French traders founded Fort Rouillé on the current Exhibition grounds in 1750, but abandoned it in 1759. During the American Revolutionary War, the region saw an influx of British settlers as United Empire Loyalists fled for the unsettled lands north of Lake Ontario. In 1787, the British negotiated the Toronto Purchase with the Mississaugas of New Credit, thereby securing more than a quarter million acres of land in the Toronto area.
In 1793, Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York on the existing settlement, naming it after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. The town's settlement formed at the eastern end of the harbour behind the peninsula, near the present-day Parliament Street.
In 1813, as part of the War of 1812, the Battle of York ended in the town’s capture and plunder by American forces. The surrender of the town was negotiated by John Strachan. American soldiers destroyed much of Fort York and set fire on the parliament buildings during their five-day occupation.
York was incorporated as the City of Toronto on March 6, 1834, reverting to its original native name. The Irish potato famine between 1846 and 1849 brought a large number of Irish diaspora into the city, most of them Catholic. By 1851, the Irish-born population had become the largest single ethnic group in the city. Smaller numbers of Protestant Irish immigrants were welcomed by the existing Scottish and English population, giving the Orange Order significant influence over Toronto society.
Toronto was twice for brief periods the capital of the united Province of Canada first from 1849-1852, following unrest in Montreal and later 1856-1858 after which Quebec became capital until just a year prior to Confederation, since then it has been Ottawa.
The city received new immigrant groups beginning in the late 19th century into early 20th century, particularly Germans, Italians, and Jews from various parts of Eastern Europe. They were soon followed by Chinese, Russians, Poles and immigrants from other Eastern European nations, as the Irish before them, many of these new migrants lived in overcrowded shanty type slums, such as the "the Ward" which was between Bay Street, now the heart of the country finances and the Discovery District, considered one of the world's most advanced medical research zones.
By the 1980s, Toronto had surpassed Montreal as Canada’s most populous city and the chief economic hub. During this time, many national and multinational corporations moved their head offices from Montreal to Toronto and other western Canadian cities. Within the decade, Toronto became home to a majority of corporate headquarters in Canada.
Text 4 FLORIDA
1 Answer the following questions before reading the text:
1) Have you ever been to the USA?
2) What states in the USA do you know?
3) What states would you like to visit in the USA?
4) What places of interest are there in the USA?
2 Say what these geographical names mean:
Gulf of Mexico Georgia
Tallahassee Pascua Florida
Bahamas Cypress
Yeti
3 Read the text to know more about Florida
Florida is a state located in the southeastern United States. Most of the state is a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico on its west and the Atlantic Ocean on its east. It has a warm and humid subtropical climate. It was named by Juan Ponce de León, who landed on the coast on April 2, 1513, during Pascua Florida (Spanish for “Flowery Easter,” referring to the Easter season). Florida's economy relies heavily on tourism. The capital is Tallahassee and the largest city is Jacksonville.
Florida is situated mostly on a large peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. It extends to the northwest into a panhandle, extending along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is bordered in the north by the states of Georgia and Alabama, and in the west, at the end of the panhandle, by Alabama. It is near the countries of the Caribbean, particularly the Bahamas and Cuba.
The climate of Florida is tempered somewhat by its proximity to water. Most of the state has a humid subtropical climate, except for the southern tip which borders on tropical and the Florida Keys which have a true tropical climate. Cold fronts can occasionally bring high winds and cool to cold temperatures to the entire state during late fall and winter. The seasons in Florida are actually determined more by precipitation than by temperature with mild to cool, relatively dry winters and autumns and hot, wet springs and summers.
Florida's nickname is the “Sunshine State,” but severe weather is a common occurrence in the state. Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, as it experiences more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the country. Florida has the highest average precipitation of any state, in large part because afternoon thunderstorms are common in most of the state from late spring until early autumn. A fair day may be interrupted with a storm, only to return to sunshine.
Tourism makes up the largest sector of the state economy. Warm weather and hundreds of miles of beach attract about 60 million visitors to the state every year. Amusement parks, especially in the Orlando area, make up a significant portion of tourism; the huge Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and other major parks drives state tourism. The Florida Keys and Daytona Beach (famous as a spring break site) are also tourism centers.
Big Cypress National Preserve is a National Park in the state of Florida in the United States of America. It is adjacent to Everglades National Park. The Preserve protects over 720,000 acres (2,913 km²) of freshwater swamp essential to the health of the Everglades ecosystem. The Big Cypress Swamp has served as home or refuge to American Indian peoples including the Miccosukee Tribe, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida as well as early European settlers.
The Walt Disney World Resort (commonly known as Disney World or Disneyworld) is a complex of four separate theme parks, two themed water parks, many resorts, restaurants and other facilities located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Magic Kingdom is the best-known park, organized around the central landmark, or as Walt Disney would say a weenie, of Cinderella's Castle. It is based on the original Disney park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It has various “lands” within it and is more oriented toward children, although many adults love the escapism as well. This is the first park opened in the Florida complex and also the most heavily attended. It teems with humanity of all ages and colors, so people who have problems with crowds - or who don't like screaming toddlers - may want to stay away.
