Aim High 5 Unit 1: The Great Escape

Unit 1 page 5.

---

Read exercise 3. Read and listen to the text. Hover over the highlighted words for their meanings.

---

Unusual holidays.

Some people dream of their next holiday. A week at the beach. Or some relaxation in the mountains. However, such ordinary holidays do not appeal to everybody. Some crave something unusual.
Hitting the slopes in Dubai.
Dubai summer temperatures routinely surpass 40 degrees Celsius, and snow has never been recorded in the history of the city. Understandably, it is not the typical place for a skiing holiday. But in Dubai, meteorology can be overcome. Since 2005 it has been possible to enjoy 5 ski runs, a snowboarding area and an ice cave. This unexpected attraction, which is a marvel of modern engineering, is called Ski Dubai. Ski Dubai is an indoor facility that is part of the Mall of the Emirates, the largest shopping center outside the USA. With over 6000 tons of snow scattered across a 22,500 square meter space ski, Dubai is the world's third largest indoor skiing facility. Holidaymakers can purchase an all-inclusive Snow Pass which offers jackets, trousers, boots and disposable socks. But due to health concerns, hats and gloves are not provided. Black knee length padded coats are available to guests who prefer to wear traditional clothing during their visit. However, skiing in traditional clothing is strictly banned for safety reasons. Those who just want to watch the activities can sit in a Swiss style chalet enjoying fondue, hot chocolate, and other tasty warm treats.
Being funny on stage in Spain.
Imagine a stay in a remote stone farmhouse in the mountains of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. The summer temperature is comfortable, around 25 degrees Celsius. The sunlight shimmers on the rivers in the valley. And the air smells sweet and unpolluted. Tiny villages dot the landscape in the distance. And the only sound is the rustling of the leaves in the surrounding trees. The Spanish countryside has beautiful scenery that thousands of tourists flock to for a relaxing and refreshing holiday. However, it may also be the perfect holiday destination for those who are interested in fulfilling their ambition of making people laugh. For seven days, small groups of holidaymakers come to this farmhouse to do something unusual. To learn the art of stand-up comedy. A professional comedian leads them in a series of workshops that cover the entire standup comedy process from writing to performing. The participants learn to write gags and humorous dialogue. They also develop their ability to speak in front of an audience by first practicing in small groups and then performing for everybody. Those who are interested in acting are encouraged to create characters and portray them for the others.
Painting the perfect picture in Kenya.
Kenya is a wildlife lovers paradise. There is a multitude of animals to observe in their natural habitat. The best time to view them is in the early morning or evening when the temperatures about 25 degrees Celsius are more hospitable. Gazelles, giraffes, and hippos gather at the watering holes to drink or bathe. They scatter only when a predator such as a cheetah or a lion approach.
Most holidaymakers come to Kenya for a safari to photograph this amazing wildlife from the safety of a Jeep. However, those who are intent on a more unusual experience can go on a 10-day art safari and paint the animals from some frighteningly close vantage point. The goal of this is to help artists improve their ability to depict moving animals. In addition to the artistic opportunities, highly trained guides accompany all participants and provide information on the wildlife, landscape and local customs. In this way, non-painting holidaymakers will never be bored or excluded from activities.

Vocabulary: Unusual Holidays (Student Book)
Match the words with their definitions:

1.	Vantage points
2.	Holidaymakers
3.	Crave
4.	Rustling
5.	A marvel
6.	A Chalet
7.	A Predator
8.	Shimmer
9.	A comedian
10.	Surpass
11.	A multitude
12.	To flock
13.	Gags
14.	Hospitable
15.	Meteorology

a	People who are visiting a place.
b	The science of the Earth's atmosphere, used in broadcasting the weather.
c	An entertainer who makes people laugh.
d	A very large number of people or things.
e	Positions from which you can watch something.
f	an animal that hunts and kills other animals.
g	Jocks or funny stories.
h	To have a strong desire for something.
i	Shines with a soft light that seems to be moving.
j	a house traditionally made of wood, built in the mountains.
k	a wonderful or surprising thing.
l	To gather somewhere in a large number.
m	Having a pleasant environment.
n	Exceeds, be greater than.
o	The sound of light, dry things moving together.

This exercise (1) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Vocabulary: Activate (Student Book)
Complete these sentences with the correct form of the words from the box:

crave   ·  holidaymakers   ·  flock   ·  multitude   ·  surpasses   ·  rustling   ·  meteorology   ·  predator   ·  hospitable   ·  vintage point   ·  shimmering   ·  chalet   ·  comedian   ·  gags   ·  marvel  

1.	It was a cool evening on the banks of the River Nile. The light of the moon was on the water.
2.	With the of the palm trees in the breeze, we watched sunset.
3.	From our at the top of the tower, we could see the entire valley.
4.	Some children attention so much that they cry until their mothers come to them.
5.	We stayed at a in the Swiss mountains for our holiday last year.
6.	London is the perfect place for an art holiday. There is a of museums and art galleries.
7.	The collection in the National Gallery any other in the world.
8.	The advantage of staying in village or a town is that people tend to be more than they are in the cities.
9.	Many tourists on a safari in Africa are disappointed if they don't see a large , like a lion catching a prey.
10.	Scientists in the field of are researching the interaction between weather and ocean levels.
11.	Spain is a popular holiday destination for British .
12.	Many families to Spanish beaches in summer.
13.	It was his first show as a stand-up but he wasn't that successful.
14.	Unfortunately the audience didn't find his very funny, so he wasn't invited to perform again.
15.	The Burj Khalifa is a of architecture, contruction and design.

