Burlington English Advanced Student Worksheet

Module 1 • Travel & Tourism Reading

Name:

Before You Read Words

A What do the words in bold mean? Circle the correct answers.
1. We recently participated in a guided tour of the new art museum, which we really enjoyed.
a. took part b. competed
2. I loved China when I visited there the first time, but it was so different from my own country that I kept
looking at everything around me in amazement.
a. fear b. surprise
3. My brother is addicted to extreme sports and travels all over the world to do these dangerous activities.
He says the danger makes it more exciting.
a. is crazy about b. doesn’t care about
4. We were told the hiking path was 10 miles long, but it extended for 20 miles.
a. stopped b. continued
5. If you want a great skiing vacation in Europe, I recommend going to the French Alps.
a. suggest b. don’t suggest
6. From my balcony, the view of the green fields and little farmhouses is very picturesque.
a. ugly to look at b. pretty to look at
7. I walked carefully to the edge of the cliff to take a look at the sea below.
a. area of forest b. area of high rocks
8. After days of observation, a group of bird watchers saw the birds they had been hoping to see.
a. watching closely b. listening carefully

B What do you understand from the following sentences? Circle the correct answers.
1. Our tour guide told us that castles were built to protect the people who lived there by keeping their
enemies out.
a. Enemies are people who care about you. b. Enemies are people who want to hurt you.
2. Three cars were damaged in the accident, but luckily the accident wasn’t fatal and people were only
lightly hurt.
a. Nobody was killed. b. People were killed.
3. Climbing mountains is physically difficult. So if you’re planning a hike, you first need to get in shape.
a. You have to be physically fit. b. You will see mountains with different shapes.
4. Our tour was very demanding – we got up early every morning and traveled all day.
a. The tour was difficult. b. The tour was easy.
5. Traveling to certain countries without a visa is illegal. You could get into trouble or be arrested.
a. It is allowed. b. It is not allowed.
6. Our tour was remarkable. I’ll never forget it.
a. It was very good. b. There was nothing special about it.
7. Your concentration has to be very good to walk along this narrow bridge – if you take one wrong step,
you will fall.
a. You have to pay attention. b. You don’t have to pay attention.
8. When skydiving, you fall through the air until your parachute opens.
a. It helps you fall slowly. b. It makes you fall more quickly.

