Emma had always been afraid of heights. But this year, she had decided to face her fear. Her friend Marcus had suggested they try indoor rock climbing together. Marcus had been climbing for five years and loved the sport. On Saturday morning, Emma woke up feeling nervous but determined. She put on comfortable clothes and met Marcus at the climbing gym. The climbing gym was enormous, with walls that stretched up to fifteen meters high. Colorful holds in different shapes covered the walls. Emma felt her heart beat faster as she looked up at the walls. 'Don't worry,' Marcus said with an encouraging smile. 'We will start with the beginner routes today.' First, they went to the equipment area to get their gear. An instructor helped Emma put on a harness correctly. The harness wrapped around her waist and thighs for safety. She also received special climbing shoes that fit very tightly. 'The tight fit helps you feel the holds better with your feet,' Marcus explained. Before climbing, Marcus taught Emma the basic safety techniques. He showed her how to tie the rope to her harness using a figure-eight knot. 'This knot will never come undone while you climb,' he assured her. Marcus would act as Emma's belayer, controlling the rope from below. If she fell, the rope would catch her and she would be safe. Emma approached the beginner wall, which was only five meters high. The route was marked with green holds, which indicated an easy path. 'Remember to use your legs more than your arms,' Marcus advised. 'Your legs are much stronger and will not tire as quickly.' Emma took a deep breath and reached for the first hold. Her fingers gripped the textured surface firmly. She placed her foot on a lower hold and pushed herself up. Slowly, she moved from one hold to the next. After reaching two meters, Emma made the mistake of looking down. Her body froze and her grip on the holds tightened. 'I cannot do this,' she called out in a shaky voice. 'Yes, you can!' Marcus encouraged her from below. 'Do not look down. Focus only on the next hold.' Emma took a few deep breaths to calm herself. She raised her eyes to the wall and spotted the next green hold. With renewed determination, she continued climbing. Each move brought her closer to the top of the wall. Her arms started to ache, but she kept going. Finally, Emma's hand touched the top of the wall. 'I did it!' she shouted with joy and surprise. Marcus cheered loudly from the ground. 'Excellent work! Now lean back and I will lower you down.' Emma trusted Marcus and leaned back into the harness. He slowly lowered her until her feet touched the soft mat below. Emma felt an incredible sense of achievement. 'That was amazing!' she said, her eyes shining with excitement. 'You were brilliant for your first time,' Marcus replied proudly. They decided to take a short break before trying another route. Emma drank some water and watched other climbers on the walls. Some experienced climbers moved gracefully on difficult routes. They made it look so easy and effortless. 'Do you think I could ever climb like that?' Emma asked. 'Absolutely,' Marcus said with confidence. 'Every expert was once a beginner. It just takes practice.' After the break, they moved to a slightly harder route with yellow holds. This route required more stretching and creative problem-solving. Emma found herself thinking carefully about each move. Where should she place her foot? Which hold should she reach for next? It was like solving a puzzle while hanging on a wall. At one point, Emma got stuck. The next hold seemed too far away for her to reach. 'Try using that small hold on the left,' Marcus suggested. Emma spotted a tiny hold she had not noticed before. She shifted her weight and used it to push herself higher. It worked perfectly, and she continued to climb. By the end of the session, Emma had completed three different routes. Her forearms were burning and her fingers felt tired. But she had never felt so alive and proud of herself. As they left the gym, Marcus asked, 'So, what did you think?' 'I loved it,' Emma replied without hesitation. 'I cannot believe I actually conquered my fear of heights.' 'The fear never completely goes away,' Marcus admitted. 'But you learn to trust your equipment and your skills.' Emma thought about this for a moment. It was true. She had felt safe because the equipment was reliable. And Marcus had been an excellent belayer, always attentive. 'When can we come back?' Emma asked eagerly. Marcus laughed at her enthusiasm. 'I am free next Saturday if you want to try again.' 'That is perfect!' Emma said excitedly. That evening, Emma called her mother to share the news. 'You did what?' her mother asked in surprise. 'Rock climbing! And I reached the top three times!' Her mother was amazed and very proud. She had always worried about Emma's fear of heights. 'I am so proud of you for trying something that scared you.' In the following weeks, Emma went climbing every Saturday. She steadily improved her technique and strength. She learned to read routes better and plan her moves in advance. After two months, she could complete intermediate level routes. Marcus suggested they try outdoor climbing at a real rock face. Emma agreed, though she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The outdoor climbing experience was completely different from the gym. The natural rock felt rougher and the holds were less obvious. But the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking. Emma looked out over the valley below and felt grateful. She had faced her fear and discovered a passion she never expected. Rock climbing had taught her that she was stronger than she thought. And that sometimes, the best way to overcome fear is simply to begin.
English Story (B1)Rock Climbing
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma, who has always been afraid of heights, decides to try indoor rock climbing with her experienced friend Marcus. Despite initial nervousness, she learns the safety techniques, conquers the beginner walls, and discovers a passion for climbing. Over the following weeks, she improves her skills and eventually tries outdoor climbing, realizing she is stronger than she thought.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What fear did Emma want to overcome?
2
What happened when Emma looked down at two meters?
3
What advice did Marcus give Emma about climbing technique?
4
What did Emma accomplish after two months of climbing?
Vocabulary
39 words from this story
