Communication

A. What is a historical wonder? What historical wonders of the world do you know of? Write a list.

(Một kỳ quan lịch sử là gì? Bạn biết những kỳ quan lịch sử nào của thế giới? Viết một danh sách)

Answer:

A historical wonder is a remarkable and exceptional monument or structure that has stood the test of time and has become an iconic representation of its time period. These wonders are unique because they showcase the ingenuity and creativity of people from the past and serve as a testament to their architectural and engineering achievements.

Here is a list of some of the most famous historical wonders of the world:

• The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

• The Colosseum, Rome

• The Great Wall of China, China

• Petra, Jordan

• Machu Picchu, Peru

• The Taj Mahal, India

• The Parthenon, Greece

• The Stonehenge, United Kingdom

• The Easter Island Moai Statues, Chile

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

B. Which words describe your reaction to historical wonders? Discuss in pairs. Explain your choices and add another word of your own.

(Những từ mô tả phản ứng của bạn để kỳ quan lịch sử? Thảo luận theo cặp. Giải thích các lựa chọn của bạn và thêm một từ khác của riêng bạn)

Answer:

Suggestions:

Student 1: Hey, have you ever seen the Great Wall of China? I saw a picture of it in my history textbook and it looks amazing!

Student 2: Yeah, I've been there with my family. It's truly awe-inspiring. I felt so small standing next to it.

Student 1: That's so cool! I can imagine it must be overwhelming to see something so massive and ancient.

Student 2: Absolutely. It's also inspiring to think about the amount of work and dedication that went into building it.

Student 1: I totally agree. When I see these wonders, I feel a sense of gratitude towards the people who built them and preserved them over the centuries.

Student 2: Yes, and it's also intriguing to think about the stories and mysteries behind these structures. Like, who built Stonehenge and for what purpose?

Student 1: Right! I think that's what I love most about historical wonders - the sense of wonderment and fascination they inspire.

Student 2: Definitely. And another word I would add to the list is "amazement" - these wonders are just so incredible and mind-blowing.

C. What amazing things did people create in the past? Think of a historical wonder in your country. Write notes about it.

(Những điều tuyệt vời mà mọi người đã tạo ra trong quá khứ? Hãy nghĩ về một kỳ quan lịch sử ở đất nước của bạn. Viết ghi chú về nó)

1. What is it like?

2. When was it built? Why?

3. How does it make you feel when you see it?

Answer:

1. The Temple of Literature, Hanoi

• The Temple of Literature is a complex of buildings in Hanoi, Vietnam that was once a center of education and learning. It includes several courtyards, pagodas, and pavilions, as well as statues and inscriptions honoring Vietnamese scholars and sages.

• The architecture of the temple is typical of traditional Vietnamese style, with wooden beams, red lacquered columns, and curved roofs. The gardens and ponds in the complex also add to the peaceful and serene atmosphere.

1. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 during the reign of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. Its original purpose was to honor Confucius and his followers, and to provide a place for learning and scholarship. Over the centuries, the temple was expanded and renovated by different dynasties and kings.

2. When I see the Temple of Literature, I feel a sense of reverence and respect for the long history and cultural significance of this place. It's amazing to think about how it has been a center of education and scholarship for almost a thousand years. The intricate details and beautiful architecture also make me feel inspired and in awe of the skill and creativity of the people who built it. Overall, it's a place that makes me proud to be Vietnamese and to be a part of this rich cultural heritage.

D. Tell a partner about your wonder.

(Nói với một đối tác về kỳ quan của bạn)

Answer:

The Temple of Literature is a complex of buildings in Hanoi, Vietnam that has a long history and cultural significance. It was built in 1070 during the reign of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông and originally served as a place of learning and scholarship to honor Confucius and his followers. The temple is designed in traditional Vietnamese style with wooden beams, red lacquered columns, and curved roofs. It also features several courtyards, pagodas, and pavilions, as well as statues and inscriptions honoring Vietnamese scholars and sages.

When I see the Temple of Literature, I feel a strong sense of reverence and respect for the long history and cultural significance of this place. It's incredible to think that it has been a center of education and scholarship for almost a thousand years. The intricate details and beautiful architecture also make me feel inspired and in awe of the skill and creativity of the people who built it. I feel proud to be Vietnamese and to have such a rich cultural heritage. Have you ever been to the Temple of Literature?

Writing

E. Read the information about the New Seven Wonders of the World.

(Đọc thông tin về Bảy kỳ quan thế giới mới)

What does it mean to be a “wonder of the world”? Both the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the New Seven Wonders are examples of humankind's greatest achievements. They include historical sites that show the incredible things we are capable of creating. Of the original Seven Wonders, only the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt, still exists, so Swiss Canadian filmmaker and adventurer Bernard Weber started the New Seven Wonders of the World project. He wanted the greatest achievements of the last 2,000 years to be recognized now and remembered in the future. He also wanted regular people to decide on these new wonders by voting over the phone and internet. The project began in the year 2000, and the results were announced in 2007 with nearly 100 million votes. The new wonders include the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Taj Mahal in India.

