Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a pub crawl
    • ex. The tourists joined a pub crawl to explore different bars in the city.
  2. a ban
    • ex. The city council announced a ban on smoking in public parks.
  3. enforce
    • ex. The police enforce the laws to keep everyone safe.
  4. a violator
    • ex. The police officer stopped the car of a traffic violator.
  5. fine
    • ex. The driver was fined by the police officer for parking in the wrong place.

Article

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Prague, a city in the Czech Republic, has decided to ban organized pub crawls, which have become a popular activity for tourists. Last year, over 7 million tourists visited Prague. Many of them joined the organized pub crawls in the historic old town. While these pub crawls help bars earn money, they have also caused problems for the local people, such as loud noises at night and garbage on the streets.

The ban on pub crawls began this month. The goal of the ban is to reduce noise and keep people in the city safe. According to city council member Adam Zabransky, the ban is not meant to stop people from enjoying drinks but to reduce the negative effects of “alco-tourism” in Prague. City police will enforce the ban from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Violators can be fined up to 100,000 koruna (about ¥650,000). The city government wants to encourage visitors to enjoy Prague’s rich history and culture and not just visit bars. However, some groups that organize pub crawls believe the ban could make things worse, arguing that their guides help keep the city safe and peaceful.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Activities for Tourists

  • Would you like to join an organized pub crawl? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What are some popular tourist activities in your country? Discuss.
  • Name a country that you would like to visit. What types of activities would you like to experience as a tourist there? Discuss.

Peace and Safety in Cities/Towns

  • Describe the peace and safety in your city/town. Discuss.
  • How can city governments improve public order and safety? Discuss.
  • Organized pub crawls for tourists in Prague have caused problems for the local people. In your city/town, are tourists causing similar problems? Why do you say so? Discuss.