the teacher's instructions

 

1) READ the story below and ANSWER the questions in English:

1. When did the legend of El Dorado start circulating?
2. What people were the first to spread the legend of El Dorado in Europe?
3. What do Chibcha indians have to do with the legend of El Dorado?
4. Where did they live?
5. Where was El Dorado supposed to be?
6. Who or what did the Chibcha indians worship?
7. What ceremony did the indians do in the lake?
8. Who was Alexander Von Humboldt?
9. Has some gold or jewels ever been found in the lake?
10. What treasure was found in a cave near Bogotá?

2) WRITE s summary of the story in Spanish (Minimum 100 words)

THE LEGEND OF EL DORADO

Soon after the discovery of the New World, stories began circulating throughout Europe about the existence of a legendary city of gold in the Andes.

Incredible riches awaited whoever was bold enough and lucky enough to find the fabled city called El Dorado.

The search for El Dorado became a quest for many bored young conquistadors in search of glory and adventure. Most perished in the jungles or mountains without ever realizing that El Dorado was not a city, but a man.

The legend of El Dorado first reached the Old World through the Spanish who followedChristopher Columbus to Central America. Wherever they went, soldiers under Balboa and other explorers heard fascinating tales about the legendary city of gold.

As they plundered their way into South America, Spaniards and other Europeans were thrilled by the promise of great riches. Exaggerated accounts of El Dorado handed down by the sun-worshipping Chibcha Indians who lived in the 8,600-foot high plateaus near present-day Bogota fired their imagination. The Chibcha tribe, it was said, venerated gold as the sun god's metal. They wore golden ornaments and for centuries had covered their buildings with sheets of the precious metal.

Some Indians spoke of a holy lake full of gold. Others told of meeting a golden chieftain in a city called Omagua.

As the tales spread, El Dorado came to be thought of as a city of gold; it was even shown on ancient maps of Brazil and the Guianas, though its location was vague.

In the 1530s the Germans and Spaniards sent several expeditions into what is nowColombia to seek El Dorado. But the mountains were nearly impassable, and they were forced to turn back when they ran out of food.

More than half the men were killed in skirmishes with Indians, and all the expeditions came to grief.

But the legend of the fabulous city still tantalized fortune hunters, and the very words constantly on their lips, "El Dorado," became synonymous with "The Golden Place" and its true meaning -- "The Gilded One" -- was ignored.

The Chibchas worshiped not only the sun but also a being who was said to live in the lake. Some said it was the wife of a chief who had thrown herself into its waters centuries ago to escape a dreadful punishment and had survived there as a goddess.

Indians made pilgrimages to present offerings to the goddess of the lake, and at least once a year the lake became the center of an elaborate ceremony.

The tribesmen would smear their chief with sticky resin and blow gold dust over him until he glistened from head to foot, literally an El Dorado. Then he was conducted in a magnificent procession to a raft on the edge of the lake. The raft was towed to the middle of the sacred Lake Guatavita. Plunging into the icy water, the chief rinsed the gold off his body while the others cast priceless offerings of gold and emeralds.

The story of El Dorado did not end with the conquistadors. Explorers in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, including the great Prussian natural scientist and traveler Alexander von Humboldt, also sought the fabled treasure.

No trace of El Dorado was found until 1969 when two farm workers dug up an exquisite model raft made of solid gold in a small cave near Bogota. On board the raft were eight tiny oarsmen-rowing with their backs to the regal golden figure of their chief.

Yet Lake Guatavita still refuses to yield its golden treasures.

Although some gold and emeralds were found in the muddy banks, the icy depths of the lake were never plumbed. So far as is known, the offerings to El Dorado -- the Gilded One -- are still at the bottom of the sacred lake.

A CITY PRESENTATION

1. Choose a city:
    
   New York/New Orleans/Los Angeles/London/Berlin/Madrid/Barcelona/
   Rome/Amsterdam/Beijing/Mumbai/Sydney/Cairo/Dubai/Mexico City//Cape Town/Rio de Janeiro/Moscow/Vienna/Tokyo.

