Before listening to the tape discuss these questions in pairs:

What do you know about the Forbidden City in Beijing?

When was it built? What was it used for?

The forbidden City (Imperial Palace and now the Palace Museum) in the heart of Beijing is the largest and most complete imperial palace and ancient building complex in China, and the world at large. Its construction began in 1406 and was completed 14 years later, having a history so far of nearly 600 years. Twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties lived and ruled China from there. Most of the buildings in the Forbidden City were Rebuilt many times, although they maintained the original architectural style…

Listen to the dialogue and summarize the main idea in one sentence.

The listening text is a discussion / talk / conversation about the forbidden city.

Listen again to Part A and fill in the chart with details. Then do the same with Part B.

Listening task in the workbook

Visiting the Forbidden City

Wen Hui is going to take her friend, Sally Jones, to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing. (Sally Jones= S; Wen Hui =W)

Part A

S: Oh, Wen Hui, I’ve always wanted to see the Forbidden City. It sounds so exciting. I wonder why it’s called that?

W: It was because ordinary people like us, were never allowed into the Palace while the emperors ruled China.

S: So who was allowed in?

W: Well. The Emperor’s family, high state officials and servants of the emperor.

S: Mmm, I’ve heard that it’s one of the largest palaces in the world. How big is it?

W: Well, there were 9,999 rooms when it was built.

S: 9,999 rooms! That’s so strange! Why not 10,000?

W: There are two reasons. First, nine is a special number in Chinese culture. Second, it’s said that the Emperor in Heaven has 10,000 rooms so the Emperor on Earth can not have so many. It wouldn’t show respect.

S: Oh, I see…

Part B

S: How many Emperors lived there altogether?

W: Fourteen Emperors from the Ming Dynasty and ten from the Qing Dynasty. They lived in it for about 500 years till the last Emperor left it in 1924.

S: So I think it was built in the fifteenth century.

W: Oh, yes. After it was finished, the capital of China moved to Beijing.

S: Mmm, I read it in the newspaper that the Palace is repaired and redecorated very often.

W: Yes, there is now a programme of repairs going on. It will last until 2020.

S: Goodness! Oh, is that because the palace is made of wood? You know, we also repair our castles in England, but they don’t take so long because the castles are made of stone.

W: Yes, I suppose so. Wooden structures need more work to protect them.

S: But that’s one of the reasons why it’s so special! I’ve heard that it’s made of wood without even one nail.

W: Yes, it’s a great example of ancient Chinese architecture and it’s now a national museum. It is also called the Palace Museum…