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Skydiving
Skydiving

Learn English with this extreme sports English lesson

Date: Dec 09 2019

Themes: Sports

Grammar: Present Perfect Progressive

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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You’re standing in the open door of an airplane. The wind is blowing hard and your legs are shaking. The ground looks so far away. Everything is tiny… houses, cars, lakes and rivers. You know it will all be over in minutes, but it seems like so many things could go wrong. Do you jump?

People sometimes feel that unless they want to die with regrets, they need to take risks and try activities that seem dangerous. For example, they might jump from an airplane, swim with sharks, or climb a tall mountain. But you don’t have to leave your comfort zone to be happy with your life. What’s important to one person is not necessarily important to another!

Do Lily and Marni plan to go skydiving? Find out in this English lesson about an extreme sport.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Lily

Lily

Marni

Marni

Lily:  I’m so excited this weekend. Guess what I’m doing.

Marni:  I have no idea.

Lily:  I’m going skydiving!

Marni:  What??

Lily:  Yeah, I’m so excited! It’s going to be so awesome.

Marni:  Oh my god. Are you just an adrenaline junkie, or what?

Lily:  I think it’s time to live a little. I’ve been wanting to skydive since I was really young. I’m at a time in my life where I need to take risks, and go for the thrill, and get outside my comfort zone. You know, that kind of thing.

Marni:  I’m all for taking risks, but that just seems very dangerous to me. I mean, you could break your neck!

Lily:  I prefer to concentrate on the thrill more than the “falling to my death” part.

Marni:  OK, well that’s probably wise. But really? Skydiving? It just seems so dangerous.

Lily:  But what’s more dangerous? Possible, actual danger, or the regrets you will face later having not done it?

Marni:  I don’t think I will ever regret not jumping out of an airplane. I have things that I want to do in life, but skydiving is just not one of them. But I wish you the best of luck, and I’ll be so curious to hear about it.

Lily:  I’ll send you a text on the way down.

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Marni can’t believe it, but it’s true: Lily is going skydiving. She says that she’s wanted to go since she was young, and that she thinks it’s important to live a little. Lily doesn’t want to reach the end of her life with any regrets, so she’s going for it.

Marni has absolutely no interest in going skydiving. It’s just too dangerous. She knows that a person could get really hurt by jumping from an airplane, so it’s not an activity on her “life list.” It’s hard to know if Marni is more nervous for Lily or excited for her.

Have you ever gone skydiving? Do you want to try it? Why or why not?

 

Comments

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inventive2

inventive2

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

This is very exciting. I like it :)

10:19 AM Dec 11 2018 |

1 person likes this

Staisy

Staisy

Russian Federation

I can  understand Lily , as  I felt the same exitement on making a desision to   take a skydive. This  activity is  rather  popular in Russia and many people want  to leave their comfort zone and to try it, in spite of it is rather expensive and of course, very fearful, especially the  last moments  before stepping out of a plane. Also  is is  very challenging, as you know, that you will be on your own  in the air. 


I had several skydives  in my youth,  and that was enough for me. There were people , who had  100  and  more skydives, but  I did not want to follow their  example and to take risks anymore.  But I was so proud to have such an experience in my life for that time.

07:57 PM Apr 03 2014 |

1 person likes this

sara1998

sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

 i do like taking rist and i’m a big T person…...


i think by shouting after doing these kinds of sports you can feel relaxed….at least for me it’s like that…..:)


also bungee jumping doesn’t scares me a bit….....!!!

06:13 PM Dec 12 2013 |

1 person likes this

julieq

julieqSuper Member!

United States

I’m pretty sure I’d pee in my pants if I ever went skydiving!

11:20 PM Dec 11 2013 |

1 person likes this

kowatch

kowatch

Hungary

Skydiving will never be on my bucket list and the reason is that I have horror of heigh. I’m sure I’ll not regret.


Marni is right, it’s really dangerous. But paratroopers’ first rule to make it safe. If you just jump out, fall and don’t try doing any dangerous manoeuver then you will survive it.

09:04 PM Dec 11 2013 |

1 person likes this

skyssoul

skyssoul

Algeria

It’s on my endless to-do List.


But it’s within the first five decisions.Since we’re mortal in this life,I think we should try something you don’t get to do everyday.



I would totally do it,with no hestitation I might give myself a heart attack when my feet leave the plane but all my organs should agree with the crazy will of my soul.


If I’m offered to do so,then capital letters YES.The equipments should better be good and strong.Or else it’ll be high risk.


