Learn English Through Story - Chapter 5

This is a short, daily podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories and real-life usage.

In this episode of The ELAN Podcast, we conclude Chapter 5 of Gabriel's explorations of the Peak District, where he encounters friendly locals, breathtaking views, and tackles unexpected challenges. 

The Language Lens segment then delves into practical English advice and warnings, illustrating various ways to offer guidance and caution in everyday language.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:02

Hello and welcome back to your English Five a Day season three on the English Like a Native podcast. This is your short daily podcast for intermediate to advanced level learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories. My name is Anna, and this is week five, day five. Today you'll hear the complete story of Gabriel's time in the Peak District, from open moorland to underground caverns. After the story, we'll explore our language lens, focusing on giving advice and warnings. Supporting materials for this lesson are available at www.joineelan.com forward slash plus. And if you already have access to the supporting resources folder, then today's download will be ready for you now. So let's begin with the full chapter five. Early Monday morning, after Gabriel had spent Sunday afternoon recovering from his adventures on Saturday night, he took a train from Manchester to Edale. Feeling refreshed, he was going to spend the day exploring the moors. He made his way to the nearby trailhead, and as he started looking for information there, a local walker approached him with a friendly smile.

SPEAKER_02 1:52

First time on Kinder Scout, then take it steady, she advised. The paths can meander a bit. If you're unsure which way to go, follow the Pennineway markers and watch out for slippery stones.

SPEAKER_04 2:08

Gabriel had his apps and maps ready on his mobile, but it was reassuring to remember that the routes be well marked on the ground. He thanked the walker and set off on the wild and wonderful Pennine Way. Out in the fields, birds were soaring overhead, drifting so effortlessly that Gabriel paused to watch them glide across the sky. About halfway along the route to the Kinder Scout Plateau, Gabriel met another pair of walkers resting by a stone wall.

SPEAKER_01 2:48

It's a good idea to take a break here before the climb gets steeper, one said. And if the weather changes suddenly, which it might well do, don't hesitate to find shelter somewhere.

SPEAKER_04 3:02

Gabriel had only drunk a quick cup of coffee for breakfast, so he took out some fruit from his day pack. He'd brought some Eccles cake with him too, as he'd read that no visit to Manchester is complete without trying it, but he was saving that for later. A light rain did start to fall, but sunlight soon broke through the clouds. Gabriel was taken aback by how the sun made the grass glimmer like jewels scattered across the moor. Maybe this is what people meant when they talk about hidden gems, he thought to himself. It was only spitting with rain, so Gabriel pressed on and continued climbing up the main path, zigzagging towards the summit. Keeping in mind the advice he'd been given, he stopped occasionally to catch his breath and take in the view behind him. Further up the trail the ground became wetter and more uneven. A faded sign read Be Careful, warning walkers not to leave the marked path. He mustn't veer off it as the peat bogs could be dangerous. Near the top he noticed that he was catching up with what looked like a group of walkers. When Gabriel reached them he greeted them and they walked together for a while. Better to do things in company sometimes, an older lady remarked, as they made for the highest point on Kinder Scout. When they reached it, they took a well earned rest, and Gabriel got out his Eccles cake.

SPEAKER_00 4:56

Ah, it's a good job you're walking ten miles today if you're going to eat all that cake, one of the other walkers joked. You wouldn't want to eat too much of it otherwise.

SPEAKER_03 5:08

Don't listen to him, lad, said another. Eccles cake is one of Britain's greatest culinary achievements. And what's more, they're made to be carried.

SPEAKER_07 5:19

Yes, replied Gabriel, adding that Oh we don't have quite the same thing in France. You don't miss what you don't know about, commented a second walker.

SPEAKER_03 5:31

But once you've tried it, you'll never forget it.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

After the break at the top, they headed back together down towards Edale. Gabriel wondered if this might be a good time to ask about something that had inspired his visit.

SPEAKER_07 5:50

As the group strode together, Gabriel said, So I was wondering, uh what do you think about Brexit?

SPEAKER_04 6:00

The day after his walk on Kinder Scout, Gabriel travelled to Mam Tour. A hill the hostile receptionist had insisted he shouldn't miss.

SPEAKER_02 6:14

If you wanted one of the most breathtaking views in the Peak District, she had said, You'd do well to go early. Make point of starting before the crowds arrive.

SPEAKER_04 6:28

Following her advice, he set off while the morning was still quiet. As he climbed the rugged slopes, a panoramic sweep of valleys and hills opened up before him. The wind tugged persistently at his jacket, and he was glad that he had prepared well. Not only that, though, but he was also wearing a new scarf. After the conversation about Brexit yesterday, a member of the walking group had given him a handmade one that she had knitted with local Cheviot wool.

SPEAKER_03 7:10

It was red, white and blue. Britain is Britain, and France is France, she had said to him. Countries are countries, but people are people. Don't confuse the two.

SPEAKER_04 7:26

He wasn't exactly sure what she meant, but sometimes it is wiser not to ask. As he approached the summit ridge, the view became more serene and unspoilt than anywhere he had visited so far. It was so different to the hills in Beaujoulais, near Lyon. There they were more rolling, more cultivated, full of forests and small villages. Gabriel enjoyed every change of angle and colour as he moved along the crest. Below him lay Castleton, its rooftops tiny in the distance. Gabriel went over to sit on a gritstone block for rest. He took off his walking boots to give his feet a breather too. As he pulled the left boot off though, the soul came completely away. How was he going to walk back down the hill now? What would you do if you were sitting at the top of a tall, blustery hill with a broken boot in your hand? What would you be thinking if at that precise moment it started drizzling? The air had been crisp and clear in the morning, but now it was getting misty. Gabriel slapped the detached sole against the rest of the boot in frustration. He thought back to when he was packing his suitcase with Sophie. One comfortable pair for walking, one pair for going out. That's all you'll need. There are plenty of charity shops everywhere if you need cheap replacements. She had said. The scarf. He could secure the sole of the boot with the scarf, and it would not slip.

