou in another air pocket 28 metres deep and about 500 metres from the entrance.
"The rescue team was professional, with cave diving skills and advanced equipment," said Tang Junwen, a cave diver. "Plus, these caves weren't completely enclosed, allowing lost people to find breathable air pockets."
Rescuers warned that getting lost is a major risk of cave exploration. Proper preparation, including plenty of food and communication tools, is important before entering caves. Explorers should also have outdoor survival experience.
任务一 选择正确答案
1. Why did the research team go into the cave?
A. To catch some rare fish.
B. To have an exciting trip.
C. To do a weather study.
D. To dive and take photos of cave fish.
2. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Cave diving has no risks at all.
B. The cave is easy to walk through.
C. The rescue was difficult and took time.
D. The two men had enough food with them.
3. (创新考法 · 组合式选择) Which of the following equipment did the rescuers use?
① Portable lights. ② Guide ropes.
③ Boats. ④ Communication tools.
⑤ Cameras.
A. ①②③④
B. ①②④⑤
C. ①③④⑤
D. ②③④⑤
任务二 回答问题
1. Who were found missing after the dive?
Two team members, both surnamed Zhou.
2. What was the biggest challenge for the rescue work?
The complex and unknown environment of the cave was the biggest challenge.
3. How deep was the younger Zhou found?
He was discovered in an air pocket 28 metres deep.
4. Why could the lost people survive in the caves?
Because the caves weren't completely enclosed, so they could find breathable air pockets.
5. What do you think of the rescue team? (请自拟一句话作答)
They are careful and patient.
