Module 1 Explorations and exchanges
Unit 1 Great explorations
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Reading
The voyages of Zheng He
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Zheng He was a famous Chinese explorer. In 1405, he set off from China on the first of seven great voyages. This was nearly a century before Christopher Columbus first set sail on his journey of discovery to America. His travels were so important that they are still studied today.
Zheng He was born in Yunnan in 1371. He rose to become a trusted official of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The emperor ordered Zheng He to visit and explore the lands outside China. His task was to develop relations and set up trade routes with foreign countries. In a few years, he built a great fleet of ships, the biggest in the world at that time. The ships were known as treasure ships. They were big enough to carry 25,000 people as well as very large quantities of goods.
From 1405 to 1433, Zheng He went on seven trips and visited South-East Asia, the Middle East and even the east coast of Africa. It seemed that nowhere was too far for him to visit. These voyages allowed China to trade valuable goods like gold, silver and silk. At the end of each voyage, Zheng He returned with many things that were seen in China for the first time, such as a giraffe from Africa. Besides developing trade, the voyages also encouraged the exchange of cultures and technologies. They helped the development of those countries and regions.
Zheng He died in 1433 during his last voyage. However, his voyages were such a huge achievement that people still remember him as a pioneer in opening up cultural contacts between different peoples around the world.
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Listening
Zhang Qian and the Silk Road
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A Listen to a lecture about Zhang Qian and the Silk Road. Then circle the correct answers to the questions below.
Welcome to this lecture, everyone. Today we're going to talk about the Chinese explorer Zhang Qian and the Silk Road.
Zhang Qian was a pioneer in setting up the Silk Road. He was an official in the Han Dynasty. At that time, China knew little about the lands in the far West. The emperor sent Zhang Qian to explore and open routes to the outside world. Zhang Qian travelled to many countries and made useful reports on the people and cultures there. His journeys helped lead to the development of the Silk Road.
The Silk Road got its name from the Chinese silk trade. It was started over 2,000 years ago. Although it was called a "road", the Silk Road was actually many different routes, both on land and by sea. These routes spread from East, South and West Asia to North and North-East Africa as well as Europe. They allowed people to carry goods between countries, and helped spread knowledge and ideas across the world. The Silk Road was important in the development of countries such as China, India and Egypt.
1
Who was Zhang Qian?
a An official in the Han Dynasty.
b A farmer in the Han Dynasty.
c A soldier in the Han Dynasty.
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2
Why did the emperor send Zhang Qian to explore and open routes to the outside world?
a To look for more wealth.
b To learn more about the far West.
c To find new countries.
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3
When was the Silk Road started?
a Only 200 years ago.
b Over 2,000 years ago.
c About 1,000 years ago.
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4
Which great country was not mentioned in the lecture?
a Greece.
b Egypt.
c India.
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B Listen to the recording again and complete the notes below. Write one word in each blank.
Welcome to this lecture, everyone. Today we're going to talk about the Chinese explorer Zhang Qian and the Silk Road.
Zhang Qian was a pioneer in setting up the Silk Road. He was an official in the Han Dynasty. At that time, China knew little about the lands in the far West. The emperor sent Zhang Qian to explore and open routes to the outside world. Zhang Qian travelled to many countries and made useful reports on the people and cultures there. His journeys helped lead to the development of the Silk Road.
The Silk Road got its name from the Chinese silk trade. It was started over 2,000 years ago. Although it was called a "road", the Silk Road was actually many different routes, both on land and by sea. These routes spread from East, South and West Asia to North and North-East Africa as well as Europe. They allowed people to carry goods between countries, and helped spread knowledge and ideas across the world. The Silk Road was important in the development of countries such as China, India and Egypt.
• Zhang Qian was a (1) _____ in setting up the Silk Road.
• His (2) _____ helped lead to the development of the Silk Road.
• The Silk Road got its name from the Chinese (3) _____ _____.
• The Silk Road was actually many different routes, both (4) _____ _____ and (5) _____ _____.
• The routes allowed people to (6) _____ goods between countries.
• They also helped spread knowledge and (7) _____ across the world.
• The Silk Road was important in the (8) _____ of some great countries.
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Speaking
A Talk time
Read the conversation below and practise it in pairs. Pay attention to the words in blue.
Doris: Hi, Tony. I missed the History lesson today. Can you tell me what you learnt, please?
Tony: Of course. We learnt about Zheng He and his voyages.
Doris: Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
Tony: Sure. We learnt about Zheng He and his voyages. He traded valuable goods like gold, silver and silk.
Doris: Sorry, I didn't quite catch you. You said he traded gold, silver and …?
Tony: Silk. Once he even brought back a giraffe!
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