Theme parks

People on a theme park ride

Listen to the radio interview about theme parks and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Do this exercise before you listen.

Remote audio URL

Transcript

Interviewer: Good morning. Today we're going to talk about theme parks and we're going to hear from Andy Wells who has written a guide to theme parks around the world. Welcome to the programme, Andy.

Andy: Hi, it's good to be here.

Interviewer: You really have a dream job, don't you, Andy? Flying round the world all the time, visiting adventure parks ...

Andy: Well, yes, it's pretty exciting. But it's really hard work too, you know.

Interviewer: I bet. So, what's the number one theme park in the world?

Andy: That all depends what you're looking for. In terms of numbers, it has to be Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, the most famous theme park. But the most popular park for people who like adventure rides is Cedar Point in Ohio, USA. It has the biggest number of rollercoasters in one park, 17, and three water rides. There are lots of other attractions too. Last year they introduced 50 animatronic dinosaurs. You know, life-size models that move and look real.

Interviewer: Cool! Have they got anything lined up for this year?

Andy: Yeah, there's a new rollercoaster called the Gatekeeper. Well, actually it's not a rollercoaster, it's a wingcoaster. It'll be the biggest in the world.

Interviewer: What's a wingcoaster?

Andy: With a normal rollercoaster you are sitting on a seat with the track under you. With a wingcoaster the seats kind of stick out at the side so the passengers have nothing below or above them. You feel as if you're flying.

Interviewer: So it's more frightening?

Andy: More exciting! Way more exciting.

Interviewer: What other attractions have you seen recently?

Andy: I've just been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. It's great! You know those shops that sell magic sweets and things in the Harry Potter books? Well, they have those, just like you've imagined. There's a fantastic tour of Hogwarts School where you meet characters from the books. It's so well done.

Interviewer: Right, sounds interesting. In your book you have a lot of theme parks in Asia too. Can you tell us about them?

Andy: Sure. Tokyo has had a Disneyland for quite a long time, which attracts a lot of people. Ocean Park in Hong Kong has also been going for a long time – that has a lot of marine animals as well as rides. Lotte World, a huge park in South Korea, has the world's biggest indoor theme park. And then there's Universal Studios in Singapore. That's expanding with additions to its New York street section. There's going to be a Sesame Street dark ride. A dark ride's a ride inside a building.

Interviewer: I see. New York in Singapore?

Andy: Yeah, it's weird, but it works. But the place to watch at the moment is China – they're really expanding. Lots more parks will open in China in the next few years, including another one with dinosaurs in the north, and Ocean Kingdom in the south. That will have the world's longest roller coaster and tallest Ferris wheel, as well as boat rides and a night-time zoo.

Interviewer: Wow, so that's opening soon?

Andy: Yes, this year. I'll be there!

Interviewer: Have a ride for me, then.

Discussion

Do you like theme parks? What kind of rides do you like?

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Comments

Submitted by sanyalearning on Sat, 12/16/2023 - 12:52

I remember when I was around 11 -12 years I visited quite huge them park in Sochi, named "Sochi Park". I was really impressed and I'd visit it again with pleasure. The best ride that excited me was crazy rollercoaster and perhaps, it sounds weird, tasty food.

Submitted by Carolina Urrego on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 01:39

I like theme parks, but, I have no preferences, I can go from thrilling roller coasters to more relaxed attractions like boat rides or live shows.

Submitted by Félix T.C. on Sun, 10/15/2023 - 18:39

I really like the theme parks. I have been to PortAventura in Barcelona and I really enjoy the rollercoasters and water rides. I would like to go to the Cedar Point in Ohio, Ocean Park in Hong Kong and the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida. This activity has been useful to me.

Submitted by Winnie0900 on Thu, 04/13/2023 - 18:10

I don't really like theme parks because I'm afraid of rollercoasters. When I was younger, I used to go to a small festival where was a ride called "dragoncito", it was like a pirate ship. The dragoncito was exciting but my favorite ride was definitely the "gusanito".

Submitted by pomelo on Mon, 03/06/2023 - 15:01

I like theme parks. I like roller coaster

Submitted by haydendemonlizard on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 16:03

I love theme parks!! Expecially rollercoasters and wingcoasters.

