Mr Brown in Edinburgh

Mr Brown was in Edinburgh on business for his bank. He had caught a train from King's Cross Station in London at ten o'clock that morning and now he had arrived in Edinburgh. It was five o'clock in the evening. He had enjoyed a comfortable journey and had had a good lunch on the train. He had booked a room at the Queen's Hotel a few days before, so when he got out of the train at Waverley Station, he took a taxi straight to the hotel.

When he got to the hotel he signed the book, the clerk told him the number of his room and the porter gave him his key. He went up to the third floor in the lift and the lift-boy showed him to his room. It was a comfortable room with a good bed. That night Mr Brown slept well until the maid brought him some tea at seven-thirty next morning.

Mr Brown had not been in Edinburgh for many years, and he was looking forward to seeing the city again. So when he had finished break­fast he decided to go for a walk before keeping his first appointment at 11 o'clock. He came out from his hotel into Princess Street, one of the widest and most beautiful streets in the world. It has fine shops on one side and gardens on the other, with Edinburgh Castle high on its Rock and Arthur's Seat beyond. The Scots are very proud of their capital city. As Mr Brown walked along, he remembered some of the exciting events that had happened here and some of the great men who had walked along these same streets — the things they had done, and the books they had written. He was surprised when he looked at his watch and saw that it was almost eleven.

His first appointment was with an old friend John Macdonald, the manager of the Edinburgh branch of his bank. Mr Macdonald spent some time showing him round the city. During the three days he was there, Mr Brown saw most of the places of interest. He visited St Giles' Cathedral and the royal palace which is called Holyroodhouse; he walked along the narrow streets of Old Edinburgh and up to the grey castle. He found, too, that Edinburgh does not live only in the past. New Edin­burgh has modern houses and wide streets. His friend told him that ev­ery year in September a Music and Drama Festival is held, to which people come from all over the world; new plays can be seen and new music can be heard, and visitors can meet people from other countries and talk about the things that interest them.

When at the end of his visit, he sat in the train which was carrying him south to London he made up his mind that he must come back soon

to spend a holiday in this city in which the past comes so close to the present.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. Take turns asking each other about an interesting city or place you have visited. Use these questions or other questions of your own.

What's an interesting city or place you have visited? How big is it? What's the weather like there? Is there much unemployment? And what about industry? What's the transportation like? Is there any pollution there? What's the cost of living like? What kind of housing do people have? Are rents expensive? What can you do there? Are there many tourist attractions? What's good to buy there? What's the nightlife like? What else do you like about it?

C. Write about your trip to an interesting city or place.

Small Towns and Big Cities

Today, people all over the world are moving out of small towns in the country to go and live in big, noisy cities. They are moving from the peaceful hills, mountains, fields, rivers and streams of the countryside to the busy world of streets, buildings, traffic and crowds. This movement from rural areas to urban areas has been going on for over two hundred years.

In many countries, the main reason people come to live in towns and cities is work. After one or two large factories or businesses have been built in or near a city, people come to find work, and soon an industrial area begins to grow. There is usually a residential area nearby, where the factory workers can live. The families of these workers need schools, hospitals and stores, so more people come to live in the area to provide these services — and so a city grows.

In every major city in the world, there is a business district where the big companies have their main offices. In the United States, this is usu­ally in the downtown area of the city. It is here that you can see the huge skyscrapers containing many floors of offices. The people who work here often travel a long way to work each day. Many of them live in the suburbs of the city, far away from the industrial and business areas. Some suburbs are very pleasant, with nice houses and big yards. There are usually parks for children to play in and large department stores in shopping malls where you can buy all you need.

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But what is the future of the big cities? Will they continue to get bigger and bigger? Maybe not. Some major cities have actually become smaller in the last ten years, and it is quite possible that one day we will see people moving out of the major cities and back into smaller towns.

A. Decide whether these statements are true or false according to the passage.

1. Many people from small towns go to live in big cities.

2. Urban areas contain mainly hills, mountains, rivers and streams.

3. Many people go to live in urban areas to find work.

4. Factories are built inside residential areas.

5. Business districts are usually in the downtown area of the city.

6. Workers often live in skyscrapers in the suburbs.

1. The suburbs of a city usually contain more trees and parks than the downtown areas.

2. The movement from country to city will definitely continue in the future.

B. 1. Do you live in a rural area, a town, or a big city? 2. Where would you like to live? Why?

Living in the City

Living in a city has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, it is often easier to find work, and there is usually a choice of public transport, so you don't need to own a car. Also, there are a lot of interesting things to do and places to see. For example, you can eat in good restaurants, visit museums, and go to the theatre and to concerts. What is more, when you want to relax, you can feed the ducks or just sit on a park bench and read a book. All in all, city life is full of bustle and variety and you need never feel bored.