Epcot is an "educational park." It is divided into two distinct areas, “Future World” and “World Showcase”. World Showcase is structured to showcase various international locations, especially in terms of food and/or trade goods. Don't miss the impossibly cheesy but fun Mexico ride along with the extravagant Maelstrom ride in the Norway pavilion. Future World is comprised of various “futuristic” attractions, many sponsored by various industrial concerns. The Test Track, a recent addition in which visitors go through the motions of tests for new cars, is a probably the most fun, and the most traditionally theme-park.
Disney-MGM Studios is a park with a 20th Century movie theme. This park has lots of shows and some Thrill rides, the main ones being a 13 story drop in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and a launching roller coaster, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The latest addition to the park is an automobile stunt show called “Lights, Motors, Action”.
Animal Kingdom is a mix between a zoo and a theme park. Naturalistic animal exhibitions are interspersed, and sometimes integrated, with typical Disney rides. Among these are a jeep safari past live animal enclosures, a raft ride through the deforstation of a tropical rainforest, a time travel ride which includes close encounters with dinosaurs and the newest ride, “Expedition Everest”, which is a roller coaster ride and includes an encounter with the Yeti. Animal Kingdom is more of a kid friendly theme park with many animals that would attract the attention of younger generations as well as Camp Minnie Mickey, a special space for youngsters where they can meet all of their favorite characters.
Typhoon Lagoon is a water park with a giant surf wave pool, numerous slides, a snorkeling lagoon, and a tropical beach theme. The snorkeling lagoon includes living sharks, so while not for the faint of heart, it's an unforgettable experience.
4 Comprehension check. Answer the following questions:
1) Where is Florida situated?
2) How can you characterize Florida?
3) What is the climate of Florida like?
4) What is the largest sector of the state’s economy?
5) What are the most famous tourist attractions?
6) What have you learnt about Big Cypress National Preserve?
7) What parts does the Walt Disney World Resort consist of?
8) Where can children get acquainted with cartoon personages?
9) Which park shows a 20th Century movie theme?
10) Where can one meet wild animals?
5 Fill in the gaps:
1) It has a warm and … subtropical climate.
2) Florida is situated mostly on a large ….
3) The seasons in Florida are actually determined more by … than by temperature.
4) Florida's nickname is the “…”.
5) Big Cypress National Preserve is … to Everglades National Park.
6) The Preserve protects over 720,000 acres of … ….
7) In Magic Kingdom people who don't like … … - may want to stay away.
8) Naturalistic animal exhibitions are …, and sometimes …, with typical Disney rides.
9) Time travel ride which includes close … with dinosaurs and the newest ride,
“Expedition Everest”, which is a … …. ride and includes an … with the Yeti.
10) Typhoon Lagoon is a water park with a … surf wave …, numerous …, a … lagoon,
and a tropical beach theme.
6 Say whether these statements are true or false:
a) Typhoon Lagoon is a modern movie park.
b) Animal Kingdom is a mix of a zoo and a theme park.
c) The latest addition to the Disney-MGM Studios Park is an automobile stunt show called “Lights, Motors, Go”.
d) Magic Kingdom is the best-known park, organized around the central landmark Cinderella’s Castle.
e) Florida is a state located in the southwestern United States.
f) In the south Florida is bordered on the states of Georgia and Alabama.
g) Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States.
7 Discussion. Expand on the statements:
1) The climate of Florida shows a wonderful variety of character.
2) Tourism makes up the largest sector of Florida’s economy.
3) The aim of the Big Cypress National Preserve is to conserve freshwater swamp.
4) The most famous of Florida’s resorts is the Walt Disney World Resort.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Read the text “Florida’s best beaches” and render it due to the plan:
- I’ve read the text under the title …
- This text is about …
- It tells us about …
- It should be said, that …
- Summarizing up I would like to mention …
- I think that the text ...
Florida’s best beaches
With 1,100 miles of beaches, it's no wonder Florida has one to suit every visitor.
Best Tropical Beach: Bahia Honda State Park (305-872-3210, www.floridastateparks.org). In this paradise of a park, palms wave in the breeze over pristine, sandy beaches. Widely considered to have the Keys’ best beaches, Bahia Honda Key is a sheer tropical heaven, with mild, clear water and more than one lush and cozy beach from which to choose.
Best Beach for Surfing: Sebastian Inlet State Park (321-984-4852, www.floridastateparks. org) Sebastian Inlet, south of Melbourne Beach, is the capital of East Coast surfing. The waves along this three-mile stretch of beach divided by the Sebastian River are consistent, hollow and fast. If any surf is breaking on the East Coast of Florida, it will be at Sebastian Inlet.
Best Beach for Treasure Hunting: Vero Beach (772-567-3491, www.indianriverchamber.com) A Spanish fleet cracked open upon the reefs of Florida’s East Coast in 1715, spilling its treasure into the sea. Sea Grape Trail in Vero Beach has proved lucrative for treasure hunters combing its sands. Finding a gold doubloon is rare because they are often so encrusted by the sea that it's hard to recognize them.
