⊙By Jenny Wilde

Activity 1

Before you read, match the word with a definition.

1. equipment 2. slide 3. bottom 4. scary 5. waterfall 6. peak

a. move easily over something like ice

b. top of a mountain

c. where a river falls from a height, often very beautiful

d. frightening

e. the part of your body you sit down on

f. special things you need to do something

Unpleasant Weather 惡劣天氣

During one of the coldest winters ever,I decided to climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It was covered in a thick blanket[厚層]of ice and snow. I considered changing my plans, but then I found out about a winter walking skills course offered by High Trek in Snowdonia. It promised to give me all the skills necessary to go hill walking in snowy conditions.

Getting Started 準備出發(fā)

Our instructor, Ian, picked us up in the early morning and checked we had the necessary equipment. We were first taught to test the snow to see if it was likely to come falling down on us. We decided it wasn’t, then practised falling over and stopping safely.

A Strange Kind of Fun 奇異樂趣

Ian led us up a hill and we all had to slide down on our bottoms and then stop ourselves with a special piece of equipment called an ice axe[冰鎬]. However, he said that we could also slide head first, on our fronts,backs, sides, or fall down the hill like a ball.So we went sliding down the mountain in all kinds of strange positions. It was scary at first,but then became fun.

Getting Some Experience 多種體驗

Then, Ian took us for a walk through the wonderful mountain landscape. We walked on frozen rivers and tried climbing up a frozen waterfall. He taught us how to dig a snow home in case we had to stop overnight.

Achieving Our Aim 達成目標

We set off for the peak early next morning. It was hard work, but with breathtaking[激動人心的]views along the way.When we got to icy parts, we carried on,something I wouldn’t have been able to do two days before. The course was great; Ian was a friendly and expert instructor. Now I feel confident to go hill walking whatever the weather.

Activity 2

Find the answers in the text.

1. Why did the writer almost decide not to do as she had wanted?

2. What made her return to her original idea?

3. What was the first thing they learnt to do?

4. What did they learn to walk and climb on?

5. What can the writer now do if she has to sleep on a snowy mountain?

6. How did the writer feel at the end of the course?

Activity 3

Match the phrasal verbs with the definitions.

1. find out A. leave, begin a journey 2. fall down B. continue 3. fall over C. discover some information 4. set off D. fall 5. carry on E. fall to the ground

Activity 4

Discussion: What similar

courses have you been on?What similar activities can you do in your country or area? What would you like to be able to do in your area, but can’t?

Answers

Activity 1

1. f; 2. a; 3. e; 4. d; 5. c; 6. b

Activity 2

1. bad weather; snow and ice;

2. the course offered by HighTrek; 3. test whether snowwas going to fall on them; 4.frozen water; 5. dig a snowhome; 6. much better abouthill walking; more confident.

Activity 3

1. C; 2. D; 3. E; 4. A; 5. B