Элективный курс "Мир англоязычной культуры"

Пояснительная записка

Данная программа предназначена для учащихся старших классов, изучающих английский язык и имеющих основные знания об англоязычных странах.

Использование страноведческой информации в учебном процессе обеспечивает повышение познавательной активности учащихся, расширяет их коммуникативные возможности, благоприятствует созданию положительной мотивации к предмету, даёт стимул к самостоятельной работе над языком.

Страноведческое содержание этого курса направлено на обеспечение возможности изучать национальную культуру английского, американского, канадского, австралийского и новозеландского народов.

В основу этого курса положен коммуникативный подход к овладению всеми аспектами иноязычной культуры: познавательным, развивающим все виды речевой деятельности. Ведущим остаётся чтение и говорение.

Знакомство с культурой станы происходит путём сравнения и постоянной оценки уже имеющихся знаний и понятий с вновь полученными, со знаниями и понятиями о своей стране, о самих себе. Сравнивая себя и зарубежных сверстников, учащиеся выделяют общее и специфическое, что способствует объединению, развитию понимания и доброго отношения к стране, её людям, традициям.

Содержание курса тесно связано с такими предметами, как география,история и музыка.

Цель курса – содействие формированию социокультурной коммуникативной компетенции учащихся на основе базового владения английским языком; дальнейшее совершенствование языковых навыков и умений, различных видов речевой деятельности и форм речи (устной, письменной, диалогической и монологической),

Задачи курса:

создание условий для повышения информированности учащихся о странах изучаемого языка;

показать роль англо-говорящих стран, их культуры и экономики, а также значение иностранного языка в диалоге культур;

обогащение активного словаря учащихся необходимым запасом специальных терминов и понятий, связанных с данной темой;

формирование речевых навыков, обеспечивающих познавательно-коммуникативные потребности учащихся;

развитие умений собирать, систематизировать страноведческую информацию;

развитие умений анализировать и сравнивать сведения и факты родной и иноязычной культуры;

способствовать воспитанию у детей понимания и уважения к другой культуре;

способствовать обогащению внутреннего мира учащихся.

Принцип построения курса: интеграция, опора на творческий метод, развитие языковых навыков.

Принципы отбора материала:

Доступность. Степень сложности текстов определяется уровнем овладения учащимися основами английской грамматики и способностью использовать английский язык как средство познания мира.

Преемственность. Материал логично вырастает из всех страноведческих материалов языковых курсов, построенных по программе базисного учебного плана для общеобразовательной школы.

Аутентичность. Учащиеся работают с оригинальными текстами англоязычных авторов.

Социальная значимость. Материал является необходимым для знакомства с действительностью англоязычных стран, для формирования мировоззрения, совершенствования владения английским языком и для последующего оперирования полученными знаниями при включении в диалог культур, то есть для реализации современного метода творчески и коммуникативно-ориентированного обучения иностранным языкам.

В данный курс включены самые разнообразные сведения о тех сферах жизни общества, которые не освещались или недостаточно освещались в предыдущих классах: литература, музыка, средства массовой информации, медицина, образование, положение стран в мире.

Структура и организация курса.

Вид курса – предметно – ориентированный, предназначен для учащихся 10 -11 классов. В основе курса лежат следующие методические принципы:

• Интеграция основных речевых умений и навыков.

• Последовательное развитие основных речевых умений и навыков.

• Коммуникативная направленность заданий.

• Контекстуальное введение лексики.

• Темы и материалы курса соответствуют возрасту, интересам и уровню языковой подготовки учащихся.

В рамках курса идет активный процесс совершенствования умений учащихся в четырех видах речевой деятельности, а именно:

в области говорения – обучать аргументировано выражать свое мнение, обсуждать проблемы и предлагать решения, проводить презентацию телепрограммы, поддерживать разговорна общие темы,

в области письма – обучать писать дружеские письма, эссе с элементами рассуждения.

в области аудирования – совершенствовать умение слушать и понимать аутентичную речь с пониманием общей идеи, и с извлечением информации и с детальным пониманием.

в области чтения – совершенствовать умение читать тексты по профильной тематике с пониманием общей идеи, и с извлечением информации и с детальным пониманием.

Материал курса знакомит учащихся с некоторыми реалиями англоговорящих стран мира, с национальной символикой, географическим положением, важнейшими историческими событиями, выдающимися людьми и особенностями характера носителей языка. Данная программа должна стимулировать сознательное отношение к изучению английского языка, способствовать развитию умений и навыков извлекать смысловую информацию, анализировать, сравнивать. Правильно продуманная и интересно организованная в игровой форме учебная работа школьников развивает инициативу, формирует исследовательский подход, приносит ученикам высокое моральное удовлетворение, становиться источником творчества.

Данная программа призвана не столько, научить языковым навыкам, сколько стимулировать понимание и адекватное принятие другого менталитета, научить уважать и правильно интерпретировать языковую личность, народ в процессе изучения языка.

Большое внимание уделяется межпредметным связям. На занятиях активизируются знания учащихся из курса географии, истории и других предметов. Особое внимание уделяется формированиюсоциокультурных стратегий, таких как:

Проведение аналогий, противопоставлений, обобщений, сравнений между фактами родной и изучаемой культуры.

Опознание и интерпретация новых аспектов изучаемых культур, новых ситуаций общения.

Классификация, объединение, обобщение информации при работе со средствами массовой информации, видеоматериалами.

Определение своего места, роли, значимости и ответственности в глобальных общечеловеческих процессах.

Планируемые результаты

Данная программа обеспечивает формирование личностных, метапредметных и предметных результатов.

Личностными результатами являются:

- готовность и способность обучающихся к саморазвитию и личностному самоопределению, сформированность их мотивации к обучению и целенаправленной познавательной деятельности, системы значимых социальных и межличностных отношений, социальной компетенции, способность ставить цели и строить жизненные планы, способность к осознанию российской идентичности в поликультурном социуме.

