H:  Mike, what was it that you heard about my brother's journey? TXqtE("BDl  
M: I heard that he went looking for Solomon's Mines. +kq+x6&  
H: Solomon's Mines? Where are they? o'? WWJK6w  
M: I don't know. I know where they're said to be. -
4obX  
H: Tell me, please! >b8-v~o{  
M: Well, South African elephant hunters usually don't care much for the life and culture of native blacks. But sometimes you meet a man who takes the trouble to listen to them, and understand the history of this dark land. It was such a man who first told me the story of Solomon's Mines, now thirty years ago. ,M$h3B\;r  
H: What was his name? S$46YQ  
M: His name was Brown. When I was young, I was very interested in stories of ancient civilizations and their hidden treasures, so I listened carefully to him. F:AVik  
H: Did he tell you about Solomon's Mines and their location? &d]@$4u$;  
M: He asked me whether I'd ever heard of the Suliman Mountains up in the northwest of the country. He said that that's where Solomon really had his mines, his diamond mines. 9)uJ\NMy
 
H: How did he know? gP>W* ]0r1  
M: He said that an old witch had told him all about it. She said that there were great wizards among the people who lived across those mountains. The wizards had learnt what they knew from white men a long time ago. They also had the secret of a wonderful mine of "bright stones". 2I
7|hZ,  
H: So did you go and look for that place?  X2{Aa T*M  
M:  No, I didn't. I laughed at this story at the time, but I didn't forget it. Twenty years later, I heard something more about it from a man passing through. When he left he said that if we would ever meet again, he would be the richest man in the world. One evening, while sitting in front of my tent I saw a figure, apparently that of a European, for it wore a coat, coming out of the desert. The figure moved along on its hands and knees, then it got up and walked a few yards on its legs, only to fall and go on all fours again. Who do you suppose it turned out to be? EXR6Vb,  
H: That man, of course.  IuMJ-"  
M: Yes, or rather his skeleton and a little skin. )5u#'5I>  
"Water! Please, water!" he begged. kV4L4yE  
  I gave him water with a little milk in it, and then he fell asleep. He had a fever and in his dreams he talked about Suliman's Mountains, the diamonds and the desert. "There it is!" he cried, pointing with his long, thin arm, "But I shall never reach it, never. No one will ever reach it!"

The "unknown southern land" was an imaginary continent, appearing on European maps from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. 
Vddod  
It was first put there by a Greek map maker in the first century AD. He believed that south of the Indian Ocean a continent existed with a mild climate, where the people were very wealthy. However, he warned that it would not be reached because it was surrounded by a ring of fire. In the Middle Ages, western people rejected the theory, because they believed that the world was flat, so there could not be a continent on the other side of the world. If you were to sail across the ocean, you would fall off the earth. Besides, they argued that there could not be people beyond the ring of fire if all people came from Adam and Eve. Later, European map maker copied this continent onto their maps again although nobody had ever seen it. Scientists argued for its existence saying that there should be a continent in the south to balance the known continents in the north. Usually, the land was shown as a continent around the south pole, but much large than Antarctica as we know it now. Tasman sailed past Australia without seeing the continent, but discovered Tasmania and the west coast of New Zealand, which he thought was part of the southern continent. Around this time the other European nations lost their interest in the search for the unknown southern land and concentrated on the Asian continent instead. For some time, there were no voyage of discovery to the region. The French was very active in the 18th century, one of the French sea captains reported that he had seen very short people. What he needed was a new pair of glasses because what he had seen were not people but penguins. Another Frenchman reported that he that discovered paradise, but he was hanged for telling lies when he came back home. As late as 1767, an English scientist published a survey of all discoveries in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean up till then. He was positive about the existent of a large unknown continent and believed its northern coast to be lying somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Based on this report the English government decided to ask Captain Cook to go and look for this continent. James Cook traveled around the world making maps between 1768 and 1771 on his ship, the Endeavour. The English government also gave him secret instruction to search for the mysterious continent. After visiting Tahiti, Cook set sail to the south where he expected to find land. Unable to find it, he decided to set sail for New Zealand which had already been discoveried by the Dutch. Passing betweent the north and south island, Cook discoveried the east coast of Australia more or less by accident. When Cook arrived back in England in 1771, he still could not answer the question whether there was an unknown southern continent or not. So, in 1772 the British government sent him on a second expedition to solve the problem of the southern continent once and for all. Cook sailed as far south as possible. On 10 December 1772 he saw the first iceberg. For the next two summers, Cook sailed between icebergs searching for land, which he found at last. Naturally, he thought it was the southern continent. But he was very disappointed when it turned out to be just a small island covered with snow. James Cook did not discover Antarctica, but when he came home in 1775 he was sure that there was no great southern continent with a mild climate, as scientists had believed for hundreds of years.

