Advanced Writing with English in Use

Describingplaces • Module 58

2.0 Guide books

A In thistext, froma trave l guideto Morocco,the writerdescribessome of the

places i n Meknes that a touristmight like to visit.The functionof the text is to

recommend (onthe basis of thewriter'sopinions)and toinform.

Read through the textandchoose the bestphrase or sentence, given below,to

fill each of t he gaps. Writeoneletter (A-K)in each gap. Someof thesuggested

answers do not fit at all. The exercisebegins with anexample (0).

Meknes

The focus of theo ldcity is themass ivegate of
Babel Mansour, the mainentrance to Moulay
Ismai l' s 17th centuryImperial City. The gate is
exceptio nallywell preser vedand is highl y
decorat ed, wit h (faded) zelli j t iles and
insc riptions which run right acrossthe top.

The gatefacesonto the Place el Hedim.
(0 ) B this square is the DarJamai, a
palacebuilt in thelate19thcenturywhich has
recentlybee n turnedinto a verygood muse um.
( 1) museum shousedin histor ic
build ings, the building itse lf is asinteresting as
theexhibits. The domedrecepti onroom
upstairs is fullyfurnishedin thesty le of the
time, completewith plush rugs andcushions.
It i s open dail y, except Tuesday,from9am to
12 noon and3pm to 6pm. Entry costs Dr3.

The med inaproperstretch esawayto thenorth
behindtheDarJam ai. The most convenie nt
accessis throug h the archtothe leftofthe Dar

Ja mai. (2) , as extensiveor as

interesting asthe medina at Fesit is,

nevertheless, worth a visit and youwon' t be

hass ledby 'guides'. (3) are the

ca rpetsouks, which are just off to the left of

the main medina streets, about five minutes

walkfrom DarJamai. (4) Me knesis

nota bad place , as the shopkee pers are a little

bit morerelaxe d thanelsewhere.Bargains a re

stillasrare ashen's teeth. butatlea stthe

barga ining sta rts ata rea sonable level.

Furt heralongthecovered mainstreet is the

BouInania Medressa. (5) it was built

in the mid 14th centu ry.Itis not all that

conspicuous apart from thedome over the

street, whichis easy tospot.Ithas thesame

layout.a nd features as the Fes medress as.

(6) you are allowed uponto theroof.

as it hasall bee n restored at onetimeor

another. The BouInani a Medress a is ope n

daily from 9am to 12 noon and3pmto 6pm.

EntrycostsDr3.

A O neofthe most original

nOnthe farBorthsideof

C Mostin teresting,perhaps,

D So mew he re in thatdirection

E As is oftenthecasein

F Li ke the one ofthe samename inFe s.

G Ifyouarelookingforrugs tobuy,

11 Tho ughnowherene ar

J In someways. I suppose

KIt'sabo utthe onh·onewhere

B Look againat the contentof the Msk nes text.Whichof the followingdoes the

w rit er mention? Why only these?

a) pe rsonaladventu resand

expe rie nces

h ) archi te ct ure , mosques ,m u seum s

c)layo ut, geography, distances

d ) fou nd ingand originsofthe city

e ) population(size , races,languag e s)

osociety(in dustr y ,johs,politics)

g)theatr e, cinem as,livem usic

h)restau rant s.ho tel s.discos.bars

i) ope ningtimes and admission

charges

j) publictransport

k)place s to watch o rplaysports

I) so unds, s mells,temperatures

m)sho ppingadvice

n) what1I0 ttodo. wherenotto go

CIf y ouwere to write a verybrief to ur ist guideto your town, what would you

include? Use the headi ngsin B tohelp youchoosethe most important

information.

Types of writing • 85