The country of love and croissants

Exercise 1

Look at the headlines below. What associations come to your mind? (colors, food, places etc.) Discuss them.

1. Cheese map of Europe 
2. Where 90 Million Tourists Go Every Year
3. More Than 1,200 Cheeses and One Tall Tower
4. A European country with the highest mountain
5. The country of three seas
6. Where were the Olympic Games born?

Exercise 2

Read the text, underline the most important phrases in each of them. Choose the most suitable statement for each and match them.

A  A Land of Geographic Diversity

B  The Science Behind French Food

C  French: A Global Language

D  Why Millions Visit France

1. France is the largest country in the European Union. It has three different coastlines: the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel. In the south, you can find the Alps – young, high mountains with snow on top even in summer. The highest peak is Mont Blanc (4,808 metres). In the west, the land is flat and green, perfect for cows and wheat. This geography creates many different climates and landscapes in one country. 2. The French are famous for their food, but there is science behind it. France produces about 8 billion bottles of wine each year. Why? Because the climate in regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy is perfect for grapes – warm days, cool nights, and special soil. Also, the French eat more than 1,200 types of cheese. Some cheeses contain special moulds (tiny white/blue mushrooms) that give them a strong smell and taste. The French stomach is used to these bacteria, which is why they don't get sick.

3. The French language was the international language of diplomacy for more than 300 years. Today, over 300 million people speak French on five continents. But here is an interesting fact: only about 20% of French speakers live in France. Most live in Africa, Canada, and Belgium. French is the official language of the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the Olympic Games because of its history – not because of France's population. 4. Every year, about 90 million tourists visit France – more than any other country. Many come for the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre museum. But scientists say that the real reason is diversity. In one day, you can ski in the Alps, swim in the Mediterranean, eat a croissant in a village, and visit a castle from the 12th century. Few countries offer so many experiences in such a small space.

Exercise  3

According to the text, which of these statements are true and which are not? Choose the correct answer. (T-true, F-false)

1. France has two coastlines – the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
   T            F

2. Mont Blanc is 4,808 metres high.
   T            F

3. France produces about 8 billion bottles of wine every year.
   T            F

4. The French eat more than 2,000 types of cheese.
   T            F

5. Only people who live in France speak French.
   T            F

6. French is an official language of the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the Olympic Games.
   T            F

7. About 90 million tourists visit France every year – fewer than Italy.
   T            F

8. In France, you can ski in the Alps and swim in the Mediterranean on the same day.
   T            F

Exercise  4

Imagine that you are the author of this article. You need to write 4-6 sentences.

.......... Few countries offer so many experiences in such a small space.

You need to write about your impression of a beautiful place in France. Use the associations (exercise 1)  and facts below.

• Lavender fields in Provence. 
• Paris – the city of love and light. 
• The Louvre – the most visited museum in the world, home of the Mona Lisa. 
• Versailles – the luxurious palace of kings. 
• Notre-Dame de Paris – the famous cathedral. 
• Baguette – long crispy bread. 
• Macaron – colorful almond cookie.

TIPS

Choose one of the suggested options. Use this structure (like a template):

Introductory sentence – what it will be about.

What you can see or do there – 1–2 interesting facts.

Why this impression is unique – what is special.

What you feel / how it affects tourists – concluding thought.

useful words and phrases

Русский	Английский
Например,	For example, / Take... for example
Здесь можно...	Here you can...
знаменит(а) чем-то	is famous for
как в сказке / похоже на сказку	like a fairy tale
замок	castle
дворец	palace
крепость	fortress
у тебя есть возможность	you have the opportunity to...
привлекать туристов	attract tourists