Lesson made on June 18, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
Some people in Venice are upset because Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, is getting married there soon. His wedding will be very fancy and expensive, and it might close parts of the city for several days. Many rich and famous guests are expected, like Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, and even members of the Trump family. Hundreds of guests will stay in the best hotels or even on Jeff Bezos’ private yachts. Because of this, most of the city’s fancy hotels are already booked.
A group called “No Space for Bezos” is leading protests against the wedding. They say Venice is becoming more like a playground for rich people instead of a real city where normal people can live. They think events like this wedding make life harder for locals, who are being pushed out by expensive vacation rentals and tourist businesses. Long ago, about 175,000 people lived in Venice, but now there are fewer than 49,000 residents. In fact, last year the city had more tourists than locals for the first time ever.
The protest group is planning peaceful ways to disrupt the wedding, like blocking the small streets so guests can’t reach the party or swimming in the canals to stop water taxis. They also hung banners on famous buildings like the Rialto Bridge to show their message.
Venice’s mayor does not agree with the protesters. He says they are making the city look bad and that important events like this bring jobs and money. Some business owners also think the wedding will help shops and hotels.
Comprehension Quiz:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. Do you think it’s fair for a city to be closed for a celebrity wedding? Why or why not?
2. What are some good ways to protest something you don’t agree with?
3. Have you ever visited a place that felt too crowded with tourists? What was it like?
More Reading Practice:
Venice, Italy
Venice is famous because it is a city built on water. It was built on many small islands, and instead of streets, it has canals. These canals are like water roads. People use boats to get around the city. The most famous kind of boat is called a gondola. Gondolas are long and narrow, and a person stands at the back to row it. You can also ride water buses, which are like regular buses but they float.
The buildings in Venice are old and beautiful. Many were built hundreds of years ago. They have colorful walls, arched windows, and detailed decorations. Venice also has many bridges that connect the islands. People walk across the bridges to go from one part of the city to another.
Venice is also known for its art and history. Long ago, it was a rich and powerful city. It traded goods with many other places. Today, people come to see the old churches, museums, and palaces. Venice is also famous for the Venice Carnival. During this event, people wear special clothes and masks, and there are many celebrations. Tourists from all over the world visit Venice to enjoy its beauty and learn about its past.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is famous because he started Amazon, one of the biggest companies in the world. He had the idea in the 1990s, when the internet was still new. At first, Amazon was just a website for buying books. People liked it because they didn’t have to go to a store–they could shop from their homes. The company grew quickly. After books, Amazon started selling music, movies, clothes, toys, and almost anything people need. Today, it is the largest online store in the world.
Jeff Bezos became very rich because of Amazon’s success. He used new ideas and technology to make shopping faster and easier. He also changed how people get their packages. With Amazon, people could get things delivered to their homes in just one or two days. This was something new at the time, and it made many people want to shop online more often.
Bezos also started a space company called Blue Origin. His dream is to make space travel possible for regular people, not just astronauts. In 2021, he went to space for a short trip. Many people talked about it because he was one of the first billionaires to go to space.
Because of his work with Amazon and Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos is one of the most well-known business leaders in the world.
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