Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 19 June 2012
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Daredevil Makes History Over Niagara Falls
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- generation: the period of time in which a child grows up and starts his or her own family (average 30 years)
- headset:Â a sound system you wear that has earphones and a microphone
- tightrope:Â a long rope or cable that is secured at both ends high above the ground
- daredevil:Â a person who takes serious risks to perform entertaining stunts
- stunt: a difficult trick that requires mental and physical training and skill
- accomplish:Â to achieve a goal
Comprehension Questions
- What famous circus family does this daredevil belong to?
- What were the conditions like as he walked across the tightrope?
- What did the performer do while he walked from the US to Canada?
Discussion Question: Nik Wallenda was wearing a safety tether because the television network that helped sponsor the walk insisted on it. How does the harness change the experience for the viewer and the performer?
show Answershide Answers
Daredevil Makes History Over Niagara Falls
Nik Wallenda, a seventh generation member of the “Flying Wallendas”, made a successful high wire walk across the base of Niagara Falls over the weekend. Despite the heavy mist and winds, it took Wallenda less than 25 minutes to complete the 1500 foot tightrope walk. The performer wore a headset and spoke calmly to news reporters and his father as he made his way from the US to Canada. Thousands of people watched from the American and Canadian shores, while millions tuned in to watch the stunt on TV. It took two years for the daredevil to convince both sides of the Niagara region to allow him to fulfil his childhood dream. Similar high wire walks were accomplished downstream over 100 years ago.
- Nik Wallenda is a seventh generation member of the Flying Wallendas.
- The conditions were windy and wet (due to the mist).
- The performer spoke with his father and reporters over a headset while he walked from the US to Canada on the high wire.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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