Outdoor Adventure & Exploration – B2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
You will hear a young man called Liam talking about a trip where he suffered a foot injury. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
A scrambling mishap
Liam and his friends chose to visit the (9)……………………… rather than a forest.
Liam was surprised that the path was full of (10)……………………… rather than mud.
Liam’s fall was caused by stepping on some (11)……………………… on the rocks.
One of Liam’s friends used a (12)……………………… to support his injured ankle.
The group managed to get back to the main road by travelling in a (13)……………………… .
Upon arriving at the hospital, Liam was grateful to be given a (14)……………………… .
An X-ray showed that Liam had suffered a bad (15)……………………… .
The hospital staff provided Liam with a (16)……………………… to wear while his foot healed.
Liam found that his lack of (17)……………………… was the most frustrating part of staying at home.
Liam plans to purchase a pair of (18)……………………… before his next climbing trip.
ANSWER KEY
9 coastline 10 loose stones 11 damp moss 12 scarf
13 tractor 14 wheelchair 15 sprain
16 plastic boot 17 independence 18 hiking boots
AUDIO SCRIPT
Liam: Hi everyone! My name is Liam, and I’m here to tell you about a recent outdoor adventure that ended rather unexpectedly. I’ve always loved scrambling and hiking over rugged terrain, and a few weeks ago, I went out for the day with some friends. We initially discussed spending the weekend trekking through a dense forest, but eventually, we decided the coastline would be far more exciting for a change of scenery.
When we arrived, the weather was absolutely perfect. However, we quickly realised that the environment was incredibly challenging. I was expecting to encounter deep mud after the recent rain, but the main issue was actually the loose stones that covered the trail, which made keeping our balance quite difficult.
After a couple of hours, we reached a section with huge, jagged boulders. I love scrambling, so I went on ahead. I thought I had placed my foot securely on a flat rock ledge, but I completely missed some damp moss hidden in the shadows. Next thing I knew, my foot slipped right out from under me, and I went tumbling down into a narrow gap between the rocks.
The pain in my foot was instant and intense. My friends rushed over to help, but we didn’t have a proper medical kit with us, unfortunately. One friend suggested strapping it up with a spare t-shirt, but another guy sensibly took off his scarf and wrapped it tightly around my ankle to provide some immediate support.
We were miles from our car, and I couldn’t put any weight on it at all. We genuinely thought we’d have to call mountain rescue for a helicopter. Luckily, a local farmer was checking his fences nearby, and he kindly drove us all the way to the main road in his tractor. From there, my friends drove me straight to the nearest local hospital.
I’ve seen how busy hospital emergency departments can be, so I braced myself for a long, uncomfortable wait. To my surprise, as soon as we stumbled through the doors, a friendly nurse noticed me struggling and immediately fetched a wheelchair so I wouldn’t have to hop any further.
They took me in for an X-ray quite quickly. Looking at how swollen and bruised my foot was, I was absolutely convinced that I had a broken bone. The doctor examined the images and told me I was very lucky; instead of a fracture, it was actually a severe sprain, though it would still take a few weeks to heal completely.
To treat the injury, I assumed they would put my foot in a heavy plaster cast. However, medical treatments have moved on, and they fitted me with a sturdy plastic boot instead. It was quite bulky, but it offered great protection and at least I could take it off to shower.
The recovery phase at home has been quite frustrating. I thought I’d be really bored without my usual sports, but honestly, losing my independence has been the toughest part. Having to rely on my housemates to make me a cup of tea or do the weekly shopping was incredibly annoying.
Looking back, I’ve learned a valuable lesson about safety. I was wearing standard running trainers at the time, which was a huge mistake. Before I even think about tackling another rocky path, I’ll be buying some high-quality hiking boots to ensure I have proper ankle support.
Listening 2
You will hear a man called Liam giving a presentation about a scenic walking tour he planned with his friends across the North Island. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
North Island Walking Tour
Liam mentions that the group chose the North Island primarily to see its famous (9)……………………… .
When organizing the trip, the companions found it most difficult to agree on a (10)……………………… .
Liam advises walkers that a (11)……………………… is the most crucial item to pack.
The group was most impressed by the sight of the hidden (12)……………………… during their forest trek.
Rather than camping, Liam’s group chose to stay in (13)……………………… during the tour.
Liam recommends using a (14)……………………… to fully appreciate the cultural history of the routes.
Liam warns that carrying a (15)……………………… was the main source of physical strain for the walkers.
Liam was surprised that the best food they sampled on the tour was the local (16)……………………… .
To recover from long walks, the companions regularly spent evenings relaxing in (17)……………………… .
Liam was delighted when a travel magazine described their final itinerary as (18)……………………… .
ANSWER KEY
9 volcanoes 10 budget 11 rainproof jacket 12 waterfalls
13 wooden cabins 14 local guide 15 heavy backpack
16 seafood 17 hot springs 18 unforgettable
AUDIO SCRIPT
Liam: Hi everyone, I’m Liam, and I’m delighted to be here today to share my experience of planning an incredible scenic walking tour with three of my closest companions across the magnificent North Island. It was an amazing journey, and I hope my tips will inspire you to organize your own trip.
When we first sat down to choose our destination, some of my friends wanted coastal beaches, while others suggested ancient pine forests. However, it was the rare chance to witness active volcanoes that ultimately made us choose the North Island for our adventure.
Preparing the itinerary required a lot of negotiation before we left. Mapping out the exact daily routes was simple enough, and coordinating our personal schedules didn’t take long either. But settling on a realistic budget that suited everyone’s individual finances turned out to be our biggest hurdle.
Packing correctly is vital for a multi-day walking tour. Many people obsess over finding the perfect hiking boots, or packing heavy woollen sweaters for chilly nights. From our experience, though, a high-quality rainproof jacket is the single most indispensable item you can bring due to the highly unpredictable mountain weather.
On our third day, we hiked through a dense native forest. We had been told to expect stunning volcanic lakes, which were indeed beautiful. Instead, it was the spectacular waterfalls tucked away off the main path that completely stole our breath away and left us totally speechless.
Accommodation options along the tracks vary wildly across the island. We initially thought about setting up tents at various public campsites, and briefly considered treating ourselves to luxury hotels at night. Ultimately, we compromised and stayed in cozy wooden cabins, which kept us warm, dry, and comfortable.
Navigating the paths is straightforward enough if you use a modern smartphone app or a detailed printed map. However, if you want to truly uncover the fascinating Maori legends and deep cultural heritage of the landscape, hiring a local guide is something I cannot recommend highly enough.
Walking up to eight hours a day can certainly take a physical toll on your body. A few of my friends complained about painful blisters, and others suffered from sudden knee pain. For me, dealing with a heavy backpack caused the greatest amount of fatigue and discomfort by the end of each afternoon.
The food we encountered along the way was another delightful surprise. We expected to live on basic dried rations, or perhaps sample traditional roast lamb at country pubs. Actually, it was the fresh seafood we bought directly near the coast that became the true culinary highlight of the entire trip.
After a grueling day on your feet, finding a way to recover is essential. We initially thought about visiting some famous glowworm caves to unwind after dark, but we discovered that soaking in the natural hot springs was the ultimate way to soothe our aching muscles before bed.
When we returned home, I posted our complete route on a popular travel forum. I thought people might find the trek exhausting or overly challenging. I was absolutely thrilled when a prominent travel editor reviewed our path and praised it as being completely unforgettable.
Thank you, and I’m happy to take any questions now.