World, Sports & Travel
Mount Everest’s Busiest Day
31 May 2026
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a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) 274 people climbed to the top of a big mountain in one day.
b) A group of climbers found a box of gold on a mountain.
c) The tallest mountain in the world is getting shorter.
Ask:
(1) Do you like to climb trees or hills?
(2) Would you like to visit a very cold place?
VOCABULARY
top
(noun)
mountain
(noun)
record
(noun)
climber
(noun)
reach
(verb)
tɒp
the highest part of something
Example: It took a long time to climb to the top of the hill.
ˈmaʊntɪn
a very high hill, often with rocks and snow
Example: Mount Everest is a very famous mountain.
ˈrɛkərd
the best or highest thing that has ever happened
Example: He ran very fast and broke the world record.
ˈklaɪmər
a person who goes up mountains or rocks
Example: The climber used a rope to stay safe.
riːtʃ
to get to a place
Example: We hope to reach the park before the sun goes down.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. Many people want to climb it. On May 19, 2026, a new record happened. 274 climbers reached the top of the mountain in just one day. This is very special. The previous record was 212 people in 2023.
The weather was very good that day. The sun was out, and there was not much wind. This made it easier for people to climb safely. However, it was also very busy. Climbers had to wait in long lines on the snow.
Climbing Mount Everest is difficult. It is very cold, and there is not much air. These people are very brave. Nepal's government is happy about the record, but they also want to keep everyone safe. It is a big day for history.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the name of the tallest mountain in the world.
2. How many people reached the top on May 19, 2026?
3. Why was the weather important for the climbers?
4. Is it a good idea for many people to climb a mountain at the same time?
5. Would you like to climb a big mountain? Why or why not?
6. How do you feel when it is very cold outside?
FILL IN THE GAPS
1. LISTEN AND FILL GAPS
Word Bank: climbers / mountain / reach / record / top
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Mount Everest is the tallest (1) _______ in the world. Many people want to climb it. On May 19, 2026, a new (2) _______ happened. 274 (3) _______ reached the (4) _______ of the mountain in just one day. This is very special. The previous record was 212 people in 2023. The weather was very good that day. The sun was out, and there was not much wind. This made it easier for people to (5) _______ the peak safely.
2. MAIN IDEA
Choose one:
274 climbers reached the top of Mount Everest in one day, which is a new record.
Nepal's government wants to build a new road to the top of the mountain.
A small group of people found a new mountain that is taller than Mount Everest.
UNDERSTANDING
3. TRUE OR FALSE
Mount Everest is the shortest mountain in the world. T / F
274 people reached the top on May 19, 2026. T / F
The previous record was from the year 2010. T / F
4. PUT EVENTS IN ORDER
Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (3):
[ ] 212 people reached the summit in 2023.
[ ] A new record was set in May 2026.
[ ] Many people waited in long lines to reach the top.
LANGUAGE
Vocabulary Match
Match each vocabulary word with a definition:
1. Top
2. Mountain
3. Record
4. Reach
a) A very high hill with rocks.
b) To get to a place.
c) The highest part of something.
d) The best or highest level ever.
USE IT
6. DISCUSSION BUILDER
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Many people want to climb Mount Everest ________ it is the tallest mountain. because / but / so
The weather was good, ________ 274 people reached the top. because / but / so
7. SENTENCE UNSCRAMBLE
A. tallest B. Everest C. is D. the E. mountain.
A. set B. They C. new D. a E. record.
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up
Think Ahead: a. The article focuses on the historical day when 274 people reached the summit.
Listening
(1) mountain
(2) record
(3) climbers
(4) top
(5) reach
Main Idea
274 climbers reached the top of Mount Everest in one day, which is a new record.
True or False
False. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.
True. The article confirms 274 climbers reached the top on May 19, 2026.
False. The previous record was from 2023.
Put Events in Order
212 people reached the summit in 2023.
A new record was set in May 2026.
Many people waited in long lines to reach the top.
Vocab Match
c
a
d
b
Discussion Builder
because
so
Sentence Unscramble
Everest is the tallest mountain.
They set a new record.