The Reading / Listening - Champs-Elysees - Level 3

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are ambitious plans to transform Paris' famous street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to turn the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in the heart of the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue in the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to look more modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to reduce the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number of car lanes to make more room for pedestrians. She also wants to plant more trees to make it greener and more attractive.

The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and elegant Paris was. There were many car showrooms full of luxury cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a magnet for rich people who wanted to buy the latest brands. Today, it looks like many other streets in the world. It is full of international chain stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a decade to beautify the Champs Elysees. Work will start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will redo the Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then the full length of the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The budget for the project is around $305 million.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Champs-Elysees - Level 0,  Champs-Elysees - Level 1   or  Champs-Elysees - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paris-mayor-pushes-ahead-with-plan-to-give-champs-elysees-a-305-million-green-makeover/
  • https://www.thelocal.fr/20210111/green-light-for-paris-famous-champs-elysee-to-be-turned-into-garden
  • https://news.artnet.com/art-world/pariss-champs-elysees-garden-renovation-1936162


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. PARIS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Paris. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       mayor / ambitious / plans / garden / beautiful / avenue / modern / traffic / trees /
       sophisticated / elegant / luxury / fashion / decade / Olympics / length / budget
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. TREES: Students A strongly believe all towns and cities should plant thousands more trees; Students B strongly believe tis isn't necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. STREETS: What are the streets like in your town? How can we improve them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What Is It Like?

Improvements

Trees

 

 

Walking space

 

 

Litter

 

 

Lights

 

 

Easy to use

 

 

Parking

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. FAMOUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "famous". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CITIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best cities at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Paris
  • Dubai
  • Tokyo
  • New York
  • Nairobi
  • Rio De Janeiro
  • Beijing
  • Sydney

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. ambitious a. Make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
      2. transform b. Unusually great.
      3. extraordinary c. Make a big change to.
      4. capital d. Nice to look at.
      5. reduce e. Of a plan or piece of work that is planned to do great things or be great.
      6. pedestrian f. The most important city or town of a country or region, usually where its government is.
      7. attractive g. A person walking along a road.

    Paragraph 2

      8. sophisticated h. A type of clothing or other product made by a particular company under a particular name.
      9. showroom i. Make the looks of something better.
      10. magnet j. One of many shops owned by one company and selling the same things.
      11. brand k. A kind of store used to show goods for sale, such as cars or furniture.
      12. chain store l. The amount of money given to a project or plan.
      13. beautify m. Having or showing a high level of fashion and culture.
      14. budget n. A person or thing that has a power to make people move towards them.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The Champs Elysees is over two kilometres long.     T / F
  2. The Champs Elysees is pretty much in the middle of Paris.     T / F
  3. The Champs Elysees joins the Eiffel Tower with the Arc de Triomphe.     T / F
  4. The mayor wants to create more space for people to walk.     T / F
  5. The article says Paris didn't use to be elegant or sophisticated.     T / F
  6. The article says the Champs Elysees now looks like many other streets.   T / F
  7. Work on the Champs Elysees will take ten years.     T / F
  8. The beautification work will cost around $305 billion.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. plans
  2. transform
  3. extraordinary
  4. reduce
  5. attractive
  6. sophisticated
  7. magnet
  8. decade
  9. afterwards
  10. budget
  1. ten years
  2. amazing
  3. pretty
  4. later
  5. change
  6. focus
  7. decrease
  8. financial plan
  9. cultured
  10. ideas

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. there are ambitious plans to transform
  2. The Champs-Elysees is in the
  3. she wants to reduce the amount of
  4. make more room
  5. make it greener and
  6. how sophisticated and
  7. many car showrooms full
  8. people who wanted to buy
  9. the full
  10. The budget for the project is
  1. traffic on the avenue
  2. the latest brands
  3. more attractive
  4. length of the avenue
  5. elegant Paris was
  6. around $305 million
  7. Paris' famous street
  8. of luxury cars
  9. heart of the French capital
  10. for pedestrians

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
heart
believe
greener
ambitious
pedestrians
famous
reduce
joins

