Climb of Empire State Building Ends in Arrests
Today’s article is about a couple who climbed the Empire State building in New York and then proposed marriage to each other. A display of love or foolishness?
Page Content
🚀 Find your level and then practice the exercises below!
Beginner Level (A1/A2)
Two people climbed the Empire State Building in New York and put a big banner near the top. The building is very tall and famous. The banner had a message about love and a marriage proposal. Many people saw it happen and were surprised.
Police later stopped the two people and took them away. No one was hurt. The police said it is not safe to climb the building. The Empire State Building is a popular place, but it also has strong security rules.
- climbed – went up something using hands and feet
- banner – a large sign with words on it
- marriage proposal – asking someone to marry you
- surprised – not expecting something
- took them away – removed them or arrested them
- safe – not dangerous
Intermediate Level (B1/B2)
Two individuals climbed the Empire State Building in New York City and displayed a large banner from its upper structure. The skyscraper is one of the most famous buildings in the world. The banner contained a message about love, along with a symbolic marriage proposal, which quickly drew public attention.
The police detained the pair and began investigating how they were able to access restricted areas of the building. No injuries were reported, but authorities said that the action was extremely dangerous. The incident raised questions about security at major landmarks in the city.
- banner – large sign
- structure –a part of a building or part of a building
- Skyscraper – Very tall building
- symbolic – representing an idea
- public attention – people noticing something
- detained – held by police
- investigating – trying to find out the truth
- restricted areas – places not everyone can enter
- dangerous – not safe
- questions – doubts or concerns
- landmarks – famous important places
Native Level (C1)
In a striking stunt that drew widespread attention across New York City, two urban climbers scaled the Empire State Building and unwrapped a large banner from its iconic spire. The display, which featured a message centred on “love” alongside a symbolic marriage proposal, temporarily transformed one of the world’s most recognisable skyscrapers into the backdrop for an audacious public gesture.
The pair were later taken into custody as authorities launched an investigation into how they managed to breach security at such a heavily protected landmark. While no injuries were reported, officials condemned the incident and highlighted the serious risks involved, noting that the building operates under strict access controls despite its global tourist appeal.
- striking stunt – very noticeable and unusual action
- urban climbers – people who climb tall buildings illegally or for sport
- spire – the pointed top of a building
- skyscraper – very tall building
- audacious – bold and risky
- custody – under police control
- gesture – action meant to express an idea
- taken into custody – arrested
- breach security – breach means to break or bypass security rules
- landmark – famous important place
- condemned – strongly criticized
- access controls – systems that limit who can enter
Sources for this story: CNN NBC Chicago
True or False Exercises
Can you get these 5 questions right?
1 . Someone was injured during the incident.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ There were no accidents.
2. Police arrested the two people after the stunt.
true / false
✅ true
ℹ️ They were both arrested
3. The building is unknown by most people.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ The Empire State building is probably the most famous building in the USA.
4. They got married at the top of the building.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ They didn’t get married, but it looked like they proposed marriage for the future.
5. This is a normal activity for this building.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ This is very unusual and dangerous.
Vocabulary Quiz
Which answer matches the meaning?
1 . banner
1. A tall pole placed outside a building to support lighting fixtures.
2. A frame placed around the entrance of a building.
3. A long piece of cloth or material with words, symbols, or pictures, used to display a message or advertise something.
✅ 3
ℹ️ People use banners at protests.
2. skyscraper
1. A covered walkway that connects two buildings at ground level.
2. A very tall building with many floors, especially one used for offices or apartments.
3. A reinforced concrete base built beneath large buildings to support their weight.
✅ 2
ℹ️ The tallest skyscraper in the world is in Dubai.
3. landmark
1. A well-known building, monument, or place that is easily recognised and often has historical or cultural importance.
2. A mark made by an animal in Australia.
3. A type of car that is manufactured in Germany.
✅1
ℹ️ The most famous landmark in Paris is the Eiffel Tower.
4. custody
1. A New York style cheese cake.
2. A secure room used to store valuable items in a public building.
3. The state of being kept in the care or control of someone, especially by the police or a legal authority.
✅ 3
ℹ️He was taken into custody.
5. audacious
1. A plan created before starting a large project.
2. Showing a willingness to take risks; brave and confident in a surprising way.
3. A person who carefully avoids taking risks in difficult situations.
✅ 2
ℹ️ The company made an audacious move when they exactly copied the iPhone.
