Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.
Preparation
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal (pronounced /ˌtɑːdʒ mə'hɑːl/) is a famous mausoleum next to the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. A mausoleum is a building where people bury the dead. The name Taj Mahal means 'the crown of palaces'.
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The most famous part of the Taj Mahal is the large white dome in the centre. It is 35 metres high and is surrounded by four smaller domes. The rooms inside the building are decorated with beautiful archways and precious stones in the walls. The buildings are surrounded by gardens with pathways, pools, fountains and green gardens.
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The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and finished in 1653. It was built with materials from all over India and Asia, but the main material is white marble. Historians believe that the materials were transported by over 1,000 elephants for the construction.
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The emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a burial place for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. According to legend, he wanted to build another Taj Mahal in black on the other side of the river, but this never happened. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, many parts of the Taj Mahal were damaged by British soldiers, who took some of the precious stones from its walls. Over the years, the Taj Mahal has suffered from environmental damage, and there have been many government attempts to conserve its beauty.
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The Taj Mahal is one of India's most famous landmarks. There are millions of visitors to the mausoleum every year. The Taj Mahal is almost always included in lists of famous buildings to visit and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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- Encyclopedia Britannica article on the Taj Mahal: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal
- UNESCO Profile of the Taj Mahal: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252
I have never seen places that are considered part of the Seven Wonders of the World but still there are places that are special to me in my city. Once I would like to visit the Camino de Santiago in Spain and walk it from beginning to end on my own.
I never have been in the India, and I never to meet the Taj Mahal. Because I would like to meet the India in general. I like the history about the India, and is a country that I want to visit.
Actually I have been visited Cairo last winter it has spectacular places like Pyramids and Khan Alkhalili in addition to more historical places, it was not the first time I visited Cairo.
The famous place when ever i see is Luxor temple in Egypt
I already had visited the bridge of my neighborhood, a train pass through it.
I have not seem any famous places but I have seen to pyramid and al haram almaky mosque.
I had opportunity to live In KSA which has holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah and this the most places should everyone visit. I never travel to any famous place before. I only visit Dubai, Nepal and Mauritius. I wish I have opportunity in future to travel around the world and visits much different places across the world.
I hardly can choose one of my country landmarks. we have many spectualar and historical places in Iran. Just in one city of Iran called Ishehan there are three or more places like: Khajoo Bridge , 33 Bridegs and Mannarjonban. Every year millions of domestic and international tourists come and visit these famous monuments. Isfehan has a long river in the middle of the city that makes the nightlife very specific and memorable. So If you,ll have a chance to visit Iran do not forget to come to Isfehan.
I have not visited any famous places. In Colombia there are many beautiful places.
Fortunately, I had the chance to visit so many spectacular places in different towns across my country.
As we know, Peru has one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, located in Cusco, Machu Picchu. It was a lovely trip, and I won't forget the first time I arrived at the place because I met people from other countries who I still talk to.
Another journey I remember is when I visited Lago Titicaca in Puno. That time concurred with the local festival, and it was the first time I saw my family dancing in public. I was only six years old, but I can recall it like it was two days ago.