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are (1) _____________________ plans to transform Paris' (2) _____________________ street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to turn the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in the (3) _____________________ of the French capital. It (4) _____________________ the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue in the world". However, many Parisians (5) _____________________ it looks old. They want it to look more modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to (6) _____________________ the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number of car lanes to make more room for (7) _____________________. She also wants to plant more trees to make it (8) _____________________ and more attractive.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
chain
budget
magnet
redo
other
length
luxury
beautify

The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and elegant Paris was. There were many car showrooms full of (9) _____________________ cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a (10) _____________________ for rich people who wanted to buy the latest brands. Today, it looks like many (11) _____________________ streets in the world. It is full of international (12) ___________________ stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a decade to (13) _____________________ the Champs Elysees. Work will start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will (14) _____________________ the Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then the full (15) _____________________ of the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The (16) _____________________ for the project is around $305 million.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there ______
     a.  are ambitious plants
     b.  are ambitious plans
     c.  are ambitious planes
     d.  are ambitious plan
2)  She said she wants to turn the 1.9km avenue into ______
     a.  an "extraordinary gardener"
     b.  an "extraordinary garden"
     c.  an "extraordinary gardens"
     d.  an "extraordinary gardened"
3)  The Champs-Elysees is in the heart of ______
     a.  the French capital
     b.  the French cap it all
     c.  the French cap italic
     d.  the French capitals
4)  She wants to cut the number of car lanes to make more ______
     a.  room for pedestrians
     b.  roomy for pedestrians
     c.  roomed for pedestrians
     d.  roomer for pedestrians
5)  She also wants to plant more trees to make it greener ______
     a.  and more attractively
     b.  and more attraction
     c.  and more attractive
     d.  and more attentive

6)  The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and ______
     a.  elegantly Paris was
     b.  elegance Paris was
     c.  elephant Paris was
     d.  elegant Paris was
7)  There were many car showrooms full ______
     a.  if luxury cars
     b.  off luxury cars
     c.  of luxury car
     d.  of luxury cars
8)  It was a magnet for rich people who wanted to buy ______
     a.  the latest bands
     b.  the latest brands
     c.  the latest bland
     d.  the latest bards
9)  fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a ______
     a.  decade at beautify
     b.  decade of beautify
     c.  decade from beautify
     d.  decade to beautify
10)  We will redo the Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then ______
     a.  the full lengthen
     b.  the full length
     c.  the full lengths
     d.  the full lengthens

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, (1) ____________________ are ambitious plans to transform Paris' famous street the Champs-Elysees. She said she (2) ____________________ the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in (3) ____________________ the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue in the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to (4) ____________________. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to reduce the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number of car lanes to (5) ____________________ for pedestrians. She also wants to plant more trees to make it (6) ____________________ attractive.

The Champs-Elysees (7) ____________________ sophisticated and elegant Paris was. There were many car showrooms full (8) ____________________, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a magnet for rich people who wanted to buy (9) ____________________. Today, it looks like many other streets in the world. It is full of international chain stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a (10) ____________________ the Champs Elysees. Work will start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We (11) ____________________ Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then (12) ____________________ of the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The budget for the project is around $305 million.

Comprehension questions

  1. What adjective did the article use to describe the Mayor's plans?
  2. How long is the Champs Elysees?
  3. What does the Champs Elysees join to the Place de la Concorde?
  4. What does the mayor want to cut the number of?
  5. For whom does the mayor want to make more room?
  6. What did many showrooms used to have on the Champs Elysees?
  7. Who did the writer say the Champs Elysees was a magnet for?
  8. What is the Champs Elysees full of besides restaurants and coffee shops?
  9. How many years will it take to beautify the Champs Elysees?
  10. How much will the Champs Elysees project cost?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What adjective did the article use to describe the Mayor's plans?
a) wonderful
b) amazing
c) ambitious
d) crazy
2) How long is the Champs Elysees?
a) 1.9km
b) 1.8km
c) 1.7km
d) 1.6km
3) What does the Champs Elysees join to the Place de la Concorde?
a) the Louvre
b) the Eiffel Tower
c) the Pompidou Centre
d) the Arc de Triomphe
4) What does the mayor want to cut the number of?
a) shops
b) car lanes
c) pedestrians
d) tourists
5) For whom does the mayor want to make more room?
a) drivers
b) tourists
c) pedestrians
d) trees

