Great Places

continents

Now you've travelled to many places, many continents.

A 'continent' is one of the Earth's seven large land areas, such as Asia, Europe, or Africa. Notice the following:

1. She has visited five continents.
2. Asia is the largest continent.

spent

I spent about four and a half months in Australia.

Here, 'spent' means passed or used a period of time in a particular place or doing a particular activity. Notice the following:

1. We spent the summer in Italy.
2. He spent three years studying abroad.

I suppose

I suppose the most amazing place I went to there was Uluru.

We use 'I suppose' when giving an opinion that is not very strong or after thinking about something. Notice the following:

1. I suppose you're right.
2. I suppose we should leave now.

barren

The land is very barren and very red.

If land is 'barren,' very few plants grow there because it is dry or has poor soil. Notice the following:

1. The desert is dry and barren.
2. Only a few plants can grow in barren land.

besides there

OK, besides there, anywhere else?

We use 'besides there' to ask about another place in addition to the one already mentioned. Notice the following:

1. Paris sounds nice. Besides there, where else did you visit?
2. I'll check out the museum. Besides there, is there any place else you recommend?

else

OK, besides there, anywhere else?

We use 'else' to refer to another person, place, or thing in addition to what has already been mentioned. Notice the following:

1. Does anyone else want some coffee?
2. Where else would you like to go?

ancient

Machu Picchu is an ancient ruin of an old Inca town.

If something is 'ancient,' it is extremely old and often has historical importance. Notice the following:

1. We visited an ancient temple.
2. Ancient civilizations built these monuments.

not that

It's not actually that old.

Here, 'not that' means "a little bit" or "not very" concerning the degree of something. Notice the following:

1. The test wasn't that difficult.
2. It's not that expensive, but it's not that cheap either.

actually

It's not actually that old.

We use 'actually' to introduce information that may surprise someone or correct a misunderstanding. Notice the following:

1. Actually, I have already finished.
2. I thought he was Canadian, but he's actually Australian.

quite a lot of

I spent quite a lot of time in Spain.

The phrase 'quite a lot of' means a large amount or many of something. Notice the following:

1. We have quite a lot of homework tonight.
2. She knows quite a lot of people in Tokyo.

ruins

There are many, many ruins and there's a lot to do.

'Ruins' are the remains of old buildings that have been damaged or destroyed over time. Notice the following:

1. The castle ruins are over five hundred years old.
2. Tourists enjoy exploring the ancient ruins.

capital

The Alhambra was the old Muslim capital of Spain.

A 'capital' is the main or most important city of a country or region, where the government is usually located. Notice the following:

1. Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
2. They traveled to the capital for a meeting.

the whole day

You can spend the whole day there walking around.

The phrase 'the whole day' means all day, from beginning to end. Notice the following:

1. We spent the whole day at the beach.
2. It rained the whole day yesterday.

difficult question.

It's a difficult question. I liked Hokkaido.

A 'difficult question' often requires a lot of thought because there is no clear answer. Notice the following:

1. That's a difficult question. Let me think about it.
2. The teacher asked a difficult question in class.

palace

And there is just one palace or is there many, many palaces?

A 'palace' is a large and impressive building where a king, queen, or other important ruler lives or once lived. Notice the following:

1. We toured the royal palace.
2. The palace is open to visitors every summer.