©(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What colors do you think make a flower garden beautiful?
- If you could plant one kind of flower in your backyard, which one would you choose? Why?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- couch /kouch/
- selfie /SEL-fee/
- widely /WAHYD-lee/
- grower /GROH-er/
- export /EK-spawrt/
[noun] – a long, comfortable seat for two or more people
The new art museum has stylish couches where visitors can relax between exhibits.
[noun] – a photo that a person takes of themselves, usually with a smartphone
People love taking selfies in front of the new mural downtown.
[adverb] – over a large area or among many people
The new movie was widely praised by critics around the world.
[noun] – a person or company that grows plants or crops for a living
The apple grower hosted an autumn festival on his farm.
[noun] – the act of sending goods to another country for sale
The country’s coffee industry relies heavily on export to overseas markets.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Every spring, Keukenhof garden in the Netherlands welcomes more than one million visitors. Located near Amsterdam, the garden is surrounded by colorful tulip fields and is only open for eight weeks each year. During this short time, about 7 million flower bulbs bloom, creating a beautiful display. Tourists love taking photos among the flowers, and the garden has added special photo spots like flower arches and decorated couches. The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions even gives tips on how to take great selfies. These photos, shared widely on social media, help bring more visitors from both inside and outside the country.
Tulip tourism is also growing in other parts of Europe. In Arese, a town just north of Milan, Italy, Dutch tulip grower Edwin Koeman plants tulips for both local people and export. Thanks to good weather, Italy now grows about 43 million tulips every year, and nearly one-third are sent to northern Europe. Last year, Koeman’s tulip fields welcomed a record of 50,000 visitors. Guests can walk through the fields and even pick their tulips, making the experience more personal. While this type of tourism helps local economies and brings global interest, it also needs to be carefully managed to protect the fields and the environment.
Tulip tourism is also growing in other parts of Europe. In Arese, a town just north of Milan, Italy, Dutch tulip grower Edwin Koeman plants tulips for both local people and export. Thanks to good weather, Italy now grows about 43 million tulips every year, and nearly one-third are sent to northern Europe. Last year, Koeman’s tulip fields welcomed a record of 50,000 visitors. Guests can walk through the fields and even pick their tulips, making the experience more personal. While this type of tourism helps local economies and brings global interest, it also needs to be carefully managed to protect the fields and the environment.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where is Keukenhof garden located?
- How many weeks is Keukenhof garden open each year?
- Why do tourists enjoy visiting Keukenhof garden?
- How do the shared photos help the garden?
- What can visitors do in Koeman’s tulip fields?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a flower garden or a place with many colorful plants? If so, what did you like the most about it? If not, would you like to visit one? Why or why not?
- Have you ever taken photos in a park, garden, or nature spot? If yes, who did you take them with? If not, what kind of place would you like to take photos in?
- Do you agree that special photo spots like flower arches make gardens more fun for visitors?
- Do you think tulip tourism will grow in more countries in the future? Why or why not?
- How can tulip gardens make sure tourists enjoy their visit but also protect the flowers?