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Rollercoasters

Learn English with this rollercoasters English lesson

Date: Jul 08 2013

Grammar: Direct vs. Reported Speech

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Intro

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

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Are you a thrill seeker? Does sky diving sound fun? How about swimming with sharks? Will you eat just about anything? Are you the kind of person who says yes to every new adventure?

For more than a century, people have been lining up to ride rollercoasters. Rollercoasters can create strong feelings of excitement, anxiety, nausea and everything in between. It seems like people either love or hate rollercoasters. It’s hard to be ambivalent about such a thrilling ride.

How do you feel about racing around on a rollercoaster? Listen in on Marni and Devan’s conversation about a classic carnival ride.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Marni

Devan: Hey Marni, do you want to go to the fair with me tonight? I was thinking we could ride some rollercoasters and get some popcorn. It will be so much fun.

Marni: Maybe the popcorn, but, I have to tell you: I’m kind of a scaredy cat when it comes to rollercoasters.

Devan: Really? You don’t get a rush when you ride a rollercoaster?

Marni: No, I get nauseous. I have a lot of anxiety, I guess, about riding them because I find them a little terrifying.

Devan: But they have seatbelts! You’re locked in. It’s totally safe.

Marni: I wish I found them thrilling, but I’m too scared. Whenever I see them, I keep thinking “How safe is that? When was the last time they checked it?” I don’t know. I can’t do it.

Devan: Do you like other things that go fast? Do you like driving in a fast car?

Marni: No, no I do not. I like to take things slow and steady and safe.

Devan: Well, I guess we could always just go and play the carnival games, then, if that’s how you feel about rollercoasters.

Marni: Yeah, you know, I’m going to have to sit that one out.

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Discussion

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Devan is excited about going to the fair and wants Marni to join her. She’s eager to ride the rollercoasters and eat popcorn. When Marni admits that rollercoasters are scary to her, Devan is clearly disappointed. She tries to get Marni to change her mind, but it doesn’t help.

Devan says that rollercoasters are totally safe because there are seatbelts that lock you in. She’s definitely a thrill seeker who welcomes adventure and finds ways to get a rush. Marni, on the other hand, is more cautious and feels anxiety when she steps on a rollercoaster or other fast-moving rides. She prefers to take it easy and watch instead.

Are you more like Devan or more like Marni? Do you like thrills and excitement, or would you rather watch from a safe place? What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced?

Comments

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i like danger asventure but not all the time and for evething. just for little adventure or for little things. i have never try to swimming with a or some sharks.

i think some people born with danger. but it’s not show those are very brave.

sometimes the danger adventurs or danger things can get our life. we should becareful.

mohamma

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

nice

ania_pl

Poland

I don’t think I’m a typical thrill seeker but there are some situations when I need more adrenaline and I have to do some crazy things. It takes the pressure away and gives great experience.

And I like fast driving but I have to limit it..

ale_serrat

Brazil

I love rollercoasters and getting a rush riding them is a great adventure! I think I’m a kind of a thrill seeker hahahaha

knuschu

Germany

I like the tingle in my stomach. So, if I visit a theme parc, I try to use each rollercoaster ( have a look to my rollercoaster pic on my profile ) ;-)

But I don’t like the long waiting time before the attraction.

joodiaboot

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i am more like devan.

some times i do some crazy doing.have u ever sit on top off car when s.b is drive that???

i do that last friday…i love that.

TranceSoul

Poland

It depends on situation but in this case ( I mean a fair ) I think I am more like Devan. Generally I’m not crazy person, I need to think two times before I do something. Sometimes I feel I must do crazy thing, thing I’ve never done before.

The craziest thing I’ve experienced, hmm…I don’t remember, I need to think about it :)

jef_maiko

Brazil

I’m more like Devan. I do prefer adrenalie, but I only go in adventures that I really feel myself safe. It’s kinda a calculate risk….

MESS

Turkey

I have never been a thrill seeker in my life. Safety and security are of utmost importance to me. I need to feel completely safe and secure whatever I do, or whatever desicion I make. So no, I will certainly pass on roller coaster or gondola. They are not for me. I would rather stay on ground and feel my feet firmly attached to the ground. :)

tviydimedrol

Ukraine

In some cases, I’m a thrill seeker, I like to feel adrenaline in my blood while doing something crazy. It’s on one hand. But on other one,my survival instinct tells me if the adventure is too dangerous, especially if it is beyond my physical abilities.

DarknessLight

Germany

Ummm, I guess I’m in between. It all depends on the game or the situation. I love thrills and excitement, but in a moderate way. Like I’m not a thrill seeker but I enjoy thriller sitautions and would rather be a part of it than just watch.

shaerwan

Syrian Arab Republic

am more like Devan

kenlin16

Taiwan

I used to be a thrill seeker. I liked to go on almost everythig at Wonderland from rollercoster to drop zone. But after few accidents had happened on them , now I become more conservative about those rides like Marni. Although those rides are requested to be inspected 5 times a year, they seemed scary to me now becasue they are huge and fast and no any tiny mistake is allowed. Now I think I’d rather watch them from a safe place than ride it myself.

drallon

China

I like thrills and excitment, But I afraid it a little. If who forces me ,or I want to do ,then I am willing to do it and with pleasure. But the entertainment with thrills and excitment are a little dear and I cannot do it many times.