Extreme Sports – B1 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the river guide giving a safety briefing. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How should participants hold their paddles?
(A) By keeping one hand at the highest point of the equipment.
(B) By placing both hands together in the center of the shaft.
(C) By resting the handle firmly against their life jackets.
2 Why does the guide emphasize the rule about holding the paddle?
(A) To make sure the raft moves quickly through the strong rapids.
(B) To avoid losing the equipment if it strikes a large rock.
(C) To prevent participants from accidentally injuring other people.
3 What is the strictly forbidden action if someone falls into the water?
(A) Attempting to stand up on the bottom of the river.
(B) Floating on their back and waiting for a rescue rope.
(C) Pointing their feet in the direction the water is flowing.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The guide instructs, “One hand must always hold the T-grip at the very top of the handle.” Option A is a perfect paraphrase: “highest point of the equipment” means the very top of the handle.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is the exact opposite of the instruction (“Do not hold it in the middle with both hands”). Option C is never mentioned in the audio.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The guide explains that if you hold it wrong and hit a rock, the paddle can “hit your teammate in the face.” This means the rule is there to prevent injuring other people.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a plausible reason for a rowing technique, but not the safety reason given here. Option B is a trap; the audio mentions hitting a rock, but the danger is hurting a teammate, not losing the paddle.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The question asks for the “strictly forbidden action” (what you must NOT do). The guide explicitly states, “never try to stand up in the moving river.” Attempting to stand up matches option A.
- Why the traps are wrong: Options B and C are the correct actions that the guide tells the participants to do (“lie flat on your back”, “keep your feet pointing down the river”), so they are not forbidden.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Max (Guide): Welcome everyone to River Wild Adventures! I’m your guide, Max. Before we get into the raft today, I need to go over some essential safety rules.
First, let’s talk about your paddle. One hand must always hold the T-grip at the very top of the handle. Do not hold it in the middle with both hands. Why? Because if we hit a rock, the top of the paddle can suddenly swing backward and hit your teammate in the face.
Second, the rapids today are quite strong. If you happen to fall out of the boat, the most important rule is this: never try to stand up in the moving river. Your foot could easily get trapped under a heavy stone. Instead, you need to lie flat on your back and keep your feet pointing down the river. Just float and wait for us to throw you a rescue rope.
Alright, please tighten your life jackets, grab your gear, and let’s get out on the water!
Listening 2
Listen to the radio broadcast about the local weather. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What is the main purpose of this radio announcement?
(A) To advertise a new music show on the local station.
(B) To alert people about dangerous ocean conditions.
(C) To report the results of a professional surfing event.
2 How does the broadcaster describe the current state of the ocean?
(A) The waves are exceptionally big and unsafe.
(B) The water is perfectly calm for beginner surfers.
(C) The waves are becoming smaller as the wind drops.
3 What are the listeners instructed to do?
(A) To stand far back on the sand and observe the weather.
(B) To call the local coast guard for an emergency rescue.
(C) To leave the area and find a secure place inside a building.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The broadcaster says this is an “urgent weather update” and a “severe storm warning.” This means the purpose is to alert people about dangerous conditions.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the audio mentions a “regular music program,” but they are interrupting it, not advertising a new one. Option C is a trap; the word “professional” is used for surfers in the water, but there is no competition happening.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The broadcaster mentions the ocean is producing “extremely large swells” (waves) and that conditions are “highly unpredictable and dangerous.” “Exceptionally big and unsafe” is a perfect paraphrase of this.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is the exact opposite of the truth. Option C is also the opposite, as the audio says there is a “massive increase in wind speeds.”
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The broadcaster tells everyone to “evacuate the water,” “move to higher ground,” and “seek shelter indoors.” “Leave the area” matches evacuating, and finding a “secure place inside a building” matches seeking shelter indoors.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the broadcaster explicitly warns: “Do not attempt to stay and watch the storm.” Option B is a trap; the “coast guard” is mentioned because they raised the red flags, but listeners are not told to call them.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Broadcaster: We are interrupting our regular music program to bring you an urgent weather update for the coastal region. The national weather service has just issued a severe storm warning for our local beaches, effective immediately.
