| Fact file Australia Area: 7,686,850 sq km Population: 18,600,000 Capital: Canberra Official language: English Currency: Australian dollar |
Aborigines probably came to Australia from Indonesia 50,000 years ago. The oldest skeleton found in Australia was at Lake Mungo in New South Wales. Archaeologists believe it is 38,000 years old and it carried traces of ceremonial paint.
Aborigines were nomads. Originally, they didn't have a sense of land ownership, although Aboriginal children were taught from an early age that they belonged to the land and must respect tribal boundaries. Tribes returned to particular places to bury their dead. Some places, like Uluru, were sacred because they were associated with the 'Dreamtime', the time when the earth was formed and cycles of life and nature were begun.
Aboriginal legends, songs and dances tell of powerful spirits who created the land and people during the Dreamtime. There was no written Aboriginal language and, in fact, most of the 600 tribes spoke different dialects and rarely met except on ceremonial occasions. The tradition of the Dreamtime, however, united the people. Rock paintings showing this creation period can be found all over the country. Some of the most spectacular and best preserved can be seen at rock galleries in Kakadu National Park and other parts of northern Australia.
The arrival of white people gradually brought an end to the traditional Aboriginal way of life. The 'new' Australians began to build and settle on Aborigine tribal lands. Today, most Aborigines live in cities and towns or in isolated settlements near tribal lands. Few continue the old nomadic way of life.
In recent years, white Australians have become more sensitive to the Aborigines' situation. The result has been an increase in health and educational services, greater recognition of Aboriginal land rights and a growing appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Many museums now display Aboriginal art, musical instruments and artifacts.
1. What do you know about Australian Aborigines? In pairs, decide if these statements are true (T) or false (F). Then read the text and check your answers.
1) They originally came from India.
2) They were farmers.
3) There is no written Aboriginal language.
4) Europeans destroyed their traditional way of life.
5) No Aboriginal art or artifacts survive.
2. Match the words from the text (1-5) with the definitions (ae):
1) archaeologist a) a living thing without a physical body
2) tribe b) a person who studies remains of buildings and tools
3) spirit c) a place where works of art are shown
4) gallery d) a tool or small object made by people
5) artifact e) a group of people of the same race led by a chief
3. Which of the words in Exercise 2 are similar in your language?
Find more words like these ones in the text.
4. What ancient people have lived in your country? Where did they originally migrate from? Are there any museums where you can see remains of their art and artifacts? Write a short a story.
|
|
|
London
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life Dr S. Johnson
| London Timeline 43 AD When the Romans arrived in Britain, London was already a small town. Linder the Romans Londinium became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia. 886 King Alfred the Great united England. He captured London from the Danes and made it capital of his kingdom. 1666 The Fire of London destroyed much of the city. The reconstruction was organized by the architect Christopher Wren who designed St Pauls Cathedral. 1850 By the middle of the nineteenth century, London was the largest city in the world and the most important port. In this period it was famous for its terrible pollution. 1939-45 In World War II, London was seriously damaged by German bombing. 1980 In the last twenty years, the old port area has been rebuilt. There are big, new skyscrapers and the Millennium Dome, the largest dome in the world, which was finished in 1999. In 2000 it held the millennium exhibition. |
Over two hundred years later, Dr Johnson is still right! London is the place to be, with so many different things to do and places to visit. Here are a few.
Royal London. You can visit Buckingham Palace, the Queens London home and see the Changing of the Guard at 11 a.m. every day. In the Tower of London, you can see the Crown jewels and visit the place where many famous prisoners lived and died. You can take a boat trip on the Thames to Hampton Court, where Henry VIII lived with five of his six wives. In the gardens of the palace is a famous maze, which is easy to get into but not so easy to get out of!
Rainy Days. London is one of the best places to be on a rainy day (which is quite often!), because of all its museums and galleries. If you like machines, you must go to the Science Museum. Next door you will find the Natural History Museum with its excellent dinosaur exhibition. The British Museum is one of the worlds great museums with its excellent collections from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Art-lovers can visit the National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain or the National Portrait Gallery.
Shopping. London attracts shoppers from all over the world for the latest fashions. The main shopping area is in the West End, around Oxford Street. There are also famous street markets at Portobello Road, Camden Lock and Petticoat Lane where you can buy anything from bargain jewellery to expensive antiques.
Going Out. There is always a wide choice of plays to see at Londons many theatres in the West End around Covent Garden. There are many clubs with modern music like house or jungle or more traditional music like salsa and samba. Music lovers can also find many places for top quality classical, jazz and pop music.
1. Would you like to go to London? What would you like to see and do there?
2. Put these events from London's history in the correct order:
a) damaged by bombing
b) founded by the Romans
c) fire destroyed much of the city
d) many high buildings built
e) was the biggest city in the world
f) became capital of England
g) St. Paul's Cathedral rebuilt.
