The Reading / Listening - Venice - Level 3

Venice, Italy is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million visitors a year visited the city. This caused many problems such as pollution from cruise ships and overcrowding. To deal with these problems, city officials are planning to charge tourists to visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According to Italy's La Stampa newspaper, entry into Venice could cost between three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start from the summer of 2022. There are also plans to set a limit on the number of visitors who can enter the centre each day. Tourists may need to book their visit to Venice before they go.

Venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors flocking to the city. Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do to marine life in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage lovers want to protect Venice's famous squares and architecture from the millions of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is a "concrete risk" of the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its list of World Heritage in Danger sites. However, a hotel worker said Venice needed cruise ships. He said: "They spend big in a short time, before sailing out." A city official is worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn Venice into a "theme park".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Venice - Level 0 Venice - Level 1   or  Venice - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-21/venice-to-charge-tourists-for-entry-from-summer-2022-la-stampa
  • https://www.wsj.com/articles/venice-is-open-for-tourists-but-not-cruise-ships-11629550801
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9916547/Venice-plans-charge-tourists-10-euros-require-book.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. VENICE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Venice. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       Venice / Italy / coronavirus / pollution / cruise ships / summer / canals / plans / limit
       visitor / the city / environmentalists / marine life / culture / heritage / hotel / tourist
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. TOURIST FEE: Students A strongly believe tourists should pay a fee to enter tourist areas; Students B strongly believe this is a terrible idea. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DESTINATIONS: What do you know about these destinations? How much would you like to visit them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

How Much I's Like to Visit

Venice

 

 

Bali

 

 

Kyoto

 

 

New York

 

 

Cairo

 

 

Kathmandu

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. VISITOR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "visitor". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PROBLEMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest problems caused by tourism at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Overcrowding
  • Pollution
  • Litter
  • Noise
  • Cultural misunderstandings
  • Habitat loss
  • Traffic
  • Damage to sights

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1.

top

a.

The place to which someone is going to go or visit.

2.

destination

b.

Things in the air, water, soil, etc. which have harmful or poisonous effects.

3.

pandemics

c.

Reserve (accommodation, a place, a seat in a restaurant etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance.

4.

pollution

d.

Of a disease that is all over a whole country or the world.

5.

charge

e.

A number of something or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or go above.

6.

limit

f.

The highest or most important rank, level, or position.

7.

book

g.

Ask for an amount of money as a price for a service rendered or goods.

    Paragraph 2

8.

flocking

h.

About, or found in the sea.

9.

marine

i.

Important things such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that are passed down through generations.

10.

heritage

j.

A payment made for something.

11.

lover

k.

Definite.

12.

concrete

l.

A person who really, really likes or enjoys a thing.

13.

list

m.

Moving or going together in a crowd.

14.

fee

n.

A number of connected items or names written one below the other.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says Venice is the world's top tourist destination.     T / F
  2. About 20 million people a year visited Venice before coronavirus.     T / F
  3. It could cost as much as 10 euros to visit Venice.     T / F
  4. Tourists might have to book to be able to visit Venice.     T / F
  5. Italy's Culture Minister said there is too much concrete in Venice.     T / F
  6. UNESCO will take Venice off its World Heritage in Danger list.     T / F
  7. A hotel worker said cruise ship tourists don't spend a lot of money.     T / F
  8. A city official wants Venice to become a theme park.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. top
  2. caused
  3. deal with
  4. start
  5. book
  6. flocking
  7. marine
  8. concrete
  9. official
  10. worried
  1. representative
  2. manage
  3. reserve
  4. sea
  5. created
  6. definite
  7. concerned
  8. leading
  9. swarming
  10. begin

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. one of the world's top
  2. This caused many problems
  3. charge tourists to visit the city's historical
  4. set a limit on the
  5. Tourists may need to
  6. the number of visitors flocking
  7. the damage cruise ships do to
  8. there is a concrete
  9. they spend big in
  10. turn Venice into a theme
  1. marine life
  2. number of visitors
  3. book their visit to Venice
  4. a short time
  5. centre
  6. park
  7. such as pollution
  8. to the city
  9. risk
  10. tourist destinations

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
entry
deal
destinations
book
visitors
limit
charge
pollution

