Discover Your Travel Style
Discover Your Travel Style
Vacation Mood: On
Unit scope: (1) describe different types of holidays, (2) discover what kind of traveller you are, (3)
explore new trends in travel, (4) discuss travel related problems and accommodation, (5) learn
some air travel vocabulary, (6) develop your presentation skills, (7) boost your vocabulary with
collocations, phrasal verbs and idioms.
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2.1. Types of holidays. These are some popular types of holidays nowadays. What do you
associate each of them with?
2.2. Match the phrases and assign the activities to the types of holidays.
2.3. What kind of vacationer are you? Do the quiz and find out.
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How far do you agree with the result?
2.4. Vocabulary recap. Fill in with a word from exercise 2.2. The first letter has been given.
1. I love to r___ through the fields and lanes in this part of the country.
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2. We drove around the island trying to t___ i___all the sights.
3. When I get my first paycheck, I’m going to i___ in a shoe shopping.
4. You don’t need to sacrifice your c___ c___ or go into the middle of nowhere to be a green
traveller; you can visit big cities or small villages.
5. We spent the afternoon m___ around the streets of the old town.
6. To experience the island, you must s___ the local cuisine, a mixture of Caribbean, African,
Indian, European traditions.
7. But I think we must d___ into the past for some link with what is happening here today.
8. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to relax, swim and s___ u___ some sun.
9. If I want to get rid of stress, I just i___ myself in books.
10. Participants come from nations as f___ as Iceland and Japan.
11. Enjoy a different perspective on the area by v___ away from the tourist trail.
12. When men start talking about football, I just z___ out.
13. Why not p___ yourself after a hard day with a hot bath scented with oils?
1) helps people escape from the usual tourist trap locations and identify some of the world’s best
off-the-beaten-track travel destinations; people swap their original destination for a lesser known
but similar alternative;
2) helps people combine travel and acquiring a new skill, giving them an opportunity to do
something they have always wanted to do and at the same time discover the country’s culture;
3) helps people unplug from their busy lives; examples include places where there is no chance of
your phone ringing or your emails pinging (digital type of this holiday) or health practices such as
yoga, meditation and mindfulness;
4) helps time-poor people squeeze in more in a shorter time frame; a perfect way to travel more
often and brag about new trips to your friends;
5) helps people soak up the environment they are in and take time to appreciate their
surroundings, at a relaxing pace; usually involves travelling by train, not plane, as well as
connecting with locals.
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3.3. Vocabulary focus. Look at the words in italics and make up sentences to illustrate their
meanings.
3.4. Follow-up. Why do you think such holidays are becoming popular? Would you be
interested in taking any of them?
1) detox holiday: Which type would you choose – digital detox or health practice? Where would
you like to go and what would you do there?
2) slow travel: What transportation would you use? How would you try to connect with locals?
What activities would you engage in?
3) second city travel: What unknown or lesser known places would you like to explore? What
would you do there?
4) learning holidays: Which skill would you like to learn? Where would like to do this?
5) bite-size travel: Where would you go? For how long? What would you spend time on?
4. Word skills.
4.1. Study the diagram featuring some common collocations of place, translate the
phrases and use them in your own examples.
right of birth
to get the feel of the
safe of interest
to come round to one’s
unlikely of worship
to get out of this
decent of work
uninviting
public
When I was younger, I had a real sense of adventure. I loved backpacking, camping in the
woods, sleeping in tents and spending the evening next to the campfire. As a child, I remember
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trying to build a fire from scratch by rubbing two sticks together. I think my entire family laughed
while I worked at it for an hour. Unfortunately, I never succeeded.
But I do have such good memories of camping and hiking with my family. Every summer my
parents would pack up the kids and the dog into the car,
pack all our outdoor gear on the roof of the car and fill
coolers full of food.
My mom would pack all the usual stuff: trail mix,
fruit, marshmallows to roast over the fire, stuff to make
sandwiches, etc. We’d take a road trip to the mountains
in Colorado, find our spot to set up camp and pitch our
tents near the river. I loved listening to the sound of the river at night!
I haven’t camped for years! Neither David nor I can take that much time off of work. It
makes me a little sad that Sophie, our daughter, won’t have those same memories.
But last year we did do something a little fun, a little different: we had a staycation. The
two of us could only get 4 days off of work and we were on a tight budget. We hadn’t enjoyed
everything the city has to offer for ages so we decided to just pretend to be on vacation here at
home. We visited the museums, went to the theater, we even took a day trip to the coast a few
hours away for a day of sun, sand, and surf.
We have some wonderful photos (and memories) of our picnic dinner watching the sunset
on the beach.
Ugh! I hate planning vacations. I mean, I do love traveling but I don’t want to think about it.
All those little details – I can’t be bothered!
I prefer those all-inclusive kinds of vacations for a
little R&R. You know, those places where all you do is
show up and that’s it.
You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Activities,
the beach, the pools, dancing. Sure, they usually cost a
little more but if I don’t have to plan everything then it’s
worth it. The only thing is you have to be careful of those
hidden extras! I’ve definitely been surprised by the final bill a few times.
My fiancé and I are talking about an all-inclusive cruise for our honeymoon. It sounds
amazing but I’ve never been on a ship for that long.
I’m a little nervous about seasickness but I do love the idea of island-hopping. Plus, the ship
has a ton of amenities with its multiple pools, fitness centers, and restaurants. What I need to
figure out is what to pack for a cruise. I’m actually terrible about overpacking.
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then head back to the boat for the night. On really warm nights we’d actually sleep right on the
deck under the stars.
What’s next? I don’t know. Maybe Colombia, Peru, or Chile? I’ve never been to South
America and I love the idea of spending time in the Andes Mountains. Hiking in the middle of
nowhere, you know what I mean?
Those kinds of places give you such a better perspective on life. It’s easy to forget we’re all
just a tiny piece of this earth.
Or maybe Thailand? That’s another of my bucket list destinations.
(stories from https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/)
Which of the stories do you relate to most?
5.2. Look at the highlighted words and phrases and translate the following:
Story 1. 1) розбити табір; 2) розпалити вогонь; 3) місце; 4) похід; 5) поїхати на день до; 6)
мати обмежений бюджет, кошти; 7) перекус (з горіхів, сухофруктів та ґраноли); 8) «з нуля»,
на порожньому місці; 9) зібрати дітей; 10) розкласти намети; 11) спорядження для активного
відпочинку;
Story 2. 1) багато басейнів; 2) відпочинок та оздоровлення; відпустка; 3) пакувати забагато
речей; 4) приховані додаткові витрати; 5) не хотіти перейматись; 6) маса вигод; 7) прийти,
з’явитись; 8) подорожі/прогулянки по островах;
Story 3. 1) повертатись кудись; 2) взяти на прокат човен; 3) місця зі списку бажань, які
хочеться побачити; 4) заходити в порт (про транспорт); 5) пірнати; 6) відкрити очі на життя,
подивитись на життя по іншому; 7) невідомо де, в глушині; 8) далекий, на краю світу; 9)
плавати (на човні) довкола.
