We have all seen the New York skyline in movies or even in real life. But do you know anything about the buildings, bridges and iconic constructions in that skyline?
New York City is famous for many things, but primarily it is known as the city of skyscrapers. It all started with the religious cathedrals – its oldest “skyscraper” was the Trinity Church, which was 280ft tall at the time of its completion, in 1846. Nowadays there are at least 132 buildings which are taller than 600 feet (183 m).
What is a skyscraper ? A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building having multiple floors (UK) or storeys (USA). When the term was originally used in the 1880s it described a building of 10 to 20 floors but now it is used to describe a building of at least 40 to 50 floors. Mostly designed for office, commercial and residential uses, a skyscraper can also be called a high-rise, but the term “skyscraper” is often used for buildings higher than 100 m (328 ft). For buildings above a height of 300 m (984 ft), the term “supertall” can be used, while skyscrapers reaching beyond 600 m (1,969 ft) are classified as “megatall”.
How many iconic constructions (skyscraper, bridges and statues) can you name ? This silhouette of the skyline can give you a clue….
Test you knowledge with this quiz, learn some new vocabulary and pick up some fun facts at the same time.
The New York Skyline Quiz
The New York skyline is world famous, but how well do you really know it
?
Have you ever been to New York ? Is it on your list of things to do ? Do you like big cites ? Do you live in the USA? What do you think of tourists to your country?
Listen to this podcast in which Laura, a French-British young women talks to Sue about her holiday, or vacation as they say in American English.
If you are learning English listen very carefully to how Laura talks about her trip. She is half way through her holiday so notice how she describes actions/events in the past and then actions/events in the recent past and then actions/ events in the future. This podcast is a great way to see all these grammatical structures.
Notice the use of the Simple Past tense to indicate something that Laura did in the past.
I booked the hotel on line. I bought a Tourist pass before I came
Sue asks Laura; How did you cope with the jet leg when you arrived?
Notice the use of the Present Perfect tense which Laura uses to describe something she has done recently, within the last few days but without mentioning the exact day.
I have been to see the Statue of Liberty. I‘ve done so many things. I have taken a cab. I’ve been to wrong places. I have been to Five Guys. I’ve spoken to quite a few people from new York.
Notice the use of the Present Continuous tense to describe a current situation.
Sue asks Laura: How are you getting around ?
People in the street are all carrying a cup of soda or coffee.
Notice the use of the future tenses.
Sue asks Laura: What are you doing after this diner? When are you heading back ?
I’m going to visit Brooklyn Bridge and the Highline later this afternoon.
To learn more vocabulary don’t forget to do the New York Skyline Quiz… it’s awesome !
The New York Skyline Quiz
The New York skyline is world famous, but how well do you really know it
?