Venice, Italy is one of the world's top tourist (1) _____________________. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million (2) _____________________ a year visited the city. This caused many problems such as (3) _____________________ from cruise ships and overcrowding. To (4) _____________________ with these problems, city officials are planning to (5) _____________________ tourists to visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According to Italy's La Stampa newspaper, (6) _____________________ into Venice could cost between three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start from the summer of 2022. There are also plans to set a (7) _____________________ to the number of visitors who can enter the centre each day. Tourists may need to (8) _____________________ their visit to Venice before they go.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
risk
marine
spend
list
fee
flocking
sites
architecture

Venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors (9) _____________________ to the city. Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do to (10) _____________________ life in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage lovers want to protect Venice's famous squares and (11) _____________________ from the millions of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is a "concrete (12) _____________________" of the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its (13) _____________________ of World Heritage in Danger (14) _____________________. However, a hotel worker said Venice needed cruise ships. He said: "They (15) _____________________ big in a short time, before sailing out." A city official is worried that charging tourists a (16) _____________________ to enter will turn Venice into a "theme park".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Venice, Italy is one of the world's ______
     a.  top tourist destination
     b.  top tourist destiny nations
     c.  top tourist destined nations
     d.  top tourist destinations
2)  This caused many problems such as pollution ______
     a.  from cruiser ships
     b.  from clues ships
     c.  from close ships
     d.  from cruise ships
3)  city officials are planning to charge tourists to visit the ______
     a.  city's history centre
     b.  city's historical centre
     c.  city's historian centre
     d.  city's history call centre
4)  There are also plans to set a limit on the number of visitors ______
     a.  who can enter
     b.  who can entry
     c.  who can entrance
     d.  who can enters
5)  the centre each day. Tourists may need to ______
     a.  book them visit
     b.  book there visit
     c.  book they visit
     d.  book their visit

6)  Venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors ______ city
     a.  flock kin to the
     b.  flock king to the
     c.  flocking to the
     d.  flock into the
7)  Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do ______
     a.  tomb a ream life
     b.  tomb airing life
     c.  to marine life
     d.  to marring life
8)  This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is ______
     a.  a con Crete risk
     b.  ache on Crete risk
     c.  a con crate risk
     d.  a concrete risk
9)  He said they spend big in a short time ______
     a.  before sail in-out
     b.  before sailing out
     c.  before selling out
     d.  before sail line-out
10)  worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn Venice into ______
     a.  atheism park
     b.  a themes park
     c.  a themed park
     d.  a theme park

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Venice, Italy (1) ____________________ the world's top tourist destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million visitors a year visited the city. This caused many (2) ____________________ pollution from cruise ships and overcrowding. To (3) ____________________ problems, city officials are planning to charge tourists to visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According to Italy's La Stampa newspaper, entry into Venice (4) ____________________ three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start from the summer of 2022. There are also plans to (5) ____________________ on the number of visitors who can enter the centre each day. Tourists may need to (6) ____________________ to Venice before they go.

Venice officials have talked for many years (7) ____________________ of visitors flocking to the city. Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships (8) ____________________ life in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage (9) ____________________ protect Venice's famous squares and architecture from the millions of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is a (10) ____________________ the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its list of World Heritage in Danger sites. However, a hotel worker said Venice needed cruise ships. He said: "They spend big in (11) ____________________, before sailing out." A city official is worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn Venice into (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. When did 20 million tourists a year visit Venice?
  2. What two problems does the article say tourists caused?
  3. What is the highest amount that tourists to Venice could be charged?
  4. When might Venice start charging tourists to enter the city?
  5. What might tourists need to do before they visit Venice?
  6. For how long have Venice officials been talking?
  7. What kind of life are environmentalists worried about?
  8. What do heritage lovers want to protect besides architecture?
  9. What kind of risk did Italy's Culture Minister talk about?
  10. What is a city official worried about Venice becoming?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did 20 million tourists a year visit Venice?
a) during the Italia 1990 World Cup
b) before the coronavirus pandemic
c) in June
d) 1999
2) What two problems does the article say tourists caused?
a) pollution and noise
b) litter and noise
c) overcrowding and litter
d) pollution and overcrowding
3) What is the highest amount that tourists to Venice could be charged?
a) 9 euros
b) 12 euros
c) 10 euros
d) 3.5 euros
4) When might Venice start charging tourists to enter the city?
a) the summer of 2022
b) January 2022
c) 2025
d) next month
5) What might tourists need to do before they visit Venice?
a) read
b) book
c) do research
d) get a special visa