6) What did many showrooms used to have on the Champs Elysees?
a) furniture
b) luxury cars
c) electrical appliances
d) computer stores
7) Who did the writer say the Champs Elysees was a magnet for?
a) children
b) scientists
c) physicists
d) rich people
8) What is the Champs Elysees full of besides restaurants and coffee shops?
a) charity shops
b) international chain stores
c) supermarkets
d) travel agencies
9) How many years will it take to beautify the Champs Elysees?
a) ten years (a decade)
b) nine years
c) eight years
d) five years
10) How much will the Champs Elysees project cost?
a) exactly $305 million
b) just over $305 million
c) just under $305 million
d) around $305 million

Role play

Role  A – Paris
You think Paris is the best city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Dubai, Tokyo or New York.

Role  B – Dubai
You think Dubai is the best city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Paris, Tokyo or New York.

Role  C – Tokyo
You think Tokyo is the best city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Dubai, Paris or New York.

Role  D – New York
You think New York is the best city. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cities. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Dubai, Tokyo or Paris.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'street'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'garden'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • ambitious
    • turn
    • heart
    • often
    • modern
    • plant
    • showed
    • luxury
    • chain
    • decade
    • redo
    • budget

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Champs-Elysees

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Paris'?
    3. What do you know about Paris?
    4. What do you want to know about Paris?
    5. What is your town like for gardens?
    6. What do you think of the mayor of your town?
    7. Do you have any ambitious plans?
    8. How beautiful is your town?
    9. Should towns have more space for pedestrians?
    10. Should all towns have many more trees?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'garden'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important are gardens?
    5. What is an extraordinary garden for you?
    6. How interested are you in the latest brands?
    7. Are international chains making the world's streets look the same?
    8. What would you do to beautify your town?
    9. What would you do as mayor?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the mayor?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are (1) ____ plans to transform Paris' famous street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to (2) ____ the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in the (3) ____ of the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue in the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to (4) ____ more modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to (5) ____ the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number of car lanes to make more room for pedestrians. She also wants to (6) ____ more trees to make it greener and more attractive.

    The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and (7) ____ Paris was. There were many car showrooms full of luxury cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a (8) ____ for rich people who wanted to buy the latest brands. Today, it looks like many other streets in the world. It is full of international (9) ____ stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a (10) ____ to beautify the Champs Elysees. Work will start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will (11) ____ the Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then the full length of the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The budget (12) ____ the project is around $305 million.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     ambition     (b)     ambitious     (c)     ambitions     (d)     ambitiously    
    2. (a)     twist     (b)     turn     (c)     swivel     (d)     spiral    
    3. (a)     stomach     (b)     brain     (c)     lungs     (d)     heart    
    4. (a)     view     (b)     look     (c)     see     (d)     watch    
    5. (a)     deduce     (b)     reduce     (c)     induce     (d)     seduce    
    6. (a)     shrub     (b)     branch     (c)     plant     (d)     twig    
    7. (a)     elegance     (b)     elegantly     (c)     elegant     (d)     elongate    
    8. (a)     microscope     (b)     test tube     (c)     magnet     (d)     petri dish    
    9. (a)     chin     (b)     charge     (c)     chance     (d)     chain    
    10. (a)     decade     (b)     charge     (c)     rational     (d)     long    
    11. (a)     redo     (b)     undo     (c)     to-do     (d)     dodo    
    12. (a)     at     (b)     as     (c)     for     (d)     up

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. there are ubitmsiao plans
    2. in the heart of the French catilpa
    3. They want it to look more ormnde
    4. ecderu the amount of traffic
    5. make more room for pedtnrissea
    6. greener and more rtaavtceti

    Paragraph 2

    1. how sophisticated and eentgal Paris was
    2. showrooms full of xruyul cars
    3. It was a gantem for rich people
    4. fautyeib the Champs Elysees
    5. the full etgnlh of the avenue
    6. The tdubeg for the project

