Travel to English-speaking countries
It is very easy for English speakers to travel around English-speaking countries. Those countries are historically interesting (historycznie interesujące), generally safe and you can see spectacular views (cudowne widoki) there. You can easily travel from a big modern city to a National Park. The eco-friendly development (rozwój przyjazny środowisku) of these landscapes makes these countries the best in the world for outdoor activities (zajęcia na świeżym powietrzu).
The downside (złe strony) is that English speaking countries are not cheap, the weather is often unpredictable (nieprzewidywalne), cuisine can be dull and different English accents may make you very confused (zdezorientowany).
The UK is safe, especially good for history, city culture, different sports and walking. You can see different cultures and meet different people. If you travel through England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can practice your English.
Canada is also safe. Go there if you like winter sports, wildlife and summer hiking. Excellent, unusual festivals are held (mają miejsce) all over Canada. British, French, and native cultures and traditions have influenced (wpłynęły na) Canadian culture. American media and entertainment are popular in Canada. Many cultural products are marketed „North American”.
Ireland is safe, especially good for walks and other outdoor activities, city culture and festivals. Everywhere you go, you can hear Irish music. The Irish are very friendly people and they can tell you much about their history and habits.
Australia is safe, especially good for water sports, long self-drive trips, and city culture. If you are planning to work abroad during summer, think about Australia. It’s also popular for holiday work and all people who want to earn some money are welcome.
South Africa is a country with a fine climate, friendly locals, plenty of outdoor action – particularly hiking and surfing – and excellent cuisine. The scenery is stunning (zapierąjace dech), wildlife is incredible and prices are inexpensive. Crime is a problem but if you are careful and remember about main rules of travelling, you’ll be safe.
The USA is especially good for all sorts of outdoor activities, long self-drive trips, and city culture. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New Orleans are just a small part of what you can visit in this huge country. When you travel through the states, you feel as if you were travelling through many different countries.
New Zealand is very safe, world famous for nature walks and mad outdoor sports. The wildlife (dzikie życie/przyroda) in New Zealand is amazing! The best-known native bird is the kiwi, but you can also see rare yellow-eyed penguins (Maori name hoihoi, meaning noise maker), enormous royal albatross, and fur seals. In the forests of the Northland Forest Park, see some of the world’s oldest trees.
Zadanie (true/false)
Zdecyduj, czy poniższe zdania są prawdziwe, czy fałszywe. Następnie sprawdź, czy miałeś rację.
World’s capital quiz
1. There is one place in London where you can see Queen Elizabeth I, Jennifer Lopez and Alfred Hitchcock together.
2. Dublin is Europe’s second most popular place for stag and hen parties.
3. The winter time in Wellington it’s at its peak in July.
4. The world’s largest tulip festival is held in Ottawa every year.
5. In the Republic of South Africa there are three capital cities.
6. Tourists don’t want to visit Cape Town (Kaapstad).
7. There is only one Washington in the United States.
8. Melbourne has been the capital city of Australia for over 200 years.
Answers
1. TRUE: Madame Tussaud’s is the most popular wax figures museum in the world. In this place dreams of every fan come true. Wax figures look like real people. You can have a photo of yourself and known celebrities of the 21st century as well as with Henry VIII and his six wives.
2. FALSE: It’s the most popular place for stag and hen parties. Every weekend people organize about 600 pre-wedding parties in Dublin.
3. TRUE: While we have summer in Europe, in Wellington it’s wintertime. The average winter temperature in New Zealand’s capital city is 11,3°C, whereas during summer in January it’s 20,3°C. Wellington is a sunny district as well! It gets more than 2060 hours of sunshine per year.
4. TRUE: In 1945 the Dutch Royal family sent 100,000 tulips bulbs to Ottawa to say ”thank you” to Canadians for giving a shelter to Princess Juliana and her daughter (Princess Margriet was born in Canada). They were staying there for three years during the Nazi occupation. In 1946 Princess Juliana sent another 20,500 tulips bulbs and promised to send 10,000 more each year. In 1953 the display of tulips turned into the ”Canadian Tulip Festival”.
5. TRUE: There are three capital cities in the Republic of South Africa: Pretoria – an executive (administrative) and official capital, Cape Town (Kaapstad) – legislative and Bloemfontein – judicial.
6. FALSE: Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism. It’s famous for its beautiful harbour and it has a fantastic climate. It’s also said to be one of the world’s most beautiful cities because of its geography.
7. FALSE: First of all, on the west coast of the USA there is a state Washington. You can also find one Washington in Great Britain. In the USA there are Washingtons in: Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and the most important Washington DC (District of Columbia) – the capital city.
8. FALSE: Melbourne is not a capital city of Australia! Neither is Sydney! The capital city of Australia is Canberra. It was selected for the location of the nation’s capital in 1908 as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities.
Zadanie (gap filling)
Wstaw poszczególne wyrazy w odpowiednie miejsca tekstu.
Sense; chocolates; food; practise; manners; fork; example; age; invited; called
British people and tourist
The British are said to be reserved in __________ (1), dress and speech. They are famous for their politeness, self-discipline and especially for their _________(2) of humour. There are also things you need to be prepared for.
Visiting people in their houses
When you are _____________(3) to someone’s home, take a small gift (flowers or a box of _________(4) is fine) for the host and hostess.
Eating
They eat in European style, with a _________(5) in the left hand and a knife in the right. A problem may be what they eat. British ___________(6) may seem to have no taste and be overcooked.
Names they may call you
You may be __________(7) by many different names, depends on which part of the Britain you are in. For _____________(8), you may be called dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, me duck, me duckie, mate, guv, son, ma’am, madam, miss, sir, or treacle, according to your sex, ___________(9) and location. Do not worry! It is quite normal.
Now, get ready, ____________(10) your English and have a good time.
Odpowiedzi
1 – manners; 2 – sense; 3 – invited; 4 – chocolates; 5 – fork; 6 – food; 7 – called; 8 – example; 9 – age; 10 – practise.