a) geographical position of the country
b) the capital of Canada
c) big cities
d) culture
e) sports
f) way of life
III. Answer the questions
1. What are the Canadian symbols?
2. How does the national flag look like?
3. What is the motto of Canada?
4. What is Canadian national holiday?
5. What is the national emblem of Canada?
6. What is the territory of Canada?
7. What landscape has Canada?
8. What is the climate of the country?
9. What are the riches of the country?
10. What do you know about the wild life?
11. What is the capital of Canada?
12. What is the population of Canada?
13. What are the sights of Ottawa?
14. What are the biggest cities of Canada?
15. What do you know about big cities?
16. What are the Canadian museums?
17. How do Canadians spend their free time?
18. What is the system of educations in Canada?
19. What sports are popular in Canada&
20. What do you know about Canadian literature?
21. What theatres are there in Canada?
22. What are the famous Canadian painters?
23. What do you know about Canadian music?
24. Why is Canada called the land of immigrants?
25. What do you know about life of Ukrainians in Canada?
IV. Compare the two countries. Fill the table and speak about two country
| Ukraine | Canada | |
| Geographical position | ||
| Population | ||
| Big cities | ||
| Capital | ||
| Education | ||
| Music | ||
| Art | ||
| Life of youth | ||
| Sights |
Ͳ ֲ ̲
AUSTRALIA
I. Read the text
LAND AND CLIMATE
What is the Darling River?
Is Mt. Kosciusko higher then Goverla /2061 m/?
Is it hot in January in Australia?
Australia is the 6th largest country in the world. Its territory is 7,686,850 sq km. It is only slightly smaller than the U.S. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, China, the USA and Brazil. Australia is located to the south of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is the only country that occupies a complete continent. Australia is the flattest continent after Antarctica.
The original name was Terra Australis -The Southern Continent. Australia is a "down under-country..
Australia is a federal state. There are 6 states and 2 territories: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria; and Western Australia, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory with Canberra, the national capital. Each Australian state has its own government and capital. Outlying territories administered by Australia include Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Nauru, Norfolk, and Papua and New Guinea.
Australia can be divided into 3 regions: the Eastern Highlands /or the Great Dividing Range/, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. A long chain of mountains; the Great Dividing Range, runs along the Pacific Ocean. Mt. Kosciusko is the highest peak of Australia. It rises to 7,328 ft /2230m/. The land is 3% forest, 2% arable, and 1% pasture. It is also the driest continent in the world. About one third of the land is desert. Australia has 4 main deserts. Some dunes measure 320 km long. The Great Barrier Reef is a garden under the sea. It runs from 10 to 100 miles off the east coast for 1200 miles. It has 400 species of corals.
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Rivers fill with water only during the rainy season. The Darting River is the longest /2,739 km/. It is dry in winter. The Murray is 2589 km long. The largest lakes are Lake Eyre and Lake Torrents. Urulu National Park is a tourist attraction. Fertile farm land lies between the coast and the GDR. The plains are wheat-producing areas. Cattle stations reach the desert.
Australia is known for its marsupials /150/, including koalas, kangaroos, spiny anteaters and the platypus. Native birds / 700/ include the world's only black swans. Large flightless birds are the emu and the cassowary. Kookaburra is the best known bird. The platypus and the echidna are among the strangest Australian animals. They are the only mammals that hatch their young from eggs. Platypus lives only in Australia.
Native plants are acacia /700/ and eucalyptuses /500/. They grow to 85 m. There are palm shrubs and palms like trees.
Flowers include lilies, tulips, Iris and Chrysanthemum.
Australia has many national parks, where wild life is protected. Kakadu National Park is Australias largest national park. In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 1500 species of fish live.
Large cities are Sydney /pop.3,5 million/ and Melbourne /pop. 3 million/.
The climate ranges from tropical monsoon in the north to temperate in the south. Wet season is January-April. In the center the climate is very dry. Summer is December through February and winter is June through August. Winter temperature is 2C. Frost and snow occur in the Australian Alps and Tasmania. Annual rainfall is 40-60 ins in the far north. The wet seasons bring storms. In 1974 a cyclone leveled Darwin, Floods plagued many parts of Australia.
ANIMAL LIFE
Can a platypus receive electric signals?
What was homeland of kangaroos?
What animal graces Australia's coat of arms?
