A) Look at the picture below. Do you know this building? Where is it? What is it used for? How would you describe it?
useful language
(un= an uncountable noun) a cathedral - a large Christian religious building be disorganized – not planned or controlled countryside (un) – a large area of natural land around cities to rebuild – to build again a neighbourhood – the area around where you live be traditional – a habit or custom repeated by people over many years an architect – somebody who designs buildings |
B) Now read the text and answer the questions below.
The Third Cathedral – Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Before 1860 the city of Barcelona had houses and other buildings placed in a disorganised way. On one side was the sea and on the other were low buildings on countryside. After that time the people rebuilt the city in a new rectangular-shape. This was called the Eixample. All new streets and neighbourhoods were made wide and open. It was difficult to decide where to build the Sagrada Familia cathedral because all the best sites were very expensive. The people decided to build it in an area where there were traditional market gardens and working-class people lived. A young man, Antoni Guadi, born in Reus in 1852, an already successful architect, designed the cathedral. He spent the last 43 years of his life working on it until his death. The cathedral is still not completed and work continues to this day. Many people think the Sagrada Familia is the most important buildings in Barcelona. Every tourist to Barcelona visits the cathedral and climbs the 350 steps to the top to see the view of the city. It is one of the most interesting and beautiful buildings in Barcelona. Questions: 1. How does the writer describe the buildings in Barcelona before 1860? 2. How did the people build the city after 1860? 3. What was the problem with choosing the site for the cathedral? 4. What was Guadi's job? 5. Where was he born? 6. Did Guadi complete the cathedral? 7. How many steps do you have to climb to get to the top? 8. How does the writer describe the building? |
answers
1. How does the writer describe the buildings in Barcelona before 1860? The buildings placed in a disorganized way. 2. How did the people build the city after 1860? They rebuilt the city in a new rectangular-shape. 3. What was the problem with choosing the site for the cathedral? All the best sites were very expensive. 4. What was Guadi's job? He was an architect. 5. Where was he born? He was born in Reus. 6. Did Guadi complete the cathedral? No, it continues to this day. 7. How many steps do you have to climb to get to the top? 350 steps. 8. How does the writer describe the building? He describes the building as interesting and beautiful. |
C) Use the text above to help you write about a building in your city.
Think about... Paragraph 1 How can you describe your town or city? How is it organised? What surrounds it? Paragraph 2 Is there a special building there? Who designed it and when? Paragraph 3 When was the building completed? Paragraph 4 Do tourists come to your city and visit this building? |
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