Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris but when it was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1889, it was meant to be a temporary building. It was designed by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. It was the world's tallest building until the Empire State Building was completed in New York in 1932.

There are lifts to take visitors to each of three levels, but if you feel energetic you can take the stairs to the First level (360 steps), Second level (700 steps) or even the Third level (1652 steps). At busy times it may take 2 hours to reach the top by lift because of the queues.

One of the best restaurants in Paris is the Jules Verne.

Restaurant (Second level), where you can enjoy panoramic views and eat excellent food.

Must see:

Cinemax museum — interesting film showing the history of the Tower and famous people visiting it, including Adolf Hitler and Charlie Chaplin.

The view from the Third level (274 m high).

Opening Times

Apr — Oct 09:00 — 23:00 (to midnight in July & August)

Nov - Mar 09:30 - 23:00

The best times to go up are early in the morning and before sunset.

While you 're in the area

Walk along the river to Les Invalides to see the Dome Church and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Also visit the Rodin Museum nearby, which displays famous sculptures by Auguste Rodin including The Thinker and The Kiss.

Answer these tourists' questions about the places:

1. Is Tuesday evening a good time to go to the Pompidou Centre?

2. Is there a nice restaurant in the Pompidou Centre?

3. Where is the best place to see paintings by Picasso?

4. Where are the impressionist paintings?

5. What kind of building is the Musee d'Orsay?

6. What's the best time to go up the Tower of Notre Dame?

7. Where can I board a boat cruise on the River Seine?

8. Can I enjoy the view from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower in the evening?

9. How long does it take to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower?
10. What else is there to do near the Eiffel Tower?

Make a list of four of the most popular tourist attractions in your own region.

What does each have to offer?

Suggest a day's excursion to the guest.

Write a one-page description of your recommended day out including a paragraph about each place that will be visited.

Example: If you have a day to spare, and you'd like to find out more about our region you might like to try....

Text 12 Doctor Lennox is a telephone doctor. She answers patients' questions about their medical problems. Read their questions and match them with her answers. Act out similar dialogues.

TELEPHONE DOCTOR

1. - Hello, Doctor Lennox. Well, three days ago I fell over and cut my arm. There was a little blood, but it soon stopped bleeding and I forgot about it. Now the wound is painful and red. It hurts when I touch it. I also think i may have a temperature. I feel a little hot and quite weak. Do you think I should see my doctor?

2. - Doctor Lennox, I am a 63-year-old woman. A few months ago I was walking upstairs when I suddenly became very faint and almost fell over. Now whenever I do just a little exercise I get out of breath very quickly. Even when I'm sleeping I have breathing problem, I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. I'm really worried I don't have a pain in my chest, so I don't think I have heart problems. I'm very worried. What do you think?

3. — For the last two days, Doctor Lennox, I have been feeling absolutely terrible. My whole body aches. I have a backache and all my muscles ache. I have a terrible headache too. But the worst thing is the vomiting. Food just won't stay in my stomach for more than a few minutes. And the diarrhea — I'm in the bathroom every half an hour. I telephoned my doctor and asked for a prescription for some medicine, but she said there wasn't much she could do for me. She said I should stay in bed and drink a lot. Is that right?

4. — I hope you can understand me all right, doctor, but I can't talk very well because of my sore throat. I've had it a few months now. And a cough, too, even though I don't smoke. And I seem to be tired all the time, but I'm never so ill that I can't go to work. I've been to the doctor and had some tests, but they can't find anything wrong with me. What do you think I should do now?

Answers:

a) — You should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will arrange for you to have a complete series of tests. I'm afraid you really could be very seriously ill, you know.

b) — You've probably got a minor infection. Sometimes they take a long time to go away. The important thing is to get plenty of rest. Take some time off work and you'll probably be back to normal in a few weeks' time.

c) — It sounds as if you have got an infection. You'll have to see your doctor, who will probably write you a prescription for an antibiotic and some medicine to put on your skin as well.

d) — You have what is commonly called stomach flu. It's most important that you drink a lot. You should feel better soon, but if it continues much longer you should see your doctor.

Text 13

Read this extract from a letter of Mr Cross, a client, and then read the two replies below. Which reply would you prefer to receive if you were the client? Why? (If neither letter seems satisfactory, why not?)

WE ARE VERY SORRY...

The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night and we followed the indicated escape route. But the back stairs were blocked with boxes and we had to go back to the main stairs. In a real emergency this would have been very dangerous.

We all had to stand in the street, which was cold and dark. The hotel staff did not seem to know what had happened. We were allowed back in after about an hour. Only later did we find out (from another guest) that there had been a minor fire in the boiler room.

There was no heating the next day because of the boiler fault. We asked the housekeeper for extra blankets but none came.

The next morning we complained about the blocked fire stairs at the front desk and they apologized, but in the evening the boxes were still there.

1. Your letter of 3 November regarding your stay with us in October was forwarded to me. The situation is being looked into and I hope to resolve it

quickly. When I have my investigation finished, I will write or call you with a response.

I assure you that your complaint is being taken seriously. You are a valued guest, and any dissatisfaction on your part indicates an opportunity for improvement on our part.

If I need more information from you to help me resolve this matter, I will contact you.

Thank you for your patience.

Yours sincerely,...

2. Thank you for your letter of 3 November. I am very sorry that there were problems during your stay with us in October. It will take me a few days to look into this matter because I need to talk to all the members of staff who were involved. I will telephone you as soon as I can with my response.

I would like you to know that we are taking your complaint very seriously. You are a valued guest. If you are dissatisfied with our service, this gives us a chance to make any improvements necessary.

I will contact you if I need to know more from you to help me resolve this matter.

Thank you for being so patient.

Yours sincerely,...

Text 14