Module code: 1906

Summer Holidays: Beach, Mountains, and Cruise Adventures

Core PathWay

1 Summer Holidays: Time for a Break

Summer is here and we all look forward to taking a break. After a long year of work or study, we need time to relax and have fun. Summer is the best season for holidays because the weather is warm and the days are long.

There are many ways to spend a summer holiday. Some people love the beach holiday. They want sun, sand, and the sound of the sea. Other people prefer a holiday in the mountains. They like fresh air, green forests, and walking on quiet paths. And some people choose a cruise around the Mediterranean. They want to visit many places while sleeping on a big ship.

Each holiday is different. Each one gives us a special feeling. In this lesson, we will look at these three holidays. We will learn what people do, what they take, and what they must know. Then we will learn how to compare them. Let’s start!

2 The Beach Holiday: Sun, Sand, and Sea

The beach holiday is the most popular summer holiday for many people. Why? Because it is simple and fun. People go to the beach to relax. They lie on the sand, listen to the waves, and read a book. Some people like to swim in the sea. Others play games like volleyball or build sandcastles with their children.

When you go to the beach, you must take some important things. You need a swimsuit and a towel. You need sunscreen to protect your skin. A hat and sunglasses are good for your head and eyes. Many people take an umbrella for shade and a cool bag with drinks and snacks.

But the beach also has some dangers. The sun can burn your skin, so you must use sunscreen and drink water. The tide can come in and cover your things, so you must watch it. And you must be careful in the water. Always swim where a lifeguard can see you.

My Beach Holiday Story

Every summer, my family and I go to the same beach in Spain. We always stay for two weeks. In the morning, we go to the beach early. I put on my swimsuit and run into the sea. The water is cold at first, but I love it. My mother puts sunscreen on my back. My father reads his book under the umbrella. At lunchtime, we eat sandwiches and fruit. After lunch, we sleep or play cards. In the evening, we walk on the sand and watch the sunset. It is always the same, and I never get bored. The beach is my happy place.

Key Terms

beach holiday A vacation where you spend time at the seaside, usually to relax and swim
swimsuit Clothes that you wear to swim in the sea or a pool
sunscreen A cream that you put on your skin to protect it from the sun
tide The regular rising and falling of the sea level
relax To rest and become calm, usually after work or activity

3 The Mountain Holiday: Fresh Air and Green Views

Some people do not like the hot sun. They prefer the cool air of the mountains. A mountain holiday is perfect for people who love nature and exercise. The main activity is hiking, which means walking on paths in nature. People hike for hours and enjoy the beautiful views. They also visit small villages, take photos of animals, and have picnics next to rivers.

What do you pack for the mountains? You need good walking boots because the paths are not easy. You need a warm jacket because it is cold at the top. A map and a compass are very important. You must also take water and food because there are no shops on the mountain. And do not forget a raincoat โ€“ the weather changes fast!

People from the city must be careful. The air is different, and the walk is hard. You must start slowly. The altitude can make you feel tired or dizzy. Also, the weather can change in one hour. Always check the forecast before you go.

My Mountain Holiday Story

Every year in July, I go to the Alps with my hiking group. We drive for six hours from the city. When we arrive, the air is so fresh and clean. On the first day, we do a short walk to get used to the altitude. On the second day, we start early at 6 am. I put on my walking boots and check my backpack. I have water, sandwiches, a map, and a jacket. We walk for four hours. The path goes up and up. My legs are tired, but the view at the top is amazing. We can see green valleys and white snow. We eat our lunch there and take many photos. Then we walk down. I am tired but so happy. I do this every year. The mountains are my special place.

Key Terms

mountain holiday A vacation in the mountains, usually for hiking and enjoying nature
hiking The activity of walking long distances in nature for fun
walking boots Strong shoes that protect your feet and ankles for walking on rough paths
altitude The height of a place above the level of the sea
pack To put things into a bag or suitcase before a trip

4 The Cruise Holiday: A Ship Full of Adventures

A cruise is a very different holiday. You sleep on a big ship and visit many places. People go on cruises because they can see many countries in one trip. You do not need to pack and unpack every day โ€“ the ship is your hotel. The ship has everything: restaurants, swimming pools, cinemas, and shops. It is like a small city on the water!

On a cruise, you do many things. In the day, you can swim in the pool or do exercise classes. At night, you watch shows and dance. When the ship stops, you go on excursions. These are short trips to see famous places. You might visit an old city, a museum, or a beautiful beach.

What do you take on a cruise? You need smart clothes for dinner and casual clothes for the day. You need comfortable shoes for the excursions. Do not forget your passport because you visit different countries. And bring some medicine for seasickness โ€“ the ship can move a lot!

You must be aware of some things. The seasickness is common for new cruisers. The food is everywhere, so it is easy to eat too much. And you must be on time โ€“ the ship will not wait for you!

My Cruise Holiday Story

My grandparents love cruises. Last summer, they took me with them for the first time. We went on a Mediterranean cruise for ten days. We started in Barcelona and visited Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Every morning, I woke up in a new country. It was amazing! In the day, we went on excursions. We saw ancient buildings and tried new food. In the evening, we returned to the ship. We had dinner in a big restaurant and then watched a show. One night, there was a big storm. The ship moved from side to side, and I felt sick. My grandmother gave me medicine for the seasickness. After that, I was fine. Now I understand why my grandparents love cruises so much. Every time is a new adventure.