Australia has 500,000 species of plants and animals. Its fauna includes 70% of world's marsupials: kangaroos, possums, koalas and wombats. Placentals include native dog Dingo. The Koala is one of the most loved animals in Australia. It is a marsupial mammal. They are very fussy eaters, feeding on eucalyptus leaves. Koalas seldom drink. The koala sleeps in a fork of a tree for most of the day. It moves and feeds at night. Koalas leave up to 12-15 years. Emu is a flightless bird about 1,8 m tall closely related to the ostrich. It graces the coat of arms.
Platypus /Flat Foot/ is web-footed, duck build, egg-laying, venomous Australian mammal. Platypus lives 12 years. It is about 45 cm long. It has thick blackish brown fur, a flat bill like that of a duck, no lips, and a long flat tail. Adult male weights over 2 kg. It lays eggs but nurses its young. Its snout /big nose/ is not only for collecting food underwater. Platypus does not use its eyes or ears underwater. It can receive electric signals, giving the mammal a sixth sense that helps it "see" underwater.
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The platypus is the only known creature with separate aquatic and terrestrial sensory systems. Under water it closes eyes, ears and nostrils.. Scientists did not know what guides the platypus underwater. The answer came in 1986. The platypus is attracted to a battery. There are pores at the bill's sides with nerve endings responsive only to electric currents. The platypuses are very good at pinpointing a source of low-voltage emissions. Only one other mammal, the echidna, has electroreceptors.
The platypus swimming technique is also its own. Unlike other aquatic animals it pushes through water wit front feet. A platypus can drive in spurs and release poison.
They lived long before the Age of Mammals. Platypuses thermoregulate as well as any aquatic mammal. The feeding platypus stays underwater for a minute or so, gathering prey into cheek pouches. It feeds underwater at night, spends much of its time hidden in underground borrows. It is easily stressed to death in captivity. Just one captive egg has been successfully hatched.
We like to think of Australia as the "lucky country". When it comes to the wondrous kangaroos, there is no disputing it. Kangaroos came from North America across Antarctica, in that far-past age when the continents were together.
In the catalog of earth's more curious creatures, few are as wondrous as the kangaroos. They outclass most of the animal kingdom in the long and high jump, boxing and karate. Born die size of a large bean, they can grow taller than a man. They rise their young in body pouches. And in matters of reproduction hold a hidden ace: an expectant female can retain an embryo in ready reserve for months, until all conditions are right for its continued development.
Of 250 species of marsupials, some 170 of them including wombats, bandicoots and kangaroos-live only in Australia. Among marsupials, grey and red kangaroos are the largest. Males / boomers/ may stand over 2 meters tall and weigh close to 100 kg. These superb animals cruise at 27kmh. If need arises they can accelerate twice the speed. While grey excel at high jumping, reds take longhop honors. A red graces Australia's coat of arms.
Though timid by nature, boomers make powerful adversaries. Australians traditionally hunted them with huge, specially trained dogs. If water is nearby, the cornered boomer may grab the dog with the forepaws and hold it underwater until it drowns..
The animal's heavy tail, long prized for soup and meat, does more than go along for the ride. On the run it acts as a counterbalance, at a standstill it serves as a sort of stool.
The dominant male in any group fathers most of the offspring with no further responsibility. It's the non-liberated mother roo who must rear, shelter and feed his progeny.
Nocturnal b y nature, they prefer to bed down by day in tall grasses or under the shade of eucalyptus trees. Some kangaroos reach the old age of 20, but normal age is 7 years. Eagles, pythons, and goanna lizards pick off small ones: man and din go dogs kill adults. But the most devastating enemy is drought.
Aborigines had been hunting kangaroos for food and skins for uncounted centuries. James Cook, the first European, to reach eastern shores shot a grey while beached for repairs. Arrival of the first Europeans stepped up the slaughter until sheep ranchers began altering the environment; Here man proved both friend and foe. Today, every state in Australia has adopted a systemt hat permits controlled destruction of the animals. How to protect the roos? Kangaroos show no respect for boundaries. Several kangaroos are now rare. Clearing the land for grazing spelled their doom.
THE NATIOINAL EMBLEMS
Did you see the flag of Australia?
What animals are symbols of Australia?
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When is the Day of Australia?
The National flag of Australia is the only one to fly over the whole continent. The small Union Jack in the upper left corner represents the historical link with Britain. The large seven-pointed star represents the six states and the Territories. The small stars form the Southern Gross, the symbol of the Southern Hemisphere night sky.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR
Australians all let us rejoice.
