Cambodia's Angkor Wat Named World’s Top Landmark

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Materials Daily News

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

ancient

Adjective

ˈeɪnʃənt

from a very long time ago

This ancient temple has survived for thousands of years.

Ancient Greece is the birthplace of the modern world.

The professor is working on a study of ancient Rome.

She's a well-known researcher in ancient languages.

Many ancient books are kept in this library.

These pots are ancient.

landmark

Noun

ˈlæn(d)ˌmɑː(r)k

a famous structure that is easily recognized

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous landmarks.

majestic

Adjective

məˈdʒestɪk

impressive and beautiful

But you know, more than the pyramids, I would like to see the sphinx. It looks majestic. // Yes, it's enormous.

worship

Noun

ˈwərʃɪp

pray to and show respect for a god

Worship of the sun extends across all societies.

mosaic

Noun

məʊˈzeɪɪk

a piece of art made of many small colored pieces of stone or glass

A part of the ancient mosaic floor was displayed at the museum.

restore

Verb

rɪˈstɔ:r

to return something to its original state or condition

This monument is being restored.

The museum will try to restore several pieces of art.

The museum has hired an engineer to restore its most valuable paintings.

She restored the antique furniture.

Exercise 2

Article

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

Cambodia's Angkor Wat Named World’s Top Landmark

The travel website TripAdvisor has named Cambodia’s ancient Angkor Wat as the top landmark in the world.

The website uses travelers’ reviews to choose winners each year.

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument.

Last year, 2.2 million tourists visited Angkor Wat.

TripAdvisor reviews call it “majestic” and “like absolutely nothing else I’ve ever seen.”

Here are a few other landmarks that made TripAdvisor’s top 25 list:

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center

Just after Angkor Wat on the list is the United Arab Emirates’ Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center.

The Center in Abu Dhabi is considered one of the UAE’s most important - and beautiful - places of worship.

Church of the Savior of Spilled Blood

The Russian-style church is colorful and detailed. One TripAdvisor user wrote, “The whole church is a piece of art….with mosaics covering every inch.”

Great Wall of China at Mutianyu

Mutianyu is among the best-kept parts of the wall. It was first built in the middle 500s. It is the Great Wall’s longest restored part open to visitors.

Golden Gate Bridge

It is one of the world’s most impressive engineering successes. More than 110,000 cars travel across the Golden Gate Bridge every day.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

When it first opened in Buenos Aires in 1919, the Grand Splendid was a performing arts theater. Later, it became a movie theater. Today, it is one of the best-known bookstores in the world.

Exercise 3

Questions

Which structure has been named as the top landmark in the world?

How does TripAdvisor choose winners?

What did one TripAdvisor user say about Church of the Savior of Spilled Blood?

How is El Ataneo Grand Splendid being used nowadays?

Exercise 4

Discussion

Which of the landmarks on TripAdvisor's list do you think is the most impressive? Why?

Have you ever visited any of the landmarks featured in the article? If so, please share your experience. If not, which ones would you like to visit? Why?

What famous landmarks can be found in your country?

Why do you think ancient cultures built such majestic religious monuments?

Do you think that ancient structures are more impressive than modern ones? Why? Why not?

Exercise 5

Further Discussion

How often do you travel? Why?

Do you think that it's important to experience many different cultures? Why? Why not?

Do you prefer traveling alone or with others? Why?

Do a lot of tourists visit your country? Why? Why not?

What is the most impressive structure you have ever seen? What made it so impressive?

Exercises for Further Self-Study

These self-study exercises are optional and should be carried out after the lesson has finished.

Exercise 6

Sentence Building

Write at least one sentence for each of the words in Exercise 1: Vocabulary. Begin by making sure you understand the definition of each word. Use the example sentences as a guide if you are unable to think of a sentence. Practice reading your sentences out loud.

Exercise 7

Summary

Make a brief summary of the article. Focus on the main topic and consider which pieces of information are most important. Make sure you include details such as what the article is about, who is mentioned in it, where and when the events took place, and also how and why they happened.

Parts of this lesson are based on:

An article by Voice of America.