Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answers to each of the questions.
The Most Unusual Tourist Attractions
A. Island of Dolls, Mexico
Deep in the green waters of Xochimilco near Mexico City lies a small island with a history that chills to the bone. The Island of Dolls is a place where countless dolls, in varying states of decay, hang from trees. These dolls are said to be an offering by a grieving caretaker to calm the restless spirit of a young girl who drowned in the canal nearby. Visitors describe an intense atmosphere, where the silence is broken only by the whispering leaves and the unblinking gazes of plastic figures. It’s an attraction that blends folklore, sadness, and the supernatural.
B. Temple of Rats, Deshnok, India
In the town of Deshnok, Rajasthan, the Karni Mata Temple is home to thousands of rats that are considered sacred. Locals and travellers alike tread carefully so as not to disturb these holy creatures, believed to be the reincarnated family members of the goddess Karni Mata. The air smells of incense, and the quiet squeaks of the rats fill the space. Visitors leave milk and grain for them, and it’s considered lucky to spot the rare white rat among the throng.
C. The Gum Wall, Seattle
Adjacent to the box office for Seattle’s Market Theater, this colourful wall covered with used chewing gum is a testament to spontaneous urban art. Starting in the early 1990s as a peculiar habit by theatregoers, it has transformed into a colorful display of sticky art. Despite several cleanings of the walls, the gum-sticking remained, and the authorities eventually decided to embrace the eccentric tradition.
D. Baldwin Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin’s claim to fame is Baldwin Street, recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s steepest. Visitors huff and puff up the street, where the footpath feels almost vertical, and the houses look like they’re tilted. This quirky urban wonder is a hub for fun events, like the annual Jaffa Race, where thousands of candies roll down to the amusement of spectators, turning this steep street into a spectacle of community and celebration.