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia's Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of ell the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage le.us all combine
To advance Australia Fair,
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.
THE COAT OF ARMS
The coat of arms of Australia was granted by King George V in 1912. On the coat of arms is a shield containing the badges of the six states. The supporters are native Australian fauna - a kangaroo and an emu. In the design there is also a yellow-flowered native plant wattle.
THE NATIONAL DAY OF AUSTRALIA
The National Day' of Australia is January 26. It marks the date hx.1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, of the British Royal Navy, commanded a fleet of 11 ships and sailed into port Jackson /Sydney Cove/.
CITIES
What is the capital of Australia?
What city is said to be "the most beautiful on earth"?
Did Miklouho-Maclay live in Sydney?
CANBERRA
Canberra is the federal capital of Australia /1927/. It is also the administrative center of New South Wales. Its population is 280,000. The city is situated in a wide valley, scattered wit gum trees on the both sides of the dark blue Lake Burley Griffin. The Molingo River flows through Canberra". A dam on the river forms Lake Griffin. The city was planned by an American architect. It is a "cyclist's paradise. "Canberra is home of the Australian National University and the Univ ersity of Canberra, Australian's Parliament / 1988/, a National Gallery, the National Library, the National Science and Technology Center, the High Court and the Old Parliament and 5 embassies.
SYDNEY
Sydney is the chief city and port of Australia, capital of NSW on Port Jackson, an inlet /l mile wide and 8 mils long/ of the Pacific. Population of Sydney is over 3, 5 million. Sidney has few thousands of aborigines. Sidney has no slums but some Aborigines live in substandard housing. The city covers 4,700 sq. miles. Sydney is gateway to Australia. Kingsford Smith International airport is the nation's busiest. It lies in beautiful hills near 60-km wonderful beaches. The people of the capital, "Sydneysiders ", say that Sydney is the "most beautiful city on earth". It has a perfect Mediterranean Climate, and fresh sea air. Sydney is Australia's oldest city. Captain Cook stopped near here in Botany Bay in 1770.Sydney received its first shiploads of convicts, 750 men and women on January 26,1788. Captain Phillips, the first governor chose the sit and named it for Viscount Sidney. About 1800, a farmer named John Macarthur brought the first Merino sheep to the area. This breed created wool industry and attracted many free settlers.
Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay /1846-1888/ visited Sidney in 187&. He took part in the intellectual and scientific life of the city. He established a marine biological station in Australia. He worked there for several years. He married Margaret Robertson / d.1938 / in 1848. They had 2 sons. He died in Russia at 42. On the wedding rings and on the grave of Miklouho-Maclay at his request was written "NDCDU" Nothing but Death Can Divide Us. Miklouho-Maclay's parents were by origin from Malyn, Zhytomyr Region, Ukraine. There is a collection of his papers in Sydney. A bronze sculpture was brought to Sydney from Russia in 1996 to mark his 150th anniversary. His grandsons live in Sydney.
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Sydney also is the most modern place In Australia. Its buildings are the highest and its colours are the brightest. A lot of Australia's cultural life is found here. Artists, writers, opera singers all live here, people call the city 'the Paris of the Pacific". But Paris hasn't got such sea, sand, sun, surf and Bondi Beach to relax and have rest.
Sydney has one of the most spectacular harbours in the world where snow-white yachts sail lazily underthe Sydney Harbour Bridge. The center of Sydney consists of elegant buildings. The Centerpoint Towerstands majestically beside David Jones Department Store, "the most beautiful store in the world".
George Street, the city's main street, runs to the center of downtown side. The down town area includes high-rise buildings. Eat of the town includes Hyde-Park, the Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Parliament House. King Cross includes many nightclubs and restaurants. Hyde Park Barracks, now a museum, originally housed male convicts. An Island in Sydney Harbour is called Pinchgut because is served as a prison where it inmates often went hungry. Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tunnel which runs under the harbour, links downtown with the suburbs. The large recreation areas are Royal National Park and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase.
Peddington is an area of beautiful houses one hundred years old near the center of Sydney. The Australians call it "Paddo". It is a good place to rive in but very expensive.
