The man who discovered Britain

Yet no one believed him. It was the year 304 BC. and the explorer was Pytheas of Marseilles.

For 2000 years historians labelled him a charlatan.

although they enjoyed his accounts of his travels as masterpieces of fabrication. Yet Pytheas was the first Greek to visit and describe Britain and its people and. possibly, to sail within sight of the Norwegian coast. He wrote: 'The people of Britannia are simple in their habits and far removed from the cunning and knavishness of modern man ... they do not drink wine, but a fermented liquor made from barley, which they call curmi.'

At the time of his epic journey, the northern waters of the Atlantic were unknown to Pytheas's contemporaries. How could they - familiar only with the warm waters of the Mediterranean - believe that he had seen chunks of floating ice larger than his ship? Or that further north the sea was entirely frozen and the sun never set?

Pytheas was discredited, and although later Greek historians Included references to his travels in their books, their attitude was typified by Strabo (born about 63 BC). He wrote: 'Pytheas tells us that Thule [believed then to be an undiscovered northernmost land] is one day's sail from the congealed sea... and this Pytheas saw

with his own eyes - or so he would have us believe.'

The Reader's Digest Book of Strange Stories Anaz/ng Facts (AmE)

ARefer to the text, then write another word or words in place of the words in italics.

1 Vet no one believed him. (I. 12)

2 For 2000 years historians labelled him a charlatan, although they

enjoyed his accounts of his travels as masterpieces of fabrication. (II. 14-16) ;

3 Pytheas was discredited, and although later Greek historians included
references to his travels in their books, their attitude was typified

by Strabo (born about 63 BC). (11.29-32)

Rewrite these sentences as one sentence beginning with the words provided. Then check against the text.

1 He returned from a sea journey north to the Atlantic. The Greek explorer said of Britain: 'The
island is thickly populated ...' (II. 1-4) ^

On................................................................................................... -..............................

2 There are (in Britain) many kings and potentates. They live for the most part in a state of
mutual peace. (II. 9-11)
It (Britain)....................................................................................................................

Grammar CWhat do the words in bold italics mean?', . ,,

pointsThe island is thickly populated... has an extremely chilly climate (II. 3-5)

Or that further north the sea was entirely frozen ...'(II. 27-28)

Match a word in column A with a word in column B, then write sentences with them,
s/ A B

thickly respected thickly covered.........................

highly disappointed

utterly ill

painfully covered

gravely stupid

bitterly embarrassed

1 The floor of the forest was thickly covered with moss……..

2 .....................................................................................................................

3 .......................................................................... :............................. :..........

4 .....................................................................................................................

5

6

D Suggest other verbs which you could use in place of labelled here: For 2000 years historians labelled him a charlatan. (I. 14)

Rewrite these sentences in the active.

1 Pytheas was labelled a charlatan by historians. Histprians labeled Pytheas a charlatan.

2 Washington was elected president by the people of America.

3 Jane Austen is considered a great novelist by most readers.

4 James Henderson has been appointed chairman by the board of directors.

5 She was named Sarah Jane by her godparents.

E Use another phrase in place of the words in bold italics.

This Pytheas saw with his own eyes - or so he would have us believe. (II. 34-35)

Rewrite these sentences using the correct forms of have.

1 John wants us to believe that he is a qualified engineer, but I know he isn't. John will – would have us believe that he is a qualified engineer.

2 Ask the next patient to come in now please, nurse.

3 We got Mr Saunders to paint our kitchen plain white.

4 Ask your secretary to make a list of companies that will be interested in our service.

5 I want you to know that I've already been on two trips up the Amazon.

3 How was it possible for them to believe that he had seen chunks of floating ice larger than
his ship? They were familiar only with the warm waters of the Mediterranean. (II. 25-27)
How could ..

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1328