Listening Exercises B1 – Sightseeing

accommodation, transport, attractions, money, safety

a   False

b   True

c   False (‘it doesn’t cost much’)

d   True (‘You can see almost everything that way.’)

e   False (‘It’s no problem.’)

f   False (‘it’s as safe as London or any other city’)

a   In the Latin Quarter.

b   Because it’s the student area.

Transcript

(Emmanuel = French)

Mark:     Hi, Emmanuel? Have you got a minute?

Emmanuel:     Of course, Mark. What is it?

Mark:     Well, I’m going to Paris for a few days next week … and as you’re from Paris, I was wondering if you could give me some tips? You know, where to go and stuff like that.

Emmanuel:     Of course! Have you found anywhere to stay?

Mark:     Not yes. I’m still looking. It’s quite pricey.

Emmanuel:     Well, try the Latin Quarter. That’s a very historic part of the city, and it should be quite reasonable. It’s really lively, too, because it’s the students’ area.

Mark:     Sounds good, thanks. What about getting around?

Emmanuel:     That’s easy. Just use the Metro. It’s usually quite crowded, but it doesn’t cost much. Or you can walk, of course. You can see almost everything that way …

Mark:     OK, and what is there to see?

Emmanuel:     Oh, there are so many things. You should definitely see the Arc de Triomphe. And if you like big cathedrals, then you must to go to Notre Dame, of course, and …

Mark:     It’s euros in France, right?

Emmanuel:     Yes. When I go, I usually just use my bank card and get cash from ATMs. It’s no problem.

Mark:     Is it safe?

Emmanuel:     Yes, it’s as safe as London or any other city, I think. Just be careful in the main touristy places.

Mark:     OK, thanks, Emmanuel. That’s a great help.

a Kings   b 1535   c 400   d main square   e 500   f earthquake

b   Francisco Pizarro was the founder of Lima.

c   The President of Peru lives in the Government Palace.

d   Only 20.

e   San Francisco’s Convent (the only building in Plaza Mayor that survived the earthquake).

Transcript

(Guide = Spanish; tourist = German)

Guide:     Welcome, everyone, to lovely Lima! Lima is called Ciudad de los Reyes, or the City of Kings. This is where the Spanish founded the city, in 1535 … and for almost 300 years, Lima was the centre of Spanish rule in Latin America. And today, it is Peru’s capital city.

Tourist:     Sorry, can I ask a question?

Guide:     Yes.

Tourist:     What about the Incas? They were here before the Spanish, weren’t they? Could you tell us a bit more about them?

Guide:     Yes. In fact, there were many Inca towns here when the Spanish arrived, and over 400 temples and palaces, but it was the Spanish who actually founded the city of Lima, right here, in this square, on the site of an existing palace. This is Plaza Mayor, the main square. It is now a World Heritage Site … You are now standing on the exact site where Francisco Pizarro founded the city nearly 500 years ago. You can see the Government Palace, where the President lives …

Tourist:     Sorry to interrupt, but these buildings don’t look 500 years old.

Guide:     That’s right. An earthquake in 1746 destroyed almost all of the city. Only 20 buildings were left. You can see San Francisco’s Convert over here … that’s the only building in Plaza Mayor that survived. Now, let us to walk over here