新标准大学英语（第三版）视听说教程3（智慧版）教案 U4 The heartbeat of a city

PAGEPAGE1Unit4TheheartbeatofacityUnitoverview内容简介思政要点InsideviewConversation1Conversation2TheinsideviewisaboutJanet,Andy,andJoeinterviewingCathyabouticonicarchitectureinLondon.C1 focuses on makingpreparationsforaninterview.C2focusesonintroducingiconicbuildingsinLondon.进跨文化交流和沟通能力。了解国外城市标志性文化交流和文明互鉴能力。Outsideview(online)ThisvideointroducesAsia’stopcity,Singapore,fromitstransportation,populartouristspots,historicalstructures,etc.了解新加坡市的城市风貌，著名建筑，城市特色等，提升对城市的认知，加强跨文化交流能力。ListeningacrossculturesNewsreportPassageThenewsreporttalksaboutthenewbussystemofLondoncalledSuperloop.ThepassageisabouttheancientcityofPetra.Sswilllearntolistenforcausesandeffects.了解英国伦敦新型公学习有关佩特拉古城助学生增加有关世界著名文化遗产的知识。TalkingaboutChinaThissectionasksstudentstointroducetheBeijingCentralAxisbyusingvisualaidstomakethepresentationvividandattractive.学生了解有关北京中轴线的相关知识以及为申请世界文化遗产所做出的努力。增强学生了解城市历史及发展的意识，促进文化交流。Self-learning(online)PronunciationExtendedlisteningUnittestThePronunciationsectionraisesSs’awarenessofcreatingnaturalconnectedspeech.Extendedlisteningincludesfourmaterials,whichareaboutaChinese-stylegardeninDuisburg,thedryweatherinVenice,thefeaturesofsmartercities,andacceleratingrenewablesofurbanareas.TheUnittesthelpsSstoreviewwhatthey’velearnedandcheckwhatneedstobeimproved.了解城市文化交流，城市发展中存在的问题及应对的策略等，增强学生对城市之间文明交流互鉴及城市未来发展方向的认识。InsideviewBeforeyouwatchReferenceanswersYes.ThereisTowerBridge,LondonBridge,theShard,theGherkin,andSaintPaul’sCathedral.TheLondonskylineisastunningblendofhistoricalgrandeurandmoderningenuity,featuringiconicstructuresliketheTowerBridge,theShard,andSaintPaul’sCathedral,reflectingthecity’srichpastandvibrantpresent.JanetmightchoosetheLondonskylineasherinterviewbackdropforitsiconicandrecognizablestructures,whichnotonlyprovideavisuallyappealingsettingbutalsoconveyasenseofprestige,culturalrichness,andglobalsignificance.Thischoiceenhancestheinterview’scontextandappeal.Conversation1ScriptsAndy:OK.Youupforthis,Janet?Janet: Well,I’dbewillingtogiveitago,sure.Andy:You’llbefine.Joe: Tryanddoitinonetake,Janet.Thiswomanisreallyquitebusy.Janet: Well,I’lldomybest,butIfindithardtomakeanypromises.Joe: OK,hereshecomes.Hi,MsYoung.I’mJoeVarese,wespokeonthephone.Cathy:HiJoe.Please,callmeCathy.Joe: AndthisisJanetLi,ourinterviewertoday,andAndy,ourcameraman.Andy:Hi.Cathy:It’snicetomeetyouall.Wheredoyouwantmetostand?Andy:Overtoyou,Janet.Janet: Oh,yes.OK…anywhereyoulike,Cathy.ButI’dlikeyoutodescribetheskyline,somaybeoverhere,wherewecanbothseeit?Cathy:Fine.IsthisOK?Janet: That’sgreat.AndwouldyoubepreparedtotalkabouttheLondonarchitectureingeneral,aswellastheexhibition?Cathy:Iwouldn’tminddoingthat,no,ofcoursenot.Joe: Andwe’regoingtotryanddothisinonetake,Cathy,asIknowyouhavetogetbackfortheopeningoftheexhibition.Cathy:That’sveryconsiderateofyou.Janet: Well,that’stheplan,butI’dbereluctanttoraiseyourhopestoomuch!Andy:Canwejustcheckthesoundlevel,please?Janet: CathyYoung,thankyouforjoiningustoday.Cathy:Mypleasure.Janet: