Longdong Article

LIVE Magazine
April 2025
Unit 2
pg. 14-15

Number 34 in Gao Yi Qin

Part 1

Read the story and offer discussion questions to understand it. For advanced classes, present the discussion questions only (or, after the reading) and let them do partner practice for 5 or 10 min. Then we do alternately readings and partner presentations.

Rock climbing has been my hobby for over 10 years.	What is your hobby? My hobby is rock climbing.
I love the physical challenge of it,	What is physically challenging for you? Playing basketball is physically challenging for me.
and also the beautiful places that it takes me to.	What is the most beautiful place in Taiwan? Swan Lake is the most beautiful place in Taiwan.
Before I came to Taiwan, I spent a lot of time climbing in many different countries.	Students make a question, such as, 'Have you been to a different country?'
When I moved here four years ago, something surprised me.	When did you move to Taiwan (Hsinying)?
While Taiwan has a lot of famous mountains,	What is a famous mountain in Taiwan?
there's one little spot on the northeast coast that all the rock climbers here talk about.
It turns out that Longdong is a rock climber's paradise.	Where is your paradise?

Longdong translates as “Dragon's Cave”.	We can play the 'buzzer game.' Who can hit the desk first? “What translates as….. rabbit!” 3 rounds of 3, 3 people.
It is an interesting place because there are tall cliffs and caves right next to the sea!
The rock here is some of the hardest in Taiwan.
As such, the cliffs are perfect for climbing,
which is Longdong's main draw for me.

For those who don't know, the sport of rock climbing involves getting to the top of a rock face with one's hands and feet
Climbers wear special shoes that help them climb and have ropes to catch them if they fall.
While one person climbs, his partner holds the rope from the ground.