Trying New Experiences and Adventure

Hello and welcome back to IELTS TIME.

Today, we’re talking about something that sits right at the intersection of curiosity, fear, and personal growth: trying new experiences and adventure. Whether it’s travelling somewhere unfamiliar, taking up a challenging hobby, or stepping outside a long-established routine, new experiences often shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. At the same time, they can trigger anxiety, hesitation, and self-doubt.

To explore this topic, we’re going to listen to a mock interview between Jessica and Joseph. Keep an ear out for how Joseph builds his arguments and the specific vocabulary he uses to bridge his ideas together.

So let’s jump straight into the interview.

Why do some people enjoy trying new and exciting activities?

I think it really comes down to a deep-seated need for novelty. You know, most of us get stuck in a bit of a rut with work and daily routines, so trying something new provides that much-needed dopamine hit. Beyond the rush, though, it’s about pushing your boundaries. It’s a way for people to prove to themselves that they’re capable of more than they realized, which is incredibly rewarding.

Why are some people afraid of trying something new?

It’s mostly the fear of the unknown, isn’t it? Human beings are hardwired to prefer the “tried and tested” because it feels safe. There’s also the ego factor—no one likes looking like a total amateur or failing publicly. For some, that risk of embarrassment or the potential for things to go wrong just carries more weight than the excitement of the experience itself.

Do you think young people are more willing to try exciting activities than older people?

Generally speaking, yes, but it’s not a hard and fast rule. Younger people usually have a higher appetite for risk, partly because they don’t have as many “strings attached,” like mortgages or kids to worry about. Plus, there’s a biological element—younger brains are just more geared toward thrill-seeking. That said, I’ve met plenty of retirees who are taking up skydiving, so it really depends on the individual’s outlook on life.

 What kinds of exciting activities are popular in your country?

Lately, there’s been a massive trend toward domestic adventure travel. People are flocking to the mountains for things like trekking or white-water rafting. But it’s not just physical stuff; “escape rooms” have become a huge hit in cities. They offer a different kind of adrenaline—more of a mental challenge—and they’ve become the go-to activity for birthday parties or team-building events.

Do you think people today have more opportunities for exciting activities than in the past?

Oh, without a doubt. I mean, thanks to modern infrastructure and technology, activities that used to be quite “niche” or expensive are now totally accessible. You can book a scuba diving session or a flight to a different continent in about two minutes on your phone. In the past, those things were reserved for the elite, but now, the commercialization of adventure has brought it to the masses.

Why are extreme sports becoming more popular nowadays?

I suspect it’s a bit of a rebellion against our sedentary lifestyles. Most of us spend all day staring at screens in air-conditioned offices, which is a bit soul-crushing. Extreme sports offer a way to feel “alive” again—that raw, visceral connection to nature. And honestly, social media plays a huge role. Seeing someone post an epic video of themselves mountain biking makes other people think, “Hey, I want to try that too.”

Do you think trying new activities can help people develop confidence?

Definitely. It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone. When you tackle something unfamiliar and actually succeed, it gives you a massive boost in self-efficacy. It’s like you’re building an “evidence log” of your own resilience. Even if you don’t master it right away, just knowing you had the guts to try it makes you feel much more self-assured in other areas of life.

How can people make sure exciting activities are safe?

It’s all about calculated risk. You don’t want to be reckless, so the first step is usually finding a reputable provider with the right certifications. It’s vital to listen to the experts and not cut corners with safety gear. Basically, as long as you’re doing your due diligence and following professional advice, you can enjoy the thrill without actually putting your life on the line.

Should schools encourage students to take part in adventurous activities?

I’m a firm believer in that. Books can only teach you so much. Adventurous activities act as a proving ground for life skills like leadership, teamwork, and staying calm under pressure. It’s a form of “experiential learning” that builds character in a way that sitting at a desk simply can’t. It teaches kids how to manage fear, which is a pretty essential life skill.

How does social media influence people’s interest in exciting activities?

It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great source of inspiration and exposes people to incredible hobbies they might never have heard of. On the other hand, it can lead to performative adventurism. Some people are more focused on getting the perfect shot for their “grid” than actually enjoying the moment. It can sometimes make these activities feel more like a competition for likes than a personal journey.

That was a very strong set of responses from Joseph, so let’s take a closer look at how he develops his ideas and the language he uses to support them.