Метапредметными результатами являются: освоенные обучающимися межпредметные понятия и универсальные учебные действия (регулятивные, познавательные, коммуникативные), способность их использования в учебной, познавательной и социальной практике, самостоятельность планирования и осуществления учебной деятельности и организации учебного сотрудничества с педагогами и сверстниками, построение индивидуальной образовательной траектории;

Предметными результатами являются: освоенные обучающимися в ходе изучения учебного курса умения специфические для данной предметной области, виды деятельности по получению новых знаний в рамках учебного предмета, его преобразованию и применению в учебных, учебно-проектных и социально-проектных ситуациях, формирование научного типа мышления, научных представлений о ключевых теориях, типах и видах отношений, владение научной терминологией, ключевыми понятиями, методами и приемами.

РАЗВИТИЕ УНИВЕРСАЛЬНЫХ УЧЕБНЫХ ДЕЙСТВИЙ

В составе основных видов универсальных учебных действий выделяем 4:

-личностные УУД

-познавательные УУД

-регулятивные УУД

-коммуникативные УУД

Личностные универсальные учебные действия способствуют развитию личностных качеств и способностей учащегося. У ученика на этапе обучения формируется представление о себе как о личности, когда он сравнивает себя и сверстников из других стран. Учащиеся знакомятся с традициями и обычаями других стран и начинают сравнивать их соответственно со своей страной. На этом этапе происходит нравственно-этическое оценивание усваиваемого содержания, исходя из социальных и личностных ценностей.

Регулятивные универсальные учебные действия это умение организовать вою работу. При диалогической речи, при подготовке презентаций и рефератов научить прогнозировать результаты — вот что действительно важно.

Познавательные универсальные учебные действия: общеучебные, логические, действия по постановке и решению проблем: совершенствуем навыки спонтанной речи, учим выделять главное и второстепенное в тексте, быстро находить нужную информацию, ставить и решать проблемы на дискуссии, а также при индивидуальной или групповой проектной деятельности.

Коммуникативные универсальные учебные действия способствуют продуктивному взаимодействию и сотрудничеству со сверстниками и взрослыми. Учащиеся должны уметь слушать друг друга, участвовать в обсуждении, а также работать в парах

Использованные методы обучения.

Коммуникативно-ориентированный: для развития навыков разговорной речи.

Практический: для развития практических умений и навыков.

Проблемно-поисковый: позволяет размышлять, доказывать, анализировать, обобщать факты, делая процесс более активным и творческим.

Формы организации учебно-познавательной деятельности, использованные на уроке:

Фронтальная

Парная

Индивидуальная

Средства обучения:

Печатные (раздаточный материал)

Электронные образовательные ресурсы.

Учебная техника (персональные компьютеры, проектор)

Формы контроля

- тестовые задания

- опрос диалогов

- дискуссия

- сочинения- рассуждения

- озвучивание видео фрагментов

На занятиях элективного курса предлагается использовать элементы следующихпедагогических технологий:

Технология развивающего обучения;

Технология личностно-ориентированного обучения;

Технология коммуникативного обучения;

Информационно-коммуникационные технологии (ИКТ).

Курс состоит из:

Тематического планирования

Учебно-тематического планирования

Методических разработок для учащихся по некоторым занятиям

Толкового словаря.

Критерии эффективности реализации программы

Программа имеет познавательную, общекультурно-базовую, деятельностно-творческую направленность.

Программа представляет собой инструмент и способы стимулирования интересов учащихся, их желания, осознанного стремления в необходимости постоянного продолжения образования, стремления к повышению своего интеллектуального уровня, саморазвитию и самовоспитанию.

Критерии оценки деятельности учащихся на занятиях:

знание содержания материала, использование справочной литературы на русском и английском языках;

активность учащихся в учебной деятельности;

творческий подход к решению поставленных задач, оригинальность способов и методов решения проблем;

самостоятельность, умение принимать решения, отстаивать свою точку зрения и убеждать других в процессе дискуссий;

умение работать в группе, лидерские качества, способность к сотрудничеству и взаимопомощи;

Содержание курса

Требования к уровню знаний.

По окончании курса учащиеся должны уметь:

выбирать информационно оптимальный вариант схематизированного преобразования информации содержащейся в тексте;

вести краткие записи прослушанного с опорой на ключевые слова, читать со словарем тексты страноведческого характера;

подготовить выступление на английском языке;

сопоставлять реалии родной и иноязычной культуры;

оппонировать и защищать свою позицию при беседе.

Учащиеся должны знать:

языковые нормы изучаемого языка;

об иностранном языке как средстве получения информации и развития личности.

Учащиеся должны применять полученные знания и умения на практике.

Формы контроля и система оценивания.

Систем оценки достижений учащихся происходит в течение всего срока обучения в виде тестовых заданий различного уровня различной сложности для текущего и промежуточного контроля.

В начале курса обучения проводится викторина (Quiz) с целью выявления уровня знаний учащихся и пробелов в знаниях. В конце каждого раздела предлагаются такие формы контроля, как составление и выполнение теста, составление и решение кроссвордов, викторины, составление сравнительных таблиц, перевод, подготовка устных сообщений, мини-сочинение, учебная дискуссия.

Конечным результатом в изучении данного курса может быть такая форма отчётности, как создание проекта в среде PowerPoint и его устная защита.

Предлагается следующая оценочная шкала: тест выполнен на 90% и выше – «отлично», 75% и выше – «хорошо», 60% и выше – «удовлетворительно», ниже 60% - «неудовлетворительно».

Для получения зачёта по данному элективному курсу учащимся необходимо выполнить итоговый тест по изученному материалу на оценку «хорошо» или «отлично», создать проектную работу в среде Power Point не менее 15 слайдов и устно защитить работу.

Календарно – тематическое планирование

Приложение

В данном приложении содержатся примерные практические материалы для проведения занятий к разным разделам данной программы.

Викторина «Знаете ли вы англоязычные страны?»

The official languages of Canada are:

English and Spanish

English and French

German and Italian

The capital of Australia is:

Sydney

Melbourne

Canberra

The national symbol of the small insular state of New Zealand is:

kangaroo

kiwi

Koala

The capital of the United States is:

New York

Los Angeles

Washington

Arnold Schwarzenegger is the governor of the state:

Colorado

Alaska

California

……..were the allies of the USSR during World War II

The USA and Great Britain

Italy and France

Japan and China

The princess called “The Queen of Hearts” is:

Margaret

Anna

Diana

During the period of colonization British Government sent to Australia people who were:

writers and poets

prisoners

farmers

The name of the man who wrote the text of the Declaration of Independence is:

Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Jefferson

Jimmy Carter

The portrait of ………… we can see on 100$ banknote.

