节目资讯
刊物:空中英語教室
日期:2012-04-04
难易度:Low
关键字:quilt, exhibit, luxury, inn, textile
Welcome back from the break.
You know, there aren't many words that bring to my mind the goodness of simple,
comfortable country living quite like the word quilt.
Now places that I'm sure have quilts for visitors like you and me to use and
keep warm are the dozens of Skagit Valley's B and B's.
Let's talk about them now under the title Places to Stay.
(Music).
Washington State's Skagit Valley.
Places to Stay.
Though Skagit Valley doesn't boast a big city, it has everything a tired tourist
needs.
There are several luxury hotels, but visitors wanting a more personal experience
have options too.
There are more than 40 bed and breakfast inns in the surrounding area.
Tulips, tours, entertainment and museums - Skagit Valley offers a great mix of
nature, art and history.
It is the perfect choice for a vacation in the country.
(Music).
Well, Skagit Valley, Washington State, seems like a beautiful place to visit.
But when you visit somewhere, you need somewhere to stay.
That's right.
That's a great point, Kaylah.
Where am I going to stay when I go to Skagit Valley?
Well, that's what we're talking about now.
Though Skagit Valley doesn't boast a big city, it has plenty of places to stay.
Now we see here that it "doesn't boast a big city," meaning it just doesn't
claim that it's a big city.
It's a beautiful place in the countryside.
In fact, not only does it boasted... they boast that they are not a city, they
boast that they are a countryside getaway, an escape.
But just because they're in the country doesn't mean they're not prepared.
It has everything that a tired tourist would need.
That's right.
There are several luxury hotels.
Now if you have a "luxury" hotel, that just means one that could be quite
expensive but it also has the idea of something being very comfortable or nice.
That's right.
Something you pay a lot of money to be comfortable for would be a luxury hotel.
Well, what's nice about this is... Brandon, we've talked about all kinds of
activities you can do:
you can do the bike-riding through the tulip fields, you can take ferry boat
rides.
But all of those require energy and lots of moving around, so it's nice to think
of a relaxing and comfortable place to return to.
I love this part of the article because it's just a nice thought to come home,
and you can just be there in your bed and just enjoy your motel room and be in
style.
If we say that we are "in style," it's a very nice place.
This... these motels we're talking about are quite nice.
And so if you've had a busy day, you don't have to worry about coming and
sleeping on the floor.
You have a nice bed and everything else to go with that.
That's right.
Well, you know, some people don't like staying in hotels though.
Sometimes you want a more personal experience.
So visitors that want a more personal experience have options too, or meaning
"as well." If you want a personal experience, what does that mean?
Well, something that... if something is more personal, people will kind of pay
more attention to you.
Maybe you stay in a bed and breakfast, for example, the people there will kind
of help you out.
Maybe you want to ask them questions about places to go, they can help you.
Maybe they'll cook you breakfast, all sorts of things.
There's a personal touch to it, we would say.
And "personal" meaning it is related to you as an individual person.
So at a hotel, there would be more people, more rooms, so maybe a little bit
less service.
A personal touch would have a very "related to your individual" needs.
Well, we see that there are more than 40 bed and breakfast inns.
Now a bed and breakfast is usually a smaller place.
That's why they can give you a more personal attention.
And so if you go to a bed and breakfast, they'll cook you breakfast, and you can
also just enjoy your time there.
But what is an inn?
Well, an "inn" is somewhere where you get to stay, you stay for the night.
So it's not somewhere you live, but it's somewhere you get to sleep.
"It's usually a small hotel" is a good way of thinking about it.
And they're most often called "inns" when you're in the countryside.
And so we have the luxury hotels, if that's for you.
But if you want more personal experience, you can try one of the bed and
breakfasts.
These are the two options we see here.
Now Brandon, are you more of the "hotel" type person or a "bed and breakfast"
kind of person?
It depends on the type of trip that I'm on and what kind of mood I'm in.
I guess if I just want a nice, quiet place, maybe I'll go to the bed and
breakfast for a weekend.
But other times I would choose the luxury hotel.
Maybe I would... they would have a nice swimming pool and all other things that
I would like to do.
And so I could have both options.
Well, I like the idea of a bed and breakfast out in the countryside, relaxing,
and then getting to enjoy the surrounding area and live more like a local while
I visit.
Well, tulips, tours, entertainment and museums, these are all part of Skagit
Valley.
It really has something for everyone, Kaylah.
That's right.
Skagit Valley offers a great mix of nature, art and history.
Brandon, while we're on this sentence, I'd like to look at the grammar of it.
If you see they have a list at the beginning, our author uses a list and then a
dash (-) as we continue into the sentence, this is one creative way of writing.
Instead of using comma (,) and comma (,) and..., this is a good way to talk
about a collection of related things.
That's a very good point.
When we are writing, sometimes we do this.
We use these lists to kind of put everything together.
And then you have that dash (-), and then you have the rest of the sentence
that's related to what's in that list.
That's right.
It's how you connect all the pieces.
And it's a good and higher level style of writing that you should use and
practice.
Well, Skagit Valley has all of this mix of nature, art and history that makes it
perfect... a perfect choice for a vacation in the country.
That's right. It has a great mix of all of these as the combination.
Maybe you don't like everything that we've talked about today, but maybe you
like one or two things.
And maybe someone else in your family like something else.
Well, that's why we say it has something for everyone.
That's right. It has something for everyone who enjoys the countryside.
So this is a great escape from urban life into the quiet, relaxing area of the
country enjoying nature outside with fresh air, but you also have museums.
And there's plenty to learn about in the area as well.
Sounds wonderful, Kaylah.
I feel relaxed just talking about it today.
And I don't know what you think, but I hope you will tell us.
Write in to us at letters@StudioClassroom.com and let us know your thoughts
about this article.
Well, thank you for joining us.
Right now it's time for a skit.
We did it!
We made an escape from urban life.
We got out of the city.
Yes.
And this place is so peaceful.
Mountains, farmland and sea.
Yes. This place is so quiet and scenic.
So, what else does it have to offer?
Uh... not much.
Now wait.
This month is the Tulip Festival.
Tulip Festival?
Yes! Millions of tulips are blooming.
Great! How do we get there?
Well, let's take a bicycle tour.
Oh! That's a great option.
We can see fields of flowers and exercise too.
Yeah. The festival also has art shows and handicraft sales.
How charming.
Later we can take a boat ride through Deception Pass.
Maybe we'll spot some whales or eagles!
Oh. What about shows and concerts?
The schedule for the Lincoln Theater is right here.
Excellent!
Anything else?
Oh, yes. There's a museum.
It displays textiles and quilts from all over the world.
Oh, wow! I'm so glad we escape to Skagit Valley.
Yeah! This place is a great mixture of nature and history.
Yes. Well, let's go see what's here.
But first, let's go find a luxury hotel.
No... Let's find a bed and breakfast.
No. I think a luxury hotel.
No. A bed and breakfast.
Hotel.
Breakfast... and beds... and breakfast.
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle.
(Chinese).
And that concludes our Language Tips today.
I'll see you soon. Bye-bye.
Thanks, Michelle.
What makes Skagit Valley a great place to visit?
The main reason people go is for the annual Tulip Festival, which happens every
April.
But that's not all.
Skagit Valley has scenic tours, museums, arts and craft shops and plenty of B
and B's.
So you can relax; and perhaps, if you like, take some of the simple country
lifestyle back with you to wherever you live.
OK, friends, please join us tomorrow when we discuss Decision Fatigue.
Untill then, have a great Wednesday.