Warming

Up Have you ever been to Australia? What

places do you know in Australia? (well-

known cities, famous scenic spots, etc. )

Look at the following pictures and write

the number of the picture beside the

picture.

Sydney

Perth

Kakadu

Canberra

Uluru

Great Barrier Reef

5

4

3

2

16

Sydney :

Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the capital of New South Wales (not Australia as some students may think). The bridge and the Opera House are two world famous landmarks of Sydney and often appear on souvenirs and on travel brochures.

Perth: the capital of Western Australia, Australia’s largest state in area.Kakadu: a national park in the Northern Territory. It is a popular destination for tourists interested in

Australia's tropical north and its wildlife, including crocodiles.

Canberra: The Federal Capital of Australia. Parliament House for the Commonwealth of Australia is built here.

Uluru: formerly known as Ayers Rock, is a huge pink rock in the middle of flat, desert in the Northern Territory. It is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. It is another popular tourist destination.

Great Barrier Reef: a chain of coral reefs stretching about 2,000 kilometers along the coast of Queensland. This is a world heritage area, famous for its abundant tropical fish and corals.

Glance quickly at the five texts below and then answer the questions.

1 What topic is common to all five texts?

All five texts are about some aspect of Australia.

2 What aspect of the topic is discussed in each text (eg scenery, animals, politics)?

Pre-

reading

Text 1

Text 2

Text 3

Text 4

Text 5

• Cradle Mountain National Park.

• a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.

• a general description of the physical features and ecology of Australia and its political organization.

• Uluru.

• two rail journeys across the length and breadth of Australia.

booklet containing information about sth or advertising sth ( 作介绍和宣传用的 ) 小册子

a postcard from someone on holiday

part of a text in an encyclopedia

part of a tourist brochure

a newspaper article

an advertisement

Match each reading passage with a description below.

The questions below are not difficult to answer. They have been written to help you practise skimming for information. You should try to answer them in the shortest possible time. You do not need to read every word of all five reading passages in order to answer them.

1 Where do most Australians live?

The south-eastern coastal area of Australia. 2 In what city do federal politicians work? 3 How many people live in Australia? 4 When is Australia Day?

Comprehend

ing1

Canberra20 million.

26 January

5 How far is it from Perth to Sydney?

6 How many World Heritage Sites are there in Australia?

7 Which part of Australia gets the most rainfall?

A few coastal areas.

8 Why do most people choose not to climb Uluru?

9 What two World Heritage Sites are named in these texts?

4,352 kilometers

14

Most people do not Climb Ayers Rockout of respect for the Aboriginal people who consider the rock to be sacred.

Cradle Mountain National Parkand Uluru.

Discuss these questions with others in your class.

1 What kind of people do you think make Australia their home?

(Text 2 is most relevant for this question. Some of the reasons that people chose to settle in Australia might be because they want a better life than they had at home or they want a change of lifestyle or a challenge. Others may come because they are attracted to the climate, the beauty of the country or the opportunity to improve the situation that they had in their original country.

3

Some come because they have been forced to leave their country for some reason and must find somewhere else to live.) People who go to a new country to start again are likely to be courageous, curious and strong minded, and they enjoy challenges, since there might be tremendous hardships. They are probably confident of their abilities and open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

2 Each year large numbers of people become Australian citizens. Why do you think they choose to become citizens?

(Text 2 is most relevant for this question.) They could choose to become Australian citizens in order to feel truly a part of their new country, to feel secure in their new country and know they cannot be made to leave, or to gain an Australian passport and enjoy the rights of a citizen. Only Australian citizens can vote so some may want to take a greater part in the political life of the country. (Note: choosing to become citizens is different from moving to Australia)

3 When do you think traveling by train across Australia would be appropriate and when do you think traveling by plane would be more suitable? Give more than one reason.

Obviously, if you have to get to your destination quickly, you would travel by plane. It is also cheaper to travel by plane as these long distance trains are luxurious and therefore expensive. You might travel by train for the experience or to view the scenery on your journey. You might travel by train because you are frightened of flying.

4 In what part of Australia do you think most agriculture takes place? Give reasons.

(Text 1 is most relevant for this question.) As you need water to grow things, farming is most suitable in the wetter, coastal areas of the country.

5 Why do you think the population of Australia is so small when it is such a large country?

(Text I is most relevant for this question.) Part of the reason is that much of the centre of Australia is uninhabitable desert. Another reason is that the Aboriginal population was fairly stable for thousands of years and others settled in the country just over two hundred years ago. A third reason is that the government has strict quotas on how many people can immigrate to the country.

6 Answers may vary.

Complete the sentences with words below. The majority of Australians are

_______________ from many different __________________ . In fact, the only _______ whose ancestors have lived here for more than 200 hundred years are the _________ people. Most Australians believe that having people from so many different _____________________________ creates ______ and _______ and makes Australia a stronger _____ and a more interesting place to live.

