Breaking News English Lesson: Famous Sights

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New fee to get close to Rome's Trevi Fountain (22nd December 2025)

The Reading / Listening - Famous Sights - Level 6

Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to charge tourists a fee to get close to the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the landmark close up. One reason for the new measure is to address the burgeoning numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight. Similar to many other tourist hotspots around the world, the famed fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism. There has been serious congestion in the peak months of summer. Large crowds and people vying for selfies have diminished the ambiance of the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it.

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi levy" was expected to raise 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year. Gualtieri said that on average, around 30,000 people visited the attraction every day this year. That amounts to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will be exempt from paying the tourist tax. The mayor said: "We believe that culture is a fundamental right of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums free of charge." The fountain was initially commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolizes the vast, untamed force of the world's seas and rivers.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Famous Sights - Level 4 or Famous Sights - Level 5

Sources

https://www.reuters.com/world/rome-charge-tourists-get-close-famed-trevi-fountain-2025-12-19/
https://www.dw.com/en/rome-to-introduce-entry-fee-for-historic-trevi-fountain/a-75248561
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/visiting-trevi-fountain-now-cost-coin-toss-2-128563022

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. TOURIST SITES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about tourist sites. 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?
Italy / capital city / tourists / landmark / fountain / hotspots / overtourism / selfies /
mayor / residents / tourist tax / culture / a fundamental right / museums / rivers
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. TOURISM FEES: Students A strongly believe all cities should introduce tourist fees; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CAPITAL CITIES: What do you know about these cities? What would you like to do in them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What I Want to Do
Rome
London
Tokyo
Beijing
Nairobi
Buenos Aires

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. TOURIST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "tourist". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SITES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best sites at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

The Trevi Fountain
The Pyramids
The Sydney Opera House
Table Mountain
Machu Picchu
The Statue of Liberty
The Taj Mahal
Angkor Wat

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	authorities	a.	A place being too full, with too many people or vehicles.
2.	landmark	b.	A famous place or building that helps people know where they are.
3.	burgeoning	c.	Moving or going together in large numbers.
4.	flocking	d.	People or groups who have the power to make rules or decisions.
5.	famed	e.	Trying to win, get, or be better than others.
6.	congestion	f.	Growing very fast.
7.	vying	g.	Well known by many people.

Paragraph 2

8.	levy (noun)	h.	Officially asked to create a building or piece of art.
9.	exempt (adjective)	i.	Very important and basic.
10.	fundamental	j.	Very, very large.
11.	commissioned	k.	Money that people must pay, usually to a government.
12.	depict	l.	Not required to do something or pay something.
13.	vast	m.	Not controlled by people; wild and natural.
14.	untamed	n.	Show or describe something.

Before reading / listening

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

The fee to get close to the Trevi Fountain will start in February. T / F
The fee will be 10 euros. T / F
The charge will help to deal with overtourism at the fountain. T / F
Local authorities said they will ban people taking selfies. T / F
The fee will raise around 65 million euros a year. T / F
All Italian citizens will be exempt from paying the fee. T / F
The Trevi Fountain was finished over 250 years ago. T / F
The god of all water is one of the statues at the Trevi Fountain. T / F

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

charge
measure
burgeoning
famed
ambiance
raise
fundamental
right
initially
vast

entitlement
well known
huge
action
amass
skyrocketing
at first
levy
basic
atmosphere

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

decided to charge
address the burgeoning
flocking
suffering from the effects
people vying
30,000 people visited
residents will be exempt
a fundamental right of
enjoy our museums free
symbolizes the vast, untamed force

the attraction every day
to the sight
for selfies
of the world's seas
citizenship
tourists a fee
of charge
of overtourism
from paying
numbers of sightseers

