03 The big wide world quiz 

ACROSS
THE
GLOBE

Language focus 1
IN THIS UNIT Comparatives and superlatives
š Grammar: Comparatives and 1a Work in groups. Do the quiz above to test your world knowledge.
superlatives; Different ways
of comparing b 3.1 Listen and check your answers. Remember one more piece
š Vocabulary: Features and sights; of information about each question.
Adjectives for describing places
2 Underline all the comparatives and superlatives in the quiz.
š Task: Provide an insider’s guide
š Language live: Travel problems; GRAMMAR
A travel blog Revision of basic forms
1 What are the comparative and superlative forms of these adjectives?
long tall happy popular far hard-working

2 Write the rules for one-, two- and three-syllable adjectives.

3 Think of two more irregular adjectives like far.

Big and small differences

4 Match the sentences with the correct picture.
A B

Y X Y X

1 X is much higher than Y.

2 X is a (little) bit higher than Y.
3 X is a lot higher than Y.
4 X is slightly higher than Y.

Superlative phrases
5 Complete the missing words in the superlative phrases.
1 It’s the tallest city the world.
2 It’s the second/third biggest city the USA.
3 It’s one the biggest countries in South America.
4 It’s got far the longest coastline in the world.
5 The happy people in the world are the citizens of Togo.

26
 Part 1: People
There are over six billion people in the world.
Find out more about them. Look at the nationalities
in the box.
Part 2: Countries and cities
It’s a big wide world. What do you know about it?
Choose the correct country or city (a–d).
6 Which city is more popular with tourists than London,
New York or Rome?
Americans Danes Germans Indians Mexicans
a Rio de Janeiro b Paris c Shanghai d Moscow
1 Who are happier and more satisfied than any other 7 Which is the third largest country in South America after
nationality in the world? Brazil and Argentina?
2 Who work harder than any other people in the world? a Colombia b Peru c Ecuador d Chile
3 Who are more likely to go to the cinema than any 8 Which US city is the furthest north?
other nationality in the world? a Chicago b San Francisco c Dallas d New York
4 Who discuss politics more often than any other 9 Which country has the longest coastline?
nationality in the world? a Indonesia b India c Japan d Canada
5 Who are the funniest people in the world, according to 10 Which is the tallest city in the world (the city with the
a survey of 30,000 people of different nationalities? most skyscrapers)?
a Tokyo b London c Hong Kong d New York

FIND OUT MORE Go online to find out more

about how hard each nationality works. Search
for the OECD report into working hours and
household chores.
PRACTICE

1 Add two words to each sentence to complete the 3a 3.3 Look at the information about France,
information from the quiz. Use the correct form Ireland and the UK on page 128. Then listen to six
of the adjective in brackets. statements and decide if they are true (T) or false
Canada’s coastline is much longer (long) than (F). Correct the false statements.
the coastline of Indonesia or Russia.
1 Paris, with 15 million tourists, is a lot b Work in pairs. Use the information on page 128 to
(popular) than New York, which has 10 million. write six more true or false statements about the
2 Argentina is the (large) country three countries. Read your sentences to another pair.
in South America. Can they say which are true?
3 Chicago is (far) north than
New York. 4a Write six sentences comparing your country to
4 Mexicans are the (hard-working) a nearby country or an English-speaking
people in the world. country you know. Use the prompts in the box.
5 The Danes are a (happy) than the
people of Togo. cities climate cost of living population scenery size
6 The people of India are a lot (likely)
to go to the cinema than the people of Malaysia.
7 Americans are considered (funny) b Compare your ideas in groups.
other nationalities.
8 The Germans discuss politics much
(often) than the British. … is a lot more expensive than …

… is a bit bigger than …

2a 3.2 Listen to eight instructions and write your
answers in random order on a piece of paper.
France is a lot more expensive than Poland.
b Work in pairs and swap answers. Take turns to ask Spain is a bit bigger than Germany.
and answer questions about the places you wrote
about. Were any of your answers the same? Unit 3, Study & Practice 1, page 138

Why did you write … ?

Because I think it’s one of the ugliest

buildings in this town.

