Famous Cities: Local Surprises
Discover surprising sights, everyday journeys, and clever local ideas in famous cities around the world.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What is a vaporetto?
In Venice, vaporetti follow regular public transportation routes along the canals.
- A private water taxi
- A public passenger boat
- A traditional sightseeing gondola
Think of a city bus, but on water.
Show solution
- A public passenger boat
Residents use these boats for everyday journeys, not just sightseeing.
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2. Täytä tyhjä kohta.
The Forbidden City in Beijing was home to China's emperors. Today, visitors can explore this former ___, which is now a museum.
- temple
- town hall
- palace
It was a royal home.
Show solution
The Forbidden City in Beijing was home to China's emperors. Today, visitors can explore this former palace, which is now a museum.
The site includes many buildings and open spaces, not just one royal home.
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3. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What did the name “Big Ben” originally refer to?
Visitors often call London's famous clock tower “Big Ben,” but the name first belonged to something inside it.
- The largest bell
- The clock face
- The whole tower
You can hear it, even when you cannot see it.
Show solution
- The largest bell
The tower itself is officially called Elizabeth Tower.
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4. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What was supposed to happen to the tower after the fair?
Paris's Eiffel Tower was built for a world's fair. It was not originally planned as a permanent city landmark.
- It would stay in place forever.
- It would be rebuilt in another city.
- It would be taken down.
Show solution
- It would be taken down.
Its usefulness for radio communication helped protect it from removal.
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5. Täytä tyhjä kohta.
New York's High Line once carried freight trains above the streets. Today, the former rail line is a public ___.
- highway
- park
- train station
Visitors find walking paths and plants there.
Show solution
New York's High Line once carried freight trains above the streets. Today, the former rail line is a public park.
The walkway offers views of the city from above street level.
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6. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What does this short ferry ride connect?
In Istanbul, a ferry can cross the Bosporus from the city's European side to its Asian side.
- Two countries
- Two capital cities
- Two continents
Both sides are part of the same city and country.
Show solution
- Two continents
Both sides are in Turkey, so crossing continents does not mean crossing a national border.
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7. Valitse oikea vastaus.
How does daylight enter the building?
Rome's ancient Pantheon has a huge dome. Even without electric lights, daylight reaches the space below.
- Through an open hole at the top of the dome
- Through a ring of windows around the dome
- Through glass panels covering the whole dome
The roof does not keep out all kinds of weather.
Show solution
- Through an open hole at the top of the dome
Rain enters through the opening too. Small holes in the floor allow the water to drain away.
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8. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What gives the bench its colorful surface?
In Barcelona's Park Güell, a long curved bench is covered with colorful mosaics.
- Strips of painted wood
- Small pieces of broken tile
- Sheets of colored metal
A mosaic forms a pattern from many small pieces.
Show solution
- Small pieces of broken tile
Broken ceramics can become part of a new design instead of being thrown away.
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9. Valitse oikea vastaus.
How can people get across during the walk signal?
At Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing, cars stop in every direction at the same time.
- They must use tunnels instead of crossing the street.
- They must use footbridges instead of crossing the street.
- They can walk diagonally across the intersection.
People can walk from one corner to the opposite corner.
Show solution
- They can walk diagonally across the intersection.
This design is often called a “scramble crossing” because people walk in several directions at once.
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10. Valitse oikea vastaus.
Why does the floor turn?
A cable car takes visitors up Table Mountain in Cape Town. Its floor slowly turns during the ride.
- To give everyone views on all sides
- To pull the cabin up the mountain
- To steer the cabin around corners
Think about what each passenger can see.
Show solution
- To give everyone views on all sides
Riders get views of the city, coast, and mountain without needing to change places.
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11. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What is the hook used for?
Some narrow canal houses in Amsterdam have a hook near the roof. Their steep stairs make large objects difficult to carry upstairs.
- Opening the roof for fresh air
- Holding window shutters open
- Lifting furniture through windows
Large objects can take an outside route.
Show solution
- Lifting furniture through windows
A rope and pulley attached to the hook help movers lift heavy items from the street.
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12. Valitse oikea vastaus.
What pulls these cable cars up the hills?
San Francisco's historic cable cars run on tracks, but they do not get power from overhead wires.
- An engine inside each car
- A moving cable below the street
- An electric wire above each car
Several cars share the same moving power source.
Show solution
- A moving cable below the street
The cable keeps moving even when an individual car stops.
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13. Täytä tyhjä kohta.
The “floating gardens” near Mexico City are raised areas of soil in shallow lake water. They are attached to the lake bottom, so they stay ___.
- in place
- on the move
- underwater
Their name does not mean they drift like boats.
Show solution
The “floating gardens” near Mexico City are raised areas of soil in shallow lake water. They are attached to the lake bottom, so they stay in place.
Canals separate these farm beds, allowing farmers to reach them by boat.
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14. Täytä tyhjä kohta.
Traditional wind towers in Dubai guide outside air down into rooms. Their main purpose is to ___ the rooms during hot weather.
- heat
- light
- cool
Think about how a breeze feels on a hot day.
Show solution
Traditional wind towers in Dubai guide outside air down into rooms. Their main purpose is to cool the rooms during hot weather.
These towers improve indoor comfort without electric fans or air conditioning.
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15. Valitse oikea vastaus.
How did Seoul make space for this walkway beside the stream?
In central Seoul, people can walk beside the Cheonggyecheon stream. For many years, this waterway was hidden under a busy road.
- By moving the stream outside the city
- By removing the road above the stream
- By covering the stream with a wider road
The waterway is now open to the sky.
Show solution
- By removing the road above the stream
Water is supplied to keep the restored stream flowing; it is not simply an untouched natural river.