The Galápagos Islands, part of the Republic of Ecuador, are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean surrounding the centre of the Western Hemisphere, 906 kilometres (563 miles) west of continental Ecuador. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species and were studied by Charles Darwin during the second voyage of HMS Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

Hi Jack,

I arrived at Ontario yesterday. It’s a pretty amazing place. We’re staying in a hotel near the Lake Ontario, where stands the iconic CN Tower, one of the Canada’s most popular landmarks. I am awe-struck at its magnificence. I had always heard about it, believe me, it’s beyond my imagination. It is a colossal and a dazzling architectural beauty. It stretches 553 meters high and strikes the skyline.

Today, Ryan and I went exploring. At the top, there was fine dining in the very famous revolving 360° restaurant. We enjoyed a sumptuous meal while looking out over the city and a picturesque lake. The panoramic view added magic to the site. With the setting sun, the tower was lit in different colours, turning it into a dreamy vision.

Undeniably, it is an engineering wonder, an entertainment destination, and an award-winning dining restaurant. It’s a must in everyone’s to-dolist while arriving in Canada. Another exciting feature was the glass-fronted elevators that took us to a thrilling 58-second ride to the top. It offered a breathtaking experience that cannot be put into words.

Also, the adventurous EdgeWalk, the world’s highest outdoor walk on a building was on our list. Ryan was terrified to get on it and he missed it. It is a perfect place for celebration and entertainment. The architectural illumination of the tower from dusk to dawn is breathtakingly beautiful.

Another added bonus was to meet the wonderful travellers hailing down from different parts of the world. In addition to the epic views, Canada has a lot to offer. Indeed, I owe it to my parents for letting me to be in this amazing country. It is all true that ’Canada loves all and excludes none’.

I am, eagerly, waiting to show you this place. I have already planned our week long activities and excursions. The weather is pleasant, so you don’t need to carry much. Write me your arrival details; I’ll pick you up from the airport.

Take care and see you soon,

James

A. Known as Canada’s only official national sport from 1859 to 1994, the game of lacrosse has been in the country since the 17th century. By the turn of the 20th century, it was the most dominant sport in the country. Canada’s indigenous people were observed playing the game of lacrosse back in the 17th century by European settlers. The Algonquin people named it Baggataway, while the Iroquois nation called it Tewaarathon. The First Nations played the game for their creator, as it was a way for them to show their gratitude to the great spirit.

B. The name came from French settlers, who believed the stick looked like a Bishop’s crozier or staff. Crozier in French is ’crosse,’ which is why they began calling the game La Crosse, and the term obviously stuck. It wasn’t until the 1800s that Montreal residents became interested in the sport, and they began playing games against the First Nations. Patriot William George Beers is known as the father of modern lacrosse. In the 1860s, he produced a pamphlet that detailed the rules and instructions for the sport. He also replaced the deerskin ball with one made from hard rubber.

C. It was North America’s first national sport governing body and its motto was ’Our Country, Our Game.’ By the end of 1867, there were 80 lacrosse clubs operating across Canada. The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) now recognizes four separate disciplines: box, men’s field, women’s field, and inter-lacrosse. Inter-lacrosse is a newer discipline, which is non-contact and very skill-oriented. ’Its main function is to introduce a wide range of young athletes to the skills of lacrosse and to provide an education tool to help develop conditioning and coordination in young athletes,’ CLA says.

D. Lacrosse was declared Canada’s national game in 1859. However, in 1994, Canadian Parliament passed Canada’s National Sport Act, which made lacrosse the national summer sport, and hockey the national winter sport. The Canadian Lacrosse Association was formed the same year Canada became a country, so they both celebrated their 150th birthday in 2017. A three-day festival in June 2017 at McGill University in Montreal, which has a long lacrosse history, celebrated the sport.

E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

’Cleaning up Alberta’s oil and gas wells could cost between $40 and $70 billion, a figure that demands attention during the provincial election,’ researchers told a news conference. ’Fiscally and environmentally, this is a ticking time bomb,’ said lead researcher Regan Boychuk. The estimate from the newly formed Alberta Liabilities Disclosure Project (ALDP), an independent coalition of 15 organizations and individuals, is based on data from the Alberta Energy Regulator obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The group called on leaders of Alberta’s political parties to take action on the future financial crisis. Regan Boychuk said, ’The wells may look harmless, but they’re not. All wells leak eventually and that’s why it’s so important they are plugged and reclaimed properly.’ Boychuk said it’s not too late to make well cleanup a campaign issue before the April 16 provincial election. Boychuk said most political parties are talking about boosting Alberta’s resource sector but not about the environmental costs involved. He added, ’We can either spend money on drilling more wells or spend money on cleaning up.’ Another researcher Thomas Tin was quoted saying, ’This is the moment when politicians are the most receptive. The day after the election is when politicians are the least receptive to public concern. That’s why we are making this data public today to try and influence this debate.’ He said about $200 million is being held by the Alberta government as a deposit to pay for the cleanup of unreclaimed wells. The problem gets worse once the additional costs of tailing ponds, mines and pipelines are included. He further added, ’We can’t develop our land. Albertans simply can’t afford variable solutions as the mess continues to grow.’ Shirley Dorin said she and her husband had decades of frustration after allowing an oil well to be drilled on their property near Didsbury in central Alberta in 1990.There was a constant flaring that lit up their house and she developed Parkinson’s disease. The government has extended no support in the treatment of the life-threatening disease. Reviving those wells would add to the misery. It turns out to be of no use. Though the production equipment was eventually removed a few years ago, yet the site which has had several owners, still remains, and suffers the consequences.