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

effects
burgeoning
charge
congestion
ambiance
hotspots
landmark
vying

Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to (1) _________________________________ tourists a fee to get close to the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the (2) _________________________________ close up. One reason for the new measure is to address the (3) _________________________________ numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight. Similar to many other tourist (4) _________________________________ around the world, the famed fountain is suffering from the (5) _________________________________ of overtourism. There has been serious (6) _________________________________ in the peak months of summer. Large crowds and people (7) _________________________________ for selfies have diminished the (8) _________________________________ of the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

amounts
initially
exempt
symbolizes
levy
citizens
average
right

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi (9) _________________________________" was expected to raise 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year. Gualtieri said that on (10) _________________________________, around 30,000 people visited the attraction every day this year. That (11) _________________________________ to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will be (12) _________________________________ from paying the tourist tax. The mayor said: "We believe that culture is a fundamental (13) _________________________________ of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct and positive that the (14) _________________________________ of Rome can enjoy our museums free of charge." The fountain was (15) _________________________________ commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and (16) _________________________________ the vast, untamed force of the world's seas and rivers.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to charge ______
     a. tourists a free
     b. tourists the fee
     c. tourists a fee
     d. tourism a fee
2) the famed fountain is suffering from the ______
     a. affects of overtourism
     b. effects of overtourism
     c. infects of overtourism
     d. reflects of overtourism
3) There has been serious congestion in ______
     a. the poke months
     b. the perk months
     c. the peak months
     d. the peek months
4) Large crowds and people ______
     a. baying for selfies
     b. vying for selfies
     c. flying for selfies
     d. buying for selfies
5) Visitors have also damaged the ______
     a. stoned work surrounding it
     b. stone works surrounding it
     c. stonework surround in it
     d. stonework surrounding it

6) Roberto Gualtieri said the "Trevi levy" was expected to ______
     a. raise 6.5 million euros
     b. rise 6.5 million euros
     c. raze 6.5 million euros
     d. arise 6.5 million euros
7) However, city residents will be exempt from paying ______
     a. the tourist taxi
     b. the tourist tax
     c. the tourist tacks
     d. the tour-wrist tax
8) The mayor said: "We believe that culture is a fundamental ______."
     a. rights of citizenship
     b. light of citizenship
     c. alight of citizenship
     d. right of citizenship
9) it's correct and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums ______
     a. free of charge
     b. free of charged
     c. free off charge
     d. freer of charge
10) It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolizes the ______
     a. vast, untamed farce
     b. vast, untamed fierce
     c. vast, untamed forceps
     d. vast, untamed force

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have (1) ______________________________________________ tourists a fee to (2) _______________________________________________ the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the (3) _______________________________________________. One reason for the new measure is to address the burgeoning numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight. Similar to many (4) ______________________________________________ around the world, the famed fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism. There has been serious congestion (5) _______________________________________________ months of summer. Large crowds and people vying for selfies have diminished (6) _______________________________________________ the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it.

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi levy" was (7) _______________________________________________ 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year. Gualtieri said (8) _______________________________________________, around 30,000 people visited the attraction every day this year. That amounts to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will (9) _______________________________________________ paying the tourist tax. The mayor said: "We believe that culture is (10) _______________________________________________ of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums (11) _______________________________________________." The fountain was initially commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolizes (12) _______________________________________________ force of the world's seas and rivers.

Comprehension questions

When will the fee come into effect?
What does the charge hope to address?
What is the fountain suffering from?
What has diminished the ambiance of the fountain besides large crowds?
What have tourists damaged that surrounds the Trevi Fountain?
How many people have visited the fountain this year?
Who will be exempt from paying the charge?
What did Rome's mayor say people have a right to?
When was the fountain commissioned?
Who is Oceanus?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When will the fee come into effect?
a) April 1
b) March 1
c) February 1
d) January 1
2) What does the charge hope to address?
a) burgeoning numbers of sightseers
b) envelopes
c) the rising price of fountain water
d) climate change
3) What is the fountain suffering from?
a) algae
b) bubbles
c) acidification
d) overtourism
4) What has diminished the ambiance of the fountain besides large crowds?
a) noise pollution
b) people vying for selfies
c) litter
d) light pollution
5) What have tourists damaged that surrounds the Trevi Fountain?
a) water pipes
b) the city walls
c) the stonework
d) the bubble machine

