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 THE CN
TOWER
TORONTO
CANADA
Photo: Canada-maps.org
Cornel Rowley writes:
Canada’s wonder of the world, the CN Tower, is 553 meters tall. The letters ‘CN’ stand for ‘Canadian National’. When it was built it was the tallest building in the world and it attracts about two million visitors a year. It is a major tourist attraction for the city of Toronto and its province, Ontario
Its managers have always ensured that it is a great tourist destination for all the family. The views from its viewing platforms are, of course, spectacular, and the revolving restaurant at the top is deservedly famous.
We were there some years ago for a two-week vacation connected with the Canadian National Exhibition, an enormous international fair that attracts 1.2 million visitors and tourists in August/September every year.
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION
We spent most of our time in the enormous grounds of the exhibition as it was our first vacation in Canada and the exhibition itself showed aspects of the whole country. One of the main purposes of the exhibition is, of course, to demonstrate Canada's many attractions.
The CN Tower isn’t part of the exhibition and, as far as I remember, it’s in a different part of the city. But we eventually visited the CN Tower for lunch on our last day before flying back to London, England, that evening.
 
The construction of the CN Tower was completed in 1976 and although it has become a major tourist attraction, it was built for a very practical purpose.
In the 1960s, as more and more skyscrapers were built in Toronto, they started to interfere with telecommunications. The CN Tower was built to rise above everything else and support satellite dishes and so on. This gave them something that was high enough to shoot their rays at. This solved the city’s communication problems.
CANADIAN TOURISM TRIUMPH
From my own visit I remember the restaurant best: the room revolves through 360 degrees in 72 minutes so that you can view the whole city from this fantastic height.
In fact, it’s the floor that goes round: the center of the room, with the bar and waiters’ functional areas, remains still. I remember being grateful and very pleased to learn that at least one part of the revolving restaurant was solid. This was a meal to remember!
THE WONDER OF NIAGARA FALLS
It would not be fair to write about Toronto and the CN Tower without mentioning the great natural wonder that everyone wants to see – Niagara Falls. This is a world-famous attraction. The waterfalls are as good as everyone says, truly spectacular and exciting!
The falls alone are really worth the visit to Canada. The town is charming in a quiet, old – fashioned way and the area has been a favorite with honeymoon couples for many years.
Funnily enough, although the falls are awesome and breathtaking from the Canadian side, the view is relatively ‘ordinary’ from the United States banks. The Canadians certainly got the best of this deal but, I imagine, they’re too polite to boast about this to their friends from the United States.
QUESTIONS:
1. Only one of these statements is TRUE:
a) The CN Tower is the highest building in England.
b) This tower is the shortest tower in an exhibition.
c) The CN Tower has a restaurant at the top.
d) The Canadian National Tower has a fairy at the top.
2. How many people visit the CN Tower each year?
3. What word is used to describe the views from the top of the CN tower?
4. What does the article say about the CN Tower and families?
5. Only one of the following statements is TRUE:
a) The writer (Cornel) was on holiday for three months
b) The vacation was related to the Exhibition.
c) The vacation was to Disneyland, USA
d) The CN Tower is in Toluca.
6. How many people visit the Canadian National Exhibition per year?
7. On which day of his visit did Cornel visit the CN Tower?
8. Only one of these statements is TRUE:
a) The CN Tower was built in the 21st century.
b) The CN Tower was built in the 20th century.
c) The CN Tower was built in 1832.
d) The CN Tower was never built.
9. How does the CN Tower help telecommunications in Toronto?
10. The restaurant turns around, but what part of it remains still?
11. What is described here as ‘the great natural wonder.’?
12. Only one of these statements is UNTRUE (false):
a) Niagara Falls looks better from the Canadian side.
(Note: as a place, ‘Niagara Falls’ is singular).
b) This article says the Argentines got the best of the deal.
c) Niagara Falls by itself justifies a trip to Canada.
d) Many newly-weds go to Niagara on honeymoon.
Respuestas:
1. c, 2. Two million, 3. Spectacular, 4. It is a great tourist attraction, 5. b, 6. 1.2 million , 7. The last day of his visit, 8. b, 9. By being higher than other buildings, 10. The center, 11. Niagara Falls, 12. b.
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