Audio Time: 6 min 9 sec
Level: Intermediate and up
Vocabulary: To
help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that
might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the
lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story
(in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).
Act: a law
made by a group of legislators.
Sign into a law: to officially make an act into a law.
Mines: a pit
or tunnel from which minerals (such as coal, gold, diamonds, etc.) are taken.
Refuge:
a
place that provides shelter or protection.
To trek: to walk
usually for a long distance; to travel by walking through an area with many
mountains, rivers, etc., for pleasure and adventure; to go on a long, difficult
journey.
Mountain
range: a series of mountains or hills in a line.
Headwaters: the
beginning and upper part of a stream or river.
Arduous: very difficult.
Paddle: a
long, usually wooden pole that has a wide, flat part at the end and is used to
move and steer a small boat (such as a canoe); to move a boat forward through
water with a paddle; (in this text) the process of paddling.
Canoe: a
long narrow boat that is pointed at both ends and that is moved by a paddle.
To
catch up with someone: (in
this text) to
try to reach the same position or place as someone.
To bank
on: to feel confident or sure
about (something).
Bow: the front part of a boat or ship.
Stern: the back part of a boat or ship.
So far: until
the present time: to this point.
Rapids: a part of
a river where the water flows very fast usually over rocks.
Backpacking: to
hike or travel with a backpack.
To howl: of a
dog, wolf, etc.: to make a long, loud cry that sounds sad.
Grizzly sow: a female grizzly bear.
Cub: a
young animal that eats meat, usually used for bears, big cats (lions, tigers, etc.),
wolves, etc.
Lean: not
having much fat: physically thin, strong, and healthy.
To
bargain: (in this text) to
expect or plan on something; (In general) an agreement in which people or
groups say they will do or give something in exchange for something else.
Next stretch: the next part of the trip or journey.
Boulder: a
large rock.
Cozy:
small, comfortable and warm.
Confines: the limits or edges of something.
Studio: (in
this text) a place where radio or
television programs are broadcast.
Compartmentalized
:
to separate (something) into sections or
categories.
Yeah:
(informal) yes.
Existence: the
state of being, or being real, or of living.
High sided on a rock: to get caught on a rock.
To grab: to
quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms.
Hypothermia: a
condition in which the temperature of your body is very low.
To contemplate: to
think deeply or carefully about (something).
Shack: a
small house or building that is not put together well.
Incredible: difficult or impossible to
believe.
Comfort zone: a place, situation, or level where someone
feels confident and comfortable.
Self-sufficient: able
to live or function without help or support from others.
Spectacular: causing wonder and admiration:
very impressive.
Dictate: (in this text) to give orders
to (someone).
Reversal: a
change to an opposite state, condition, decision, etc.
Marvelous: extremely good or enjoyable.
To work
out: to
happen, develop, or end in a particular way or to have a particular result.
Grammar
Tip: Say and tell
“So tell us about it.”
“Yeah,
it feels like a different person saying those things”
Incorrect: Can you say
me how to tell this in English?
Correct: Can you tell
me how to say this in English?
Say is used in
general to speak about something that has been said by someone. It’s used more
often to report what someone else has said. Tell is used in a more specific
sense to mean the process of instructing or informing someone about something.
This is a one-way process and the verb tell must be followed by a direct object
(tell us/him/her/the audience).
At lunch, John told his coworkers about his business trip to China.
John said that the business trip to China went very well.
Remember these
collocations:
Tell a story, lie, secret, joke, the truth.
Say, yes or no, a few words, something/anything/etc.
Discussion
questions:
1. What were the most interesting parts of this story for
you?
2. Would you go on this kind of adventure? Would you go with
your child?
3. What’s the most dangerous or scary experience that has
happened to you?
4. What’s the most marvelous experience that has happened to
you?
5. Have you ever seen or had any experiences with wild
animals?
6. Do you enjoy spending time in nature or the
wilderness? Have you ever gone
backpacking?
7. Should the government protect the wilderness by signing
into law acts like the Wilderness Act, which protects land from development
such as roads, mines, and buildings?
