Unit 2: The World Below

Atlantis

According to legend, a great flood once buried the land of Atlantis under the sea. Its history and current location is one of the world's greatest mysteries. Atlantis, as far as we know, was a place made up of islands and waterways. It is said that it was the home of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Many people lived there, and because it was rich in natural resources, the people of Atlantis were wealthy and prosperous. Various animals lived there among the beautiful fields and mountains. Everything seemed perfect until the people changed. They became greedy and cruel. The gods were very angry with their behavior and felt that the people needed to be punished. Therefore they buried Atlantis with a great flood. Scientists have been searching for and its treasure ever since.

(   ) 1. The people of Atlantis were prosperous because _____.

(A) they lived with a god                         (B) Atlantis was rich in natural resources

(C) they were mysterious                        (D) they were cruel

(   ) 2. The people of Atlantis were punished because _____.

(A) they were prosperous                        (B) they were rich

(C) they wanted to be gods               (D) they were greedy

(   ) 3. Who is searching for Atlantis now?

(A) Scientists.          (B) Poseidon.  (C) God.                   (D) Pilots.

Taiwan's Underwater World

Underwater man-made walls have been found off the west coast of Taiwan. The first _1_ of this kind was made in 1976 near Hu-ching Island. Recently, another man-made wall was found just 100 _2_ from that spot, near a place _3_ the Pescadores. The _4_ near Hu-ching are three meters high. The walls of the latest discovery are one meter high, half a meter _5_ and one hundred meters long. Scientists believe that a pre-historical _6_ lived there thousands of _7_ ago. They also believe that _8_ from the end of the last Ice Age _9_ these cities to be buried underwater. More evidence has been found in underwater paths off Taitung and _10_ walls off Pingtung. All these are evidence that civilization once existed around Taiwan.

(A) caused  (B) society  (C) meters   (D) discovery    (E) thick

(F) floods    (G) huge      (H) walls     (I) called            (J) years

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____

6. _____ 7. _____ 8. _____ 9. _____ 10. _____

(   ) 1. The most recent discovery made in Taiwan was off _____.

(A) the north coast  (B) the south coast  (C) the east coast     (D) the west coast

(   ) 2. When were the first walls discovered off the coast of Taiwan?

(A) In 1876.                   (B) In 1966.                   (C) In 1976.                   (D) In 1986.

(   ) 3. After finding these walls, scientists concluded that _____.

(A) someone threw them away and forgot about them

(B) they were new walls

(C) there was a pre-historical community there

(D) people cannot live underwater

Raising The Titanic

 Ever since the Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912, people have wanted to raise it. _1_ He wanted to recover his father's body to lay him to rest. _2_ They include using ping-pong balls, magnets and balloons. _3_ Many say they want to do this because they want the treasures buried with the ship. _4_ They think others should not take advantage of such a tragedy. _5_ Therefore people should leave the ship and the ones who drowned on it where it is.

(A) However, they all failed.

(B) The first person who spoke of doing this was the son of a man who drowned on the Titanic.

(C) There are also people who do not want to raise the ship from the ocean bed.

(D) They think it is a grave.

(E) There have been many ideas about how to raise the sunken ship.

(   ) 1. Who was the first person to speak of raising the Titanic?

(A) A ping-pong player.

(B) Atlantic.

(C) The son of a man who drowned on the Titanic.

(D) The father of a man who drowned on the Titanic.

(   ) 2. The Titanic sank in _____.

 (A) 1911               (B) 1912           (C) 1913           (D) 1914

(   ) 3. Why do some people want the Titanic to be left on the ocean bed?

(A) They want it to be kept as a grave.   (B) They want the treasure.

(C) They want everyone to see it.           (D) They want to fill it with ping-pong balls.

Diving in Micronesia

Fly a few hours South-east of Taiwan and you will arrive at Micronesia, by far one of the best places to go diving in the world. Micronesia is made up of thousands of little islands. However, there are five islands where most people go to explore the beautiful underwater world. There, you can dive in waters that are usually warm and see coral reefs and thousands of species of fish. Off the island of Truk, a person can dive and check out the wrecks of sunken Japanese warships lost during World War II. Regardless of where you go in Micronesia, you will find warm water, amazing sights and a good time. Just do not forget your sun lotion!

(   ) 1. What can you explore off the island of Truk?

(A) The Titanic. (B) Treasure. (C) Sunken Japanese warships. (D) Airplanes.

(   ) 2. If you were leaving Taiwan to go to Micronesia, in which direction would you travel?

(A) North-west.       (B) South-west. (C) North-east.        (D) South-east.

(   ) 3. How many islands make up Micronesia?

(A) Five.                 (B) Hundreds.   (C) Thousands.       (D) Millions.

(   ) 4. Gladiator is _____ the best movie I have ever seen.

(A) however                  (B) by far          (C) checked out

(   ) 5. I want to go to Snow Mountain to _____ some snow.

(A) however                  (B) by far          (C) check out

(   ) 6. I would love to go to the movie. _____, I have to get home for dinner now.

(A) However           (B) By far         (C) Checking out