Bill Clinton

Benjamin Franklin

George Bush (sin)

The street in New York, centre of theatres, cabarets, cinema houses and other kind of entertainment is called;

Wall Street

Broadway

5th Avenue

The head of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is:

the President

the Prime Minister

the Queen

…………. was the youngest president of the USA.

George Bush (jr)

John F. Kennedy

Bill Clinton

Official currency of Great Britain is:

pound (sterling)

euro

English dollar

The USA consists of:

40 states

60 states

50 states

Famous Russian hockey players I. Larionov and V. Fetisov played in NHL Club called:

Miami Panthers

Detroit Red Wings

New York Lakers

First world underground appeared in:

London

New York

Moscow

Australian actress Kate Blanchet plays the part of the Queen:

Elisabeth

Mary

Victoria

………… was the first president of the USA.

Theodore Roosevelt

George Washington

Ulysses S. Grant

The state of Australia is:

a continent

a part of a continent

a peninsula

Russian businessman R. Abramovish is the owner of British football club called:

Manchester United

Chelsea

Arsenal

Bermudan triangle is situated in shore of:

Great Britain

The USA

Australia

The official residence of the Queen of Great Britain is:

the Tower

Westminster

Buckingham Palace

Department of Defense of the USA is called:

White House

The Pentagon

Empire State Building

Statue of Liberty in harbour of New York was presented to the USA by:

France

Great Britain

Germany

Tower Clock, the symbol of London is called:

Big Dan

Big Ben

Big Man

27.What part of Britain is called “land of song”?

a) England

b) Wales

c) Scotland

28.How many provinces and territories does Canada consist of?

a) 8 provinces and 3 territories

b) 10 provinces and 3 territories

c) 8 provinces and 2 territories

29.What is the longest river in Canada?

a) the Nelson river

b) the Yukon river

c) the Mackenzie

30.What is the capital of Canada?

a) Ottawa

b) Toronto

c) Montreal

Keys: 1b; 2c; 3b; 4c; 5c; 6a; 7c; 8b; 9b; 10b; 11b; 12c; 13c; 14a; 15c; 16b; 17a; 18a; 19b; 20a; 21b; 22b; 23c; 24b; 25a; 26b; 27c; 28b; 29c; 30a.

Тексты и задания по теме: «США: Регион Новая Англия»

1. Look through the questions and be ready to answer them while reading the text:

What does “Yankee” mean?

What state was there the first British settlement in?

When did they get to the shore of North America?

What was the first colony of British in North America?

Who were the Puritans?

How did the state New Hampshire (Rhode Island, Connecticut) get its name?

What are the characteristic features of the Yankee character?

Where did the famous pioneer Samuel Colt live?

What state is the birth state of Mark Twain?

What special role did the New England Yankees play in the United States history?

NEW ENGLAND

Over 350 years ago the first settlers arrived from Europe. The first settlers landed on the East Coast. They began clearing the forests and ploughing the soil. New England with its stony soil is poorly suited for agriculture but it has a lot of water power which can be used in industry.

New England includes six “Yankee States” – Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Some scholars suppose that “Yankee” may be the Dutch word “Jan”, the name from “John”, with a diminitive “ee” at the end. It was used as a nickname for the New England soldiers serving in the British army before the war of Independence. When the Americans first defeated the British at Concord 22 miles from Boston (April, 19, 1775) they began to call themselves “Yankees” and were proud of their name. The “Yankees” have a reputation for being honest but shrewd, realistic, practical, untalkative, thrifty and independent.

The “Yankees” like to speak about the special role that New England has played in United States history. The American Revolution began in New England, because the “Yankees” were among the strongest supporters of independence. In the 19th century it was New England “Yankees” who led the fight against slavery in America.

All the six New England states are alike in many aspects but have their own features.

MAINE

First sailors gave the shore its nickname “Down East” to denote that the state is down to Boston and “Down easters” are the people living in Maine. Four fifth of Maine is covered with forests diving the possibility of developing industry. Lumbering is the main occupation there. Hence its nickname is “Lumber State” and the “Pine-tree State”. Besides lumber, lobsters, canned sardines, potatoes and blue berries are the main products, as well as shoes, beet sugar and paper. Maine is widely known in the USA as the “Switzerland of America” or “Vacation Land”. Tourists come here to see the mountains and snowfalls.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The name New Hampshire was given to the territory by Captain Mason in 1629. Before his coming to America he was governor of Portsmouth in Hampshire, England. The state is small but well wooded with many mountains, lakes and rapid rivers.

New Hampshire has 222 towns (nicknamed “little republics”), using the traditional town-meeting for administration. “Town-meeting” is either a general meeting of the inhabitants of a town or a meeting of qualified voters of a town. The town meetings elect “townsmen” who run the community. The official nickname of New Hampshire is the “Granite State” and the people there are called “Granite Boys”. New Hampshire is proud of its motto, “Live Free or Die”.

VERMONT

Vermont is noted for its green mountains and maple-sugar groves. It is generally, by simply translation of the original French name, called the “Green Mountain State” and “Vermonters, “Green Mountain Boys”. People are very proud of its nickname because it is associated with Green Mountain Boys in the past (the name of the army) when they fought against New York and won.

RHODE ISLAND

The name is derived from the Dutch which means “the red island”. Rhode Island has a few nicknames “Little Rhody”, due to its small territory, the “Southern Gateway of New England”, the “Land of Roger Williams”, for Roger Williams founded Providence Plantation when he was expelled from Plymouth Colony. New Port, a city in Rhode Island, became a fashionable summer home for the very rich.

CONNECTICUT

It got its name from the river, which was named by the natives and meant “the long river”. The state is a leader in producing helicopters, electronic goods, jet engines, nuclear submarines. The state is divided by the Connecticut River into two almost equal regions.

The nickname the “Nutmeg State” is used for Connecticut, because its people had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmeg. Its business pioneers are revolver inventor Samuel Colt and rubber magnate Charles Goodyear.

Often called the “Insurance Capital of the World”, Connecticut’s capital Hartford is home for 40 firms.

A lot of tourists come here to visit a number of places, including the birth home of Mark Twain.