Listening text lq?N>~PG  
\*pS4vy5x  
Part 1 COd~H  
(Man or Woman with Australian accent) K3&k+~$  
!Wy&+H*0  
G'day mates and welcome to Australia. If you are looking for fun and exciting things to do, there's lots to choose from. You can enjoy the shops and museums in our cities, explore the vast Australian outback or dive into one of the oceans around our country. k"cKxzB  
The Australian term for hiking is "bushwalking". You don't have to travel too far to find wildlife and scenery in Australia. Only a few hours outside of Sydney, you'll find breath-taking scenery and all the excitement of the outback. A bushwalk in the Australian Outback is an opportunity to get close to the nation's rich wildlife and beautiful wildflowers - and you'll get a good exercise at the same time! 6K >(n  
If you prefer riding a bike, there are thousands of kilometres of paths that will take you right into the heart of the many mountains in the outback. There's no better place for a two-wheeled adventure: you will sail through the clouds and feel the wind in your hair. MW0CqMi]T  
If you are willing to get wet, then head for the beach. With large waves and endless beaches, Australia is an attraction for surfers and ocean lovers from all over the world. And don't forget to go for a dive into the ocean to see the amazing colours and shapes of the magical underwater world!

Part 2
U"Z%_[*  
~SEIIq  
You mustn't forget about safety. Australia is a beautiful country, but it can also be dangerous. The outback is very large and the climate is rough. Before you set out on a hike, you should let someone know where you are going and when you plan to get back. You should never go alone and you must make sure to bring enough water. Good shoes, clothes, and a first-aid kit should also be part of your basic equipment. If you want to dive or surf, you must first be a good swimmer and you must make sure that the beach is safe. =[Tf9uQY  
The environment is precious and we must be careful not to destroy it. Bring out what you bring in - that is, don't throw rubbish in the wilderness or the ocean. Nor should you make a fire unless it's absolutely necessary. In fact, there are times of the year when no fires are allowed at all. You should also find out about other rules that help to protect the environment. If we all act responsibly, Australia's beautiful outback and beaches will be around for future generations to enjoy.

