Cross-country Road Trips – B2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
You will hear a young man called Tom talking about his recent travel experiences in the Scottish Highlands. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Tom’s Highland Adventure
Tom ultimately decided to travel to the Highlands by (9)……………………… for environmental reasons.
Tom’s first destination was primarily known for its incredible (10)……………………… .
Due to the low temperatures, Tom paid to sleep in a (11)……………………… instead of a tent.
Tom avoided expensive rental fees by bringing his own (12)……………………… from home.
Tom’s morning journey was made difficult by unexpected (13)……………………… rather than the rain he anticipated.
Tom says that a bowl of hot (14)……………………… was the food he enjoyed the most on his trip.
Instead of climbing or horse riding, Tom participated in (15)……………………… on a local lake.
As a memento of his holiday, Tom purchased a beautifully woven (16)……………………… at a local shop.
Tom’s journey was delayed when he had to deal with a (17)……………………… on the road.
For his next adventure, Tom is planning an expedition across a (18)……………………… .
ANSWER KEY
9 train 10 wildlife 11 farmhouse 12 bicycle
13 thick fog 14 cheese soup 15 kayaking
16 woollen blanket 17 flat tyre 18 desert
AUDIO SCRIPT
Tom: Hi everyone, my name is Tom, and I’m going to tell you about my recent travel adventure around the spectacular Scottish Highlands. When I first started planning my journey, I spent ages looking at cheap flights to get up there quickly. Some friends suggested taking a long-distance coach because it’s very budget-friendly. However, I ultimately booked a ticket for the train, primarily because I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint, and the scenic route was just an added bonus.
My first major stopover was a remote village on the west coast. A lot of tourists flock there hoping to explore the ruins of an ancient castle on the cliffside, but it was actually the local wildlife that drew me to the area. I spent hours watching golden eagles and red deer in their natural habitat, which was absolutely mesmerising.
When it came to accommodation, my initial plan was to pitch a tent at a local campsite and sleep under the stars to save some cash. Unfortunately, the night-time temperatures were freezing, so I quickly abandoned that idea. I treated myself to a cosy room in a traditional farmhouse instead, which was wonderfully warm and welcoming after a long day outdoors.
One thing to note about the Highlands is that it’s a major hub for outdoor sports. Many tourists end up paying exorbitant costs associated with hiring sports equipment, like surfboards or heavy hiking gear. To get around and commute between the isolated villages, I circumvented those steep rental fees by bringing my own bicycle along with me. It was a bit of a hassle to transport on the railway, but it saved me an absolute fortune.
You definitely have to be prepared for the unpredictable Scottish weather, too. On my third day, the forecast predicted severe high winds and heavy rain, so I wore all my waterproof layers. Surprisingly, it didn’t rain a single drop; it was actually thick fog that made navigating the winding country lanes incredibly difficult that morning.
Let’s talk about the local food. I fully expected to be eating freshly caught smoked salmon every single day, or perhaps trying a traditional roast lamb dish. But after a particularly cold afternoon, I stopped at a tiny rural pub, and a steaming bowl of cheese soup turned out to be the most delicious thing I tasted on the entire trip.
When I wasn’t commuting on the road, I wanted to try some local activities. I had originally intended to book a rock climbing session on the crags, but my guide suggested pony trekking through the valleys instead. We eventually compromised and spent the afternoon kayaking on a remarkably calm loch, which was wonderfully peaceful.
Before heading home, I wanted to pick up a special keepsake. I browsed through a local craft market and almost bought a hand-carved wooden bowl, and then considered a delicate silver ring. Eventually, though, I spent my money on a beautifully woven woollen blanket, as it was both practical and uniquely Scottish.
The trip was mostly smooth sailing, though there was one frustrating hiccup. I managed to avoid losing my wallet, and I didn’t suffer a sprained ankle on the rocky paths like some hikers do. I did, however, get a flat tyre right in the middle of nowhere, which took me ages to fix by the side of the road before I could keep moving.
Looking ahead, I’m already planning my next big trip. People keep telling me to explore the Amazon jungle or hike across an Icelandic glacier. But I’m looking for a complete contrast to the rainy, green Highlands, so I’m currently organising an expedition through a vast desert next spring. I can’t wait!