Read the London timeline and check your guesses.
3. Make a list of places for a tourist to visit in your area.
Mystery of Wales
|
|
|
What do you know about Wales? Choose a, b or c.
1. The population is:
a) one million, b) two million, c) three million.
2. The capital is:
a) Cardiff, b) Swansea, c) Wrexham.
3. The official language is:
a) English, b) Welsh, c) both English and Welsh.
4. The national symbols are:
a) a dragon and a leek, b) a lion and a rose, c) a horse and a tree.
Now read the article and check your answers.
| Fact file Wales Area: 20,764 sq km Population: 3,000,000 Capital: Cardiff Official languages: English and Welsh (with over half a million Welsh speakers) Political structure: part of the United Kingdom (with a Welsh National Assembly) |
T the west of England lies a small, almost secret country called Wales. It is a land of green and grey: green fields, valleys and hills; grey mountains and sky, grey mining villages and grey stone castles.
1.
The story of the Welsh people is one of determined resistance to invaders ― the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans and finally the English. After the fall of the Roman Empire in 410 AD, the barbarian Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain. Legendary kings and princes, like King Arthur, won important victories against the Saxons, but gradually these original Britons were pushed west, into the hills and mountains of Wales. Welsh princes fought hard against the English, but Wales was finally conquered. In 1301 Edward I gave his son the title of Prince of Wales and in 1536 Wales was united with England.
2.
Despite the conquest, Wales has maintained its unique culture and strong national identity, particularly through its language. Welsh, a Celtic language, very different from English, is one of the oldest languages in Europe. However, in the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century, the Welsh language declined. The British government made English the official language and English was the only language allowed in schools. The number of Welsh speakers went down from 80% to under 20% of the population. Since the 1960s, though, there has been a revival of the Welsh language. Welsh is also an official language, it is taught in schools and there is a Welsh language TV channel.
3.
A tradition of storytelling, poetry and singing began in the castles of the Welsh princes in the middle ages and continues today. Every year eisteddfods are held around the country. An eisteddfod is a meeting of poets and singers who take part in competitions. As well as literature in the Welsh language, Wales has produced important poets in English such as Dylan Thomas and R.S. Thomas. Famous actors include Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Wales is a musical nation and choirs are important. Nowadays, when the national rugby team plays in Cardiff, 80,000 voices can be heard singing the Welsh hymn Bread of Heaven.
4.
The flag of Wales, with its red dragon, is one of the oldest in the world. It was brought to Britain by the Romans. The patron saint of Wales is St. David. St. David converted Wales to Christianity and established the Welsh church. The leek is another symbol of Wales. According to legend, St. David ordered his soldiers to wear them on their helmets before the Welsh fought a victorious battle over the Saxons.
1. Read the article and match the sections (1-4) with these titles:
Symbols of Wales, Welsh History, Welsh Culture, the Welsh Language.
2. Why is Wales called an 'almost secret' country?
3. Describe any similarities or differences between the history of Wales and your country.
Britain Today
(1) Dont expect to see red phone boxes everywhere ― there arent many left nowadays! Some phones take cash (£1, 50p, 20p and 10p coins) and some take phone cards ― we suggest having both. Phone after 6 p.m. ― its cheaper! Useful numbers: Emergencies 999, International Operator 155.
(2) There are £50, £20, £10 and £5 notes, and coins worth £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. Avoid getting £50 notes if you can ― some places might refuse to change them. If you dont want to risk carrying a lot of cash, get some traveller's cheques before your holiday. Banks are usually open from 9.30 to 4.30, but most of them are closed on Saturdays. If the bank is closed, use your own cash or credit card from home in a cash machine or hole-in-the-wall, as the British call them ― the machine will give you British currency.
|
|
|
(3) Most pubs offer a good variety of food at reasonable prices. If you can afford to pay for something more special, there are many international restaurants. If you see service included on a restaurant bill, you dont need to tip. If it says service not included' a 10% tip is expected.
(4) Hotels are expensive in Britain but there are some cheaper alternatives. Bed and Breakfasts are private houses which offer accommodation and breakfast. Many of them give excellent value for money. Your hostels are even cheaper, if you dont mind sharing with other people. Hostels vary greatly, but all those belonging to the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) guarantee certain standards of comfort and cleanliness.
(5) Wherever you decide to stay in Britain, we advise you to take a plug adaptor if you plan to use any electrical appliance like a hairdryer. Plugs in Britain (like a lot of other things!) are different from the rest of Europe.
(6) Buses are probably the cheapest way to travel. If you cant stand going on long bus journeys, you can always go by train. Trains in Britain are expensive but return tickets (especially day returns) are a lot cheaper than singles. If you are staying in London, you can save a lot of money by getting a travel card for one day or for a week to go on the Tube and buses.
