Final answer:
June Ngawang might refuse to acknowledge his altitude sickness to avoid being perceived as weak. This is a common reaction among mountain climbers who do not want to show vulnerability or slow down the group's progress, despite the potential severity of AMS symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering why June Ngawang might refuse to acknowledge his altitude sickness, the most likely explanation, based on the knowledge of AMS (acute mountain sickness), is that he doesn't want to be perceived as weak (option a). Knowing the significant symptoms and risks associated with AMS, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and potentially life-threatening conditions like pulmonary or cerebral edema, it is common for individuals, especially those partaking in activities like mountain climbing, to avoid showing any signs of weakness or vulnerability.
Denial or underestimation of their condition can be due to a strong personal drive or pressure to succeed, which could make someone reluctant to acknowledge symptoms. This refusal can also be influenced by a desire not to burden the group or slow down a collective endeavor. As a result, they might ignore the need for important treatments like descending to a lower altitude, taking pharmacological treatments, or using supplemental oxygen, which are essential to mitigate the symptoms of altitude sickness.