[TRAVEL ★★★]
TAIWAN’S MARBLE MOUNTAINS
(P1) With CLIFFS, CANYONS, MARBLE SLABS, and a TORRENTIAL river, Taroko GORGE is one of Taiwan’s most popular TOURIST ATTRACTIONS.
(P2) The 19-kilometer area, part of Taroko Gorge NATIONAL PARK, features cliffs that can rise up to 100 meters high.
(P3) The park is connected to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, by the Central Cross-Island Highway, one of the most dangerous SCENIC roads in the world.
(P4) The highway is a series of curves, tunnels, OVERHANGS, and JAGGED drops.
(P5) The park’s main attractions can be reached by PRECARIOUS bridges, tunnels, and difficult TRAILS.
(P6) Taroko Gorge National Park has 27 of the 100 Peaks of Taiwan, a widely recognized list of top mountains.
(P7) With an ELEVATION of 3,742 meters, Mount Nanhu is the fifth tallest PEAK in Taiwan and is covered by fields of dwarf BAMBOO trees.
(P8) Eternal Spring SHRINE (above), PERCHED on a hill, was built to COMMEMORATE the 226 workers who were killed building the Central Cross-Island Highway.
(P9) Some 80% of Taiwan’s animal species can also be found in the park, including the Formosan black bear and Formosan rock MACAQUE.
(P10) Old ABORIGINAL SETTLEMENTS of the Taroko TRIBE still dot the area.
(P11) The INDIGENOUS tribe — one of 16 recognized aboriginal groups in Taiwan — was once famed for its facial TATTOOS and HEADHUNTING RITUALS.
(P12) Routes are well MAINTAINED and frequently traveled by HIKERS and cyclists.
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SOURCE: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/08/travel/taiwan-taroko-marble-gorge/index.html
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Have you ever driven on a dangerous road?
- Do you like to go hiking or cycling?
- Have you visited any national parks in your country?
- What is the most interesting animal you have ever seen in the wild?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Tourist attraction
- National park