(7) We cant promise to provide good weather for your trip ― British weather is very changeable. If you enjoy sitting in the hot sun all day, you should consider going somewhere else for your holidays! During the main tourist season, June-August, the weather is mild, usually between 20C and 25C.
1. Read the text. Match these titles with the sections (1-7):
Accommodation, Differences, the Weather, Eating Out, Money, Telephones, Travel.
2. Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1) In Britain, phone calls are more expensive in the evening.
2) £50 is the largest note.
3) You don't always need to leave a tip after a meal in a restaurant.
4) Youth hostels are cheap but very uncomfortable.
5) You can't take electrical appliances to Britain and use them without an adaptor.
6) UK buses are cheaper than trains.
7) You can use travel cards when you travel around Britain by bus or train.
8) Britain is usually hot and sunny in the summer.
3. Look at the verbs in bold in the text and classify them below into the correct column:
promise, expect, plan, risk, refuse, can't stand, avoid, not mind, advise, suggest, need, enjoy, consider, decide, afford, want
| verbs + infinitive | verbs + -ing |
Eating in Britain
D you know anything about British food? What kinds of British food do you know? Read on
Years ago a Frenchman said that the only way to eat well in Britain was to eat breakfast three times a day. And, let's be honest, most British food was terrible ― overcooked vegetables, greasy sausages, boring sandwiches. For a lot of people, eating was something you had to do to survive; it was certainly not an enjoyable experience. But things have changed...
Food has become very important in Britain. TV cooks are more famous than writers and their recipe books are bestsellers. More of us eat out regularly and we can get excellent food in lots of different kinds of restaurants ― French, Indian, Italian, Greek, Thai, Indonesian... even British! Traditional British pubs serve surprisingly good meals at good prices. British supermarkets are now full of exotic cooking ingredients, sauces, pasta, cheese, fruit and vegetables. The British love all kinds of 'international food. The most popular is now pizza and, according to a recent survey, 40% of British families have a curry for Sunday lunch, instead of traditional dishes like roast beef. We eat less meat and more fresh fruit and vegetables. A growing number of people are becoming vegetarians. Even children know about sugar-free sweets. That is the good news. Unfortunately, there is also some bad news. As we work harder and have less time, we are eating more and more fast food and doing less exercise. For lunch, many of us have a hamburger or sandwich and when we come home in the evening we put our ready-made dinner into the microwave before sitting down in front of the TV. Meals are no longer family occasions.
|
|
|
1. Find the Key Words in the text and try to guess their meanings. Then match them with their definitions.
| Key Words cook, dish, food, lunch, meal, recipe, curry |
1) general word for things you eat;
2) food you eat at a specific time of the day, e.g. breakfast, dinner;
3) ingredients and instructions for making a particular meal;
4) a person who prepares food;
5) the food you eat between 12.00 and 2.00 p.m. in Britain;
6) an Indian dish of meat or vegetables with lots of spices;
7) specific type of prepared or cooked food, e.g. beef stroganoff, spaghetti bolognese.
2. Read the article. List three 'good' changes and three bad changes in British eating habits.
3. List some differences between eating habits in Britain and your country.
Example: Curries are not popular in my country.
4. Write a description of food and eating habits in your country for a foreign visitor.
Local Dishes
Fish and Chips
One of Britain's best-known meals is fish and chips. It is not only delicious, but also a part of British culture.
The fish is covered in batter (made from eggs, milk and flour) then fried in hot oil. When cooked, the batter is crispy and the piece of fresh fish inside is soft. This is served with chips, pieces of deep- fried potato, which are then sprinkled with salt and vinegar.
Fish and chip shops have been around since the 19th century. It was traditional in parts of Britain to eat fish and chips on Friday evening. Families would usually buy them from their nearest shop and serve them at home. It used to be quite a cheap meal and was often served wrapped in newspaper.
Irish Stew
Any Irish person will tell you that the best Irish stew is the one their mother makes. In fact, no two Irish stews are the same, because everyone who cooks it changes the recipe in their own way.
Originally, Irish stew was a dish that poorer people made because it was cheap and filling. The main ingredients were lamb and potatoes, both of which were easy to find in Ireland. Other ingredients were usually onions, carrots and parsley.
Today, Irish stew is still the same basic dish - a kind of thick soup or casserole made of meat, potatoes and vegetables. However, the exact recipe varies to suit individual tastes and the availability of ingredients. For example, many Irish immigrants in America found beef to be cheaper and more available than lamb, and so they used beef instead. Some recipes have even changed this simple dish into a gourmet meal.
Pancakes with Maple Syrup
Canada's most famous dish is pancakes with maple syrup. It is traditionally eaten for breakfast, and can be found on the menu in practically every diner in the country.
Pancakes are made from eggs, milk and flour, and they are cooked on a griddle. They are round and quite thick, and they are served with maple syrup poured over the top.
