Podcards Worksheet

High Level

Page 1

Dublin - Town Guide

Activity 1
Write the adjectives used to describe the following things:

The climate: _______________ How the South Side used to be thought of: _______________ The family residence of the Earl of Kildare: _______________ Ulysses (x2): _______________ The wit of Oscar Wilde: _______________ Dublin's economic success sine the mid 1990's: _______________ Dublin's sports stadiums: _______________ Temple Bar: _______________ The atmosphere of Temple Bar: ________________________ Temple Bar at weekends: ________________________

Activity 2
Answer the following questions: 1. What did the Vikings predominantly use to buy and sell in Dublin? _______________________________________________________ 2. What is the city's motto? _______________________________________________________ 3. If your postal district is 27, do you live in the north or the south of Dublin? _______________________________________________________ 4. In 2006, how many cities in the world were more expensive than Dublin? _______________________________________________________ 5. Where is Gaelic football played in Dublin? _______________________________________________________ 6. Where is the home of the national rugby team? _______________________________________________________ 7. What type of beer is Guinness? _______________________________________________________ 8. How long has Guinness been brewed in Dublin? _______________________________________________________ 9. If someone said your sandwich was manky, would you eat it? Why? _______________________________________________________
This student worksheet is free to download and print for use in the classroom or for self-study. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the listening file which is available in mp3 format. However, the transcript can be used not only to check answers but also for reading comprehension and vocabulary

eslpodcards.com 2006-2007

Podcards Worksheet

High Level

Page 2

Activity 3
Listen and complete the gaps: Dublin is the capital and largest city in the Republic of Ireland, situated at the _________ of the River Liffey. It is widely believed that Dublin was founded by the Vikings as a centre for their _________ trade and today has a population of _________ half a million. The motto of the city is rather nice: "Happy is the city where citizens _________ ". It has a relatively _________ climate due to its proximity to the sea. The _________ January temperature is 8c _________ that of July is 20c. The wettest month is December with an average rainfall of 76mm, _________ the driest is February with a _________ 50mm! In any case it's probably best to bring an umbrella. The River Liffey runs right _________ the centre of the city and acts as a natural divide between the north and the south. A north \ south _________ exists in the city, with the north being considered _________ class and the south as middle to _________ class. This division is even reflected in the city's postal districts - the north has _________ numbers and the south has even ones. _________, this wasn't always the case. The south side used to be less than well-considered, until, that is, The Earl of Kildare decided to build his _________ family residence there. When asked why he had done such a thing he stated, rather _________, "Where I go, fashion follows me". The majority of the Irish _________ proved him right by promptly moving there too! Dublin is a _________ cultural centre. Many great artists and writers were or are from here, such as James Joyce, whose works include the _________ and controversial Ulysses, Oscar Wilde, whose _________ is legendary, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, author of _________ the most famous horror novel of all time, Dracula, and more recently award-winning Roddy Doyle. Dublin is also home to The National Gallery of Ireland, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The National _________ Museum of Ireland as well as a large number of _________ and Arts Centres. Ireland has enjoyed a considerable _________ of economic success since the mid 1990's which has helped it _________ the traditional migratory trend. Young people used to leave Ireland, mainly in search of work but now it _________ welcomes immigrants, especially to Dublin. These immigrants are mainly from the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand _________ there is a
This student worksheet is free to download and print for use in the classroom or for self-study. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the listening file which is available in mp3 format. However, the transcript can be used not only to check answers but also for reading comprehension and vocabulary

eslpodcards.com 2006-2007

Podcards Worksheet

High Level

Page 3

rising number of ______-_________ English speakers arriving, especially from China, Korea, India, Nigeria and eastern Europe. In 2006 Dublin was _________ the 16th most expensive city in the world with the ______ best quality of life. Dublin _________ two impressive sports stadiums. The first, Croke Park, spelt c-r-o-k-e, is where _________ Irish games are played - Gaelic football and _________. The second, Landsdowne Road, _________ l-a-n-d-s-d-o-w-n-e, until 2006 was the world's oldest still functional sports stadium and home to the Irish football and rugby teams. Any visit to or _________ of Dublin wouldn't be complete without mentioning that most famous of _________ - Guinness. You either love it or hate it, but you can't _________ it. It has been _________ at the St James's Gate Brewery since _________, where you can visit with a guided tour and trip to the bar to sample it as it should be. It's a must. If you get a _________ for 'the black stuff' you can carry on with your 'research' in Dublin's famous Temple Bar _________. This vibrant area is jammed full with bars, pubs and restaurants and music and singing help to create a _________ atmosphere. On any given weekend you'll find _________ and stag parties, groups of all men or all women celebrating their final days of being single before they get _________. Unfortunately this has become especially popular with parties from the UK and it gets a bit too _________ so most locals actually avoid this area at the weekends. Finally, one or two _________ words to listen out for. If something is 'grand' it is great. If someone says you're an 'eegit' you're an _________. If you're looking for the 'craic' it means you want to have some _________. If something is _________ you'll often hear 'manky' and to have a look at something is to have a 'decko'. There are _________ more but you'll just have to come here to hear them. If you do, enjoy the craic!

