Describing a town or city

Caernarfon is a town in the south / north of Wales. It is located on the shore / in land. It is 10 miles east / west of the nearest city, Bangor. It's a small / medium-sized / large town and it has a population of about 10,000 people. It's famous for its castle and historic town centre.

Now make a similar short paragraph about a town / city that you know well

What's it like?

Here, like is not a verb. When we ask What is he / she / it like? we really mean, describe him / her / it to me or tell me about him / her / it.

- What do you like?

- I like literature and sports.

- What are you like?

- I think I'm quite friendly and hardworking.

Match the town/city adjectives to their definitions

1. overcrowded

2. dirty

3. noisy

4. modern

5. lively

6. dangerous

a) you can often hear a lot of unpleasant things

b) there's a lot of energy and things to do

c) it's possible that someone will steal your wallet

d) there are too many people

e) there's a lot of rubbish / trash on the streets

f) the buildings are new and the infrastructure is good

Now match the adjectives with their opposites

1. overcrowded

2. dirty

3. noisy

4. modern

5. lively

6. dangerous

a) old-fashioned / historic

b) boring

c) clean

d) empty / deserted

g) safe

h) quiet / calm / peaceful

What's Caernarfon like?

In general, Caernarfon is a very peaceful place, but it's not boring. At the weekend, it can be quite lively. It isn't dangerous at all and it's very clean. It's a historic town with a lot of old buildings.

Your turn!

what can you see there?

chapel / castle / supermarket / bridge / mosque / fountain / market / lake / palace / bookshop / temple / harbour / statue / synagogue / hill / shopping centre / ruins / church / canal / museum / cathedral / city walls / bakery / tower / department store / shrine / town hall / souvenir shop / monument / river / bazaar / shopping street

Religious buildings

Places where you can buy smth

Historic buildings / sights

other

What can you see in Caernarfon?

There is a famous castle in the town, and there are some old city walls. There is a harbour near the castle, and there is a river nearby. There are some small shops where you can buy souvenirs, and there is a market where you can buy local food. There is a church in the town, and there are some cafés and restaurants. There aren't any large shopping centres, but there are some beautiful streets to walk along. Caernarfon is a great place to learn about Welsh history.

Your turn

There is a + singular countable noun (park / castle)

There is some + singular uncountable noun (pollution / danger)

There are some + plural countable noun (banks / shops)

There isn't any + singular countable noun (pollution / danger)

There aren't any + plural countable noun (banks / shops)

There ...

chapel / castle / supermarket / bridge / mosque / fountain / market / lake / palace / bookshop / temple / harbour / statue / synagogue / hill / shopping centre / ruins / church / canal / museum / cathedral / city walls / bakery / tower / department store / shrine / town hall / souvenir shop / monument / river / bazaar / shopping street

Now take a look at my text about Caernarfon all put together.

I've also added a final paragraph.

What is the purpose of the final paragraph?

Caernarfon

Caernarfon is a town in the north of Wales. It is located on the shore. It is 10 miles west of the nearest city, Bangor. It's a small town and it has a population of about 10,000 people. It's famous for its castle and historic town centre.

In general, Caernarfon is a very peaceful place, but it's not boring. At the weekend, it can be quite lively. It isn't dangerous at all and it's very clean. It's a historic town with a lot of old buildings.

There is a famous castle in the town, and there are some old city walls. There is a harbour near the castle, and there is a river nearby. There are some small shops where you can buy souvenirs, and there is a market where you can buy local food. There is a church in the town, and there are some cafés and restaurants. There aren't any large shopping centres, but there are some beautiful streets to walk along. Caernarfon is a great place to learn about Welsh history.

I like Caernarfon because it really feels like a Welsh town. A lot of people speak Welsh there - you can hear it on the streets, in shops and in pubs. It also has beautiful views of the sea and a real sense of history!

I'll now put your text together.

Write your own final paragraph to finish

Now read about 4 more lesser-known towns in the UK. Which sound the most interesting for you?

1. Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Hay-on-Wye is a small town in Wales, near the border with England. It is famous for its bookshops. There are some shops that sell old books, and there is a castle in the town. Some parts of the castle are now ruins. There are also some lovely old streets to explore. You can walk along the River Wye or enjoy the countryside. Every year, there is a famous book festival. Writers come to talk about their books, and visitors come from many different places. Hay-on-Wye is a great place for people who love books, history and walking.

2. Clovelly, England

Clovelly is a small village in Devon, in the south-west of England. It is famous for its steep streets and beautiful sea views. There are some pretty white houses with flowers outside, and there is an old harbour near the sea. There aren't any cars on the main street because it is too narrow and steep. In the past, people used donkeys to carry things up and down the hill. Today, you can walk through the village, visit small shops and enjoy the views. You can also walk along the coast. Clovelly is a lovely place for people who enjoy nature and old buildings.

3. Cromarty, Scotland

Cromarty is a small town in Scotland, near the city of Inverness. It is a quiet place with old houses and narrow streets. There is a museum in an old building, and there are some interesting historic houses to see. Cromarty is also a good place to enjoy nature. You can walk along the coast and look at the sea. If you are lucky, you might see dolphins in the water! There are some small cafés where you can have a drink or something to eat. Cromarty is a good choice for people who want to visit a quiet Scottish town and enjoy beautiful views.

4. Ludlow, England

Ludlow is a small town in Shropshire, near the border between England and Wales. It is famous for its old buildings and local food. There is a large castle near the town centre, and there are some beautiful old churches. You can walk through the historic streets and visit the market, where people sell food and other things. There are also some small independent shops and cafés. If you enjoy walking, you can explore the countryside near the River Teme. Ludlow also has food festivals during the year. It is a great place for people who like history, shopping and trying different foods.

Discussion

Which of the places would you most like to visit?

In general, do you think it's nice to explore smaller, more local places, or go to big cities with more attractions?

What are some smaller / lesser-known places in your country that you think tourists should visit?