Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a ritual
    • ex. Drinking coffee every morning is a daily ritual for many people.
  2. triathlon
    • ex. She trained for six months before competing in her first triathlon.
  3. a cleanup
    • ex. Volunteers organized a neighborhood cleanup to remove trash.
  4. a bucket list
    • ex. She created a bucket list of things she wants to do before she turns 30.
  5. cool off
    • ex. We sat in the shade to cool off after walking in the heat.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Swimming in the Seine is now a popular summer ritual for both locals and tourists. For the second year in a row, Paris opened three free public swimming areas in the river. These spots are located near City Hall, the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris. Lifeguards watch the water closely, and experts test the river every day to make sure it is safe for everyone.

The city cleaned the river for the triathlon and swimming events during the 2024 Olympics. This massive cleanup project fixed old pipes connected to the river to reduce pollution. Now, many people have added this experience to their personal bucket list. Swimmers love to jump in the water to cool off under the hot summer sun while looking at famous monuments.

However, heavy rain can still cause pollution. This means the swimming areas might be closed on some days. The swimming area near the Eiffel Tower can only hold 200 people at one time. Workers use a waiting system at the entrance to manage the crowds safely. After being banned for a century, swimming is finally back in Paris.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Seine River

  • Swimming in the Seine is now a popular summer ritual. What is a popular summer ritual in your country? Discuss.
  • Imagine you are in Paris. If given the chance, would you swim in the Seine River? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The workers at the swimming areas on the Seine River use a waiting system. In your opinion, is this system necessary? Why or why not? Discuss.

Bucket List

  • Do you have a bucket list? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how does having a bucket list affect a person (ex. it inspires a person to reach goals, it makes a person feel stressed)? Discuss.
  • What places to visit would you add to your bucket list (ex. visiting another country, going to the moon)? Discuss.