Lesson 21: Theme: Places & Tourism (2026)
a ready bank of tourism vocabulary plus superlatives so "describe a place" cards feel effortless.
Why this matters
Places and tourism appear in every 2026 window. Having topic-specific collocations ready means less hesitation and stronger Lexical Resource.
The Tip/Trick
Describe places in three layers: look → feel → why people go. This gives structure and invites richer vocabulary than just "it is beautiful".
- Before: "It is a beautiful place. Many tourist come. It is famous."
- After: "It's one of the most breathtaking spots in the region — a magnet for tourists, with a buzz you can feel the moment you arrive."
Grammar Focus — Superlatives
Rule: the + -est / the most…, often with "I've ever". Reference: the "Superlatives" section.
- "It's the most stunning place I've ever visited."
- "It's the liveliest part of the city."
- "It has some of the best street food in the country."
Vocabulary Cluster — Tourism & places (2026)
Add to under "Tourism & places (2026)".
- a must-see / must-visit — essential to visit — "It's an absolute must-see."
- a tourist hotspot — very popular place — "It's become a tourist hotspot."
- steeped in history — full of history — "The old town is steeped in history."
- off-season — quieter travel period — "It's lovely in the off-season."
- to draw crowds / a magnet for tourists — attract many — "The festival draws huge crowds."
- unspoilt scenery — natural, undeveloped — "The coast has unspoilt scenery."
- a vibrant atmosphere — lively feel — "There's a vibrant atmosphere at night."
- to put somewhere on the map — make it famous — "The film put the village on the map."
Drill these as flashcards — flip, then grade yourself.
Answer Outline
- Name + superlative: "It's one of the most ____ places…"
- Look: "The scenery is ____."
- Feel: "There's a ____ atmosphere."
- Why people go: "It's a magnet for ____ because ____."
Model Answers: 5.0 vs 7.0
Cue card: Describe a place in your country that tourists like to visit.
Band 5.0: "Hoi An is famous place. Many tourist go there. It is old and beautiful. People take photo. It is good."
Band 7.0: "I'd like to talk about Hoi An, which is easily one of the most charming towns I've ever been to. The old quarter is steeped in history, with lantern-lit streets and unspoilt riverside scenery. It's become a real tourist hotspot — a magnet for visitors — yet it still has this wonderfully vibrant atmosphere, especially at night. Honestly, it's a must-see, and I'd say the lanterns alone put it on the map."
What changed:
- Superlatives: "the most charming towns I've ever been to".
- Tourism collocations: "steeped in history", "tourist hotspot", "a magnet for visitors", "must-see", "put it on the map".
- Three layers: look (lantern-lit streets) → feel (vibrant) → why (must-see).
- "many tourist" → "many tourists" (plural).
- "most beautifulest" → "the most beautiful" (no double superlative).
- Article before place descriptions: "the old quarter", "a magnet".
Your Turn (Record)
Task: Cue card "Describe a place you would recommend to a visitor." 2-min talk using 2 superlatives and 4 tourism collocations. ⏱ 1 + 2 min.
Your turn — record & get scored
Part 2- Describe a place you would recommend to a visitor.
Self-Check + Spaced Review
Done when:
- I used ≥2 superlatives correctly.
- I used ≥4 tourism collocations.
- I structured it look → feel → why.
Spaced review:
- From Lesson 16: blend in travel collocations ("off the beaten track").
- From Lesson 12: keyword notes + a story spine.