5.3. Fill in the gaps with a word / phrase from the box. Use the correct form.
a better perspective bucket list build a fire far-off head back hidden extras in the middle of
nowhere island-hopping on a tight budget pack up pitch pull into R&R sail around set up
show up start from scratch tons of amenities
1. It’s getting late, I think it’s time to ___ and ___ to the station to catch the train home. 2. We
were expecting 30 people to come, but half of them never ____. 3. These incredible destinations
are all must-visits for everyone’s travel ___. 4. Italy’s Aeolian archipelago offers ___ with dramatic
scenery: you may ___ all of the islands or ___the port and spend some time on the ground soaking
up the atmosphere. 5. If you travel ___, every penny counts, that’s why make sure there are no
___ when you book your trip. 6. Some people say that travelling without ___ with just a few basics
– when you ___ camps and ___ tents and then ___ to make dinner – gives them ___ on life
showing what’s important and what’s not. 7. I will have to ___and redo the entire assignment
because I missed a key point. 8. We wanted to go to some ___ place located ___ to get away from
it all. 10. I’ve just come back from the weekend spa where I got so much needed ___.
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1. Lead-in. What is the best way to travel when you are on vacation? What is the worst?
Why?
2. At the airport.
2.1. Listen to the conversation about going through a British and an American airport
and complete the sentences below with the words or phrases you hear.
1. I have to go to this self-service kiosk and I’ve got to print my own (1) ___.
If I got any (2) ___ baggage, I’ll take that to the counter.
So, normally I only have my (3) ___ bag, so I often fly with a lot of budget airlines.
If I do have something that I want to check, it might be like a stroller or a big piece of equipment
or just some (4) ___, or a suitcase, I’ll bring it up to the (5) ___ after I’ve printed out my boarding
pass.
2. … you are going to head to security. Normally you’ll wait (6) ___ with other people and you
need to have someone check your boarding pass before you start standing in line.
You are going to put all your items in a (7) ___, you are going to wait for a TSA agent to let you
know that it’s OK for you to go. … any (8) ___ change in your pockets have to go into another tray.
If you don’t have to get patted down by someone or (9) ___ to check your luggage, then you’re
free to start going to your gate.
… at the moment I haven’t seen many of those (10) ___ either.
British security is a bit faster, it’s a bit more (11) ___.
3. So, you’ve gotten through security, nothing’s wrong, you’re (12) ___ towards your gate … yes,
you just sit around and you wait to (13) ___.
… you’ll board the airplane, you’ll get on the airplane, they’ll go through their (14) ___ spiel, and
then you (15) ___, you (16) ___, and then once you get off the airplane, what are you going to do
next?
Next will be (17) ___. You’ll probably get an arrival card to (18) ___.
Then you go to the customs official and they’ll check your visa (19) ___.
4. After you get through the immigration and you’re all cleared, you’ve got to go (20) ___ your
checked baggage. If you don’t have any and you have nothing to (21) ___, you can usually go
straight out into the real world. But most of the time your luggage will be on a (22) ___, at a
carousel.
I’m trying to arrange a (23) ___, or … I go to the information desk and I ask them where the Uber
(24) ___ is or where the public transportation is.
2.2. Find in the conversation above the words or word combinations which mean the
following:
a) a card that a passenger must have to be h) searched with hands by security officials
allowed to enter an aircraft or ship i) relaxed, not very strict
b) a small touch-screen computer which prints j) a scripted speech about security
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your boarding pass k) a card used to gather information about the
c) heavy or large luggage, e.g. a suitcase person traveling
d) light or small luggage, e.g. a backpack, purse l) no problems with security
e) someone whose job is to be in a place and m) a moving band that moves your luggage
help customers or visitors around
f) to go towards security n) to reserve or schedule a taxi, car, bus, etc.
g) coins in your pockets
2.3. Complete the following with a word from the box. Make up examples using the phrases.
baggage boarding class flight go through officer plane put on seat
2.4. Follow-up. Use the vocabulary from Exercise 3 to connect the pictures and explain what you
see there.
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The Hans Brinker Budget Hostel
is bad and it knows it. It
caters to backpackers and
students, and its amenities
include hostel-style rooms
equipped with metal bunk beds
and blue metal lockers from
$10 a night. The hotel’s
advertising warns customers of
its filthy conditions in advance.
Past slogans include:
– Improve your immune
system – stay at Hans Brinker!
– It can’t get any worse. But we’ll do our best.
– Now with beds in every room.
– Proudly disappointing travelers for 40 years.
The hotel operates a strict eco-friendly policy, which includes no hot water in its showers
and eco-friendly elevators (the stairs). It also encourages customers to dry off using the curtains to
save the planet.
Here are some reviews from Tripadvisor.com from travelers who have taken the plunge:
– “The accommodation is extremely basic and some of the rooms look like prison dorms, but
it’s cleanish and cheap, the bar sells cheap beer, and you do get breakfast.” (John W.)
- “Stayed here with a travel group last week. Had to be one of the worst experiences of the trip.
The hostel stank and our rooms were not clean. At night, there were drunk people banging on the
walls.” (Ericholl94)
The hotel manager says the hotel’s approach is a hit with travelers and students. “’They
love our humour and sarcasm,” he explains.
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3.4. Vocabulary development. Find the following in the text.
3.5. Connect the words to make one sentence. Add any other words you need.
1. Have you ever posted a review of a place you stayed at? Do you read such reviews? Are they
helpful?
2. What do you think of eco-friendly policies? Do companies really help the environment or is this
a way for them to be cheap?
4.3. Why do the speakers mention the following? Listen again for the details.
rent out both ends condominiums roots touristy squatters subsidized double dipping
Google
1. Lead-in. Tick the things that have happened to you while you were on holiday. Which
ones are the worst? Which ones are fairly easy to deal with?
blisters blocked capsized compartment grounded impassable jet lag let up mugged
retrace rip-off rolling seedy shipwrecked trap
1. I’m still recovering from ___; my body just can’t cope with crossing so many time zones.
2. After they were ___, they survived for a year alone on a desert island.
3. My hotel was in a really ___ area, so I wouldn’t dare go out at night.
4. All the planes were ___ for hours because of the severe fog and high winds.
5. I was ___ while walking in the city centre, in broad daylight!
6. The place was nothing but a tourist ___; all the things we bought were a total ___.
7. The route through the mountains is ___ for cars during the winter – the only way through is on
horseback.
