Page 291 - Grammar Explorer 2 - demo

Infinitives; Infinitives and Gerunds LESSON 2

EXPLORE

1 READ the article about Felix Baumgartner. Notice the words in bold.
CD3-15

The World’s Highest Skydive

How would you like to jump out of a balloon way up in space? It sounds impossible,
but Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner did exactly that! Baumgartner wanted to
2
become a professional skydiver from a very early age. He learned to make parachute
1
jumps and started to skydive when he was 16 years old. Baumgartner’s goal was to set
a record for jumping from the highest altitude. He also hoped to become the fastest
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4
skydiver of all time.
In 2012, Baumgartner got his chance. His childhood hero, the famous skydiver
Joseph Kittinger, helped him to prepare for the historic jump. On October 14 of that
5
year, Baumgartner flew a helium -filled balloon to a height of 127,852 feet (about 24 miles,
or 38.6 kilometers) above the surface of the Earth, and then jumped. On his trip back to
Earth, Baumgartner managed to reach a record speed of 843.6 miles (1357.6 kilometers)
per hour . . . faster than the speed of sound! After opening his parachute, the man known
as “Fearless Felix” made a perfect landing on his feet, and lifted his arms in victory. His
jump set new skydiving records for speed and distance.
Now Baumgartner has decided to retire. This will allow the next group of skydivers
to aim for his records. He will soon start using his skills to help people in danger.
He plans to fly rescue helicopters or become a firefighter.

1 professional: doing something for pay rather than as a hobby
2 parachute: a large, lightweight sheet attached to a falling person that unfolds in the
wind and causes the person to fall slowly
3 record: the best time, distance, speed, etc.
4 altitude: distance above sea level
5 helium: a gas that is lighter than air

Felix Baumgartner
jumps from a balloon
24 miles above Earth
UNIT 10 LESSON 2 271
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