3. Listening.

Pre-listening task

You’re going to listen to the text “Ontario”. Here some words from the text:

populous – густонаселений

large-scale – масовий

Iroquoian ['irәkwoiәn]

nurture - живити

gross domestic product [ou] – ВВП

Vaughan [vo:n]

cataracts - water falls

While listening task

Ontario

Large-scale European settlement of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, began during the American Revolution. By the time of the War of 1812, approximately 80 per cent of the 100,000 settlers in the province were of North American birth. Other immigrant-settlers were mostly English, Scottish and Irish. Today, immigration continues to be an important factor in Ontario life. Ontarians of many ethnic backgrounds find their languages and cultural traditions welcomed in this once exclusively British province. Although English remains the province’s only official language.

Ontario is an Iroquoian word meaning beautiful water. In the South of the province is bordered by the freshwater inland seas of the Great Lakes, and on the north by the frigid salt waters of Hudson Bay. One-sixth of the province’s total area is covered by rivers, streams and lakes. Two main geological regions make up Ontario: the Great Lakes/St Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield. Northern Ontario, with 90 per cent of Ontario’s territory is home to only 10 per cent of the population. The extremes of the northern climate are a fact of life here.

The temperate climate and fertile soils of Southern Ontario nurture a maijor agricultural industry. Ontario’s farmers produce half the nation’s food on one-fifth of Canada’s total available farmland.

Ontario is Canada’s producer province, generating some 52 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product. Many Ontario towns have at least one industry connected to the province’s forest reserves.

One of the great natural wonders of the world – Niagara Falls – is located on the Niagara River, 32 km from Lake Erie and 22km from the river’s mouth in Lake Ontario. Goat Island divides the falls into two parts – the American Falls and the Canadian, or Horseshoe, Falls. The Canadian side is 54 m high, the American 56m. It’s no wonder that every year, thousands of tourists are drawn magnetically towards one of the largest cataracts in the world.

In the midst of rolling farmland, by the countrytown of Vaughan, human hands have sculptured a genuine fantasyland – a spectacular theme park, Canada’s Wonderland. Cartoon characters mingle with visitors, sea lions and dolphins take a bow. Fred Flinstone, Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo are just a few of the characters that welcome guests at Canada’s Wonderland.

Post-listening activity

Here are ten statements. Say which of them are true and which are false (HO₃)

1. Ontario is the most populous province of Canada. (+)

2. Other immigrants-settlers were mostly French, Spanish and Italian. (-)

3. Ontarians of many ethnic backgrounds have to forget their languages and cultural traditions. (-)

4. Ontario is an Iroquoian word meaning beautiful land . (-)

5. One-sixth of the province’s total area is covered by rivers, streams and lakes. (+)

6. Two main geological regions make up Ontario: the Great Lakes/ St Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield. (+)

7. Northern Ontario, with 90% of Ontario’s territory, is home to 90% of the province population. (-)

8. Goat Island divides the falls into two parts – the American Falls and the Canadian, or Horseshoe, Falls. (+)

9. Cartoon characters never approach the visitors in Canada’s Wonderland. (-)

10. Ontario’s farmers produce one-fifth of the nation’s food on half of Canada’s available farmland. (-)

4. Writing (слайд № 5)

Work in pairs. Fill in the gaps to describe Canadian symbols using slide 5.

HO₄