THE PORTRAIT OF A NATION N_E:?Jo  
Modern Australia is made up of six states and two territories: Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. Australia is surrounded by two oceans: the Indian Ocean in the west and the south, and the Pacific Ocean in the northeast. =[^_x+x hE  
Sydney is perhaps Australia's most famous city, but the capital of Australia is Canberra, a city located between Sydney and Melbourne. K7d]p0d'  
The Australian flag shows the UK flag and a large star with seven points. Six of the points represent the states and the seventh stands for all the territories. The other stars on the flag represent the Southern Cross - a group of stars in the southern sky that can be used the find the South Pole. 3)qtz_,H/g  
THE FIRST AUSTRALIANS "8`f x  
Australia is a young nation on an ancient continent. The first Australians were the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. These peoples came to the continent at least fifty thousand years ago and created complex societies. G(y@Tor+  
Their culture was highly developed. Some Australian Aborigines still live in a similar way to their ancestors, while others live in cities, towns and the county in the same way as their fellow Australians. }!RFX)T  
A NATION OF PRISONERS? eVbaxL!Q^  
In the seventeenth century, European explorers began arriving on the continent. Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch, and later British ships reached the north and west coasts and Tasmania. q9c:,k  
In 1770, Captain James Cook claimed the east coast of the continent for the British Crown. Later, when the American War of Independence made it impossible for England to send prisoners to North America, Australia was chosen as a new place where prisoners and criminals were sent. #N"K4@]{  
In 1788, the first fleet of 11 ships arrived in Australia. The British Governor landed on January 26, today known as Australia Day. Over the next 80 years, about 160,000 prisoners were sent to Australia. The newcomers changed the way land was managed and introduced new plants and animals that were harmful to the Australian ecosystems. As a consequence, the original Australians suffered. Many Aborigines and Islanders were moved and had their land taken away from them. P$i?%P~  
ANOTHER NEW WORLD: THE BIRTH OF A NATION CEos`  
In the early twentieth century, Australia resembled the USA of eighteenth century: it was a "new world" society. X6]eQ PN2  
In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. The Constitution governing six states stated that men were free and equal, explained their basic civil rights and described the new government. Aborigines and other non-Europeans did not enjoy the same rights. It would be many years until Australia learn to respect Aborigines and recognize the importance of a diverse society. Yj^n4G(h  
The First World War had a strong influence on Australia. After the war, the country experienced social and economic unrest and suffered from the Great Depression of the 1930s. d`;_~{sleR  
After the Second World War, Australia began to transform itself into the modern country it is today. The economy grew and Australia benefited from immigration. People from about 200 countries moved to Australia in the fifty years after the Second World War. ?gMxGH:B.&  
The country also began to change its attitude towards Aborigines: in the late 1960s, the government passed laws to strengthen the rights of Aborigines and Inlanders and to improve their living conditions. @OlV6M;qJ  
SPEAK AUSTRALIAN? NO WORRIES! )_nc;&%w  
English is the official language of Australia. Australia English differs in pronunciation for British and American English, and some of the vocabulary used "down under" is quite different from what you may have learnt in your English class. Australians are fond of their language and love to have fun with it. 5M2G ;o  
"No worries" is Australian for "everything will be OK", "Mate" usually means "friend" or "companion", but can be said to anyone. A "Sheila" is a female, the "outback" is the wilderness, a "billabong" is a water hole in a dry riverbed, a "uni" is a university, and to "go walkabout" is to take to long journey to get away from one's daily life. While some of the Aboriginal languages have been lost, people are trying hard to protect and record what is left. Perhaps the best known example of Australian English is the friendly "G' day mate" that a visitor to the land down under is sure to hear.

AUSTRALIA 8#w}wGV*  
Australia is as old as time. It was probably once connected to South America, but the continents separated as the earth's plates moved. Having been separated from other continents for millions of years, Australia has many plants and animals that cannot be found any where else in the world. One strange animal lays eggs, yet feeds its young on its milk. Kangaroos and koala give birth to very small and weak young. They are then carried in a pocket of skin for several months while they feed on the mother's milk and grow stronger. There are many kinds of birds in Australia, and over 140 species of snakes, many of which are extremely dangerous. MH`H[2<\!,  
Australia is the only country in the world that covers an entire continent. From north to south the distance is 3,220 km, and from east to west about 4,000km. In area it is approximately the same size as the USA (without Alaska), which, however, has more than fourteen times as many people. 2 fX-J  
Today about 85% of the Australia population of 20 million live in the six major cities around the coast. Two-thirds of the country is dry or desert. Australia is a wealthy country. It produces metals, precious stones, coal, grain, meat and wines, and has the biggest iron mines in the world. [{ak&{R,9{  
Australia has about one-sixth of the world's sheep and produces almost one-third of its wool. Cattle are also kept, and about 15 million tons of wheat are grown every year. Fruit and vegetables are grown in areas where there is enough water. y_$=Pu6H  
A long fence runs for hundreds of kilometres across Australia. The purpose of the fence is to keep out a type of wild dog called a "dingo". Dingoes hunt at night and like to attack sheep. sH(AsKiNKe  
Farms in the middle of Australia are usually so large that farmers use motorbikes or helicopters for the task of rounding up the sheep or cattle. `Njv#K} U  
The climate is different depending on the area. The south has cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The north has warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. The vast centre of Australia is hot and dry all the year round. Because of such a climate, much of daily life happens outdoors. +.Kmpw4  
Australians love sports and the country is birthplace of many tennis, sailing and swimming champions. Outings are popular and most Australian are delighted to share a cold glass of beer or lemonade with a friend. u2^oXl  
If you are invited to an Australian home, you will probably have a barbecue and roast a steak of fish on an open fire. jYet!
l  
At weekends many Australians go hiking and camping in the countryside, called the "bush". For holidays, many people visit the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Australia, which has more than 600 islands.