6) For how long have Venice officials been talking?
a) many years
b) days
c) weeks
d) months
7) What kind of life are environmentalists worried about?
a) daily life
b) nightlife
c) marine life
d) wildlife
8) What do heritage lovers want to protect besides architecture?
a) Venice's famous squares
b) Venice restaurants
c) churches and cathedrals
d) Venetian culture
9) What kind of risk did Italy's Culture Minister talk about?
a) an elevated risk
b) a considerable risk
c) a grave risk
d) a concrete risk
10) What is a city official worried about Venice becoming?
a) full of international chain restaurants
b) overcrowded
c) a theme park
d) broken

Role play

Role  A – Pollution
You think pollution is the biggest problem tourism causes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least problematic of these (and why): damage to sights, overcrowding or cultural misunderstanding.

Role  B – Damage to Sights
You think damage to sights is the biggest problem tourism causes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least problematic of these (and why): pollution, overcrowding or cultural misunderstanding.

Role  C – Overcrowding
You think overcrowding is the biggest problem tourism causes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least problematic of these (and why): damage to sights, pollution or cultural misunderstanding.

Role  D – Cultural Misunderstanding
You think cultural misunderstanding is the biggest problem tourism causes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problems aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least problematic of these (and why): damage to sights, overcrowding or pollution.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'tourist'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'city'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • top
    • such
    • planning
    • newspaper
    • 2022
    • before
    • talked
    • life
    • lovers
    • risk
    • hotel
    • fee

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Venice

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'tourist'?
    3. What do you know about Venice?
    4. What is your city like for tourists?
    5. What are your favourite cities?
    6. What can tourists do in your country?
    7. What problems does tourism create?
    8. What do you think of the charge to enter Venice?
    9. Should there be a limit on the number of tourists in a city?
    10. What do you think of cruises?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'Venice'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What is the world's best tourist destination?
    5. What damage do cruise ships do?
    6. How important is it to protect architecture?
    7. Are you a good tourist?
    8. What do you think when you see hundreds of tourists?
    9. What three adjectives best describe Venice?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a Venice official?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Venice, Italy is (1) ____ of the world's top tourist destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million visitors a year visited the city. This (2) ____ many problems such as pollution from cruise ships and overcrowding. To deal with (3) ____ problems, city officials are planning to charge tourists to visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According (4) ____ Italy's La Stampa newspaper, entry into Venice could cost between three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start (5) ____ the summer of 2022. There are also plans to set a limit on the number of visitors who can enter the centre each day. Tourists may need to (6) ____ their visit to Venice before they go.

    Venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors (7) ____ to the city. Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do to marine (8) ____ in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage lovers want to protect Venice's famous squares and architecture from the millions of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is a "(9) ____ risk" of the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its (10) ____ of World Heritage in Danger sites. However, a hotel worker said Venice needed cruise ships. He said: "They spend (11) ____ in a short time, before sailing out." A city official is worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will (12) ____ Venice into a "theme park".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     once     (b)     two     (c)     one     (d)     only    
    2. (a)     caused     (b)     cased     (c)     because     (d)     become    
    3. (a)     these     (b)     them     (c)     they     (d)     that    
    4. (a)     to     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    5. (a)     at     (b)     from     (c)     to     (d)     as    
    6. (a)     site     (b)     magazine     (c)     journal     (d)     book    
    7. (a)     being     (b)     giggling     (c)     flocking     (d)     frolicking    
    8. (a)     lively     (b)     living     (c)     live     (d)     life    
    9. (a)     concrete     (b)     adobe     (c)     cement     (d)     plaster    
    10. (a)     lest     (b)     list     (c)     last     (d)     wrist    
    11. (a)     lot     (b)     big     (c)     rich     (d)     buy    
    12. (a)     twist     (b)     veer     (c)     turn     (d)     exchange

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Italy is one of the world's top tourist stsnioetdian
    2. the coronavirus dacnepim
    3. many problems such as lpoiolnut
    4. city alfiisocf
    5. the city's lrhtoicsai centre
    6. set a iltim

    Paragraph 2

    1. visitors lingcofk to the city
    2. gihretea lovers
    3. Venice's famous squares and thaireurctec
    4. there is a cenrcoet risk
    5. eusirc ships
    6. tmehe park