I’mgratefulforhavingtheopportunitytoaskyouaboutthelatestarchitecturalexhibition,whichopenstonightatSomersetHouse;it’scalled“TheLondonSkyline,past,present,andfuture.”Languageandculture1Theterm“skyline”referstotheoutlineorcontourofacityormountainrangeasseenfromadistanceagainstthesky.Itisoftenusedtodescribetheoverallappearanceofacity'scentralbusinessdistrict,particularlytheshapesandheightsofitsbuildings.Askylinecanbeadistinctivefeatureofacity,withitstallestandmostprominentstructures,suchasskyscrapersandtowers,definingitsvisualidentity.2TheShard,locatedinLondon,isatoweringglassskyscraperthatstandsoutinthecity'sskyline.DesignedbytheItalianarchitectRenzoPiano,itwascompletedin2012.Withaheightof309.6meters,itwasthetallestbuildingintheU.K.andtheEuropeanUnionuponcompletion.TheShard’sdesignischaracterizedbyitssharplypointed,pyramidalformthattaperstowardthetop.Itcomprises11,000glasspanels,arrangedinapatterninspiredbythemastsofsailingships.Thebuildingservesmultiplepurposes,includingoffices,ahotel,restaurants,andresidentialapartments,aswellasviewinggalleriesthatoffersweepingviewsofLondon.It’saniconiclandmarkthatsymbolizesLondon’smodernarchitecture.3TheGherkinisadistinctiveskyscraperinLondon’sfinancialdistrict.Completedin2004,itwasdesignedbyarchitectNormanFosterandhisfirm,FosterandPartners.Thebuilding’sunique,bullet-shapeddesignnotonlygivesititsnicknamebutalsocontributestoitsenergyefficiency.TheGherkinstands180meterstallandhas41floors,housingofficesandarestaurant.Itscurvedfacadeprovidesnaturalventilationandlighttotheinteriorspaces,reducingtheneedforartificialairconditioningandlighting.ThisiconicstructureisasymbolofmodernLondonandatestamenttoinnovative,sustainablearchitecture.1Referenceanswers1 √×Joecontactedheroverthephonerecently.HeintroduceshertoAndyandJanetintheconversation.×She’sinarushtogettotheopeningoftheexhibition.Theopeninghasn’thappenedyet,soshecan’tshareherimpressionofitintheinterview.4 √2TeachingtipsThisactivityhelpsSsbetterknowhowtointerviewahighlyengagedprofessionallikeCathy,anauthorityonLondon’sarchitecturallandscape.It’scrucialtobestrategicduetoherdemandingschedule.Beforelisteningtotheconversation,TcanadviseSstothinkaboutthearrangementsfortheinterview,suchasthepreparation,thequestions,andmattersneedingattention,asthetimeislimited.Afterthat,TcanaskSstopayattentiontorealarrangementintheinterviewanddiscussiftheyhaddoneagoodjobbasedonthequestionsprovided.ReferenceanswersJanetsays“I’dbewillingtogiveitago.”Thisindicatesthatsheisnotanexperiencedinterviewer.Janetpolitelysays“anywhereyoulike”andthengivesasuggestionandexplainswhy.Janetsays“Wouldyoubepreparedtotalkabout...”andCathyresponds“Iwouldn’tminddoingthat,no,ofcoursenot.”Cathysays“That’sveryconsiderateofyou.”Shecouldalsosay“Thankyouverymuch.”Conversation2ScriptsJanet: WhydidyouaskustomeetyouhereontheSouthBank?Cathy:Well,it’sprobablythebestplacetogetanideaofthearchitecturalhistoryofLondon.StraightaheadwecanseeSaintPaul’sCathedral,andovertomyright,theCityofLondonskyline.Janet: TellmeaboutSaintPaul’sCathedral.Cathy:Well,it’sthemasterpieceofSirChristopherWren.ThedomeisnowoneofthemostrecognizablesightsofLondon.Janet: Andofcourse,itwasalandmarkduringthe1941Blitz.Cathy:Yes.Theenemybomberscouldseeitfromadistance,withtheresultthattheyknewwheretodroptheirbombs.But,toeveryone’sastonishment,itwasn’tdamaged.Janet: Andwhataboutthemodernbuildingsoverthere?Cathy:Yes,absolutely.Perhapsthemostnotableoneistherocket-shapedbuilding,whichLondonerscall“theGherkin.”ThiswasdesignedbyNormanFoster.Janet: Londonisnowquiteahigh-risecity,isn’tit?Cathy:Well,I’mnotconvincedyou’reright.It’snotatalllikeShanghai.Janet: