Into the Wild

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• soundtrack
• coming of age
• growing pains
• moved

• shot
• hit the road
• give in
• different takes

• identify with
• storyline

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

Most people have a slight desire to get rid of all of their possessions and hit the road. Christopher McCandless gave in to that idea. Shortly after graduating from college, he gave everything he had away and traveled for two years.

He came to Alaska where he hunted to survive. Eventually, he accidentally ate some poisoned seeds and his adventures came to an end. He was found dead in an abandoned bus.

In 1996, Jon Krakauer turned McCandless’ story into a book called Into the Wild. The book was recently made into a movie with a soundtrack by Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder. Listen to Marni and Amanda talk about it.

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.

Marni

Amanda

Marni:  Oh my God, best book.

Amanda:  I know.

Marni:  Into the Wild. I actually just saw the movie.

Amanda:  You did?

Marni:  Yes. I loved the book and I loved the movie. Very different takes on a very classic story of yearning and loss and…it’s beautiful.

Amanda:  I agree and what I like is it could pretty much apply to anyone of any age because…

Marni:  Yes!

Amanda:  Just the storyline, like you said, of the coming of age and growing pains, and the general concept, it doesn’t matter when it takes place or who’s reading or watching the movie, anyone can appreciate it.

Marni:  Yeah. It was a true story, obviously, it was a real person who did this and I think it’s so interesting that so many people were attracted to his story. I read the book and I was just crying and I was so moved by it! I felt that way in the film too. I think Sean Penn obviously felt the same way. Brilliant director, it was beautifully shot...

Amanda:  I was actually real impressed with his directing skills because I don’t really think of Sean in that way.

Marni:  Oh really?

Amanda:  Yeah.

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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