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B2 English • Mountain & Adventure

Adventure, Risk and Extreme Sports

⏱️ 20 Minutes 🎯 10 Target Words

Master essential B2 vocabulary to describe high-altitude expeditions, physical hazards, rescue missions, and the psychological mindset required for extreme sports.

A breathtaking panoramic view of a snow-capped mountain peak during a sunrise, cinematic lighting, ultra-realistic

How to Use This Lesson

🧑‍🏫 For Teachers

Allocate 20 minutes across 4 stages: word study (5 min), matrix & gap-fill (5 min), nuanced usage (5 min), and shadowing drills (5 min).
Use the instant answer check to see mistakes while students work.

🎒 For Learners

Read the word table first. Then do the 16 questions.

Target Vocabulary Reference Table

Close-up action shot of a rock climber scaling a vertical cliff face with professional climbing gear, focused expression

Theme 1: The Challenge 4 Words

Word	Meaning	Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
summit (n)	The highest point of a hill or mountain.	reach the summit, mountain summit, push for the summit	–	After ten grueling hours, the climbers reached the icy summit.	The top is the sum of all your steps.
expedition (n)	An organized journey undertaken for a specific purpose like exploration.	launch an expedition, mount an expedition, lead an expedition	–	The team launched an expedition across the Antarctic ice cap.	Think of "speed" and "pedal" (ped = foot)—a massive planned journey on foot!
altitude (n)	The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.	high altitude, altitude sickness, cope with altitude	–	Climbers need several days to acclimatize to the extreme altitude.	Starts with "alt" (like alto = high voice)—how high up you are in the air.
terrain (n)	A stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.	rough terrain, rugged terrain, navigate difficult terrain	–	The rocky terrain tore their boots and made quick progress impossible.	Like extraterrestrial or terra cotta—it is all about the actual earth and dirt.

Theme 2: Danger & Rescue 3 Words

Word	Meaning	Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
avalanche (n)	A mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.	sudden avalanche, trigger an avalanche, avalanche warning	–	A sudden avalanche swept down the ravine and blocked the valley path.	AV-uh-lanch: a lunch of snow falling down.
exhausted (adj)	Completely drained of physical or mental energy.	completely exhausted, utterly exhausted, collapse exhausted	exhaust (v) exhaustion (n)	The exhausted hikers collapsed inside their tents right after sunset.	Like a car exhaust pipe blowing out the very last fumes of fuel.
rescue (v/n)	To save someone from a dangerous or life-threatening situation.	mountain rescue, rescue operation, come to the rescue	rescuer (n)	Helicopters flew through dense fog to rescue the two stranded skiers.	"Re-secure"—making someone completely safe and secure once again.

Theme 3: Attitude & Mindset 3 Words

Word	Meaning	Collocations	Word Forms	Example Sentence	Memory Tip
thrill (n)	A sudden feeling of intense excitement, energy, and adrenaline.	seek the thrill, thrill of danger, cheap thrill	thrilling (adj) thrilled (adj)	Wingsuit flyers leap from cliffs purely for the unforgettable thrill.	A thrill makes your heart jump.
determination (n)	Firmness of purpose and resolve to continue despite severe obstacles.	sheer determination, fierce determination, show determination	determine (v) determined (adj)	Her sheer determination kept her moving upward through the blizzard.	You "terminate" all excuses until you hit your final goal.
cautious (adj)	Careful to avoid potential problems, danger, or foolish risks.	remain cautious, cautious approach, cautious step	caution (n) cautiously (adv)	Climbers must remain cautious when traversing thin sheets of glacial ice.	Like the yellow "CAUTION" tape—stop and look before moving!

Practice Section (16 Items)

Apply all 10 target words across four progressive exercise formats.

Part A Collocation Matrix: Match Verbs to Mountain Targets

Select the single correct verb that pairs naturally with each target noun phrase.

1. Which verb pairs naturally with "... the summit" to mean arriving at the highest mountain point?

____ launch ____ cross ____ reach ____ cope with

2. Which verb pairs naturally with "... an expedition" to mean organizing and beginning a major journey?

____ launch ____ cross ____ reach ____ cope with

3. Which verb phrase pairs naturally with "... altitude" to mean dealing successfully with thin mountain air?

____ launch ____ cross ____ reach ____ cope with

4. Which verb pairs naturally with "... rough terrain" to mean travelling across uneven ground?

____ launch ____ cross ____ reach ____ cope with

Part B Gap-Fills: Mountain Dialogues

Complete each dialogue using one exact word from the bank below.

cautious rescue avalanche exhausted

Climber A: "Did you hear that deafening roar just below the mountain summit?"

Climber B: "Yes! Quick, take cover! A massive snow slide is tearing down the slope!"

Type the word that describes this falling mass of snow: ____

Guide: "We have pushed through high altitude for eleven consecutive hours."

Hiker: "I can barely lift my feet. My muscles are shaking and I am completely drained of energy."