Sowhataboutthefuture?Cathy:Asyoumightexpect,thefutureismoreskyscrapers,andmostimportantofallwillbetheShardofGlass,at310meters,oneofthetallestbuildingsinEurope.Janet: AndtheexhibitionopenstonightatSomersetHouse…Cathy:Exactly,andrunsuntilnextSeptember.Janet: I’msurelotsofpeoplewillgoandseehowsuchafamiliarskylinehaschanged,andwilldevelopinthefuture.CathyYoung,thankyouverymuch.Joe: Onetake!Thankyou,Janet.YoushouldbeonTV.Andy:Amazing,Janet.YouwillbeonTVonedayifyoukeepgoinglikethis.Welldone!TeachingtipsLondonisacitythatblendstraditionalandmodernarchitecture.Conversation2focusesontheLondon’siconicbuildings,therefore,somearchitecturaltermsandhistoricalreferencessuchas“SaintPaul’sCathedral,”“theBlitz,”“theGherkin,”and“theShardofGlass”appearintheconversation.TcanfirstlyaskSstodiscussingroupstheabovetermsandexchangeideastodescribethesearchitecture.Andthen,SswatchtheinterviewtofigureouttheintroductionfromtheprofessorCathytomakesurethekeyinformation.Ultimately,TcanencourageSstoprovideadditionaldescriptionsofvariousotherhistoricalandcontemporaryarchitecturallandmarksinLondon,therebyfosteringacomprehensiveunderstandingofthecity’sarchitecturalheritageandevolution.3Answers1C2B3C4B4TeachingtipsThisactivityhelpsSsbetterknowhowtorespondtoothersinaninterviewandwhattosayiftheywanttoencouragesomeoneelsowhodidwell.ReferenceanswersI’mnotconvincedExactlyYoushouldbeonTVWelldoneEverydayEnglish5Languagenotes1giveitagoTheexpression“giveitago”isaninformalinvitationorencouragementtoattemptortrysomething,oftendespiteuncertaintyorfearoffailure.Itembodiesaspiritofwillingnesstotakeonachallengeorengageinanewexperience.overtoyouTheexpression“overtoyou”isusedtoindicatethatitisnowsomeoneelse’sturntotakeaction,speak,ormakeadecision.Itisoftenemployedinconversationalcontextstogracefullyhandovercontrolortosignalthetransitionofresponsibilitytoanotherperson.that’stheplanTheexpression“that’stheplan”istypicallyusedtoaffirmadecision,strategy,orcourseofactionthathasbeenestablished.Itindicatesthatthereisaclearintentionormethodinplace,oftensignalingtheendofadiscussionorthereadinesstomoveforwardwithachosenapproach.raiseyourhopestoomuchTheexpression“raiseyourhopestoomuch”meanstoincreaseone’sexpectationsoranticipationtoanunrealisticlevel.Itimpliesthatsettingone’shopesveryhighmayleadtodisappointmentifthedesiredoutcomeisn’tachieved,cautioningagainstexcessiveoptimismwithoutaguaranteeofsuccess.ReferenceanswersovertoyouThat’stheplanraiseyourhopestoomuchgiveitagoActitout6TeachingtipsTcanfirstlyencourageSstoresearchandunderstandtheculturalandhistoricalsignificanceoftheiconicbuildingsintheirhometownandNewYork.Then,Twillguidestudentsinusingvividanddescriptivelanguagetobringtheirhometowntolife.TshouldalsoteachSstheimportanceofactivelisteningduringtheexchange.Theyshouldbeattentivetotheexchangedescriptionsandaskfollow-upquestionstodemonstrateengagementandinterest.Sscantaketurnsplayingtheroleoftheexchangestudent,describingNewYork,andthenswitchtotalkingabouttheirownhometowns.ThavetoprovideconstructivefeedbackonSs’presentationsandencouragepeercritiqueaswell,focusingonbothcontentanddelivery.SampleconversationHere’sasampleconversationbetweenA(Li,ahostfamilymemberfromJinan,ShandongProvince)andB(Taylor,anexchangestudentfromNewYork)duringtheirfirstdinnertogether.A:Welcome,Taylor!We’resoexcitedtohaveyouhere.I’dlovetoshareabitaboutJinan,myhometown.It’snowquiteahistoricalcity,witharichculturalheritage.B:That’sgreat,Li!I’malwaysexcitedtolearnaboutnewplaces.NewYorkisknownforitsskylineandculturaldiversity,butI’meagertohearwhatmakesJinanspecial.A:Well,oneoftheuniquefeaturesofJinanisthe72famoussprings.DamingLakeisthebestplacetogetanideaofthenaturalbeautyandtranquilityofourcity.B:Springsandnaturalbeauty,huh?ThatsoundsreallypeacefulcomparedtothehustleandbustleofNewYork.A:Absolutely.Andwhenitcomestoarchitecture,theDamingLakeareaisthebestplacetogetanideaofJinan’sarchitecturalhistory.YoucanfindamixoftraditionalChinesegardensandmodernbuildingsthere.B:That’sinteresting.NewYorkisalsoacityofcontrasts,withlandmarksliketheEmpireStateBuildingandtheStatueofLiberty,whicharesomeofthemostrecognizablesights.A:I’veseenpictures,andthey’requiteimpressive.Speakingoflandmarks,oneofthelandmarksinJinanistheBaotuSpring.It’ssaidtobeoverathousandyearsoldandisfamousforitsclear,purewater.B:Athousandyearsold?That’sincredible!NewYorkhasitsoldbuildingstoo,butnotquitethatold.TheEmpireStateBuilding,forexample,wasdesignedandbuiltinthe1930sbyShreve,Lamb&HarmonAssociates.A:I’veheardit’sanamazingviewfromthetop.JinanalsohastheThousandBuddhaMountain,whichisabeautifulspotwithacollectionofancientBuddhistcarvings.B:It’sfascinatinghoweachcityhasitsownstorytotellthroughitsarchitectureandnaturalfeatures.I’mlookingforwardtoexperiencingJinan’sstoryfirsthand.A:I’msureyou’llloveit,Taylor.Andwe’reheretomakesureyougetthebestoutofyourstay.Let’sdigintothisdeliciousdinner.It’sasmalltasteofourlocalcuisine!B:Thankyou,Li.Ican’twaittotryitandlearnmoreaboutJinan.OutsideviewBeforeyouwatchReferenceanswers1ThecityofSingapore.2Singapore,thebustlingcapitalcityoftheSoutheastAsianislandnationofSingapore,isathrivingmetropolisknownforitscleanstreets,modernarchitecture,andrichculturaldiversity.Asaglobalfinancialhub,itboastsimpressiveskylines,includingtheiconicMarinaBaySandsandthetoweringSingaporeFlyer.Thecityisaharmoniousblendoftraditionandmodernity,withareaslikeChinatownandLittleIndiaofferingaglimpseintoSingapore’smulticulturalheritage.Singaporeisalsorenownedforitsgreeninitiatives,suchastheGardensbytheBay,whichfeaturesthespectacularSupertreeGrove.Despiteitsurbanlandscape,thecityretainspocketsofnaturalbeauty,includingtheBukitTimahNatureReserveandtheSingaporeBotanicGardens,aUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.ScriptsSingapore.OneofAsia’stopcityattractionsandaquick-developingplaceforbusiness?Singapore!Thecity’sunique,cosmopolitancultureisaharmoniousmarriageoftheoldandthenew.You’llseehigh-risingmodernskyscrapersalongsideheritagebuildingsallaroundthisislandcity.Transportationisalsofastandefficientforthelocalsandtourists.Theaward-winningChangiAirportprovidesconnectionswithover100airlinesflyingtomorethan200citiesaroundtheworld.Becauseofitspro-businessenvironment,morethan7,000multinationalcompaniesmakeSingaporeanoften-visitedcityforwork-relatedtransactions.Forvisitors,Singapore’sattractionliesinitsgoodimpressionasasafe,clean,andefficientplacetobe.OneofthemostpopulartouristspotsistheSingaporeFlyer.Itstandsatastunning165metersandoffersamagnificentviewofthecityscape.Asthewheelturns,you’llgeta360-degreeviewofSingapore’siconicandhistoricallandmarksandviews,fromtheMarinaBaytotheSingaporeRiver,RafflesPlace