Exercise 1
1. Listen to Juan talking to his friend Susanna about the activities on the website. Which activities would Juan like to do?
2. Listen again and complete the table about Susanna. Which activities are new for Susanna and which are not new?
Answer & Audioscript
1 kayak down a river, look for fossils
2
New: explore a cave, look for fossils, track wild animals
Not new: kayak down a river, climb a tree, camp under the stars, play in the snow, try rock climbing, record birdsong, pick wild fruit
When?/Where?:
kayak down a river – last year in Spain
camp under the stars – last summer in Scotland
try rock climbing – a few weeks ago at school
pick wild fruit – yesterday in grandma’s garden
record bird song – last week at school
Audioscript
Juan: Hey Susanna, I’ve found a great website. It’s got lots of ideas of things to do before you’re 16. I like the outdoors section. Do you want to hear some of them?
Susanna: OK, but I do lots of things outside, so I’ve probably done them.
Juan: Let’s see about that! OK first one, have you ever camped under the stars – you know, without a tent?
Susanna: Yes, I have camped under the stars. I did that last summer with my mum in Scotland.
Juan: OK another one … Mmm. Have you ever kayaked down a river?
Susanna: Yes, I have. I did that with my dad last year in Spain. It was amazing.
Juan: Mmm. I’d love to do that too. Here’s another one. Have you ever explored a cave?
Susanna: Actually, no I haven’t. I don’t like going underground very much.
Juan: Right … Have you ever recorded birdsong?
Susanna: Yes, I have. I used my phone to record birdsong at school last week for our project.
Juan: So. Let me find another one. Have you ever looked for fossils?
Susanna: No, I’ve never looked for fossils. I’d like to though.
Juan: Me too. OK, what about this one. Have you ever tracked wild animals?
Susanna: By following their foot prints you mean? No, I haven’t but that would be cool!
Juan: Ah yes this is a good one … Have you ever picked wild fruit?
Susanna: Yes, actually, I have. I picked some wild strawberries yesterday in my grandma’s garden.
Juan: OK, let me find one more … Mmm. Ah yes. Have you ever tried rock climbing?
Susanna: I’ve climbed the climbing wall at school. Is that the same thing? I did it a few weeks ago.
Juan: Yeah, it is. OK, I think I’ll send you the website link. There are definitely still some things you can do before you’re 16!
Exercise 2
1. Listen to the radio show. Jim is talking to Christina Wells, an explorer. Which three parts of the world does she talk about?
2. Listen again. Complete the questions about each trip. Then answer the questions.
Trip 1
1 Complete Jim’s question to Christina: Have you ever ………………?
2 What was she doing in the rainforest?
3 What information did she not want to share with people?
Trip 2
4 Complete Jim’s question to Christina: Have you ever ………………?
5 How was she travelling to the North Pole?
6 What did she do to help her think more clearly?
Trip 3
7 What is different for Christina about this trip?
8 How will she travel?
9 How long will it take?
Answer & Audioscript
1
Brazil / Brazilian rainforest
North Pole
Africa
2
1 got lost on any of your travels? Yes, in the Brazilian rainforests.
2 She was looking for insects.
3 That she got lost in the rainforest.
4 wanted to come home early from a trip? No, she hasn’t.
5 She was skiing.
6 She wrote in a diary.
7 She will be with other people, not alone.
8 She will cycle / ride a bike.
9 It’ll take four months.
Audioscript
Jim: Hi you’re listening to Jim’s World and today’s guest is Christina Wells, the explorer. Welcome to the show, Christina.
Christina: Thank you, Jim.
Jim: So Christina. You’ve been to so many amazing places.
Christina: Yes, I have. And, of course, there are always more to explore.
Jim: So tell us, have you ever got lost on any of your travels?
Christina: Well, yes. I have, Jim. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. I was in the Brazilian rainforest looking for insects. I had a compass, but somehow I got lost and was walking for two days before I found a village. I didn’t want to tell anyone that I, Christina the well-known explorer, was lost in the rainforest for two days.
Jim: But you’re happy to share that with us now.
Christina: Yes. Because the important thing about that experience was that I found my way through the forest and got to the village.
Jim: True. Have you ever wanted to come home early from a trip?
Christina: No, I haven’t. But my trip to the North Pole alone was very difficult. I was skiing, pulling all my equipment, and I often had to stop and think about why I was doing it. I kept a diary on that trip. There was no-one to talk to, so I wrote in my diary. That helped me think more clearly.
Jim: So Christina, what’s your next trip?
Christina: Well, next month I’m taking part in the Tour d’Afrique. It’s a cycling trip through Africa from Cairo to Cape Town. I haven’t done a trip with other people before.
Jim: Wow, that’s a long way to cycle! How far is it?
Christina: About 12,000 kilometres, and it’ll take us four months. It’ll be a fantastic experience. Anyone can come along. Jim, why don’t you join us?
Jim: Me? No, I don’t think so. I don’t even cycle to work!
Christina: Well, you should start!
Jim: Thanks for coming on the show, Christina.
Christina: Thanks for inviting me, Jim. Bye!
Jim: Goodbye Christina. Good luck with the ride.
Exercise 3
1. Listen to a TV interview with a rock climber and tick (✓) the things they talk about.
A why Agnes enjoys being on TV
B Agne’s family
C other work that Agnes has done
D Agnes’s favourite rock
E how Agnes feels when climbing
2. Listen again. Are the sentences right (✓) or wrong (✗)?
1 She has been on two TV shows.
2 She has been scared when climbing.
3 She has been excited when climbing.
4 She has climbed with her husband.
5 She has been on a climbing trip with her son.
6 She has climbed 300 metres in one day.
7 She has worked in a museum.
Answer & Audioscript
1 B, C, E
2 1 ✗ 2 ✗ 3 ✓ 4 ✓ 5 ✗ 6 ✓ 7 ✓
Audioscript
Rick: I’m Rick Thomas and with me on Active World today is the amazing climber, Agnes Jay. Welcome, Agnes.
Agnes: Hi. Thanks, Rick.
Rick: Now Agnes, this is the first time you’ve ever been on a TV show. Is that right?
Agnes: That’s right, Rick. I’ve never been on TV before. It’s a bit scary for me!
Rick: Scary? But you’re a climber, Agnes – you’re not scared of anything, are you? But actually, have you ever been scared when climbing?
Agnes: I always get excited, but not scared. You can’t let yourself feel like that, because you always need to think really clearly when you’re climbing.
Rick: Yes, I see. Now, you usually climb with your husband, George, who’s also a great climber. And you have a son who’s six years old. Does he climb?
Agnes: Yes. His name’s Billy. He loves climbing smaller rocks and the wall at our local sports centre.
Rick: You and your husband often climb in other countries. Has Billy ever been on a climbing trip with you?
Agnes: No, he stays with my mum, his grandma. He might come with us when he’s a bit older.
Rick: Right. So, Agnes. What’s the highest rock you’ve ever climbed?
Agnes: Er, well, I’ve climbed 300 metres in a day. That’s the most, I think.
Rick: Wow! That’s amazing.
Agnes: Yes, I was really tired after that!
Rick: Have you ever had a more ‘normal’ job?
Agnes: Well yes, I worked in a museum once, and I’ve also worked in a sports centre. But I much prefer being a climber.
Rick: Well thanks, Agnes. Let’s look at some videos of you climbing …
Related Posts
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Experiences
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Health
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Plans
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Transportation
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Now
- Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Vacations