Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think makes a city a good place to live?
- Why do people sometimes protest?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- protester /PRO-test-er/
- spray /sprey/
- cool down /kool down/
- symbol /SIM-buhl/
- disagreement /dis-uh-GREE-muhnt/
[noun] – someone who shows that they disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc.
Protesters gathered outside the government building to demand clean water.
[verb] – to scatter liquid in small drops
Farmers spray chemicals on crops to prevent pests.
[phrasal verb] – to make the body feel less hot
She drank cold water to cool down after her workout.
[noun] – something that stands for or represents something else
The red ribbon became a symbol of support for the cause.
[noun] – a situation where people do not agree
There was a disagreement between the team members about the project deadline.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On June 17, 2025, about 1,000 people in Barcelona, Spain, joined a protest against mass tourism. They marched through areas popular with tourists, including near La Sagrada Familia and a luxury shopping street. Some protesters used plastic water guns to spray tourists while shouting, “One more tourist, one less resident.” The protest was organized by a group that wants to reduce tourism in the city. The water gun first appeared at a protest last July. It was used to cool down in the heat but later became a symbol of the protest. Protesters believe too many tourists make life harder for local people. They say tourism raises housing prices and changes the city so it feels like it is only for tourists.
The organizers say the water gun is not meant to hurt anyone. Lourdes Sánchez, a protester, said it is a peaceful way to show disagreement. Another protester, architect Laurens Schocher, said they want to pressure the government, not attack tourists. Some tourists laughed off the water sprays, but others felt scared or unwelcome, especially after hearing slogans like “Tourist go home!” Experts warn that tourism is important for the economy. They say the city needs better planning to solve these problems without harming local jobs or tourism itself.
The organizers say the water gun is not meant to hurt anyone. Lourdes Sánchez, a protester, said it is a peaceful way to show disagreement. Another protester, architect Laurens Schocher, said they want to pressure the government, not attack tourists. Some tourists laughed off the water sprays, but others felt scared or unwelcome, especially after hearing slogans like “Tourist go home!” Experts warn that tourism is important for the economy. They say the city needs better planning to solve these problems without harming local jobs or tourism itself.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- How many people joined the protest in Barcelona?
- Where did the protesters walk during the protest?
- What unusual item did some protesters use to spray tourists?
- What was the water gun used for at the protest last July?
- How did some tourists feel about the water sprays?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a place with many tourists? If so, what was your experience like? If not, is there a place you want to visit in the future?
- Have you ever seen a protest in real life or on TV? If so, what was it about? If not, what would you do if you saw a protest?
- Do you agree that too many tourists can make life hard for people living in a city?
- What are some good ways to solve problems caused by too many tourists?
- How can tourists be more respectful when they visit a new city?