Иностранный язык. Мартемьянова Н.В - 30 стр.

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d) the people lived in caves.

III Read the text for the second time and do the following:
1. Give your own title to the text.
2. What are the characteristic features of each period of history?
3. What is the origin of the term "Stone Age"?
4. Compress the text into 5 sentences.

IV Vocabulary Study
Write out all the words from the texts grouping them under the headings: "Periods of
ancient history", "Social structure", "Tools", "Occupations", "Jewelry".

V Speech Practice
 Choose one of the topics for a short talk to be given in class:
• The main features of primitive society.
• The main occupations of primitive people.
• The structure of government in primitive society.
• The character and manners of primitive people.
• Characteristic features of each period of ancient
history.

Reading and speaking
TEXT 7
I. Read and translate the text, paying attention to the translation of passive
constructions.
 The Civilizations of Ancient Mexico
Many ruins, the remnants of ancient cities and villages, are scattered over nearly all the
present-day Mexico. Sculptures, great monoliths, small terracotta masks and idols have
constantly been ploughed up in some parts of the country. These, as well as arms, jewels, and
many other objects discovered there, are proofs of a great degree of culture attained by the
native people. The study of ancient Indian civilizations, the problems, which are connected
with the origin of these peoples, their languages and scripts have agitated scholars for
centuries.
The Spaniards were the first to arrive in America. The first conquest in the West Indies
during last years of the 15th century was a failure for the Spanish adventurers in search of
riches. Then a rumour began to spread that beyond the mountains there lived the emperor of
the people called the Aztecs. It was said that he lived in a gold castle, slept in a gold bed and
ate from gold plates.
In 1519, six hundred Spaniards led by Hernando Cortez landed at the Mexican coast. In two
years and five months they conquered the capital of the "Aztec Empire".
The Aztec Empire flourished on the territory of present Mexico at the time of the Spanish
conquest. The Aztecs and other highly civilized peoples inhabited the central and southern
parts of the country. One hundred and twenty five languages were spoken throughout the
area. A system of writing and an efficient numerical system were widely used. They had a
calendar of their own which was based in part on the solar year. The Aztecs raised maize,
beans and other aboriginal crops. Trade was highly developed. They had an organized
government and a priesthood which administered their elaborate religion.
The conquerors were greatly impressed by the wealth of the native rulers and the advanced
culture of the priests. But they were more ruthless in trampling out the "heathen" civilizations
of the American Indians and a decade later all the, beautiful towns were churned to rubble,
the manuscripts reduced to ashes and most of the people destroyed or enslaved.