5 Grammar Overview: Comparing Holidays

Now we know about the three holidays. But how do we say which one we like more? We use comparative adjectives. When we compare two things, we use the comparative form. We use the word ‘than’ after the comparative. For example: ‘The beach is hotter than the mountains.’

Look at the rules below. They show you how to make the comparative form. Then you can compare holidays and explain your choice!

Focus

  • Comparative adjectives compare two things
  • Short adjectives (1 syllable) use -er
  • 2 syllable adjectives ending in -y change to -ier
  • Long adjectives (3+ syllables) use ‘more’ (or ‘less’)
  • Always use ‘than’ after the comparative

Rules

  1. Short adjectives (1 syllable): add -er. Example: hot โ†’ hotter, cold โ†’ colder, cheap โ†’ cheaper
  2. Adjectives ending in consonant-vowel-consonant: double the last letter. Example: big โ†’ bigger, hot โ†’ hotter
  3. 2 syllable adjectives ending in -y: change -y to -ier. Example: happy โ†’ happier, easy โ†’ easier, busy โ†’ busie
  4. Long adjectives (2+ syllables, not ending in -y): use ‘more’ or ‘less’ before the adjective. Example: relaxing โ†’ more/less relaxing, expensive โ†’ more expensive, interesting โ†’ more interesting
  5. Irregular adjectives: good โ†’ better, bad โ†’ worse, far โ†’ farther
  6. Always use ‘than‘ to compare: ‘A beach holiday is cheaper than a cruise.’
  7. Never say ‘respect to’ use ‘than’ or ‘compared to’!!

Examples

  • The beach holiday is hotter than the mountain holiday.
  • A cruise is more expensive than a beach holiday.
  • The mountains are better than the beach for me because I love hiking.

Common mistake

Do not use ‘more’ with short adjectives. Say ‘bigger’, NOT ‘more big’. Do not say ‘more easier’ โ€“ say ‘easier’. And always use ‘than’, not ‘that’ or ‘of’: say ‘taller than’, NOT ‘taller that’.

5a Let’s Compare Holidays!

Beach holidays, mountain holidays, and cruises. Which one is better?ย A beach holiday is more relaxing than a city break. A mountain holiday is cheaper than a cruise. A cruise is more expensive but also more exciting. The best holiday depends on the person. Let’s see how Alex, Sam, and Jordan compare their favourite holidays!

5b Dialogue: Which Holiday Is Better?

๐Ÿ’ฌ Which Holiday is Better

0:00 / 1:07

Alex: โ€œI love the beach. Itโ€™s more relaxing than the mountains.โ€

Sam: โ€œReally? I think mountain holidays are better. The air is fresher and the views are more beautiful.โ€

Jordan: โ€œFor me, a cruise is better. Itโ€™s more exciting than sitting on a beach all day.โ€

Alex: โ€œBut cruises are more expensive! And the rooms on a boat are smaller than in a hotel.โ€

Sam: โ€œThatโ€™s true. But mountain holidays are healthier than beach holidays. You walk a lot.โ€

Jordan: โ€œWalking is harder than swimming. I prefer the pool on the ship.โ€

Alex: โ€œThe beach is better for families. Kids can play in the sand.โ€

Sam: โ€œMountains are quieter than the beach. No loud music!โ€

Jordan: โ€œBut the food on a cruise is tastier than camping food.โ€

Alex: โ€œBeach food is fresher โ€” fresh fish and fruit!โ€

Sam: โ€œI think the mountains are more peaceful. Itโ€™s easier to sleep there.โ€

Jordan: โ€œOK, but cruises are more fun. There are shows and parties every night.โ€

Alex: โ€œSo, whatโ€™s the answer? Which holiday is better?โ€

Sam: โ€œIt depends! For a family, the beach is better. For quiet people, mountains are better. For fun people, a cruise is better.โ€

Jordan: โ€œYes! Which holiday is better is a personal choice.โ€

โœ๏ธWriting Taskcomparative adjectives & opinions (present simple)
Which type of holiday is better โ€” a beach holiday, a holiday in the mountains, or a cruise? Write a short paragraph (around 80 words) giving your opinion. Say which holiday you prefer and explain why it is better than the others. Use comparative adjectives (e.g. more relaxing, cheaper, more exciting, safer, more beautiful) and phrases to give your opinion (e.g. I thinkโ€ฆ, In my opinionโ€ฆ, I believeโ€ฆ).

Start your response like this:
I think a [type] holiday is better than the others becauseโ€ฆ

ย 
0 words / ~80 target

6 Recap: Your Holiday, Your Choice

We have explored three wonderful summer holidays. The beach holiday is for people who love the sun, the sand, and swimming in the sea. The mountain holiday is for nature lovers who enjoy hiking and fresh air. The cruise is for adventurers who want to see many places in one trip.

We also learned how to compare them. We can say a cruise is more expensive than a beach holiday. We can say the mountains are cooler than the beach. We can say a beach holiday is easier than a mountain holiday because you do not need to walk so much.

Now you can talk about holidays with confidence. You know what to pack, what to do, and what to be careful about. And you can explain why you prefer one holiday over another. So, which holiday is better for you? The beach, the mountains, or the sea? The choice is yours โ€“ and now you have the words to say it!

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