The famous Sydney Opera House / 1973/ looks like sails or waves when they break on the beach. It is set like a diamond against the blue waters. It was designed by the Danish architect J. Utson. It is one of the finest buildings built in the 1990s. The State Library owns a huge collection of books. The Art Gallery displays works by Australian and European artists. You can see here Tom Roberts' /1856/ picture "Bailed up" - a story of the gold-rush; Margaret Preston's /1875-1963/ "Implement Blue" /1927/ - a "still life" of shadows.
Sydney has 30 beaches, among them a surfing beach, Bondy and Manly. The Festival of Sydney begins with fireworks on January 1 and lasts the entire months. The royal Easter show, held in April, resembles a country fair.
Sydney is an industrial city of textiles food processing, foundries, motorcars, machinery, plastics and petrol refining. 14, 300 plants employ 1,2 millions workers. The Sydney's exports include coal, meat, wheat and wool. To reduce pollution, Sydney built 3 outfalls; they run under the seabed up to 4 km out to sea. But water pollution remains a problem. Port Jackson id crossed by a single-span arch bridge built in 1932. Sidney has 5 universities. University of Sidney / 18,000 students/ was founded inl850 and University of NSW in 1958.
Sidney is the host of the 27th Olympic Games 2000. The Sidney 2000 Games, and the Paralympics Games for disabled athletes to follow enjoyed wide community support.200 countries participate. There are 27 sports on the program. The 2000 Olympic Games focus on two primary zones -Sydney Olympic Park and the Sydney Harbour Zone. Sydney Olympic park at Homebush is being built on former industrial land. It is an environmental triumph for Sydney. It will be the site of the Olympic Stadium for 110,000 spectators and the Athletes' Village for 10,000 sportsmen and 5,000 team officials.
PERTH
Perth is the capital and commercial center of Western Australia. Population of Perth is over 500,000. It lies along the Swan River near the west coast of Australia, 12 miles from the Indian Ocean. It is called 'Australia's front door to Europe". Perth is sunny and cosy city.
Perth was founded in 1829 by James Stirling, a British naval officer. The city grew rapidly after settlers discovered gold. Mining discovery in the 1960s led to further growth. The business center is on the north bank of the river. King's Park includes area of vegetation /405 hectares/ known as bush. It takes time to go up the hill where King's park is. You will see a beautiful panorama of the city: green sports fields, the beautiful Narrows Bridge and lazy curves of the Swan River dotted with black swans. The black swan is the only species of swan native to Australia.
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Perth has a warm sunny climate. Boat and swimming are very popular. Perth is the home of a museum, an art gallery and reference library. A major casino complex was opened in 1985.The industrial plants are far from the center of the city. The main industries include motorcars, food processing, building materials, and light manufactures. Refineries process bauxite, nickel, and oil. Tourism is also an important economic activity. State University of Western Australia near Perth was opened in 1911.
BRISBANE
Brisbane is the capital, the chief port and commercial center of Queensland. Its population is over 1,300,000. It is situated on the Brisbane River near Moreton Bay. Brisbane has a mild sub-tropical climate with a warm summer and a mild winter. It is a "Holiday City".
In 1823, the British explorer John Oxley became the first European to reach the area. It was first settled as a penal station in 1824 established by Sir Thomas Brisbane, governor of NSW. The town was named for him. Brisbane became the capital in 1859.
Several dams were built to control floods. In 1974, a flood damaged 14,000 houses. The fair was part of Australia's 200 celebration. An attractive park was developed on the fair ground. The best way to enjoy the view of the city is from the top of the mount Coot-tha, seven miles from the City Hall. The Brisbane or "Brissy's" style is "no style". There are many fine building, both old and new. The Brisbane River gives character to the city. Never were there such serpentine curves. The river is big enough to allow big ocean going ships to berth right in the city.
Among the showplaces of the city are the Observatory, originally built by convict labour in 1829 as a mill; Parliament House, a fine example of French Renaissance architecture. Centenary Pool overlooking the lovely Victoria Park. There are colourful parks and gardens in the city. The Botanical Gardens are near the center of Brisbane. The Garden City of Toowoomba is famous for its annual Carnival of Flowers. Brisbane is the home of 3 Universities: Queensland University was founded in 1911.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is the capital of Victoria. Its area is 714 sq. miles and population over 3 million. Most of Melbourne families own houses. Downtown Melbourne is on the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra River runs through Melbourne. The city enjoys winter cool nights, delightful sprig and autumn, and arm summer. January and February are the hottest months in Melbourne /25C, water 21,5C/.
