Tag: travel

Company Sends Rocket to Space

B1 – Intermediate

NASA and private company SpaceX work together to send astronauts to space. The private company SpaceX owns the rocket. This company is owned by Elon Musk. This space flight is monumental for both NASA and SpaceX.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about this commercial space flight from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/company-sends-rocket-to-space-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the mission of this space flight?
  2. What is your reaction to this news? 
  3. What do you think is the importance of such space missions?
  4. Would you be interested to go on a commercial flight to space? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think space travel would be a common thing in the future? Why or why not?

Air Bridges Allows More People to Travel

B1 – Intermediate

With the pandemic greatly affecting most countries’ economy, governments are finding ways to restart the economic activities again. 

One way is by having air bridges. Another word for it is “travel bubble”. Find out more about air bridges or travel bubbles by reading the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to this article, what is an air bridge? What is the old meaning of it?
  2. What is your opinion about air bridges?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having travel bubbles?
  4. Do you agree that opening the economy to people from other countries will be advantageous?
  5. How has the pandemic affect the economy of your country? How is your country recovering from the crisis?

No Screaming in Japanese Amusement Parks

B1 – Intermediate

Amusement parks are by far one of the most thrilling places on earth. As you wait in a long line to get in, you can hear numerous kids, adults, and tourists shouting at the top of their lungs due to a tremendous jaw-dropping drop on their beloved rollercoasters.

But what if you are not allowed to scream, shout, or laugh during the ride? What would you do?

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200531-amusement-parks.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘amusement’?
  2. What do you think of rollercoasters and haunted houses?
  3. Should everyone talk more quietly and wear masks?
  4. What is the “new normal” in the world today?
  5. What coronavirus guidelines are there in your country?

Japanese City Asks Tourists to Stop ‘Sand Graffiti’

B1 – Intermediate

City officials of Tottori are asking tourists to avoid writing messages and pictures in the sand of its giant sand dunes. More than 3,300 cases of ‘sand graffiti’ happened at this tourist spot in the last 10 years.

Read the article below to know more about this new rule.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1905/190525-tottori-sand-dunes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the city’s new rule?
  2. What do you think of the tourists’ actions?
  3. What other tourism rules do you follow?

Egypt Opens Ancient Pyramids for the First Time

B1 – Intermediate

Egypt has opened two of its oldest pyramids. These two pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are now open to the public for the first time since 1965.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190720-pyramids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the Pyramids in Egypt?
  2. Do you think the Pyramids are some of the most important architectural sites in the world?
  3. What do you think will be the effect of tourism on the pyramids?

The Only US State Highways Where Automobiles Are Banned

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the U.S. state of Michigan, Highway M-185 is the safest road in America. It is the only state highway in the nation where motor vehicles are banned. The restriction dates back to 1898. Since the ban, only a few vehicles have driven on the asphalt, other than the city’s emergency vehicles.

Watch the video to know more and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a car-less highway?
  2. Would you like to live in this kind of state? Why?
  3. What are the advantages and drawbacks of living without automobiles in one’s place?

TripAdvisor To Stop Selling Animal Attractions Tickets

B1 – Intermediate

TripAdvisor, a famous travel website, will stop selling tickets to animal attractions.

Read more about the company’s new initiative.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1910/191006-trip-advisor-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did TripAdvisor stop the sales of tours that involve animals?
  2. What is your opinion on this news?
  3. Describe your experience going to animal attractions.

Ecotourism

B1 – Intermediate

Ecotourism is the alternative to mass tourism. It began in the 70s. At present, it is a fast-growing part of the tourism industry. It is because a lot of people are finding out about it.

Read about ecotourism from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/travel/ecotourism/ecotourism-sustainable.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What is ecotourism?
2. What are the advantages of ecotourism?
3. What are examples of ecotourism in your country?
4. Talk about your experience going on an ecotouristic trip.

Machu Picchu Airport

B1 – Intermediate

Machu Picchu is the most touristic place in Peru. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

An airport is being built near this landmark to help tourists reach it more easily. But not everyone agrees with this construction project.

Read more about it and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1906/190614-machu-picchu-2.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on the construction of this airport?
2. Would you like it if the same thing is done near a very historical place in your country?
3. What are the pros and cons of building this airport near Machu Picchu?
4. Have you been to Machu Picchu or any World Heritage Site or any of the 7 Wonders of the World? Kindly talk about that trip.
5. Why is it necessary to preserve historical places such as Machu Picchu?

Voluntourism: Volunteering and Tourism

B1 – Intermediate

Imagine traveling to a foreign country and helping people in need. How about doing both at the same time? There’s a new trend in the travel industry and it is called “voluntourism”.

Click on the link below and find out more about “voluntourism”.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/travel/voluntourism-new-trend-in-travel.htm

Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever done voluntourism? If yes, talk about your experience. If not, Would you be interested to do it? Why/why not?
2. Where would you like to travel and do volunteer works? Why?
3. What do you think are the benefits one can get from this experience?