Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Australia Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:
READ
Australia Day is celebrated annually on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians take the day off work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates the creation of the first British settlement in Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, set up a community to run a prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day date back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate this day. Many Aboriginal Australians do not like the idea of a day to celebrate the British landing. Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The latter name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal peoples and culture have not been wiped out.
The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year on the eve of Australia Day. This goes to the Australian who has made a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation and is an inspirational role model for the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including many spectacular fireworks displays. The biggest one is in Perth, capital of Western Australia. Sydney holds a tall ships race in its world famous harbour. Other state and territory capitals hold their own celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually makes a speech to the nation and talks about what being an Australian means and how proud Australians should be of their country.
Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.
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PHRASE MATCH
Match the following phrases from the article.
Paragraph 1
1.
It is an official
a.
run a prison
2
the creation of the first British
b.
national holiday
3.
set up a community to
c.
not been wiped out
4.
The earliest records of Australia Day
d.
as "Invasion Day"
5.
Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January
e.
settlement in Australia
6.
Aboriginal peoples and culture have
f.
date back to 1808
Paragraph 2
1.
the Australian who has made a
a.
Australian community
2
an inspirational role model for the
b.
world famous harbour
3.
spectacular fireworks
c.
be of their country
4.
Sydney holds a tall ships race in its
d.
their own celebrations
5.
state and territory capitals hold
e.
significant contribution
6.
… how proud Australians should
f.
displays
LISTENING GAP FILL
Australia Day _____________________ on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians take the day off work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates _____________________ British settlement in Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, _____________________ run a prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day date back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate this day. Many Aboriginal Australians _____________________ a day to celebrate the British landing. Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The latter name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal peoples and culture _____________________ out.
The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the _______________ Australia Day. This goes to the Australian who has made a "significant _______________ the Australian community and nation and is an inspirational _______________ the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including many spectacular fireworks displays. The biggest one is in Perth, capital of Western Australia. Sydney _______________ race in its world famous harbour. Other state and territory capitals hold their own celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually makes a speech _______________ talks about what being an Australian means _______________ Australians should be of their country.
WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL
Put the words into the gaps in the text.
Australia Day is celebrated __________ on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians __________ the day off work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates the creation of the __________ British settlement in Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, set up a community to __________ a prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day __________ back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate this day. Many Aboriginal Australians do not like the __________ of a day to celebrate the British landing. Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The __________ name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal peoples and culture have not been __________ out.
latter first take idea run wiped annually date
The Prime Minister __________ the Australian of the Year on the eve of Australia Day. This __________ to the Australian who has made a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation and is an inspirational role __________ for the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including many spectacular fireworks __________. The biggest one is in Perth, capital of Western Australia. Sydney __________ a tall ships race in its world famous harbour. Other state and territory capitals hold their __________ celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually __________ a speech to the nation and talks about what being an Australian means and how __________ Australians should be of their country.
own displays goes proud announces makes holds model
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
Australia Day is celebrated annual / annually on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians take the day on / off work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates the create / creation of the first British / Britain settlement in Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, set up a community to running / run a prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day date / dates back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate this day. Many Aboriginal Australians do not like the idea of a day to celebrate the British lands / landing. Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The latter name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal peoples and culture have not been wiped out / over.
The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year on the eve for / of Australia Day. This goes / going to the Australian who has made a "significant contribution to the Australian community and national / nation and is an inspirational role model for the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including many spectacle / spectacular fireworks displays. The biggest one is in Perth, capital / capitals of Western Australia. Sydney holds a tall ships race in its world / worldly famous harbour. Other state and territory capitals hold their own celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually makes / takes a speech to the nation and talks about what being an Australian means and how proud / pride Australians should be of their country.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Australia Day is (1) ____ annually on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians take the day (2) ____ work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates the (3) ____ of the first British settlement in Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, set up a community to (4) ____ a prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day (5) ____ back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate this day. Many Aboriginal Australians do not like the idea of a day to celebrate the British landing. Aborigines have dubbed the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The latter name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal peoples and culture have not been wiped (6) ____.
