Upper-intermediate

Writing reviews and articles

Cultural landmarks

Lead-in

Answer the following questions with your group.

1 What is Europe’s most visited cultural landmark?

A British Museum, London B Sacré Coeur, Paris C Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

2 Which country has most landmarks in the top 10?

A UK B France C Italy

3 Which is the most visited landmark in France?

A Disneyland B Eiffel Tower C Notre Dame Cathedral

4 Which is the most visited landmark in Italy?

A Vatican B Coliseum C Trevi Fountain

5 What is the most popular landmark in your country? Why is it popular?

Input

1 Look at these titles and decide which opening paragraph they match.
Capital’s majestic charm A disappointment Delicious delights

A I clearly remember visiting the British Museum for the first time with my parents. I was totally
overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of it, the dignified silence, the cool marble floors and
the tremendous variety of exhibits on view. My favourite part was the Egyptian section and
the mummies in their sarcophagi, which I had read all about. Unfortunately, my most recent
visit was a very different experience indeed.

B As Audrey Hepburn said, ‘Paris is always a good idea’ and, when in Paris, people visit Notre
Dame. Built in the 12th century, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of Europe’s most beautiful
cathedrals for its dramatic towers, stained glass windows and amazing statues. Climb the
North tower and glimpse Paris from Quasimodo’s vantage point and you’ll understand why it
has just so many visitors.

© British Council ARB_B2_06_U013WEU_HO_v1.0

1
 Upper-intermediate
Writing reviews and articles
Cultural landmarks

C Mercado da Ribeira, near the river Tagus in Portugal’s capital city, was once one of Europe’s
most famous fish markets, but in recent years the smell of the sea has disappeared and
it has become THE hip place to eat. The new food court, which opened last year is a firm
favourite with Lisboans, and currently the market is host to a total of 35 kiosks and five top
class restaurants.

2 Discuss the questions with a partner.

a What kind of place does each text describe?
b What is the purpose of each of the texts – to advise, inform or suggest? Is the style of each formal,
informal or neutral? Why?
c Which of the places described would you prefer to visit?
3 Now decide which of the following paragraphs match these introductions. Which two are a
continuation and which one is the final paragraph of the article?

D Audrey knew what she was talking about. Paris has many landmarks but, for me, Notre Dame,
with the Bateaux Mouches sailing past on the Seine and the faint perfume of a beautiful
woman in the breeze, is a must to visit. Don’t miss it!

E Although the pharaohs and their sarcophagi were still housed in the same area I had seen
them in all those years before, the number of visitors had increased ten-fold, and all I could
see were hordes of tourists snapping away at the exhibits with their mobile phones, amidst
chattering in at least ten different languages.

F Perched on one of the high wooden stools, I spend a relaxing afternoon there, far from the
blazing heat of the sun, eating my way round Portugal’s culinary highlights, from sugar-sweet
Portuguese custard tarts, to creamy cheese from the South of the country washed down
with wild cherry liqueur and finished off with a chillingly refreshing, fruity ice-cream.

Language focus

1 Which of the techniques have been used by the author to attract the readers’ attention in the
introductions in A, B and C above?
• facts
• a shocking or surprising statement
• a quote
• a story
• a rhetorical question

© British Council ARB_B2_06_U013WEU_HO_v1.0

2
 Upper-intermediate
Writing reviews and articles
Cultural landmarks

2 Read this introductory paragraph.

a Which technique does it use to attract the reader’s attention?
b Complete the paragraph.

My favourite museum
The Parasite museum in Tokyo exhibits 300 types of parasite, including
a 300 ft long tapeworm and the Museum of Death in Hollywood
includes a human head severed by the guillotine in France.

3 Which technique is used in paragraph F in Input exercise 3?

• a summary
• a story to illustrate your point
• coming full circle (referring to something in your introduction)
4 Now write a short final paragraph using one of the techniques mentioned above to end your
article entitled ‘My favourite museum’.

© British Council ARB_B2_06_U013WEU_HO_v1.0

3
 Upper-intermediate
Writing reviews and articles
Cultural landmarks

5 What expressions related to the senses can you find in the paragraphs above? Write them in the
correct row.

sight

sound

smell

taste

touch

6 Look at these jumbled phrases and add them to the appropriate section of the table.
hushed voices   clear blue sky   tangy taste of the sea  
the earthy damp smell of old documents   rough stone walls   glass cases of dusty exhibits

Task

1 Read the following task.

You are going to write a magazine article about a cultural site you know. Write about 140–180 words
in an appropriate style. You can write about a museum or other cultural feature in your own country
or abroad.
2 Decide what techniques you would like to use in the introduction and conclusion of your
article, then write your introduction and share with a partner. Can your partner suggest any
improvements?
3 How will you continue your article? Assuming there are three paragraphs, what information will
you include in the middle paragraph?
4 Refer to the assessment criteria. Continue your writing at home.

Assessment criteria
• The article contains relevant information about the cultural site and the writer’s opinion about it
is made clear.
• The article is clearly organised, and includes a suitable opening and ending paragraph.
• The article is written in an appropriately semi-formal / formal style.
• There is a variety of vocabulary and structures, including descriptive language relating to the
different senses.
• The article is, on the whole, grammatically and lexically accurate and any mistakes do not lead
to misunderstanding.

© British Council ARB_B2_06_U013WEU_HO_v1.0

4
 Upper-intermediate
Writing reviews and articles
Cultural landmarks

Review

© British Council ARB_B2_06_U013WEU_HO_v1.0

5