forward to it. 19.
What should people do to make their visit to New York City safe and pleasant? I think the biggest mistake many people make is trying to do too much in a short time. There’s so much to see and do that you need to have a plan. It’s best to start planning before you get here. So you have information about hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and so on. Visitors can use our Website to get the information they need to start planning before they come here, or they can phone or fax us. How safe is New York city for tourists?
New York is a much safer place than many people think. In fact, it’s the safest it’s been in thirty years! Oh, that’s good to hear!
Yes, but that doesn’t mean people don’t have to be careful; tourists in New York ought to be careful, just like in any big city like in the world. For students, I would say travel in groups. If you get lost, it’s easier as a group to find your way. You really shouldn’t go off on your own if you can find someone to go with you. Another thing to remember is: Don’t be afraid to ask for directions, even if your English isn’t perfect. People often stop me on the street to ask for directions, and that’s not only foreign visitors. American visitors also have trouble finding their way around: and you’ll find New Yorkers are really very friendly. Yes, I agree. We are! Uh-huh.
Is there any other advice you can give visitors to the Big Apple?
Well, another thing to remember is not to leave anything valuable in your car if you have one. Don’t leave suitcases on the back seat where people can see them, and it’s better not to even leave them in the truck. Most cars are very easy to get into. So it’s not worth the risk. But most people have a great time when they come to New York. And you will, too. If you use your common sense.
20. Excuse me. Could you tell me where the bank is? There’s one upstairs, across from the duty-free shop. Oh, thanks! Do you know what time it opens? It should be open now. It opens at 8:00 A.m.
Good. And can you tell me how often the buses leave for the city? You need to check at the transportation counter. It’s right the hall. Ok. And just one more thing. Do you know where the nearest restroom is? Right behind you, ma’am. See that sign? Oh. Thanks a lot.
21．We are now approaching the famous Statue of Liberty, which has welcomed visitors to New York Harbor since 1886. Wow! Look at it. Incredible, isn't it?
The statue was given to the United States by the people of France. It was designed by the French sculptor Bartholdi. It's really huge. Do we get to go inside?
Of course. We can climb the stairs all the way up to the crown. Stairs? There's no elevator? Not to the top. But it's just 142 steps!
Let me tell you a little more about the statue before you climb to the top. In case you're wondering what the statue is made of, it has a framework inside that's made of iron; the outer skin is made of copper. The copper skin is only 2.4 millimeters thick. The supporting framework inside the statue is what holds the whole thing together. The Statue of Liberty is a major tourist attraction, and every year about two million people from all over the world come here to visit it.
22.The pyramids were built more than four thousand years ago by the Egyptians. The most famous ones are on the west bank of the river Nile, outside of Cairo. They served as burial places for the Egyptian kings. After a king's dead, his body was turn into what is called mummy. This preserved it. The king’s mummy was placed inside the pyramid, together with treasures and the king's belongings.
The Great Wall of China is the longest manmade structure ever built. It was built to protect one of the Chinese kingdoms. Much of what exists of the wall today was built during the Ming Dynasty in the late 1400s, although parts of the wall are much older and go back to around 200 B.C. The wall is about 35 feet high, or 11 meters, and a stone roadway runs along the top of it. The main part of the wall stretches for about 2,000 miles, that is, about 3,400 kilometers.
23.So, where are you working now. Terry? Oh, I’m still in the bank. I don’t like it, though. That’s too bad. Why not?
Well, it’s boring, and it doesn’t pay very well.
I know what you mean, I don’t like my job either. I wish you can find a better job, Actually I don’t want to work at all anymore. I wish I could have a lot of money, so I could retire now.
Um, how old are you, Teary? Oh, twenty-six.
So, how are things going with you and Susie, Terry?
Oh, you didn’t know. She and I broke up a couple of mouth ago. We decided we needed a break from each other for a while. But I miss her a lot. I wish we could get back together again. I’m sure you will.
I really hope so.
So, what kind of job would you like to look for ?
I’m not sure. But I’d really like to move to another city. I’m sick of this place. I need to live somewhere more exciting.
I know what you mean. It sure can get boring around here at times.