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Empower Advanced Video Activity Sheet Unit 09

The document discusses the planned city of Brasília in Brazil. It was designed and built in the 1950s to be the new capital. The architect was Oscar Niemeyer and he designed it with a layout of distinct zones for different purposes, like government, residential and commercial. The buildings were made with a modernist architectural style of sculptural white concrete. The city won international recognition for its innovative design and Niemeyer's style went on to influence Brazilian architecture.

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37 views

Empower Advanced Video Activity Sheet Unit 09

The document discusses the planned city of Brasília in Brazil. It was designed and built in the 1950s to be the new capital. The architect was Oscar Niemeyer and he designed it with a layout of distinct zones for different purposes, like government, residential and commercial. The buildings were made with a modernist architectural style of sculptural white concrete. The city won international recognition for its innovative design and Niemeyer's style went on to influence Brazilian architecture.

Uploaded by

amirhosseintns
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT 9 CITIES

1 BEFORE YOU WATCH


a Work in groups. Look at the pictures. Match the buildings (A–C) with the architectural styles (1–3).
1 classical    2 baroque    3 modernist

A B

b Think of the architectural style of buildings where you live or in the capital city of your country. Do any of the
buildings match the three styles in 1a? Which do you like? Why / Why not?

c Work in groups. What do you know about the city of Brasília in Brazil? Make notes. Use the Internet to help you.

2 WHILE YOU WATCH


a Watch the video. Answer the questions.
1 Which of your notes in 1c are mentioned?
2 Would you like to live in Brasília? Why / Why not?

Empower Second Edition C1 Video Worksheets © Cambridge University Press 2022 17


UNIT 9 CITIES
b Watch again. Complete the notes about the city of Brasília with information in the video.
City: Brasília
Architect: Oscar Niemeyer
Built: Inaugurated:
Aim:
Layout:
Zones (purpose):
• the fuselage:
• the wings:
Location:
General features:
Architectural style and concept:
International recognition:
Awards:
• Brasília:
• Oscar Niemeyer:
Current population:
Criticisms:

c Work in pairs. Compare your answers with a partner.

d Underline the correct word or phrase in italics. Watch again and check your answers.
1 ‘Is it possible to build a thriving / striving capital city from the ground up?’
2 ‘Air travel was the great fashion / passion of the age, promising a world without horizons.’
3 ‘… each section a zone designed / designated for a particular type of activity.’
4 ‘… with no influence from the baroque or classical European heritage that dominated / denominated other cities.’
5 ‘The buildings of Brasília won international recognition ... for their sculptural / sculptured beauty …’
6 ‘White concrete and graceful / grateful curves characterise Niemeyer’s creations.’
7 ‘Columns and water are used to create buildings that scenically / seamlessly blend with the ground from which they rise.’
8 ‘Niemeyer’s style has become anonymous / synonymous with Brazil’s modernist architecture …’
9 ‘Today’s town planners tend to shy away / show the way from the type of zoning used in Brasília’s aeroplane layout …’
10 ‘The massiveness / messiness of cities that evolve over time is missing from Brasília.’

3 AFTER YOU WATCH


a Work in groups. Think of a modern part of the city where you live or another city you know. Choose one of the
options below. Answer the questions and make notes.
• a residential area (apartments or suburbs)
• a business district
• a shopping and dining area
• the city centre
1 How would you describe ... ?
• the overall design
• the main idea behind it and what it aims to achieve
2 How successful do you think it is? Consider ... .
• buildings and architecture • quality of life
• outdoor spaces • safety concerns
• roads and transport • features
3 What do you think gives this part of the city its character?

4 Imagine you have been asked to suggest improvements to this part of the city. What suggestions would you make, and why?

b Use your notes and share your ideas with the class.

Empower Second Edition C1 Video Worksheets © Cambridge University Press 2022 18

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