Description of a place

Blidö is an island in the Stockholm archipielago and a part of the Norrtälje Municipality

Here comes the sun: A midsummer's trip to the Swedish island of Blidö

The Stockholm archipelago consists of over 24.0000 islands and islets scattered across the Baltic Sea. The nearest to the shore are divided by causeways from the mainland and possess all the amenities of modern Sweden. Other islands are served by free and efficient public ferries. The outer islands are reachable only by private boat. The rule of thumb is that the further out, the greater the isolation. First plumbing, then electricity disappears until finally, out in the Baltic Sea, tiny huts share a few metres of exposed granite with just the wind and seals. 

The archipelago is a place of beauty at any time, but during Midsummer, it's the place to be. On the way out the archipelago from Stockholm, the road winds through the radiant green landscape of a fairytale - forest, timber houses, rye fields, fat cows. Wild flowers nod in the hedgerows (setos). Road signs warn of rogue moose (pícaro alce).

In Norrtäjle, the gateway town to the archipelago, the supermarket is packed with trolleys the day before Midsummer's Eve. The prescribed Midsummer foods of strawberries, herring (arenque), new patatoes and sour (agrio) cream are flying off the shelves. A workers complains that they're shifting (desplazamiento) a tonne of patatoes every hour. Heavely laden (agrio) cars leave the car park for the islands.

For my inaugural Midsummer Eve, I'm heading to the island of Blidö. It's not remote -just two short ferry trips to cross the bay - but the place of life soon slows. The air is luminously clear and, scoured by see freezes, feels like it's rejuvenating the lungs (pulmones). roe deer skip out of the path of bicycles on the roads.

                                                                               Adapted from Lonely Planet Magazine (may 2011) 

A. Read the travel review and answer the questions.

1. Where i s the writer describing?

2. What is the best way to get there?

3. What is a good time to visit the area? Why?

4. How does the writer describe the landscape?

5. What kind of food does he mention?

6. What does the writer say about the atmosphere of the place? What contributes to that atmosphere?

B. Underline other examples of detailed descriptions, particularly those involving the senses, that add colour to the writing

C. Write a description of a place you have visited (200-250 words). Use the text in exercise A as a model and include some of the following:

. Introduction / location

. How to get there

. Landscape / flora / fauna / atmosphere

. Food / drink / activities

. Description of a typical scene

. Particular recommendations

Answers:

A) 1. The Swedish island of Blidö, in the Stockholm archipelago

    2. By boat

    3. Midsummer is a good time to visit because it is beatiful then.

    4. radiant green like a fairytale

    5. strawberries, herring, new potatoes and sour cream

    6. The atmosphere is tranquil and relaxed. He says, "the place of life soon slows". The beautiful scenary and natural landscape (with deer) contribute to the tranquil atmosphere.

B. The Stockholm archipelago consists of over 24.000 islands and islets scaterred across the Baltic Sea ( dispersos) .... free and efficient public ferries. ...tiny huts share a few metres of exposed granite with just the wind and seals... radiant green landscape of a fairytale...timber houses, rye fields, fat cows. Wild flowers nod... rogue moose. ... packed with trolleys... flying off the shelves... heavily laden cars... luminously clear... scoured by see freezes... Roe deer skip out of the path of bicycles

El archipiélago de Estocolmo se compone de más de 24.000 islas e islotes dispersos a través del mar Báltico... transbordadores públicos gratuitos y eficientes.... diminutas cabañas comparten a pocos metros el granito expuesto al viento... radiante paisaje verde de cuento de hadas... casas de madera, campos de centeno, vacas gordas. Flores salvajes.. alce pícaro...lleno de carros... volando de las estanterías... con coches cargados... luminosamente claro... fregadas por el hielo.. corzo que salta fuera de la trayectoria de la bicicleta...

Santorini

Why not visit Santorini, Greece, for (1)...... now? Santorini's (2)...... was sculpted by (3)....... Come and enjoy the (4)....... It pays to visit (5)......, when you can watch (6)...... without having to battle with (7)...... keen to enjoy the scene.

a. stunning landscape
b. before the main tourist season
c. the Aegean light reflecting off the blue and whitewashed architecture
d. a series of cataclysmic volcanic eruptions
e. a two-week break
f. a thousand other eager tourist
g. spectacular sunset the island is famous for

1e; 2a; 3d; 4g; 5B; 6c; 7f

Petra

Or take a trip to the (1)...... of Amman, Jordan, where old meets now. Split between (2) , and the (3)....., Amman has something to offer (4)....... Maybe you could take (5)......, the (6)......, or visit some of the (7)......

a. dense, more traditionally Islamic downtown area
b. a day trip to Petra
c. well-organised city
d. many Romans ruins that sprinkle the city
e. everyone, whatever their tastes
f. mesmerising city carved into the rock at Wadi Musa
g. slick suburbs to the west, lined with cafés and art galleries

1.b; 2. a/g; 3 q/g; 4.e; 5 b; 6. f; 7.d

                                                           "Speakout Advanced Worbook" by Antonio Clare and JJ Wilson