My trip to Rome

Rhodri

I had a great time in Rome with my family. It was my first holiday outside my own country and I couldn't wait to go. I found out all I could about Rome from the library and on the internet. Knowing about the history made seeing all the old buildings, like the Colosseum, much more interesting. We were able to do lots of sightseeing because the taxis and buses and the metro were cheap and fast.

Patrick

It was really hot when I arrived at Rome airport with my parents last summer. I loved walking around famous places like the Trevi Fountain, but all the cars and buses in the city sometimes made walking difficult. I really loved the food. The Italians have a special kind of ice cream called 'gelato' which is wonderful, but the best thing I had was a pizza at a local market. I also got some great things to take back for my friends.

Josh

It was so hot when my dad and I went to Rome last year that we usually waited until after the sun went down to explore the city on foot. During the day we went to museums, shops and restaurants. The pasta there is amazing, and I had some Italian ice cream, called 'gelato', for the first time. That was the thing I liked most. After a few days in Rome, we decided to take a train into the countryside for a day. It was nice to see all the small villages and farms.

For each question, choose the correct answer.

My trip to Rome

Rhodri

I had a great time in Rome with my family. It was my first holiday outside my own country and I couldn't wait to go. I found out all I could about Rome from the library and on the internet. Knowing about the history made seeing all the old buildings, like the Colosseum, much more interesting. We were able to do lots of sightseeing because the taxis and buses and the metro were cheap and fast.

Patrick

It was really hot when I arrived at Rome airport with my parents last summer. I loved walking around famous places like the Trevi Fountain, but all the cars and buses in the city sometimes made walking difficult. I really loved the food. The Italians have a special kind of ice cream called 'gelato' which is wonderful, but the best thing I had was a pizza at a local market. I also got some great things to take back for my friends.

Josh

It was so hot when my dad and I went to Rome last year that we usually waited until after the sun went down to explore the city on foot. During the day we went to museums, shops and restaurants. The pasta there is amazing, and I had some Italian ice cream, called 'gelato', for the first time. That was the thing I liked most. After a few days in Rome, we decided to take a train into the countryside for a day. It was nice to see all the small villages and farms.

A wonderful year
Ben Jones talks about his year of travel before studying at university.

I always knew I wanted to spend a year travelling before university. I wanted to see the world, improve my skiing, make new friends from other countries and, more than anything, try lots of things I've never done before.

The first place I visited was France. I've always loved the French language and I wanted to study it. Then, while I was there, I became interested in French food. I took some cooking lessons at a farmhouse in the French countryside, and learned to make lots of lovely dishes.

Next, I visited Australia. My cousins live near the river in Sydney, so I had somewhere to stay. To begin with, we spent a lot of time sailing in their boat. But then I got a job in a hotel. It was great - the customers and staff were so friendly.

My last country was Japan, where I learned to become a skiing teacher. I planned to do a three-week course. But when I got there, I saw that I wasn't actually that good, so I changed to a seven-week one. The course was amazing and afterwards I got a job with a skiing company.

The other teachers were very friendly and on our days off, we did activities like snowboarding. One weekend we even did winter camping. That was quite interesting, but it was cold, so I can't say I slept well! Anyway, we're all planning to meet up soon and I can't wait

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Eric Koston

Eric Koston is one of the world's best-known skateboarders. He was born in Thailand, but his family (19).................. to the US when he was a baby. His love of skateboarding began at the (20) ..................... of 11, when his older brother gave him a skateboard. It was an old, broken board, but he learned how to skateboard by watching other kids and then he (21) ............... by himself every day.

Three years later, he was so good that a company that made skateboards offered him a summer (22) ................ . That's when he (23) ............. to make skateboarding his life. Since then, Eric has (24)............. many international competitions, made boarding videos and starred in a skateboarding video game. Now he owns a successful company making sports shoes and clothes.

Hi everyone. My name is Juan and I've joined this website because I'm looking for a penfriend. I come (0)................... Mexico and I live in a town called Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Sea, near the city of Cancun. It's not as famous (25)................ Cancun but I think it is one of (26)................ most beautiful places in Mexico.

Tourists come to Playa del Carmen from (27)................ over the world because the weather's always warm and the food's great. (28)................ fact, my friends and I go to the beach almost every day. It's brilliant!

Do you want (29) ............... know more about Playa del Carmen? (30)................ you do, write to me soon.

WRITING

PART 7

QUESTION 31

Read the email from your English friend, Casey.

From: Casey

To: ...................

Thanks for asking me to go with you to your art group on Saturday. What time does it start? What do I need to bring? How much does it cost?

Write 25 words or more.

WRITING

PART 7

QUESTION 32

Look at the three pictures.

Write the story shown in the pictures.

Write 35 words or more.