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Travel – Intermediate Level
The Korean DMZ
The Korean De-Militarized Zone (or “DMZ”) is probably one of the strangest places on Earth to visit as a
tourist. There are no beautiful sights to see. There are no interesting foods to try. There are no
department stores from which to buy something fashionable. Since the end of the Korean War in 1953,
the DMZ has separated North and South Korea. This 2 kilometer area on each side of the border
between both countries spans the entire 251 kilometer width of the Korean peninsula. Armed soldiers
from both sides patrol along the DMZ and there are many military outposts and towers in the area.
About 75,000 tourists visit the DMZ each year. It is the most popular tourist attraction in South Korea.
Despite that, it is not an easy place to access. First, organized visits of the DMZ are only allowed at a
very specific part of it. This point, called the UN Joint Security Area, is located about 40 kilometers
north of Seoul. Tourists to the DMZ must sign a form that shows they understand and will obey the
rules of the tour operators. They also forbid tourists to take photographs at certain times, even while
on the bus. There is a strict dress code enforced and tourists cannot wear t-shirts, jeans, or shorts on
their visit.
After arriving at the DMZ, tourists can see the guards patrolling both the north and south side of the
border. They can also visit several tunnels that the North Koreans dug under the DMZ and into South
Korea many years ago. Of course, the visit isn’t totally somber. There is, after all, a gift shop so you
can buy something to remember your visit to the strangest place in the world!
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Dreamreader.net
Travel – Intermediate Level
1. According to the article, what does “DMZ” stand for?
a) The Korean Zone
b) De-Extinction Zone
c) De- Korean Zone
d) De-Militarized Zone
2. The word “fashionable” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
a) useful
b) stylish
c) general
d) old-fashioned
3. In paragraph 2, “it” refers to:
a) the DMZ
b) each year
c) South Korea
d) an organized visit
4. The word “specific” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
a) partial
b) similar
c) partition
d) particular
5. According to the article, where is the UN Joint Security Area?
a) it is located about 40 kilometers east of Seoul
b) it is located about 40 kilometers west of Seoul
c) it is located about 40 kilometers north of Seoul
d) it is located about 40 kilometers south of Seoul
6. In paragraph 2, “They” refers to:
a) tourists
b) tour operators
c) photographers
d) South Koreans
7. Paragraph 3 is about:
a) the dangers of visiting the DMZ
b) what tourists can do at the DMZ
c) what tourists have to do at the DMZ
d) why North Koreans dug under the DMZ
8. The word “forbid” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
a) prohibit
b) permit
c) provide
d) charge
9. According to the article, what is one of the less serious things tourists can do at the DMZ?
a) they can drink coffee at a café
b) they can buy a gift at the gift shop
c) they can take a picture with a guard
d) they can chat with North Korean people
Answers: 1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (b)
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. You may copy, share or adapt this
material so long as it is not used for commercial purposes.