Air Travel & Island Trips – B2 English Listening Exercise

9 anniversary 10 radio 11 fishing boats 12 marine biologist

13 silver 14 shadows 15 speed

16 air currents 17 helmet 18 freedom

Sam: Hi everyone. I’m Sam, and I’m a private pilot. I want to tell you about an unforgettable flight I took recently along the coast. People often assume I went up that day because it was my birthday, as my family usually treats me to something special then. However, it was actually my anniversary, and my wife had bought me some extra flying hours as a gift.

Before getting airborne, I always do a thorough pre-flight inspection. Most people think the engine is the most problematic part of a small plane, and I did look at it carefully, but it was actually the radio that I had to double-check that morning, as it had been playing up the week before. Once I was satisfied everything was working perfectly, I got clearance from the control tower and took off.

As I headed away from the airfield and turned towards the coastline, the view was spectacular. I was expecting the old lighthouse to be the most prominent landmark. Instead, a fleet of fishing boats heading out to sea really captured my attention. They left these beautiful white wakes behind them.

My route was planned along the coastal cliffs. A friend of mine who works as a photographer had suggested I take some shots of the cliffs, but in fact, it was a marine biologist who had asked me to keep an eye out for any unusual wildlife activity. She was tracking migration patterns in the area.

As I approached the ocean, the sun was sitting quite low in the sky. You might imagine the water looked bright blue, but because of the way the light was reflecting, it was actually a stunning silver. It was almost blinding, yet incredibly beautiful.

I lowered my altitude to get a closer look at the waves crashing against the rocks. Suddenly, I noticed movement just below me. I initially thought I was catching glimpses of large fish near the surface, but then I spotted their shadows moving rapidly across the waves. That’s when I realised there was a huge flock of seabirds gliding just beneath my aircraft!

Flying alongside them was an exhilarating sensation. I had always admired their grace, but seeing them from above gave me a completely new perspective. I thought I’d be struck by their wingspan, but what genuinely astonished me was their speed. They were keeping pace with my plane effortlessly!

It was fascinating to watch their technique. They weren’t flapping their wings much at all. While you’d assume they were just being blown along by the coastal wind, they were actually riding the invisible air currents rising from the cliffs. It allowed them to just float in the air, barely using any energy.

I wanted to capture this incredible moment. Usually, I’d bring a handheld camera, but since my hands were occupied with flying, I couldn’t use that. Thankfully, I had previously attached a small sports camera to my helmet. All I had to do was turn my head to film the birds soaring alongside me.

Eventually, I had to turn back towards the airfield. Looking back on the flight, I’ve had many thrilling experiences in the air, so you’d think I’d just feel a rush of excitement. Yet, sharing the sky with those magnificent creatures left me with an overwhelming sense of freedom. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.

9 wildlife 10 bicycle 11 town 12 farmhouse

13 cave 14 seafood soup 15 broken chain

16 fisherman 17 woven blanket 18 freedom

Mark: Hello everyone! My name is Mark, and I’m here to tell you about a rather unique holiday I took recently. I’d been working incredibly hard in the city and felt I desperately needed a getaway. I’ve always enjoyed nature, so I spent ages looking at brochures. I considered going to the mountains because the scenery is always spectacular, but ultimately, it was the island’s wildlife that made me book the ticket. I’d read that the birdwatching there was second to none.

The journey there involved a small plane, which was an adventure in itself. I flew into the island’s tiny airstrip on a Tuesday morning. There were a few taxis waiting outside the terminal to take tourists to their resorts, but since I wanted to be active and really experience the landscape, I opted to hire a bicycle to get around. It was a sturdy mountain bike, perfect for the rough terrain.

My first goal was to commute from the airstrip to the nearest town to get some supplies, like water and snacks. Looking at the tourist map, it seemed like a very short ride, but the hills were deceptively steep, and it actually took me a good hour to get there.

For my accommodation, I definitely didn’t want to stay in a large, noisy hotel. I’d originally hoped to pitch a tent and camp under the stars, but the campsite owner warned me the ground was too rocky and the wind was fierce. So, I changed my plans and ended up staying in a beautiful old farmhouse for the week. The owners were incredibly welcoming, and the views from my window were absolutely stunning.

The following day, I was ready to explore. A lot of tourists head straight for the famous ruins of a castle on the east side of the island. I decided to skip that, though. Instead, I spent the whole morning exploring a massive cave on the north coast. It was beautifully illuminated inside, and walking through it felt like stepping into another world.

Now, you simply can’t visit an island without trying the local dishes. The region is famous for its culinary delights. I thought their grilled fish would definitely be the highlight of my meals, but actually, a bowl of traditional seafood soup was the most delicious thing I ate during the entire trip. It was rich, spicy, and packed with fresh ingredients.

Cycling around the island was mostly smooth, though I did have a minor mechanical issue halfway through the week. I was riding along a coastal path when I heard a loud snap. It wasn’t a flat tyre, as you might naturally expect on those bumpy roads, but a broken chain that forced me to stop. I was miles from a mechanic and honestly thought I’d be walking back.

I stood by the side of the road for a while. A passing farmer offered me a lift in his truck, which was kind, but then a friendly fisherman stopped his van and managed to fix my bike using some basic tools he kept in the back. I was so relieved and grateful for his help!

Before leaving the island, I wanted to buy a keepsake to remember the trip by. I spent an afternoon browsing the local markets. I looked at some beautiful hand-painted pottery, but I was worried it would smash in my luggage. In the end, I decided to purchase a beautifully woven blanket as a reminder of my trip. It’s got all the traditional colours of the island and looks great on my sofa at home.

Looking back, the holiday wasn’t just about the physical exercise or the fresh air. More than anything, it gave me an incredible sense of freedom that I really needed to recharge my batteries. I’d highly recommend an active holiday like this to anyone!