However, for eveiy plus there is a minus. For one thing, you might have a job, but unless it is very well-paid, you will not be able to afford many of the things that there are to do, because living in a city is often very expensive. It is particularly difficult to find good, cheap accommo­dation. What is more, public transport is sometimes crowded and dirty, particularly in the rush hour, and even the parks can become very crowd­ed, especially on Sundays when it seems that every city-dweller is look­ing for some open space and green grass. Last of all, despite all the crowds, it is still possible to feel very lonely in a city. In conclusion, I

think that city life can be particularly appealing to young people, who like the excitement of the city and don't mind the noise and pollution. However, many people, when they get older, and particularly when they have young children, often prefer the peace and fresh air of the country­side.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. Give the synonymous words from the text to the following:

in spite of pros and cons

another point is that one advantage is that

all things considered for instance

to sum up in my opinion

one disadvantage is that especially

moreover finally

C. 1. Do you live and/or work in a city? Is it very big? How many ad­ vantages and disadvantages of city life can you think of?

Write them down.

2. Write about the pros and cons of living in the country.

3. Discussion: Advantages and disadvantages of living in abig city and in the country.

Conversation Practice

Listen, read and practise.

My Hometown

1.

Woman: So tell me about your hometown, Joyce.

Joyce: Well, it's a real smalltown...

Woman: Really? What's it like there?

Joyce: Oh, I think it's a very boring place.

Woman: Why?

Joyce: Well, there's nothing exciting to do. No good restaurants.

No nightlife of any kind. I really get bored there.

Woman: Oh, that's too bad.

Joyce: Yeah, but lots of people love it there because it's so pretty.

Woman: Yeah?

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Joyce: Uh-huh. It has lovely scenery — lots of mountains, rivers, lakes, trees...

Woman: Well, I don't know, Joyce, it sounds like a nice place!

Joyce: Well, yeah, if you like to go hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. But, you know, I'm not the outdoor type! I'm a real city person!

2

Woman: Do you come from a big city, Lou?

Lou: Oh, yes, I do. It's pretty big.

Woman: What's it like there?

Lou: Oh, it's a really great place! It has some fantastic art museums, and wonderful theatres, and terrific restaurants of all kinds... like Greek, Russian, French, Thai, Japanese...

Woman: Ah... really? And how are the prices? Is it expensive?

Lou: Yeah, yeah, I guess so. Food costs a lot... both in the su­permarket and in restaurants. And apartments! They're so hard to find... and the rents are pretty high.

Woman: Yeah, I guess it's expensive everywhere these day

3.

Man: Hey, Nick. Are you going home for the holidays?

Nick: No way!

Man: Oh, why not?

Nick: I don't like my hometown. Too many people, too many build­ings, too many factories. It's big and it's ugly! I like places that are small and quiet. Like here!

Man: Is your hometown as bad as that?

Nick: Yes, it's pretty bad. It doesn't even have any good restaurants.

Man: No, c'mon, Nick! No interesting theatres or nightlife?

Nick: No, not really.

Man: It sounds like a terrible place.

Nick: Yeah, it really is.

A. What do they say? Write Yes or No.

	Interesting	Big	Expensive	Beautiful
1. Joyce
2. Lou
3. Nick

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B. Talk about your hometown. Ask questions like these and other ques­- tions of your own.

What's your city or hometown like? Is it an interesting place? Is it safe? What's shopping like there? Is it expensive? Is the transportation good? Does it have good restaurants? What are the things you like most about your hometown? What are the things you don't like about it?

C. Have a conversation about your hometown.

4.

Linda: Whereabouts in Canada are you from?

Steve: I'm from Toronto.

Linda: I've never been there. What's it like?

Steve: It's a great city! It has good museums and wonderful restau­rants. And the nightlife is exciting, too.

Linda: Really? Is it expensive there?

Steve: Well, it's not bad, but apartments are fairly expensive.

Linda: Toronto sounds like a nice place. I've heard it has a good subway.

Steve: Oh, yeah. It's excellent. And the buses are good, too.

Linda: And what about shopping?

Steve: There are some great shopping centres and department stores. Do you know the Euton Centre?

Linda: The Euton Centre? No. What's that?

Steve: Huh! It's one of the biggest shopping centres in the world. It has everything, and the prices are pretty good, too.

Linda: Well, I hope some day I'll get a chance to go there.

Steve: I hope so, too. If you ever go, I'll show you around the city...

Linda: You will? Great! Thanks!