8. The sea was so rough that our small boat nearly ___.
9. The weather was miserable – the rain didn’t ___ for a minute.
10. I got ___ from our all day walking tour of the city.
11. I got ___ ears and couldn’t hear a word my companion was saying.
12. We wandered into a dangerous part of the city and tried to ___ our steps back to the hotel.
13. There was so much pitching and ___ that I became seasick.
14. The ___ was so filthy that I had to complain to a car / train attendant and demand a
replacement.
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2.2. Discuss the problems in 2.1. Which of them have you encountered? Can you give
any tips as to how to deal with them or what to do in situations when you can’t avoid them?
Emma is thrilled to start her European adventure, but her excitement is soon overshadowed by a
series of hitches. At the airport, a computer glitch causes delays. As Emma stands at the check-in
counter, a sinking feeling hits her—her travel adapter is missing, and with it, the ability to charge
her phone.
The flight finally departs, but halfway through, the pilot announces an unexpected detour to
Munich due to a maintenance issue. Emma’s arrival in Rome is now up in the air. Once she lands
in Munich, she faces another setback: her hotel reservation is lost due to a bureaucratic blunder.
With the hotel staff struggling to resolve the issue, Emma decides to bite the bullet and wait.
The next morning, she manages to book a train from Munich to Rome,
purchasing a travel adapter at the station and managing to power up
her phone. The train journey is grueling, and when Emma finally arrives
in Rome, she discovers that her accommodation is situated far from the
train station, much farther than she anticipated. With her phone's GPS
malfunctioning and a taxi strike disrupting the city, she finds herself
slogging through long stretches of unfamiliar streets. The sweltering
heat and her heavy luggage only add to her misery. She feels at the end of her tether, utterly
drained by the relentless trek through the city.
Finally arriving at her accommodation, Emma is dismayed to find it has been double-booked.
Frustrated, she decides to sort out another place to stay, which requires traversing the city once
again. Just when she thinks her luck can't get any worse, she learns that her planned ferry trip
from Rome to Athens is canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
Determined to press on, Emma opts for a different mode of transportation and boards a ship from
a nearby port, hoping for smoother sailing. As the ship sets sail, Emma finally starts to relax, but
her relief is short-lived. A sudden announcement comes over the intercom: “Due to unforeseen
circumstances, we are experiencing significant delays. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The ship docks the next morning, and as Emma disembarks in Athens, she can’t shake the feeling
that her journey is far from over. The trip that began with minor inconveniences has escalated
into a series of dramatic events, leaving her with an uneasy sense of what might come next.
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3.2. Compete the sentences with the words from the text.
1. The project was supposed to be straightforward, but it was plagued by a series of ___ from the
start. 2. The negotiations were ___, and by the end of the day, the team felt utterly ___. 3. When
the software update caused a ___, the IT team felt completely at the end of their ___. 4. His
enthusiasm for the new job was ___ after encountering numerous ___ in the first week. 5. Faced
with unexpected challenges, they decided to press ___ and continue working on the project. 6.
The project timeline was thrown up in the ___ when a key team member left unexpectedly. 7. The
journey through the dense jungle was ___ (continuing for a long time), with the ___ heat adding
___ the team's discomfort. 8. The company had to ___ out several issues caused by a bureaucratic
___ in their new policy implementation. 9. Despite the ___ weather conditions, they decided to
___ sail and proceed with their expedition. 10. The missed deadlines and constant issues were
dragging ___, and the team could hardly bite the ___ anymore. 11. The startup was facing ___
pressure due to a ___ in their key product. 12. Despite the complications, she tried to ___ for a
positive outlook and continue her work. 13. The hike was grueling, and they kept ___ through the
difficult terrain. 13. She couldn’t ___ the feeling that her performance review would not go well.
14. The contractor’s mistakes began to ___ into a major construction delay. 15. Her frustration ___
when the train was delayed for another hour due to a ___.
3.3. Fill in the gaps with the prepositions from the text.
1. We arrived ___ the airport three hours early to avoid any last-minute rush. 2. The event was
canceled due ___ a bureaucratic blunder involving permits. 3. After hours of waiting, she was ___
the end of her tether and desperately needed a break. 4. He relaxed ___ the deck, enjoying the
sunset over the ocean. 5. The captain spoke ___ the intercom to update passengers on the
weather conditions. 6. Her excitement about the concert was overshadowed ___ the news of the
last-minute venue change. 7. She realized she had forgotten her passport ___ the check-in
counter. 8. The meeting seemed to drag ___ for hours, with no end in sight. 9. The minor
argument between the colleagues quickly escalated ___ a heated debate. 10. Despite the
challenging conditions, the team decided to press ___ with their expedition. 11. Instead of driving,
they opted ___ taking the train to avoid traffic. 12. Halfway ___ the flight, the captain announced
a delay due ___ technical issues. 13. The road closure forced them to take a detour ___ their
destination. 14. Their plans for the vacation were still ___ ___ the air due to the ongoing
negotiations. 15. She managed to find a spare charger to power ___ her phone before the
meeting. 16. They had to slog ___ the thick mud to reach the campsite. 17. The sudden storm only
added ___ her misery during the outdoor event. 18. She spent the afternoon trying to sort ___ the
issues with her internet connection.
focuses on what is likely to happen based on current knowledge or patterns; often implies a sense
of certainty or routine based on experience or established patterns.
"I expect the meeting to start at 10 AM, as it always does."
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Anticipate:
involves more emotional engagement or preparation, and can also imply being ready for
something; it can also imply a more thoughtful or proactive approach.
"She anticipated the new product launch with great excitement and made sure to prepare her
team accordingly."
So, if you’re simply predicting or assuming something based on usual patterns, you’d use "expect."
If you’re preparing or emotionally involved with the potential outcome, "anticipate" is more
appropriate.
1. We ___ the sales figures to increase after the marketing campaign. 2. The wedding planner ___
potential issues with the venue and arranged backup options. 3. I ___ the flight to be delayed due
to the weather conditions. 4. She ___ her coffee to be ready by the time she arrives at the café. 5.
The company ___ high demand for the new product and increased production accordingly. 6. They
___ a heavy snowfall and prepared their emergency supplies in advance. 7. I ___ to receive the
report by Friday. 8. He ___ the arrival of his friends with excitement, preparing snacks and
decorations. 9. Students ___ their grades to be posted online by the end of the week.
3.5. Answer the questions using the vocabulary from the text.
1. Have you ever faced an unexpected hitch in a well-laid plan? How did you adapt and resolve the
situation?
2. Can you describe a situation that seemed to drag on?
3. What is an example of a minor issue that you’ve seen escalate into a major problem? How could
the initial issue have been handled differently?