Best Beach to See a Millionaire: Palm Beach (561-233-3000, www.palmbeachfl.com) Rent a Jaguar and drive to Palm Beach if you really want to see how “the Donald” lives. This 14-mile stretch has a well-deserved reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. But you don't have to be a millionaire to tan beside one here, second home to the likes of the Kennedy clan.
Best Beach to Find Sharks Teeth: Venice Beach (800-522-9799, www.sarasotafl.org) Venice Beach is the spot for finding fossilized shark's teeth from thousands of years ago. The beach concessionaire even rents out metal mesh scoops to aid in the process. Small teeth, the size of a Chihuahua’s, are easy to find while walking along the shoreline and larger teeth by snorkeling along a ridge just offshore.
Best Place to Feel Small: Canaveral National Seashore (321-267-1110, www.nps.gov/cana) The Canaveral National Seashore, 24 miles of undeveloped coast, is lined with dunes, beaches and a range of wildlife. It's not unusual to see a blue heron on the seashore while a bald eagle soars over the shoulder-high marsh grasses. Bordering Kennedy Space Center, the seashore may also allow you to glimpse an equally astounding flight.
Best Snorkeling Beach: Dry Tortugas (800-352-5397, www.fla-keys.com) For colorful fish and living coral reefs, pack your snorkeling gear and head to the Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, reachable by ferry or seaplane, but well worth the trip. This cluster of seven islands, made of coral and sand, includes Garden Key, home to historic Fort Jefferson.
Best Beach for Romance: Lovers Key (800-237-6444, www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com) On Lovers Key, explore the mangrove wilds of the west coast Florida by kayak or foot in Lovers Key State Park. Lounge beside a waterfall in a lagoon-style pool at the Lovers Key Beach Club & Resort, a posh all-suite resort. At sunset, dine overlooking Estero Bay. Soak in the spa tub-for-two in your suite.
Best Beach to Watch a Sunset: Naples Municipal Beach & Fishing Pier (800-688-3600, www. paradisecoast. com) Naples Municipal Beach & Fishing Pier (built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock) shines as an all-time sunset favorite. When the sun begins to set low on the western horizon, beachgoers, fisherman, locals and tourists fill the narrow pier in anticipation of the daily show as the sun melts into the Gulf.
Best Beach for Kids: Siesta Public Beach (800-522-9799, www.sarasotafl.org) When it comes to family beach spots, nothing tops Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota - gradual slopes, shallow waters, lifeguards, a playground, gentle waves, fine white sand and translucent waters. It continually makes several of America’s Top 10 lists of best beaches based on sand, water quality and facilities.
Text 5 MEXICO
1 Answer the questions before reading the text: 1) Have you ever been to Mexico? Would you lilke to? Why? Why not? 2) Do you think it’s a large country? Why? 3) What is Mexico famous for? 4) Where is it located?
2 Say what these geographical names mean: Mexico Guatemala Ciudad Juárez Yucatán Peninsula[ Guadalupe
3 Read the text “Mexico” to learn more about this country
Mexico is a land of contrasts: from the vibrant colors woven into textiles to the stunning hues of its landscape, from mountain ranges that run right down to the ocean's edge to lush tropical jungles and high snow capped volcanoes. The original people of México had advanced knowledge of science, mathematics, astronomy and medicine. That past still permeates this land. It can be found in the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. It lives on the arts and music. And in the peculiar philosophy about life and death that make the Mexican people so unique and so charming. So whether one comes to explore the archaeological treasures, wander through the colonial cities, or simply relax on the beautiful beaches, rest assured, one will take home memories and some of the magic of México as well. México has a wealth of natural and cultural resources due to the diverse climatic conditions and to a historic tradition of more than 3,000 years. This makes the country an ideal destination for national tourists. The United Mexican States or simply Mexico is a country in North America, bounded on the north by the United States; on the south by Central America with Guatemala and Belize; on the west by the Pacific Ocean; and on the East by the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Mexico is a federal constitutional republic, made up of 31 States and a Federal District that contains the capital, Mexico City which is one of the largest cities on Earth.Covering almost 2 million square kilometres its territory is situated in the central and south portion of North America. It is the 6th largest country in the Americas by total area and 15th largest in the world. With a population of about 108 million, it is the 11th largest country and the most popular Spanish-speaking country in the world. Mexican territory includes the more remote Guadalupe Island and the Islas Revillagigedo in the Pacific Ocean. Mexico's total area covers 1,972,550 square kilometers, including approximately 6,000 square kilometers of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of California. On its north, Mexico shares a 5000-kilometer border with the United States. The meandering Río Bravo del Norte (known as the Rio Grande in the United States) defines the border from Ciudad Juárez east to the Gulf of Mexico. A series of natural and artificial markers delineate the United States-Mexican border west from Ciudad Juárez to the Pacific Ocean. On its south, Mexico shares an 871 kilometer border with Guatemala and a 251-kilometer border with Belize.