| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | Travel and Tourism | Man | 01:57 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Imagine you are going on a bus tour of a famous city like Kyoto, Japan. What general places do you think you would visit? What things would the tour guide point out about a famous landmark (for example, the date of its construction)?
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- Famous tourist spots are often less enjoyable because they are too crowded.
- It’s better to explore a few places deeply than to try to see everything.
- Local street food is an important part of sightseeing.
- Museums are the best way to learn about a city’s history.
- Nature sightseeing is more relaxing than city sightseeing.
- Using a guidebook or app takes away from the adventure of discovering a place.
- Visiting a country’s capital is not always the most interesting travel experience.
- Traveling with a group makes sightseeing easier but less personal.
- Japan’s temples and shrines offer a more peaceful sightseeing experience than many other countries.
- Sightseeing in Japan requires more cultural awareness than in most Western countries.
Idioms
“take in” = attend a movie, concert, or play
“Why don’t we take in a traditional Japanese play while we’re in the city?“
“for a song” = very cheaply
“We were able to buy these Japanese dolls for a song.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
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itinerary (noun): plan or schedule
– Please review the itinerary for the trip at least a week before you leave. -
board (verb): to get on or enter
– You need to board at least 15 minutes before departure. -
construct (verb): to build
– The tower was constructed over 500 years ago. -
stroll (verb): to walk
– I went for a stroll around the park early this morning. -
destination (noun): final place of arrival
– What is your final destination?
Post-Listening Exercise
Are there any sightseeing tours available in your home city? If so, where would they take a visitor to your city? Pretend you are the tour guide hosting exchange students in your city. What details about the city would you share with your guests? What would be the best way to see your city: on foot, by bicycle, by bus, or by taxi?