MASSACHUSETTS

The word Massachusetts is formed from two Indian words: “massa” meaning “great” and “wachusett” meaning “a mountain place”. Today a key New England state, Massachusetts was also one of the most important of the thirteen colonies. It was at Plymouth in 1620 that the Pilgrim Fathers landed. They were mostly Puritans, but they were not satisfied with the religious discipline in England. They wanted to “purify” the religion, they had very strict rules about church services and also about the way people lived. There is a story about a sea captain who had come back from a three-year voyage and kissed his wife on their doorstep, outside their house. The Puritans were indignant at such behaviour and publicly punished the captain. They demanded reforms in doctrine and worship. For some time they lived in Holland and in the summer of 1620 they boarded the ship Mayflower at Plymouth and sailed for America.

It so happened that two months later the little ship dropped anchor off the Coast of Cape Cod, hundreds miles from the place they wanted to land. The colonists named their settlement Plymouth, and Plymouth Rock is the place where the Pilgrims are said to have stepped ashore.

During the Civil War the “Plymouth Pilgrims” was a nickname used in the South for northern soldiers. “Plymouth Colony” was the name of the colony established in southeastern Massachusetts by the Pilgrim Fathers. Later it became known as the “Old Colony”, and modern Massachusetts is often referred to as the “Old Colony State” or the “Puritan State”. The people of Massachusetts are often called “Blue Noses”. The word means one who is very puritanical or inquisitive. Massachusetts is also nicknamed the “Baked Bean State” and its people “Baked Beans” or “Bean Eaters” in allusion to the Puritan State, when baked beans were the regular Sunday meal.

The official nickname of Massachusetts is the “Bay State”, because it was originally the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was accidental. They were going to reach the Hudson River, but because of a storm they landed at Plymouth Rock. Before landing they drew up an agreement for government of the Plymouth Colony, called the “Mayflower Compact”. It was based on the principles of Puritanism. They insisted on religious freedom for themselves, but denied it to the others. Roger Williams and Thomas Hooker were settled in Rhode Island in 1637. Puritan oppression reached a terrible climax with the infamous Salem witch trials at the end of the 17th century. In 1692 in Salem Village several hundred persons were accused of witchcraft. Many were convicted, nineteen were hanged. Later most people regretted having lost their heads.

2. What state does it refer to?

The first settlement in North America was founded there.

Its name is derived from the Dutch word “the red island”.

It is a fasional summer home for the rich.

Its people are called “Blue Noses”.

Towns in the state have their own form of governing.

It is called the “Insurance Capital of the World”.

The state is rich in forests. Samuel Colt lived there.

It is known in the USA as the “Switzerland of America”.

Its motto is “Live Free or Die”.

3. Complete the following sentences using information from the text:

New England includes…

New England with its stony soil…

Maine is widely known in the USA…

The state is small but well…

New Hampshire is proud of …

Vermont is noted for its …

Rhode Island has a few nicknames…

The state is a leader in producing…

The word Massachusetts is formed from…

During the Civil War the “Plymouth Pilgrims”…

4. Express the same in English to learn more about New England:

Первые поселенцы высадились на восточном побережье.

Первые фабрики были в Новой Англии. Они производили хлопковую одежду.

Рыбная ловля была важна на северо-востоке.

Особенный характер янки Новой Англии обусловлен историей и географическим положением места.

Пуритане покинули Англию, потому что они были не согласны с некоторыми учениями английской церкви.

Территория Род-Айленда, самого маленького штата составляет 3,144 кв. км.

Столица Род-Айленда – Провиденс.

5. Choose any state you like and describe it such a way that the others could guess it.

Тема «Австралия»

GEOGRAPHY

Australia is located southeast of Asia, and is the only country in the world to occupy a single continent. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, the Tasman Sea, the Coral Sea and the Arafura Sea. The nearest country is not New Zealand and Australia or Oceania. The Australia continent and the nearby island of Tasmania, form the sixth largest country on earth, with a total area of 7,686,850 sq km. This large area is populated by only 19 million people, making Australia the most sparsely populated continent after the Antarctica. Australia continents of six states and two territories.

Area of Australia’s States

The Northern Territory, appropriately situated in the north, is a tropical area that runs into desert in the south. The Stated is very sparsely populated, and stations (huge farms). In the extreme north lies the biggest city, Darwin. It is not a big city by Australian standards, but Darwin is the main gateway to this vast state, and is also the closest city to Asia.

Queensland is situated in the northeastern corner of Australia, and lies in the tropical and subtropical climatic zones. The largest city is Brisbane, which has a population of 1.2 million people.

New South Wales to the south of Queensland is situated in the Subtropical to Temperate climatic zones.

This state is Australia is most populated, and is also home to the biggest city in Australia. That city is Sydney and is considered by many to be the most beautiful big city in the world.

The New South Wales coastline is blessed with many superb beaches, and contains many famous surf breaks such as Byron Bay.

Australia Capital Territory, which is home to the nation’s capital city Canberra. Canberra was planned before the first stone was laid, and was chosen as the site of the new capital city as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, who both competed for this title.

Across the New South Wales border lies the state of Victoria. Victoria is the smallest mainland state in Australia, but has the highest density of population. Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne is located near the south coast of the state.

If you continue west from Victoria you will eventually cross the border into South Australia.

South Australia is bordered by the Southern Oceanic and other mainland states. South Australia is sometimes referred to as the driest state in the driest continent on earth.

Toward the west of South Australia lies Western Australia. This state covers one third of the continent and is approximately five times the size of Texas. Yet there are only about 1.4 million people here. This makes Western Australia the most sparsely populated of all states, especially when you consider that over 1 million people live in the state’s capital city, Perth.

The only State in Australia that is not found on the mainland, is south of Victoria, and sits on the same latitude as central New Zealand. The State is roughly the size of Ireland, or Sri Lanka, and is one of the most mountainous islands on earth. Tasmania’s climate is temperate and the island is covered in wilderness. In fact, about one quarter of Tasmania is protected wilderness.

Australia is the lowest, flattest and, apart from Antarctica, the driest of the continents.

From north to South Australia spans 3,200 kilometres. From east to west, Australia’s widest point is approximately 4,000 kilometres. Australia’s coastline measures approximately 36,800 kilometers.

‘The Dry Continent’

The climate in Australia is varied and ranges from tropical to sub alpine.

