English Lesson 8

Travel and historic sites

Travelling and transport, a historical place you know, and protecting historic sites.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Travel and transport

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Do you like travelling? Where have you travelled to lately?

Yes, I love travelling. It's the best way to relax and see new things. Lately, I went to the north of my country with some friends. We stayed near the sea for three days. The weather was perfect, and the food was great.

  • It's the best way to…give a reason
  • Lately, …means recently, not long ago
  • We stayed near…stay = live somewhere for a short time

How do you usually travel?

For short trips, I usually go by car, because it's flexible. I can stop whenever I want. For long trips, I prefer to fly, because it saves a lot of time. I take the train sometimes too. It's cheap and comfortable, but it's quite slow.

  • go by carby + type of transport
  • flexibleeasy to change, free to choose
  • it saves a lot of timemeans it is much faster
  • I take the traintake = use a bus, train or taxi

What kind of places do you like to visit?

I like places with nature, like mountains and forests. They help me forget about stress. I also enjoy visiting old cities, because I find history really interesting. But I'm not a big fan of very crowded places, like busy shopping centres.

  • I like places with…describe a type of place
  • forget about stressstop thinking about problems
  • I find … really interestingfind + noun + adjective
  • I'm not a big fan of…a soft way to say "I don't like"

Do you think a new transport system should be introduced in your city?

Yes, I think so. The traffic in my city is terrible, especially in the morning. We have a metro, but it's always crowded, and it doesn't go to every part of the city. So I think we need more metro lines and better buses.

  • introducedmeans started for the first time
  • The traffic in my city is terribledescribe a problem
  • it doesn't go to every part of…explain the limit
  • more metro linesa line = one route of a train

Part 2 · Cue card

A historical place that you know about

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe a historical place that you know about.

You should say:

  • what the place is
  • where it is located
  • what its historical importance is
  • and explain what you think about this place
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

What the place is

It's a huge public square, surrounded by old buildings. There are two famous mosques, a royal palace and a big bazaar around it.

Where it is

It's located in the centre of Isfahan, a city in the middle of Iran. It's very easy to get to, because it's close to the main streets.

Its historical importance

It was built about four hundred years ago, when Isfahan was the capital of the country. The king used to watch sports and celebrations from the palace. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it's protected as an important place for the whole world.

What you think

I think it's an amazing place. The blue tiles on the mosques are incredibly detailed. In the evening, families sit on the grass and have picnics, so it feels full of life. Everyone who visits my country should see it at least once.

  • one of the most beautiful places I've ever seena strong opening
  • surrounded bymeans with things all around it
  • It's very easy to get tomeans it is easy to reach
  • The king used to…used to = did in the past, but not now
  • it feels full of lifemeans it is busy and happy
  • at least oncemeans one time or more

Part 3 · Discussion

Historic sites and travel

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

Should governments pay for the maintenance of historic sites?

Yes, I believe they should. Historic sites belong to the whole nation, not to one person. And repairing them is very expensive, so private owners usually can't afford it. Also, these sites bring in tourists, so the government earns money from them too.

  • maintenancekeeping something in good condition
  • I believe they shoulda clear opinion
  • belong to the whole nationmeans all the people of the country own them
  • bring in touristsmeans attract tourists

Should historic buildings be protected, or knocked down for modern buildings?

In most cases, they should be protected. Once an old building is gone, we can never get it back. Cities can build new apartments in other areas. But if a building isn't really important and it's dangerous, then I think it's okay to replace it.

  • In most cases, …means usually, but not always
  • knocked downmeans destroyed on purpose
  • Once … is gone, we can never get it backexplain why it matters
  • it's okay to replace itaccept the other side in some cases

How can travelling be important for students?

Travelling teaches students things they can't learn from books. They meet different people, see new cultures, and become more independent. Visiting historic places is especially useful. For example, after seeing an ancient city, students understand their history lessons much better.

  • things they can't learn from bookspractical knowledge
  • become more independentcan do things without help
  • is especially usefulespecially = more than others

Why do some people prefer historic places to more modern tourist spots?

I think they want an experience with meaning. A historic place tells a story about people who lived long ago. Modern spots, like shopping malls or theme parks, are fun, but they look the same in many countries. Historic places are unique, so the memories are stronger.

  • an experience with meaningsomething that feels important
  • tells a story about…shows what happened in the past
  • look the same in many countriesare not special
  • uniquethe only one of its kind

Will more people visit historic places in the future? Why?

Yes, I think so. Travel is getting easier and cheaper, and people have more information online. Social media also makes beautiful old places famous very quickly. But this could be a problem, because too many visitors can damage the old buildings.

  • Travel is getting easier and cheaperdescribe a trend
  • makes … famous very quicklytalk about a cause
  • this could be a problem, because…add a warning
  • damagemeans break or hurt

How does the importance of a place change over the course of history?

A place can become more or less important over time. For example, a city might be the capital for a few hundred years, and then the capital moves somewhere else. After that, the city becomes quieter. But later, its old buildings can make it important again, as a place for tourists.

  • over the course of historymeans during a long period of time
  • over timemeans slowly, as time passes
  • After that, …tell what happened next
  • as a place for touristsin a new role

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.