Reading: Page 1 of 5
Burlington English Advanced Student Worksheet
Module 1 • Travel & Tourism Reading
Name:
While You Read
You are going to read a magazine article about the amazing things some people have done at popular
tourist sites. Choose the answer (A, B, C, D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Beyond Sightseeing
Looking for a destination for your next vacation? If you Surprising as it may seem, bridges also provide
think you’ve “been there, done that,” then think again. opportunities for adventure. Blogger Luke Graham
As I’ve found out by reading different travel blogs, even wrote about his recent tour of Australia, where he
well-known tourist spots offer unusual activities for joined the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb adventure tour.
5 travelers who are looking for something different. 40 Rather than crossing the bridge in a conventional way,
Take the Empire State Building in New York City, for this tour takes you up over the arch itself, high above
example. Most sightseers reach the observation deck the traffic on the bridge. Participants are given special
at the top by using one of the building’s 73 elevators. “BridgeSuits” to put on over their clothes. Then they
But not Mary Peters – she ran up its 1,576 stairs! are harnessed to a line which attaches them to each
10 Mary took part in the Empire State Building Run-Up, 45 other and to the bridge. “I was petrified,” Luke writes,
the world’s oldest tower race. Every year, hundreds of “but I knew that the chances of getting injured were
people ranging in age from 18 to 87 participate in this very slim. So I put my fears aside as the effort of the
challenging race. “Despite all my previous training, it climb demanded my full concentration. After an hour
was really hard,” she writes about her experience. “I and a half of climbing, I found it thrilling to finally stand
15 finished in 14 minutes and 23 seconds, almost placing 50 on top of the arch, taking in the view of the sea and
in the top 10. Only then did I allow myself to enjoy the the city below and around us. I highly recommend this
breathtaking view from the top.” experience – it’s a must for anyone visiting Sydney!”
Tall buildings certainly seem to attract tourists looking Even ancient sites offer a challenge. The Great Wall of
for unusual activities. The twin Petronas Towers in China, which was built hundreds of years ago entirely
20 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are among the tallest buildings 55 by hand, extends for 6,400 kilometers. Built to keep
in the world. The average tourist stands looking up in enemies from attacking, it is one of civilization’s most
amazement at their great height, but George Harris, who remarkable achievements. If you’re looking for a
has his own blog, sees them as a personal challenge. challenge and you’re in excellent physical shape, you
He’s addicted to BASE jumping – skydiving from fixed can run in one of the marathons that take place at this
25 structures such as buildings, antennas, spans (bridges) 60 famous tourist site. Rita Swanson, for example, took
and earth (cliffs). “BASE jumping is far more dangerous part in the Great Wall Marathon, which is an extremely
than regular skydiving from a plane,” he explains, demanding 42-kilometer race with towers and steep,
“because you have only a few seconds to open your open staircases. All in all, you have to climb 3,700 stairs!
parachute. Mistakes can be fatal and BASE jumping is According to Rita, it’s worth the effort. She writes: “As
30 illegal in most places.” The international BASE jumping 65 you are climbing, the dramatic beauty of the ancient
competition held at the Petronas Towers, however, wall and the picturesque views of the countryside are
is perfectly legal. Every year for the past three years, incredible. For me, this was the experience of a lifetime!”
George has joined other experienced competitors there So, if you want to be more than a typical tourist on your
– and even though he hasn’t won any prize money yet, he next trip, there’s a lot you can do. Why don’t you start
35 says he’ll keep trying. 70 by looking at some travel blogs for ideas, just as I did?

GLOSSARY observation deck a place at the top of a building to see the city
skydiving a sport, where a person jumps from an airplane with a parachute that opens seconds later
harnessed tied or attached
put my fears aside decided not to worry or be afraid

Reading: Page 2 of 5
Burlington English Advanced Student Worksheet
Module 1 • Travel & Tourism Reading
Name:

STRATEGY To identify the topic of the text: • Read the title and first paragraph.
• Skim the rest of the text.

1. Which of the following tells you what the article is about?

A. “Looking for a destination for your next vacation?” TIP Read the questions and match
B. “If you think you’ve ’been there, done that,’ then think again.” each question with the paragraph(s)
C. “… even well-known tourist spots offer unusual activities …” where you are likely to find the
answer. Then read each paragraph
D. “… start by looking at some travel blogs for ideas …”
more closely and answer.
2. What did Mary think about her experience?
A. The view from the top was disappointing.
B. She didn’t have the time to enjoy the view.
C. She was sorry that she had trained so hard.
D. She found the climb hard, but worth the effort.
3. Why are the Petronas Towers mentioned in this text?
Questions 3-4 Look for the
A. They are among the tallest buildings in the world.
paragraph that focuses on Petronas
B. People gaze at these buildings in amazement. Towers and BASE jumping. The
C. An international BASE jumping competition takes place there. questions ask for reasons.
D. Jumping from the Petronas Towers can be fatal.
4. Why is BASE jumping more dangerous than skydiving?
A. It is done without a parachute.
B. It is not allowed in most places.
C. There is less time for the parachute to open.
D. People see it as more of a personal challenge.
5. What does each other refer to in lines 44-45?
A. participants
B. “BridgeSuits”
C. clothes
D. the line and the bridge
6. What is meant by the chances … were very slim in lines 46-47?
A. the chances were better
B. there were few opportunities
C. it was very likely
D. it was very unlikely
7. What makes the Great Wall of China different from the other
sites mentioned in the text?
A. The wall extends for thousands of kilometers.
B. It is a landmark of historical importance.
C. The marathons taking place there are very demanding.
D. It has towers and steep, open staircases.
8. This article was written for people who
Question 8 This is a question about
A. enjoy beautiful views.
the purpose of the text. The first and
B. are interested in extreme sports. last paragraphs can help you.
C. want to visit well-known tourist sites.
D. like visiting popular spots but want something more.