Bush fire _/ZIDIn  
An Australian woman is talking on a radio programme about her escape from the bushfires near Sydney in 1994. s,N%sO;  
The first thing I did when I woke up in the morning was to watch the TV news. I could see that the situation was bad, and they showed a map where the fires were. Outside in the garden I couldn't see the sun, as the sky was full of smoke. I decided I'd better prepare to leave. My daughters were staying in town and my husband was abroad, so it was up to me to decide what to do. <0vQHND,3  
I packed a suitcase of clothes and another case of useful things. It's difficult in this kind of situation to know what to take with you. So, I took my passport and my bankbook and all the money I had. I took also my diary, my address book and my camera. Finally I took our wedding photographs, as I didn't want to lose those. 8Vv"'CU#  
Out in the garden the sky was getting blacker, and the wind which had been blowing hard for two days was getting stronger. I could now hear the sound of the fire which was only a mile or two away. I was expecting the police to drive by and warn people. Suddenly I noticed little pieces of burning wood falling out of the sky. They landed on the ground and started to burn the grass. I didn't wait a moment longer. I got into my car and drove down the road. The smoke was thick and at times it was difficult to see the road. Animals were running across the road, trying to escape the fire. There were dogs, a few horses, and lots of kangaroos. Five miles down the road I came to a long bridge over the river. Once on the other side, I knew I was safe.

Part 2 (A = Radio announcer; male or female, Australian accent) P49lE  
A: Good morning, listeners. Still hot and dry today and we would like to remind you that people in the following areas may need to leave their homes: Green Hill, Jonestown, and Wesley. The fire is still burning and we advise you to stay tuned for more information. You may have to leave the area if the winds change, so please take the following actions: R:x4j#(  
If you have a car, check that it is working properly and park it where you can easily get to it. Close all doors, roll up the windows, and leave the keys in the car. Put emergency supplies in the car. You will need water, some food, a first-aid kit, a radio and a flashlight. Put important documents, such as your bankbooks and passports, in a plastic bag. U5z^R>k  
Make sure that you are wearing good clothes. Put on heavy shoes, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Bring a towel that you can use to protect your face. Call a friend or relative who lives in a safe area and ask if you can stay with them. Close all windows and doors in your house and remove the curtains. Turn off the gas. Fill buckets, bathtubs, and other containers with water. #QQ \ xj  
If you are asked to leave the house, you must do so immediately. Bring only what you need and tell someone when you leave and where you are going. Try to stay calm and listen to the radio for instructions. Choose a road that looks safe and keep an eye on the fire and the wind.

THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA ZOK2BCoW  
Australia was discovered about 53,000 years ago. It is possible that the first people crossed into Australia from Asia on a great land bridge when the water level of the oceans was lower. j1*'yvGM  
The first Australians are often called "Aborigines", which means "the first people of a country", but today many of them prefer to be known as Kooris. 4 FW~Y  
Kooris are among the oldest races of the world and they developed a strong system of society. Their spiritual faith and their gods were important to them, and their knowledge, customs and memories were handed down by the elders of the race. =LDzZ:' X  
Cave paintings have been found which are at least 20,000 years old and are perhaps the oldest form of art yet discovered on earth. 21bvSK  
Kooris developed a way of life that was suitable for this hot and dry country. They invented different kinds of fishing nets, and also a curiously shaped piece of wood for hunting, which could be thrown and would return to the thrower if it did not strike anything. E'j>[C:U  
The Kooris lived by hunting animals, birds and fish, and by gathering roots, nuts and wild fruits. They became experienced at finding underground springs. As consequence, the Kooris have been able to live for thousands of years in a desert land in which a foreigner would quickly die from lack of water and food. IP7j)SM!  
Koori culture and history were recorded in a collection of stories called the "Dreamtime" or the "Dreaming". Dreamtime is often said to mean "the time before time", or the point when all things were created. The stories explain where the land and the people come from and how the universe works. c [sydl  
According to the Dreamtime stories, all life on earth is part of a huge system that connects the present and the ancient past. D+P(  
While many of the legends are about beings and events that we today view as purely fictional, the long record of cultural and natural history also provides scientists with important information. For example, some Dreamtime stories describe changes in climate, volcano eruptions and other natural events. The Dreamtime stories have also been of practical value to the Kooris. In addition to providing them with a shared history and culture, the legends contain information about how to survive in areas where there is very little water. aY}:9qBice  
No one knows how many Kooris lived in Australia, maybe between 300,000 and three million. Just over 200 years ago Kooris made up 100% of the population, but today they only make up a little over 1% of the population. Foreign settlers started to arrive in the eighteenth century, bringing with them new diseases which killed many Kooris and seizing the land on which the Kooris had lived for thousands of years. -KhNsUQk  
Kooris do not believe in owning possessions or land and they could not understand how settlers took land as their own. Whenever the Kooris defended their rights, they were killed. QML
z  
Education was intended for white settlers only, and until very recently no school lessons were held in languages other than English. Thus Koori children who were sent to school could not understand the lessons. 3}(6z"r  
Although the settlers generally treated each other well, they, particularly the police, treated the Kooris badly. A quarter of the people who have died in police stations and prisons have been Kooris. pYf57u  
Two hundred years ago there were more than 250 Koori languages. Half of these languages have completely disappeared, and many of the remaining languages are endangered. Even though many of the Koori languages are no longer spoken as first languages, they are still an important part of Koori and Australian culture. Language experts and people who care about the language do what they can to keep and even revive the ancient languages. Some languages that once disappeared have been brought back to life, and there are now schools and TV stations that broadcast programs in Koori languages. I{tY;b'w  
In 1960, the Kooris were made citizens of Australia, 53,000 years after arriving in the country. The long wait and the struggle for justice have left deep scars in Australian society. In the last few decades, the Australian government and the Kooris have worked hard to improve the situation and make sure that all Australians are treated with the respect that they deserve. Many improve new laws have been passed and special council was set up in 1991 to address issues of equality and rights. 7rQwn2XD{  
The country is now heading for a future where cultural diversity is appreciated and celebrated. Working together as one people, Kooris and other Australians hope to heal the wounds of history and build a society where all members are truly equal.

For people who have grown up knowing the richness in local fruits in southern China, it is difficult to imagine the poorness in local fruit species in other parts of the world, such as Europe. In ancient times, very few kinds of fruit could be found in Europe, and the fruits that grew there in the wild such as apples and pears were often very small. Another problem of people in those days was that they had not found ways to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for a very long time. Farmers in old England often had health problems during the winter because they did not get enough greens. Ipro6 I
 
Even in the eighteenth century, people had not discovered why they needed to eat fruit to stay healthy. Long voyages took people away from home for many years. The diet aboard ships consisted of salt meat, and hard biscuits. The sailors hardly ate any fresh vegetables or fruit. It was not unusual that 80% of the crew died on such voyages. The health of the sailors was the major concern of a captain. James Cook tried many ways to keep his men in good shape. He was one of the first to tell them to clean their clothes and the ship, and take regular exercise. He also experimented with foods such as dried vegetables, preserved cabbage, boiled carrot and fruit juice and beans. It helped a little, but it wasn't until 1932, when Vitamin C was discovered, and doctors realised that the solution lay in eating fresh vegetables and fruit. JguP XHa0  
Sailors from Europe, weak and sick from their long voyage found themselves in heaven when they arrived in the East. They had never seen so many different kinds of fruit, nor any that tasted so well. Grapes were known from southern Europe, but most sellers were not familiar with bananas. Besides apples, pears and strawberries, they tasted their first peaches, which all belong to the same plant family of the roses. They first got to know oranges and lemons which belong to the same plant family. With so much delicious fruit to choose from, they soon recovered their health.