South America
Colombia - Countries
20 chapters
intermediateDelve into our readings on South America to improve your English skills and uncover the vibrant cultures, fascinating histories, and breathtaking landscapes of
1.
colony
[n]
/ˈkɑɫəni/
any territory under the full or partial control of another more powerful nation, often occupied by settlers from that nation
2.
independent
[adj]
/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/
(of a country, state, etc.) function without being controlled or influenced by others
3.
hiking
[n]
/ˈhaɪkɪŋ/
the activity of taking long walks in the countryside or mountains, often for fun
4.
coastline
[n]
/ˈkoʊstˌlaɪn/
the boundary between land and water, particularly as seen on a map or from above
5.
port
[n]
/pɔrt/
a city or town that has a harbor where ships can be loaded or unloaded
6.
rainforest
[n]
/ˈreɪnˌfɔrɪst/
a thick, tropical forest with tall trees and consistently heavy rainfall
7.
jungle
[n]
/ˈʤʌŋɡəl/
a tropical forest with many plants growing densely
8.
jaguar
[n]
/ˈʤæɡˌwɑr/ , /ˈʤæɡjuːˌɑr/
a large wild animal belonging to the cat family with a yellow fur covered with black spots, native to Central and South America
9.
national park
[n]
/ˈnæʃənəl ˌpɑrk/
an area under the protection of a government, where people can visit, for its wildlife, beauty, or historical sights
10.
creature
[n]
/ˈkriːʧɚ/
any living thing that is able to move on its own, such as an animal, fish, etc.
11.
equator
[n]
/ɪˈkweɪtɝ/
a hypothetical line around the Earth that divides it into Northern and Southern hemispheres
12.
average
[adj]
/ˈævərɪdʒ/
calculated by adding a set of numbers together and dividing this amount by the total number of amounts in that set
13.
coastal
[adj]
/ˈkoʊstəl/
related to or situated along the coast, the area where land meets the sea
14.
rural
[adj]
/ˈrʊrəl/
related to or characteristic of the countryside
15.
accordion
[n]
/əˈkɔrdiən/
a box-like musical instrument that is held in both hands and is played by squeezing and stretching it while pressing its keys
16.
salsa
[n]
/ˈsɔɫsə/
a Latin dance with rhythmic movements, intricate footwork, and hip movements, typically danced in pairs to salsa music
17.
square
[n]
/skwɛr/
an open piece of land in a city or town that is four-sided and is usually surrounded by buildings
18.
born
[adj]
/bɔrn/
being talented through inherited qualities
19.
carnival
[n]
/ˈkɑɹnəvəɫ/
a festival happening annually that involves dancing, music and colorful clothes
20.
parade
[n]
/pɝˈeɪd/
a public event where people or vehicles orderly move forward, particularly to celebrate a holiday or special day
21.
costume
[n]
/ˈkɑstuːm/ , /ˈkɑstjum/
the popular fashion including hairstyle, clothes, etc. particular to a country or class
22.
reflect
[v]
/rɪˈflɛkt/
to show a particular quality, characteristic, or emotion
23.
dish
[n]
/dɪʃ/
food that is made in a special way as part of a meal
24.
corn cake
[n]
/kˈɔːɹn kˈeɪk/
baked in a pan or on a griddle (southern and midland)
25.
serve
[v]
/sɝːv/
to offer or present food or drink to someone
26.
filling
[adj]
/ˈfɪɫɪŋ/
(of food) making one's stomach feel full
27.
coffee bean
[n]
/kˈɔfi bˈiːn/
a seed of the coffee tree; ground to make coffee
28.
grow
[v]
/ɡroʊ/
to cause a plant to develop and give fruit or flowers
29.
miss
[v]
/mɪs/
to lose the chance to experience or have something
30.
a dream come true
[phrase]
/ɐ dɹˈiːm kˈʌm tɹˈuː/
the fulfillment or realization of a cherished desire or goal, bringing a deep sense of joy and satisfaction
31.
author
[n]
/ˈɑːθɚ/
a person who writes books, articles, etc., often as a job
32.
literature
[n]
/ˈlɪtərəˌtʃʊr/
written works that are valued as works of art, such as novels, plays and poems
33.
magical
[adj]
/ˈmædʒɪkəl/
related to or practicing magic
34.
realism
[n]
/ˈɹiəɫɪzm/
a literary or artistic style that gives a lifelike representation of people, events, and objects
35.
storytelling
[n]
/ˈstɔɹiˌtɛɫɪŋ/
the activity of telling a story in written or oral form
36.
fantasy
[n]
/ˈfæntəsi/
a type of story, movie, etc. based on imagination, often involving magic and adventure
37.
