Teacher Training College -1-

Reading Development
Holidays
You are going to read a magazine article about five people's opinions of five different cities in the world. For
Questions 1-16, choose from the people (A-E). Some of the people may be chosen more than once.
Which writer
[0] ____ is sorry that more people do not visit the city?
[1] ____ [2] ____ advises visitors to make travel arrangements in advance?
[3] ____ says that visitors will regret not being able to see everything they want to?
[4] ____ says the city has had an unfortunate recent history?
[5] ____ [6] ____ stresses the natural beauty of the setting?
[7] ____ admits that the city has problems?
[8] ____ says he/she would like to make the city their permanent home?
[9] ____ mentions how best to get around the city?
[10] ____ urges visitors not to miss a particular sight?
[11] ____ is confident that people who visit the city will share his/her feelings?
[12] ____ [13] ____ promises good weather?
[14] ____ mentions a legend?
[15] ____ recommends the local food?
[16] ____ suggests travelling outside the city as well as inside?
                                                                         

Steven Taylor asked five of our readers to talk about their favourite cities. Here is what they had to say.

A George, Athens by water. Relax as you wind your way along the Grand
Canal past incredible facades of Gothic and
The majority of annual visitors to Greece arrive on Renaissance palaces and magnificent churches below
package tours to the Greek islands and rarely get the the elegant Rialto Bridge. Go sightseeing around the
opportunity to explore the sights of Athens, which is a numerous palaces and take in the wonderful
pity, because despite the noise and traffic jams, it is one architectural heritage. Venice today still looks much as it
of the most exciting and fascinating cities in Europe. To did in the 13th century, with the exception of a few
make sure you get to see the most important sights, you transformations to some buildings. Crowded throughout
can book a city tour at a very reasonable price. However, the summer months, reasonably-priced accommodation
it is always wise to pre-book tours of Athens, especially is almost impossible to find, so an advance booking is
if you are going to come in August. There is a wealth of essential.
scenery to enjoy in the surrounding countryside, too, so
try to take in other one-day excursions out of the city. At D Emma, Barcelona
the heart of the city, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis
The weather can make or break a holiday but in the
is Plaka. The oldest and most picturesque
Catalonian capital in the summer months, rest assured
neighbourhood in Athens. Overlooked by the glorious
that the sun will shine each day. I can't imagine anyone
temple of the Parthenon, it is a maze of narrow streets
not loving Barcelona. It is a stylish, cosmopolitan city with
running in all directions around the Acropolis.
the romantic Mediterranean on its doorstep. Visitors
B Richard, Rio de Janeiro should take every opportunity to sample the wonderful
cuisine as well as the famous Catalonian hospitality,
If I had the choice of any city in the world in which to live, (and will no doubt wish they had more time to explore the
it would be Rio. It is one of the most romantic cities in the city). Despite the rapidly-changing skyline of the modern
world, blessed with a wonderful sunny climate you can city, which reflects the present age, it remains an
count on and a breathtaking coastline. Rio is enchanting place. For the culturally-minded, there are a
undoubtedly one of those favoured places in the world, great many museums, custodians of a unique historical
whose names have a universal romantic appeal. The and cultural heritage. Among the most popular with an
effect Rio has on the visitor is unforgettable. It is set in a international reputation is the Picasso Museum, which
stunning location surrounded by lush green vegetation houses many of the painter's works and hosts many
and the sea. Central Rio lies on the western shore of the temporary exhibitions.
bay, with world-famous Sugar Loaf Mountain standing
guard to the natural harbour, while to the west is E Anna, Warsaw
Copacabana, that stretch of brilliant white sandy beach
Warsaw is a city steeped in history. Situated on the
that to the locals is without equal. A blend of European
banks of the Vistula river, Warsaw gets its name from
and South American culture, Rio is the highlight of any
Wars, a fisherman and, Sava, a mermaid he had
visit to Brazil.
rescued. Fortunately, despite its almost total destruction
C John, Venice in the early forties, Warsaw is teeming with places of
interest. The Old City, which has been restored, centres
Italian cities are famed for their history and culture but to on the medieval market square near the river and is
many people Venice is unquestionably one of the finest surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque houses. A
cities in the world. Constructed on an archipelago of 18 must for all visitors is the Palace of Culture and Science,
small islands separated by a dense network of which affords a panoramic view of the entire city. Also
waterways. Venice is geared to accommodating the well worth visiting in Lazienki Park is The Palace on
millions of tourists who flock here annually. Known Water, built in the 18th century as the summer palace of
locally as 'The Queen of the Adriatic', Venice is best seen Stanislas II Augustus, the last king of Poland.
Language II - ELT Ariel Olmedo
 Teacher Training College -2-
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
[1] Match the words (1-6 and a-f) to form sets of words that often together.
1. ___traffic a tour
2. ___package b view
3. ___panoramic c price
4. ___international d heritage
5. ___cultural e jam
6. ___reasonable f reputation