Australia is also the driest inhabited continent on earth, but the eastern seaboard where the majority of the population is concentrated, is a lush and fertile area, with a climate ranging from temperate to tropical. The main mountain range is known as the Great Dividing Range has an area known as the Snowy Mountains, or otherwise known as the Australian Alps. This area actually receives snow than Switzerland, and is the only area suitable for skiing in Australia.

Most of the continent recieves more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, or nearly 70% of the total possible.

Australia also contains many pockets of tropical and temperate rain forest on the eastern coast, but the predominate forest in Australia is Eucalypti forest.

The southwest corner of Western Australia has a Meditarranean climate and the Northern regions of this continent have areas of Rainforest and below that are large areas of savanna grasslands. Tasmania, the island state in the south has large areas of temperature wilderness and steep mountains.

Many parts of Australia have scanty and irregular rainfall. Only where rainfall is plentiful and reliable one can see tall trees are the blue gums of Tasmania, the Big Trees of eastern Victoria, which reach a height of 300 feet. Other tall trees grow along the rainy east coast and many other small trees and plants crowd the forest here, including the ferns and creepers.

The commonest trees of Australia are the eucaliptus, of which there are over 500 kinds.

Some Australian trees and plants produce hard woody fruits and seeds.

Australia has 20,000 species of plants and brilliant wild flowers such as the red and green kangaroo paw. The continent has many species eucalypti or gum trees. Many of the trees lose their bark not leaves and many flowers.

Nature fauna in Australia are protected and managed by state and territorial governments.

The climate of Australia varies greatly. The climate ranges from tropical (monsoonal) in the north to temperate in the south. The tropical region, which includes about 40 percent of the total area of Australia, has only two seasons: a hot, wet season with rains falling mainly in February and March, during which the northern and north-eastern coast have an average annual rainfall of 1524 mm in parts of Queensland overade annual rainfall exceeds 2540 mm.

People of Australia

Australia’s aboriginal inhabitants arrived about 40,000 years ago. Their technical culture depended on wood, bone, and stone tools and weapons, their spiritual and social life was highly complex. Most spoke several languages. Aboriginal population density ranged from one person per square mile along the coast to one person per 35 square miles in the arid interior. Today, tribal aborigines lead a settled traditional life in remote areas of northern, central, and western Australia. For generation, most settlers came from the British Isles, and the people of Australia are still predominatly of British or Irish origin. Since the end of World War II, however, the population has more than doubled; non-European immigration, mostly from the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, has increased significantly since 1960. In 1995-1996, Australia accepted more than 99,000 regular immigrants.

Religion

During the 1800s, European setters brought their traditional churches to Australia. At the 1996 Census, Australian religious affiliations were 27% - Catholic, 22% - Anglican, 22% - other Christian denominations and 3% non-Christian religions, with some 25% uncommitted or professing no religion.

On the 10th January, 2001 at 06:37:28 (Canberra time), the resident population of Australia was projected to be 19,272,053.

Aborigines

The world Aborigine is derived from Latin and means “from the beginning”. This is the name given to the native Australians by the Europeans. The first human inhabitants of the Australia were the Aborigines. They are a dark-skinned people belonging to the Australoid group. They may have walked and sailed here from Asia. They gathered fruits, nuts and yam, which they ate. In Melbourne and Sydney, the sparse Aboriginal population includes many militants. The whites – who have little experience of Aboriginal traditions an appealing theoretical alternative to western society’s moneymaking and rule by the clock. And public policy tends to be generous towards Aboriginal causes and claims.

Facts & Figures

Australian people accept guests with openness and cordiality. It is just characteristic of their life there.

In Australia, everyone is allowed to visit the building of the State Parliament, for example. Enormous posters invite everyone to visit the local museums of space exploration.

Also surprising is the way the Australian people treat each other. White people go to demonstration to protect the rights of aborigines (who are seldom seen on the streets of big cities) – in general, their total number is about 2% of the population of the continent. People on the train, who are really far from agriculture, gladly welcome clouds as possible rains are a blessing to farmers. The harvest there depends on the amount of precipitation, since Australia is the driest continent in the world.

It’s uncommon to surround a house with a high fence, with the exception of the Prime-Minister’s residence (which is strictly guarded). It is also a tradition to appear with a smile on your face in public, a common thing for Americans and probably to some extent for English people as well. And if you need some help, and then even people whom you don’t know well will be glad to help you without saying too much. ” That’s what we are here for” is the key phrase to understanding Australia.

People live there as if to help and protect each other and maintain the land of their ancestors in its unique and indescribable beauty. Of course, one can speak a lot about the difficulties of living in the southern hemisphere, but to experience it all, one would need live there longer as an ordinary citizen, rather than as a visitor.

Australia townspeople are bright and sunny, full of light and surrounded by the care and warmth of people’s relationships, even if it’s a bit idealized there.

Animals

The dry, desert-like plains of the Australian outback cover more than two-thirds of the continent. Much of the region receives less than 250 mm of rainfall a year. Although the rains may come at any time of the year, there are often long periods of drought, which make it difficult for animals to survive.

Many of the animals avoid the heat of the day by staying in their burrows, since it is cooler and damper underground. Some small animals sleep underground right through the hottest summer months. This is called aestivation. Many outback animals can survive with little or no water. Their bodies are adapted to store water from their food and to lose very little water in their urine. A number of animals have long back leas to help them more rapidly and find what little food is available.

There are many animals and birds in Australia:

Koala (length: 80 cm);

Long jumper. Red kangaroo (height: 2m; tail: 1m);

Wild dog. Dingo (height at shoulder: 50 cm; length: up to 90 cm);

High-speed runner emu: (height: 2m);

Huge burrow (height at shoulder: 45cm);

Huge lizard (length including tail: up to 2,4 m);

Spiny coat (length: 50 cm; spines: 6 cm);

Silky killer (length: 3 cm);

Numbat (body length: up to 30 cm; tail: up to 20 cm);

Raggiana’s bird of paradise (body length: up to 95 cm; tail feathers: 50 cm) and many others.

The Australian National Flag

The Australian flag is major national symbol, both within Australia and overseas. It belongs to equally to all Australians and anyone in Australia may fly it. The Australian National Flag has a spacious blue background and depicts three symbols: the Commonwealth star, the stars of the Southern Cross and the Union Flag. The Commonwealth star has seven points, one for each state and one for the additional territories.

