Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. immerse (v.) [ih-murs] – to become entirely involved in an activity or interest
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. immerse (v.) [ih-murs] – to become entirely involved in an activity or interest
Example: She immersed herself in learning Japanese by
talking to native Japanese speakers every day.
2. historic (adj.) [hi-stawr-ik, -stor-] – having great and lasting importance
Example: Historic places like the old temples in Greece must be protected.
3. collaboration (n.) [kuh-lab-uh-rey-shuhn] – something achieved or created by two or more persons or groups of people
working together
Example: Wikipedia, the online
encyclopedia, is collaboration among
people who contribute or edit encyclopedia articles and entries.
4. prompt (v.) [prompt] – to cause someone to do something
Example: The tourist guide prompted us to see the inside of the
ancient castle.
5. virtual (n.) [vur-choo-uhl] – existing or occurring in the computer
or Internet
Example: You can play a virtual
tennis game using Nintendo Wii.
Article
Read the text below.
People can now immerse themselves in 132 historic destinations worldwide
without leaving their homes.
Google’s World
Wonders Project was launched last May 31 to make historic sites accessible to
more people while keeping useful information online. With Google Street View
technology, users can “walk” through historic destinations by just clicking
their computer mouse.
The project is funded
by the Google Cultural Institute and is a collaboration of Google, UNESCO, World Monuments Fund and other organizations.
A similar immersive
travel experience is being offered by the granola bar company, Nature Valley.
In March, the company launched Trail View, which also uses Google Street View
to take users “hiking” in American national parks, namely the Grand Canyon,
Great Smoky Mountains and Yellowstone.
Promoting historic
destinations online, through World Wonders Project and Trail View, may prompt more people to visit these
places. This raises concerns that it will cause more stress on already
popular sites.
But Bonnie Burnham, the president of
World Monuments Fund, assures it will not bring too many people to the same
place at the same time. The aim of virtual
trips is to share information about a place without people needing to
experience it physically.
She also hopes the
people who decide to go to the actual historic destinations will benefit from
the information online. As a result, travelers will become more observant, sensitive, and will have a better travel experience.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Would you like to use either World Wonders or
Trail View? Why or why not?
·
Do you think World Wonders and Trail View are
good substitutes for actual travel? Please explain further.
Discussion B
·
Do you think the Internet has made it easier or
more difficult to travel? Please explain further.
What are the disadvantages of promoting popular tourist destinations online?
What are the disadvantages of promoting popular tourist destinations online?