6) How many people have visited the fountain this year?
a) exactly 10 million
b) over 10 million
c) around 10 million
d) just fewer than 10 million
7) Who will be exempt from paying the charge?
a) the over-60s
b) all Italians
c) schoolchildren
d) local citizens
8) What did Rome's mayor say people have a right to?
a) water
b) culture
c) fountains
d) sightseeing
9) When was the fountain commissioned?
a) 1640
b) 1460
c) 1762
d) 1672
10) Who is Oceanus?
a) the god of bubbles
b) the god of land
c) the god of fountains
d) the god of all water

Role play

Role A – The Trevi Fountain
You think the Trevi Fountain is the world's best sightseeing spot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their spots. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Statue of Liberty, Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal.

Role B – The Statue of Liberty
You think the Statue of Liberty is the world's best sightseeing spot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their spots. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Trevi Fountain, Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal.

Role C – Machu Picchu
You think Machu Picchu is the world's best sightseeing spot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their spots. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Statue of Liberty, the Trevi Fountain or the Taj Mahal.

Role D – The Taj Mahal
You think the Taj Mahal is the world's best sightseeing spot. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their spots. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the Statue of Liberty, Machu Picchu or the Trevi Fountain.

After reading / listening

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

'fee'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'fountain'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

decided

first

reason

famed

peak

crowds

levy

average

residents

right

enjoy

depicts

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 - Famous Sights

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Rome'?
What do you know about Rome?
What do you think of tourism?
What is your town like for tourists?
What do you think of paying to get close to a famous fountain?
What can we do about the problem of overtourism?
What kind of tourist are you?
What do you think of tourists taking selfies?
What world landmark would you really like to visit?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'fountain'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you think of Italian cities?
Should cities monetize their famous sites?
Should city residents be exempt from tourist taxes?
How proud are you of your country's culture?
What do you think of the world's oceans and rivers?
Should we visit sites in our own country and not those overseas?
What questions would you like to ask Rome's mayor?

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)

Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to charge tourists (1) ____ fee to get close to the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the landmark close (2) ____. One reason for the new measure is to (3) ____ the burgeoning numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight. Similar to many other tourist hotspots around the world, the (4) ____ fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism. There has been serious congestion in the (5) ____ months of summer. Large crowds and people vying for selfies have diminished the ambiance (6) ____ the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it.

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi levy" was expected to (7) ____ 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year. Gualtieri said that (8) ____ average, around 30,000 people visited the attraction every day this year. That amounts to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will be (9) ____ from paying the tourist tax. The mayor said: "We believe that culture is a (10) ____ right of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums free (11) ____ charge." The fountain was initially commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolizes the (12) ____, untamed force of the world's seas and rivers.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) the (b) big (c) a (d) that
(a) up (b) down (c) in (d) to
(a) address (b) title (c) label (d) mark
(a) famed (b) framed (c) flamed (d) farmed
(a) summit (b) peak (c) crest (d) apex
(a) up (b) as (c) to (d) of
(a) arise (b) rise (c) raise (d) risen
(a) at (b) in (c) of (d) on
(a) exempt (b) excerpt (c) exemplary (d) epitome
(a) fundamental (b) fundament (c) fundamentally (d) fundamentalist
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) in
(a) aghast (b) baste (c) vast (d) waste

Spelling

Paragraph 1

address the ruibgnnoge numbers
sightseers who are lfgkoicn to the sight
serious ootginecsn in the peak months
people ngyvi for selfies
the abimecna of the historic fountain
damaged the stonework sgdnouiurrn it

Paragraph 2

etdexecp to raise 6.5 million euros
30,000 people visited the tcnoaraitt every day
residents will be xemept from paying
The fountain was ynitillai commissioned in 1640
It dseipct Oceanus, the god of all water
the astv, untamed force

