Module 4. Text 1: Silk

Task 1. What is silk? Using the link  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk read the information given about silk and do the test.

Choose the correct answers.

1) Silk is a natural … fibre.

a) protein; b) cellulose; c) fibrous; d) glass; e) micro.

2) The best-known type of silk is obtained from the … of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture).

a) bolls; b) balls; c) bins; d) cocoons.

3) The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different ….

a) hues; b) shades; c) colors; d) prints.

4) Silk production also occurs in Hymenoptera …

a) bees; b) wasps; c) ants; d)flies.

5) A variety of wild silks, produced by caterpillars other than the … silkworm, have been known and used in China, South Asia, and Europe since ancient times.

a) cocoon; b) mulberry; c) beechtree; d) bamboo.

6) Silk has a smooth, … texture that is not slippery, unlike many synthetic fibers.

a) soft; b) curse; c) slippery; d) shiny.

7) Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers but loses up to 20% of its strength when ….

a) dry; b) dirty; c) clean; d) wet.

8) It has a good … regain of 11%.

a) water; b) aqua; c) moisture; d) wet.

9) It may also be attacked by …, especially if left dirty.

a) people; b) insects; c) stray cats and dogs; d) policemen.

10) Silk is a poor … of electricity and thus susceptible to static cling.

a) guide; b) conductor; c) collector; d) servant.

Task 2. Write an essay comparing flax and silk.

Task 3. Debate upon the question: “How to increase the production of silk in several times?”

Text 2: The history of silk

Task 1. What is silk? Read the text and do the activities after the text.

Silk culture had its beginning in China. How long ago no one knows. There are records that seem to show that it was an important industry as early as 3000 years before our era. Silk production was introduced into Korea and Japan about 200 years before our era. As time went on it spread to India and Persia, although the Chinese government tried to keep all silk production to itself. It meant punishment to ship silkworm eggs out of the country, the cultivation of silk remained a secret with the Chinese for about 3000 years. It was two thousand years before the Chinese let anyone else know how it was done. The secret was finally shared with Japan, Korea

and Persia.

One legend says that silk was taken into Japan by two monks. These men used hollow bamboo canes to hide and to carry silkworm eggs in. Hence the second legend says as if silk was brought into Persia by a Chinese princess. This princess was to marry a Persian prince. She took all her jewels and all her riches to her new homeland and knowing the importance of silk culture she decided to take some of the

silkworm eggs to her new homeland as well.

Task 2. Order the events.

A. One legend says that silk was taken into Japan by two monks.

B. The secret was finally shared with Japan, Korea

and Persia.

C. Silk culture had its beginning in China.

D. It was two thousand years before the Chinese let anyone else know how it was done.

E. There are records that seem to show that it was an important industry as early as 3000 years before our era.

F. Hence the second legend says as if silk was brought into Persia by a Chinese princess.

Task 3. Make up 5 questions to this text in written form. Then ask and answer with your groupmates.

Task 4. Retell the text using the information given in the Task 1.