    Put the text back together

    (...)  start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will redo the Place de la Concorde
    (...)  street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to turn the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in the heart
    (...)  stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a decade to beautify the Champs Elysees. Work will
    (...)  more modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to reduce the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants
    (...)  to cut the number of car lanes to make more room for
    (...)  pedestrians. She also wants to plant more trees to make it greener and more attractive.
    (...)  The Champs-Elysees once showed how sophisticated and elegant Paris was. There were many car
    (...)  beautiful avenue in the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to look
    (...)  brands. Today, it looks like many other streets in the world. It is full of international chain
    (...)  showrooms full of luxury cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a magnet for rich people who wanted to buy the latest
    (...)  before the Olympic Games, then the full length of the avenue afterwards. It will be
    (  1  ) The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are ambitious plans to transform Paris' famous
    (...)  of the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most
    (...)  an extraordinary garden." The budget for the project is around $305 million.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. street   .   Paris'   Ambitious   transform   to   famous   plans
    2. is   often   beautiful   called   avenue   .   most   It   the
    3. it   more   modern   .   want   look   They   to
    4. cars   .   the   cut   number   She   to   of   wants
    5. wants   trees   .   more   to   plant   She   also
    6. of   luxury   were   There   showrooms   cars   .   full   many
    7. a   for   It   magnet   rich   was   people   .
    8. looks   streets   .   Today,   other   many   like   it
    9. start   2024   .   will   on   Work   it   after
    10. project   $305 million   .   is   The   the   for   budget

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has said there are ambition / ambitious plans to transform Paris' famous / famously street the Champs-Elysees. She said she wants to turn / twist the 1.9km avenue into an "extraordinary garden". The Champs-Elysees is in the stomach / heart of the French capital. It joins the Place de la Concorde as / with the Arc de Triomphe. It is often called "the most beautiful avenue on / in the world". However, many Parisians believe it looks old. They want it to look more / many modern. Ms Hidalgo said she wants to reduction / reduce the amount of traffic on the avenue. She wants to cut the number of car lanes / canes to make more room for pedestrians. She also wants to plant more trees to make it greener and more attraction / attractive.

    The Champs-Elysees one / once showed how sophisticated and elegance / elegant Paris was. There were many car showrooms full to / of luxury cars, and chic designer fashion stores. It was a repellant / magnet for rich people who wanted to buy the latte / latest brands. Today, it looks like many other streets in the world. It is full of international chain / lock stores, fast food restaurants and coffee shops. It will take a decade / ten years to beautify the Champs Elysees. Work will start on it after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ms Hidalgo said: "We will undo / redo the Place de la Concorde before the Olympic Games, then the full length / long of the avenue afterwards. It will be an extraordinary garden." The budget for the protect / project is around $305 million.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_  m_y_r  _f  P_r_s,  _nn_  H_d_lg_,  h_s  s__d  th_r_  _r_  _mb_t___s  pl_ns  t_  tr_nsf_rm  P_r_s'  f_m__s  str__t  th_  Ch_mps-_lys__s.  Sh_  s__d  sh_  w_nts  t_  t_rn  th_  1.9km  _v_n__  _nt_  _n  "_xtr__rd_n_ry  g_rd_n".  Th_  Ch_mps-_lys__s  _s  _n  th_  h__rt  _f  th_  Fr_nch  c_p_t_l.  _t  j__ns  th_  Pl_c_  d_  l_  C_nc_rd_  w_th  th_  _rc  d_  Tr__mph_.  _t  _s  _ft_n  c_ll_d  "th_  m_st  b___t_f_l  _v_n__  _n  th_  w_rld".  H_w_v_r,  m_ny  P_r_s__ns  b_l__v_  _t  l__ks  _ld.  Th_y  w_nt  _t  t_  l__k  m_r_  m_d_rn.  Ms  H_d_lg_  s__d  sh_  w_nts  t_  r_d_c_  th_  _m__nt  _f  tr_ff_c  _n  th_  _v_n__.  Sh_  w_nts  t_  c_t  th_  n_mb_r  _f  c_r  l_n_s  t_  m_k_  m_r_  r__m  f_r  p_d_str__ns.  Sh_  _ls_  w_nts  t_  pl_nt  m_r_  tr__s  t_  m_k_  _t  gr__n_r  _nd  m_r_  _ttr_ct_v_.

