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Методические указания по развитию навыков чтения и устной речи на английском языке по страноведческой тематике для студентов 1 4 курсов отделения «Туризм» (стр. 7 из 8)

MEVLEVI CONVENT AND MUSEUM

Founder of the Mevlevi Order known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes, Muhammed Celaleddin lived in Konya from 1228 until his death in 1273. He was given the name Mevlana (Our High Master) by his followers. The nearly 6500 m2 land, on which the convent lies, used to be a rose garden belonging to Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat. He gave the area to Mevlana’s father, Bahaddin Veled. as a gift. Bahaddin Veled was buried here in accordance with his will. From that day on, this place became a popular visiting spot. The building of the tomb began in 1274, only after the burial of Mevlana beside his father. In 1396, the tomb was covered by a cone shaped dome decorated by exquisite turquoise tiles. The building has gone through many modifications during different periods in history and it has turned into a collection of buildings, an institution. In 1926, the Mevlana Convent opened as a museum. The artifacts presented to the convent throughout the centuries are on display. The most interesting section of the museum is under the green dome where the sarcophagi of Mevlana and his son, Sultan Veled, stand. The museum contains 65 sarcophagi of the members of Mevlana’s family and his followers. On display are hand-written copies of the sayings and books about Mevlana and Mevlevi order, musical instruments, metal glass and wooden objects, carpets and kilims. In the former dervish cells, the garments of the order are exhibited.

PAMUKKALE

This sight of spectacular beauty is located in the inner Aegean region. The terraces over 300 feet in height composed of layers of the accumulated limestone sediment have been gradually formed in the course of the ages. For thousands of years a deep underground spring on the hills above has been pouring out streams of hot, mineral-saturated water. As the water has flowed down the mountainside, the water’s rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of white calcareous rock. Since these white slopes resemble castles when observed from the plain, the area is called Pamukkale which means cotton castle in Turkish. Several Roman emperors came to bathe in these thermal pools. The area is still one of the leading hot springs in Turkey.

SECTION IV

Text 9 NEW ZEALAND

1 Answer the following questions:

1) Have you ever been to New Zealand?

2) Where is New Zealand situated?

3) What is the capital of New Zealand?

4) What do you know of New Zealand?

5) What places of interest are there in New Zealand?

2 Say what these geographical names mean:

Tasman the Alps

The Maoris Great Berta

Egmont Christchurch

Waikato

Polynesian

3 Read the text to know more about New Zealand

New Zealand is an independent state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is situated southeast of Australia; the distance between Australia and New Zealand is 2000 kilometers. It consists of two large islands: North Island, South Island, two small ones: Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands and several island groups. New Zealand is an island country; it is washed by the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The country occupies 103,736 square miles; population is about 3,3 million people.

The majority of the population is of British origin, but there are also small groups of the Chinese, Indians, Greeks, and Poles. The Maoris, a Polynesian people are the aborigines of New Zealand, The number of Maoris is about 8 percent now, and they speak their national language and have their own national culture.

English is an official language of the country.

New Zealand has a wet, subtropical climate. The average temperature in January is +19 °C; in July is +12 °C. New Zealand's climate is pleasant in all seasons; there is no much difference between winter and summer. There are a lot of sunny days, but much rain falls on the west coast.

South Island is larger than North Island and the Cook Strait lies between islands. South Island is much more mountainous, without recent volcanic activity. The Southern Alps running along South Island contain 17 peaks of 3000 meters, the highest top is Mount Cook, and it is 3764 meters high. The central part of island is a high volcanic plateau, where the most of the population live. You can find on the island many volcanoes (the Egmont is one of the largest), geysers (the Great Berta is of 15 meters high), boiling pools and ribbon lakes. The nature of South Island is very beautiful with its Alps and lakes, with one of the most attractive and highest waterfalls in the world. The Sunderland Falls is 600 meters high.

There are many lakes in South Island. The main rivers of the country are the Waikato, the Rangitata, and the Clutha. The rivers are mostly swift flowing; shallow and only few are navigable.

New Zealand has evergreen plants such as pine, fern, moss; eucalyptus. Forests of exotic pines occupy four thousand hectares. This is the largest area of planted forests in the world. A pine in New Zealand grows five times faster than in the USA. The country has 10 national parks.