Submitted by SEBASTIAN on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 22:27

hi i like go to all of theme parks my favorite park is the disney world florida

Submitted by 01Aras on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 10:41

My favorite activity in theme parks is bumper cars

Submitted by goksu on Thu, 06/02/2022 - 12:31

I like theme parks. Because it's exciting and entertaining

Submitted by lucalvesilva on Thu, 05/19/2022 - 10:07

I love theme parks, on the other hand, I must admit that I fear most part of the attractions when it comes to adventures parks. For instance, I could say the roller coasters. They're really scaring for me. A few days ago I went to an adventure park with some friends and we went together to the biggest roller coaster in South America, here in Brazil. It was frightening but funny after all.
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Submitted by Valeria_ on Sat, 09/25/2021 - 01:13

I really like theme parks because you have a lot of fun, even though some mechanical rides scare me a little, but then I have a lot of fun and I go up several times to some and I also like theme parks with animals a lot I think it's very fun and entertaining to see the animals and feed some, in short I think theme parks are very fun and I would very much like to go to more theme parks
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Submitted by itsmoroz0_0 on Wed, 09/15/2021 - 17:37

I really like theme parks, because there are a lot of funny things and attractions which you can try there. And there is really fun atmosphere which gives you mood for the whole day. There you can ride roller coaster from lite coasters to really big ones. In my town I don't have a wingcoaster, but I really want to try It someday. From the interview, as far as I understood, wingcoaster is such an interesting thing, because you fly not inside something like plane, but outside in air. Yeah, I think, I want to try it!
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Submitted by Elpro202 on Fri, 07/30/2021 - 00:18

I've not been in a Theme park yet ,sorry, I can't comment.
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Submitted by Andrii on Fri, 04/23/2021 - 18:10

I really like theme parks and I've already been to 2 of them (Disneyland in France and Legoland in Germany). I like roller coasters and ferris wheels, but I don't really like freefall towers.
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Submitted by ABM on Mon, 11/09/2020 - 10:31

I like theme parks because they are exciting, fun and have many rides.I have been to Liseberg,in Sweden and Legoland in Germany. I love rollercoasters and Ferris wheels.
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Submitted by Xuka on Tue, 09/01/2020 - 16:45

I like theme parks very much. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida is the place I want to go to most because I'm a crazy fan of Harry Poter. Coming there, I will see all things in the Harry Potter books, such as Diagon Alley, Kings Cross station, Platform 9 3/4, the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, etc. I will also meet all characters from the books. It will so fantastic!

Submitted by KJs on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 13:06

I like theme parks. My favorite attractions are rollercoasters. Because These are very exciting for me. If corona virus wasn’t spread,I want to go theme parks.

Submitted by KJs on Fri, 08/28/2020 - 12:47

I like theme parks. And I really like rollercoasters. Because it's very exciting. Especially,I like University Studio Japan but I have been there only once. So I want to go there again.

Submitted by cookiepg on Tue, 08/25/2020 - 07:23

I like theme parks

Submitted by Mamou1 on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 10:11

I love theme park. and I like the extreme ride even if it will be scary but you go to the theme park to experience the most extreme ride that make you exiting so I love theme park
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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 07:44

I love riding rides, especially water rides. There's Lotte World, Seoulland, and Everland in my country (South Korea). Everland is the most famous theme park in Korea, but -in this listening clip,- I was surprised that Lotte World is introducing in it!! I've been there twice, but there are always so many people waiting in lines, so I prefer Seoulland. Though I have to wait so long, I think Lotte World's rides are better than Seoulland's. But I love Seoulland too!

Submitted by LuisCast on Sun, 02/16/2020 - 16:21

Yes, I do. I like it the themes parks, but I never been in a rollercoaster ride, because when I was more younger I was a little scared. Maybe I'll try in other ocasion.
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Submitted by Jony3031 on Mon, 11/11/2019 - 23:35

The theme parks grill me. Only here in Mexico, I like to go to six flags.

Submitted by MKJIOCS on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 03:39

My favorite park is Vinpearl Land Nha Trang. There have a big Ferris Wheal can see a pretty beach!!!
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Submitted by bilko on Tue, 02/06/2018 - 16:29

I love all of theme parks which is mentioned in this part. I watch all the Harry Potter movies so I would like to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida and also Hogwarts School. I wonder how it is...
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