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Unit 16 Lesson 4
The Great Wall of China
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• talked about China
• discussed what you want lo know about the Great Wall of China
• read a passage about the Wall
• discussed the information in the passage
• rewritten a passage
• written a letter
A What do you know about China? Discuss in pairs (you might talk about its location, the people, their language, their major religion and their culture).
B You may have heard about the Great Wall of China. The passage below deals with this wall. Before you read it, write at least five questions asking about this wall. e.g.
When was it built?
The Great Wall of China is the largest defence fortification and the greatest building enterprise ever undertaken by man. About 1500 miles long, this unique wall stretches from the Gulf of Chihli of the Yellow Sea along the northern frontier of China to Kansu Province in the west. The width of this wall varies from 15 to 40 feet at the base, and from 12 to 35 feet at the summit. Its height ranges from 20 to 50 feet. It is the only structure on earth that can be identified from the moon.
Walled frontiers between the kingdoms in China date from at-least the 4th century BC. In the 3rti century BC, the first emperor of "Chain", after uniting China, linked up the existing walls and built hew sections to create the Great Wall as a continuous unit. His purpose was to defend China from the Huns on the north. Watch towers and garrison stations were set at regular intervals in order to send signals and guard the bulwark. The wall was constructed in such a way that troops summoned by beacon fire could be quickly transported along its top.
The wall was built mostly of rubble, although the western sections are of tamped earth and important passes are of brick or masonry. The wall was frequently modified in later centuries. Some of its sections were built in the 15th and 16th centuries with new facilities of high towers. Before that, extensive repairs and extensions were made at various periods, notably during the Ming dynasty.
Now look back at your questions and see which of them have been answered in the passage.
Then discuss with your partner the structure and the purpose of the Great Wall.
C Underline the passive structures in this text. Why do you think the passive voice has been used in describing the Great Wall?
D Rewrite the following passage by filling in the gaps with appropriate words.
China is a - country of - Asia. It is - by several countries such as Mongolia, Russia, Korea, Hong Kong and India. It is the most thickly - country with about one-fourth of the total world -. The official - Mandarin and most of the people are - of Buddhism.
E What more would you like to know about China? Imagine you have a pen-friend in that country. Write a short letter to him/her expressing your curiosity. You may send your letter to:
Li Hong
Flat 6
40 Huaihai Road
West Shanghai
China
Focus:
Skills.
Discussion, intensive reading,
writing a letter.
Functions.
Asking for information,
gap- filling.
Grammar/Structure.
Passive Voice.
Vocabulary.
fortification, enterprise, frontier, garrison, bulwark, beacon, rubble, tamped, masonry, dynasty.
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Unit 16 Lesson 4
The Great Wall of China
Objectives: By the end of the lesson you will have
• talked about China
• discussed what you want lo know about the Great Wall of China
• read a passage about the Wall
• discussed the information in the passage
• rewritten a passage
• written a letter
A What do you know about China? Discuss in pairs (you might talk about its location, the people, their language, their major religion and their culture).
B You may have heard about the Great Wall of China. The passage below deals with this wall. Before you read it, write at least five questions asking about this wall. e.g.
When was it built?
The Great Wall of China is the largest defence fortification and the greatest building enterprise ever undertaken by man. About 1500 miles long, this unique wall stretches from the Gulf of Chihli of the Yellow Sea along the northern frontier of China to Kansu Province in the west. The width of this wall varies from 15 to 40 feet at the base, and from 12 to 35 feet at the summit. Its height ranges from 20 to 50 feet. It is the only structure on earth that can be identified from the moon.
Walled frontiers between the kingdoms in China date from at-least the 4th century BC. In the 3rti century BC, the first emperor of "Chain", after uniting China, linked up the existing walls and built hew sections to create the Great Wall as a continuous unit. His purpose was to defend China from the Huns on the north. Watch towers and garrison stations were set at regular intervals in order to send signals and guard the bulwark. The wall was constructed in such a way that troops summoned by beacon fire could be quickly transported along its top.
The wall was built mostly of rubble, although the western sections are of tamped earth and important passes are of brick or masonry. The wall was frequently modified in later centuries. Some of its sections were built in the 15th and 16th centuries with new facilities of high towers. Before that, extensive repairs and extensions were made at various periods, notably during the Ming dynasty.
Now look back at your questions and see which of them have been answered in the passage.
Then discuss with your partner the structure and the purpose of the Great Wall.
C Underline the passive structures in this text. Why do you think the passive voice has been used in describing the Great Wall?
D Rewrite the following passage by filling in the gaps with appropriate words.
China is a - country of - Asia. It is - by several countries such as Mongolia, Russia, Korea, Hong Kong and India. It is the most thickly - country with about one-fourth of the total world -. The official - Mandarin and most of the people are - of Buddhism.
E What more would you like to know about China? Imagine you have a pen-friend in that country. Write a short letter to him/her expressing your curiosity. You may send your letter to:
Li Hong
Flat 6
40 Huaihai Road
West Shanghai
China
Focus:
Skills.
Discussion, intensive reading,
writing a letter.
Functions.
Asking for information,
gap- filling.
Grammar/Structure.
Passive Voice.
Vocabulary.
fortification, enterprise, frontier, garrison, bulwark, beacon, rubble, tamped, masonry, dynasty.