The Great British Seaside

3 Leggi i brani e rispondi alle domande.

Brighton is a famous British seaside resort on the south coast of England. It’s one of Britain’s most popular resorts! Visit Brighton’s historic pier! It’s one of Britain’s prettiest piers, and it’s more than 100 years old. You can buy souvenirs and eat fantastic fish and chips. There’s something for everyone. You can play games and go on rides, and in the evening there are concerts and comedy shows. Don’t forget the Royal Pavilion! This royal palace is more than 200 years old. You can visit this beautiful building and its gardens, and learn about its history. Brighton has lots of colourful beach huts – a symbol of the British seaside! You can use them to get changed… or to escape from the rain!

Glossary rides montagne russe beach huts cabine sulla spiaggia get changed cambiarvi

1 Where is Brighton? 2 How old is Brighton Pier? 3 What can you do on the pier? 4 How old is the Royal Pavilion?

Go Live! Level 2 Culture E, pp.216–217 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE Hi, Luke! We’re having a great time in Weston. We arrived yesterday. This morning we went to the beach, but we had a shock! It was low tide, and at low tide you can’t see the sea… only an enormous beach! Dad says the tides depend on the moon and gravity. This afternoon, at high tide, the sea came back and the beach disappeared. Tomorrow morning we’re going to the pier. Then we’re going swimming… at high tide, of course! See you soon, Ben

Glossary low tide bassa marea high tide alta marea

5 What does the tide depend on? 6 What is Ben doing tomorrow?

Go Live! Level 2 Culture E, pp.216–217 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE At the end of the 19th century, with the invention of trains, it was easier and cheaper to visit the coast. People started to go to the seaside to escape from dirty, industrial cities. They visited the piers and went for walks, but they didn’t sunbathe. It wasn’t fashionable! In the 1950s, people had more money and seaside holidays became very popular. Families often stayed in big holiday camps. These were holiday villages with entertainment, organised activities and sports. In the 1970s and 1980s, plane travel became much cheaper, so holidays abroad became more popular than holidays in Britain. People went to Spain, Italy and Greece because the weather was better. These days, lots of people go abroad, but there are still lots of people who enjoy a day or a week at the Great British Seaside!

Glossary fashionable chic, elegante

7 When did British people start to go on holiday to the seaside? 8 When were holiday camps popular? 9 Why did people start to go abroad in the 1970s and 1980s? 1 0 According to the text, why did some people prefer Spain, Italy and Greece for their holidays?