Type the adjective from the bank meaning completely worn out and drained of energy: ____

Ranger: "Two stranded backpackers are trapped on an icy ridge during the storm."

Commander: "We must launch an urgent expedition to save them before nightfall."

Type the verb from the bank that means to save someone from life-threatening danger: ____

Instructor: "The trail over this rocky terrain is full of loose stones and hidden crevasses."

Trainee: "Understood. I will stay alert and remain extremely careful with every single step."

Type the adjective from the bank meaning careful to avoid danger and mistakes: ____

Part C Choose the best word

Only one option fits the gap in meaning and grammar.

9. Even when freezing gale-force winds battered the tent, her fierce _______ to complete the climb kept her moving up the ridge.

____ a. determination ____ b. curiosity ____ c. generosity

10. Extreme skydivers and big-wave surfers do not risk their lives for mild enjoyment; they crave the electric _______ of pure adrenaline.

____ a. thrill ____ b. comfort ____ c. routine

11. Following the morning avalanche warning, the expedition leader adopted an exceptionally _______ approach, testing each ice bridge before allowing anyone to step forward.

____ a. cautious ____ b. reckless ____ c. casual

12. The jagged volcanic _______ was so uneven and boulder-strewn that the team could only advance one kilometer per hour.

____ a. terrain ____ b. summit ____ c. altitude

Part D Change the word to fit the sentence

Transform the base target word given in brackets into the exact grammatical form needed for each sentence.

13. Every volunteer _______ on the alpine team received a medal after saving five climbers stranded by an avalanche. (RESCUE)

Fill in the singular person noun form of "rescue":

____

14. Overcoming extreme physical _______ was the hardest challenge of the fourteen-day trek. (EXHAUST)

Fill in the uncountable noun form of "exhaust":

____

15. Paragliding off the razor-sharp mountain summit was the most _______ experience of his life. (THRILL)

Transform the word in brackets into an -ing adjective:

____

16. The team remained _______ to finish the high-altitude expedition despite sub-zero temperatures. (DETERMINE)

Fill in the predicate adjective form of "determine":

____

Shadowing & Pronunciation Lab (12 Items)

Listen to the natural spoken cadence via the audio buttons, then record your voice in the box below each card.

Word pairs (Items 17–20)

Item 17 • Collocation Target: altitude

high altitude

Notice the clear aspiration on the 'h' and stress on the first syllable of AL-ti-tude.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 18 • Collocation Target: avalanche

sudden avalanche

Keep the double 'd' in sudden crisp and land stress firmly on the first syllable of AV-a-lanche.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 19 • Collocation Target: rescue

mountain rescue

Connect the nasal 'n' smoothly into the initial 'r' of RES-cue.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 20 • Collocation Target: determination

sheer determination

Emphasize the primary stress on the fourth syllable: de-ter-mi-NA-tion.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Short sentences (Items 21–24)

Item 21 • Short Sentence Target: summit

"They reached the summit just before noon."

Notice the /t/ sound at the end of 'reached' linking into 'the'.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 22 • Short Sentence Target: terrain

"The rocky terrain slowed their pace down."

Stress the second syllable of ter-RAIN and emphasize the verb 'slowed'.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 23 • Short Sentence Target: exhausted

"We felt utterly exhausted after the climb."

Notice the silent 'h' in ex-HAUST-ed; pronounce it as /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 24 • Short Sentence Target: cautious

"Always stay cautious near steep cliff edges."

The ending -tious sounds like /ʃəs/: CAW-shus.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Long sentences (Items 25–26)

Item 25 • Complex Sentence Targets: determination + upward

"Sheer determination drove the team to continue upward."

Keep the stress on determination.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 26 • Complex Sentence Targets: rescue + lives

"Rescue teams risk their own lives to keep people safe."

Keep the stress on rescue and risk.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Two hard words (Items 27–28)

Item 27 • Tricky Word IPA: /ˈæv.əl.ɑːnʃ/

avalanche

The final letters '-che' sound like sh (/ʃ/), never 'tch' or 'k'. Practice saying: AV-uh-lahnsh.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Item 28 • Tricky Word IPA: /ˌek.spəˈdɪʃ.ən/

expedition

Primary stress falls on the third syllable: ex-puh-DISH-un. Keep the second syllable unstressed.

[Bài tập luyện nói]

____

Adventure, Risk and Extreme Sports

Adventure, Risk and Extreme Sports

How to Use This Lesson

Target Vocabulary Reference Table

Practice Section (16 Items)

Part A Collocation Matrix: Match Verbs to Mountain Targets

Part B Gap-Fills: Mountain Dialogues

Part C Choose the best word

Part D Change the word to fit the sentence

Shadowing & Pronunciation Lab (12 Items)

Word pairs (Items 17–20)

Short sentences (Items 21–24)

Long sentences (Items 25–26)

Two hard words (Items 27–28)

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