What do you know about one of the biggest cities in the USA? Watch the video to get an overview of the City of Angels.
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Read the text and fill in the right missing word.
population founded wealthy Angelenos landmarks contains inhabitants afford
Whatever your version of the American Dream is, Los Angeles will make it real for you because it has something for everybody. Los Angeles is a city situated in California and it is the second largest city in the US with about 4 million ______________. Unlike New York, where people decided to build “up”, in LA they decided to build across and as a result it takes hours to drive from one side of the city to the other. The city has one of the world’s largest road systems and it has over 100 districts; from famous residential areas of Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Bel Air, Malibu and Santa Monica, where ______________ people live in prosperity in their grand mansions, to the poor African-American and Hispanic districts dominated by violence and poverty.
LA has always been a multi-ethnic city and the ______________ is still growing as people come from inside the US and other remote countries attracted by the warm climate and many job opportunities.
Because it’s is so big, you really need a car or a motorbike to get around and that’s one of the two major problems in LA. The pollution caused by cars gets worse by the cool air that blows from the Pacific Ocean bringing the fog to the land and the rocky cliffs keep the terrible smog in the city. Despite that, the car is a significant mean of transportation in LA and ______________ consider you crazy if you walk. Another problem is the high percentage of crime in Los Angeles. There are over 1,100 street gangs with over 150,000 members from all racial groups. Members join gangs because they are attracted by the power and money being in a gang can have. The people who live here can’t be proud of seven murders a day.
Downtown LA is the most important part of the city. It is a busy area with high towers, tall skyscrapers, busy streets and lively shops. It’s where you’ll find some of the best posh restaurants in the city and numerous dishes to enjoy and explore, if you can ______________ them.
But the most famous part of Los Angeles is definitely Hollywood where the American movie industry is based. Here you’ll find some of LA’s most famous sights and ______________ including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the unforgettable Hollywood sign on top of the mountain Lee. The American film industry moved to LA attracted by the sunny weather, the quality of light and the beautiful scenery that helped them film outdoor scenes. The 1930s and 1940s were Hollywood’s “Golden Age”. Big filming studios were ______________ here and Hollywood became the centre of entertainment. A great part of the film industry has since moved out of Hollywood but it's still a place where thousands of actors and singers spend the day trying to make a fortune by taking a shortcut to success.
LA is also very famous for its beautiful and sandy beaches. One of the best places to stay by the beach is Santa Monica. Along with Disneyland, it’s the top choice for families visiting Los Angeles. It ______________ a wide choice of family-friendly activities, from the Santa Monica Pier to the Farmer’s Market. Here you can see lively street performers, from musicians to artists, and enjoy one of the best sunsets along the California coast.
Do you recognize the famous attractions and places in LA?
Are the statements true (T) or false (F)? Read the text again and circle the right answer.
a) LA is a quiet and safe place. T F
b) The sun is always shining in LA. T F
c) LA is located at the west coast. T F
d) A lot of Latinos live in the city. T F
e) Everybody has a car in LA. T F
f) There is no film industry in LA anymore. T F
Find in the text the words and expressions that mean the following:
a) located, based _________________________
b) damage caused to water, air, etc. _________________________
c) having money and a good life _________________________
d) glamorous and fancy _________________________
e) the centre of the city _________________________
f) a large, impressive house. _________________________
g) very important _________________________
Find evidence in the text for these statements:
a) You can eat well in LA.
b) There is a big difference between social classes in LA.
c) Los Angeles covers a huge area of land.
d) People want to live in LA.
Answer the questions about the text.
a) Why was the film industry based in LA?
b) What are the reasons for getting into a gang?
c) Why is LA considered a city of violence?
d) How can a person get rich in LA?
e) What are the two biggest problems in LA?
Imagine that you are visiting Los Angeles right now. Write a postcard to your friends or family and describe them your holiday trip.
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