    Put the text back together

    (...)  that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn Venice into a "theme park".
    (...)  visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According to Italy's La Stampa newspaper, entry
    (...)  of World Heritage in Danger sites. However, a hotel worker said Venice needed cruise
    (...)  is a "concrete risk" of the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its list
    (...)  the centre each day. Tourists may need to book their visit to Venice before they go.
    1  ) Venice, Italy is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million
    (...)  into Venice could cost between three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start from the
    (...)  worried about the damage cruise ships do to marine life in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage lovers want to protect Venice's
    (...)  ships. He said: "They spend big in a short time, before sailing out." A city official is worried
    (...)  summer of 2022. There are also plans to set a limit on the number of visitors who can enter
    (...)  visitors a year visited the city. This caused many problems such as pollution from cruise ships and
    (...)  famous squares and architecture from the millions of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there
    (...)  Venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors flocking to the city. Environmentalists are
    (...)  overcrowding. To deal with these problems, city officials are planning to charge tourists to

    Put the words in the right order

    1. top   is   the   one   of   Venice   destinations   .   tourist
    2. the   year   a   20 million   Around   visitors   visited   city   .
    3. problems   caused   as   This   such   many   pollution   .
    4. of   number   limit   visitors   .   the   Set   a   on
    5. their   need   may   Tourists   book   to   visit   .
    6. to   the   The   number   flocking   city   .   visitors   of
    7. is   concrete   risk   .   Italy   a   there   said
    8. Venice's   to   Heritage   famous   protect   lovers   squares   .   want
    9. worker   A   needed   cruise   Venice   said   hotel   ships   .
    10. Venice   turn   a   will   theme   Fees   park   .   into

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Venice, Italy is one / only of the world's top tourist destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic, around 20 million visitors the / a year visited the city. This caused many problems such as / was pollution from cruise ships and overcrowding. To dealing / deal with these problems, city officials are planning to charge / change tourists to visit the city's historical centre and its beautiful canals. According to / at Italy's La Stampa newspaper, entry into Venice could price / cost between three euros ($3.50) and 10 euros. This could start from the summer of 2022. There are also plans to let / set a limit on the number of visitors what / who can enter the centre each day. Tourists may need to book their visit to Venice before they come / go.

    Venice officials have talked so / for many years about the number of visitors flocking / flicking to the city. Environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do / due to marine life in the Venice Lagoon. Heritage lovers want to protect Venice's famous triangles / squares and architecture from the millions at / of tourists. This made Italy's Culture Minister say that there is a "concrete / cement risk" of the United Nations culture agency UNESCO adding Venice to its list at / of World Heritage in Danger sites. However, a hotel worker said / say Venice needed cruise ships. He said: "They spend big in a short time, before selling / sailing out." A city official is worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn Venice onto / into a "theme park".

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    V_n_c_,  _t_ly  _s  _n_  _f  th_  w_rld's  t_p  t__r_st  d_st_n_t__ns.  B_f_r_  th_  c_r_n_v_r_s  p_nd_m_c,  _r__nd  20  m_ll__n  v_s_t_rs  _  y__r  v_s_t_d  th_  c_ty.  Th_s  c__s_d  m_ny  pr_bl_ms  s_ch  _s  p_ll_t__n  fr_m  cr__s_  sh_ps  _nd  _v_rcr_wd_ng.  T_  d__l  w_th  th_s_  pr_bl_ms,  c_ty  _ff_c__ls  _r_  pl_nn_ng  t_  ch_rg_  t__r_sts  t_  v_s_t  th_  c_ty's  h_st_r_c_l  c_ntr_  _nd  _ts  b___t_f_l  c_n_ls.  _cc_rd_ng  t_  _t_ly's  L_  St_mp_  n_wsp_p_r,  _ntry  _nt_  V_n_c_  c__ld  c_st  b_tw__n  thr__  __r_s  ($3.50)  _nd  10  __r_s.  Th_s  c__ld  st_rt  fr_m  th_  s_mm_r  _f  2022.  Th_r_  _r_  _ls_  pl_ns  t_  s_t  _  l_m_t _n  th_  n_mb_r  _f  v_s_t_rs  wh_  c_n  _nt_r  th_  c_ntr_  __ch  d_y.  T__r_sts  m_y  n__d  t_  b__k  th__r  v_s_t  t_  V_n_c_  b_f_r_  th_y  g_.

