Phot ocopiable • can be downloaded from website macmillan Publishers Ltd 2009 Workers of the world, relax! Chávez takes over Hilton Level 3

PHOT
OCOPIABLE
•
CAN BE DOWNLOADED
FROM 
WEBSITE
© Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2009
 Workers of the world, relax! Chávez takes over Hilton
Level 3
Advanced
Comprehension check
3
What made Hugo Chávez decide to expropriate the Hilton hotel on Margarita Island?
1. 
a. He wanted to form a chain of socialist hotels.
b. He was angry at the hotel’s owners’ attempts to impose conditions on the revolutionary government. 
c. He wanted to show that he condemns US imperialism.
What has the reaction of the Hilton hotels group been to the expropriation of their hotel on Margarita Island?
2. 
a. They have welcomed the decision.
b. They have strongly criticized the decision.
c. They are in the process of considering how to react.
How has the Caracas Alba hotel changed?
3. 
a. Most of the foreign visitors have gone.
b. The gift shop has become more expensive.
c. The Italian restaurant now only serves Caribbean food.
How have foreign visitors described the Caracas Alba hotel?
4. 
a. They say it blends socialist values with business savvy and top-notch service.
b. They say they would only stay there if it was free.
c. They say it has poor service, it smells musty and the food is very expensive
Choose the best answer according to the text.
10
are offered to the needy, said Rayneth Oleaga, 
a spokesman for the government agency that 
administers the hotel. “It is for the people. It is 
accessible to all.”
The hotel has 900 rooms but under Hilton 
management only 545 were in service, a 
number the Alba has increased to 782. Last 
year’s 90% occupancy rate owed much to 
government delegations, said Camaripano. 
Occupancy this year has fallen to 65% but the 
hotel still makes a profit. “We are getting a lot of 
ordinary tourists as well as official delegations.”
Travel agents dispute that. Venezuela’s capital 
has a shortage of hotel rooms but foreign 
tourists often refuse to stay in the Alba, citing 
bad service, credit card rip-offs, musty smells, 
tatty furniture and overpriced food. Online 
reviews have dwindled but the few that are 
posted tend to be scathing. “I would never under 
any circumstances go back there, even if it were 
free,” said one former guest on tripadviser.com. 
“It reminded me of hotels behind the iron curtain 
in the 60s, very depressing. I was glad to leave.”
© Guardian News & Media 2009
First published in 
The Guardian
, 22/10/09
11

---

NEWS LESSONS / Workers of the world, relax! Chávez takes over Hilton / Advanced
•