Slide 1
Top Historical Sites You Have to Visit!
ARTICLES WITH LANDMARKS
GRAMMAR EXERCISES
SPEAKING
WRITING
Top 11 Historical Sites You Have to Visit!
The lesson is video-based and is mostly focused on teaching the correct usage of articles before the names of landmarks ("the" or "no article") in a practical, real-world context. To achieve this, students watch the given videos, do some gap-fill exercises, correct the mistakes, do reordering and other tasks, and then apply their knowledge in speaking (giving directions, etc.) and writing practice. Students also build their knowledge of major historical sites, for example, in Paris, New York, and Dubai.
by Alena Katurina
video-based, giving directions, speaking, writing about landmarks, traveling
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What’s in this lesson
Every slide, written out. The lesson itself is a board you present and annotate.
Slide 2
1. Watch the video.
Which landmark did you like most?
2. Watch the video again.
Cross out the historical sites named in it. Two of them are odd.
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Slide 3
3. "THE" or "NO ARTICLE" (-)?
Watch the video or read the transcript to check yourself.
_
____ Notre-Dame Cathedral
The
____ Eiffel Tower
____ Champs-Élysées
"Champs = Fields"
____ Château de Vincennes
"Château de... = Castle of..."
____ Montmartre
____ Latin Quarter
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Slide 4
GRAMMAR
Complete the rule with "THE" or "NO ARTICLE" (-).
Add your example under each rule:
We use ________ when there's:
We use ________ when there's:
[NAME/NOUN] + [Building/museum/tower/etc.]
• ___Empire State (building)
• ___Eiffel Tower
• ____________________________
[NOUN] + OF + [Place/thing]
• ___Statue of Liberty
• ___Tower of London
• ____________________________
[ADJECTIVE] + [Noun]
• ___Latin Quarter
• ___Winter Palace
• ____________________________
PLURAL LANDMARKS [Fields/lakes/avenues/etc.]
• ___Champs-Élysées
• ___Great Lakes
• ____________________________
[PROPER NAME/PLACE] + [District/palace/city/country/cathedral/etc. ]
• ___Montmartre (district)
• ___Notre-Dame (cathedral)
• ____________________________
Keep in mind some exceptions:
• Big Ben (tower)
• Tokyo Tower (tower)
• The Bronx (district)
• The Vatican (country)
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Slide 5
EXERCISES
1. Fill in the blanks with "THE" or "NO ARTICLE" (-)
Curious about the secret to the best day in New York?
Start in 1.__Midtown Manhattan at 2.__ United Nations Headquarters along the East River, then head straight to 3.__ Chrysler Building with its gorgeous Art Deco interior.
Take a slight detour to Times Square and Broadway and grab a ticket to a trending show. Continue along Fifth Avenue to enjoy the Gothic beauty of 4.__St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Next, wander up to 5.__ Metropolitan Museum of Art to discover world treasures, and take a shortcut through Central Park to reach the spiritual grandeur of 6.__ Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Finally, hop on the subway to 7.__ Bronx and immerse yourself in the serenity of 8.__ New York Botanical Garden.
2. Look at the landmarks in green. What other article rules can you infer?
#NYC #NewYorkCity #TravelGram #LearnEnglish #ESL #NYCGuide #ExploreNYC
"THE" + _______________________________________
"NO ARTICLE" (-) _______________________________
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Slide 6
Speaking
1. Guess the landmarks from their pictures. Which of those have you visited?
1.___________of______________
2._________________________
3._________________________
4._________________________
5._________________________
6._________________________
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Slide 7
Speaking
A - the Arc de Triomphe
B - the Eiffel Tower
C - the Champ-de-Mars
D - the Champs-Élysées
E - the Grand Palais
F - the Pont Alexandre III
G - the Hôtel des Invalides
H - the Place de la Concorde
I - the Tuileries Gardens
J - the Musée d'Orsay
2. Look at the map of Paris and give directions.
Example:
Q: How can I get to the Arc de Triomphe?
A: Cross the Seine and head north along Avenue Marceau.
Q: Where's the Eiffel Tower?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: Is the Hôtel des Invalides far from here?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: Where's the Grand Palais located?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: How can I get to the Musée d'Orsay?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: Is there any garden with a fountain nearby?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: Which is closer to us, the Champs-Élysées or the Champ de Mars?
A: ________________________________________________
Q: Is there any famous bridge around?
