Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of Alula, Saudi Arabia. Please consider the following:
- Have you ever visited a unique region with natural and historical beauty? What made it special?
- How do you think a previously closed region can be developed for tourism while preserving its historical significance?
- What do you know about Saudi Arabia, and what would you like to learn more about?
- Have you attended any festivals or events that showcased a region’s culture and heritage? What was your experience like?
- How do you think the development of tourism in a region can impact its environment and local community?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Look at the featured image of Alula, Saudi Arabia. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please discuss the following questions:
- What are the unique features of the landscape in the image?
- How does the image relate to the development of tourism in the region?
- What historical or cultural significance can be inferred from the image?
Introduction:
Please read the introduction to Alula, Saudi Arabia, and learn about its unique region, geography, and infrastructure. Take note of the key points, such as the Tantora Festival, Desert X exhibition, and the development of tourism in the area.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with the activity, AlUla. Saudi Arabia’s hidden gem. Pause the video at the following points and discuss the questions:
- Pause at 2:00 minutes: What are your initial impressions of Alula, Saudi Arabia? What unique features have you noticed so far?
- Pause at 5:00 minutes: How does the Tantora Festival contribute to the development of tourism in the region? What events or exhibitions have caught your attention?
- Pause at 8:00 minutes: What historical or cultural significance can be inferred from the video? How does the region’s history impact its present and future?
For more information, visit the original post: https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/alula-saudi-arabias-hidden-gem/
Key Vocabulary:
Review the key vocabulary related to Alula, Saudi Arabia, and practice using the terms in context:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Alula | A unique region in Saudi Arabia known for its natural and historical beauty. | Alula is being developed for tourism, showcasing its landscapes and historic sites to the world. |
| Tantora Festival | A festival held in Alula, featuring various events, concerts, and exhibitions. | The Tantora Festival includes a concert schedule with top artists and a polo tournament. |
| Desert X | An exhibition featuring installations by global artists, held in Alula. | The Desert X exhibition runs for three months and features 14 installations by global artists. |
| Bedouin Tents | Traditional tents used by the Bedouin people, now used as accommodations for tourists in Alula. | Tourists can stay in Bedouin tents, which offer a unique and authentic experience. |
| Airstream Trailers | Luxury trailers used as hotels in Alula, offering amenities like air conditioning and a terrace. | Airstream trailers in Alula provide a luxurious and comfortable stay for tourists. |
| Open Library | A historic site in Alula containing thousands of ancient writings and inscriptions. | The Open Library in Alula is a significant historical site, featuring ancient writings and inscriptions. |
| Medaine Soleil | An ancient necropolis in Alula, featuring 138 rocky tombs and ongoing excavations. | Medaine Soleil is an ancient necropolis in Alula, with new discoveries being made through ongoing excavations. |
| Lonely Castle | A unique heritage site in Alula, featuring a show of 300 synchronized drones and ambient music. | The Lonely Castle in Alula is a unique heritage site, offering a spectacular show of drones and music. |
| Old Town | A historic town in Alula, built 800 years ago and conserved after being abandoned in 1983. | The Old Town in Alula is a well-preserved historic site, offering a glimpse into ancient life. |
Vocabulary Quiz:
Test your understanding of the key vocabulary with the following quiz:
- Which word means ‘a natural or artificial hole in a rock’?
- A) Monument
- B) Installation
- C) Bottle-shaped hole
- D) Valley
- What is the term for ‘a person who travels to a place for pleasure’?
- A) Tourist guide
- B) Traveler
- C) Visitor
- D) Tourist
- Which phrase means ‘to protect something, especially a building or a natural environment, from damage or destruction’?
- A) To develop infrastructure
- B) To issue visas
- C) To conserve a monument
- D) To excavate a site
- What is the term for ‘a place where people are buried, especially one with many graves’?
- A) Open Library
- B) Necropolis
- C) Historic region
- D) Desert oasis
- Which word means ‘a performance or show, especially one that is entertaining’?
- A) Exhibition
- B) Festival
- C) Concert
- D) Entertainment
Answer Key:
- C) Bottle-shaped hole
- D) Tourist
- C) To conserve a monument
- B) Necropolis
- B) Festival
Grammar Focus:
Practice using the present perfect continuous tense to describe ongoing actions and events:
The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions or events that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. It is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” + “been” + the present participle of the main verb (e.g., “has been developing” or “have been discovering”).
Complete the following sentences using the present perfect continuous tense:
- The infrastructure in Alula ____________________ to attract more tourists since the region opened to visitors in 2019.
- A) has developed
- B) is developing
- C) has been developing
- D) was developed