Sugarloaf Mountain: 5 Interesting Facts
Sugarloaf Mountain is a striking natural landmark overlooking Rio de Janeiro that sits at the entrance to Guanabara Bay in southeastern Brazil.
Known as Pao de Acucar in Portuguese, it is named for its unique shape that resembles a traditional form of refined sugar used in the 19th century. A tall granite cone with a circular top, it reaches up some 1299 feet, or 396 metres. Here are 5 interesting facts about this spectacular part of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A
Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of the largest and most popular urban rock-climbing destinations in the world. There are 270 different routes to explore in the area as you climb high above the Atlantic Ocean and the sprawling Rio de Janeiro. You can give it a hand yourself, or watch other adventurers conquer the iconic mountain.
B
It is not the only unique landmark in the area. Its neighbours add to the tranquil beauty of the whole peninsula. Morro de Babilonia, or Babylon Mountain and Morro de Urca, or Urca's mountain are two neighboring natural wonders.
These two mountains are also accessible to the public and open to rock climbers. Morro de Urca offers a play area for children and a restaurant that serves up delicious dishes.
C
Sugar Loaf Mountain has made an appearance in Hollywood blockbusters. The beauty of the area makes it perfect for the big screen. Pao de Acucar made its debut on screen in the 1942 film "Now, Voyager" with Bette Davis. It has also been featured in a James Bond film, "Moonraker" in 1979 where one of the scenes unfolds in a cable car. It has even been referenced in the popular cartoon sitcom, "The Simpsons."
D
Historic Guanabara Bay stretches in front of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Translated as "the bosom of the sea", it was home to several fortifications built by the colonial government in the 16 century. Guanabara is made up of more than 130 islands and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery you can see from high above as you tour the mountain.
E
Two cable cars take visitors to the summit where they can enjoy stunning views of Rio de Janeiro from a height of 1296 feet. The cars themselves are enclosed by glass panels. As you begin to ascend to the very top, you can enjoy the breathtaking views unfolding below you. Because Sugarloaf Mountain sits on a peninsula that stretches into the Atlantic Ocean it offers a unique scenic combination of a bustling city, a tranquil bay, and a sparkling ocean. You will love reaching the summit, but the journey there will be just as enjoyable.
(Source: Brazil Culture And Travel.com)
A. Match these words with their meanings.
a. landmark- viii. covered with buildings across a large area |
b. spectacular- v. very impressive |
c. sprawling- iii. a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water and is attached to a larger land area |
d. tranquil- iv. calm, quiet, and peaceful |
e. blockbusters- ii. very successful films |
f. fortifications- i. walls or other constructions built to strengthen a place against attack |
g. peninsula- vi. an object or structure on land that is easy to see and recognize |
h. bustling- vii. full of lively activity |
B. We can form adjectives by adding ing or '-ed' at the end of the verbs as in sprawling, bustling and unfolding in the text. Complete the following sentences by changing the verb in the brackets into an adjective by adding 'ing' or 'ed'.
a. The children were ……annoyed…… when they missed the beginning of the movie. (annoy) |
b. Have you read Agni by Nabarai Lamsal? It's a great book if you are ……interested…….in reading poems. (interest) |
c. The result of the game was……surprising…… The best team didn't win! (surprise) |
d. I don't enjoy going out with Sumi. She's the most……boring……person I've ever mot. (bore) |
e. The students were so ……excited……when their school decided to take them on a trip. (excite) |
f. Angela was quite……terrified……when she was flying for the first time. (terrify) |
g. I love to go to the fairs because they perform very……interesting……magic. (interest) |
