Hot Air Balloons
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. You are welcome to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
Besides its gorgeous red rock canyons and energy vortexes, Sedona, Arizona, is also known for experiencing that beauty with an amazing hot air balloon ride. I would never do it because I'm scared of heights, but a person on Reddit described it like this:
"Taking a hot air balloon ride over Sedona at sunrise is pure magic. You lift off while it’s still quiet and cool, then drift above those famous red rocks as the sun paints them gold and orange. It’s peaceful up there, with just the occasional whoosh of the burner and wide-open views in every direction. Watching the desert wake up from that height feels unreal, like you’re getting a secret view most people never see."
Vocabulary
Language Level - B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Seat (v)
- Sector (n)
- Secure (v, adj)
- Seek (v)
- Select (v)
- Selection (n)
- Self (n)
- Senior (adj)
- Sense (v)
- Sensitive (adj)
Study these words with Quizlet
Grammar Tip
Language Level - B2
Raise vs. Rise
Many English learners mix up rise and raise because:
- They sound almost the same. Both start with “r” and end with an “s” sound, so they feel like they should mean the same thing.
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Both are about “going up.” The difference is small but important:
- Rise = something goes up by itself. (The balloon rises.)
- Raise = someone or something makes something else go up. (The pilot raises the balloon.)
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Different grammar needs:
- Rise = no object (intransitive verb).
- Raise = needs an object (transitive verb).
Many languages don’t separate these verbs the same way, so English feels like it has “extra rules.”
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Past tense confusion:
- Rise → rose → risen (irregular)
- Raise → raised → raised (regular)
The forms look and sound different, adding another layer of confusion.
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Extra confusion: Raise has other meanings beyond moving something upward:
- Raise children → to take care of them until adulthood.
- Raise money → to collect funds for something.
- Raise your voice → to speak louder.
- Raise a question → to bring up a topic.
Quick Memory Tip:
- If you can add the word “something” after it, use raise.
- If it happens by itself, use rise.
Let's Practice!
Use the correct form of rise or raise for each sentence below:
- Every morning, dozens of colorful balloons ______ into the sky over Sedona.
- The pilot must ______ the flame to make the balloon go higher.
- After the festival, the organizers ______ money for a children’s charity.
- Watch how quickly the balloon can ______ once the hot air fills it.
- Please don’t ______ your voice while we are enjoying the peaceful view.
- The couple who runs the balloon company also ______ two children in town.
- As the sun ______ over the red rocks, we prepared for landing.
- The safety meeting ______ an important question about weather changes.
Reading and Listening Tip
Language Level - B2
This video gives you a glimpse into the hot air balloon experience in Sedona:
Weekly Challenge
Language Level - C1
Learn how to use the shadowing technique to increase your pronunciation skills with this video:
How can I help?
Send me a message if you have any questions or feedback!