A: ________________________________________________
You are
here
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Slide 8
Homework
1. There are 10 mistakes in this text. Find and correct them. The first one is done for you:
My first visit to the UAE was the most memorable because I had never been abroad before. I rented an apartment in the glamorous district named a Dubai Marina and was ready for an adventurous vacation.
I began with Dubai Fountain, enjoying its breathtaking choreographed show, and then went up a Burj Khalifa. This tower is special because it is the tallest building in the world. From the 124th floor, I was even able to see World Islands! After that, I couldn’t pass up a visit to a Dubai Mall for luxury shopping — no trip to the Dubai would be complete without it.
For a cultural experience, I explored Museum of the Future and a Louvre in an Abu Dhabi. It was a great addition to my trip because I love both futuristic innovation and classical art.
2. Write sentences. Add "THE" or keep "NO ARTICLE" (-). Watch the video to check the answers.
1. the construction of Taj Mahal/needed for building/1,000 elephants were used in/for hauling the materials
________________________________________________________________________
2. found in Chinese cuisine/were held together with/the bricks for Great Wall of China/grout made from sticky rice
________________________________________________________________________
3. as it was built higher/originally tilted north but shifted south/and the weight increased/Leaning Tower of Pisa
________________________________________________________________________
4. has never been rung due to the damage/the world’s largest bell/during construction/Tsar Bell located in Kremlin
________________________________________________________________________
5. built in Wembley Park/Watkins Tower, England’s incomplete/was eventually demolished due to instability/rival to Eiffel Tower
________________________________________________________________________
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Slide 9
Homework
3. Fill the blanks with "THE" or "NO ARTICLE" (-). Then, guess the country.
1._____________________
2._____________________
_____________________
3._____________________
This country is known as 'the land of fire and ice.' It is home to numerous volcanoes, glaciers, and hot springs. Notable landmarks include ___Hallgrimskirkja, a Lutheran church in ___Reykjavik, its capital, and ___Golden Circle, a popular tourist route.
This diverse country is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and significant hominid discoveries. Be sure to visit ___Cradle of Humankind, which highlights ancient findings, and ___Voortrekker Monument, a massive monolith honoring Afrikaner history.
This is the second-largest country in the world. ___Niagara Falls, located in ___Ontario on the border with the United States, is perhaps its most famous landmark. ___CN Tower in ___Toronto is also a defining national symbol.
4. What landmarks in your country are the most attractive? Write a short travel guide describing them.
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Slide 10
Paris in 5 Minutes: Top 11 Historical Sites You Have to Visit! (transcript)
Chapter 1
Paris, the City of Light, is brimming with history at every corner. Today, we will explore some of the most iconic historical landmarks ranked by their proximity to one another. If you're planning a visit, this guide will help you make the most of your time.
Chapter 2: Eiffel Tower
Our first stop is the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair. At 324 meters tall, it was once the tallest building in the world. Today, it is a world-famous symbol of France and a great place to start your journey.
Chapter 3: Arc de Triomphe
From the Eiffel Tower, it’s about a 25-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées. Built by Napoleon in 1806, this monument honors those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Under its arches lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to French soldiers who died in battle.
Chapter 4: Louvre Museum
Next, take a 30-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre Museum. This building was first a medieval fortress, then a royal palace, and finally became an art museum in 1793. It is home to more than 35,000 works of art, including the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and is the largest art museum in the world.
Chapter 5: Notre-Dame Cathedral
A 20-minute walk from the Louvre will take you to Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité. Finished in 1345, this Gothic church has been a symbol of Paris for centuries. After a fire in 2019 destroyed parts of the roof and spire, it was rebuilt and reopened in December 2024. It remains one of Europe’s most impressive churches.
Chapter 6: Sainte-Chapelle
Just a 5-minute walk from Notre-Dame are two landmarks: Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie. Sainte-Chapelle, built in 1248, is famous for its colorful stained-glass windows.
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Slide 11
Chapter 7: Conciergerie
Next door, the Conciergerie was once a royal palace and later a prison during the French Revolution. It is known for holding Marie Antoinette before her execution in 1793.
Chapter 8: Pantheon
Cross the river into the Latin Quarter, and you’ll find the Pantheon, a 15-minute walk from the Île de la Cité. Built in 1790, it was originally a church and is now a resting place for some of France’s greatest figures, like Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie.
Chapter 9: Catacombs of Paris
For something a little darker, take a 10-minute metro ride from the Pantheon to the Catacombs of Paris. Created in the late 1700s to deal with crowded cemeteries, these underground tunnels hold the bones of more than six million people.