C. Match the paragraphs in Reading II with their correct headings.
A. - iv. Rock Climbing |
B. - i. Neighboring Mountains |
C. - v. Hollywood Star |
D. - iii. Guanabara Bay |
E. - ii. Awesome Cable Car Ride |
D. Answer these questions. |
D. Answer these questions
a. Where is Sugarloaf Mountain located? |
Answer: Sugarloaf Mountain is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. |
b. How did the mountain get the name 'Sugarloaf Mountain'? |
Answer: The mountain got the name 'Sugarloaf Mountain' because its shape looks like a traditional form of refined sugar. |
c. Do you think many people can do rock-climbing at a time when they visit the mountain? Why? |
Answer: Yes, many people can do rock-climbing at the mountain because it has many different routes for climbers to explore. |
d. Which of the sites do you think the children would love to visit? Why? |
Answer: Children would love to visit Morro de Urca because it has a play area and a restaurant, and they can enjoy outdoor activities there. |
e. Name the first film in which Sugarloaf Mountain was featured. |
Answer: The first film in which Sugarloaf Mountain was featured is "Now, Voyager." |
f. What is historic about Guanabara Bay? |
Answer: Guanabara Bay is historic because it has forts built by the colonial government in the past. |
g. What should you do to enjoy the best scene of Guanabara Bay? |
Answer: To enjoy the best scene of Guanabara Bay, you should take a cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. |
Word Meaning
Word Meaning |
striking /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/ |
impressive, remarkable |
very impressive or noticeable |
landmark /ˈlændmɑːrk/ |
monument, feature |
a prominent or well-known object or feature for reference |
overlooking /ˌoʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ/ |
commanding, surveying |
having a view of from above or from a higher position |
resembles /rɪˈzɛmblz/ |
looks like, is similar to |
has a similar appearance or likeness to something |
granite /ˈɡrænɪt/ |
stone, rock |
a hard, coarse-grained rock used for construction and monuments |
spectacular /spɛkˈtækjələr/ |
magnificent, breathtaking |
very impressive or breathtaking |
explore /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ |
investigate, discover |
to travel through or investigate in order to learn or discover |
sprawling /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/ |
vast, extensive |
spreading out over a large area or covering a wide space |
conquer /ˈkɑːŋkər/ |
overcome, master |
to successfully overcome or defeat something or someone |
iconic /aɪˈkɑːnɪk/ |
emblematic, symbolic |
widely recognized and well-established as a symbol or representation |
tranquil /ˈtræŋkwɪl/ |
peaceful, calm |
calm and quiet; free from disturbance or turmoil |
peninsula /pəˈnɪnsjələ/ |
cape, headland |
a piece of land that is almost completely surrounded by water but connected to the mainland |
accessible /əkˈsɛsəbəl/ |
reachable, available |
able to be reached or entered easily; obtainable |
blockbusters /ˈblɑːkbʌstərz/ |
hits, successes |
highly successful and popular films or movies |
unfolds /ʌnˈfoʊldz/ |
develops, reveals |
to happen or become known or understood gradually or in a particular way |
referenced /ˈrɛfərənst/ |
mentioned, cited |
to mention or refer to something in a specific context |
stretches /ˈstrɛtʃɪz/ |
extends, reaches |
to extend or reach over a large area or distance |
fortifications /ˌfɔːrtɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/ |
defenses, fortresses |
structures built to protect a place or area from attack |
summit /ˈsʌmɪt/ |
peak, top |
the highest point or part of something |
explore /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ |
investigate, discover |
to travel through or investigate in order to learn or discover |
bustling /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/ |
busy, lively |
full of activity, noise, and energy |
bay /beɪ/ |
inlet, cove |
a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward |
sparkling /ˈspɑːrkəlɪŋ/ |
glistening, shining |
giving off flashes of light or reflecting bright points |
Extra Questions to Practice
Expandable FAQ Section
Where is Sugarloaf Mountain located?
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Sugarloaf Mountain is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What is the unique shape of Sugarloaf Mountain compared to?
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The unique shape of Sugarloaf Mountain resembles a traditional form of refined sugar used in the 19th century.
How tall is Sugarloaf Mountain?
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Sugarloaf Mountain reaches a height of 1299 feet or 396 meters.
What can visitors do at Sugarloaf Mountain besides enjoying the view?
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Visitors can engage in rock-climbing at Sugarloaf Mountain.
How many different routes are available for rock-climbing at Sugarloaf Mountain?
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There are 270 different routes for rock-climbing in the area.
What are two neighboring mountains mentioned in the text?
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The two neighboring mountains are Morro de Babilonia and Morro de Urca.
What does Morro de Urca offer besides natural wonders?
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Morro de Urca offers a play area for children and a restaurant serving delicious dishes.
In which films has Sugarloaf Mountain appeared?
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Sugarloaf Mountain has appeared in the films "Now, Voyager" and "Moonraker."
What is Guanabara Bay known for?
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Guanabara Bay is known for its historic fortifications and natural scenery.
How many islands are there in Guanabara Bay?
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Guanabara Bay is made up of more than 130 islands.
How high do the cable cars take visitors at Sugarloaf Mountain?
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The cable cars take visitors to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at a height of 1296 feet.
What are the cable cars enclosed by?
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The cable cars are enclosed by glass panels.
What can visitors enjoy while ascending to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain?
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Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views unfolding below them while ascending to the summit.
What unique scenic combination does Sugarloaf Mountain offer?
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Sugarloaf Mountain offers a unique scenic combination of a bustling city, a tranquil bay, and a sparkling ocean.
What will visitors love reaching at Sugarloaf Mountain?
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Visitors will love reaching the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain.
What makes Sugarloaf Mountain a popular destination for rock climbers?
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Sugarloaf Mountain's impressive height and the availability of 270 different routes make it an exciting and challenging destination for rock climbers.
Besides rock climbing, what other adventurous activities can visitors enjoy at Sugarloaf Mountain?
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In addition to rock climbing, visitors can also engage in hiking, nature walks, and birdwatching in the scenic surroundings of Sugarloaf Mountain.
How does the presence of Sugarloaf Mountain enhance the beauty of Rio de Janeiro's skyline?
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Sugarloaf Mountain's distinctive shape and prominent location overlooking Guanabara Bay add a captivating natural element to Rio de Janeiro's iconic skyline.
What are some notable landmarks or attractions near Sugarloaf Mountain, apart from the neighboring mountains mentioned in the text?
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Some notable landmarks near Sugarloaf Mountain include Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer statue, and the vibrant neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro.
How does the cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain contribute to the overall experience for visitors?
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The cable car ride offers a thrilling and panoramic journey, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the city, bay, and ocean, making it an unforgettable part of their Sugarloaf Mountain experience.