Salt Lake City

Introduction
Salt Lake City is a big and beautiful city in the United States. It is in the state of Utah. The city got its name from the Great Salt Lake, which is a very big lake near the city. About 200,000 people live in Salt Lake City. It is the biggest city in Utah.

Where is Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City sits in a valley. Tall mountains are all around the city. These mountains are called the Wasatch Mountains. In winter, these mountains get a lot of snow. Many people come here to ski. The mountains help make Salt Lake City a special place.

Weather
The weather in Salt Lake City changes a lot during the year. In summer, it is hot and sunny. The days are warm, but the nights are cool. In winter, it is cold and snowy. The city gets lots of snow because of the mountains. Spring and fall are nice times to visit because the weather is not too hot or too cold.

History
Salt Lake City has an interesting story. Mormon pioneers started the city in 1847. The pioneers were looking for a new home. Their leader was Brigham Young. When they found this valley, they decided to stay. They built homes, farms, and churches. The city grew bigger and bigger over time.

Things to See and Do

Temple Square
Temple Square is in the middle of the city. It is a very important place for Mormon people. The Salt Lake Temple is here. It is a big, beautiful building that took 40 years to build. Many people visit Temple Square every year to see the temple and the pretty gardens.

### The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is very special. It is one of the biggest salt lakes in the world. The water has so much salt that people can float very easily in it. You cannot sink! Many birds live near the lake. People like to watch the sunset over the lake. It is very beautiful.

City Creek Center
This is a big shopping place in the middle of the city. People can buy clothes, food, and many other things here. The shopping center has a creek running through it. There is also a roof that opens and closes depending on the weather.

Liberty Park
Liberty Park is the biggest park in Salt Lake City. People come here to:
- Walk or run
- Have picnics
- Play sports
- See birds and animals
- Visit the small zoo
The park is very green and pretty in spring and summer.

Sports and Fun
Salt Lake City loves sports. The Utah Jazz basketball team plays here. In 2002, the city had the Winter Olympics. Many people came from all over the world to watch sports in the snow. Now, people still use the Olympic places for sports and fun.

## Food
The city has many good places to eat. You can find:
- American food
- Mexican food
- Chinese food
- Italian food
- Local Utah food

A special food in Salt Lake City is called "fry sauce." It is pink and people put it on french fries. Many people in Utah love this sauce.

Getting Around
It is easy to move around in Salt Lake City. The city has:
- Buses
- Trains
- A light rail system called TRAX
- Many roads
The streets in the city are very wide. This makes it easy for cars and buses to move around.

Education
Salt Lake City has good schools. The University of Utah is here. It is a big school where many students study. There are also many other schools and colleges in the city.

Jobs
Many people work in Salt Lake City. They work in:
- Offices
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Shops
- Hotels
- Restaurants
The city has many jobs because it is growing bigger all the time.

Nature Near the City
People who live in Salt Lake City love nature. They can:
- Go hiking in the mountains
- Ski in winter
- Visit parks
- Go camping
- See wildlife
The mountains and lakes make it easy to enjoy nature.

Special Events
The city has many fun events all year:
- The Utah State Fair in summer
- The Salt Lake City Marathon in spring
- Christmas lights in winter
- Music festivals
- Food festivals
These events help make the city fun for everyone.

Living in Salt Lake City
Many people like living in Salt Lake City because:
- The city is clean
- There are many parks
- The mountains are beautiful
- There are good jobs
- People are friendly
- There are many fun things to do

The Future
Salt Lake City is growing. More people move here every year. The city is building:
- New homes
- New offices
- New trains
- New parks
This helps make the city better for everyone.

Important Facts to Remember
- Salt Lake City is in Utah, USA
- It is near the Great Salt Lake
- Mountains are all around the city
- About 200,000 people live here
- The weather changes a lot in different seasons
- There are many fun things to do
- It is easy to get around the city
- Nature is very important here

Words to Learn
Here are some important words from this article:
- Valley: a low area between mountains
- Pioneer: a person who goes to a new place first
- Temple: a special building for religious activities
- Salt: a white thing we put in food (and what makes the lake salty)
- Olympics: big sports games with people from many countries
- Wildlife: animals that live in nature
- Festival: a big party or celebration
- Marathon: a very long running race

Conclusion
Salt Lake City is a special place. It has mountains, a big salt lake, and many fun things to do. People can enjoy nature, sports, shopping, and good food here. The city is growing and changing, but it keeps its friendly feeling. Whether you want to ski, shop, learn, or just enjoy the mountains, Salt Lake City has something for everyone.

Reading Comprehension Exercises - Salt Lake City

Part 1: True or False
Read these sentences. Write "True" or "False" for each one:
1. Salt Lake City is in the state of Utah.
2. The city is near the ocean.
3. There are no mountains near Salt Lake City.
4. About 2 million people live in Salt Lake City.
5. The city gets snow in winter.
6. The Great Salt Lake has no salt in it.
7. Temple Square is in the middle of the city.
8. People can only eat American food in the city.
9. The streets in Salt Lake City are very narrow.
10. The University of Utah is in Salt Lake City.

Part 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer (a, b, or c):

1. How did Salt Lake City get its name?
a) From salt in the streets
b) From the Great Salt Lake
c) From a person called Salt

2. Who started Salt Lake City?
a) Mormon pioneers
b) Native Americans
c) Spanish explorers

3. What can people do in the mountains?
a) Swim in the ocean
b) Build big cities
c) Go skiing

4. What is special about the Great Salt Lake?
a) It has fresh water
b) People cannot float in it
c) People can float very easily in it

5. What is TRAX?
a) A train system
b) A shopping center
c) A restaurant

Part 3: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with words from the box:
```
valley pioneers temple weather mountains lake shopping sports
```

1. Salt Lake City sits in a ________.
2. The ________ get lots of snow in winter.
3. The ________ changes a lot during the year.
4. The Salt Lake ________ took 40 years to build.
5. Mormon ________ started the city in 1847.
6. City Creek Center is a big ________ place.
7. The Great Salt ________ is very special.
8. Many people come to watch ________ in the city.

Part 4: Short Answer Questions
Write short answers:

1. Name two things people can do in Liberty Park.
2. What is "fry sauce"?
3. What happened in Salt Lake City in 2002?
4. Name two ways people can travel around the city.
5. What are two reasons people like living in Salt Lake City?

Part 5: Match the Words
Match the words with their meanings:

1. Valley a) animals that live in nature
2. Pioneer b) a big party or celebration
3. Temple c) a low area between mountains
4. Wildlife d) a person who goes to a new place first
5. Festival e) a special building for religious activities