Listen to the text, read, translate and retell it. The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world

The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. It is a mile deep (1 500 meters) and over 15 miles (20 km) wide by 100 miles (150 km) long. The interior of the Canyon is adorned with a vast maze of multi-coloured mesas, cliffs and promontories punctuated by a labyrinth of smaller canyons and gorges. The ever-changing play of sun and shadow on the multihued rock layers produces a breath taking display best seen from the visitor’s centre on the south rim. The only access to the interior of the canyon is by hiking or by riding mules down the precipitous trails.

Yosemite National Park, California contains one of the most beautiful alpine valleys ever seen. 2 000-feet high vertical granite cliffs with nearly a dozen cascading waterfalls surround the glacially eroded Yosemite Valley. Outside the immensely popular valley, this immense park contains giant Sequoia trees, alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks. It is a paradise for rock climbers, backpackers, campers, photographers and tourists.

Alaska is the great northern wilderness frontier of the USA. It covers a vast area extending from the rainforests of the Pacific coast to the tundra well beyond the artic circle and along a broad archipelago of volcanic isles. The forests and streams abound with fish and wildlife including the fascinating but dangerous Kodiak bears. Glaciers and snow-capped peaks provide lots of spectacular scenery. Most of Alaska is inaccessible except via small “bush pilot” air taxis or by canoe and hiking. This is a popular destination for hunters, fishermen, photographers and wilderness explorers.

Washington DC, the capital of the USA, is a beautiful and interesting city. It is filled with numerous monuments, museums and public parks including the White House, the US Capitol and many other government buildings. There are plenty of interesting things to see in Washington, and most of them are completely free. Washington has a diverse population and a great variety of ethnic restaurants. It is only an hour drive to the port city of Baltimore and a half-day drive to New York City.

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York is an example of the decorated and geometric style of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture which prevailed in Europe from 1275 to 1400. Though Saint Patrick’s was built in Gothic style, its design is original and distinct. The Cathedral is noted for its purity of style, originality of design, harmony of proportions, beauty of material, and workmanship. It is existing proof that American architects and American artisans can hold their own with the architects and artisans of the Old World. The bells of the cathedral were the town criers that announced the hours of the business day, called university students to their studies, and proclaimed great public events, a victory in battle, the death of a famous person, the birth of a prince or princess. The lines of a Latin cross form the plan of Saint Patrick's.