Put the text back together

(    )   and positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums free of charge." The fountain was initially
( 1 )   Authorities in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to charge tourists a fee to get
(    )   close to the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros
(    )   commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god
(    )   serious congestion in the peak months of summer. Large crowds and people vying for selfies have diminished
(    )   hotspots around the world, the famed fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism. There has been
(    )   numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight. Similar to many other tourist
(    )   of all water, and symbolizes the vast, untamed force of the world's seas and rivers.
(    )   Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi levy" was expected to raise 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a
(    )   said: "We believe that culture is a fundamental right of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct
(    )   the ambiance of the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it.
(    )   to experience the landmark close up. One reason for the new measure is to address the burgeoning
(    )   to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will be exempt from paying the tourist tax. The mayor
(    )   year. Gualtieri said that on average, around 30,000 people visited the attraction every day this year. That amounts

Put the words in the right order

have Authorities to decided tourists charge fee a .
Pay 2 euros experience to landmark the up close .
The is measure address to burgeoning the numbers .
to Similar tourist other around hotspots world the .
Visitors also have the damaged surrounding stonework it .
30,000 Around people the visited every attraction day .
will Residents exempt be paying from tax the .
Culture a is right fundamental citizenship of .
The of citizens can Rome our enjoy museums .
symbolizes It untamed the of force seas the .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Authorities / Authority in Italy's capital city, Rome, have decided to charge tourists a / the fee to get close to the city's world-famous Trevi Fountain. From the first of February, visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the landmark close / closely up. One reason for the new measurement / measure is to address the budgeting / burgeoning numbers of sightseers who are flocking / stampeding to the sight. Similar to many other tourist hotspots around the world, the framed / famed fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism. There has been serious congestion on / in the peak months of summer. Large crowds and people vying for / by selfies have diminished the ambiance of the historic fountain. Visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounded / surrounding it.

Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, said the "Trevi levy" was expected to arise / raise 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year. Gualtieri said that in / on average, around 30,000 people visited the attraction / attract every day this year. That dismounts / amounts to over ten million visitors. However, city residents will be redemption / exempt from paying the tourist tax. The mayor said: "We believe that culture is a fundamental / fundament right of citizenship." He added: "We think it's correct and posit / positive that the citizens of Rome can enjoy our museums free of charge." The fountain was ratified / initially commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762. It depicts Oceanus, the god of all water, and symbolizes the vast / aghast, untamed force of the world's seas and rivers.

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

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

__th_r_t__s _n _t_ly's c_p_t_l c_ty, R_m_, h_v_ d_c_d_d t_ ch_rg_ t__r_sts _ f__ t_ g_t cl_s_ t_ th_ c_ty's w_rld-f_m__s Tr_v_ F__nt__n. Fr_m th_ f_rst _f F_br__ry, v_s_t_rs w_ll h_v_ t_ p_y tw_ __r_s t_ _xp_r__nc_ th_ l_ndm_rk cl_s_ _p. _n_ r__s_n f_r th_ n_w m__s_r_ _s t_ _ddr_ss th_ b_rg__n_ng n_mb_rs _f s_ghts__rs wh_ _r_ fl_ck_ng t_ th_ s_ght. S_m_l_r t_ m_ny _th_r t__r_st h_tsp_ts _r__nd th_ w_rld, th_ f_m_d f__nt__n _s s_ff_r_ng fr_m th_ _ff_cts _f _v_rt__r_sm. Th_r_ h_s b__n s_r_ _ _s c_ng_st__n _n th_ p__k m_nths _f s_mm_r. L_rg_ cr_wds _nd p__pl_ vy_ng f_r s_lf__s h_v_ d_m_n_sh_d th_ _mb__nc_ _f th_ h_st_r_c f__nt__n. V_s_t_rs h_v_ _ls_ d_m_g_d th_ st_n_w_rk s_rr__nd_ng _t.