Learning about

Language1

migrants / citizens

nations / backgrounds

citizens

Aboriginal

backgrounds / nations / homelands

respect tolerance nation

Suggested answers2

Word Dictionary definition

migrant

adequate

sow

a person who goes from one place to live in another (also immigrant)

enough

put seeds in the ground so they will grow

hardship

bachelor

correspond

owe

difficult or unpleasant conditions of life

an unmarried male

communicate by writing

to need to pay or give (something) to (someone) because they have given or lent (something) to you or have done (something) for you

tax

home

• taxation, taxed, taxable, taxman, taxpayer

• homework, homely, homeland, homeless, homemaker, homecoming, homesick

You will find it easier to learn English words in clusters. Read aloud the following words and write down as many words related to them as possible. Compare your lists with a partner.

3

rust

time

night

autonomy

defend

tolerate

rusty, rustprooftimely, timing, timekeeper, timer, timepiece, timesaving, timetable, timelessnightly, nighttime, goodnight, nightclothes, nightclub, nightfallautonomous, autonomouslydefence, defender, defenceless, defendant, defensive, defensible tolerance, tolerant, toleration, tolerantly, tolerable, tolerably, tolerability

celebrate

nation

city

birth

associate

reserve

way

celebration, celebratory, celebrated, celebrant, celebrity national, nationality, nationalize, nationally, nationalist, nationwide citizen, citizenship, citywide, cityscape birthplace, birthdate, birthday, birthplace, birthmark, birthright association, associative, associated reservation, reserved pathway, roadway, waylay, wayside, wayworn

Read through this paragraph and underline all the predicatives.

A kangaroo kept getting out of his enclosure at the zoo. Knowing that he was a good jumper, the zoo authorities increased the height of the fence around him, but, the next morning, the kangaroo was out of his enclosure again. So the keepers' solution was to build an even higher barrier. However, the next morning, the result was disappointing --- the kangaroo was not in his enclosure. The authorities, being desperate, increased the height of the fence again and again and it was soon over forty meters high.

Revising useful structures1

A camel in the next enclosure asked the kangaroo, "How high do you think they'll go?" The kangaroo said, "That's a good question. It seems to me, they'll just keep going higher until somebody remembers to shut the gate at night!"

Underline the predicatives in this conversation and then practise it with a partner.

KIM: The meat seems to be shrinking! SAM: Maybe there's too much fat in it. KIM: What can I do? SAM: It's probably the wrong kind of meat for a bar

becue. The best thing is to cook it very slowly. KIM: You know, it smells strange too. SAM: Is it rotten? Let's smell. Hey! This isn't steak! KIM: So, what is it? SAM: Where did you get it? KIM: It was in the bottom of the fridge. SAM: Oh, no! That's the dog's meat! KIM: Are you sure?

2

LISTENING TEXT A CAMPING HOLIDAY Wei Ping (P) is studying at university in Au

stralia. Just before the summer holidays his friend Bob Martins (B) invites him to go camping. Wei Ping is a little nervous about this.

B: Here's your coffee. P: Mmm. Thanks. B: So, have you finished all your work for this t

erm?

Using Language

P: Yes, I've just finished the last essay. Now I'm really looking forward to the holidays.

B: Oh? Have you got anything planned?

P: No, not really.

B: Well, why don't you come camping with me and my friends?

P: Oh, that's very kind of you but ...

B: But?

P: Well, you see I'm terrified of snakes.

B: Really? Oh, you don't have to worry. Snakes are scared of humans and they move away as soon as they hear you coming. Just remember to make a lot of noise with your feet.

P: Yes, but what if one is hiding under some wood and I disturb it?

B: Well, the best thing is not to move any large pieces of wood. Oh, and as much as possible, avoid walking in really long grass where you can't see what's on the ground. And if you do have to walk through long grass, you should wear boots and long trousers that you can fold

inside your boots. Then, if a snake did try to bite you, it wouldn't get to your skin.

P: I don't know. It still sounds dangerous.

B: Look, most snakes can't kill you anyway. And we always stay in camping grounds that have short grass so we hardly ever see snakes. And when we go into the bush we always make a lot of noise.

P: Bushes? Are we going to walk through bushes?

B: No, the Bush! That's what Australians call the part of the countryside where there aren't any houses or farms or other signs of humans. You know, the natural areas with trees and grass and native animals.

P: Oh, I see. So, when you go into the bush you must wear boots and long trousers. You shouldn't move anything that is lying on the ground and you must make a lot of noise so the snakes run away.

B: You've got the right idea. But I don't think you'll be able to make the snakes run away.

P: But you said ...

B: Snakes don't have legs, mate.Suggested answers to Exercise 1:

Wei Ping may be worried about the weather, as they will be sleeping in tents, the lack of toilet and bathing facitilities, the possibility of getting lost, insects such as mosquitoes, or snakes and spiders, etc.