2. Work in pairs.

3. Make a written project about the city of your choice including the following aspects.

1. Where is it?
2. Population.
3. Weather
4. Public transportation
5. History
6. Entertainment: going out/sports/fun.
7. Culture: Museums, theatre, etc
8. Famous people.
9. Economy and jobs
10. People's character
    ( Make sure you add photos)
    
    
    Work Strategy (as suggested by the teacher)
    
    1. To find the correct information, use the right search words.
    
    2. Copy the relevant texts and photos and save them in a file for later use.
    
    3. Make sure that you find information about every aspect of your city given by the teacher.
    

 SHORT STORY 4

You Can't Have Everything You Want

This is a story from India. Gopal lived with his wife, Nataki, in a small house near a river. They were very poor. Every day Gopal went to the river to get fish. He had a net. Sometimes there were two or three fish in the net. Then he went home to Nataki and said, "We can eat today." Sometimes there were no fish in the net. Then Gopal didn't eat.

Gopal was always happy, because he liked the river. But Nataki was not happy. One day Gopal saw a very big fish in his net. "Good," he said. "We're going to eat today, and tomorrow too." But the fish opened its mouth and said, "Don't kill me. Put me back in the water. I want to live."

"My wife isn't going to be happy about this," said Gopal.

"Then tell her about me," said the fish, "but please, put me back in the water." So Gopal put it back. He went home without any fish.

"No fish today?" said Nataki. "Oh Gopal."

"There was one very big fish," said Gopal, "but I put it back in the water."

"You what?"

"I put it back in the river."

"You had a big fish and you put it back in the water? But we have no food."

"The fish talked," said Gopal.

"What?"

"It talked. It said, 'Tell your wife

"Oh," said Nataki.

"Some food," said Nataki. "And a new red dress for me."

So Gopal went to the river in the morning and the big fish jumped into his net.

"Yes?" it said.

"Nataki wants some food for us, and a new red dress."

"Then put me in the water, and go home, Gopal."

Gopal went home. There was food on the table, and Nataki had a new red dress.

"Beautiful," said Gopal. "Are you happy now?"

"No, I want a good dinner and a new dress every day. Ask the fish tomorrow."

So in the morning Gopal went to the river. The big fish jumped into his net.
You can't have everything you want."

"Can't I? This is a big house now. I want two girls and a man—three servants for the work in the house. I can't do it all."

Gopal went back to the river in the morning and the big fish jumped into his net.

"Yes?" it said.

"She wants servants."

"How many?"

"Two girls and a man," said Gopal.

"Put me in the water and go home."

Gopal went home. Nataki had three servants.

"Aren't you happy now?" said Gopal.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I want some money," said Nataki. "I want money for the servants. And I want some rings for my ears."

In the morning Gopal went to the river, and the big fish jumped into his net.

"Yes?" it said.

"She wants money for the servants, and some earrings. "

"She can't have all the things she wants."

"I know," said Gopal.

"Put me in the water and go home."

Gopal went home. There was a lot of money on the table, and Nataki had some new earrings.

"Beautiful," said Gopal. "Now you must be happy. You have all the things you want."

"No," said Nataki.

"What?"

"I want this country. It must all be mine. I want to be Queen of this country."

"You're my Queen."

"I want to be Queen of this country. Tell the fish tomorrow."

In the morning Gopal went to the river and the big fish jumped into his net.

"Yes?" it said

"She wants to be Queen of this country."

The fish said nothing.

"I know," said Gopal. "She can't have everything she wants."

"That's right," said the fish. "Put me back in the water and go home. Oh, and Gopal...."

"Yes?"

"Goodbye" said the fish.

Gopal went home. Nataki was in the old house. She had no food, no new dresses, no new tables and chairs, no servants, no earrings, nothing.

She looked at Gopal. "Go back to the river now!" she said.

Gopal went to the river. But the big fish wasn't there. It never jumped into his net again.

                                                                      SHORT STORY 3

The Monkey's Foot

Mr and Mrs White lived in a nice small house. Their son Herbert lived with them. Herbert worked in a factory He worked at a big machine. Mr White worked in an office. Mrs White was a housewife.

There were not many houses near them. "I want a house near the town," said Mr White.

"But it's £400 for a house near the town, and we're not rich." "No,"said Mrs White,"but we're happy here, aren't we, Herbert?" "Yes, but Dad's right," said Herbert. "We're a long way from the shops and the train and the bus."

One day, an old friend came to dinner. His name was Mr Morris. The Whites liked to hear his stories. He talked about many countries. When Mr Morris knocked at the door, Mr White opened it.

"Come in, come in," he said. "Good to see you. How are you? Come and sit by the fire,

Whisky?"

"Thank you," said Mr Morris. "How are you, Mrs White, Herbert?"

"Very well, thank you," they said.

"Dinner isn't ready," said Mrs White. "Tell us a story, Mr Morris." "A story about India," said Herbert. "I'm going to India, some day."

Mr Morris said nothing. He had something in his hand.

