• at work

• at school

• at the meeting of a local club or town council

• at a special occasion (e.g., a wedding)

Work in pairs. Do you ever give talks or presentations in your own language (or in English)? What are they about? Why would people give talks or presentations in these situations?

Good morning / and thank you all for coming. / Today, / I’d like to talk about my vacation in Peru, / and in particular, about my journey to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is sometimes called “The Lost City of the Incas.” Let me begin by telling you about the history of the city.

Presenters often pause at the end of a sentence, at the end of a phrase, or before and after important words they want to emphasize. Listen to and read the first part of the presentation. Notice the first four pauses (/) and write in the other pauses.

pausing

Good morning / and thank you all for coming. / Today, / I’d like to talk about my vacation in Peru, / and in particular, / about my journey to Machu Picchu. / Machu Picchu is sometimes called / “The Lost City of the Incas.” / Let me begin by telling you about the history of the city.

Work in pairs. Take turns reading the same part of

the presentation with similar pauses.

Prepare a short presentation for your classmates. Think about a historical place you have visited and make notes for these questions. Then give your presentation.

• Where is it?

• Why is it important?

• Who lived there in the past?