Summary:

Vanessa and Nick talk about Hydropilis, a unique underwater luxury hotel.

In this broadcast Vanessa and Nick are in the middle of a live show. Listen to their conversation and answer the question that follows about the main idea.

Dialogue:

Vanessa:      Good morning everyone. Now throughout history there’ve been visions of colonizing the sea – Jules Verne was my favorite – but no one has ever managed to realize this dream. Until now, that is. Nick is with me to tell us about Hydropolis, the first underwater hotel to be built ever. Nick, tell us more about this latest craze.

Nick:              Thanks, Vanessa, well as you said; Hydropolis is the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. It will offer 220 bubble-shaped suites, with clear glass comprising both the sleeping areas’ walls and each room’s bathtub. There’s also going to be two magnificent translucent domes, which will house a concert hall and a ballroom.

Vanessa:      That’s incredible; it must’ve cost an arm and a leg. Do you happen to know how long it took them to build?

Nick:              Well, it’s not quite ready yet. They started building it in 2005, and it will be finished by December 2007. And the price tag? 550 million dollars!

Vanessa:      Wow, and will it really be underwater?

Nick:              Yeap that’s right. It sits on the Persian Gulf floor, 20 meters below the surface and covers about 260 hectares, that’s about the size of London’s Hyde Park.

Vanessa:      That’s unbelievable, Nick, I’m dying to hear more.

Nick:              Well, Hydropolis will include 4 areas; the land station where guests will enter, then the connecting tunnel, the rooms and then the entertainment area. And they are expecting around 3,000 visitors per day in addition to the hotel guests. Their aim is to inspire people to develop a new awareness of the sea.

Vanessa:      It sounds awesome. How will guests get to the Hotel by submarine?

Nick:               Actually not. It may sound strange but they’ll travel to the main area by underground train.

Vanessa:      Okay… and now let’s get to the big question. How much is it for a night?

Nick:              It could be as much as $5,500 for a day’s lodging. But hey, what a place to relax and learn about the world underwater!?

Vanessa:      Well it’s certainly a very interesting idea, but I don’t know if I would ever stay there. I’m afraid we’ve run out of time, see you again next week.

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Now listen to the second part of the dialogue . . .

Nick:              Well, Hydropolis will include 4 areas; the land station where guests will enter, then the connecting tunnel, the rooms and then the entertainment area. And they are expecting around 3,000 visitors per day in addition to the hotel guests. Their aim is to inspire people to develop a new awareness of the sea.

Vanessa:      It sounds awesome. How will guests get to the Hotel by submarine?

Nick:  Actually not. It may sound strange but they’ll travel to the main area by underground train.

Vanessa:      Okay… and now let’s get to the big question. How much is it for a night?

Nick:              It could be as much as $5,500 for a day’s lodging. But hey, what a place to relax and learn about the world underwater!?

Vanessa:      Well it’s certainly a very interesting idea, but I don’t know if I would ever stay there. I’m afraid we’ve run out of time, see you again next week.

Throughout (preposition, adverb): in every part, or during the whole period of time.

e.g. People throughout the country are out of work.

Realize (verb): to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly.

e.g. They didn’t realize the danger they were in.

Comprise (verb): to have as parts or members, or to be those parts or members:

e.g. The course comprises a class book, a practice book and an audio tape.

Suite (noun): a set of connected rooms, especially in a hotel.

e.g. The singer was interviewed in his £1500 a night hotel suite.

Dome (noun): a round roof.

e.g. the Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Translucent (adjective): If an object or a substance is translucent, it is almost transparent, allowing some light through it in an attractive way.

e.g. This china is so fine and delicate that it’s translucent.

Magnificent (adjective): extremely good, beautiful or impressive

e.g. We had a magnificent time at the party.

House (verb): to provide accommodation for someone to live.

e.g. The authorities must house homeless people.

Surface (noun): the outer or top part or layer of something:

e.g. There were tiny waves on the surface of the water

Inspire (verb): to give you now ideas and a strong feeling of enthusiasm to do something.

e.g. His confident leadership inspired his followers.

Aware (adjective): knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing

e.g. Were you aware of the risks at the time?

Develop (verb): change over a period of time that usually become more advanced or complete.

e.g. This exercise is designed to develop the shoulder and back muscles.

Lodging (noun): a place to stay for a period of time.

e.g. He was given money for travel expenses and lodging, while he was away from home.

A submarine (noun): a ship that can travel both above and below the surface of the sea.

e.g. a nuclear submarine