0.5 Tour commentaries

Section 1:language focus

Guiding language

Indicating position

Superlatives

Passives

Present perfect

……... has stood herefor ... (time period)

has been standing since …(date).

PRACTICE

1. Use the following notes to write into full sentences about St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

1. On/left/beautiful/St Paul’s Cathedral.

…………………………………………………………………………….

1. Stood/over 300 years.

…………………………………………………………………………….

1. Designed/Christopher Wren.

…………………………………………………………………………….

1. One/large/dome/world.

…………………………………………………………………………….

1. Said/influenced/design/Capitol building/Washington.

…………………………………………………………………………….

1. Lord Nelson/buried/crypt.

…………………………………………………………………………….

2. Quiz

Work with a partner and do the following quiz.

1. The Parthenon was dedicated to ________

A. god poseidonb. goddess athenac. both a. and b.d. none of these

2. The Parthenon was built almost 2,500 years ago in the country of ________.

A. GreeceB. RomeC. New YorkD. London

3. In which city is the Parthenon situated?

A. AlexandriaB. AthensC. Crete

4. How tall is the Eiffel tower?

A. 1834 yardsB. 1800 ftC. 1643 ftD. 984 ft

5. How long did it take to build this structure?

A. 2 years and 2 monthsB. 3 years and 3 monthsC. 4 years and 4 months

6. St. Peter’s is a _____.

A. churchB. castleC. citadel

7. St. Peter’s was completed in ________ under Paul V.

A. 1576B. 1615C. 1763

3. Listening

1. Listen to the guides giving commentaries at three places. Mark the statements T(True) or F(False).

(Adapted from a listening exercise in Going International, 1998)

Commentary 1

• The structure is 300 meters high.
• It was built in the 18th century.
• The British have a similar structure.

Commentary 2

• The guide is taking about a square.
• The church was built during 100 years.
• The tourists will climb up to see the city.

Commentary 3

• The building is 2000 years old.
• It was built as a Christian church.
• It has been destroyed a lot.
• Listen again. In which commentary do you hear the following adjectives? Write the numbers (1, 2, 3) on the line.

1. Advanced
2. Long
3. Magnificent
4. Proud
5. Splendid
6. Wonderful
7. What do the guides talk about? Write the number (1, 2 or 3) in the box.

 Parthenon

 Eiffel Tower

 St Peter’s

Section 2:reading

1. Pre-reading
2. Where did you go on your last vacation?
3. How did you go?
4. Who did you go with?
5. What did you see and do?
6. What did you buy as a souvenir?
7. Reading

CITY TOURS

On the day of their city tour, the Silver wakes early. When Mr. and Mrs. Silver leave the coffee shop, the concierge greets the Silvers with a smile. The concierge gives Mr. Silver the tickets for the tour and says, "I'm not busy at the moment. Let me walk with you to where the bus will pick you up. I'll introduce you to the tour guide personally."

Soon the tour bus stops at the curb. The driver opens the door and the tour guide climbs down. As he has promised, the concierge introduces each member of the family to her.