This exercise (2) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Extend: Onomatopoeia (Student Book)
Match the words with their description:

1.	rustling
2.	clatter
3.	creak
4.	screech
5.	gurgle
6.	hiss

a	a squeaky noise like the sound of a rusty hinge.
b	the sound of bubbling liquid.
c	a sound like long 's'.
d	a sound of hard objects knocking together.
e	the sound of light, dry things moving together, like paper.
f	a shrill piercing noise or cry.

This exercise (3) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Onomatopoeia (Work Book)
Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

clattering   ·  creak   ·  hissing   ·  gurgling   ·  rustling   ·  screech  

Double Click and Drop click on a word or phrase in the box above and then on the appropriate gap.

1.	I heard a in the leaves but fortunately I didn't see any rats.
2.	There was a of dishes in the kitchen as my brother laid the table.
3.	The actor's terrible performance resulted in boos and from the audience.
4.	There was a on the stairs and then suddenly the bedroom door started to open slowly
5.	I listened to the of the rainwater as it went down the pipe next to the window.
6.	The baby let a loud and then started to cry.

This exercise (4) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Idioms with off and on (Student Book)
Look at the idioms in bold in the sentences (1-8) and match them with their definitions (a-h).

1.	This may sound like an off the wall idea, but if you try it you'll see that it works.
2.	This is completely off the record : I think the new student representative isn't doing the job very well, but he is a friend of mine so I don't want to complain.
3.	Maggie is always on the go . She's got three jobs!
4.	The film was full of action and suspense, and we were on tenterhooks until the end.
5.	The press is keeping the scandal on the boil. There are several articles about it in the papers.
6.	I could tell you what I think off the cuff, but I'd prefer to research it some more and give you a definite answer.
7.	On the off chance that you're free tonight, I was thinking you might like to go to the pizza place.
8.	I read the report on the hoof , so I couldn't remember much.

a	Quickly and without your full attention.
b	Speaking without thought and preparation.
c	Not official, not to be made public.
d	Being very busy all the time.
e	In a state of nervousness or worry.
f	Being kept very active and tense.
g	Possible but not likely.
h	Unusual and slightly crazy.

This exercise (5) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Idioms with off and on (Work Book)
Correct the mistakes in each sentence.

chance   ·  go   ·  tenterhooks   ·  boil   ·  wall   ·  record   ·  cuff  

Double Click and Drop click on a word or phrase in the box above and then on the appropriate gap.

1.	I hadn't prepared a speech , so i just said a few words off the tenterhooks. .
2.	My brother applied for the job on the off hoof but he really didn't expect to get it. .
3.	We've been on the record all day and we are really tired. .
4.	Jane gets the exam results tomorrow. She's been on hoof all week. .
5.	The boss's business ideas are a bit off the go. He says we should be rude to our customers. .
6.	What the player said is off the boil and can't be published to the newspapers. .
7.	Once the surprise has worn off, it will be difficult to keep people's interest on the chance. .
8.	I haven't got time to sit to have lunch so I'll eat a sandwich on the wall. .

This exercise (6) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Stative Verbs:Exploit (Student Book)
Complete the sentences using the simple or the continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1.	This cheese (smell) terrible.
2.	The cheese (taste) delicious! Can I have some more?
3.	James (taste) the soup now just to check if it needs more salt.
4.	I can't talk to you right now. I (see) the doctor. I'm in the consultation room.
5.	It's just my opinion, but I (think) this holiday package is too expensive.
6.	If you look very closely, you can just (see) the tower in the distance.
7.	The grocer (weigh) my vegetables now and then I'll be ready to pay and leave.
8.	They (think)of going on a cruise, but they haven't made a decision about it yet.
9.	My suitcase (weigh) over 20 kilos. I might have to pay an excess luggage charge.

This exercise (7) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Stative Verbs (Work Book)
Complete the sentences using the simple or the continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1.	This milk (taste) off. How long has it been in the fridge?
2.	Mike sent a text message and he says he (have) a good time on the school trip.
3.	My dad is going on a diet. He (weigh) over 90 kilos.
4.	We (think) about where to go on holiday but we haven't decided yet.
5.	I (weigh) all the ingredients really carefully because I want this cake to be perfect.
6.	I don't like wearing my glasses, but I (see) much better with them on.
7.	The pudding is nearly ready to go into the oven. Mum (taste) it to check that it's sweet enough.
8.	I (have) this camera for ages.
9.	I am not going to school this morning because I (see) the dentist at 10 a.m.
10.	I (not think) violence can ever be justified.

This exercise (8) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Skills: Feeling at home (Work Book)
Complete the sentences with words from the box.

cosy   ·  enchanting   ·  unassuming   ·  opulent   ·  luxriant   ·  dreadful   ·  five-star   ·  sparse  

1.	The room was filled with the perfume of exotic plants, whose leaves trailed across every surface.
2.	The decor and expensive furnishing were very different from those of the cheap and simple hotels that I usually stayed in.
3.	It was a room with just a bed and a table.
4.	It was a hotel but the service would have been very poor for a hotel of a lower category.
5.	The restaurant we went to was awful. The food was bad and the service was .
6.	The cafe was in an building that you wouldn't notice if you didn't know it was there.
7.	My study is small but it's nice and in the winter when the fire is lit.
8.	Venice is the most magical and city that I've ever visited.

This exercise (9) has been made by: MR.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan

Skills: Feeling at home (Work Book)
Match the words (1-8) with the definitions (a-h)

1.	Frosty
2.	Uninviting
3.	Atrocious
4.	Homely
5.	Stark
6.	Charming
7.	Lavish
8.	Extravagant

a	empty, without decoration.
b	of very bad quality.
c	designed to impress and expensive.
d	costing too much money.
e	pleasant and attractive.
f	plain or ordinary, but pleasant.
g	freezing, with a thin layer of white ice covering everything.
h	not attractive or hospitable.

This exercise (10) has been made by Mr.Hamdi Ahmed Sultan