Answer:

Nghĩa của "kỳ quan của thế giới" là gì? Cả Bảy kỳ quan của thế giới cổ đại và Bảy kỳ quan mới đều là những ví dụ về những thành tựu vĩ đại của con người. Chúng bao gồm các di tích lịch sử cho thấy những điều phi thường mà chúng ta có thể tạo ra được. Trong số Bảy kỳ quan cổ đại, chỉ có Kim tự tháp lớn ở Giza, Ai Cập còn tồn tại, vì vậy nhà làm phim và nhà thám hiểm người Thụy Sĩ Canada Bernard Weber đã bắt đầu dự án Bảy kỳ quan mới của thế giới. Ông muốn những thành tựu vĩ đại trong vòng 2.000 năm qua được công nhận ngay bây giờ và được ghi nhớ trong tương lai. Ông cũng muốn những người thông thường quyết định về những kỳ quan mới này bằng cách bình chọn qua điện thoại và internet. Dự án bắt đầu vào năm 2000, và kết quả được công bố vào năm 2007 với gần 100 triệu phiếu bầu. Những kỳ quan mới bao gồm Thành Trì Trung Hoa, Sân vận động Colosseum ở Rome và Lăng Taj Mahal ở Ấn Độ.

F. Complete the description with adjectives from the box.

(Hoàn thành mô tả với tính từ từ hộp)

amazed amazing ancient famous huge interested stronger

The Great Wall of China was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is really (1) __________ - some parts were built in the 3rd century BCE - and it is (2) ___________ - it is more than 20,000 kilometers (12,430 miles) long. Architecturally, it is an (3) ___________ construction. The Chinese built the wall over the centuries to protect their country. At the beginning of the 13th century, China was attacked by Genghis Khan’s army, because Khan wanted China to be part of the Mongol Empire. His grandson, Kublai Khan, finally achieved this in 1276. Because of historic events like this, China continued to make the wall (4) ___________ and better up to the 17th century. It is now one of the world's most (5) _________ landmarks. I was very (6) _________ to read about the Wall’s history and I was (7) _________ when I saw it.

Answer:

The Great Wall of China was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is really (1) amazing - some parts were built in the 3rd century BCE - and it is (2) huge - it is more than 20,000 kilometers (12,430 miles) long. Architecturally, it is an (3) ancient construction. The Chinese built the wall over the centuries to protect their country. At the beginning of the 13th century, China was attacked by Genghis Khan’s army, because Khan wanted China to be part of the Mongol Empire. His grandson, Kublai Khan, finally achieved this in 1276. Because of historic events like this, China continued to make the wall (4) stronger and better up to the 17th century. It is now one of the world's most (5) famous landmarks. I was very (6) interested to read about the Wall’s history and I was (7) amazed when I saw it.

G. Use the Internet to research one of the New Seven Wonders historical sites. Write notes.

(Sử dụng Internet để nghiên cứu một trong những di tích lịch sử của Bảy Kỳ Quan Mới. Viết ghi chú)

Answer:

I have researched the Taj Mahal, which is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Here are some notes on the site:

• The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

• It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.

• Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653, taking a total of 22 years.

• The Taj Mahal is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and is renowned for its intricate carvings and inlaid designs made of precious stones.

• The main building of the Taj Mahal is made of white marble and features a central dome and four minarets at each corner.

• The surrounding gardens and reflecting pool are also a key part of the site's design.

• The Taj Mahal is recognized as one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

• It attracts millions of visitors every year and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Goal check

1. In your notebook, write a description (150-180 words) of the site. Use your own words, including adjectives, to describe your reaction to the site. Use the paragraph in F to help you.

2. Share your description with a partner. Talk about the information that is interesting or surprising to you.

3. How can your partner improve the description? Use your partner’s comments to make corrections and improvements.

Answer:

The Taj Mahal is a breathtakingly beautiful historical monument that stands as a testament to the eternal love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Located in the Indian city of Agra, this magnificent white marble structure is renowned for its intricate carvings, inlaid designs made of precious stones, and its peaceful surroundings.

At the center of the Taj Mahal lies the main building, with its iconic central dome and four towering minarets. The structure is surrounded by lush gardens and a tranquil reflecting pool that mirrors the grandeur of the monument. The interior of the Taj Mahal is equally impressive, with elaborate designs, intricate patterns, and calligraphy adorning the walls and ceilings.

The Taj Mahal is a symbol of timeless love, architectural brilliance, and cultural heritage. It continues to inspire awe and wonder in visitors from around the world, and its significance and beauty have earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to the Taj Mahal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Mughal era and the power of enduring love.