4. Have you ever had an intuitive sense or feeling about a situation that you just couldn’t shake?
How did it affect your actions or decisions?
5. Can you think of an experience or opportunity that was exciting but
ultimately short-lived? What did you learn from it?
6. When faced with multiple choices, what factors influence your decision
to opt for one option over others? Can you provide an example?
7. What motivates you to press on through difficult or challenging times?
Share a time when perseverance helped you achieve a goal.
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8. Have you ever been dismayed by unexpected news or outcomes?
9. What are some signs that someone might be at the end of their tether? How can you offer
support to someone in such a situation?
10. How do you manage when additional problems seem to add to your misery in a challenging
situation?
11. What are some common causes of feeling utterly drained after a long day? How do you
recharge and recover from such exhaustion?
12. How do you handle working or traveling in sweltering heat? What precautions do you take to
stay comfortable and safe?
13. Share an experience where you undertook a grueling journey, either physically or emotionally.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
14. Describe a situation where your plans or goals were up in the air.
15. What types of situations tend to give you a sinking feeling?
16. Make up your own question.
3.6. Read the text in 3.1 again and write out words and expressions which denote
emotional reaction to something (e.g., frustrated, dismayed, at the end of one’s tether).
Use them to describe the situations which might make you feel the same. Share your examples.
1) to be held up a) to embark
2) to get off b) to drive to a place and leave someone
3) to get on c) to set in motion
4) to go off d) to move suddenly in front of another driver
5) to set off e) to be delayed (about people)
6) slow down f) to reduce speed
7) to speed up g) to disembark
8) to cut off/up h) to fasten seatbelts
9) to buckle up i) to start sounding (about devices)
10) to drop off j) to move to the side of the road or stop one’s car
11) to pick up k) to suddenly start to be successful or popular
12) to pull over l) to collect somebody
13) to take off m) to accelerate
1.2. Fill in the gaps with one of the phrasal verbs form exercise 1.1.
1. Can you believe that idiot ___ me ___ like that? I nearly hit him! 2. I’ll ___ you ___ at the station
and ___ you ___ again when you arrive. 3. Karen apologized for being late and explained that
she’d ___ in traffic. 4. ___, there’s a speed limit here. You’ll get a speeding ticket. 5. If you believe
in safe driving, you’ll always ___ and stick to the speed limit. 6. Monica pushed the bell as she
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wanted ___ the bus at the next stop. 7. The new product really ___ among teens, they loved it. 8.
They arrived at the station just in time ___ the train before it left. 9. When I walked through the
metal detector at the airport security, the alarm ___ and the security officer asked me to step
aside. It turned out that my keys had ___ the alarm. 10. A police officer was standing by the side of
the road, signalling to me to ___. 11. The car in front suddenly ___ and went through a red light.
1.3. Respond to the following situations using the phrasal verbs in the parentheses.
1. I have to be at the airport 2. Have you been walking 3. Why are you late again?
first thing in the morning home?! Where’s your What happened this time?
tomorrow. — (pick up, drop car? — (pull over, speed — (get on, get off)
off, be held up) up, buckle up)
6. That’s a very unusual
5. You look pretty stressed vehicle. Who is going to
4. How was your flight? — out today. Is everything OK? buy it? – (take off, drop
(go off, set off, be held up) — (cut off/up, slow down, off, pick up)
speed up, pull over)
B.
I’ve had enough of life in the fast lane, so I’m giving up my stressful job and moving to the
countryside.
We need to step up a gear. Otherwise, we’ll never meet the deadline.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. It’s been done before.
C.
Although we had some initial problems, now our company is flying high. Of course, we have our
loyal customers to thank for that. Even when we were flying by the seat of our pants, there were
people believing in us and supporting us. Thanks to them, the production didn’t come to a
standstill during the crisis.
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to do sth. difficult without much to be very successful to stop
experience or ability
1. We have never dealt with such a situation before. What should we do?
2. He says we don’t know how to resolve the issue. But I think we have all the necessary tools.
3. I saw Mike yesterday, he looked weird and didn’t even say “hello”.
4. I am afraid we’ll have to work late tonight. There’s still a lot of things to be done.
5. I heard the manager is on vacation. How can he afford to be away from work now?
6. Nowadays the idea seems implausible.
7. All you need to do is manage your time properly.
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Unit 5. Epic Views
Unit scope: (1) describe natural and urban views, (2) learn some English geography, (3) discuss
the impact of geography on relations between countries, (4) get inspired by forest bathing, (5)
study collocations, (6) expand your vocabulary with colourful words of senses.
1. Lead-in. What is the best view, urban or natural, you’ve ever seen? Can you describe it?
2. Read the texts about different places, note down new words and phrases.
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You will see shimmering glaciers looming in the distance and lush moss-covered lava fields
scattered adjacent to them and then you will truly be blown away.
E. Located on a sunny high plateau, surrounded by a pine and larch forests and flower-filled
meadows beneath dozens of Alpine peaks at an altitude of almost 2000 metres above sea level,
Riederalp provides ideal access to the first
UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in the
Alps located by the Big Aletsch Glacier. It is
so difficult to find words to describe such a
beautiful and serene place. This charming
little village will make you feel totally
connected to nature and just relax and
breathe the clean mountain air against the
backdrop of gorgeous mountains and
beautiful green Alpine pastures.
Which place would you like to see most? Why?
3. Focus on vocabulary.
3.1. Focus on adjectives. Look at the words in bold italics in exercise 2 and match them
to the definitions.
More of a physical quality:
adjacent affordable Alpine bubbling countless craggy domed historic innovative lush
rocky rugged steep twisting volcanic
More of an opinion:
adventurous amazing awe-inspiring chaotic charming dramatic fantastic fascinating
glamorous gorgeous impressive indulgent majestic progressive serene speechless
striking vibrant youthful
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a) full of excitement and admiration because of its style and attractive appearance;
b) allowing smb to have or do what they want as a special treat;
c) in a state of chaos, disorder;
d) relating to or characteristic of young people;
e) extremely surprising and good;
f) energetic, bright, full of life and excitement;
g) pleasant and attractive;
h) peaceful and calm;
i) extremely interesting;
j) very beautiful and attractive;
k) with sudden changes, powerful and impressive;
l) unable to speak because of having strong feelings;
m) willing to try new or difficult often exciting things;
n) new and modern, encouraging change;
o) causing to feel admiration because of power, size or beauty;
p) very unusual and more attractive than usual;
q) causing admiration or respect because of special abilities, size, skills, etc.;
r) causing you to feel great respect and admiration;
s) extremely good.
Make up sentences using at least 4 words from both boxes (2 each), e.g.
We were climbing a steep path through the majestic lush greenery of the forest when suddenly we
saw an awe-inspiring view.