27
Vocabulary Reading
Features and sights
1 Work in pairs and discuss. Which of these things do
1a Look at the words in the box. Where do you usually you look for in a holiday destination? What else do
find these features and sights? Put them in the you look for?
correct place in the diagram below. š sunshine and beautiful beaches
š nature (mountains, forests, waterfalls, etc.)
ancient ruins a bay a beach a bridge a canal š ancient ruins and historical sights
a cathedral a cliff docks a factory farmland š nightlife and shopping
a festival a (rain)forest a harbour a hill an island š art and culture (festivals, palaces, etc.)
a lake a market a monument a mosque a museum
a palace a shopping mall a skyscraper a temple
a view a village a waterfall (falls) 2 Read the website quickly. Would you prefer Landon’s
holiday or Valentina’s holiday? Why?

3 Work in pairs. Which pair can find the following

information in the text first?
1 Landon’s university course:
2 Where in Thailand the Grand Palace is located:
The countryside 3 When Angkor Wat was rediscovered:
4 Where Halong Bay is in Vietnam:
5 The place where ‘full moon’ parties happen:
6 Valentina’s favourite activity:
7 The name of a festival in Dubai:
8 How long it takes to fly from Santiago to
Dubai:
9 The number of shops in Dubai Mall:
The coast 10 The name for a traditional market in Dubai:

4a Look at the readers’ comments. Are the comments

for Landon or Valentina? Is each comment
suggesting visit or avoid?

b What places would you recommend or not

The city recommend? Write your own comment for Landon
or Valentina to add to the website.

5 Underline these phrases in the text. Then choose the

correct meaning, a or b.
1 … it’s a must-see!
a You should definitely go and see it.
b It’s necessary to go and see it.
b Add two more features and sights to each group. 2 There’s … nowhere quite like it.
a It’s similar to other places.
2a Work in groups. How many of these world-famous b It’s different from other places.
places can you match with words from exercise 1a? 3 Dubai is right up her street.
a It’s very close to her.
the Amazon rainforest b It’s the kind of place she’ll like a lot.
1 the Cannes Film 4 … they’re worth visiting …
2 Buckingham a It’s a good idea to visit them.
3 Sydney b They can be very expensive.
4 Ontario 5 … you can’t beat these two cities.
5 the Hermitage a You won’t like these two cities.
6 the Canary b They’re the best.
7 the Blue
8 Iguazu
9 the Suez 6 Work in groups. Take turns to talk about your ideal
holiday. Other members of the group listen and
recommend places to visit/avoid. Try to use the
b 3.4 Listen and check. phrases from exercise 5.

28
 TRAVEL EXPERTS
Across the globe 03

OR

What’s the right type of holiday for you?

Get the advice of our travel experts and readers.

Valentina is from Chile. She’s 27 years old and she loves

shopping and sun. She wants to go somewhere special
in January or February.
VISIT Dubai
It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and it’s
also one of the best for shopping. What other city has an
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17 hours from Santiago, but if she has a couple of weeks to
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her street.
The weather makes it too hot to walk outside for much of
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VJQWIJKVUJQWNFDGȨPGKP,CPWCT[UQUJQRRKPI
OCNNUCTGQPGYC[VQGUECRGVJGJGCV&WDCK/CNNHQT
example, has over 1,200 shops – more than some small
cities. And just like small cities, some of its malls have
theatres, art galleries and even indoor ski slopes.
 +HCNNVJKUUGGOUCDKVVQQCTVKȨEKCN8CNGPVKPCEQWNFVT[
VJG&WDCKnUQWMUoYJKEJCTGCMKPFQHVTCFKVKQPCNOCTMGV
Landon is from Australia. He’s 24 and he’s studying They aren’t quite as beautiful as the bazaars in Turkey and
archaeology at university. Landon wants a holiday with /QTQEEQDWVVJG[oTGYQTVJXKUKVKPICP[YC[+VoUYJGTGVJG
lots of local history and culture … and a few sandy locals go and it’s a good place to learn to haggle and pick
beaches to relax. He hates crowds and noise. up some bargains!

