I first saw the Lake District many years ago, when for eight out of my eleven day sojourn, it rained, and rained! None-the-less, we left the comfort of our hotel, purchased stout walking shoes and weatherproofs, took to the hills and the water, and thus began a love affair that has never ended. For me, the mountains and lakes of this magical region have a splendour quite beyond compare. In glorious sunshine, mountain streams and lively waterfalls glisten like precious jewels in a golden crown. Towering peaks reflect in shimmering waters, dominating a landscape that for centuries has attracted artists and poets from Europe and beyond. The charm and sheer magnificence of the lakes has long been immortalised by the words of William Wordsworth, and the poet Gray who described The Lake District as this ‘little, unsuspected paradise’, and those who are prepared, no matter what the weather, to walk and explore, are rewarded with magnificent vista’s of gushing, moss clad water falls, seemingly endless cliff surrounded lakes and tranquil green valley’s hemmed in by broad sweeping fells.
NATURE, LANDSCAPE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The park’s entire coastline is a Special Area of Conservation, which runs from the Llŷn Peninsula down the Mid Wales coast, the latter containing valuable sand dune systems.
The park’s natural forests are of the mixed deciduous type, the commonest tree being the oak. Birch, ash, mountain-ash and hazel are also common. The park also contains some large (planted) coniferous forested areas such as Gwydir Forest near Betws-y-Coed, although some areas, once harvested, are now increasingly being allowed to regrow naturally.
Northern Snowdonia is the only place in Britain where the Snowdon Lily, an arctic-alpine plant, and the rainbow-coloured Snowdon beetle are found, and the only place in the world where the Snowdonia hawkweed grows.
Welcome to the West Country you’ve imagined! Somerset is where you’ll find the green and pleasant aspect, the rolling landscape and the different way of life that is the true West Country of England. All the popular things are here as well. Somerset’s coastline has something for everyone. There is cider and cheese and you’ll discover many other Somerset delicacies. Thatched cottages, country churches, a huge variety of countryside and lots of things to see and do for all the family. Plenty of opportunities for an active time whether you want walking, riding, water sports, caving, golf and a host of others, or just relaxing if you feel like it.
Enjoy the rich heritage of buildings, castles, monuments and ruins, or the living traditions of crafts and customs. Come and search, with us, for the real King Arthur. The legends and folklore, the myths and mystery may disguise a real Dark Ages warrior whose deeds in Somerset have given rise to centuries of romantic speculation. There’s a lot to Somerset – do you know what you’re missing?
9.15. The following adjectives (A) are taken from the texts above. Match them with the nouns (B) to form collocations.
A) 1) magical / 2) glorious / 3) lively / 4) precious / 5) golden / 6) magnificent / 7) endless / 8) tranquil / 9) pleasant
B)a) landscape / b) coastline / c) countryside / d) area / e) valley / f) lake / g) paradise / h) atmosphere / i) jubilee / j) interest / k) age / l) weather / m) imagination / n) possibilities
9.16. Read the text below and match these topics with the paragraphs.
● Backpack problems ● How much to take
● Tops and trousers ● When it’s cold or wet
● Introduction ● Not a suitcase, not a rucksack
BACKPACKER’S TOP TIPS!
1) Are you going backpacking? Travelling around the world? How many things should you take? And what should you carry them in?
2) Most people realise that carrying things in a big suitcase is a really bad idea. But is a big rucksack any better? Travel writer Hilary Bradt doesn’t think so. ‘Anyone who has stood on a crowded bus or train wearing a backpack knows how annoying it is. You take up three times more room than normal. And every time you turn round you knock someone over!’
3) So what’s the answer? It’s called a travel sack. A travel sack is a big bag which you can carry like a suitcase. But it also has straps so you can wear it like a rucksack. A travel sack often has a smaller daypack for things like bottles of wafer when you go sightseeing.
4) How much stuff can you take in your travel sack? Experienced travellers suggest you first put all things you want to take in a cardboard box. Then choose only a third of them! And remember, it’s not just a question of how many things you pack. You should also think about how much they weigh.
5) Don’t wear cotton next to your skin. Anything made of 100% cotton is not a good idea – cotton absorbs water and takes a very long time to dry. Get a new polyester T-shirt instead. Many travellers wear jeans, which are strong but also take a very long time to dry. It’s better to take polyester-cotton trousers – easy to wash and dry, and much smarter.
6) Many people think that a wool sweater is the best way to keep warm, but wool also absorbs a lot of water. The modern alternative is a fleece. When it rains, an ordinary raincoat is no good because it’s too heavy. Take a lightweight waterproof jacket instead.