"What's that, Mr Morris?" said Mrs White.

"This?" said Mr Morris. "It's a monkey's foot "

"A monkey's foot?" said the Whites.

"Yes. Don't touch it."

"Why not?" said Herbert.

Mr Morris looked at the fire.

"Mr Morris, aren't you well?" asked Mrs White.

"Oh yes, thank you," said Mr Morris. "I'm not ill."

"Tell us about the monkey's foot," said Herbert.

"Yes," said Mr Morris. "I had this foot from a man in India. He said...."

"Yes?" said the Whites.

"With this foot you can ask for three things. You can have three wishes."

"How?" said Herbert.

"Take the foot in your hand and say, 'I wish for....'. Then say what you want."

"And you asked for three things?" said Mrs White.

"No." Mr Morris looked at the fire again. "I only asked for one thing," he said. "I had

one wish. I got it."

"A good thing?" asked Herbert.

"No, it was not," said Mr Morns. "No more questions, please. You always have a good big fire here. I'm going to put the monkey's foot on your fire."

"Don't," said Herbert. "Give it to us."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you are my friends."

"Dinner's ready," said Mrs White.

Mr Morris put the foot on the fire. He went to the table with Mr White. Herbert jumped up and got the foot from the fire. He put it on a little table. Mr Morris did not see it.

After dinner he went home. "Here's the foot," said Herbert. "I'm going to ask for something."

"Don't, Herbert," said Mrs White.

Herbert did not listen to her. "Dad," he said, "you want £400. Wish for £400. Here's the

foot. "

"I want £400," said Mr White. Then he said, "The foot jumped in my hand!"

"Where's the money?" said Herbert. "There's no money here. I'm going to bed."

"Put that thing on the fire," said Mrs White. "I don't like it."

But Mr White put the foot on the table. In the morning, at breakfast, Herbert said,

"No letters today. No £400 for you, Dad."

"I'm happy here without the money," said Mrs White.

Herbert went to his factory. "Back to my machine," he said. Mr White went to his office. Mrs White worked in the house.

When Mr White came home in the evening, he said, "Any money?"

"No," said Mrs White.

"Where's Herbert?" said Mr White.

"He isn't back from the factory," said Mrs White .

Seven o'clock came. Eight o'clock. Herbert wasn't back. "Where is he?" said Mrs White.

Then there was a knock at the door. "Open it," said Mrs White. Mr White opened the door. A man was there. He said, "Mr White? The father of Herbert White?"

"Yes."

"I'm from the factory," said the man.

"Come in."

"Thank you," said the man. He had something in his hand. "This is a letter for you," he said. "A letter from the factory."

"Where's Herbert?" said Mrs White. "Where's my son?"

The man said nothing.

"Is Herbert ill?" said Mr White.

"No," said the man. "Not ill."

"Is he....?"

"He is dead," said the man. "Your son is dead."

"Dead?"

"The machine," said the man. "The big machine.... "

"I want to see my son," said Mrs White.

"No," said the man again. "The machine...."

Mrs White said nothing.

"This letter," said the man. "It's from the factory. We want to give you some money."

"Money?"

"£400," said the man.

Mr and Mrs White were in bed. They were not asleep.

"Are you cold, my love?" said Mr White.

"No," she said. "But my boy Herbert is cold tonight. "

Then she said, "Where is it?"

"What?

"The foot. The monkey's foot. We have two wishes. I'm going to get the foot."

"No, no,my love."

But she went to the sitting room. "Here it is," she said. "On the little table."

"Please, please, my love, don't," said Mr White.

She said nothing. The monkey's foot was in her hand.

"I want my son back again," she said. The foot jumped in her hand.

"Come back to bed, my love. You're ill," said Mr White. But she listened. Something walked up the road to the house. Something knocked at 

"I'm going to open it," she said. "I'm coming, my boy, I'm coming!"

Mr White looked for the monkey's foot. "Here it is," he said. "I wish my son back in the cemetery”

The foot jumped in his hand. Mrs White opened the door. There was nothing there.

                                                                       SHORT STORY 2

                                                                         (08/10/2013)

Tobermory the Cat

One August afternoon, Lady Blemley was in her sitting room. Some of her friends were with her. She liked to have her friends for the weekend. Their names were Miss Resker, Miss Pellington, Mrs Cornett, and Mr Cornelius Appin. Mr Appin was a young man.

He said, "I can teach English to animals."

"Can you?" said Lady Blemley.

"Yes. Your cat, Tobermory, can speak English now."

