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Welcome to this Padlet where you can practice English skills such as listening and reading.

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Did Amelia Liana lie to her fans? Do this activity and find out for yourself.

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LiveWorksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the teacher.

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Read a text about an unusual town in Alaska, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

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B1 Reading Test

Read a text about an unusual town in Alaska, and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answer.

A Town that Lives in One Building

Located in the beautiful state of Alaska, a little town called Whittier is tucked away in a picturesque area surrounded by mountains and the ocean. This hidden gem is hard to reach: the only ways to and from Whittier are either by ferry or through a one-lane tunnel that cuts through the mountains. This tunnel is unique because it is shared by both vehicles and trains, necessitating a precisely managed schedule to accommodate both modes of transportation and both directions of traffic.

Whittier's economy thrives on its port, the town's main source of employment, where cargo ships drop off their containers for rail transportation across Alaska. The town also has a grocery store, a museum, two hotels, and various other job opportunities for all its citizens: police officers, municipal workers, educators at the local school, and marina staff. Tourism has grown over the last few years to become an alternative source of income, drawing visitors to attractions such as the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, glacier jet ski tours, and scenic boat excursions that offer breathtaking views of marine wildlife and icebergs.

But the most fascinating aspect of Whittier is perhaps the fact that nearly all of its 200-odd residents live under the same roof. The Begich Towers, a 14-story building, is more than just an apartment complex; it's a self-contained town! The harsh winter weather helps to explain the convenience of this unusual way of living. Whittier's winter months are known for their heavy snowfalls and fierce winds. By having all the necessary facilities and services in one building, the residents don't have to brave the cold weather every time they need to run an errand or go to church. Not even the children need to step outside to attend school, which is in an adjacent building connected through a tunnel. It's an ingenious solution that makes life in such an extreme climate much more manageable.

However, the origins of Whittier's unique living situation date back to the early last century when the area was chosen for a military base. Shielded by towering mountains and situated by a bay with unfreezing waters, this location offered an ideal strategic position. Initially, wooden camps housed the soldiers, but as the need for more permanent structures grew with the increasing population, two significant buildings were erected: the once largest building in Alaska, the Buckner Building, and the Begich Towers. The construction of the tunnel in the 1940s, intended to provide railway access, marked Whittier's transformation into an essential cargo and passenger port. After the military left in the 1960s, the Buckner Building was abandoned, and the Begich Towers became the main residential and communal space for the town's inhabitants.

Nowadays, Whittier's residents just need to hop on the elevator to go grocery shopping, visit the police station, or eat 'out'-though in this case, 'eat in' might be more accurate. There's even a health clinic, which is far from being a hospital but more than enough for minor ailments. In essence, everything the residents may need is a few steps away from their homes. Living in Begich Towers offers a sense of community and convenience that is hard to find elsewhere. The close proximity of homes and businesses fosters a strong bond among the residents. Whether they're sharing a cup of coffee at the café on the ground floor or attending a community meeting, the people of Whittier have created a unique and supportive environment.

Whittier might be small, but it's a remarkable example of adaptability and community spirit. Its single-building town, surrounded by Alaska's breathtaking landscape, is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience.

Reading comprehension test

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A town that lives in one building - B1 English reading test - Test-English

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Boost your reading skills with our B1 English test on towns and travel. Engaging text, insightful questions, and instant feedback await!

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Watch the video and answer the questions.

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Simple Present The simple present is used to describe habits, general truths, and unchanging situations. Structure Affirmative: Subject + Verb (base form or +’s rule for third person) + Complement Negative: Subject + Do not/Does not (Don’t/Doesn’t) + Verb + Complement Examples Theo sings wonderfully. Marley and Noah are on the way to the park. I work in London. She works in London.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by bus on a trip over flying or driving?

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"Bus Trip"

Level:

Topic:

Speakers:

Length:

intermediate

bus travel

man and woman

02:14

Pre-Listening Exercise

What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by bus on a trip over flying or driving?

Idioms

" hit the road" = start to travel
" It's getting late. Let's hit the road before it gets dark. I don't like driving at night."

" off the beaten path" = an area that people usually don't visit
" When the bus stops in the next city, I want to take you to a restaurant off the beaten path. The food is great."

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

Post-Listening Exercise

How do most people travel on vacation within your country? Are there reasons why people choose one form of transportation over another? What is the best way to travel if you want to meet new people?

Online Investigation

Imagine you want to travel from Los Angeles to New York,and you are interested in seeing as much of the country as possible. Which form of transportation would be best for you: plane, bus, rental car, or train? Use the Internet to collect information on cost, convenience, possible routes, and time, for each of these methods from these Web sites or others you might know:

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Bus Trip - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

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Traveling by bus can be a fun way to see places on a vacation. Listen to this conversation on the topic of travel.