reality
[n]
/ˌɹiˈæɫəˌti/
the true state of the world and the true nature of things, in contrast to what is imagined or thought
38.
award
[n]
/əˈwɑrd/
a prize or money given to a person for their great performance
39.
football player
[n]
/fˈʊtbɔːl plˈeɪɚ/
someone who plays the sport of football as part of a team
40.
represent
[v]
/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnt/
to compete on behalf of a team, country, or region, often wearing its uniform and upholding its reputation
41.
vibrant
[adj]
/ˈvaɪbrənt/
(of colors) bright and strong
42.
shade
[n]
/ʃeɪd/
any variation of one color, including darker or lighter versions
43.
riverbed
[n]
/ˈɹɪvɝˌbɛd/
a channel occupied (or formerly occupied) by a river
44.
sight
[n]
/saɪt/
places that tourists are interested in, particularly those with historical, cultural, or natural significance
45.
lively
[adj]
/ˈɫaɪvɫi/
(of a place or atmosphere) full of excitement and energy
46.
diverse
[adj]
/daɪˈvɝs/, /dɪˈvɝs/
showing a variety of distinct types or qualities
47.
stunning
[adj]
/ˈstʌnɪŋ/
causing strong admiration or shock due to beauty or impact
48.
landscape
[n]
/ˈlændˌskeɪp/
an area of scenery visible in a single view
49.
sense
[n]
/sɛns/
an overall, conscious recognition or understanding of a situation, feeling, or environment
50.
pride
[n]
/ˈpɹaɪd/
a sense of self-respect, dignity, or personal worth
51.
plain
[n]
/pleɪn/
a vast area of flat land
52.
welcoming
[adj]
/ˈwɛlkəmɪŋ/
showing warmth and friendliness to a guest or visitor
53.
go back
[v]
/ɡˌoʊ bˈæk/
to trace the existence or origin of something to a specific point in time
54.
indigenous
[adj]
/ɪnˈdɪʤənəs/
relating to the original inhabitants of a particular region or country, who have distinct cultural, social, and historical ties to that land
55.
community
[n]
/kəˈmjuːnɪti/
a group of people who live in the same area
56.
locate
[v]
/ˈɫoʊˌkeɪt/
to be situated or established in a particular place
1
Chapter
Colombia
Read a passage about a country known for its stunning landscapes, rich coffee culture, and vibrant traditions.
A Journey Through Colombia
1.1
Colombia is a lively and diverse country in South America. It has a rich culture, stunning landscapes, and a strong sense of national pride. Covering over 1.1 million square kilometers, Colombia is home to about 50 million people. Its land includes mountains, beaches, rainforests, and plains, making it one of the most exciting places to visit. Colombia's history, music, and art are known around the world, and the people are famous for being warm and welcoming.
History of Colombia
1.2
The history of Colombia goes back many years. A long time ago, indigenous groups like the Muisca and Tairona lived there. They built strong communities before the Spanish arrived. "Christopher Columbus" arrived in South America in the 16th century, and Colombia is named after him. For many years, Colombia was a Spanish colony. It became independent from Spain in 1810. A famous leader of the independence movement was "Simón Bolívar." He helped Colombia and other countries in South America become free from Spain.
Geography and Weather
1.3
Colombia has many different types of land. The Andes mountains run through the country. These mountains are great for hiking and exploring. The highest mountain in Colombia is "Pico Cristóbal Colón," which is 5,775 meters tall. Colombia has two coastlines: one on the Caribbean Sea and one on the Pacific Ocean. These areas have beautiful beaches, and the ports are important for trade.
1.4
The Amazon rainforest also covers a large part of Colombia. This jungle is home to many animals like jaguars, monkeys, and even pink dolphins. If you love nature, you can visit one of the national parks to see these amazing creatures.
1.5
The weather in Colombia is also very different in each area. Because Colombia is near the equator, the temperature stays the same all year. In Bogotá, the capital city, the weather is cool. The average temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius. But in coastal cities like Cartagena, it is much warmer. The average temperature there is about 30 degrees Celsius.
Colombian Culture: Music and Dance
1.6
Colombia has a rich and exciting culture. Music and dance are a big part of life in Colombia. One of the most famous types of music in Colombia is Cumbia. Cumbia is a mix of African, Indigenous, and Spanish music. You can hear Cumbia at parties and festivals all over the country. Another popular style of music is Vallenato. This music comes from the rural areas in the north of Colombia. It uses the accordion, which gives it a special sound.
1.7
Dance is also very important in Colombia. Salsa dancing is very popular. The city of Cali is called the "Salsa Capital of the World." In this city, people of all ages love to dance to fast salsa music. You can see people dancing in the streets or squares—it is like they were born with rhythm in their bones!