,MerlionPark,EmpressPlace,andthePadang.Ontheotherhand,setyoursightsonthehistoricalstructuresrestingwithinthemoderncity.TheoldChinesebuildingsinChinatown,Muslimcharacteristic(s)ofKampongGelam,andLittleIndia’sdistrict(LittleIndiadistrict)arestillpopularamongtourists.AlsoknownfortheirhistoryaretheMerlionPark,OldParliamentHouse,NationalMuseum,AsianCivilisationsMuseum,andWWIIsiteslikeBattleBox,ChangiChapelandMuseum,FortSiloso,andKranjiWarMemorial.Visitorsof(to)thecitycanenjoythebestofChinese,Malay,Indian,andEurasianculturesthroughthemanytraditionalandreligiousfestivalsthatfilltheSingaporecalendar.Proofofitsmulticulturalfeatsarethehawkercentersscatteredthroughouttheislandcity.Singapore’sfirst1960s-themedfoodstreet,TheSingaporeFoodTrail,servesupawideselectionoflocalhawkerdelights.Ameltingpotofacity,Singaporeisaplacewhereindividualsofdifferentracesliveharmoniouslytogether.1 Watchthevideoandcompletethefollowingsummary.Singapore,afascinatingplaceinAsia,reflectsaharmonious1) oftheoldandthenew.Itisaunique,cosmopolitancitywherehigh-risingmodernskyscrapersseamlesslycoexistwith2) .Itsefficienttransportsystemandpro-businessenvironmentmakeitanimportantcommercialcenter–morethan3) multinationalcompaniesoperatethere.Otherdiverseattractionsdrawinpeoplefromallovertheworld.Forexample,theSingaporeFlyeroffersa4) ofthecityscape.Visitorscanalsoenjoydifferenthistoricalstructureswithinthis5) ,includingoldbuildingsinChinatown,museums,andWorldWarIIsites.Singaporealsoattractspeoplebecauseofthediverseculturesthrivingthere.Individualsof6) livetogetherharmoniously.Referenceanswersmarriageheritagebuildings3 7,000magnificentmoderncitydifferentraces2 Watchthevideoagain.Check(√)thetruestatementsandcorrectthefalseones.Singapore’sChangiAirportservesasahubforalmost100airlines.TheSingaporeFlyeris165meterstall.VisitorscanexperienceChinese,Indian,andMalayculturesinSingapore.Thehawkercentersareonlysituatedinthecitycenter.Singaporehasafoodstreetwitha1960stheme.ReferenceanswersPAGEPAGE101 ×Singapore’sChangiAirportservesasahubformorethan100airlines.2 √3 √4 ×Thehawkercentersarescatteredthroughouttheislandcity.5 √Higher-orderthinkingTeachingtipsBeforethegroupdiscussion,TcanfirstencourageSstoreviewthevideothoroughlyandtakenotesonthekeypointsthatimpressthemaboutSingapore,includingitsarchitecture,culture,andattractions.TcanprovideSswithguidedquestionstostructuretheirdiscussion,suchas“Whatculturalelementsdoesthevideohighlight?”and“HowdoesthevideopresentSingapore’shistoricalandmodernaspects?”Andthen,TasksSstomakeacomparativeanalysisbetweentheperspectivesintroducedinthevideoandthecharacteristicsoftheirhometown.TshouldalsomonitorthegroupdynamicstoensureallSshaveanopportunitytocontribute.EncouragequieterSstosharetheirviewsandinterveneifanystudentdominatesthediscussion.Afterthediscussion,TasksSstoreflectonwhattheylearnedfromtheirpeersandhowtheirperspectivesontheirhometownmayhavechanged.Referenceanswers1Singapore’suniquecosmopolitanculture,whichharmoniouslymergestheoldandthenew,isstriking.Thecity’sskylineisatestamenttothis,featuringhigh-risingmodernskyscrapersthatcoexistwithpreservedheritagebuildings,showcasingaricharchitecturalhistoryalongsideitsrapiddevelopment.ThisfusionembodiesSingapore’suniquecultureandrepresentsthecity’sabilitytohonoritspastwhileembracingthefuture.2ThevideointroducesthefollowingperspectivesonSingapore.CulturalHarmony:Singaporeisportrayedasacosmopolitancitywheretheoldandthenewcoexist,showcasingablendofmodernskyscrapersandheritagebuildings.BusinessHub:Thecityisdepictedasarapidlydevelopingplaceforbusiness,withapro-businessenvironmentthatattractsover7,000multinationalcompanies.TransportationEfficiency:Singapore’stransportationsystemisemphasizedforitsspeedandefficiency,withChangiAirportprovidingglobalconnectivity.TouristAttractions:ThevideohighlightspopulartouristspotsliketheSingaporeFlyer,whichoffersa360-degreeviewofthecity'siconiclandmarks.HistoricalSignificance:Thecity’shistoricalstructures,includingareaslikeChinatown,KampongGelam,andLittleIndia,arefeatured,emphasizingSingapore'srichhistoryandculturalheritage.CulturalDiversity:Singaporeispresentedasameltingpotofcultures,celebratingChinese,Malay,Indian,andEurasiantraditionsthroughvariousfestivalsandculinaryexperiences.CulinaryScene:Thecity'sfoodcultureisshowcasedthroughhawkercentersandthemedfoodstreets,offeringawideselectionoflocaldelicacies.SafetyandCleanliness:Singaporeleavesapositiveimpressionasasafe,clean,andefficientplacetovisit,enhancingitsappealtotourists.MulticulturalHarmony:Thecityispraisedfortheharmoniouslivingconditionsofindividualsfromdifferentraces,contributingtoitsreputationasaninclusivedestination.CharmofyourhometownShanghaiisavibrantmetropolisthatharmoniouslyblendsthetraditionalandthemodern,offeringarichtapestryofexperiences.TransportationEfficiency:Shanghaiboastsanextensiveandefficientpublictransportationnetwork,includingoneoftheworld’slongestmetrosystemsbyroutelength,makingiteasyforlocalsandtouriststonavigatethecity.TouristAttractions:Thecityishometoiconicattractions,suchastheBund,theLujiazuiskyline,andthehistoricYuGarden.TheOrientalPearlTowerandtheShanghaiToweraremodernarchitecturalmarvelsthathavebecomesymbolsofthecity.BusinessHub:AsthecradleofChina’smodernfinanceindustry,Shanghaiisamajorglobalfinancialhub,hostingnumerousmultinationalcorporationsandplayingakeyroleininternationaltradeandcommerce.SafetyandCleanliness:Shanghaiisknownforitscleanlinessandsafety,makingitanattractivedestinationforbothbusinessandleisuretravelers.CulturalHarmony:ShanghaiisacitywherethetraditionalChineseculturecoexistswithmodernglobalinfluences.Thecity’sneighborhoods,suchastheOldTownandtheFrenchConcession,reflectthisblend,offeringauniqueculturalexperience.Itisalsoreflectedinitsculinaryscene,withawidearrayofinternationalcuisinesavailablealongsidetraditionalChinesedishes.CulturalDiversity:Thecity’sculturaldiversityisevidentinitsvariousdistricts,eachwithitsowndistinctcharacter,andinthemultitudeoffestivalsandeventsthattakeplacethroughouttheyear.ListeningacrossculturesNewsreportScriptsAnewbussystemcalledSuperloopwasunveiledonTuesday.ThissystemwillhelppeopleinouterLondoncopewiththeexpansionoftheUltraLowEmissionZone(ULEZ).TheSuperloopwillmaketravelingaroundthecitymoreconvenient,anditwillalsocontributetowardmakingLondonmoreenvironmentallyfriendly.Thenewbusnetwork,whichincludes10limited-stopexpressbusroutescoveringoverfourmillionkilometers,willlinkouterLondontowncenters,railwaystations,hospitals,andtransporthubs.Itispartofasix-million-poundinvestmentinouterLondonbusservicesalongsidetheexpansionoftheULEZtotheGreaterLondonboundary.AnofficeratTransportforLondondescribedSuperloopas“thejewelinthecrowninourplanstostrengthenalternativestotheprivatecar.”ThenewtransportsystemisexpectedtobeagamechangerforouterLondon.1Answers1B 