1. Read the text about BASE jumping and choose the correct answers (a-c) to complete gaps 1-5.
BASE jumping
BASE jumping is an extreme sport. It is 1…………………… to skydiving, but there are important differences. Firstly, the jumps are much lower – usually no more than six hundred metres. And secondly, there is no aircraft. 2……………………, participants jump from some kind of bridge, building or cliff. The first BASE jump took 3…………………… in 1912 in New York, when Frederick Law jumped from the Statue of Liberty. In the 1960s and 70s, the sport became more popular, partly 4…………………… to film-maker Carl Boenish. He made documentaries about BASE jumping and also 5…………………… of the name. He died in 1984 while he was jumping in Norway. BASE jumping is a thrilling experience, but it is very risky too.
BASE jumping is an extreme sport. It is 1…………………… to skydiving, but there are important differences. Firstly, the jumps are much lower – usually no more than six hundred metres. And secondly, there is no aircraft. 2……………………, participants jump from some kind of bridge, building or cliff. The first BASE jump took 3…………………… in 1912 in New York, when Frederick Law jumped from the Statue of Liberty. In the 1960s and 70s, the sport became more popular, partly 4…………………… to film-maker Carl Boenish. He made documentaries about BASE jumping and also 5…………………… of the name. He died in 1984 while he was jumping in Norway. BASE jumping is a thrilling experience, but it is very risky too.
1 a) alike b) like c) similiar
2 a) however b) otherwise c) instead
3 a) part b) place c) off
4 a) thanks b) because c) according
5 a) invented b) decide c) thought
2 a) however b) otherwise c) instead
3 a) part b) place c) off
4 a) thanks b) because c) according
5 a) invented b) decide c) thought
Listening Strategy
The information that you need to understand in the recorded text may be expressed differently in the task.
– Listen out for synonyms of key words in the task. Key words are content words such as adjectives, nouns and verbs.
– Also listen out for ways in which words with the opposite meaning, or negative verbs, correspond with key words in the task.
It’s rather cold today. >> It isn’t very warm today.
We won the match. >> We didn’t lose the match.
2. Read the Listening Strategy. Then listen to Alex talking about wingsuit flying. Write the words he uses instead of the underlined words.
- 1) He spent a long time trying to find the right sport.
- '………………………………………………….'
- 2) He disliked team games when he was a teenager.
- '………………………………………………….'
- 3) He thinks wingsuit flying is a great feeling.
- '………………………………………………….'
- 4) Unfortunately, it is expensive.
- ………………………………………………….'
3. Listen to three other people talking about the extreme sports in the photos above. Match speakers 1-3 with photos A-C.
4. Listen again. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)? To help you, listen for synonyms or antonyms of the underlined words.
- Speaker 1
- 1 When he first saw the sport, he thought it looked impossible.
2 He thinks the sport feels worse. when you’re actually doing it. - Speaker 2
- 3 She wanted a sport that was physically difficult.
4 She often thinks about the risks involved in her sport. - Speaker 3
- 5 He was familiar with the sport before he went to Nicaragua.
6 He found the experience not very exciting.