VISIT Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam AVOID OQUVQH'WTQRG%KVKGUNKMG'FKPDWTIJ.QPFQP

It sounds like a lot of travelling, but there’s so much to see! Paris and Berlin are great for shopping, but there’s not much
Fly into Bangkok and spend a few days visiting the beautiful EJCPEGQHUGGKPIVJGUWPKP,CPWCT[QT(GDTWCT[
ȩQCVKPIOCTMGVUVJG1NF%KV[CPFQHEQWTUGVJG)TCPF
Palace – the historic heart of Thailand. With its temples, COMMENTS
halls and extraordinary architecture, it’s a must-see!
 6JGPVTCXGNQXGTNCPFVQ#PIMQT9CVKP%CODQFKC I’ve just come back from two weeks in Turkey. The ancient ruins at
Angkor Wat is a huge temple complex which contains the Ephesus are amazing. I think it’s exactly what you’re looking for.
largest religious building in the world. About 500 years Lulu_RT, Germany, 6.10 p.m.
ago, Angkor Wat was mysteriously abandoned and only 6T[.QU#PIGNGU;QWoNNȨPFRNGPV[QHRNCEGUVQUJQRVKNN[QWFTQR
rediscovered 150 years ago. LucyLane, USA, 4.09 p.m.
 #HVGTVJCVȩ[VQ*CNQPI$C[KPVJGPQTVJQH8KGVPCO ;QWUJQWNFURGPFCEQWRNGQHYGGMUKP5V2GVGTUDWTICPF/QUEQY
6JQWUCPFUQHVKP[KUNCPFUUGGOVQȩQCVKPVJGDNWGYCVGTUQH I’ve been around the world and to my mind you can’t beat these two
the bay. Some people call it the Eighth Wonder of the World. cities. There are hundreds of malls so you won’t be disappointed.
There’s certainly nowhere quite like it. Yuri55, Russia, 3.35 p.m.
+H[QWoTGNQQMKPIHQTCSWKGVVKOG[QWUJQWNFEQOGVQ.WVQP
AVOID the ‘party islands’ like Koh Samui. With their +VoULWUVYQPCPCYCTF
HQT$TKVCKPoUOQUVDQTKPIEKV[
‘full moon’ parties these are great for some people, but Cal_M, UK, 2.23 p.m.
not for people like you who hate noise!

29
 'S A FACT
IT !
The population of
Shanghai in 1990 was
13 million. By 2010
I think I’m the population was
23 million!
very lucky
compared
to my mum’s
generation. 3a 3.5 Listen to Pan (49) and her daughter Jasmine
(24) as they talk about how Shanghai has changed.
Check your answers to exercise 1. Did they say the
same things as you?

b Listen again. Overall, are Pan and Jasmine positive

about the changes or negative? Give reasons for
Language focus 2 your answer.
Different ways of comparing
GRAMMAR
1 Look at the two photos showing the same part of
Shanghai 20 years ago and now, then read ‘It’s a 1 Read the sentences in exercise 2 again. Complete the
fact!’ Work in pairs and answer the questions. phases for comparing in box A with the prepositions
in box B.
š Where is Shanghai and what do you know
A different similar the same worse not as busy
about it? fewer less
š Why do you think the population of the city has
changed so much in 20 years? B than (x3) as (x2) from to
š What are the main differences between how the
2 Choose the correct answers and give reasons.
city looked then and now?
1 There were fewer / less cars then.
2 There was fewer / less traffic then.
2 Try to guess the correct answers.
3 Put the phrases in the best place on the line.
In Shanghai 25 years ago:
completely different from about the same as
1 the streets were very similar to / completely exactly the same as a bit different from very similar to
different from the streets now.
2 the historic buildings are the same as / different the same 1
from how they were. 2 the same as
3 older people play exactly the same / completely 3
different games on the street. 4
4 younger people were not as busy as / the same as 5 similar to
they are now. 6
5 clothes were more / less colourful than they 7 different from
are now. different 8
6 shops were better / worse than they are now.
7 there were fewer / more cars than there are now.

30
 Across the globe 03

PRACTICE PRONUNCIATION

1a 3.6 Look at the photos of Times Square in 1 3.7 Listen and write down the six sentences you hear.
New York, USA. Listen and decide if the statements
you hear are true (T) or false (F). Correct the 2 3.8 Notice the stress and /Ȫ/ sounds in the comparative
false statements. phrases. Practise saying the phrases.
1 /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/ 4 /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/
better than … not as good as …
2 /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/ 5 /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/
a lot busier than … the same as …
3 /Ȫ/ /Ȫ/ 6 /Ȫ/
different from … similar to …
3 Practise the sentences you wrote down, paying attention
to the /Ȫ/ sounds.

Unit 3, Study & Practice 2, page 139

Vocabulary
Adjectives for describing places
1 Look at the words in box A. Which words, if any, do
you associate with the cities in box B? Compare your
answers in pairs.

