Learn English with the News: “Sky diving record”

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Welcome to our blog again!

What is the most daring thing you have ever done? Have you skydived? Would you like to?

We think it’s an amazing activity to do once in a lifetime, but these Russian women have made art out of it. To find out more about today’s news item and learn some English vocabulary, follow the steps:

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video

Text

One hundred and one women skydivers jump to a new world record.

The ladies are all members of the Russian “Pearls of the Sky” skydiving team and are attempting to form the largest flower pattern formation in skydiving history.

This is the team that also set the previous record of an 88-person flower formation last year led by their former captain Irina Sinitsina. She dared them to do better but was unfortunately killed in a skydiving stunt last fall.

In her honor the women leave the center space of the flower open representing their missing “petal.” And with all 101 women in place, this is the largest free-falling flower in the world.

Vocabulary

Attempting – to try to do (something) : to try to accomplish or complete (something).

Pattern – a repeated form or design especially that is used to decorate something.

Formation – an orderly arrangement or group of people, ships, or airplanes.

Former – used to say what someone or something was in the past.

Stunt – a difficult and often dangerous action.

Petal – one of the soft, colorful parts of a flower.

Video