This student worksheet is free to download and print for use in the classroom or for self-study. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the listening file which is available in mp3 format. However, the transcript can be used not only to check answers but also for reading comprehension and vocabulary

eslpodcards.com 2006-2007

Podcards Worksheet

High Level

Page 4

Transcript
Dublin is the capital and largest city in the Republic of Ireland, situated at the mouth of the River Liffey. It is widely believed that Dublin was founded by the Vikings as a centre for their slave trade and today has a population of roughly half a million. The motto of the city is rather nice: "Happy is the city where citizens obey" It has a relatively mild climate due to its proximity to the sea. The average January temperature is 8c while that of July is 20c. The wettest month is December with an average rainfall of 76mm, whereas the driest is February with a mere 50mm! In any case it's probably best to bring an umbrella. The River Liffey runs right through the centre of the city and acts as a natural divide between the north and the south. A north \ south rivalry exists in the city, with the north being considered working class and the south as middle to upper class. This division is even reflected in the city's postal districts - the north has odd numbers and the south has even ones. However, this wasn't always the case. The south side used to be less than well-considered, until, that is, The Earl of Kildare decided to build his plush family residence there. When asked why he had done such a thing he stated, rather arrogantly, "Where I go, fashion follows me". The majority of the Irish peers proved him right by promptly moving there too! Dublin is a significant cultural centre. Many great artists and writers were or are from here, such as James Joyce, whose works include the renowned and controversial Ulysses, Oscar Wilde, whose wit is legendary, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, author of arguably the most famous horror novel of all time, Dracula, and more recently award-winning Roddy Doyle. Dublin is also home to The National Gallery of Ireland, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The National Print Museum of Ireland as well as a large number of theatres and Arts Centres. Ireland has enjoyed a considerable degree of economic success since the mid 1990's which has helped it reverse the traditional migratory trend. Young people used to leave Ireland, mainly in search of work but now it actually welcomes immigrants, especially to Dublin. These immigrants are mainly from the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand although there is a rising number of non-native English speakers
This student worksheet is free to download and print for use in the classroom or for self-study. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the listening file which is available in mp3 format. However, the transcript can be used not only to check answers but also for reading comprehension and vocabulary

eslpodcards.com 2006-2007

Podcards Worksheet

High Level

Page 5

arriving, especially from China, Korea, India, Nigeria and eastern Europe. In 2006 Dublin was ranked the 16th most expensive city in the world with the 24th best quality of life. Dublin boasts two impressive sports stadiums. The first, Croke Park, spelt c-ro-k-e, is where exclusively Irish games are played - Gaelic football and hurling. The second, Landsdowne Road, spelt l-a-n-d-s-d-o-w-n-e, until 2006 was the world's oldest still functional sports stadium and home to the Irish football and rugby teams. Any visit to or mention of Dublin wouldn't be complete without mentioning that most famous of stouts - Guinness. You either love it or hate it, but you can't ignore it. It has been brewed at the St James's Gate Brewery since 1759, where you can visit with a guided tour and trip to the bar to sample it as it should be. It's a must. If you get a taste for 'the black stuff' you can carry on with your 'research' in Dublin's famous Temple Bar district. This vibrant area is jammed full with bars, pubs and restaurants and music and singing help to create a buzzing atmosphere. On any given weekend you'll find hen and stag parties, groups of all men or all women celebrating their final days of being single before they get married. Unfortunately this has become especially popular with parties from the UK and it gets a bit too crowded so most locals actually avoid this area at the weekends. Finally, one or two local words to listen out for. If something is 'grand' it is great. If someone says you're an 'eegit' you're an idiot. If you're looking for the 'craic' it means you want to have some fun. If something is dirty you'll often hear 'manky' and to have a look at something is to have a 'decko'. There are hundreds more but you'll just have to come here to hear them. If you do, enjoy the craic!

This student worksheet is free to download and print for use in the classroom or for self-study. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the listening file which is available in mp3 format. However, the transcript can be used not only to check answers but also for reading comprehension and vocabulary

eslpodcards.com 2006-2007