John Batsman, a farmer from Tasmania bought 240,000 hectares from the aborigines and paid them with blankets and tomahawks. The city was named after William Melbourne /1779-1845/, British Whig statesman and Prime Minister in 1835-41. He was the leading adviser of the young queen Victoria.
Melbourne is a multi-cultural city. It is home to many cultural groups speaking 170 languages. The city has one of the largest Greek and Italian populations in the world.
Melbourne is the Culture Capital of Australia.
It is a little old-fashioned city with beautiful parks and gardens and some fine old buildings, Important buildings include the State Library of Victoria and Parliament House. The Victorian Arts Center co mpleted in 1884 includes facilities for concerts and plays. The National Gallery of Victoria /1861/, an art museum, is part of the Victorian Arts Center. The Center was opened in 1982 and is known for its webbed steel spire. The tower observation deck gives a panoramic view of Melbourne. The Center houses the Melbourne Concert Hall and three theatres seating about 6,000 people with a revolving stage for opera.
The Melbourne Zoo /1857/ is one of the oldest in the world. It is a home to 3,000 animals.
Several parks surround the city. Melbourne has an extensive public transportation system. The city Circle Tram runs every 10 minutes and the conductor points put the most interesting sights in Melbourne. The Melbourne Cup, a famous horse race, fakes place yearly at Flemington Race Course. In 1956, Olympic Games were held in Melbourne.
Melbourne is a seaport and a trading center of wool and livestock. The main industries of the city are engineering, food processing and textiles. Melbourne is a major commercial center. Port Melbourne serves ocean -going vessels. The Melbourne area has an international airport Tullamarine. The Melbourne area is the home of La Trobe University, Monash University and some colleges.
In 1956 the Olympic games were held in Melbourne. They became known as friendly Games.
HOBART
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania. Is population is over 182,000. It lies on the Derwent River 12 miles from the sea. The city was founded in 1804 by David Collins. It was a major center for Antarctic balers. It is a trade and export center of iron, timber and textiles. Modern factories in the city produce cement, paper pulp, textiles, candy and metal products. Two multilane bridges link the western and east-shores of the Derwent River. Hobart is the home of the University of Tasmania /1890/ and scientific research laboratories.
ADELAIDE
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and "Athens of the South" is situated on the Torrens ver. Population of Adelaide is over 1,000,000. Port Adelaide is 7 miles away.
Adelaide was first settled by Europeans in 1836. Colonel William Light completed the plan of the city in 1837.The city was named for Queen Adelaide, whose husband, William IV, ruled Britain from 1830 1837.
Adelaide is the most symmetrically laid out of Australian capitals. It is a very neat city. There is a beautiful strip parkland in Adelaide. The best view of Adelaide is from the top of the mount. The Mount Lofty Rangers rises east of the city. Adelaide has warm dry summers and cool moist winters.
The city became a center of agricultural and mining activity. Manufacturing is the chief city's activity. Products include home hold appliances, motovehicles, and electric goods. It exports wheat, wool, and copper ore. The industries of the city include production of wool, leather, iron, and earthenware goods. Adelaide is the home of the University of Adelaide founded in 1874 and 5 colleges.
DARWIN
Darwin is the capital and the port of NT, It has population over 79,000. It lies along Australia's northern coast on the Beagle Gulf. It is the home Australian television and radio services that broadcast to Southeast Asia. Darwin has a large military base. Darwin, originally called Palmerston, was established in 1869. In 1911, the city was renamed in honour of Charles Darwin /1809-82, English naturalist who on the vessel Beagle sailed round the world in 1831-36. The city became the first station in Australia on a telegraph line that combined Australia with Europe. In 1974, a cyclone destroyed most of the city. The city was rebuilt during the 1970s.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Who is like a possum up a gum tree?
Do all Australian children go to school?
What is Heidelberg school?
P opulation. T he population of Australia is about 18,000,000. 85% of the people live in the urban areas. 40% of Australians live in Sydney and Melbourne. 15% of population live in rural areas. All farms are cattle or sheep stations. The largest station covers 2,600 sq. km., 160 km to the nearest town.
Australia has a young population. 95 percent of the people are Caucasian. 60% of these have Anglo-Celtic heritage /British and Irish/. Because of immigration Australia is a mosaic of many nationalities. Over 200 nationalities live in Australia /the first Russian to settle in Australia was Peter Potoski in 1804/.