3.2. Focus on nouns. Look at the underlined words in the text and group them into 3 categories:
natural features, words related to human activities, words to describe views. The number of
words from each text belonging to each category is given. Translate the words into Ukrainian.
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Natural features Human activities Describing views
A 7 words A— A 4 words
B 1 word B 1 word B 5 words
C— C 3 words C—
D 6 words D— D 1 word
E 5 words E— E—
1. The rivers and lakes abound … fish, from which the inhabitants prepare their favourite dish. 2.
The terraced waterfalls are picturesque … the backdrop of high, green mountains. 3. Exhaust
fumes from cars and factories make … a toxic, suffocating smog that hangs over the city. 4. The
village is situated … an altitude of 2000 meters and its houses are scattered all over the hills. 5. I
prefer to stroll … the streets and just watch the people along the way. 6. Sherpa villages cling …
the sides of mountain slopes or sit on top of steep cliffs. 7. Three boys climb the staircase to a
second-floor observation deck to soak … the view. 8. You spend every possible moment living that
dream out, and soon it begins to take … your everyday life. 9. The landscape was absolutely
breathtaking and we couldn’t help but stare … awe. 10. At sunset I lounge … my bed and watch as
the waves wash onto the rocks, spraying onto the beach. 11. Throughout the day we’d seen most
spectacular scenery, but it was at sunset that we were completely blown … by the views. 12. Every
now and then the fog would break for a moment, exposing the mountain range looming … the
distance.
3.3.2. Fill in the sentences with a word from the list and translate the phrases into Ukrainian.
fuel ignite makings plummeting pretty scattered scene shimmering wander wise
1. The hotel was slightly shabby but price … it was a good deal for us. 2. To kill the time they
decided to … aimlessly inside the mall watching the crowds of shoppers. 3. I think the plan has all
the … of a disaster. 4. Today the city has a very active music …, with the jazz and metal genres
being particularly popular among the citizens. 5. The cottage in the mountains may cost a …
penny, can you really afford it? 6. Psychologists say that hiking in the countryside can … your
imagination and make you think more creatively. 7. We saw the waterfall … from the top of the
mountain into the valley below. 8. The mission of the organization is “to … the sense of wonder in
people’s minds and inspire them to be curious about the world around them.” 9. It was a bright
February morning, and the snow of the day before still lay deep upon the ground, … brightly in the
wintry sun. 10. Toys and books were … all around the room.
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b) What habits can be bad for you health wise?
c) What skills are important now career wise?
“wise” changes a noun into an adverb meaning 'relating to this subject' (spelt separately or
hyphenated): family wise, money-wise, market-wise, profit wise, time wise, etc.
3.4. Write a real story or make up one using the vocabulary from exercise 3.
1. Lead-in. Take a quick quiz to find out how well you know English geography.
1. Japan, Korea and the Philippines are all in __. A) the Near East B) the Far East C) the Middle
East
2. The South Pole is situated in the ___. A) Arctic B) Antarctic C) Antarctica
3. New Zealand is part of ___. A) Australia B) Australasia C) Austria
4. Bangladesh is part of ___. A) the Indian subcontinent B) India C) Indiana
5. Nicaragua is a country in ___. A) North America B) South America C) Central America
6. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama and Honduras all form part of ___. A) Latin America B)
Spanish America C) South America
7. Apartheid was abolished in ___ in the 1990s. A) southern Africa B) North Africa C) South
Africa
8. The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland form a group of islands known as ___. A) Great
Britain B) England C) the British Isles
9. The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland form part of ___. A) Continental Europe B)
Mainland Europe C) Europe
10. Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates form part of what is known as ___. A) the West
Indies B) the Gulf States C) the European Union
11. Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark are known collectively as ___. A) the Baltic Republics
B) the Caribbean C) Scandinavia
breathtaking bustling cosmopolitan dreary distant empty flat hectic impressive industrial
isolated lively modern mountainous noisy peaceful picturesque prosperous run-down
rural secluded stunning unspoiled untouched wrecked
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Beautiful Busy Quiet Unchanged Remote Destroyed Other
2.2. Using the words from the table and from Part 1 describe the places in the pictures below.
A B
C D
2.3. Look at the following lists of words. What do the words in each list have in common?
Translate them into Ukrainian. Suggest an adjective and a verb/ noun which are used with them.
river, stream, brook, flood, dam, rapids, waterfall, swamp, lake, pond, puddle, ocean, sea, salt
water, fresh water, wave, drop, pour, splash, gulf, bay
mountain, hill, peak, mountain range, volcano, eruption, lava, ash, valley, cliff, cave, plain,
meadow, field, forest/wood, jungle, rainforest, desert, sand, sand dunes, soil, dirt, mud
e) f) g) h)
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i) j) k) l)
m) n) o) p)
2.5. Put the words in each line in the box in order according to their size (the smallest first, the
largest last). In each line there is one word that does not fit.
1. The hut stood … the edge of the forest. 2. The bank is located … the end
of the street. 3. He has a cottage … a lake. 4. The country is located … a
peninsula / an island. 5. A cloud of smoke stretched 5 kilometres … the
direction of the city. 6. The desert extends … an area of 10 000 square
kilometres. 7. The volcano is situated 10 km … the north of the town. 8.
We drove for hours … the river / … the coast. 9. We had a picnic … the
other side of the river. 10. The village lies … the coast. 11. People were
sunbathing … the banks of the lake. 12. Villages are scattered … the slopes of the mountain. 13.
There’s a beautiful waterfall … the foot of the mountain. 14. The shopping mall is … the outskirts
of the town. 15. They bought a house … the suburbs. 16. He lives … the vicinity. 17. The castle is …
a very remote part of the county.
2.7. Integrate the vocabulary. Use some of the phrases from the previous sections to describe
the location of a country, city, town, village, house, a place you like visiting, or any other place.
3. Vocabulary recap.
Vocabulary race. In one minute translate as many of the following words as you can.
A
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1. водоспад; 2. струмок, потічок; 3. острів; 4. долина; 5. півострів; 6. стежка; 7. потік; 8. круча,
скеля; 9. пустеля; 10. гавань; 11. перелісок; 12. пагорб; 13. луки; 14. бухта, затока; 15. гірське
пасмо; 16. рівнина; 17. ставок; 18. мис; 19. притока; 20. узбережжя, берег; 21. калюжа; 22.
ущелина; 23. крапля; 24. тропічний ліс; 25. попіл; 26. болото; 27. багно; 28. пороги; 29. дамба;
30. виверження.
B
1. на іншому березі ріки; 2. прилягати до чогось, бути суміжним з чимось; 3. біля озера; 4.