Over the next two hours, a powerful tropical storm is expected to hit the coast. We are already seeing a massive increase in wind speeds, and the ocean is producing extremely large swells. While these huge waves might look tempting to thrill-seekers, the current conditions are highly unpredictable and dangerous.
Therefore, local authorities are ordering everyone to evacuate the water right now. This includes all professional and amateur surfers, as well as regular swimmers. The coast guard has raised the double red flags, which means the beach is officially closed to the public. Please pack up your equipment and move to higher ground or seek shelter indoors. Do not attempt to stay and watch the storm. We will keep you updated as the situation develops. Stay safe, everyone.
Listening 3
Listen to the introduction of a podcast about extreme sports. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What was the host’s original opinion about people who do extreme sports?
(A) He assumed they were highly trained professional athletes.
(B) He believed that they were completely out of their minds.
(C) He thought they were incredibly brave and focused individuals.
2 How did the host’s feelings change during his zip-lining trip?
(A) His initial terror turned into a sense of absolute liberty.
(B) He felt sick because the roller coaster was moving too fast.
(C) He wanted to stop because his chest was physically hurting.
3 According to the host, what is the real reason people take part in dangerous activities?
(A) Because they secretly enjoy the risk of getting physically injured.
(B) To show off their physical abilities to their close friends.
(C) To get away from everyday pressure and overcome personal panic.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The host says, “to be honest, I used to think those people were just crazy.” Option B is a perfect paraphrase: “completely out of their minds” means crazy.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is plausible in real life, but not mentioned in the audio. Option C is a trap; the audio mentions “intense focus,” but that was what he felt later, not his original opinion of other people.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The host says, “the fear disappeared. It was replaced by this incredible feeling of freedom.” Option A paraphrases this: “initial terror” (fear) turned into a “sense of absolute liberty” (feeling of freedom).
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap using the words “roller coaster”, but he didn’t ride a roller coaster on the trip; he mentions it as a past fear. Option C is a trap; he says “my heart was beating so fast,” but his chest wasn’t physically hurting.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The host explains that people do it “to escape their stressful daily routines, and to prove to themselves that they can conquer their deepest fears.” Option C perfectly matches this: “get away from everyday pressure” (escape routines) and “overcome personal panic” (conquer fears).
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the host explicitly says people do not do it “because they want to get hurt”. Option B is a trap using the word “friend” from the audio, but the host doesn’t say people do sports to show off to friends.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Host: Welcome back to “Beyond the Edge,” the podcast where we explore human limits. I’m your host, Mark. Today, we are diving into a fascinating question: Why do so many of us choose to participate in extreme sports? Why do we voluntarily jump out of airplanes or surf massive waves?
Well, um… to be honest, I used to think those people were just crazy. A few years ago, I was terrified of even riding a fast roller coaster. But then, my best friend convinced me to go zip-lining across a huge canyon. Standing at the edge, my heart was beating so fast, and I really wanted to quit. But once I pushed off, the fear disappeared. It was replaced by this incredible feeling of freedom and intense focus.
That experience made me realize something important. People don’t do these dangerous activities because they want to get hurt. They do it to feel completely alive, to escape their stressful daily routines, and to prove to themselves that they can conquer their deepest fears. So, let’s explore the psychology behind the thrill…
Listening 4
Listen to the sports news report about a paragliding competition. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How does the reporter describe the environment at the event?
(A) It was very quiet because only a few people came to watch.
(B) It was full of energy with a massive crowd of people watching.
(C) It was delayed because of heavy rain and dangerous storms.
2 How did Marco Silva secure the first prize?
(A) He flew the fastest across the entire mountain range.
(B) He performed a dangerous trick that no one else tried.
(C) He remained in the sky for a long time and touched down perfectly.
3 What problem did the former champion face during the competition?
(A) He experienced an unexpected change in the weather conditions.
(B) He crashed into a tall tree and severely broke his equipment.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The reporter says the atmosphere is “absolutely electric” and “thousands of spectators gathered.” “Full of energy” is a paraphrase for electric, and “massive crowd” means thousands of spectators.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is the exact opposite of the truth. Option C is a trap; the weather was actually “perfect, with clear skies.”
