98. Reading Skills Comprehension: CONTINENT

CONTINENT

 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:                     

 Australia is the only country in the world that covers the entire continent. It is also known as the ‘island continent’. Together with New Zealand and the nearby islands, it is known as Australasia. In the area, it is slightly more than twice the size of India. It was discovered by Captain James Cook, an English seaman, in 1770. He landed near the site of the present Sydney Harbour. Since it had a favourable climate, he quickly realized that it was possible for his countrymen to settle in this new land. Australia is rich in several resources such as plants, wildlife and minerals but it lacks water resources. The Australians have been able to utilize their resources to a great extent with the help of modem scientific methods. Australia is, therefore, considered one of the most industrialized countries of the world. The Kangaroo with baby Kangaroo in its pocket represents Australia in the world.                                            

 (a) Why is Australia, a unique country?
(b) Who discovered Australia and when?
(c) Why did James Cook settle in Australia?
(d) How do Australians utilise their resources?
(e) Use ‘industrialized’ and ‘favourable’ in sentences of your own. 1

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