зовсім близько від аеропорту; 5. у напрямку до моря; 6. вздовж узбережжя; 7. у віддаленому
районі; 8. на схилах гори; 9. вниз по ріці; 10. на півострові; 11. на околицях міста; 12. біля
підніжжя гори; 13. поблизу.
4.1. Boost your vocabulary. Can both words be used in the following sentences? If not,
which one is the correct variant?
1. There is a very narrow / steep path leading up to the main peak and the views are breathtaking
/ stunning – if you dare to look down!
2. It is in the middle of nowhere. You just drive along these dirt roads / tracks across huge flat /
rolling plains. And it’s pretty barren / lush – just brown
grassland.
3. It’s a Mecca for climbers because there are amazing sheer /
flat cliffs on either side of the valley / gorge. Some people
climb without ropes, they must be nuts.
4. The road twists along the coast and there are these little
coves / puddles where you can climb down to sandy / rocky
beaches and have a dip. The water’s amazing – crystal clear /
very murky.
5. It’s a beautiful area – rolling / barren green hills and thick /
dense woods.
6. We drove along this bumpy road through a(n) industrial / rugged landscape of mountain peaks
and deep cliffs / gorges.
4.2. Put the phrases in the correct order to make sentences. Explain the meaning of the words in
italics and use the words in your own examples.
1. to grow / the tundra is / the bleak belt of land / in the far north / for trees / where it’s too cold
and dry.
2. south of the tundra / stretching across Siberia, Canada, etc. / the taiga
is / the huge forested belt of land.
3. is known / consisting of / the region / gentle hills / for its undulating
landscape.
4. below / near the cliff edge / there’s a sheer drop / don’t go / down to
the sea.
5. blown away / nearly got / the windswept moorlands / I went / over / hiking.
6. the place is / without even / completely / a single patch / barren / of grass or a tree.
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7. they’re used / grazing / these hills and valleys / sheep and goats / are too craggy / so / to grow
crops / for.
8. the region / the river / became / an arid / dried up / when / desert.
1. When we walked along the mountain stream, a) sands created ever-changing patterns and
… shapes against the vast, open sky.
2. As we approached the garden pond, we saw b) to find a hidden beach with soft sand and
colorful fish darting … gentle waves.
3. When the flash flood hit the valley, … c) and created a glowing, fiery river that
4. While exploring the rocky cliff, we marveled reshaped the landscape.
at the dramatic views … d) the beach became covered in foam.
5. When the secluded cove emerged from e) we enjoyed the expansive views of the water
behind the rocks, we were delighted … and the gentle breeze.
6. As the lava flow cooled down after the f) it quickly transformed the usually calm river
volcanic eruption, … into a roaring torrent of muddy water.
7. When the crashing waves battered the g) as they grew more powerful, crashing against
shoreline, … the rocks with dramatic force.
8. When the murky swamp finally appeared, we h) it created new blackened landforms and
were greeted by … hardened into rough, jagged surfaces.
9. As the hot lava flowed down the mountain, it i) we noticed the crystal-clear water sparkling
burned everything in its path … under the sunlight.
10. While admiring the desert dunes, we j) the sounds of insects buzzing and the sight of
observed how the shifting … thick vegetation and still waters.
11. As we crossed the wide gulf, … k) in nutrients and ideal for growing a variety of
12. When the fertile soil was tested, it was clear crops and plants.
that it was rich … l) vibrant display of blooming flowers and the
13. While visiting the wildflower meadow, we sweet scent of nature in full bloom.
were surrounded by a … m) beneath the surface and heard the chirping
14. When the high waves began to form, we of frogs.
watched in awe … n) of the valley far below and the sheer drop of
the cliff edge.
5. Creative work. Designing a geography quiz. Work in pairs. Choose a country (or get
one of your teacher’s choice). Do a little research about the natural features of this
country as well as human-made ones. Present your findings to the group in as a descriptive way
as possible. Do not say which country it is or which continent it is located on. Use as much of the
vocabulary from this unit as you can. Think about the following: rivers, deserts, lakes, island
group, mountains, sea, forest / jungle, human-made features, activities to do but do not give
any names.
The rest of the group will try to guess which county you’re describing. Remember NOT to give
any NAMES.
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1. Lead-in. How important are the following in your life? Do you always have time for them?
electronic screens shrubs Japan senses impressive blood pressure stress levels
cells flourish settle down go untethered be still refrain from conversation
1. How often do you get out into green spaces? Can you
describe a time you did? What made it memorable?
2. Do you think access to nature will become more or less
important in the future? Why?
3. Futurologists speak of a new disease that is affecting
people – nature deficit disorder, which will result in a
number of behavioral problems, especially among children.
Do you think this is already happening and what are the
potential consequences of it?
3. Vocabulary expansion.
3.1. Read the text below and complete it with the missing words from the box.
Happiness is all about the moment, the right now place. Once I was staying on a farm in the flat 1)
___ in Argentina. One day, the heat was 2) ___ and I felt like a chicken roasted in the oven. The
farm had a pool, so I jumped into the water and 3) ___ on my back, 4) ___ at the blue sky 5) ___
with fluffy white clouds. The cicadas were 6) ___ in the long grass and the smell of dry 7) ___ earth
was becoming more noticeable. I was suddenly 8) ___ by the beauty. In a place like this, how can
you not be happy?
3.2. Choose three verbs which can be used to describe the nouns.
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1) insects chirp / hum / laugh / hop
2) trees sway / skip / creak / stand silently
3) waves walk / crash / foam / roll
4) the sun scorches / beats down / glares / whispers
5) the rain patters / pours / listens / drips
6) stars dance / twinkle / glitter / drive
7) birds flash / squeak / swoop / chirp
8) a boat drifts / rocks / glides / skips
9) clouds gather / darken / sway / glide
10) the wind howls / hops / whistles / shrieks
3.3. Describe the time when you felt truly happy by mentioning where you were, what you could
hear, see, smell, feel. Include some verbs of action or movement.
4. Revision.
4.1. Use a word from Unit 4 to complete the story below. The first letter has been given.
We began our journey in the capital, Trini, a 1) h….. metropolis of almost ten million. It is
not a pretty place; 2) i….., with huge factories 3) s….. around the city. It was a relief to leave. As
soon as we got into the countryside, things improved considerably. The climate is dry and at first
all we could see was 4) b….. land. It is difficult to grow
anything here, but thanks to irrigation, which helps bring
water in from the Rio Cogne (the huge river with its
source high up in the snow-covered 5) p… of the Sierra
Nostra 6) m….. r…..), the land is fertile enough to grow the
sugar cane on which much of the economy is based.
