El Rastro in Madrid reopens after more than 8 months due to COVID-19 threat

admin 2020年12月2日

©Reuters

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

flea market /flee MAHR-kit/

[noun] – a market, usually taking place outside, where old or used goods are sold cheaply
Leon usually buys his antiques from the flea market because they’re cheap.

contrary /KON-trer-ee/

[adjective] – opposite
Contrary to popular belief, milk is not good for cats since they’re lactose intolerant.

open-air /OH-puhn air/

[adjective] – used to describe a place that does not have a roof, or an event that takes place outside
Open-air live band concerts will be held on winter vacation, so let’s go see them.

rendezvous /RAHN-dey-voo/

[noun] – a place where a particular group of people often go or meet, by arrangement or habit
Cafes and restaurants are popular rendezvous points for people.

adjacent /uh-JEY-suhnt/

[adjective] – very near or next to
The supermarket is adjacent to our office’s building which is very convenient for employees.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Madrid’s most popular flea market, El Rastro reopened on Sunday, November 22, after roughly 8 months of closure due to the coronavirus. Contrary to its normal visitor count that can reach 10,000 on a normal Sunday, it is limited to 2,000 at a time with tightened security. There are also fewer stalls and are spaced further apart to reinforce social distancing. Police officers are positioned at the entrances and exits to ensure that visitors strictly follow the one-way route regulation around the market. El Rastro is one of Spain’s largest open-air markets that is available on Sundays and public holidays.

Records of its establishment date back to the Middle Ages (1740), and it is strategically located in a historic center of Madrid, making it well-suited for foreigners and locals alike to visit. The market was originally a rendezvous point for barter exchange and purchasing of secondhand clothes. Nowadays, a wide variety of wares can be found and bought in El Rastro ranging from kitchenware and shirts to antiques and jewelries. Adjacent streets of the market offer specific products, such as paintings and art tools in Calle de San Cayetano and trading of magazines, stickers, and cards in Calle de Rodas.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

The visitors of El Rastro has been limited to 10,000 after its reopening.
There are less stalls with larger spaces in between to follow social distancing rules.
El Rastro reopened on November 22 after about 9 months of closure.
The market was originally a meeting point for trades.
El Rastro is Madrid’s most popular flea market.

Situational question:

I will read the situation. Then, please answer based on the question. Make sure to use the given keywords in your answer.

Situation: You are invited by your friends or family to go to a flea market during a pandemic, but you are hesitant to go.
Question: How do you convince your friends or family to cancel the plan?

don’t want to risk…
threat
safety

Express Your Opinion:

I will read each sentence. Then, please tell me if you agree or disagree, and why.

A marketplace with too many stalls may not always be an ideal place for shopping.
Foreigners opt to go to flea markets to get cheaper items.
Flea markets should only be open at specific time and days.