The Australian Faunal Emblem: the Emu

The emu appears with the kangaroo on Australia’s Coat of Arms. During pre-historic times in Australia there were giant emus called Genyornis.

Cultural Growth

Australians are world famous for their love of sport, but they are also enthusiastic supporters of the arts and the communications industries.

Australian cultural achievements are becoming well known internationally through the awards gained by films and literature, and the reputation of touring Australian groups.

Government support has been an important factor in developing the arts.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra, established 20 years ago, become a permanent orchestra five years ago and now tours overseas several times a year.

Government-supported television and radio channels play an important part in artistic and cultural development, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) receiving $515.1 million from the Federal Government in 1994-95 and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) $75.7 million.

Аутентичные языковые материалы по теме "Природа Австралии"

I. Reading

Read the text and try to guess: where has this text come from?

A leaflet about a guided tour?

A book about one of the greatest cities in Australia?

A geography book?

II. Vocabulary drill

1. Match the words and expressions from the text with their definitions:

IV. USE OF ENGLISH

Read the texts. Use the words given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line.

Fill in the table

V. WRITING

This is an extract from a letter you have received from your pen friend :

…We’re doing a project at school about different Sydney Parks, Australia’s natural diversity, its birds and animals. Could you write me a short report about Australian wildlife to include in the project?
    Write as soon as you can.
    I wish you luck in your exams.

John.

VII. SAMPLE LETTER

    Australia’s plants and animals are special. Most of them occur nowhere else and our networks of protected areas are crucial for their long-term survival. Some protected areas can cope fairly easily with different types of human activities. However, the environments of others are more fragile, and their plant and animal populations can take a long time to recover even from the smallest amount of human interference.
    National parks are relatively large areas protected for their unspoiled landscapes and their native plants and animals. They are set aside for public education and recreation, and usually offer visitor facilities. Situated near large population centers, they offer open space and recreational and cultural opportunities for urban residents. Marine parks are unique and outstanding marine areas, set aside to conserve aquatic plants and animals. Historic sites can include buildings, objects, monuments or landscapes. They have national cultural importance, and are generally open to visitors.

Use of English: endangered, metallic, listeners, changing, coastal, smallest, flightless, secluded, series, improvement, lead, healthy, discovered, contribution, settlers, being, more, undeveloped, gliding, using, flyer, talents, including, boasts, shaped, world’s, mammals, found, hairless, necked, predators, largely.

Заданияпотеме «Австралия»

1. Now let’s start our competition. You task is to put the missing letters. Thank You.

2. Read the sentence and say if it is try ore false.

1) Canberra is the home of Australia’s government. (T)
2) Sydney is the capital of Australia. (F)
3) Sydney is the largest and the oldest city in Australia. (T)
4) Canberra is a “cyclist’s paradise”. (T)
5) Sydney Opera House is one of the greatest examples of 20th century. (T)

3. Complete the sentences:

Australia was discovered in ______ by ________.

The discoverer of Australia claimed it for ___________.

The first settlers were ________________.

People rushed to Australia because _________.

Australia’s is located in __________ hemisphere.

The hottest month in Australia is ________.

About 70 per cent of the population live in the __________.

________ is the capital of Australia.

The Olympic Games were held in Sydney in ___________.

If in London it’s 8 a.m., in Sydney it is _______.

People in Australia speak ________.

Australia became independent in _____.

Key:

1770, James Cook

the king of England

convicts

gold was discovered there

the southern

January

10 largest cities

Canberra

2000

10 p.m.

English

1931.

4.  What is wrong in the sentences?

Australia is situated south of Asia between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans.

Canberra is the capital of Australia and the biggest city of Australia.

Aborigines now comprise only 50 per cent of the population.

Key:

Australia is situated south of Asia, between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans.

Canberra is the capital of Australia, but it isn’t the biggest city.

Aborigines now comprise only 1,5 per cent of the population.

5. Write the names of the territories on the map:

Western Australia
Northen Territory
South Australia
Queensland
New South Wales

6. Translate the sentences into English – first read the Russian variant, then – the translation.

Большая часть населения – англичане по происхождению. The population is mainly English in background.

Английский – основной язык, на котором говорят австралийцы, но один из пяти австралийцев также говорит на итальянском, греческом, арабском, китайском или испанском. English is the main language spoken, but one in five Australians speak also Italian, Greek, Arabic, Lebanese, Chinese or Spanish.

Средиземноморский климат, галереи, музеи, архитектура и парки привлекают туристов в Сидней. Mediterranean climate, galleries, museums, architecture and parks attract tourist to Sydney.

7. Answer the questions:

What is the official name of the country? (The Commonwealth of Australia.)

When was the Commonwealth of Australia formed? (In 1901.)

What kind of state is Australia? (Constitutional Monarchy.)

What is the capital of Australia? (Canberra.)

Who is the Head of State? (Queen Elizabeth 2 of Great Britain.)

Who is the Head of State? (Prime Minister.)

How many states and territories are there in Australia? (6 and 2.)

What is the population of Australia? (More than 18 million people.)

Which is the official language in Australia? (English.)

What colour is the flag of Australia? (It is blue, red and white.)

Which are the national colours? (Green and gold.)

What animals can be seen on Australia’s coat-of-arms? (The Kangaroo and emu.)

Which is the hottest month in Australia? (January.)

What are the main ports in Australia? (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.)

How long does kangaroo live? (10 – 15 years.)

Can emu fly? (No, it can’t.)

What are Australian’s best-known animals? (The Kangaroo, Koala, the dingo.)

When is spring in Australia? (From September to November.)

What is the main occupation in Australia? (Agriculture.)

What does Koala eat? (Leaves of eucalyptus.)

8. The last task. Choose the right answer.

1. What is the capital of Australia?

Sydney;

Melbourne;

Canberra.

2. When did Europeans settle in Australia?

1488;

1788;

1492;

1901.

3. Which is/ are a popular Australian animal(s)?

Koala;

Kangaroo;

Emu;

All of the above.

4. Which two animals can you see on the Australian coat of arms?

Kangaroo and Dingo;

Koala and Parrot;

Kangaroo and Emu.

5. Which city is Australia’s oldest and largest?

Sydney;

Melbourne;

Canberra.

