Learning English

The ultimate adventure holiday? 

People are always looking for somewhere new to explore, but what effect does that have on the environment? The article looks at the ‘hottest’ new destination, and asks if tourists should really visit.

The article uses the second conditional if + past simple, and would + infinitive. It is used to talk about unlikely situations - 'If you went to Antarctica, what would you see?' (most readers will not go to Antarctica).

To do

One paragraph looks at the advantages of tourism to the region. Can you find which paragraph it is?

Read the text and complete the activity

Would you go to Antarctica?

If you were looking for adventure and could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Would you run with the bulls in Pamplona, or go bungee jumping in New Zealand? Perhaps you would prefer to go diving in the Indian Ocean, or go hiking in the Himalayas.

But if you’d done all that, and you had the time and money, would you go to Antarctica? Considered the last great wilderness on Earth, it’s becoming the destination of choice for adventurous tourists. Just a few scientists in research stations share the icy landscape with penguins and other animals which can cope with the low temperatures.

Tourism began in Antarctica in the 1950s and it's still small scale. About 37,000 tourists are expected there this season, and many won't even leave the boat.

But when the BBC's Juliet Rix visited the frozen continent, she asked herself if she should be there at all. Tourists can cause problems to such a sensitive environment. Her tour guide admitted that all visitors leave a footprint and they all go to the same places, the accessible coastline, which is also where the penguins and seals go to breed.

However, some people believe that if carefully controlled, tourism could be good for Antarctica. It has no native population and it needs advocates. Visitors to the icy continent might be ready to support and even to fund its preservation. And they're likely to join the discussion about global warming, which has led to the melting of glaciers.

According to Rix, guidelines are followed when you're about to set foot in Antarctica and tourists have to disinfect their boots to make sure no alien species are introduced.

And once on land, there's no eating or smoking. Rocks, bones – nothing should be taken as a souvenir and nothing should be left behind.

So if you did go, you would be able to enjoy breathtaking views. You would also have to be very careful not to contaminate the environment, and keep your fingers crossed that you were not destroying it for future generations.

To do

Did you find the paragraph that looks at advantages? It was the fifth paragraph which starts 'However, some people...'

What else did you learn about Antarctic tourism from the article? Do the quiz to find out.

Next

That's it for this session. We've looked at one exciting travel destination. In the next session, we'll hear some people talking about their dream holidays. We'd also like to hear from you - where would you go if you had the time and the money?