Armchair Traveler: Los Angeles (California, US)

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. distinctive / dɪˈstɪŋk tɪv / (adj.) – having a unique quality that makes someone or something different from the rest
    Example:

    The distinctive smell of my mom’s cooking makes me feel warm and happy.


  2. lose (oneself) in (something) / luz ɪn / (idiom) – to completely give one’s attention to something, to the point of not noticing or caring about anything else
    Example:

    It’s impossible to talk to him when he’s reading a good book. He loses himself in interesting stories.


  3. just around the corner / dʒʌst əˈraʊnd ðə ˈkɔrnər / (idiom) – used to say that something is near or close by
    Example:

    The famous bakeshop is just around the corner.


  4. out of the question / aʊt əv ðə ˈkwɛs tʃən / (idiom) – used to say that something isn’t allowed or is unacceptable
    Example:

    Bringing uninvited guests to the event is out of the question.


  5. be blown away / bɪ bloʊn əˈweɪ / (idiom) – to be very impressed by someone or something
    Example:

    I was blown away by the band’s awesome performance. No wonder they have so many fans.


Article

Read the text below.

Los Angeles: home of Hollywood, struggling actors and more attractions than an army could count on all their fingers and toes.


Start at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, where the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures recently opened. Enter the distinctive ball-shaped building and lose yourself in movie magic. Look behind the scenes to learn how Hollywood makes its films, and about its global impact.


Just around the corner, there are some remarkable public art pieces. Levitated Mass is a 340-ton boulder sitting above a sunken walkway. Walk right under it without fear. Urban Light is a collection of restored street lamps from the 1920s and ’30s.


Next, head to the La Brea Tar Pits. In the Ice Age, animals wandered into these pits, got stuck in the asphalt and died. Thousands of years later, scientists pulled out their bones to study them. Now families come to the museum here to gaze at these amazing fossils.


Everyone wants to get up close to the Hollywood sign, but that’s out of the question. However, you can hike close enough to get a good photo. From the Griffith Observatory car park, take the 5-km loop trail for a great view of the sign.


Griffith Park, which contains the sign, has a bunch more trails with commanding views of the sprawling city below. Visit at night for the best views.


Back at the car park, take a look through Griffith Observatory and be blown away by the amazing universe we live in. You could spend hours wandering around the many exhibits, and the statue of Albert Einstein is a magnet for holiday snaps. (T)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Many actors aim to be featured in a Hollywood film. Do you think being part of a Hollywood film is a good measure of success for an actor? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In what ways do you think Hollywood has impacted the global film industry? With the increasing popularity of streaming platforms, which feature films from all over the world, do you think the impact of Hollywood is still the same now? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • People immediately identify Hollywood as part of Los Angeles. What do you think is the best landmark or tourist attraction that your hometown can be identified by? Why? Discuss.
  • Los Angeles is home to many museums and public art pieces. Would you like to visit these? Which do you prefer: a city with lots of museums or a nature tour? Why? Discuss.