The fauna is not very rich. There are few native animals in the country. Many were resettled, some of which are the rabbit, the deer, the wild bore, the fox, the hedgehog, the wild cat, and the rat. The whales may be seen in various parts of the coast. The bird life of New Zealand is rather rich. You can see a lot of birds of bright colors: the duck, the black swan (nearly 10 thousand on one lake), the dove, the caca (New Zealand parrot), the albatross (sea gull), and others. The most interesting bird of the country is the kiwi, which you can see only in this country. This bird has no tail, no wings, it can't fly. This bird becomes the emblem of the country. In many countries New Zealanders are known as Kiwis.

The capital of the country is Wellington (350 th.). It is a great port and also financial, commercial and transport center of the country. The other main ports are Auckland and Christchurch.

New Zealand is rich in natural resources, but few have been extensively exploited. The country is rich in coal, natural gas, timber, iron ores, uranium, oil, gold and aluminum. The most significant feature of New Zealand's industry in recent years is the development of heavy industry. Oil refinery and aluminum plant, steel mill are in operation now Woodworking, pulp and paper industries are highly developed too. The country has a lot of power stations. New Zealand's climate with rainfalls all the year round is very favorable for dairying, ship-farming and cattle-farming. Extensive export trade is carried the meat, fish, fruit, honey. New Zealand is the second exporter of wool after Australia. Tourism now is the important sector of country's economy. New Zealand is famous for its fishing, snow sports, mountaineering, sailing, and hiking.

New Zealand is a capitalist self-governing state and a member of the Сommonwealth. Formally the head of the country is the Queen of England, represented by the Governor General appointed for a period of 5 years. The country has no Constitution. The Parliament consists of one House only, the House of Representatives. The 92 members of the Parliament are elected by the population for a period of three years. The Prime Minister is the head of the Parliament. The main political parties are the Labour Party, the National Party of New Zealand.

The flag of New Zealand has two main features: the red, white and blue Union Jack in the upper left quarter and four-star Southern Cross in the right half. On the blue state flag the stars are red outlined in white.

4 Comprehension check. Answer the following questions:

1) New Zealand is situated in the southern hemisphere, isn't it?

2) What climate has New Zealand?

3) Who are the inhabitants of New Zealand?

4 )What do you know about flora of this country?

5) What is the highest mountain in New Zealand?

6) What are the planted pine forests of New Zealand famous for?

7) Does the pine grow faster, in New Zealand or in the USA?

8) What natural resources is the country rich in?

9) Who is represented the Queen of England in New Zealand?

5 Give correct word to the definition:

- a medium - …

- the amount of water falling - …

- to have - …

- a broad, flat area - …

- not very deep - …

- always green - …

- to use for profit - …

- important - …

- walking for a long distance - …

6 Say whether these statements are true or false:

a) New Zealand is an independent state and a member of the Commonwealth of

Nations.

b) New Zealand is situated southwest of Australia.

c) New Zealand consists of five large islands.

d) The population of New Zealand is about 3.3 million people.

e) New Zealand has a wet, subtropical climate.

f) The capital of the country is Wellington.

g) New Zealand is hardly rich in natural resources.

i) Formally the head of the country is the Queen of England.

j) The Prime Minister is the head of the Congress.

7 Discussion. Expand on the statements:

1) The majority of the population in New Zealand is of British origin.

2) New Zealand has a mild climate.

3) The nature of New Zealand is very beautiful.

4) New Zealand is rich in mineral resources.

5) New Zealand is a capitalist self-governing state and a member of the Сommonwealth.

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Read the text “The Politics of New Zealand” 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 I would like to mention …

- I think that the text ...

The Politics of New Zealand

New Zealand's Founding Document

Signed in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi is an agreement between the British Crown and Maori. It established British law in New Zealand, while at the same time guaranteeing Maori authority over their land and culture. The Treaty is considered New Zealand's founding document.

After Captain Cook's exploration of New Zealand in the late 18th century, an increasing number of settlers came to New Zealand. By 1839, there were an estimated 2000 Pakeha (Europeans) living in New Zealand. In 1833, after increasing lawlessness amongst traders and settlers, the British government appointed James Busby as British Resident to protect British trading interests and counter the growing lawlessness.

In 1835, the French were looking to trade and settle in New Zealand and had started to buy land. In response to this, the British Crown signed a Declaration of Independence with 34 northern Maori Chiefs. This declared New Zealand an independent state under British rule. It also stated that 'no claim could be made on New Zealand without Maori agreement.

Despite Busby's presence, lawlessness, and the number of dubious land sales to Pakeha, increased. The British Government decided there was a need for some effective rule in New Zealand. In 1840, they sent Captain William Hobson there as Lieutenant-Governor. His mission was to acquire the Sovereignty of New Zealand, by way of a treaty with the native Maori Chiefs.

