Wednesday 12 November 2008

Australia and New Zealand

Q3. Read these paragraphs and choose the right answers to make two text, one about the Aborigines and one about Maori.

The Aborigines came to Australia about 40,000 years ago. They lived in houses made from branches, and caught animals and fish. They were good at singing and dancing, and they painted their bodies.
When the British came, many died in fights over land or from diseases. In the twentieth century things changed the Aborigines. They had to live separately from the white people. Now most of them live in cities and towns, and they about 2.4 per cent of the population. One of the best known Aborigines is Cathy Freeman.
There are still many problems, but National Sorry Day has helped to make some things better for the Aborigines.

The Maori came to New Zealand about 1,000 years ago. They lived in houses made from wood, and caught bird and fish. They were good at singing and dancing, and they made beautiful wooden boats.
When the British came, many died in fights over land or from diseases. In the twentieth century things changed the Maori. They began to live more like the white people. Now most of them live in cities and towns, and they about 15 per cent of the population. One of the best known Maori is Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
There are still many problems, but the Waitangi Tribunal has helped to make some things better for the Maori.

1 comment:

  1. Takeho,

    Good posting - well done. Very interesting information about the Aborigines and the Maori. I have lived/travelled in both Australia and New Zealand, and managed to experience something of their cultures.

    In the Northern Territories I saw quite a lot of their cave art at Nourlangie. I also worked in a place called Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland which has a rich aboriginal heritage.

    Any visitor to Aoteroa has to notice the Maori culture and legacy. I worked with a mostly Maori crew picking/pruning Kiwi fruit in Gisborne, and thoroughly enjoyed their communal bonds of friendship and honour.

    Why don't you go explore for yourself?

    Jim

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