Hi everyone, welcome back to 5-Minute English Practice. I’m Jessica. Today, I’m going to share a personal story about my first time trekking. This was a very special experience for me because it was something new, a little challenging, and also very exciting. I will describe what happened, how I felt, and what I learned from this trip.
It all started when my friend invited me to join a trekking trip in the mountains. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should go because I had never done trekking before, and I was a bit worried that it might be too difficult for me. However, I also felt curious and wanted to try something different, so I decided to accept the invitation.
Before the trip, I had to prepare a few things. I packed comfortable clothes, a pair of good walking shoes, a water bottle, and some snacks. I also brought a small backpack to carry my things. I didn’t want to bring too much because I knew I would have to carry everything while walking. I also checked the weather forecast to make sure I was ready for the conditions.
On the day of the trip, I woke up very early in the morning. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. We met at a meeting point and then traveled together to the mountain area. When we arrived, I saw beautiful views of trees, hills, and fresh air all around. It felt very different from the city, and I immediately felt more relaxed.
At the beginning of the trek, the path was quite easy. It was flat, and we could walk comfortably while talking and enjoying the scenery. I felt confident and happy, and I thought to myself that trekking was not as difficult as I had imagined. However, after some time, the path started to become steeper and more challenging.
We had to walk uphill, and the ground was sometimes uneven and slippery. I started to feel tired, and my legs became a bit heavy. At that moment, I realized that trekking was more difficult than it looked. I had to slow down and take small steps. I also needed to focus on my breathing to keep going.
Luckily, my friends were very supportive. They encouraged me and told me to take my time. We also took short breaks along the way to rest, drink water, and enjoy the view. During these breaks, I had time to look around and appreciate nature. The trees were tall and green, the air was fresh, and I could hear birds singing. It was very peaceful and calming.
As we continued the trek, I started to feel more comfortable with the rhythm of walking. Even though it was still challenging, I felt stronger and more confident. I realized that trekking is not only about physical strength, but also about patience and determination.
After a few hours, we finally reached the top of the mountain. The view from the top was absolutely amazing. I could see the landscape far away, with mountains, trees, and the sky all around. At that moment, I felt very proud of myself because I had completed something that I once thought was too difficult.
We stayed at the top for a while to rest and take photos. I also had some snacks and water, and everything tasted better after the long walk. I felt happy, relaxed, and grateful for the experience.
On the way down, the path was easier, but we still had to be careful. Walking downhill can also be tricky because it’s easy to slip. I tried to walk slowly and carefully, and I paid attention to where I stepped.
By the time we finished the trek, I felt tired but also very satisfied. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot from it. I learned that it’s okay to feel nervous when trying something new, but it’s important to give it a chance. I also learned that with patience and effort, I can overcome challenges and achieve my goals.
After this trip, I felt more confident and more open to new experiences. I also realized how important it is to spend time in nature and take a break from busy daily life. Trekking helped me relax, clear my mind, and feel more connected to the world around me.
Now, I actually enjoy trekking, and I hope to do it more often in the future. Maybe next time, I will try a longer or more difficult trail.
Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed my story and learned some useful English for describing past experiences and outdoor activities. Try to talk about your own experiences and practice using simple past tense. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to 5-Minute English Practice. See you in the next lesson!
See more: Easy Topics for B1 learners
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning (English) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| trekking | noun | long walking in nature, usually in mountains | I went trekking last weekend. |
| experience | noun | something you do or live through | It was a great experience. |
| challenging | adjective | difficult but interesting | The hike was challenging. |
| exciting | adjective | making you feel happy and thrilled | The trip was very exciting. |
| invite | verb | to ask someone to join | She invited me to the trip. |
| curious | adjective | wanting to know or try something | I was curious about trekking. |
| accept | verb | to say yes | I accepted the invitation. |
| prepare | verb | to get ready | I prepared for the trip. |
| pack | verb | to put things in a bag | I packed my backpack. |
| backpack | noun | a bag carried on the back | I carried a small backpack. |
| weather forecast | noun phrase | prediction about the weather | I checked the weather forecast. |
| nervous | adjective | feeling worried or anxious | I felt nervous before the trip. |
| relaxed | adjective | calm and not stressed | I felt relaxed in nature. |
| scenery | noun | natural views | The scenery was beautiful. |
| confident | adjective | feeling sure about yourself | I felt confident at first. |
| steep | adjective | rising quickly, difficult to climb | The hill was very steep. |
| uneven | adjective | not flat or smooth | The ground was uneven. |
| slippery | adjective | easy to fall on | The path was slippery. |
| tired | adjective | needing rest | I felt very tired. |
| focus | verb | to concentrate | I focused on my breathing. |
| supportive | adjective | helping and encouraging | My friends were supportive. |
| encourage | verb | to give support | They encouraged me. |
| take a break | phrase | stop to rest | We took a short break. |
| appreciate | verb | to enjoy and understand value | I appreciated nature. |
| peaceful | adjective | calm and quiet | The forest was peaceful. |
| calming | adjective | making you relaxed | The view was calming. |
| rhythm | noun | regular movement | I followed the walking rhythm. |
| determination | noun | strong will to continue | Success needs determination. |
| reach | verb | to arrive at a place | We reached the top. |
| landscape | noun | scenery of an area | The landscape was amazing. |
| proud | adjective | feeling good about success | I felt proud of myself. |
| complete | verb | to finish something | I completed the trek. |
| grateful | adjective | feeling thankful | I felt grateful for the trip. |
| downhill | adverb/adjective | going down | Walking downhill is easier. |
| tricky | adjective | difficult in a tricky way | The path was tricky. |
| slip | verb | to fall accidentally | Be careful not to slip. |
| satisfied | adjective | feeling happy with results | I felt satisfied after the hike. |
| overcome | verb | to successfully deal with | I overcame my fear. |
| achieve | verb | to reach a goal | I achieved my goal. |
| confident | adjective | feeling more sure | I became more confident. |
| open (to something) | adjective | willing to try new things | I am open to new experiences. |
| take a break | phrase | rest for a short time | Take a break when tired. |
| clear my mind | phrase | relax and stop thinking too much | Nature helps clear my mind. |
| connected | adjective | feeling close to something | I feel connected to nature. |
| trail | noun | a path for walking | The trail was long. |
| outdoor activities | noun phrase | activities outside | Trekking is an outdoor activity. |
Word bank (mixed):
(proud, scenery, backpack, relaxed, trekking, tired, excited, nervous)
Word bank (mixed):
(appreciate, slippery, break, reach, focus, uneven, steep, encourage)
| A | B |
| 1. overcome | a. to arrive somewhere |
| 2. achieve | b. to succeed in doing something |
| 3. reach | c. to deal with a problem successfully |
| 4. slip | d. to fall accidentally |
Rewrite using the given word:
Put the words in the correct order:
Answer these questions:
👉 Try to use these words:
✅ Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Basic)
✅ Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks (Intermediate)
✅ Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
✅ Exercise 4: Match the Words
1 → c (overcome = to deal with a problem successfully)
2 → b (achieve = to succeed in doing something)
3 → a (reach = to arrive somewhere)
4 → d (slip = to fall accidentally)
✅ Exercise 5: Sentence Rewriting
✅ Exercise 6: Sentence Building
✅ Exercise 7: Sample Answers (Suggested)
👉 (Answers may vary — here are examples)
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