Steve: OK.

A. Questions.

1. Where is Steve from? 2. What does Steve think of Toronto? 3. What does Steve say about the transportation and shopping in Toronto?

B. What places of interest would you show your foreign guest if she/he came to your hometown?

C. Situation.

Your friend from London has come to your hometown. At the moment you are showing him/her around the town. You are a good guide, you know your hometown very well.

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5.

Andy: Whereabouts are you from, Carla?

Carla: I'm from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Andy: Oh? What's it like there?

Carla: Well, it's a beautiful little tourist town, and the climate's great. Actually, it's a centre for American Indian culture, and there are also lots of artists there. Georgia O'Keeffe, the famous painter, used to live there.

Andy: Really? It sounds like an interesting place! I'd like to go there sometime.

Carla: Yeah, you'd enjoy it, Andy. And whereabouts in England are you from, Andy?

Andy: I'm from Bath.

Carla: Really? Where's that?

Andy: It's near Bristol. It takes about an hour and a half to get there by train from London.

Carla: You know, I've always wondered why it's called 'Bath'. How did you get that name?

Andy: Because of its famous hot springs. Throughout history, peo­ple have gone there to bathe — that's why it's called Bath.

Carla: Ah! Is it an old city, then?

Andy: Oh, yes. In fact, it's an old Roman city, with lots of lovely old stone buildings.

Carla: Andy, it sounds really interesting! I'd love to visit Bath some day.

Andy: Well, just let me know when you plan to come and my fam­ily and I'll take care of you.

Carla: Really? Thanks! And I'd do the same for you if you ever visit my hometown of Santa Fe.

Andy: OK, then, that's a deal!

A. Questions.

1. Where is Carla from? 2. What's it like there? 3. Where is Andy from? 4. Where is Bath? 5. How did it get that name? 6. Is Bath a new or an old city?

B. Take turns talking about your favourite city. Talk about it like this and answer any questions other students may have.

My favourite city in North America is Santa Fe. It's in New Mexico. It's an old city with lots of interesting Spanish and Indian buildings. It's fairly small, and it's really beautiful...

What's Mexico Like?

David: Can you tell me a little about Mexico?

Maria: Yes, sure. What would you like to know?

David: Well, when's the best time to visit?

Maria: Mmm, you should go in the winter or spring. The weather is

nice then. It's not very hot. David: Really? And does Mexico have good beaches? Maria: Yes, the beaches are excellent. David: Oh, good! And what places should I see? Maria: Well, you should go to Mexico City. And you shouldn't miss

the Mayan ruins. They are very interesting. David: Great! I can't wait to go there.

A. Questions.

1. When is the best time to visit Mexico? Why? 2. What are the beaches

like? 3. What is worth seeing?

Tell Me About Brazil

Man: I'm thinking of going to Brazil next year, Maria.

Maria: Oh, great! I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Man: What places do tourists visit in Brazil?

Maria: Well, a lot of people go to Rio for Carnival. And nowadays,

lots of people are visiting the Amazon to take river trips. Man: Oh, really? That sounds interesting. And when's a good time

to visit?

Maria: Well, I like Rio in the spring or fall because it's not too

hot then.

Man: And what other cities are worth visiting in Brazil?

Maria: Well, I'd suggest Brasilia first.

Man: OK.

Maria: It's been the capital city of Brazil since nineteen sixty...

Man: Uh-huh.

Maria: It's not very big, but very, very modern. The architecture is

very interesting. Most of the buildings were designed by

Niemeier, a famous Brazilian architect.

Man: It sounds really interesting.

Maria: Yeah, it really is... and then there's Sao Paulo. Man: Oh? Tell me about that.

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Maria: It's the biggest city in Brazil and an important commercial

centre. So lots of people go there on business... and there

are not too many tourists. Man: Oh! That's good! Maria: It is! The restaurants are excellent — great food — and

nightlife in Sao Paulo is out of this world!

Man: Sao Paulo really sounds great! You know, actually, I'd be

very interested in seeing an old city, too. Uhm... where would

you suggest?

Maria: Mmm... I think you'd enjoy Salvador in Bahia. It's on the north-

east coast of Brazil and it's Brazil's oldest city.

Man: Oh-huh.

Maria: It has a lot of beautiful old Portuguese architecture, and

it's also the centre of African culture in Brazil. Man: Really?

Maria: And the food! My gosh, it's so good! Spicy, but delicious! Man: Oh, I love spicy food. It sounds really interesting. I can't wait

to go there! Do you know a good travel agent?

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. A visitor wants information about your country. What places do tour­ists like to visit? Why? Roleplay a conversation like the one above.