"No," they all said. "It's not true."

"Yes it is," said Mr Appin.

Lady Blemley said to her husband, "Wilfrid, get Tobermory, please."

Sir Wilfrid went out. He came back without Tobermory .

"It's true!" he said. "Tobermory was on my bed. I said, 'Tobermory, come with me!' And he answered me!"

"He did," said Sir Wilfrid. "He said, 'I'm not ready. Is my milk in the sitting room?' "

Then a girl came into the room with tea. Tobermory came too.

"Good afternoon, Tobermory," said Lady Blemley .

"Where's my milk?" said Tobermory.

Lady Blemley put some milk on the floor for him .

They all looked at him.

"Must you look at me?" he said. "More milk."

Lady Blemley put down some more milk.

Miss Resker said, "Tobermory, can I ask you a question?"

"Must you?"

" Tobermory, do you like me?" said Miss Resker.

"I don't think about you much," said Tobermory. "Sir Wilfrid likes you. I saw you two in the garden this morning."

Miss Resker's face was red. Sir Wilfrid's was, too.

"But you like me, Tobermory," said Miss Pellington .

"Lady Blemley doesn't like you," said Tobermory.

'Tobermory ¡' said Lady Blemley. "She's my old friend!"

"Perhaps," said Tobermory "She's going to buy your car, isn't she? It's no good. Too old, like her."

Lady Blemley's face was red. Miss Pellington's was, too.

"Tobermory," said Mrs Cornett. "Lady Blemley and Sir Wilfrid are buying your food."

"They're buying yours, too," said Tobermory.

"You said, 'I don't like the Blemleys much, but  the food is good.' "

Mrs Cornett's face was red.

Tobermory went out of the room.

"Mr Appin," said Lady Blemley, "can Tobermory teach how English to all his cat friends?"

"Yes," said Mr Appin.

"Then, Wilfrid, we must...."

"Yes," said Sir Wilfrid. "Tonight."

But Tobermory listened at the door. He went away and didn't come back again. Where is Tobermory now? They don't know. Is he in your house?

 SHORT STORY 1

(08/10/2013)

                       Death and Money

This is a very old story. There were three young men. They liked to eat, and they liked to drink a lot.  One day they were in the bar of the Grand Hotel. Through the window, they saw some men. They had the body of a dead man.

 "What's that?" said the 1st young man. He said to a child, "Boy, come here!" The boy came. The young man said, "Who is dead? Go and ask." The boy went, and came back. "That was one of your old friends," he said. "He was often here at the Grand Hotel with you."

"Why is he dead?"

"I don't know," said the boy. "Death takes all lives."

"The boy is right," said the barman. "Death is going to take your life some day. Perhaps today. Perhaps tomorrow."

 "Oh no," said the 1st young man. "Death is not going to take my life."

"You must be ready for Death," said the barman.

The 1st young man said, "Where is Death? I am going to find  him and kill him. Are you coming with me?"

"Yes," said his friends.

The three young men walked up the road. An old man came along the road. He knocked

the ground with his stick. "Open for me, Mother," he said to the ground. "Old man," said the 1st young man. "Why do you knock the ground with your stick?"

"I am old. I don't want to live. But Death is never going to take me. The ground is not going to open for me. I walk along the road and I say, 'Mother, I want to die. But I can't die."'

"Where is Death?"

"I saw him under a tree, up on the mountain there," said the old man. "Go there, find the

tree, and Death too."

The three young men walked up the mountain. They came to the tree. Under the tree was money, a lot of money. The 1st young man said, "Now my friends, are we going to take this money? Or are we going to find Death and kill him?"

"The money," said his friends.

"Where are we going to take it?"

"To my house," said the 2nd young man.

"Not in daylight," said the 3rd young man.

"People mustn't see us."

"No," said the 1st young man. "We must take it home by night. We want some beer now, beer and food. Who is going to the town, to buy beer and food?"

"I am," said the 2nd young man. "Give me some money."

He went down the road to the town. The 1st young man said to the 3rd young man, "Are we going to give him some of this money?" "No," said the 3rd young man. "How can we kill him?"

"I have a knife. And you have a knife."

The 2nd young man walked to the town and he said, "I want all the money. Why not? But how can I get it? They are two and I am one."

Then he said, "I'm going to kill them." He went to a shop. He asked for poison. "I want something to kill the rats in my house," he said to the man in the shop. "They eat all my
Now," said the 1st young man. "Have some beer. "

They opened all the bottles of beer. Before night, they were dead. The old man was right. Death was under the tree.