Further south and we entered the Verde 7) v….., with mountains rising high above us on both
sides. The land here drops sharply to the sea and the slow-moving waters of the Rio Cogne give
way to 8) w….. which plummet over 9) c….., and small, fast-moving 10) s…. which are not even
wide enough to take a boat. At this point, the road we were travelling along became so 11) t…..
and narrow that it had room only for one vehicle, and then it turned into an unpaved 12) d…. r…..
which almost shook the car to pieces. And then suddenly, the Pacific 13) ….. was in front of us. Our
destination was the town of Santiago de Gora, built on a 14) c…. . sticking out into the blue
waters. The countryside here is amazing, with low 15) r….. hills covered in rich tropical jungle. The
open 16) p…. surrounding the delta of the Rio Cogne as it reaches the ocean is rich and fertile,
ideal for growing the tobacco plants which need a lot of warm, damp 17) s…... That night I lay in
my cheap hotel, listening to the waves gently 18) s….. onto the beach, and when I eventually fell
asleep, I dreamt of the people who had first inhabited this country almost two thousand years
before.
1. Жити у власному триповерховому особняку на березі озера недалеко від гаю – моя
заповітна мрія. 2. Один з найстародавніших соборів міста розташований біля підніжжя
мальовничої гори. 3. Гарячі джерела, лавові поля, вкриті мохом, скелясті гори під шапкою
льодовиків та численні водоспади – все це природа Ісландії, захоплююча та дивовижна. 4.
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Якщо ти хочеш насолодитись казковими пейзажами альпійський луків та потічків,
необов’язково їхати до Швейцарії, карпатські полонини нічим не гірші. 5. Атмосфера міста
може здатись занадто метушлива, якщо ти звик до спокійного життя за містом, але
прогулянки витими вуличками, яскраве мистецьке життя, безліч видів діяльності та багато
інших сторін / аспектів міського способу життя створюють свій неповторний шарм. 6. Він
живе поблизу струмка, який кишить рибою. 7. Житло у цьому районі досить доступне в плані
ціни, але сам район доволі похмурий через багато занедбаних будівель. 8. Котедж з
червоним банеподібним дахом розташований на тлі скелі і виглядає приголомшливо. 9. Ця
ущелина зовсім близько, 10 хвилин машиною – і ви вже там. 10. Ми спостерігали з трепетом,
як люди у човні майстерно пробирались через стрімкі пороги на річці.
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5.2. Complete the sentences with the words / word combinations from the box.
cradle dawn of time ebb and flow expanse forge formidable gamble harsh hurdle
maritime melting pot nestled nomadic undergoing
1. Many island nations are ___ in vulnerable geographic locations. 2. New York City is a ___ of
diverse cultures. 3. Nations often ___ alliances to address global challenges. 4. Deserts present a
___ reality for survival. 5. Building a city on a coastline is a ___ due to climate change. 6. The Great
Wall of China was a ___ obstacle to invaders. 7. The traditional lifestyle of many Middle Eastern
cultures was___. 8. Overcoming poverty is a significant ___ for many developing countries. 9.
Since the ___, human history has been shaped by its surroundings. 10. Our planet is currently ___
significant changes in climate. 11. The Sahara Desert is a vast arid ___. 12. The new policy aims to
___ the growth of young startups by offering financial support. 13. The dispute over the ___
frontier between the two nations has led to tense negotiations and discussions. 14. The stock
market is known for its ____, with periods of rapid growth followed by downturns.
5.4. Boost your vocabulary. Choose one word from the list to complete the word
combinations. Explain their meanings and use them in your own examples.
1. How do natural features like mountains and rivers influence the development of civilizations?
Discuss specific examples, such as how the Nile River shaped ancient Egyptian society or how the
Alps impacted the development of Europe.
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2. What are the impacts of climate change on coastal cities around the world? Explore the risks of
rising sea levels and extreme weather events on urban areas like New York, Bangkok, or Venice.
3. Which countries have the most unique or unusual geographical features, and how do these
features affect the daily lives of their inhabitants? Consider places like Iceland’s geothermal
activity or Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
4. How do geographical features influence regional cultures and economies? Discuss how
mountains, deserts, or coastal regions shape local traditions, industries, and lifestyles.
5. What are the challenges and benefits of living in a landlocked country? Look into countries like
Switzerland or Mongolia and how they manage trade and access to resources.
When were you last out in the countryside? How would you describe the landscape?
Write a short blog entry.
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Unit 6. Chasing Adventures
Unit scope: (1) talk about adventures and taking risks, (2) discuss the purpose of travel and develop
your presentation skills, (3) create your bucket list and explore things which scare or excite your, (4)
get inspired by a Ted Talk, (5) expand your vocabulary with collocations and idioms, (6) boost your
creativity.
1. Lead-in. Look at the quote above. Do you agree with it? Give your reasons.
1.1. Comment on the statements below.
1.2. Tick the statements you agree with and explain your opinion.
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a) is an eye-opening experience.
b) makes you a more intelligent person.
c) allows you to detox from social media.
Tourism d) brings prosperity to many countries.
e) is detrimental to the environment.
f) makes you appreciate home.
g) ruins traditional communities.
h) makes you selfish.
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are made of waterproof plastic: how gloriously Australian is that? And the news item that during a
recent tsunami warning, the surfers at Bondi Beach refused to leave the sea: (6) ____?
The more I travel, the clearer it seems that the truth of a place is in the tiny details of
everyday life, not in its most glorious statues or scenery. Put down your camera, (7) ___, the real
wonders of the world number indefinitely more than 25.
(abridged from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/here-are-my-25000-wonders-of-the-world-gt7wjctgcsx)
2.2. These parts have been removed from the text. Put them in the correct place.
1. What does the author mean by ‘the prescribed tourist manner’ in paragraph 2?
2. What did the author think or feel after seeing the sunset over Ayer Rock? Why?
3. What does the author mean when she says 'eyes are not good enough' in paragraph 4?
4. The author compares visiting the main tourist sights to a duty visit. Is she right about that?
5. Why do you think travel has become “the biggest industry on the planet”?
6. Do you agree that to see The Great Barrier Reef is less amazing than to see a waterproof banknote,
that tiny details matter more than famous sights?
7. Do you think that travel without cameras might be a new trend in the near future? Why (not)?
2.4. Look back at the text and find the words and phrases for the following:
3.2. Watch the 1st part of the video to 3.20 and answer the questions below.
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1. Why has the number of visitors to the Horseshoe Bend changed?
2. What is geotagging?
3. What are the negative effects of geotagging / more visitors?
4. How did the local authorities respond to the growing popularity of the
Horseshoe Bend?
3.3. Watch the 2nd part of the video from 3:20 and complete the gaps below.
3.4. These are some of the people’s comments on the video. Do you agree or disagree
with them? Explain your opinion.
People aren’t going to explore the beauty We promote people to get outside and
of nature, no, it’s more pathetic than that, explore. Then get upset and look at
they’re going to post it on social media and the negative when people are out
get more likes. there enjoying it.