6. Who are the Australian natives?

Eskimos;

Aborigines;

Indians.

7. Who discovered Australia?

Christopher Columbus;

Captain Cook;

Lewis and Clark.

8. Australia is not a (an)

Country;

Island;

City;

Continent.

9. Approximately how many nationalities live in Australia?

200;

20;

75;

5.

10. What is the official language in Australia?

French;

German;

English.

11. In which season do Australians celebrate Christmas?

Spring;

Summer;

Autumn;

Winter.

Первые племена и народы на территории Британии. Тексты с заданиями на английском языке

UNIT 1 THE DAWN OF BRITISH HISTORY

Words to remember:

At the dawn of their history the peoples of this planet lived in primitive societies. These primitive peoples wherever they lived, began their long path of progress with stone tools, but they did not reach the same level of civilisation at the same time in different countries.

The ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome were already in existence when the people living in Britain were only at the first stage of social development.

The Greeks were the first to mention the British Isles in their books. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who is called the father of history, wrote that in the 5th century BC the Phoenicians used to come to the British Isles for tin, which is used for making bronze. The Greek called the British Isles the Tin Isles.

The very first stages of the existence of people on the British Isles are frequently described as prehistoric and referred to as unwritten history of Britain.

The geographical position of the land was both a blessing and a problem: on the one hand the insular position protected the country from invasions; and on the other – the lowland facing the continent always invited invasions.

Tasks:

Indicate the correct variant:

1. At the dawn of their history the peoples of this planet lived in ………….

А. well-organised groups

B. big towns

C. primitive societies

2. The primitive peoples began their long path of progress with ……………… tools

А. bronze

B. stone

C. metal

3. The level of civilisation ………… the same at the same time in different countries.

was

B. was not

4. Which of these statements is correct?

A. The ancient civilisation of Rome was already in existence when the people living in Britain were at the last stage of social development.

B. The ancient civilisation of Britain was already in existence when the people living in Greece and Rome were only at the first stage of social development.

C. The ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome were already in existence when the people living in Britain were only at the first stage of social development.

5. Write the statements correctly:

UNIT 2 IBERIANS

Words to remember:

Not much is known about the first inhabitants of Britain. About three thousand years BC many parts of Europe, including the British Isles were inhabited by a people who are known as the Iberians. Their descendants are still found in the North of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. Some historians believe that they moved over from the Continent to Britain at the end of the Ice Age, when climate changes caused changes in the hunting situation on the Continent, so the Iberians had to look for new places to hunt.

We do not know much about these early people because they lived in Britain long before a word of their history was written, but we can learn something from their skeletons, their weapons and the remains of their dwellings which have been found. The Iberians used stone weapons and tools. The art of grinding and polishing stone was known to them and they could make smooth objects of stone with sharp edges and points.

From 6 to the 3d century BC the Celts spread across Europe from the East to the West The Iberians were unable to fight back the attacks of the Celts, who were better armed with metal weapons, so most of the Iberians were slain in the conflict; some of them were driven westwards into the mountains of what is now Wales.

Tasks:

Indicate the correct variant:

1. the Iberians inhabited many parts of Europe, including the British Isles, about ………… years BC.

А. 5000

B. 3500

C. 3000

2. Their descendants are still found ……………

A. in the South of Spain on the Iberian Island.

B. in the North of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula

C. in the North of Italy on the Iberian Peninsula.

3. They moved over from the Continent to Britain…………..

A. at the end of the Ice Age

B. at the beginning of our era

C. after the Great Flood

4. The Iberians had to look for new places to hunt when…………

A. new hunting laws were adopted

B. new lands were discovered to the north-west of Spain

C. climate changes caused changes in the hunting situation on the Continent

5. The Iberians …………….

A. hunted or gathered their food

B. did not breed animals, or tame them

C. did not till soil.

6. The Iberians used ………….. weapons and tools.

A. metal and stone B. stone and bronze C. stone

7. They knew the art of

A. grinding and polishing stone

B. making bronze tools

C. building huge structures

UNIT 3 CELTS

Words to remember:

During the period from 6 to the 3d century BC the Celts spread across Europe from the East to the West. Several Celtic tribes invaded Britain. Among them were such tribes as the Picts, the Scots, the Britons. The Iberians were unable to fight back the attacks of the Celts, who were better armed with metal weapons: spears, swords, daggers, and axes. Some of the Celtic tribes were quite large and fighting was common among them. Julius Caesar wrote that they were tall and blue-eyed. The Celts wore long flowing moustaches but no beards. They charged fiercely in the battle, and they also used war-chariots on the battle-field. The chariots were drawn by two or four horses, and were large enough to hold several warriors in each. Standing in their chariots they rushed along the enemy’s lines waving their spears and uttering loud cries. So most of the Iberians were slain in the conflict; some of them were driven westwards into the mountains of what is now Wales, others probably mixed with the Celts.

Tasks:

Indicate the correct variant:

1. the Celts spread across Europe from the East to the West ………………century BC

А. in the 6th

B. after the 3rd

C. from the 6th to the 3rd

2. Among the tribes, which invaded Britain were …………….

А. the Britons & the Scots

B. the Britons & the Picts

C. the Picts, the Scots, & the Britons.

3. Is the story correct?

The Britons penetrated into the mountains of the North; some of them crossed over to Ireland and settled there. The Picts settled in the North in such big numbers that the name of Scotland was given to that country. Powerful Celtic tribes, the Scots, held most of the country, and all the southern half of the island was named Britain after them.

4. The Iberians were unable to fight back the attacks of the Celts because ………….

A. they were peaceful farmers who had no weapons and were not used to fighting.

B. the Celts were better armed with metal weapons: spears, swords, daggers, and axes.

C. on the battlefield the Celts also used war-chariots drawn by two or four horses, and large enough to hold several warriors in each.

5. The military leaders of the largest tribes were sometimes called ……….. and stood at the head of detachments of warriors.