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The reporter states that Marco managed to “stay airborne for an impressive three hours” and completed a “flawless landing.” Option C perfectly paraphrases this: “remained in the sky” (stay airborne) and “touched down perfectly” (flawless landing).
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a plausible sports metric, but pure speed was not mentioned as the reason he won. Option B is a trap; extreme sports often involve tricks, but Marco won through duration and accuracy, not dangerous tricks.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The reporter mentions that the previous champion “struggled with a sudden drop in wind speed.” A drop in wind speed is an “unexpected change in the weather conditions.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap because extreme sports have crash risks, but nobody crashed in the audio. Option C is incorrect; the former champion “finished in third place,” meaning he was not disqualified.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Reporter: Good evening, sports fans! This is Kevin Mitchell reporting live from the Alpine Valley for the annual International Paragliding Championship. What an unbelievable weekend it has been!
The atmosphere here is absolutely electric. Thousands of spectators gathered on the hills to watch over fifty pilots from around the world compete. The weather conditions were perfect, with clear skies and strong winds helping the competitors glide smoothly over the mountains.
Now, for the final results. The gold medal this year was taken by a twenty-two-year-old athlete from Brazil, Marco Silva. Marco managed to stay airborne for an impressive three hours and completed a flawless landing right in the center of the target zone. Meanwhile, the previous champion from France unfortunately struggled with a sudden drop in wind speed and finished in third place. It was a breathtaking event, proving once again why paragliding is growing so fast in popularity. Back to you in the studio!
Listening 5
Listen to the documentary voiceover about a free solo climber. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 How does the narrator describe “free soloing”?
(A) It is a sport where athletes use expensive climbing ropes.
(B) It is a style of climbing done entirely without protective gear.
(C) It is an indoor activity designed for people who are afraid of heights.
2 Why does Alex practice hanging from a wooden board?
(A) To develop enough power in his hands to support himself.
(B) To relax his tired arms after a long ten-kilometer run.
(C) To test if the wooden equipment is safe for other climbers.
3 What does Alex do after his physical workouts are finished?
(A) He takes a long sleep because he has no energy left.
(B) He reads books about the history of famous mountains.
(C) He carefully learns the detailed surface of his climbing route.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The narrator explains that free soloing means climbing “with absolutely no ropes, harnesses, or safety equipment.” Option B is a perfect paraphrase: climbing “entirely without protective gear.”
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the audio mentions ropes, but says climbers use no ropes. Option C is completely made up and contradicts the outdoor “mountain” context.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The narrator says the exercise is designed “to make his hand muscles strong enough to hold his entire body weight.” “Develop enough power in his hands” means making hand muscles strong, and “support himself” means holding his body weight.
- Why the traps are wrong: Option B is a trap; the audio mentions he runs, but he hangs from the board in the morning to build strength, not to relax after his afternoon run. Option C is a plausible real-world action, but he is training his body, not testing equipment.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The audio states that he “studies the mountain map for hours, memorizing every single crack in the rock.” Option C matches this perfectly: “carefully learns the detailed surface of his climbing route” (memorizing cracks in the rock).
- Why the traps are wrong: Option A is a trap; the narrator says “his body is completely exhausted” (no energy), but explicitly states “he doesn’t stop there” (he doesn’t just sleep). Option B is not mentioned at all.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Narrator: Welcome back to ‘Beyond Human’. Today, we look at the incredible life of Alex, a professional free solo climber. For those who don’t know, free soloing means climbing massive rock walls with absolutely no ropes, harnesses, or safety equipment. It is just the climber and the mountain.
To prepare for this deadly challenge, Alex cannot just practice normal climbing. He follows a brutal daily routine to build extreme physical strength. Every morning, he spends hours hanging by his fingertips from a wooden board. This specific exercise is designed to make his hand muscles strong enough to hold his entire body weight on tiny rocks.
Furthermore, he runs ten kilometers up steep hills every afternoon to improve his breathing and leg power. By the end of the day, his body is completely exhausted, but he doesn’t stop there. He also studies the mountain map for hours, memorizing every single crack in the rock. For a free solo climber, one small mistake means losing everything, so his mind must be just as strong as his body.