9.17. Find the underlined words in the title and the text (activity 9.15) which mean:
| 1. pullover | 6. does not let water through |
| 2. things on a rucksack which go over your shoulders | 7. full of people |
| 3. suggestions | 8. small rucksack for use in the day |
| 4. cloth made from artificial material | 9. takes in |
| 5. tourist who travels cheaply | 10. (group of) things |
9.18. What do you pack when you go on holiday? Make a list of items.
9.19. Read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space.
DRAYTON MANOR PARK
What makes a visit to Drayton Manor the best-value family day out in Britain? The park (1) …… in over 250 acres of magnificent parkland, and you’ll find an amazing thrill-a-minute theme park with more exciting rides than you could possibly imagine. It (2) …… for everyone from children to grandparents. There is a fabulous 15-acre zoo, a fun-packed Children’s Corner, life-size dinosaurs, (3) …… entertainment and snack stops. In fact, (4) …… enjoyment where the whole family can (5) …… fun at affordable prices. Drayton Manor (6) …… a spectacular zoo filled with animals of all shapes and sizes. Also in the (7) ……, there is Europe’s only stand-up roller coaster with its 40-metre drop, and the make-believe world of Cowboy Town, where you can (8) …… the Rio Grande Railway or colourful horses.
(9) …… are available throughout the park at different locations for when you need a snack. Groups are welcome and there is a fixed (10) …… price for parties of more than 27. Unlike other theme parks, prices are not (11) …… to change, although the management reserves the right to close rides for technical reasons. This exciting (12) …… is open from March to November each year.
1. A) locates В) is parked С) stands D) is lying
2. A) suggests В) offers С) caters D) looks
3. A) live В) living С) life D) alive
4. A) fast-stop В) never-stopping С) non-stop D) unstoppable
5. A) involve В) pay С) interact D) have
6. A) locates В) builds С) houses D) provides
7. A) grounds В) location С) area D) landscape
8. A) ride В) drive С) mount D) trek
9. A) Crafts В) Refreshments С) Wildlife D) Sights
10. A) entry В) enter С) entrance D) exit
11. A) open В) subject С) according D) able
12.A) venue В) thrill С) settlement D) leisure
9.20. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box:
| occupy / clear / beauty / pasture / largest / highest / lies / cropping |
THE LAKE DISTRICT
On the north-west side of the Pennine system, marked off from it by the upper valleys of the rivers Eden and Lune 1) …… the Lake District, containing the beautiful lakes which give it its name. It is variously termed the Lake Country, Lakeland and The Lakes.
Much of the land is high and thinly peopled. These high parts are used as rough 2)…… for sheep. Most of the farmland is on the low ground and as conditions are too wet for 3) …… it is chiefly under grass. There are few mineral resources and ores proved too poor or too limited to be worth mining.
The lakes which 4) …… many of its ice-deepened valleys show a wonderful variety of character. The 5) ….. lakes are Windermere, Coniston water, Derwent water and Ullswater. There are numerous swift and 6) …. streams and small water-falls and though the altitude is not great (Scafell Pike which is the 7) …… peak is only 3,210 ft), the individual masses tower over the surrounding areas. The whole region is well known for its great natural 8) …… .
9.21. Put the following features of a holiday in the order of their importance to go:
● beautiful countryside ● good food ● plenty to read
● peace and quiet ● swimming ● sport facilities
● sunshine ● old buildings ● sandy beaches
● mountains ● good nightlife
9.22. Work in pairs (groups) and discuss the following answers to the questions:
Which are the most beautiful (attractive) regions in our country?
Where are they?
What are the landscapes like?
Do they have any special features?
■ Here are some useful words and expressions for describing:
To the north / south… On each side…
Half-way between… 70 kms from…
The road leads to… All around…
The river (stream) winds (flows) past… In the background (distance)…
At the top (bottom) of the hill… My holiday paradise is…
It’s surrounded by fields… My favourite holiday pastime is…
As far as you can see…
UNIT 10 ECOTOURISM
10.1. Read the information below and answer the questions after.
In recent years, more and more people have become aware of the negative effects of tourism and the ecological and social damage it may cause. There has been a call for a new orientation in tourist policies. Those who have espoused the idea of eco-tourism believe that policies for tourism should not be based on economic and technological considerations alone but should also take into account environmental conservation and the needs of local host populations.
Recently, a British politician was asked to give her views on the development of tourism. She was quoted in a national newspaper as saying: “Over recent decades, tourism has undoubtedly benefited both the holiday maker and the host country. The economic benefits are obvious. But it is now time to take stock. Tourism affects local communities and also wildlife in ways that are unpredictable and not always positive. We must ask ourselves whether tourism on the scale we have it now is a blessing or а curse.”
● 1. Is become aware a synonym or an opposite to realize?
2. How do you understand the following phrases: to espouse an idea / to take into account?
3. Does conservation mean protection?
4. Does the speaker think that tourism has been a good thing over the last few decades?
5. What does she mean when she says ‘it is now time to take stock’?
a) It is time to stop tourism.
b) It is time to consider the situation and what to do next.
6. Who has benefited from tourism, according to the speaker?
7. Who has probably benefited economically?
8. Who or what else is affected by tourism? How? Underline one adjective and one phrase which the speaker uses to describe these effects.
9. What question does the speaker say we must ask ourselves? What does she mean by ‘on the scale we have it now’?
10. Is a blessing a good thing or a bad thing? What about a curse?
10.2. In order to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of tourism let’s read the article from a British newspaper.