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Writer's pictureDerek Newton

B2 Video: The incredible ibex defies gravity and climbs a dam



Accent: The presenter Brian Cox is from Oldham in the North West of England. His accent shares similarities with accents from the Manchester and Lancashire areas.

Subtitles: Yes, but they are slightly inaccurate in places.


Word List


00:19 - Inaccurate subtitles. They should say "minerals rich in the calcium that these animals..."


00:26 - Inaccurate subs.

They should be "And they'll scale a dam to get them." 00:35 - sheer drop (noun)

  • Definition: A very steep or almost vertical drop.

  • Example: Be careful near the edge; there’s a sheer drop down to the valley.

00:41 - overwhelming (adjective)

  • Definition: Very strong or intense, making it hard to deal with or resist.

  • Example: Their need is overwhelming; they require immediate help.


00:56 - falter (verb)

  • Definition: To lose strength, confidence, or balance, often hesitating or failing slightly.

  • Example: He began to falter as he climbed the steep path.


00:59 - steep slope (adjective + noun)

  • Definition: A surface that rises or falls sharply.

  • Example: The hikers struggled to climb the steep slope in the mountains.

    A slope is the angled/inclined part of a hill. A steep slope rises sharply, while a gentle slope rises gradually.

01:15 - kid (noun)

  • Definition 1: A young goat.

    • Example: The mother goat carefully watched her kid climb the rocks.

  • Definition 2: Informal synonym for “child,” common in spoken English.

    • Example: There were several kids playing football in the park.

02:44 - make it (phrasal verb)

  • Definition: To succeed in reaching a place or achieving something.

  • Example: The Ibex eventually make it to the prize of salty minerals on the cliff.

03:20 - dexterous pincer-like hooves

  • dexterous/dextrous (adjective)

  • Definition: Skilled at using your hands or body, especially in a quick and controlled way.

    • Example: The Ibex are dexterous, carefully balancing on narrow ledges.

  • pincer-like (adjective)

    • Definition: Having a shape like a pincer, which is a tool or claw that grips tightly.

    • Example: The Ibex use their pincer-like hooves to grip the rocks.

  • hooves (noun, plural of hoof)

    • Definition: The hard feet of animals like goats or horses.

    • Example: The Ibex’s hooves are specially designed to help them climb steep cliffs.

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