Natural wonders

ADDITIONAL READING

The natural wonders of the world are unique and amazing in their own special way. They became wonders when travellers going around the world discovered them and thought they were really special. Read about four of these unique places and then do the exercise that follows.

The Grand Canyon is located in the northwest part of Arizona. No one really knows how it was formed: probably by the Colorado River eroding it away. Geologists believe these rocks are at least two billion years old. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is completely different from any other type of hiking because of its strange climate. You could be at the top of it where it might be snowing, while at the bottom it could be 20°C.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on the planet and is growing two inches taller each year. Satellite technology says the mountain is currently 29,107 feet tall. It stands on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The temperature there is 97 degrees below freezing. It has been a climber’s dream since the British first saw the peak in the 1850s. The first known expedition that made it to the top was undertaken by a New Zealander named Edmund Hillary and a Nepalese man named Tenzing Norgay. They climbed the mountain in 1953. Since then Everest has been climbed by over 3,000 people.

Aurora Borealis is a spectacular light show in the northern region of Alaska. It is more commonly known as the Northern Lights. They have been a mystery for many years. However, there are scientific reasons to explain this phenomenon.

Niagara Falls is not only one of the natural wonders of the world, but also one of the most desirable destinations in North America. It is not exceptionally high, (the Canadian Falls are 54 metres high and the American Falls, 56 metres high), but it is very wide. Although it is famous for its beauty, it is also a valuable source of hydroelectric power.

152 PRACTICE

Which of these natural wonders 1. is growing every year? 2. is believed to be two billion years old? 3. gives the world a lot of electricity? 4. 5. 6. is a light phenomenon? has a very strange climate? has been the dream of every climber?

Circle the correct answer.

1. The basketball team arrived _______ Belgrade on Sunday.

A to B over C in D into 2. He will not come unless you ________ him. A invite B do not invite C will invite D didn’t invite 3. Diana was ________ because she ____ to such a famous club before. A exciting/had never been B excited/has never been C exciting/has never been D excited/had never been 4. If I were you, I ________ to him another letter.

A I’ll write B I’m writing C I’ve written D I’d write 5. There is only _______ bread left. I’ll go and buy some. A little B a little C few D a few 6. She doesn’t want to depend ____ her parents. A of B Ø C off D on 7. Please remember! There is no exception ______ this rule. A to B against C for D with 8. Despite ______________ hard, he failed the exam. A he studied B he has studied C studying D study 9. I’d like to know what you do for _____. A work B a living C a profession D a job 10. He won’t be at the meeting because he _____ to the Continent. A was going B has gone C has been D will be going 11. They got some valuable _____ from the night watchman. A pieces of informations B information C piece of information D informations 12. “How long _____ your new secretary?” “Since 2004.” A have you known B do you know C have you been knowing D did you know 13. The visitors _____ all the different ways of making brandy. A were shown B have shown C showed D had shown 14. We eat _____ soup with _____ spoon. A the // the B --- // --- C a // a D --- // a 15. Margaret _____ me _____ worry. A said // not B said // not to C told // don’t D told // not to 16. Mark prefers cycling _____ driving. A for B as C to D than 17. I really think you ____________ see a doctor. A would better B better C had better D could better 18. Unfortunately, my daughter has _______ friends in our neighbourhood. A a few B few C some D many 19. My house is ___ the end of the street ___ the right. A in – on B at – in C in – at D at – on 20. I looked this word ____ in the dictionary, but I still don’t understand it. A from B on C up D for

KEY WORD LIST

Verbs row skate raft erode land

Nouns

species peak facility expanse duration slope resort destination

Adjectives irresistible picturesque enormous numerous

Phrases and set expressions

check in by heart to break one’s heart to take to heart to lose heart a heart of gold

153