А. kings

B. chiefs

C. knights

UNIT 4 THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE CELTS

Words to remember:

The Celts lived in villages, were acquainted with the use of copper, tin and iron, they kept large herds of cattle, cultivated crops, especially corn. They used light ploughs as well as horses and grew their crops in small, square fields. The Celtic tribe called the Britons was more civilised than the others, their clothing was made of wool, woven in many colours while the other Celts wore skins. The improved tools brought about important changes in the living conditions of primitive man. The Iberians gathered or hunted their food, but the Celts began to tame and breed animals, to till the soil. Iron ploughs could cut the soil deeper, and so they could cultivate also the rich heavy soil in the valleys. They grew more and more corn, they began to build dwellings and to make clothing.

They were ruled by chiefs whom all the tribesman obeyed. The chiefs were military leaders and some of them were very powerful. The military leaders of the largest tribes were sometimes called kings, they stood at the head of detachments of warriors. In primitive society there was no private property, therefore there were no classes, no state system, that is no armed forces, no prisons, no courts, no government bodies. In the last centuries B.C. and in the first centuries A.D. the Celts were in a period of transition from primitive to class society. The elders, military leaders and their warriors made up the tribal nobility.

The Celts worshiped nature. They believed that the sky, the sun, the moon & the earth was ruled by beings like themselves, only much more powerful.

Tasks

Indicate the correct variant:

1. Chose the correct statement:

A. The Celts lived in villages and small towns, were acquainted with the use of wood, glass and iron, they kept large herds of pigs, and cultivated crops, especially potatoes.

B. The Celts lived in villages, but they didn’t know the use of copper, tin and iron, though they kept large herds of cattle, and cultivated crops, especially wheat.

C. The Celts lived in villages, were acquainted with the use of copper, tin and iron, they kept large herds of cattle, and cultivated crops, especially corn.

2. The Celtic tribe called ………… was more civilised than the others, their clothing was made ofwool, woven in many colours while the other Celts wore skins.

А. the Picts

B. the Britons

C. the Scots

3. The Celts grew more corn because ……………….

А. they were not so lazy as the Iberians

B. they were brighter

C. iron ploughs could cut the soil deeper

4. They began to build dwellings and to make clothing as ……………..

А. they had more free time

B. their crops were very good

C. they were made to do so.

5. In primitive society there ………………….

A. was no private property, therefore there were no classes, no state system.

B. were no armed forces, no prisons, no courts, no government bodies.

C. lived only happy people, because life was much easier

6. Is the statement correct?

In the first centuries B.C. and in the last centuries A.D. the Celts were in a period of transition from class to primitive society. The elders, military leaders and their warriors made up the tribal nobility. But still the communal way of life predominated.

UNIT 5 DRUIDS

Words to remember:

The Celtic priests were called druids. In Celtic the meaning of this word is "Knowing [or Finding] the Oak Tree". The druids lived near groves of oak-trees, which were considered to be sacred places. In the early period, Druidic rites were held in clearings in the forest.

The Druids were members of the learned class among the ancient Celts. The earliest known records of the Druids come from the 3rd century BC.

The druids were sometimes even more powerful than the chiefs. The Celts believed in their magic power, they believed the druids could foretell the future and they were often called upon to settle disputes. The druids could give orders to begin a battle or to put down arms and stop fighting.

The druids were the teachers of morality as well as of religion. They were also the men of science and learning of their age. Three classes of Druids existed: prophets, bards, and priests. They combined the functions of the priest, the scholar, the physician. Their teaching was oral and their literature (if such a word may be used in this case) was preserved solely by tradition. Their history consisted in traditional tales in which the heroic deeds of their forefathers were celebrated. Once a year the Druids assembled at a sacred place in the territory of the Carnutes, which was believed to be the centre of all Gaul (situated not far from Paris, in France).

The druids taught the existence of one god, to whom they gave a name “Be’al” which means “the life of everything” or “the source of all beings”. They believed in another life after death, they thought that the soul was immortal and passed at death into the body of a new child. The Druids offered human sacrifices for those who were gravely sick or in danger of death in battle. Though the Druids preferred to sacrifice criminals, they would choose innocent victims if necessary.

Archaeologists believe that the Druids used dolmens (a group of upright stones supporting a large flat piece of stone, built in ancient times in Britain and France) as burial chambers in their religious rites. Dolmens are particularly numerous in Ireland and Wales and in the English counties of Devon and Cornwall; in northwest France, especially in Bretagne; and in Spain. They are also found in northern Africa, in Syria, and in other countries ranging as far east as Japan.

Tasks

Indicate the correct variant:

1. The Celts were pagans and worshipped Nature. They believed ……………..

A. that the sky, the sun, the moon & the earth were ruled by beings like themselves, only much more powerful.

B. in many nameless spirits who lived in the rivers, lakes, mountains and thick forests.

C. that vampires, ghosts and evil spirits watched their every step and punished those who misbehaved.

2. The Celtic priests druids …………..

A. combined the functions of the priest, the scholar, and the physician;

B. were members of the learned class among the ancient Celts: they studied ancient verse, natural philosophy, astronomy, and the lore of the gods, some of them spent as much as 20 years in training;

C. taught the existence of one god, to whom they gave a name “Be’al” which means “the life of everything” or “the source of all beings”;

D. believed in another life after death and thought that the soul was immortal and passed at death from one person into another.

3. The druids offered human sacrifices ……………

A. for those who were gravely sick or in danger of death in battle.

B. every time they needed assistance from their gods

C. though they preferred to sacrifice criminals, they would choose innocent victims if necessary.

D. only once a year during their druidic rites

4. The druids lived near groves of oak-trees, ……………..

A. which were considered to be sacred places.

B. and in the early period their druidic rites were held in clearings in the forest.

C. later under Roman influence sacred buildings began to be used.

D. and once a year the Druids assembled at a sacred place in the territory of the Carnutes, which was believed to be the centre of all Gaul

5. Is the story correct?

The druids were very important and powerful, but not so powerful as the chiefs. The Celts believed in their magic power, they believed the druids could foretell the future but they were seldom called upon to settle disputes. The druids could not give orders to begin a battle or to put down arms and stop fighting.

The druids were the teachers of morality as well as of mathematics, and we can gather that they held and indicated many very noble and valuable principles of conduct. They were also the men of science and learning of their age. Their teaching was oral and their literature (if such a word may be used in this case) was preserved in many valuable manuscripts. The German writers admit that “they paid much attention to the order and laws of nature and investigated and taught to the old under their charge many things concerning the stars and their motions, the size of the world and the lands, and concerning the might and power of the immortal kings”.