A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

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A travel guide

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Read a travel guide about Bangkok to practise and improve your reading skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

Whether you're travelling to the islands or the mountains of Thailand, you're likely to
spend at least one night in its capital city on the way. Bangkok might be noisy and
polluted but it's also an exciting city with plenty of things to see and do. Why not make
it a longer stay?

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/a-travel-guide[27/10/2020 12:32:27 p.m.]

A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

Where to stay
The Khao San Road was a famous traveller spot even before Leonardo di Caprio's
character in the film The Beach stayed there. But it's noisy, not very pretty and not
very Thai. For something more authentic, Phra Kanong offers an alternative place to
stay, with its fantastic street markets where everyday Bangkok people eat, work and
live. It's not as convenient for the main tourist sites, but it has a Skytrain station so
you can be at the Grand Palace in 20 minutes.

How to get around

Bangkok's traffic can be a nightmare. Sure, you can easily take a taxi – if you want to
spend hours stuck in traffic jams – but there are two much better ways to get around
the city. To explore the temples and historical sites, catch an express boat river taxi or
a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya river and the canals. For the modern part of the
city, the Skytrain is a fast, cheap way to travel from the river to the shopping malls
and nightlife of Sukhumvit, and the famous Chatuchak street market.

Where to eat
The simple answer is: everywhere! Thai street food is among the best in the world,
and for around $5 you can eat a filling and delicious meal. Some food stands have little
plastic seats where you can sit and eat and they cook the same dish over and over,
like fried chicken on rice or Pad Thai noodles. Head for Chinatown – Yaowarat Street –
and choose whatever looks most interesting from the many excellent Chinese and Thai
restaurants and food stands.  

What to do
After you've seen the main sites like the Giant Buddha at the temple of Wat Pho and
the spectacular Grand Palace, and shopped at Chatuchak market, check out the snake
farm and watch the live snake show. You can even touch a snake yourself if you want
to!

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/a-travel-guide[27/10/2020 12:32:27 p.m.]

A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

Would you like to visit Bangkok? Why or why not?

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Worksheet

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Language level

Intermediate: B1

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Comments
Lilly098

replied on 22 October, 2020 - 02:56 Japan

I would love to visit Thailand. Because my friend works in Bangkok. She always tell me that people in Thai
are very lovely and food is amazing. I want to get to know more about their culture. Hopefully, I will visit for
my honeymoon in a couple years!

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habibao.medo

replied on 19 October, 2020 - 08:41 Egypt

I really like travelling but i don't think i would choose Bangkok cause i don't like temples and historic places
also i really don't like street food i eat it only if i know it's taste . i would prefer going to Korea instead i like
the coffees there, the Korean make up ,masks and a lot more

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Sankhongduong

replied on 28 September, 2020 - 01:54 South Africa

This is smart skill for me if I can go to Thailand

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samuelito

replied on 24 September, 2020 - 17:06 Colombia

would you like to travel to bangkok

Bangkok has been characterized as a city that has a wide variety of culture and gastronomy and that
without a doubt I would love to visit and explore all its culture and its amazing landscapes, but one of the

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/a-travel-guide[27/10/2020 12:32:27 p.m.]

A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

reasons I would not travel is because of overcrowding with which the city of Bangkok has.

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Hnin Ei Khing

replied on 17 September, 2020 - 07:47 Myanmar

I love travelling. If i get a chance to travel, i would like to visit there go shopping to night market, enjoy
with Thai street foods.

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Camilaaa

replied on 16 September, 2020 - 05:44 Colombia

If I would like to visit Bangkok, it seems like a nice place, I would love to try their food, and get to know
their cultures.

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danisep

replied on 11 September, 2020 - 22:05 Colombia

Yes I would like to visit Bangkok one day, I don't know a lot about this country till now that I read this text,
but I have heard that its food is so delicious and its culture is super interesting, I wish someday to visit it
this and other places from Asia.

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Roblox

replied on 7 September, 2020 - 16:42 United States

Why you more focused on giving questions on the set of the location. I don't see here that it will help us to
improve our reading.

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Peter M.

replied on 8 September, 2020 - 08:06 Poland

Hello Roblox,
Thanks for your feedback.
There are many skills involved in reading and we try to include a range of these in the tasks we provide
for each text. Some tasks are focused on searching for specific information in a text, others on
interpreting the author's meaning, others on vocabulary, others on style etc.
 
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team

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https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/a-travel-guide[27/10/2020 12:32:27 p.m.]

A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

Rinaa

replied on 3 September, 2020 - 19:57 Albania

Yes, I would love to visit Bangkok. It's a huge city with many interesting places to see. Its well knows for
cheap and delicious street food and historical temples. Also these days, travel companies are offering
attractive prices for visiting Bangkok.

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A travel guide | Reading - Intermediate B1 | British Council

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https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/a-travel-guide[27/10/2020 12:32:27 p.m.]