 


If you can challenge yourself and do so,you’ll be more corageous to make other decisions in your life.So it’s not just a couple minutes exotic pleasure.


(Thinking outside the plane haha ).


08:11 PM Dec 11 2013 |

vishal2362

vishal2362

India

I have also dream for skydiving…when I saw Movie zindgi na milegi dobara I decided ones in life I ll sure do skydiving..

11:39 AM Dec 09 2013 |

alpakka

Hungary

I had two static line jumps (I think that’s how it’s called), I was so freaked before the jumps but these really were the best moments of my life! I highly recommend for you guys to try it, I’m not saying do jumps alone, if you just want to try how it feels you can do tandem jumps. And no, don’t worry, it’s not dangerous.

09:15 PM Dec 08 2013 |

Nijar

Nijar

Egypt

What about sending one of the bridezillas on a ride into the godzilla? Hmm,tell me about the goosebumps now,Mr!! LOL

04:56 PM Dec 08 2013 |

1 person likes this

kousik74

kousik74

India

I have never gone skydiving but I want to try it. I think it’s not dangerous but it takes some courage to do it. It would be exciting to get out of my comfort zone and experiment some new thing in life. 

03:40 PM Dec 08 2013 |

1 person likes this

Michelle95

China

interesting

01:51 PM Dec 08 2013 |

1 person likes this

ahmet55

ahmet55

Germany

Unfortunately, I’ve never got this action till now. But I really want to do it at least one time. I suppose it would be full of interesting and also such an excited activity. I like to be in that situation. I’m aware of all of perilous which can be happened during doing that but i’m so curious about that. Despite of that it’s possible to lose my life at the end of skydiving but i’m interest in a lot. I’ll enjoy very much when i will suspend between air and ground. Watching gigantic building with the shape of tiny scale would be fantastic for me. All in all i’m keen on having this experience, anyway. 



 

10:04 AM Dec 08 2013 |

MUHAMMAD92

MUHAMMAD92

Saudi Arabia

okbe careful marni and liyl, when you skydiving.

01:53 AM Dec 08 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

sveta86  , there is a saying ,”he who fights and run  away live to fight another day”   perhaps in the future you may want to get out of your comfort zone  and go for the thrill . lol…

12:38 AM Dec 08 2013 |

1 person likes this

MAHSA1995

MAHSA1995

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I have always been interested in things which make me feel “FRIGHTENED”!!!


Well, I don’t know why but I find it so exciting to be in risk, to freak out.As a result, skydiving must also be fun.I have never tried it before but I am gonna get for it ASAP.Although, it will take me some time to persuade my parents,AS ALWAYS ; D

07:42 PM Dec 07 2013 |

sveta86

Russian Federation

I’ve never done skydiving but a few years ago I did bungee-jumping. That was crazy and I was frightened very much. But Im happy that I did it..)) I dont think that Im gona try skydiving coz now Im feeling pretty good in my comfort zone or maybe just getting old..((

07:28 PM Dec 07 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Miss Nijar.  You have drived your point home !!!.  What could be more insane that  hopping on one of  those giant roller coasters ,  i would have goosebumps if I had to ride in one of these godzillas  , my  heart would start pumping blood  at an increased rate, yet when the ride is over I am sure  that  i would  feel extremely  happy to have done  the experience.   


    

02:53 PM Dec 07 2013 |

1 person likes this

jein

jein

Indonesia

I’ve not. I think I don’t want to try skydiving because I have an uncomfortable feeling if I’m in the high.

02:07 PM Dec 07 2013 |

bienemaja

bienemaja

Andorra

I have never done skydiving and won’ t do it because I don’ t like heights

01:45 PM Dec 07 2013 |

1 person likes this

Nijar

Nijar

Egypt

I do agree with you,Mr Julito.Not the high way only,but the rides also!!


As I’ve been told,Marni is a mom.So will not you and your kids go on a ride at a Theme Park,one day?Don’t you think these rides ,fast trains,and roller coasters kind of danger too?However, when the trip comes to the end,will not you and your children feel happiness and enjoyment?I do believe ,you will feel!! 


I love sports,specially skiing, but when the talk comes to ‘Skydiving’,non of my family will give it an ear the moment due to age,hold on, Nijar.Wait;(


Anyhow,I’d been told; it’s amazing,free like a bird,act like a mad,mixed emotions like Othello..LOL,but the disaster when you feel like you will do it up,am I wet?hehe…   So I decided to put a diaper ,when the day comes;-)


01:26 PM Dec 07 2013 |

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