Practice Listening English Exercises for A2 – Panic is Rare

1 Gill Williams   2 Bob Card   3 Bob Card

4 Bob Card   5 Sandra Quiggen   6 Bob Card

Audioscript

      Imagine this scene: a woman inside a cage in the sea, with sharks all around her. Wouldn’t you expect the woman to feel terrified? Not Gill Williams – she finds such experiences absolutely thrilling. Gill is an “extreme” sportswoman – an adventurer who takes sport to its most dangerous limits.

      “I love scary animals,” says Gill. “I love being near them and touching them. Great white sharks come and attack the bars of the cage. I touch them, but I don’t let them bite me!” There are more people like Gill than you might think. They leave their offices and businesses to spend their free time doing extremely dangerous things. Some of them fly jets across deserts or go diving in unexplored caves, while others explore African rivers. All of them want to experience something more than their normal lives can offer. They want adventure.

      Bob Card is a skydiving trainer. He teaches people to leap out of aeroplanes and let themselves fall through the air without opening their parachutes until the very last minute.

      “I believe there is an adventurer inside every one of us,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how old or strong you are. The adventurer is there – it’s just hidden away somewhere. If you find that spirit, your life will take on new meaning.”

      One advantage of doing extreme sports to satisfy your need for adventure is that you can completely forget about your everyday problems. As Bob says: “You can’t be concerned about business phone calls or examination results when you’re jumping out of a plane.”

      How much danger can a person take? According to Sandra Quiggen, panic is rare, even when you come face to face with a bad-tempered hippopotamus on the Zambezi River. “You get scared,” she says. “Those hippos have big teeth. But a little fear makes the brain work faster, as long as you don’t let it turn into panic.”

      There is an element of risk in all extreme sports. “If you don’t do things right, you are asking for trouble,” says Card. But training and proper equipment help to make these sports safer. The difference between extreme sport and “normal” sport is that, although there are organised competitions for these sports, most extreme sports people are more interested in testing their own abilities than in winning prizes. In fact, most of them would agree with mountaineer Sir Edmund Hilary’s reply when asked why he wanted to climb Everest: “Because it’s there.”

1 relaxing   2 determined   3 cheap   4 risky

5 interesting   6 tiring   7 fit

Audioscript

Radio Host:   This is Mandy! And a very good morning to all you listeners out there. Today, on our weekly sports programme, we have Barbara Clooney, a windsurfing instructor, and John Clarens, who at the tender age of sixteen is the reigning skateboard champion. We also have with us Larry Cooper who runs his own parachuting school and folks, no introduction is needed for Samuel Bull, basketball star and teen idol. Right Barbara, first things first. What kind of equipment is needed for windsurfing?

Windsurfer:   Well, a board obviously. A wet suit would also be a good idea for anyone planning to windsurf in cold water.

Radio Host:   And what does this sport offer?

Windsurfer:   Naturally, it’s a great way to keep fit and I also find it particularly relaxing. On the other hand, however, windsurfing is an expensive sport – lessons and equipment cost a lot.

Radio Host:   Mmm. So what talents or skills does one need?

Windsurfer:   Oh, the beginner has to be very courageous and determined. There are some dangerous currents out there! Since the beginner also has to learn to stand on his board, a sense of balance is definitely needed.

Radio Host:   I see. Right John, now tell us a bit about skateboarding.

Skateboarder:   Skateboarding is for the young at heart. All you need is a skateboard, some knee pads and a helmet for protection.

Radio Host:   Why skateboard, John?

Skateboarder:   It’s fun! And don’t forget, it’s cheap too! The only problem is that you can hurt yourself, but if …

Radio Host:   So I would imagine. And like windsurfing, I suppose you would need a good sense of balance.

Skateboarder:   Yes, and you do have to be fit, especially if you intend on doing jumps and spins.

Radio Host:   I see. Thank you John. Now, Larry, what in heaven’s name attracted you to parachuting? What do we need apart from a parachute? Would you call it a safe sport?

Parachutist:   Actually, all you do need is a parachute and you can be guaranteed the most thrilling experience of your life. However, now for the cons. Parachuting is in fact a risky sport. I don’t have to tell you why! And because of the lessons, it is also a very expensive sport. What you need is to be courageous. And to reduce the possibility of accidents, good training is absolutely essential. Moreover, anyone who might be interested in taking up the sport, should definitely be fit.

Radio Host:   Now to something a little less adventurous but no less exciting. Basketball! Over to you, Samuel.

Basketballer:   Hey, basketball’s for everyone. Rich, poor, young, old. Get yourself a ball, some trainers, a pair of shorts and you’re set.

Radio Host:   What do you like about basketball?

Basketballer:   It’s interesting. There’s no chance of getting bored while you’re playing or watching the game. It’s cheap too! Just get a ball and a bunch of people who can play. The only problem is that it is tiring as you have to keep running up and down the court.

Radio Host:   What skills do you need?

Basketballer:   Oh, since you’re part of a team, you need to be cooperative and, like for most sports, fit. If you want to play the game well, good training is also advised.

Radio Host:   Oops. Sorry folks, run out of time. But not before we give our guests a very warm thank you. (fade)