[2] Complete the following sentences with the words from Exercise 1. Make any necessary changes.

a. Many tourists nowadays prefer to go on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . where everything has been

arranged for them.
b. We were hoping to see as much of the area as possible, but we ended up sitting in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
or behind long queues of other tourists.
c. It was well worth making the effort to get to the top of the mountain, as we had a magnificent . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the whole area.
d. The many galleries in Madrid have given the city an . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .for art.
e. Many countries promote their strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to attract tourists.
f. The travel agent assured us that local souvenirs could be bought at a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., but
in the end they cost us a fortune.

Passive voice + prepositions

[3] Complete the text with the correct form of be where necessary and the expressions in the box. There is
one extra expression which you do not need to use.

blessed with crowded throughout famed for geared to

lined with located near set in situated on surrounded by

(1)..................the banks of the river Seine, Paris (2)...................its magnificent architecture and
buildings. Perhaps the most famous of all Parisian constructions is the Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 and (3)
...................the beautiful park of the Champ de Mars. The city (4).......................numerous Gothic
cathedrals and churches.
(5).................the year, Paris is a cosmopolitan melting pot of people from all over the world. Life in
Paris (6) ....................accommodating the millions of tourists who visit it each year. Along the narrow
streets of Montmartre,(7) .......................clubs and bars, the visitor can experience the exciting nightlife
Paris offers. In the centre of the city lies the lie de la Cité which (8)........................the waters of the
Seine and on which stands Notre Dame Cathedral.

[4] Read the following text and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space.

When travelling (1) ________ , it is always worth taking the time to do some (2) ________ and find out
about the culture of the place you are visiting. One of the best ways to choose what to see is to get
a (3) ________ which has details about all the different cultural (4) ________ on offer. Of course, if you
are on a package tour, your tour operators will normally provide you with an (5) ________ of the places
you will see. They take responsibility for (6) ________ the travel arrangements. This helps to make your
(7) ________ more enjoyable, as you do not need to worry about finding out where to go. From the
moment you (8) ________ until the time of departure, everything is taken care of, from booking
flights to (9) ________ visits to places of interest. With a package tour, all your holiday needs will have
been taken care of and everything will have been (10) ________ months in advance. You never need
to worry about your hotel being (11) ________ as your agent will have checked and (12) ________ all
the travel arrangements.
1. A foreign B internationally C overland D abroad
2. A sights B sightseeing C history D viewing
3. A prospectus B leaflet C guide D brochure
4. A customs B sites C museums D destinations
5. A agenda B article C identification D itinerary
6. A booking B making C taking D having
7. A voyage B flight C cruise D trip
8. A arrive B reach C come D go
9. A organizing B making C taking D doing
10. A previewed B pre-set C prescribed D prearranged
11. A pre-booked B overcharged C overloaded D overbooked
12. A unchecked B rechecked C reused D post-checked

Language II - ELT Ariel Olmedo