2APassageScriptsHelloeveryone,andwelcomebackto“CityChronicles,”yourgo-toshowforthemostenthrallingtalesofurbanhistory.I’myourhost,John.Intoday’surbanexploration,we’lltakeamagicalstrollthroughtheancientcityofPetra.Imagineacitycarvedrightintothecliffs–thisplaceisreal,andit’scalledPetra,acitybuiltbytheNabataeanpeopleinthe4thcenturyB.C.Locatedinpresent-dayJordan,about240kilometerssouthofJerusalemandAmman,PetraissituatedhalfwaybetweenDamascusandtheRedSea.Itsstrategiclocationmadeitaperfecttradecenterforancientmerchants.NamedaUNESCOWorldHeritageSitein1985,Petrahaswowedpeopleacrosstheglobebecauseofitsmagnificentarchitecturecutstraightintotherockfacethere.Italsohasaningenioussystemforcollecting,storing,andmanagingwater.Petraisinaspotwithlotsofjaggedmountains,whichmadeitanunlikelyplacetobuildanidealcity.However,theNabataeanswereprettyclever.Theycarvedtheirbreathtakingcityrightoutofthestone.Thestoneispink,whichiswhypeoplecallitthe“RoseCity.”Overtime,asthecityevolved,thearchitecturewasalsoinfluencedbyRomanandByzantinestyles.Livinginadesertmeansnotmuchwaterisavailable,buttheNabataeanswereexcellentancientengineers.Theybuiltasystemofpipes,dams,andwatercontainerstocollect,store,anddistributewaterfromnaturalspringsandrainwater.Thesystemprovidedasteadywatersupplytoapopulationofaround30,000peoplecontinuallyandconsistentlythroughouteachyear.Sadly,acoupleofbigearthquakesinthefourthandsixthcenturiesledtoPetra’sdecline.Bythebeginningofthe8thcenturyA.D.,thecitywasmostlydesertedandalmostforgotten.Untilitwasrediscoveredin1812byaSwisstraveler,itremainedunknowntotheWesternworld.Today,Petra’sgotitsgrooveback,withthousandsofvisitorsfromeverycorneroftheplanet.In2022alone,accordingtothePetraDevelopmentandTourismRegionAuthority,over905,000peoplecametoexperiencethisancientwonder.That’sitforthisepisodeof“CityChronicles.”I’mJohn,yourstorytellingguide.Joinmenexttimewhenwe’llunlockmoresecretsofcitieslostintime!AdditionalactivityAfterreviewingtheprovidedlisteningmaterial,TshouldpromptSstocontemplateanddiscussthedistinctivefeaturesorthe“heartbeat”oftheirhometown.Thisreflectionshouldencompassvariousaspectsthatdefinetheessenceoftheircityortown.Forexample:HistoricalandCulturalSignificance:Sscanconsiderthehistoricalbackgroundandculturalheritagethatgivestheirhometownitsuniquecharacter;NaturalBeautyandScenicSpots:Thediscussioncanincludethenaturallandscapes,parks,oranyscenicspotsthatarerenownedintheirhometown;ModernLifestyle:Ssshouldalsoreflectonthemodernfacetsoftheirhometown,suchascontemporaryarchitecture,technologicaladvancements,andurbanlife.TshouldencourageSstospeakopenlyabouttheirhometown,allowingthemtosharepersonalanecdotes,experiences,andsentimentsthatcapturethespiritoftheplace.Tomaketheactivitymoreengaging,Tcanorganizeavotingsessionwhereeachstudentpresentstheirhometownandtheclassvotesforthecitytheyfindthemostappealingorwouldliketovisit.TcanfosteradynamicandinteractiveclassroomenvironmentwhereSscanproudlysharetheheartbeatoftheirhometownwhilelearningaboutthediverseculturallandscapesoftheirpeers.SampleanswersChengdu:Knownasthehomeofthegiantpandas,Chengduisacitythatpulseswitharelaxedandfriendlyvibe.It’saplacewheretr