| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | Hiking | Man | 02:02 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Name one national park in your country and think about what makes it a unique place to visit (e.g., the scenic views, the wildlife, the flora, outdoor recreation, etc.).
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- National parks are important for protecting nature.
- Visiting national parks helps people relax and reduce stress.
- People should pay more to visit national parks.
- Too many tourists can damage national parks.
- Everyone should visit at least one national park in their life.
- National parks should be open all year, no matter the weather.
- Local communities benefit from tourism near national parks.
- Camping is the best way to enjoy a national park.
- Technology (like phones and drones) ruins the experience of nature.
- National parks should do more to teach visitors about history and culture.
Idioms
“dying of thirst” = be very thirsty
“I need a drink soon. I’m dying of thirst.”
“hit the trail” = start your trip, usually walking
“Hey, we’d better hit the trail soon because it’s going to get hot today.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- erosion (noun): wearing away of the soil by wind and water
– Erosion is often a natural process by which many geological formations are created. - breathtaking (adjective): incredible, awesome, amazing
– The scenic views of the valley were breathtaking. - strenuous (adjective): physically difficult
– We took a very strenuous hike that lasted all day, and I’m exhausted. - wash (noun): a dry stream bed
– We followed the wash for about a mile until we reached the mouth of the canyon. - leave word (verb): notify or inform
– She didn’t leave word where she would be traveling, and now her family is really worried. - sturdy (adjective): strong
– You need to wear sturdy hiking boots for this trip because we will be going through some rough terrain. - dehydrated (adjective): suffer from lack of water
– The lost hiker was extremely dehydrated when she was found wandering in the desert.
Vocabulary Practice
Try this activity to practice the vocabulary from the conversation:
Post-Listening Exercise
What is a popular park in your hometown? What do people do there? Does it cost anything to visit?
Online Investigation
Search for information on a national park in a country or city where you want to visit. Look up information about local hotels, park entrance fees, special tours, and specific points of interest in the park. What things do you consider when selecting a place to visit (e.g., location, things to see and do, cost, etc.). Share your results with a friend or classmate.