The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year on the eve of Australia Day. This (7) ____ to the Australian who has made a "significant contribution to the Australian community and (8) ____ and is an inspirational role model for the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including many spectacular fireworks (9) ____. The biggest one is in Perth, capital of Western Australia. Sydney holds a tall ships race in its world famous harbour. Other state and territory (10) ____ hold their own celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually makes a speech to the (11) ____ and talks about what being an Australian means and how (12) ____ Australians should be of their country.
Put the correct words from this table into the article.
1.
(a)
celebrated
(b)
celebration
(c)
celebrates
(d)
celebrate
2.
(a)
on
(b)
over
(c)
in
(d)
off
3.
(a)
create
(b)
creativity
(c)
creation
(d)
creator
4.
(a)
jog
(b)
run
(c)
sprint
(d)
dash
5.
(a)
dates
(b)
dating
(c)
date
(d)
the date
6.
(a)
over
(b)
out
(c)
in
(d)
off
7.
(a)
gives
(b)
goes
(c)
gets
(d)
receives
8.
(a)
nationality
(b)
national
(c)
nationalize
(d)
nation
9.
(a)
displays
(b)
display
(c)
displayed
(d)
displaying
10.
(a)
capital
(b)
capitalize
(c)
capital A
(d)
capitals
11.
(a)
nations
(b)
nationality
(c)
nation
(d)
national
12.
(a)
proud
(b)
proudest
(c)
pride
(d)
proudly
SPELLING
Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.
Paragraph 1
1.
celebrated nalaylnu on January the 26th
2.
the icreonta of the first British settlement in Australia
3.
set up a utynocimm to run a prison
4.
Not all Australians reteeabcl this day
5.
Aborigines have buddeb the 26 January as "Invasion Day"
6.
have not been edipw out
Paragraph 2
7.
The Prime Minister anncneosu the Australian of the Year
8.
the Australian mctyumnio and nation
9.
an inspirational role moeld
10.
many spectacular fireworks lpsdasyi
11.
makes a sceeph to the nation
12.
how pdruo Australians should be of their country
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
many spectacular fireworks displays. The biggest one is in Perth, capital of Western Australia. Sydney holds
( )
model for the Australian community". There are many other celebrations across the country, including
( )
The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year on the eve of Australia Day. This goes to the Australian who has
( )
celebrations. Australia’s Prime Minister usually makes a speech to the nation and talks about what
( )
Australia in 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip, the very first Governor of New South Wales, set up a community to run a
( )
being an Australian means and how proud Australians should be of their country.
( )
the day off work. All schools close. Australia Day commemorates the creation of the first British settlement in
( )
the 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". The latter name celebrates the fact that the Aboriginal
( )
this day. Many Aboriginal Australians do not like the idea of a day to celebrate the British landing. Aborigines have dubbed
( )
a tall ships race in its world famous harbour. Other state and territory capitals hold their own
( 1 )
Australia Day is celebrated annually on January the 26th. It is an official national holiday and most Australians take
( )
prison in what is now Sydney. The earliest records of Australia Day date back to 1808. Not all Australians celebrate
( )
peoples and culture have not been wiped out.
( )
made a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation and is an inspirational role
SCRAMBLED SENTENCES
With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.
1.
is the celebrated 26th annually Australia on Day January
2.
day the take Australians most off
3.
settlement British first the 1788 in Australia in
4.
back The of date 1808 records Day to earliest Australia
5.
January as "Invasion Day" Aborigines have dubbed the 26
6.
Year the The Australian Prime of Minister the announces
7.
contribution made to a the Australian significant community
8.
celebrations other many are There country the across
9.
own their hold capitals territory and state celebrations
10.
a Australia’s Minister makes speech Prime usually
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about Australia Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Australia Day. Write about what happens around the world. Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something on this day.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
4. POSTER: Make your own poster about Australia Day. Write about what will happen on this day around the world.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
ANSWERS
Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.