1

Listen to the conversation between Bob and Wei Ping and answer the questions.

1 What is Wei Ping worded about?

Wei Ping is worried about snakes.

2 Does Bob share his worry?

No, Bob is not worried because he does not believe they are likely to see any and he knows what precautions to take against being bitten.

2

3 Do you think by the end of the conversation, Bob has talked Wei Ping into going camping?

Why do you think this?

He probably has talked him around because he assured Wei Ping that there was very little danger. Also the fact that Wei Ping summarized the advice Bob gave him suggests that he has accepted Bob's assurances.

Listen again and then complete the poster on the right.3

How to avoid ______ bites

When walking in long grass,

• wear ____________________ ;

• make _______ to frighten them away;

• __________ any wood lying on the ground ;

• if possible, ____________ in long grass.

snake

boots and lone trousers;

a noise

do not move

avoid walking

Suggested answers to Exercise 4:

1 Why did Wei Ping misunderstand Bob when he said "When we walk through the bush..."?

Because Wei Ping may think the bush means wild and dangerous land, but Australians use it to mean the countryside where there aren't any houses or farms or other signs of humans.

2 Why can't Wei Ping make a snake run away?

Because snakes don't have legs (this is where the humour lies).

4

Answer the following questions.

1 How many poisonous snakes and how many poisonous spiders are there in Australia? Are they all capable of killing humans?

115 different kinds of snakes and most of the 2,000 different kinds of spiders. Only a few kinds of spiders and snakes are capable of killing humans.

Reading and discussing2

2 What effect do most jellyfish have on humans? What about box jellyfish?

Most jellyfish can cause severe pain to anyone who touches them but only the box jellyfish can kill a human.

3 How many kinds of sharks are there in Australian waters? How many kinds are likely to attack humans?

160 different kinds of sharks but only 2 or 3 kinds are likely to attack humans.

4 What kind of crocodile has occasionally attacked a human?

The saltwater crocodile.

Suggested answers to Exercise 3:

Crocodiles:

If you are in the far north of Australia a long way from civilisation, keep a lookout for signs about crocodiles and stay away from rivers where these signs appear.

Sharks:

Try to swim in places that have shark nets. If you hear a shark warning, get out of the water immediately.

3

Spiders:

Unless you are wearing gloves, don't put your hands into dark, dry places, under stones or amongst rubbish. If you do get bitten, go immediately to the hospital.

Jellyfish:

If you see jelly fish washed up on the beach, don't go in the water. If you are stung by a jelly fish and have trouble breathing, go immediately to the hospital.

Possible arguments

For: Australia has a lot of dangerous animals such as spiders, sharks, snakes and crocodiles. Many parts of Australia are desert and have few people in them, so it could be dangerous if your car broke down in one of these remote places. The sun is very hot, especially in the northern parts and you could get heat exhaustion, bad sun burn or even skin cancer. If you are not a good

Debating

swimmer or are not familiar with the dangers of waves and currents, you could get into trouble swimming in the sea. You could get lost walking around the bush.

Against: Not many people are injured or die from the dangerous creatures of Australia and of those that do die, most have not taken sensible precautions to avoid these creatures. Australia has many search and rescue organizations to rescue people who are lost or injured. If people follow the rules concerning travelling in remote areas, going

in the sun or swimming at the beach, most dangers can be avoided. There is plenty of information available for tourists about keeping safe. Australia's crime rate is fairly low and so it is much safer than places like America. Because there are fewer cars and many road rules, car accidents are less frequent than in some other countries.

Sample writing

Dear Haidi, Thanks for your email. How wonderful for

you that you are going to Australia. I think you'll have a great time on the camping trip and you’ll get to see native animals in their natural setting. Also you'll make some good friends on the trip, which is much more difficult while staying in a hotel in the city.

Don't worry about the dangerous creatures.

Writing

They are not as dangerous as some people think and anyway you'll be with an experienced tour guide who will keep you safe. Just do everything the guide says and you'll have a safe and enjoyable time. Do write again when you get back and tell me all about your trip.

Your friend,

John

Dear Haidi Aren't you lucky going all the way to Austr

alia ? I'm sure whatever you do, you'll have a good time. Personally, I would rather visit Sydney. I'm not very fond of sleeping in tents and I like to have my own nice, clean bathroom. Also there are mosquitoes in the National Park and I always suffer from mosquito bites. Sydney is a very nice city and the weather is usually good. There are all sorts of interesting places to see, like the Sydney Opera House and the harbor bridge, and there are lots of wildlife parks you can visit to see native animals. Plus there are lots

of great shops and restaurants in Sydney and the nightlife is pretty good too.

I think you would have a good time whichever holiday you went on. You're more adventurous than me so you would probably enjoy camping. Don't worry about the dangerous creatures — you'll be quite safe on an organized tour. Have a good time wherever you go and write back and tell me all about it.

Love, Murry.