The Asian population has grown from 1 to 4 %. The immigration authorities prefer applicants who have some special job skill and a stable personal background. Australia has admitted 4,5 million immigrants.
There are 257,000 full and part aborigines. Their culture is recognized as an integral part of Australia's heritage. Aborigines feel a spiritual link to the land. Aboriginal society is complex, but the family is its center.
Language. English is the national language and is taught in all schools. The Aborigines had 250 languages but only 50 survived. Aborigines have their own radio system. In Aborigine schools Aborigine lan guages are used for instructions at first. English is introduced later. Australian English uses many words that are expressions of Australia's unique culture. To say someone is moving fast, one might use the phrase like a possum up a gum tree. His blood worth bottling -he is a very good person, as game as Ned Kelly -very brave. Australians /Aussies/ also shorten words: uni /university/, kindi /kindergarten/, and teli /television/. Some Australian slang may be offensive to other English speakers. Australian accent looks like English Cockney.
82% of Australians speak only English, 2,6% speak Italian, 1,8%-Greek, 1,6 - Chinese, 0,9% - Arabic.
Education. Public education is administered by state governments and financed by federal funds. Each state and territory makes its own laws about education. Schooling is compulsory from 6 to 15 /16 in Tasmania/. Elementary schools - Grades 1-6. Secondary schools- Grades 7-12.
Correspondence instruction by two-way radio reaches children in remote areas. They attend "Schools of the Air". They listen to the teacher on the radio each day at school time. Students have their own books and answer over the microphone. The teacher corrects and gives home assignment. The completed homework is to be mailed to the teacher. The homework is discussed over the radio, corrected and mailed back.
25 % of all Australian children attend private schools. The school year is divided into 4 terms of 10 weeks each. Breaks occur in April, July and October. Tasmania has 3 terms with breaks in June and September. Australian students don't have hot lunch at school. The fourth term ends around December 20. The Christmas h olidays begin the summer vacations. The students return to school in February.
School begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. The students have lunch in the middle of the day. Some schoolchildren ride their bicycle or take the school bus on rainy days. The students have a strong sense of belonging. They enjoy spending time with their friends and schoolmates. AH students learn computer Science.
It is the expectation of the school community that all students in years 7 to 11 wear the full uniform. Boys - green pullover, grey trousers and shirt, black shoes and the College-baseball jacket. Girls-school dress or green shorts and white shirts /in winter school tartan skirt or green tailored trousers/.
In Australia large schools are found in cities. One-teacher schools are located in the countryside. A teacher in the country may teach all grades, with only 1 student in a grade.
The literacy rate is 99%. Most of Australians completed 11 years of schooling. All states have universities, colleges and institutes. There, are 33 Universities, 3 of them are private. Many of Australians have completed some higher education.
Religion. 76% of the people are Christians /Anglicans 26%, Catholics 26%/. Other religions - 24 %. Religion does not play a strong role in daily life.
Literature. Before 1890's the most famous writers were Clarke and Browne. Clarke's novel, His Natural Life /1874/ tells about life in Australian prison colony. Browne's classic novel Robbery Under Arms /1888/ is an adventure tale about a gang of Australian bushrangers. During the 1890's Australian writers began to create a national literature. Bush ballads became popular. Andrew Paterson was the leading bush ballad poet. The novelist Patrick White won the 1973 Nobel Prize for literature. His best known novels include The Tree of Man, Voss and Riders in the Chariot.
Painting. The Aborigines had a highly developed artistic tradition. Albert Namatjira, an Aborigine, adopted some European technique and painted scenes of the Australian desert. The first major White Australian painters became known as Heidelberg School. Leaders of the school included Charles Conder and Tom Roberts. Ken Done /1940/ is one of the foremost artists. He works by the beach under the sun in Sydney. Ken Done symbolizes optimistic Australia. The Australian Natural Gallery in Canberra houses the country's natural art collection.
Music and dance. Australia has a National Opera Company and the Australian Ballet. Anna Pavlova and Fedor Chaliapin visited Australia in 1926. Modern composer is Richard Meale. 'Twelve mystical Preludes" of Larry Sitsky is an example of modern musical expression. Peta Chase is a talented young violinist. Duncan Gifford is a famous pianist.
Theatre and Cinema. Each state capital has a company of professional actors. They stage classic and modern plays. A film industry produces 20 films a year. In recent years Australian film industry has seen great success.
