The group had decided to meet at a larger venue this week—a community hall with a big whiteboard and a projector. Maria had brought a map of the world, and Diego carried a small stack of travel brochures. Each friend was tasked with preparing a short description of their city and its attractions.
“I thought it would be fun to learn more about where we all come from,” Maria said as she pinned the map to the board. “Let’s explore our cities together!”
Maria’s Vibrant Kraków
Maria pointed to Poland on the map. “I’m from Kraków. It’s one of the oldest cities in Poland and very beautiful.” She clicked through some photos on the projector.
“This is the Main Square. It’s very big and full of life. People come here to shop, eat, and meet friends. And this is Wawel Castle.”
“What’s special about the castle?” Fatima asked.
“It’s very old, from the 14th century,” Maria explained. “Kings and queens lived there. The view of the river is amazing!”
“What do people eat in Kraków?” Alex asked.
“Pierogi!” Maria said with excitement. “They’re dumplings with different fillings—meat, cheese, or even fruit. I’ll bring some for you next time.”
Diego’s Energetic Buenos Aires
Diego stood next, grinning as he marked Buenos Aires on the map. “This is my city. It’s the capital of Argentina and full of energy.”
He flipped to a picture of colorful buildings. “This is Caminito, a street in La Boca. Artists sell their work here, and you can watch people dance tango.”
“That’s so cool!” Lily said. “Do you dance tango?”
“A little,” Diego admitted, laughing. “But I’m not very good.”
“What else is popular in Buenos Aires?” Chen asked.
Diego showed another picture. “This is Teatro Colón, one of the most famous opera houses in the world. And, of course, there’s football. The people here are crazy about it!”
Fatima’s Historic Fes
Fatima placed a small photo album on the table. “I’m from Fes, in Morocco. It’s a very old city with narrow streets and beautiful markets.”
She opened the album to a photo of a large gate. “This is Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate. It’s the entrance to the old medina, where you can find everything—spices, carpets, jewelry.”
“What do you like most about Fes?” Alex asked.
“The tanneries,” Fatima said, showing a picture of colorful dyeing pits. “They are very famous. People from all over the world come to see them.”
Alex’s Bustling New York City
Alex was next. He circled New York City on the map. “I live in New York. It’s very big, very busy, and always awake.”
He pulled out a photo of the Statue of Liberty. “This is one of our most famous attractions. It’s a symbol of freedom.”
“And Times Square,” he added, showing another photo. “It’s full of lights and billboards. At night, it looks amazing.”
“What’s your favorite place in New York?” Maria asked.
“Central Park,” Alex said. “It’s green and peaceful, perfect for a run or a picnic.”
Chen’s Bustling Shanghai
Chen spoke next, showing a photo of Shanghai’s skyline. “This is my city. Shanghai is very modern and very big.”
He flipped to a photo of the Oriental Pearl Tower. “This is one of our tallest buildings. People go up to see the city from above.”
“What about traditional places?” Diego asked.
Chen smiled. “This is Yuyuan Garden,” he said, holding up another photo. “It’s old and beautiful, with ponds, bridges, and tea houses.”
“Do you like the garden?” Lily asked.
“Yes,” Chen said. “It’s quiet, a nice break from the busy city.”
Lily’s Small Town Charm
Lily stood last. She pointed to her small town on the map. “I live in a small town in England. It’s not as big as these cities, but it’s cozy.”
She showed a picture of a stone bridge. “This is the town center. We have a market here every weekend.”
“What’s special about your town?” Fatima asked.
“We have a very old church,” Lily said. “And the countryside around the town is beautiful. Lots of green fields and hills.”
“Do you like living there?” Maria asked.
“Yes,” Lily said. “It’s quiet, and the people are very friendly.”
Practicing Vocabulary
Maria wrote words on the whiteboard:
- Capital city
- Old town
- Market
- Museum
- Park
- Skyscraper
- Statue
- Bridge
“Let’s use these words in sentences,” she suggested.
Chen said, “Shanghai has many skyscrapers.”
Fatima added, “Fes has a big market.”
Diego tried, “Buenos Aires has a famous opera house.”
Planning a Trip
Diego had an idea. “Let’s imagine we’re planning a trip to one of these places. Where would you go?”
“I want to see Fes,” Maria said. “The markets sound amazing.”
“I would visit Buenos Aires,” Alex said. “I want to watch tango dancers.”
The group laughed, already imagining their adventures.
Activity for Readers
- Practice these sentences:
- My city is ____.
- The most famous place in my city is ____.
- I love my city because ____.
- Answer these questions:
- What is your city like?
- What are the best places to visit in your city?
- Do you prefer a big city or a small town?
- Write a paragraph describing your city and its attractions. Share it with a friend!