R_m_'s m_y_r, R_b_rt_ G__lt__r_, s__d th_ "Tr_v_ l_vy" w_s _xp_ct_d t_ r__s_ 6.5 m_ll__n __r_s ($7.6 m_ll__n) _ y__r. G__lt__r_ s__d th_t _n _v_r_g_, _r__nd 30,000 p__pl_ v_s_t_d th_ _ttr_ct__n _v_ry d_y th_s y__r. Th_t _m__nts t_ _v_r t_n m_ll__n v_s_t_rs. H_w_v_r, c_ty r_s_d_nts w_ll b_ _x_mpt fr_m p_y_ng th_ t__r_st t_x. Th_ m_y_r s__d: "W_ b_l__v_ th_t c_lt_r_ _s _ f_nd_m_nt_l r_ght _f c_t_z_nsh_p." H_ _dd_d: "W_ th_nk _t's c_rr_ct _nd p_s_t_v_ th_t th_ c_t_z_ns _f R_m_ c_n _nj_y __r m_s__ms fr__ _f ch_rg_." Th_ f__nt__n w_s _n_t__lly c_mm_ss__n_d _n 1640 _nd w_s c_mpl_t_d _n 1762. _t d_p_cts _c__n_s, th_ g_d _f _ll w_t_r, _nd symb_l_z_s th_ v_st, _nt_m_d f_rc_ _f th_ w_rld's s__s _nd r_v_rs.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

authorities in italys capital city rome have decided to charge tourists a fee to get close to the citys worldfamous trevi fountain from the first of february visitors will have to pay two euros to experience the landmark close up one reason for the new measure is to address the burgeoning numbers of sightseers who are flocking to the sight similar to many other tourist hotspots around the world the famed fountain is suffering from the effects of overtourism there has been serious congestion in the peak months of summer large crowds and people vying for selfies have diminished the ambiance of the historic fountain visitors have also damaged the stonework surrounding it

romes mayor roberto gualtieri said the trevi levy was expected to raise 65 million euros 76 million a year gualtieri said that on average around 30000 people visited the attraction every day this year that amounts to over ten million visitors however city residents will be exempt from paying the tourist tax the mayor said we believe that culture is a fundamental right of citizenship he added we think its correct and positive that the citizens of rome can enjoy our museums free of charge the fountain was initially commissioned in 1640 and was completed in 1762 it depicts oceanus the god of all water and symbolizes the vast untamed force of the worlds seas and rivers

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

AuthoritiesinItaly'scapitalcity,Rome,havedecidedtochargetouristsa
feetogetclosetothecity'sworld-famousTreviFountain.Fromthefirsto
fFebruary,visitorswillhavetopaytwoeurostoexperiencethelandmark
closeup.Onereasonforthenewmeasureistoaddresstheburgeoningnu
mbersofsightseerswhoareflockingtothesight.Similartomanyotherto
uristhotspotsaroundtheworld,thefamedfountainissufferingfromthe
effectsofovertourism.Therehasbeenseriouscongestioninthepeakmo
nthsofsummer.Largecrowdsandpeoplevyingforselfieshavediminish
edtheambianceofthehistoricfountain.Visitorshavealsodamagedthes
toneworksurroundingit.Rome'smayor,RobertoGualtieri,saidthe"Tre
vilevy"wasexpectedtoraise6.5millioneuros($7.6million)ayear.Gualt
ierisaidthatonaverage,around30,000peoplevisitedtheattractioneve
rydaythisyear.Thatamountstoovertenmillionvisitors.However,cityr
esidentswillbeexemptfrompayingthetouristtax.Themayorsaid:"We
believethatcultureisafundamentalrightofcitizenship."Headded:"We
thinkit'scorrectandpositivethatthecitizensofRomecanenjoyourmuse
umsfreeofcharge."Thefountainwasinitiallycommissionedin1640and
wascompletedin1762.ItdepictsOceanus,thegodofallwater,andsymb
olizesthevast,untamedforceoftheworld'sseasandrivers.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Charging fees to see the world's top sights is a good idea. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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. TOURIST SITES: Make a poster about tourist sites. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. SIGHTSEEING FEES: Write a magazine article about charging tourists fees to see famous sights. 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 tourist sites. Ask him/her three questions about sights. Give him/her three of your opinions on sightseeing. 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

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Famous Sights

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