Listening 2
You will hear a young man called Ryan talking about an adventure tourism experience he had in New Zealand. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Jet-boating on the Buller River
Ryan decided to go on a (9)……………………… instead of doing the activities suggested by his friends and family.
Ryan chose the specific tour operator on the Buller River after reading about them on a (10)……………………… .
Before getting onto the vessel, the passengers were required to attend a (11)……………………… .
Ryan found his (12)……………………… particularly useful because of the bright reflection from the river.
Ryan was surprised to learn that the boat was capable of travelling through very (13)……………………… .
Rather than the woods he anticipated, Ryan noted that the river was bordered by (14)……………………… .
The boat’s driver ensured everyone was ready for the spin by giving a (15)……………………… .
During a break, the passengers listened to historical tales concerning the (16)……………………… of the area.
To remember the thrilling experience, Ryan bought a (17)……………………… instead of an item of clothing.
For his upcoming holiday activity, Ryan is making plans to try (18)……………………… .
ANSWER KEY
9 jet boat 10 travel blog 11 safety briefing 12 sunglasses
13 shallow water 14 steep cliffs 15 warning sign
16 gold miners 17 memory stick 18 mountain biking
AUDIO SCRIPT
Ryan: Hi everyone, my name is Ryan, and I’m here today to share my incredible experiences from a recent trip to New Zealand’s South Island. The absolute highlight of my journey was an exhilarating excursion on the Buller River. When I was planning my itinerary, my friends tried to talk me into a terrifying bungee jump, while my brother suggested a peaceful hiking tour in the national park. However, I ultimately booked a ride on a jet boat, as I really wanted a unique thrill on the water.
Finding a reliable adventure tourism operator was my next step. I almost went with a company highly recommended by my hotel receptionist, but then I read a fantastic review on a travel blog that praised a specific outfit operating on the Buller River, so I went with them. The booking process was super easy.
When we arrived at the riverbank on the morning of the trip, I was eager to just jump straight into the boat and get going. Before anyone was allowed near the water, though, we all had to sit through a comprehensive safety briefing to ensure we knew exactly what to do and how to hold on.
After that, we were handed our protective gear. I had brought a thick woollen sweater, thinking it would be chilly on the water. But the guide told us to leave those behind and just wear the waterproof ponchos provided. I was also glad I remembered to pack my sunglasses, as the glare coming off the river was incredibly intense that morning.
As we set off, I was absolutely amazed by the vehicle itself. I always thought these high-speed boats needed a deep channel to operate safely, much like a regular ferry. Actually, the guide explained that the powerful engine is designed to navigate in remarkably shallow water, effortlessly skimming over rocks that are just inches below the surface.
The scenery on the Buller River is truly out of this world. I was fully expecting to see dense pine forests lining the riverbanks, as that’s typical for the region. Instead, we were surrounded by incredibly steep cliffs that rose dramatically on either side of us, creating a narrow, winding canyon that echoed with the roar of the engine.
The most exhilarating part of the ride was the famous 360-degree spin. I was quite worried it would happen unexpectedly and I’d accidentally drop my expensive camera into the river. Thankfully, the driver always gave a clear warning sign with his hand before throwing the boat into a dizzying rotation, so we could hold on tight.
Halfway through the trip, the driver cut the engine so we could float quietly for a bit in a calm pool. I naturally assumed he was going to point out some rare local birds or maybe some giant trout in the river. However, he actually started telling us fascinating stories about the brave gold miners who used to work in that exact spot over a century ago, panning for their fortunes.
When we finally got back to the base, we had the chance to buy some souvenirs. I nearly purchased a printed t-shirt with the company logo, but then I noticed they were selling a digital memory stick loaded with professional photos and videos of our actual ride, which was a much better keepsake to show my family.
The whole excursion was an absolute blast and has really given me the bug for extreme sports. My friends are heading off to do some snowboarding next week, but I’m not a big fan of the cold. Consequently, I’ve just registered for a mountain biking course in the nearby national park instead. I can’t wait for my next adrenaline rush!