    V_n_c_  _ff_c__ls  h_v_  t_lk_d  f_r  m_ny  y__rs  _b__t  th_  n_mb_r  _f  v_s_t_rs  fl_ck_ng  t_  th_  c_ty.  _nv_r_nm_nt_l_sts  _r_  w_rr__d  _b__t  th_  d_m_g_  cr__s_  sh_ps  d_  t_  m_r_n_  l_f_  _n  th_  V_n_c_  L_g__n.  H_r_t_g_  l_v_rs  w_nt  t_  pr_t_ct  V_n_c_'s  f_m__s  sq__r_s  _nd  _rch_t_ct_r_  fr_m  th_  m_ll__ns  _f  t__r_sts.  Th_s  m_d_  _t_ly's  C_lt_r_  M_n_st_r  s_y  th_t  th_r_  _s  _  "c_ncr_t_  r_sk"  _f  th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  c_lt_r_  _g_ncy  _N_SC_  _dd_ng  V_n_c_  t_  _ts  l_st  _f  W_rld  H_r_t_g_  _n  D_ng_r  s_t_s.  H_w_v_r,  _  h_t_l  w_rk_r  s__d  V_n_c_  n__d_d  cr__s_  sh_ps.  H_  s__d:  "Th_y  sp_nd  b_g  _n  _  sh_rt  t_m_,  b_f_r_  s__l_ng  __t."  _  c_ty  _ff_c__l  _s  w_rr__d  th_t  ch_rg_ng  t__r_sts  _  f__  t_  _nt_r  w_ll  t_rn  V_n_c_  _nt_  _  "th_m_  p_rk".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    venice italy is one of the worlds top tourist destinations before the coronavirus pandemic around 20 million visitors a year visited the city this caused many problems such as pollution from cruise ships and overcrowding to deal with these problems city officials are planning to charge tourists to visit the citys historical centre and its beautiful canals according to italys La Stampa newspaper entry into venice could cost between three euros 350 and 10 euros this could start from the summer of 2022 there are also plans to set a limit on the number of visitors who can enter the centre each day tourists may need to book their visit to venice before they go

    venice officials have talked for many years about the number of visitors flocking to the city environmentalists are worried about the damage cruise ships do to marine life in the venice lagoon heritage lovers want to protect venices famous squares and architecture from the millions of tourists this made italys culture minister say that there is a concrete risk of the united nations culture agency unesco adding venice to its list of world heritage in danger sites however a hotel worker said venice needed cruise ships he said they spend big in a short time before sailing out a city official is worried that charging tourists a fee to enter will turn venice into a theme park

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Venice,Italyisoneoftheworld'stoptouristdestinations.Beforethecoro
    naviruspandemic,around20millionvisitorsayearvisitedthecity.Thisc
    ausedmanyproblemssuchaspollutionfromcruiseshipsandovercrowdi
    ng.Todealwiththeseproblems,cityofficialsareplanningtochargetouri
    ststovisitthecity'shistoricalcentreanditsbeautifulcanals.Accordingto
    Italy'sLaStampanewspaper,entryintoVenicecouldcostbetweenthree
    euros($3.50)and10euros.Thiscouldstartfromthesummerof2022.Th
    erearealsoplanstosetalimitonthenumberofvisitorswhocanenterthec
    entreeachday.TouristsmayneedtobooktheirvisittoVenicebeforethey
    go.Veniceofficialshavetalkedformanyyearsaboutthenumberofvisito
    rsflockingtothecity.Environmentalistsareworriedaboutthedamagecr
    uiseshipsdotomarinelifeintheVeniceLagoon.Heritageloverswanttopr
    otectVenice'sfamoussquaresandarchitecturefromthemillionsoftouri
    sts.ThismadeItaly'sCultureMinistersaythatthereisa"concreterisk"of
    theUnitedNationscultureagencyUNESCOaddingVenicetoitslistofWor
    ldHeritageinDangersites.However,ahotelworkersaidVeniceneededc
    ruiseships.Hesaid:"Theyspendbiginashorttime,beforesailingout."Ac
    ityofficialisworriedthatchargingtouristsafeetoenterwillturnVeniceint
    oa"themepark".

    Free writing

    Write about Venice for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It is a good idea to charge tourists for visiting cities. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. VENICE: Make a poster about Venice. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. TOURIST FEE: Write a magazine article about all cities charging tourists a fee to enter. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Venice. Ask him/her three questions about the city. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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