The Rivertown Rockets’ Canadian Tour (Japanese Dictionary)
This summer, the Rivertown Rockets will play some concerts in Canada for the first time. They are one of England’s best bands, and they have many beautiful songs. Their shows in the United States last fall were very popular, so get your tickets soon!
July 28: Brighton Hall, Vancouver
July 30: Mustang Theater, Toronto
August 2: Hickson Stadium, Ottawa
August 3: Paradise Park, Montreal
At the final show in Montreal, jazz singer Jenny Cortez from Mexico will join the Rivertown Rockets on stage to sing some songs together.
For more information about the concerts, visit the band’s website: www.rivertownrockets.com
E-mail (Japanese Dictionary)
From: Diana McConnell
To: Jane Henderson
Hi Jane,
Are you enjoying your summer vacation? I can’t believe school ended one week ago! Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. My family is going to Florida later this month. We go there every summer and stay in a hotel by the beach. My cousin usually goes with us, but last week she broke her leg at soccer practice. She needs to stay home and rest, so my parents said I could ask a friend instead. Would you like to come? We can go swimming in the sea every day! Please let me know.
Diana
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From: Jane Henderson
To: Diana McConnell
Hi Diana,
I would love to go to Florida with you! I asked my dad, and he said he would think about it. He wants to know more about your plans. When will you leave, and when will you come back? I’m busy until June 20. My grandmother’s birthday party is on that day, and I have to be there. My dad will call your mom tomorrow to ask her some other questions about the trip. What time should he call?
Talk to you soon,
Jane
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From: Diana McConnell
To: Jane Henderson
Hi Jane,
We’ll leave on June 22 and come back on June 29, so maybe you’ll be able to go! My mom is working at the supermarket tomorrow during the day, but she’ll be at home in the evening. Please tell your dad to call after six. I’m so excited! I really hope you can come.
Your friend,
Diana
The Grand Canyon
In Arizona in the United States, there is a very large and deep valley,* and the Colorado River runs through it. This place is called the Grand Canyon, and it is 446 kilometers long, about 1.6 kilometers deep, and up to 29 kilometers wide. The weather there can be very hot in summer and very cold in winter.
Every year, millions of people come to see the beautiful views of the Grand Canyon. Ninety percent of the people visit an area called the South Rim because it is open all year round and it is easy to get there from some big cities. The North Rim is only open from May to October. Recently, people have started to visit the West Rim, too.
Native Americans* have lived in and around the canyon for thousands of years. In 1540, García López de Cárdenas from Spain became the first European to see the canyon. But Cárdenas was not able to climb down into the canyon. Much later, in 1869, an American named John Wesley Powell traveled down the Colorado River by boat with some men. During the trip, Powell named the place the “Grand Canyon” in his diary.
In 1903, U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt decided to protect the canyon and made it a national monument.* In 1919, it became a national park. Today, some people go hiking or camping in the canyon, and boat tours are also popular. Because the canyon is so big, a boat tour can take about two weeks. Many people enjoy this beautiful place every year.
*valley: 谷