First off, in the opening question, Jessica asks why people enjoy new activities. Notice that Joseph completely bypasses the obvious answers like ‘it’s fun’ or ‘it’s exciting.’ Instead, he immediately frames curiosity as something psychological and deeply human. By starting with a ‘deep-seated need for novelty,’ he suggests this desire isn’t just a random whim—it’s actually rooted in how we’re wired. He then brings in the term ‘dopamine hit,’ which links the emotional experience to brain chemistry. Finally, he uses the phrase ‘pushing your boundaries’ to shift the focus toward personal growth, showing that the real reward is self-discovery rather than just a quick thrill.

In the second question about fear, Joseph explores hesitation from both a mental and social angle. Expressions like fear of the unknown and tried and tested highlight our natural preference for safety and predictability. He then introduces the ego factor, which adds an important layer: fear isn’t always about danger, but about image. By mentioning embarrassment and public failure, he reframes fear as something tied to self-image and social self-perception, not just physical risk.

When discussing whether young people are more adventurous, Joseph avoids oversimplifying the issue by saying it’s not a hard and fast rule. This immediately signals balanced thinking. The metaphor strings attached efficiently summarizes adult responsibilities, while appetite for risk captures the emotional side of youth. By ending with the idea that it depends on the individual’s outlook on life, he shifts the discussion away from age and toward mindset, suggesting that personality matters more than demographics.

In talking about popular activities, Joseph connects individual choices to wider social trends. The phrase domestic adventure travel helps him describe what is currently popular at a national level, rather than listing isolated hobbies. By contrasting physical activities like trekking with mental challenges such as escape rooms, he shows that excitement takes different forms. This gives the answer breadth and reflects the varied preferences found within modern society.

When comparing opportunities today with the past, Joseph begins with a clear and confident stance, opening with “Oh, without a doubt,” which removes any hesitation. He explains the increase in opportunities by pointing to concrete factors such as modern infrastructure and technology. Words like niche and reserved for the elite highlight how limited access once was, while brought it to the masses signals a clear shift toward wider availability. By adding practical examples, such as booking a scuba diving session or a flight in minutes on a phone, he makes the idea of increased opportunity feel immediate and tangible.

In the answer about extreme sports, Joseph links routine modern life to emotional dissatisfaction. Phrases like sedentary lifestyles and soul-crushing capture the mental fatigue of screen-based office routines, which he then contrasts with the raw, visceral connection to nature that extreme sports provide. This framing suggests that people are drawn to intensity and emotional engagement. Finally, social media is presented as a powerful influence, with shared videos encouraging others to imagine themselves having similar experiences.

When discussing confidence, Joseph introduces psychological depth with the term self-efficacy. The metaphor an evidence log of resilience is especially effective because it presents confidence as something accumulated over time through experience. This framing acknowledges difficulty and gradual progress, showing that confidence grows through repeated effort rather than instant mastery.

On the topic of safety, Joseph reframes safety as responsibility rather than fear. The phrase calculated risk suggests balance, while due diligence and reputable providers emphasise preparation and informed decision-making. By stressing the importance of expert advice and proper equipment, he presents thrill and safety as compatible when approached thoughtfully rather than recklessly.

When asked about schools, Joseph treats adventure as education rather than recreation. Calling it a proving ground suggests real-world testing, while experiential learning frames these activities as meaningful development. By focusing on skills like leadership, teamwork, and managing fear under pressure, he connects adventure directly to long-term personal growth rather than short-term enjoyment.

Finally, in the discussion of social media, Joseph offers a balanced perspective by describing social media as a double-edged sword. While it can inspire people and introduce new activities, the phrase performative adventurism highlights how experiences can turn into public displays rather than personal moments. By contrasting competition for likes with a personal journey, he questions whether excitement is being pursued for genuine enjoyment or for online validation.

And that wraps up today’s episode on Trying New Experiences and Adventure.

We’ve heard how Joseph tackles big questions about curiosity, fear, and personal growth, and how he uses language to make his ideas clear and memorable. From pushing your boundaries to dopamine hits, the phrases he chooses really help bring his answers to life.

At the end of the day, this topic isn’t just about thrill-seeking—it’s about understanding why we try new things, how we grow from them, and what shapes the choices we make. So next time you step out of your comfort zone, think about the story you’re creating for yourself—it might just be the most exciting adventure of all.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of IELTS TIME.