EnglishPod

Global View - The 7 Wonders Of The World #D0352

A: Have you seen this news article? Apparently an organization has made a list to name the new seven wonders of the world and people could vote for them online.

B: Wow, that’s really interesting. So who won?

A: Well, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India.

B: I’ve been there! It really is an amazing work of architecture and art. The entire complex is made of white marble and in the interior of the tomb, the walls are covered with gems and emeralds!

A: Cool! Also amongst the winners is Petra, in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru and the pyramid in Chichenitza in Mexico.

B: Wait a minute! It also says that the Christ Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Colosseum in Rome are wonders. I would love to go to Italy and see the Colosseum, stand in the middle like a gladiator!

A: Well, let’s see if we can find some cheap airfare and we can go towards the end of the year.

B: Good idea!

Key Vocabulary

Taj Mahal - mausoleum located in India made entirely of white marble

Great Wall - an extensive wall in China that kept invaders at bay

architecture - the art and science of designing buildings

Petra - a historical city in Jordan which was carved out of the mountain

Machu Pichu - an Inca ancient city set high in the Andes mountains in Peru

pyramid - a structure where the outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a point

Colosseum - an ancient amphitheater located in Rome

wonder - a monumental human creation that is amazing

gladiator - a person trained to entertain the public by engaging in mortal combat

tomb - a grave or other place of burial

Supplementary Vocabulary

world heritage site - an area or structure designated by UNESCO as being of global significance

Mausoleum - an external freestanding building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person

Temple - a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice

Ruins - the remains of human-made architecture: structures that were once complete, as time went by, have fallen into a state of partial or complete deterioration

ancient - having been of long duration; of great age; very old