3.5. Follow-up. In the video, they mentioned an organization that protects the outdoors
by popularizing guidelines on how to behave around nature. Work in pairs / teams.
Come up with 5 rules that people should follow when they are in the outdoors. Share and compare
with the others to create one list of 5 principles that you all agree on.
*The organization referred to in the video is called Leave No Trace and here are their rules: https://lnt.org/learn/seven-
principles-overview
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- trekking in the Himalayas
- mountain biking in Bolivia
- deep sea diving on a coral reef
- snowboarding in the Andes
- travelling down the Amazon on a boat
- photohunting and camping with rangers in African safari parks
- teaching in a remote village in China
- going on an expedition to the Antarctic
- crossing a desert in a jeep
- sailing from Europe to America in boat race
- going abroad alone
- travelling somewhere without booking where to stay in advance
1.2. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done? Describe your experience.
1.3. Complete the statements with a word from the box and agree / disagree with them.
1. Someone said that attitude is the difference between a(n) ___ and an adventure.
2. I’m not very good at ___, I like life’s creature comforts.
3. I need to be a bit more ___, step out of my comfort ___.
4. I’ll stop at nothing to ___ my curiosity.
5. I’m a total adrenaline ___: skydiving, freeriding, mountain biking – I’ll do anything!
6. I’m afraid an adventure holiday leaves me ___; I’d rather ___ by the pool at a luxury hotel.
3.2. Read the text and complete it with a word / word combination from 3.1. Translate the text
into Ukrainian.
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3.3. Translate the sentences using the words and words combinations from 3.1.
1. Густий підлісок джунглів та пишна зелень тропічних лісів багаті на різні види комах та птахів.
2. Ми вирішили заблукати у немисленому лабіринті хаотичних вулиць, а далі діяти по ситуації.
3. Їм дуже потрібні всі блага цивілізації, тому наш скромний будинок навряд чи їх влаштує (не
задовільнить їхніх сподівань). 4. Вона ніколи не встане вдосвіта, щоб піти на прогулянку
містом, та ще й таким брудним та занедбаним. 5. Нас змусили повірити, що під час подорожі
ми побачимо славнозвісну дику природу країни; але ми побачили жалюгідну картину – лише
кілька дерев з дикими мавпами на них. 6. Він давно націлився на цю країну, тому вмить
погодився поїхати туди, навіть попри непросту подорож, яка його чекала. 7. Шлях піднімався
уверх через гористу місцевість і він був непростий, але нагорі нас чекав захоплюючий вид.
1. Lead-in. Work in groups of 3-4. Imagine you were asked to speak on the program A
Journey to Remember. What travel experience would you talk about (it could be a trip
when you were travelling somewhere or just something that happened on your way home / to
university). Tell each other about your experiences.
2.2. Study the following word combinations and discuss whether they have a positive or negative
meaning. Use them to make up sentences about yourself or someone you know.
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to get a buzz out of / to get jitters from
a nightmare scenario / a rosy scenario
2.3. Complete the following with your own ideas. Give your reasons.
2.4. Use the vocabulary from above to talk about the following:
Ric Elias, who had a front-row seat on Flight 1549, the plane that
crash-landed in the Hudson River in New York in January 2009, tells
what went through his mind as the doomed plane went down.
3.3. Watch again and fill in the gaps with the words you hear.
Now I want to share with you three things I learned about myself that day. I learned that it all
changes in an 1) ___. We have this bucket 2) ___, we have these things we want to do in life, and I
thought about all the people I wanted to 3) ___ out to that I didn’t, all the fences I wanted to 4) ___,
all the experiences I wanted to have and I never did. As I thought about that later on, I came up with
a saying, which is, “I collect bad wines.” Because if the wine is ready and the person is there, I’m
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opening it. I no longer want to 5) ___ anything in life. And that urgency, that purpose, has really
changed my life.
… And I regretted the time I wasted on things that did not matter with people that matter. And I
thought about my relationship with my wife, with friends, with people. And after, as I 6) ___ on that,
I decided to 7) ___ my negative energy from my life. It’s not perfect, but it’s a lot better. I’ve not
had a fight with my wife in two years. It feels great. I no longer try to be right; I choose to be happy.
… And it made all the sense in the world to me. I realized at that point, by connecting those two 8)
___, that the only thing that matters in my life is being a great dad. Above all, the only goal I have in
life is to be a good dad.
1. Are there any things this talk made you think of?
2. Is there anything you postpone doing? Why?
3. If you could change one thing in your life right now, what would it be?
4.1. The Daily Mail newspaper conducted a survey to see what the British public most commonly
put on their bucket lists. Can you guess the top ten? Check the items in the Bonus part (exercise
3) and decide if they could be on your list.
4.2. The speaker mentioned a bucket list of things he wanted to do. Take some time to reflect on
the things you want to do in your life and create your own bucket list. Include at least 5 items. Be
very specific, e.g. don’t write “work as a manager at an international company” but “work as a
deputy CEO at SpaceX”. Share your lists in groups.
1. Write a blog entry for a travel site about a place you have visited. Include the things to
see and do, things to avoid (if any), recommendations, etc.
2. Reading and speaking. Read an extract from a book and pick out the ideas that you either
strongly agree or disagree with. Give your reasons.
I'd like to repeat the advice that I gave you before, in that I think you really should make a
radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have
thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy
circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are
conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one
peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than
a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of
life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to
have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.
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If you want to get more out of life, Ron, you must lose your inclination for monotonous
security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once
you become accustomed to such a life, you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty. And
so, Ron, in short, get out of Salton City and hit the Road. I guarantee you will be very glad you did.
But I fear that you will ignore my advice. You think that I am stubborn, but you are even more
stubborn than me. You had a wonderful chance on your drive back to see one of the greatest sights
on earth, the Grand Canyon, something every American should see at least once in his life. But for
some reason, incomprehensible to me, you wanted nothing but to bolt for home as quickly as
possible, right back to the same situation which you see day after day after day. I fear you will follow
this same inclination in the future and thus fail to discover all the wonderful things that God has
placed around us to discover.
Don't settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new
horizon. You are still going to live a long time, Ron, and it would be a shame if you did not take the
opportunity to revolutionize your life and move into an entirely new realm of experience.
You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God
has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to
have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living.
My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in
your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The
only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances.
Top 40
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19. Write a novel 34. Bungee jump
20. Drive a racing car 35. Reach the top of my career ladder
21. Change career 36. Own a Mulberry handbag
22. Trek the Inca Trail 37. Ride a camel
23. Be a volunteer for a good cause 38. Ride on a horse and cart
24. Be an extra in a film 39. Write a film
25. Go scuba diving 40. Change hair colour
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