Maple syrup is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree. The sap is collected from the trees in early spring, and then boiled until it turns into a golden syrup. The syrup is delicious when poured on ice-cream, waffles ― and, of course, pancakes.
Burger and Fries
A burger and fries is by far the most popular type of meal bought in the US. In fact, Americans buy almost 5 billionburgers a year! This popularity has spreadaround the world with the growthof international fast food restaurant chains.
Many people say that the first burger was served at the St Louis World's Fair in 1904. The first chain of burger restaurants started with the White Castle burger in 1921, and it was a great success.
|
|
|
The classic burger is made from about 100 grams of mincedbeef which is fried or grilled, then served in a buncovered with sesame seeds.The growing popularity of vegetarianismhas also led to burgers made from soya bean meat instead. Fries, also called French fries, are cooked like English chips, but they are cut into thinner slices.
A burger and French fries may not be the healthiest meal I the world but it is certainly one of the world's favourites.
1. Match the dishes (a-d) to the countries where they are traditionally eaten (1-4):
a) fish and chips 1) Ireland
b) Irish stew 2) USA
c) burgers and fries 3) Canada
d) pancakes and maple syrup 4) Britain
2. Which text(s) A, B, C or D mention(s) a dish:
1) that may include meat?
2) that includes meat?
3) traditionally eaten in the morning?
4) some of whose ingredients many vary?
5) traditionally eaten on a particular day of the week?
3. What are the most popular traditional dishes in your country? What do you know about their history?
Animals Unique to Canada
Killer Whales
These mammals are absolutely beautiful. They have a very distinctive black-and-white colouration. Over 600 killer whales live along British Columbias coastline. They make up some of the most complex communities we have seen in mammals. They always travel in groups called pods. There are between five and thirty animals in each pod. The whales live and travel with their mothers even after they are fully-grown, forming strongly matriarchal whale societies. Over its lifetime, the group will never separate and a female will always act as the leader of the group. Killer whales are very successful hunters due to their cooperative hunting, where all animals within the pod participate.
Female killer whales usually give birth every three to ten years. Killer whales have no natural predators (they are the top predators of the oceans) and can live for about fifty to eighty years. They are not considered endangered.
Black and Rare White Bears
Along the coast of British Columbia also lives a population of between 120,000 and 160,000 black bears. Adult male black bears range from about 130 to 190 centimeters in length and 60 to 300 kilograms in weight.
The bears are generally vegetarian. Their diet consists of roots, berries, nuts, fish, insects and sometimes other animals.
Female black bears become mature at the age of three and usually give birth to two or three cubs. Cubs remain with their mothers for a year and a half. Consequently, the most often that female black bears can give birth is every two years. An amazing fact about some black bears is that they can produce beautiful bears that are white in colour!
Except for females with cubs, black bears spend most of their time alone. During the breeding season, a male and female may remain together for several days at a time. Their life expectancy in their natural environment is twenty to twenty-five years.
The Canadian Government realizes that these black and white bears are very special. As a result, some steps have been taken to protect them. For example, there is a law that prevents people from hunting the bears.
Canada Geese
Canada geese can be seen and heard in many areas of British Columbia. They usually stay till November or December before flying south for the winter in search of warmer climates.
Canada geese have black heads, tails, necks and feet and white feathers on their heads. Their lifespan is quite long, ranging from twenty to thirty years. While Canada geese tend to produce young at the early age of three, females are known to reproduce up to the age of twenty, laying four to seven eggs each spring.
Canada geese have very strong family relations. In fact, both parents tend to their young for nearly a year. Families stay together until the time comes to return to the breeding areas. It is only at this time that the geese must go their separate ways. Because Canada geese are a national symbol, it is illegal to harm them in any way. This policy has actually resulted in an overpopulation of the birds. For example, in Vancouver, British Columbia, it is not uncommon to see a family of Canada geese walking around on a highway!
1.Say if the following statements are true or false:
1) Whales are pretty mammals and have grey-and-black colouration.
2) Whales live along British Columbias coastline.
3) Whales travel in pods.
4) Columbia bears are small animals.
5) Canadian bears feed on meat and plant.
6) Canadian black bears spend most of their time alone.
7) The Canadian Government has taken some steps to protect those black-and-white bears.
8) Canada geese can be seen in many parts of Canada and in New Zealand.
9) Canada geese spend winter in Britain.
10) Canada geese have very strong family relations.
2. Match questions (1-6) to each of the three animals:
) killer whale;
b) black bear;
c) Canada geese.
Which of the animals:
1) has the longest average lifespan?
2) can be observed in two different colour varieties?
3) produces their young the most often?
4) does not have strong social instincts?
5) is not protected by law?
6) can be seen in populated areas?
3. What rare animals can be seen in our country? What can you say about them?