SPEAKER_06 9:59

Ah, thank you. Thank you, wise woman.

SPEAKER_04 10:03

Gabriel scrambled down towards Castleton as best he could, thinking that he could buy some boots there. The ground was very soggy in places, and he had to adjust the scarf several times. Of course he could feel his boot getting wetter and wetter inside, but he had had the foresight to put his foot in a plastic bag before putting the boot back on. It wasn't exactly comfortable, at least it was dry. When he got back into Castleton in the late afternoon, all the shops were closed, so he caught the train back to Manchester and spent the journey looking up indoor activities for the following day. The next morning Gabriel was pleased to see a relatively clear sky. He'd decided to combine a trip to Peak Cavern, known locally as the Devil's Ars, with a visit to the outdoor gear shop in Castleton, where they were having a sail. He also wanted to take an underground boat ride through Speedwell Cavern in the afternoon. The entrance to the Devil's Ars loomed high above him, its dark mouth framed by jagged limestone. The guide greeted him and reminded visitors Should you encounter any slippy steps or low ceilings, it's best to hold the handrail and watch your step. Gabriel nodded and stepped cautiously inside. The air grew cooler as he moved further into the cavern. Stalictites hung like chandeliers, and staligmites rose from the ground like frozen fountains. The guide explained how miners had carved tunnels here centuries ago, and how natural formations had formed over thousands of years. More importantly, though, he also explained the unusual name. Gabriel was recording the tour and later played back what the guide had said. The name actually comes from an old, rather crude sense of humour. Centuries ago, miners and villagers noticed that the cabin sometimes farted loudly, with air or gas escaping from its tunnels, especially after rain. The booming echoes reminded people of the sound of well, the devil himself. So the nickname stuck. Once back outside, Gabriel tucked into a hearty pub lunch, then bought himself some new boots, and started breaking them in with a visit to Speedwell Cavern and a trip along the underground river. The peak district was a magnificent place to visit, with many more breathtaking sites that you could possibly fit into one short week. Soon he would leave Derbyshire for Yorkshire. Swapping the gold Tudor Rose County for the White Rose One. And a city built by Romans but made vibrant by Vikings. I hope you enjoyed chapter five. Well now we're going to look through our language lens and get a little bit technical. Before we begin, just a quick note. If you'd like a written reference sheet that goes a little more in-depth or more technical than what we'll cover here, you can download it for free at www.joineelan.com forward slash plus. Now let's take a closer look at some of the language you heard in this week's story. As Gabriel explores the Peak District, people regularly give him advice and warnings. And they do this using very natural everyday English. So let's start with advice. One of the most common ways to give advice in English is to use short, direct instruction. Early in the story, a local walker says to Gabriel, Take it steady. This kind of advice is clear and practical. You'll often hear it when someone wants to help you stay safe or avoid problems. We also heard advice given in a slightly softer way, for example, it's a good idea to take a break here before the climb gets steeper. This sounds friendly and supportive rather than bossy. It's a very natural way to give advice, especially to someone you don't know very well. Another common pattern is to describe a situation first and then say what to do. For instance, if you're unsure which way to go, follow the Pennine Way markers. This structure is very common in spoken English, particularly when explaining routes, instructions, or options. Later in the story, the hostile receptionist gives advice in a more reflective way. If you wanted one of the most breathtaking views in the Peak District, you'd do well to go early. This sounds less like a command and more like shared experience. The kind of advice people give when they're passing on local knowledge. Now let's move on to warnings. Warnings are also a form of advice, but they focus on preventing danger or stopping something bad from happening. Sometimes warnings are very short, for example Watch out for slippery stones or simply be careful. You'll hear phrases like these all the time in real life, especially outdoors. Warnings can also be things we tell ourselves. At one point Gabriel thinks it mustn't veer off the marked path. This is a strong internal warning. He knows there could be serious consequences if he ignores it. Later when his boot breaks, Gabriel tells himself It's crucial now not to panic. This is another very natural example of a self-directed warning in English. Finally, we hear a more formal warning from the guide in the cave. Should you encounter any slippery stones or low ceilings, it's best to hold the handrail and watch your step. This kind of language is typical in official instructions. Clear, careful, and safety focused. So across this week, you've heard many different ways English speakers give advice and warnings, from short instructions to gentle suggestions to inner thoughts, all depending on the situation. So now it's your turn to do a little task. Now before you start, just a quick reminder: advice is language we use to help someone make a good choice or suggest what might be a good idea. Warnings are stronger. They're used to avoid danger or prevent problems. So, this is your time now. I want you to think about a time when you or someone you know faced a risky or challenging situation. This could be a hike, a trip, a sporting activity, or any moment where caution was needed. Write four or five sentences and try to include one piece of advice, one warning, and one sentence where you warned yourself what not to do. You can write this down or say it out loud, whatever works best for you. But if you do write it down, I encourage you to share it in the comments section with me because I love to see your work. And if you'd like the full reference sheet from this language lens, then remember to pop over to the website www.joinelan.com forward slash plus. And that brings us to the end of week five. Thank you so much for letting me tickle your eardrums. And if you want to know what Gabriel gets up to next week, then be sure to tune in. Until then, take good care of yourself and goodbye.