Think About It
Why is the text called Beyond Sightseeing? Which of the experiences described in the text did you find most interesting?

Reading: Page 3 of 5
Burlington English Advanced Student Worksheet
Module 1 • Travel & Tourism Reading
Name:

After You Read Words

A There are different ways to say the same thing. Which pairs of sentences
have similar meanings? Which have different meanings? Similar Different

1. He highly respects his teacher.

He doesn’t think his teacher is very good.

2. The directions we received were perfectly clear.

The directions were so good that we found our way very easily.

3. She did far better in this year’s race than in last year’s.
She did a lot better in this year’s race than in last year’s.

4. The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.

Climbing the mountain made it hard for me to breathe.

5. The adventure tour was thrilling and I did things I’d never done before.
I did many new things on this exciting adventure tour.

B Circle the correct answers.

1. This wasn’t a remarkable / conventional tour. We were taken to places that most people never visit.
2. In the summer, the temperature in Tokyo extends / ranges from 21˚C to 30˚C.
3. Our vacation in Alaska was the experience of a lifetime / civilization.
4. Even people who know New York City very well find it entirely / perfectly different when seeing it from the
observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building.
5. Tomorrow’s marathon will be a challenge / competition for all the runners because it is going to be very hot.
6. If you are injured / petrified of being in small spaces, it’s not a good idea for you to enter the caves.

Word Expansion
A WORD BUILDING Complete the chart using words from Beyond Sightseeing.

Verb Noun Adjective

observe 1
—
2
participation / participant —

challenge challenge 3

amaze 4
amazing
5
compete 6
competitive

injure injury 7

8
recommendation recommended
9
extension extensive

Reading: Page 4 of 5
Burlington English Advanced Student Worksheet
Module 1 • Travel & Tourism Reading
Name:

B Complete the sentences with words from Exercise A. Make any necessary changes.
1. The in the marathon usually range in age from 18 to 65.
2. The view from the top of the mountain always me.
3. He’s not a person, but he likes to take part in sports for fun.
4. We built an onto our house and now we have an extra room.
5. Try not to yourself with that sharp knife.
6. She enjoys the of learning and doing new things.
7. I visited Athens following a friend’s .
8. What did you while doing the experiment?

C 
EXPRESSIONS WITH TAKE Look at how expressions with take are used.

The word take can be used in different ways to form expressions. Notice how take is used
in Beyond Sightseeing.
“Mary took part in the Empire State Building Run-Up, the world’s oldest tower race.” (was part of)
“…
 you can run in one of the marathons that take place at this famous tourist site.” (happen)

HERE IS A LIST OF EXPRESSIONS WITH TAKE AND THEIR DEFINITIONS:

take a risk: do something even if it may lead to something unpleasant or dangerous
take advantage of: make good use of
take care of: be responsible for something
take (somebody / something) for granted: fail to notice or appreciate someone or something
take into account: consider, think carefully about
take part: be involved in something
take place: happen
take your breath away: be very surprising or beautiful

Complete the sentences using the expressions above. Make any necessary changes.
1. The conference this year will in Florida.
2. We shouldn’t our planet . We have
to protect the environment.
3. Before you decide on a bicycle tour, you should the level of difficulty.
4. The view from the 86th floor will – it’s absolutely amazing!
5. My friend will all the arrangements for the trip.
6. Are you going to in the New York City Marathon this year?
7. Aren’t you by putting all your money into the business?
8. They the good weather and went on a hike.

Reading: Page 5 of 5