Sport. The most popular team sports in Australia are cricket. Australian Rules Football. Rugby League /professional football/, Rugby Union /amateur football/, and soccer. Top Australian tennis stars are Greg Norman and -Peter Thomson. Australian swimmers include Murray Rose and Tracey Wickham. Famous track stars include Herb Elliot and John Laudy.
AUSTRALIAN WAYS
What is "G' Day"?
Do you like "pav"?
Did you dine in the BYO restaurant?
General attitudes. Australia is a clean country. There is a stiff fine for littering. Australians are friendly and easygoing. Many people frequent local pubs. Being prompt is important. When conversing, Australians often gesture. Australians are outgoing and relaxed i n public. They express feeling openly.
Greetings. Australians greet friends with G'Day /Good day/ and a warm handshake. Close female friends may hug and kiss on the right cheek. Mere formal greeting is Hello, how are you? People prefer to use first names. From a distance, a wave is a greeting. For passerby greetings Australians may nod their head up and to the right.
Gesture. There are strong rules of basic etiquette in Australia. Winking at women is considered inappropriate. Forming a "V" with the index and the middle fingers, palm facing in, is vulgar /Americans use this to express the number 2./ Pointing at someone with the index finger is impolite. One points with an open hand.
Visiting. Australians enjoy inviting others to dinner. One popular reason for getting together is the barbecue. When invited by friends, people offer to bring something to the meal. The hosts can accept or decline the offer. Hosts greet guests warmly at the door. Guests often bring flowers or a bottle of wine. After dinner, the company "goes out" /dance or sports club, or movie/. Parties and card games are also popular.
Eating. The food in Australia is a result of a great diversity of cultures. Australians eat in the continental style: the fork is in the left and the knife is in the right hand. In a private home, guests don't serve themselves but receive a plate already served. Water is not served unless asked for. Beef is the most popular meat. Australians prefer plain, not spicy meal. Crocodile Bread is a bread with bacon, green peppers and cheese and looks like crocodile when it is made. Sausage Rolls soup is rather popular. Tea is a favourite hot drink in Australia. Coffee comes second. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink. A favourite dessert was created by Western Australian chef Bert Sachse in honour of ballerina nn Pavlova who visited Australia in 1926. The pavlova s hell or "pav", rich with whipped cream and ice-cream, is a wonderful dessert which should appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. Placing utensils on the plate together indicates one is finished. The bill is paid at tie register after the meal. Tipping is not necessary. One distinctive of restaurant in Australia is the BYO -Bring Your Own. The BYO restaurant allows you to bring your own bottle of wine, and the waiter will open it and serve it to you. BYO restaurants are smaller and less expensive. Tables are neat and clean, but basic. BYG places are most popular in Melbourne and Sydney. Chinese restaurants are common through Australia.
Daffodil Da. On September 1, people buy a bunch of daffodils for cancer sufferers. All proceeds from sales that day go towards cancer rersearch.
Family. The Average family has 2 or 3 children." Society" is family orientated. There are numbers of single-parent homes. Women comprise 38% of the workforce. They are equal to men. Teenagers' are, rather independent. Home is valued highly and is a part of the Australian Dream. Despite high interest rates on home loans, 70% of Australians have their own homes.
Dating and Marriage. Dating usually begins by age 15. Going to movies, dancing and socializing are the most popular activities. The average age for a woman to marry is 23 arid 25 for men. Church weddings are still common. Australians send flower for wedding.
Recreation. Australians of all ages enjoy football, soccer, rugby, cricket, basketball, cycling, bush walking /hiking/, tennis, lawn bowling, and swimming. Horse racing and golf are also popular. The Melbourne Cup horse race is a nationally televised event. Netball, a game similar to basketball and played by girls, is popular all over the country. Fishing is the most popular.
Holidays. Australian's holidays are New Year's Day, Australia Day /26 January/, it commemorates the arrival of the first European settlers to Australia; Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, or Veterans Memorial Day, /25 April/, Queen Elizabeth's Birthday /second Monday in June, Christmas, and Boxing Day /26 December/. Labour Day, bank holidays vary from state to state. There are ethnic festivals and local holidays in Australia. Commerce. Most Australians work 38 to 40 hours a week. Workers receive 4 weeks of paid vacations each year. Businesses are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday. One evening a week, usually Thursday, shops stay open until 9:00 p.m. some shops are open on Sunday.