A arty colourful cosmopolitan crowded dangerous

dirty expensive friendly historic industrial
lively modern old-fashioned peaceful polluted
poor romantic smart spectacular touristy

B Bangkok Cairo Hong Kong Moscow New York

Paris Rio de Janeiro Venice

2 3.9 Listen to three descriptions and match them

with photos A–C on page 126. Which cities do you
b Work in pairs. Can you think of any other differences? think are being described? Check your answers on
page 129.
2a Think about your town now and at some point in the
past. Write six sentences comparing the things in the 3 Listen again and tick the words that you hear from
box then and now. exercise 1.

clothes the cost of living historic buildings people 4a Write a short description of a town or city you know,
pollution public transport restaurants shops or know about, but don’t name it. Include at least
the streets traffic three adjectives, and include a clue at the end!
It’s a lively, arty city on the west coast of the USA.
b Work in pairs and compare your answers. It’s quite spectacular with steep hills and it’s where
the Golden Gate Bridge is.

I guess pollution wasn’t as bad as it is now.

b Work in groups. Take turns to read your descriptions
The historic buildings are exactly the and guess the places which are being described.
same as before.

31
Task
Provide an insider’s guide
Preparation Listening 3 3.11 Listen to the second part of the
conversation. Match the places Tom recommends
with the ideas in the box.
1 Name three famous tourist attractions in London.
Have you ever visited London? If so, which places 1 the South Bank 4 the Sherlock Holmes
did you see? 2 Brick Lane market Museum
3 Richmond Park
2 3.10 Carla is visiting London for the first time and
asks her friend Tom for advice. Listen to the first part theatres and concert halls 1 ethnic food
of the conversation and choose the best summary. free exhibitions the 19th century
street entertainers picnics
Carla is asking advice because she wants to know: deer views of famous buildings
a the most popular tourist attractions. vintage stuff individually designed clothes
b the places that locals go to. clubs and nightlife a lively atmosphere
c the cheapest places to eat out and shop.

4 Listen again and tick the phrases you hear in the

Useful language box.

5 Which of the places that Tom mentions would/

wouldn’t you like to visit? If you could visit only one,
which would you choose? Why?

32
Task Speaking USEFUL LANGUAGE
1a You are going to recommend places to go to in your
a Describing places
city, region or country (or another place you know
It’s in the east/west/centre (of the city).
well). Decide which place you are going to talk about.
It’s on the coast / River (Thames).
It’s famous for its (food).
b Make a list of five places to recommend in your city/ It’s a great place to (eat food from all over
country. The places should be popular with locals. the world).
It’s good for (clubs and nightlife / walking).
2a Make notes about why you recommend these places. It’s a great place to (watch people).
Ask your teacher for any words/phrases you need. There’s a really (friendly/lively) atmosphere.
There are lots of places to (eat / hang out).
the Old Town – beautiful square; interesting old
b Recommending
buildings; great atmosphere
I’d definitely recommend (going there).
I wouldn’t recommend it / going there.
b Spend a few minutes planning what you will say You should definitely go.
about each place. You’ve got to go.
You’ll love it.
> Useful language a and b It’s (not) worth visiting.
c Questions to ask
3 Work in pairs. Act out conversations similar to Tom Where do you recommend?
and Carla’s. Take turns to ask for and give advice. Which shops/restaurants/parks do you recommend?
What’s it like?
> Useful language c

SHARE YOUR TASK

Prepare a talk about the places
you recommended and why.

Practise giving your talk until

you feel confident.

Film/record yourself giving your

talk.

Share your film/recording with

other students.

33
LANGUAGE LIVE

Speaking 3 Look at the questions in exercise 2a again.

Travel problems 1 What phrases make questions 1–3 polite?
2 What phrases make questions 4–9 polite?
What is different about the word order?
1a Work in small groups and look at the picture.
Which travel problems does it show? What travel
PRONUNCIATION
problems have you experienced? What happened?
1 Watch and listen to the key phases. Repeat the
b Watch the video of three conversations. questions and phrases. Notice how the speakers use
What problem is each passenger having? How does sentence stress.
he/she resolve the problem? Could you tell me how much it will cost?

2a Which conversation are these phrases from?

