Excellent Suggestions
Alex: You've been to Paris, haven't you?
Brian: Yes. As a matter of fact, I used to live in Paris.
Alex: Well, I'm planning to visit there soon. I was wondering if you
could recommend some things to do.
Brian: Sure. You should definitely go to Notre Dame Cathedral.
You also ought to see the Palace of Versailles. And you
must visit the Louvre.
Alex: Those sound like excellent suggestions. Can you recommend
any good places to eat?
Brian: Yes. Make it a point to eat at 'Maxim's'. And if you go there,
I suggest that you order the duck. It's delicious.
Alex: That sounds good.
Brian: Oh, and one more thing. Be sure to have someone take your
picture in front of the Eiffel Tower. Alex: I'll do that.
— 218 —
Brian: Is there anything else I can tell you about?
Alex: I don't think so. You've been very helpful. Thanks a lot.
Brian: Send me a postcard, will you?
Alex: Okay.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text.
B. Give a brief account of the conversation. С Roleplay the conversation.
D. Situation.
Your friend has come to your hometown. He/she wants to go sightseeing. You are telling your friend what is worth seeing.
GoingPlaces
Mike is planning to visit London. He is asking a Londoner for advice.
Mike: So, Mary, where are you from?
Mary: Well, I'm from Holland, originally... but now I live in London.
Mike: Oh, really? You know, I'm planning to go to London on vacation some time next year. What time of the year is best for sightseeing?
Mary: Well... you should go either in spring or in autumn. You see the weather is quite nice and warm then...
Mike:Ah!
Mary: In winter, it's just too cold and wet and in summer there are too many tourists.
Mike: I see. And what do you think I should see in the city?
Mary: Well, you must go to the theatre.
Mike: Of course!
Mary: There are lots of West End shows...
Mike: Mm — hmm.
Mary: You know, musicals... drama...
Mike: Sounds great! What about other cultural events?
Mary: Well, there's dance... ballet, modern dance, lots of international companies...
Mike: Brilliant!
Mary:and opera... and some very good London orchestras... and often international ones, too.
Mike:Uh-huh. What museums should I see?
— 219—
Mary: Well, you ought to see the British Museum and the National Gallery.
Mike: Yes.
Mary: And then there's the Tate, if you like modern art.
Mike: Definitely!.
Mary: They're all wonderful! And you must sample the restaurants!
Mike: Of course!
Mary: Londoners love eating all different kinds of food... Greek-Chinese... Indonesian... Thai...
Mike: Can't wait!
Mary: ...and some of them are really cheap!
Mike: Good.
Mary: And then, of course, you should see the usual sightseeing attractions... The Tower of London... St Paul's Cathedral... Big Ben...
Mike: ...and Oxford Street?
Mary: Well, Oxford Street isn't very exciting these days. Soho is much more interesting...
Mike: But is it true that... I mean, everyone says Soho is dangerous...
Mary: I don't think so, really.
Mike: No?
Mary: It's not nearly as bad as you see on TV and in films. But all the same you shouldn't carry too much money on you, or walk around by yourself very late at night anywhere ... just like in any other big city.
Mike: That makes sense! Thanks for the advice, Mary. I'm sure I'll have a great time.
A. Questions.
What time of the year is best for sightseeing in London? Why?
What is worth seeing in London?
B. Fill in: which or want.
Jim: ... shall we do this afternoon?
Tim: We could go to an art gallery.
Jim: That's a good idea. .. .one?
Tim: We could go to the Barbican or the Tate. .. .one would you
like to go to? Jim: I don't know.... exhibitions have they got on at the moment?
— 220 —
Tim: I'm not sure. I think the Barbicon has got Van Gogh's early paintings and the Tate has got a special Picasso exhibition.
Jim: Oh, ... artist do you prefer?
Tim: I think probably Van Gogh. ... about you?
Jim: Yes, I agree. I particularly love his early work. :
Tim: Great. Well, let's go to the Barbican then. ... time do you want to go?
Jim: I'm ready any time.
Tim: OK, let's go now. The only problem is, I don't know ... station to get off at.
Jim: Oh, I've got a guidebook in one of the drawers in my desk.
Tim: ... drawer, the one on the left or the right?
Jim: On the left, I think.
Tim: ... does it look like?
Jim: It's red and yellow.
C. Has anyone in your group visited an interesting country or city? Find out more about it. Start like this and ask questions like the ones below.
A: I visited Spain last summer.
B: Did you enjoy it?
What's the best time of the year to visit?
What's the weather like then?
What should tourists see and do there? What's the food like?
What's the shopping like?
What things should people buy?
What else should visitors do there?
D. 1. What are the most popular cities and places in your country for foreign visitors? What are the three places you would most like to visit in the world?
How many capital cities have you been to? Which do you like the most/the least? Why?
What are the problems facing the capital cities that you know? What is being done about these problems?
E. Bring to class the pictures of a city you visited. Tell your classmates about the city.
— 221 —
F. Situation.
You have returned from a foreign country. Your friend is going to that country in a week. He/she is asking you about the things to see and do there.
G. Think of a place you have visited recently or which you would like to visit soon. Imagine you are there now. Write a postcard to your friend. Be sure to cover all these points:
Say where you are and describe something you have seen or done.
What are your impressions of this place?
What do you like or dislike about it?
What are you looking forward to doing?
Think of a few words to write at the end.
Listening