1.8
Colombia is also famous for its colorful festivals. One of the biggest events is the Barranquilla Carnival. This carnival is full of music, parades, and people wearing bright costumes. It is one of the largest carnivals in the world.
Colombian Food
1.9
Colombian food is delicious and reflects the country's many different regions. One popular dish is "arepas." These are corn cakes that are often served with cheese, eggs, or meat. Colombians eat arepas at any time of the day. You can find them in almost every city and restaurant.
1.10
Another famous dish is "bandeja paisa." It comes from the Antioquia region. Bandeja paisa is a big meal with rice, beans, pork, plantain, avocado, and a fried egg. It is very filling and tasty.
1.11
Colombia is also famous for its coffee. The country grows some of the best coffee beans in the world. The coffee farms in Colombia are located in the mountains, and the climate there is perfect for growing coffee. Many people around the world enjoy Colombian coffee every day. If you ever visit Colombia, do not miss the chance to enjoy coffee fresh from the source—it is like a dream come true for coffee lovers!
Colombian People and Language
1.12
The people of Colombia are very friendly and welcoming. They often say that their doors are always open, meaning they are happy to welcome guests. The official language of Colombia is Spanish. However, many indigenous languages are also spoken in the country. In some areas, people speak these languages, but Spanish is used everywhere.
1.13
Many young Colombians are learning English in schools, and more tourists are visiting the country each year. Colombians are proud of their culture, and they love to share it with others.
Famous Colombians
1.14
Colombia has many famous people who are known around the world. "Gabriel García Márquez" is a famous author from Colombia. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his book, "One Hundred Years of Solitude." This book is one of the most important works of magical realism, a type of storytelling that mixes fantasy and reality.
1.15
Colombian singer "Shakira" is also famous worldwide. She has won many awards for her music and is known for her unique dance moves. "James Rodríguez" is a well-known football player who has represented Colombia in international tournaments.
Fun Fact: Colombia's Colorful Caño Cristales River
1.16
Colombia is home to one of the most unique rivers in the world, called "Caño Cristales." This river is often called the "River of Five Colors" because, at certain times of the year, it turns vibrant shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and black! These colors come from a special type of plant that grows on the riverbed. It is one of nature's most amazing sights, and people from all over the world visit Colombia to see this magical river.
1. Colombia
South America
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QuizSkip the quiz
1.
What is Colombia known for?
A
Only its beaches
B
Only its rainforests
C
Its culture, landscapes, and friendly people
D
Its deserts and cold weather
2.
Who helped Colombia gain independence from Spain?
A
Christopher Columbus
B
Simón Bolívar
C
Gabriel García Márquez
D
James Rodríguez
3.
Where can you find pink dolphins in Colombia?
A
In the Andes Mountains
B
In the Caribbean Sea
C
In the Amazon rainforest
D
In the Pacific Ocean
4.
What is the capital city of Colombia?
A
Cartagena
B
Cali
C
Bogotá
D
Barranquilla
5.
Which Colombian city is known as the 'Salsa Capital of the World'?
A
Barranquilla
B
Cali
C
Cartagena
D
Bogotá
6.
Put the following events in the correct order:
christopher columbus arrives.
colombia wins independence from spain.
indigenous groups build strong communities.
gabriel garcía márquez wins the nobel prize.
7.
Match each description with the correct term:
Famous Colombian singer known for dance moves
Popular Colombian food made from corn
Important leader for Colombian independence
Nobel Prize-winning author
Colombian city known for warm coastal weather
Gabriel García Márquez
Simón Bolívar
Arepas
Cartagena
Shakira
8.
Fill in the blanks with the correct answers. (Fake answers are included.)
Colombia has coastlines on the
and the
.
is a famous type of Colombian music that uses an accordion.
is a traditional Colombian dish that includes rice, beans, pork, and plantain.
is the colorful festival held in Barranquilla.
The
River in Colombia is also called the "River of Five Colors."
Caribbean Sea
Pacific Ocean
Vallenato
Bandeja Paisa
Barranquilla Carnival
Caño Cristales
Amazon
Magdalena River
9.
Which statements are TRUE? (Choose all that apply.)
Colombia's highest mountain is over 5,000 meters tall.
The weather in Bogotá is very hot all year.
Salsa dancing is popular in Colombia, especially in Cali.
Arepas are a sweet dessert made only for festivals.
Colombia has ports on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Caño Cristales is known for changing colors because of a special plant.
10.
Complete the table with information from the text.
Name of Colombia's highest mountain | |
A typical Colombian corn-based food | |
City known for cool weather | |
Famous Colombian writer | |
River known as "the River of Five Colors" |
Pico Cristóbal Colón
Arepas
Bogotá
Gabriel García Márquez
Caño Cristales