Write T (taxi), B (bus) or Tr (train). Then watch
again and check your answers. 4 Rewrite the questions in a more polite form using
1 Excuse me … what was that announcement? Tr the prompts in brackets.
2 One more question: is this ticket still valid? Is this seat free? (a question)
3 Can I ask you a question? … How do I get to the Could I ask you a question? Is this seat free?
Manhattan shopping centre?
1 Where do I get on the bus? (know)
4 Do you know where I get off?
2 Which platform is the 6:30 to Paris? (tell me)
5 Could you tell me how much it will cost?
3 Can I use this ticket on the train? (excuse)
6 Do you know which platform the 4:38 goes from?
4 What time will the train arrive? (know)
7 Do you know how long it will take?
5 How do I get to the airport? (last question)
8 Could you tell me where I have to change?
6 Where do I have to change? (tell me)
9 Do you know when the next one is?
7 Does this bus go to High Park? (a question)

b Which questions are useful on more than one form

of transport?
5a Work in pairs. Choose a new travel problem and
write a short dialogue. Try to use polite questions.
Question 2 is useful on a bus or a train.
b Act out your conversation to the rest of class.
Which conversation was the most entertaining?

34
Writing 3a Read the tips for writing a good blog. Find examples
of each tip in Florence’s blog.
A travel blog
1 Be honest. Talk about the good and the bad times.
2 Use all your senses: write about what you saw,
1 Read the two travel blogs below. Which one do you heard, smelt, felt and tasted.
think is better? Why? 3 Give some basic facts about the place you visited.
4 Use interesting adjectives to describe the place
2 Which of these things do Hannah and Florence do? (e.g. old-fashioned, huge).
Write H (Hannah), F (Florence) or HF (both).
1 Give first impressions b Which tips did/didn’t Hannah follow? Make six
2 Mention some history ordinary adjectives in her blog more interesting.
3 Talk about feelings
4 Describe the hotel c Add the following facts to Hannah’s blog in the
5 Mention places visited correct place.
6 Describe sights and sounds
1 … which was designed by Antonio Contino.
2 … that was founded around 1,500 years ago.
Venice 3 Venetians call it ‘the Piazza’.
Hannah Gormley, September 2nd 4 … because no cars, buses or trains are allowed in.
We arrived in Venice about midday on Friday. It’s a
nice old city. The only way to get around Venice is 4a You are going to write a travel blog.
to walk. It’s the best city in the world for couples. EITHER write a blog for a journey you made in the
The first place we went to was Piazza San Marco. past (imagine you are there now).
It was pretty. We ate an ice cream. Then we walked OR write the blog of someone visiting your area for
along the Grand Canal and saw the Bridge of Sighs. the first time.
It’s nice but busy. In the evening we had a meal in
Make notes under the headings in exercise 2.
a restaurant and then we went to bed.

b Write the first draft of your blog. Use the checklist

below to help you.
š Have you followed all the tips for writing a good
travel blog?
š Have you used past tenses and comparatives
correctly?
š Have you used capital letters for place names?
š Have you checked your spelling?

5a When you have finished, swap with a partner

Escape from Alcatraz! and comment on his/her blog. Use the checklist
Florence Wall, September 3rd
above to help you. Would you like to read more
We arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon. of your partner’s blog?
The first thing I noticed was how beautiful and
cosmopolitan it is here. In the 1960s it was home
to the hippy movement, but nowadays it’s home b Read your partner’s comments and ask him/her for
to a lot of internet companies like Twitter. Because more information if necessary. Then write the final
of this, some parts of San Francisco are very smart draft of your blog.
and expensive while other parts are a bit more old-
fashioned and arty. Landmarks like the Golden Gate
Bridge are world-famous, but seeing them for real is
quite special. However, our hotel isn’t special at all.
We’ve got a tiny, dirty room and the beds are awful.
I had a very restless night. AFTER UNIT 3 YOU CAN …
On Wednesday morning we took a boat to
Alcatraz, the famous prison on an island in San Describe and compare different places.
Francisco Bay. It closed in 1963 and these days it’s
a popular tourist attraction. Jennifer was feeling a bit Make recommendations about places to visit and why.
seasick by the time we arrived, but it was worth the
trip. The island is small and rocky. You can hear the Ask for information when travelling.
seagulls and smell the sea air even in the prison.
The prison itself is like a huge factory. I would hate Give a written description of a place you have visited.
to be in prison there, but Jennifer thought that it was
nicer than our hotel!

35