    Th_  Ch_mps-_lys__s  _nc_  sh_w_d  h_w  s_ph_st_c_t_d  _nd  _l_g_nt  P_r_s  w_s.  Th_r_  w_r_  m_ny  c_r  sh_wr__ms  f_ll  _f  l_x_ry  c_rs,  _nd  ch_c  d_s_gn_r  f_sh__n  st_r_s.  _t  w_s  _  m_gn_t  f_r  r_ch  p__pl_  wh_  w_nt_d  t_  b_y  th_  l_t_st  br_nds.  T_d_y,  _t  l__ks  l_k_  m_ny  _th_r  str__ts  _n  th_  w_rld.  _t  _s  f_ll  _f  _nt_rn_t__n_l  ch__n  st_r_s,  f_st  f__d  r_st__r_nts  _nd  c_ff__  sh_ps.  _t  w_ll  t_k_  _  d_c_d_  t_  b___t_fy  th_  Ch_mps  _lys__s.  W_rk  w_ll  st_rt  _n  _t  _ft_r  th_  2024  P_r_s  _lymp_cs.  Ms  H_d_lg_  s__d:  "W_  w_ll  r_d_  th_  Pl_c_  d_  l_  C_nc_rd_  b_f_r_  th_  _lymp_c  G_m_s,  th_n  th_  f_ll  l_ngth  _f  th_  _v_n__  _ft_rw_rds.  _t  w_ll  b_  _n  _xtr__rd_n_ry  g_rd_n."  Th_  b_dg_t  f_r  th_  pr_j_ct  _s  _r__nd  $305  m_ll__n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the mayor of paris anne hidalgo has said there are ambitious plans to transform paris famous street the champselysees she said she wants to turn the 19km avenue into an extraordinary garden the champselysees is in the heart of the french capital it joins the place de la concorde with the arc de triomphe it is often called the most beautiful avenue in the world however many parisians believe it looks old they want it to look more modern ms hidalgo said she wants to reduce the amount of traffic on the avenue she wants to cut the number of car lanes to make more room for pedestrians she also wants to plant more trees to make it greener and more attractive

    the champselysees once showed how sophisticated and elegant paris was there were many car showrooms full of luxury cars and chic designer fashion stores it was a magnet for rich people who wanted to buy the latest brands today it looks like many other streets in the world it is full of international chain stores fast food restaurants and coffee shops it will take a decade to beautify the champs elysees work will start on it after the 2024 paris olympics ms hidalgo said we will redo the place de la concorde before the olympic games then the full length of the avenue afterwards it will be an extraordinary garden the budget for the project is around 305 million

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThemayorofParis,AnneHidalgo,hassaidthereareambitiousplanstotr
    ansformParis'famousstreettheChamps-Elysees.Shesaidshewantst
    oturnthe1.9kmavenueintoan"extraordinarygarden".TheChamps-
    ElyseesisintheheartoftheFrenchcapital.ItjoinsthePlacedelaConcord
    ewiththeArcdeTriomphe.Itisoftencalled"themostbeautifulavenueint
    heworld".However,manyParisiansbelieveitlooksold.Theywantittolo
    okmoremodern.MsHidalgosaidshewantstoreducetheamountoftraffi
    contheavenue.Shewantstocutthenumberofcarlanestomakemorero
    omforpedestrians.Shealsowantstoplantmoretreestomakeitgreener
    andmoreattractive.TheChamps-Elyseesonceshowedhowsophistic
    atedandelegantPariswas.Thereweremanycarshowroomsfullofluxur
    ycars,andchicdesignerfashionstores.Itwasamagnetforrichpeoplewh
    owantedtobuythelatestbrands.Today,itlookslikemanyotherstreetsi
    ntheworld.Itisfullofinternationalchainstores,fastfoodrestaurantsan
    dcoffeeshops.ItwilltakeadecadetobeautifytheChampsElysees.Work
    willstartonitafterthe2024ParisOlympics.MsHidalgosaid:"Wewillredo
    thePlacedelaConcordebeforetheOlympicGames,thenthefulllengthof
    theavenueafterwards.Itwillbeanextraordinarygarden."Thebudgetfo
    rtheprojectisaround$305million.

    Free writing

    Write about Champs-Elysees for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All towns and cities should increase the number and size of their gardens. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. PARIS: Make a poster about Paris. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BEAUTIFY: Write a magazine article about all cities starting projects to make themselves more beautiful. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Paris. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions of the city. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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