Chapter 10: Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Next, head north to Montmartre. A 30-minute metro ride from the Pantheon will bring you to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, sitting on the highest hill in Paris. Built between 1875 and 1914, its bright white stone makes it stand out, even on cloudy days. From here, you can enjoy amazing views of Paris and the artistic charm of Montmartre.
Chapter 11: Château de Vincennes
For a look at medieval history, go outside the city center to the Château de Vincennes. Built in the 14th century, this fortress once housed French kings and is one of the best-preserved castles in France.
Chapter 12: Palace of Versailles
Finally, take a one-hour train ride from the city center to the Palace of Versailles. Built by Louis XIV in the 17th century, it showcases the splendor of the French monarchy. Don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 to end World War I.
From Gothic churches and medieval castles to underground tunnels and royal palaces, Paris is filled with incredible history. Which landmark are you most excited to visit?
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Slide 12
Answer key
Page 1, Ex. 2
Odd sites:
Moulin Rouge
Les Invalides
Page 2, Ex. 3
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Eiffel Tower
The Champs-Élysées
The Château de Vincennes
Montmartre
The Latin Quarter
Grammar, Page 2: more examples:
"THE"
The Lotte World (tower)
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The White House
The Spanish Steps
"NO ARTICLE"
Chinatown (district)
Page 4, Ex. 1,2
1. Midtown Manhattan
2. The United Nations Headquarters
3. The Chrysler Building
4. St. Patrick’s Cathedral
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
6. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
7. The Bronx
8. The New York Botanical Garden
THE + East River
NO ARTICLE (-) New York / Times Square / Broadway / Fifth Avenue / Central Park
Page 5, Ex. 1
1. The Statue of Liberty
2. The pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx
3. The Forbidden City
4. The Burj Khalifa
5. Florence Cathedral
6. The Taj Mahal
Page 6, Ex. 2
Q: Where’s the Eiffel Tower?
A: It’s on the Champ de Mars, right by the Seine. Turn left, walk along Quai Branly, and you’ll see it.
Q: Is the Hôtel des Invalides far from here?
A: No, it’s not. Turn right, go along Quai d’Orsay towards the Pont Alexandre III, then turn right onto Avenue du Maréchal.
Q: Where’s the Grand Palais located?
A: It’s across the river. Turn right, walk along Quai d’Orsay towards the Pont Alexandre III, then cross it.
Q: How can I get to the Musée d’Orsay?
A: Turn right, go along Quai d’Orsay, past the Pont Alexandre III, and keep walking for a couple more minutes.
Q: Is there any garden with a fountain nearby?
A: Yes, there are the Tuileries Gardens on the other side of the river. Turn right, go along Quai d’Orsay towards the Pont Alexandre III, then cross it and turn right. Walk along Cours La Reine towards the Place de la Concorde—the largest square in the city, with a spectacular fountain. The garden is right behind it.
Q: Which is closer to us, the Champs-Élysées or the Champ de Mars?
A: The Champ de Mars is closer. Turn left, walk along Quai Branly to the Eiffel Tower. Then head south. The field is right behind the tower.
Q: Is there any famous bridge around?
A: Yes, the Pont Alexandre III is nearby. It’s one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris. Turn right, go along Quai d’Orsay and you'll see it
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Slide 13
Answer key
Page 7, Ex. 1
1. the UAE
2. Dubai Marina
3. the Dubai Fountain
4. the Burj Khalifa
5. the World Islands
6. the Dubai Mall (or Dubai Mall)
7. Dubai
8. the Museum of the Future
9. the Louvre
10. Abu Dhabi
Page 7, Ex. 2
• 1,000 elephants were used in the construction of the Taj Mahal for hauling the materials needed for building.
• The bricks for the Great Wall of China were held together with grout made from sticky rice found in Chinese cuisine.
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa originally tilted north but shifted south as it was built higher, and the weight increased.
• The world’s largest bell – the Tsar Bell located in the Kremlin - has never been rung due to the damage during construction.
• The Watkins Tower, England’s incomplete rival to the Eiffel Tower, built in Wembley Park, was eventually demolished due to instability.
Page 8, Ex. 3
1. Iceland
Hallgrimskirkja
Reykjavik
The Golden Circle
2. South Africa
The Cradle of Humankind
The Voortrekker Monument
3. Canada
Niagara Falls
Ontario
The CN Tower
Toronto
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