A Treaty of Waitangi was drawn up and translated. After a day of debate, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840, at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. Forty-three Northland Chiefs signed the treaty on that day. Over 500 Maori Chiefs signed it as it was taken around the country during the next eight months.

The grounds and building where the treaty was signed have been preserved. Today, the Waitangi Historic Reserve is a popular tourist attraction. There is a large Maori meeting house, the colonial mission house, an historic flagstaff, as well as a very long waka taua (Maori war canoe).

The English and Maori versions of the treaty both contain three articles. However, as the Treaty was written and translated by people with little or no legal experience, the Maori translation differs widely in interpretation from the English version.

The first article covers sovereignty. The English version states that Maori give up their “kawanatanga” (governorship or sovereignty) to the British Crown. However, while the English version describes a complete transference of power to the Crown, the Maori version implies a sharing of power.

The second article concerns “tino rangatiratanga” or chieftainship. The Maori version promises much broader rights for Maori in regard to possession of their existing “taonga” (treasures). The English version gives Maori control over their lands, forests, fisheries, and other properties. But the Maori version, with its use of the word “taonga”, implies possession and protection of things such as language and culture. The third Article promises Maori the rights of all British subjects, while protecting traditional and customary rights.

Text 10 WELLINGTON

1 Answer the following questions before reading the text:

1) Have you ever been to Wellington?

2) Where is Wellington situated?

3) Is Wellington a capital city? What country?

4) What do you know of New Zealand?

5) What places of interest are there in New Zealand?

2 Say what these geographical names mean:

Kapiti Coast

Wairarapa

Te Papa Tongarewa

Kaikoura Ranges

Mokopuna

3 Read the text to know more about Wellington:

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, the country's second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. It is in the Wellington region at the southern tip of the North Island, near the geographical centre of the country.

Like many cities, Wellington's urban area extends well beyond the boundaries of a single local authority. Greater Wellington or the Wellington Region means the entire urban area, plus the rural parts of the cities and the Kapiti Coast, and across the Rimutaka Range to the Wairarapa.

Wellington was named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor at the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke's title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset. Wellington is New Zealand's political centre, housing Parliament and the head offices of all government ministries and departments.

Wellington's compact city centre supports an arts scene, café, culture and nightlife much larger than most cities of a similar size. It is a centre of New Zealand's film and theatre industry. Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the biennial International Festival of the Arts are all sited there.

Wellington has the 12th best quality of living in the world, according to a 2006 study by consulting company Mercer. Of cities with English as the primary language, Wellington ranked fourth.

In 1865 Wellington became the capital of New Zealand, replacing Auckland, where William Hobson had established his capital in 1841. Parliament first sat in Wellington on 7 July 1862, but the city did not become the official capital for some time. In November 1863 the Premier Alfred Domett moved a resolution before Parliament (in Auckland) that "... it has become necessary that the seat of government ... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait." Apparently there was concern that the southern regions, where the gold fields were located, would form a separate colony. Commissioners from Australia pronounced the opinion that Wellington was suitable because of its harbour and central location. Parliament officially sat in Wellington for the first time on 26 July 1865. The population of Wellington was then 4,900.

Wellington is the seat of New Zealand's highest court, the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The historic former High Court building is to be refurbished for the court's use.

Wellington stands at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait, the passage that separates the North and South Islands. On a clear day the snowcapped Kaikoura Ranges are visible to the south across the strait. To the north stretch the golden beaches of the Kapiti Coast. On the east the Rimutaka Range divides Wellington from the broad plains of the Wairarapa, a wine region of national acclaim.

Wellington Harbour has three islands: Matiu/Somes Island, Makaro/Ward Island and Mokopuna. Only Matiu/Somes Island is large enough for settlement. It has been used as a quarantine station for people and animals and as an internment camp during the First and Second World Wars. It is now a conservation island, providing refuge for endangered species, much like Kapiti Island further up the coast. There is access during daylight hours by the Dominion Post Ferry.

The population of Wellington, including the outlying areas, is approaching 400,000. In the 2001 census, 18.5 percent of people were under 15, compared with 22.7 percent for New Zealand. About 8.6 percent of people were aged 65 and over, compared with 12.1 percent for New Zealand. 85.6 percent of people in Wellington city said they are of European ethnic origin. Around 4.1 percent are Māori, with the remainder being of Pacific Islander, Asian or other ethnicity.