India's Undersea City

Indian Archaeologists Discover Ancient Port City

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Preview Questions

Pre-Reading Questions

What comes to mind when you think of archeology?

How do most archeologists do their work?

Do you think archeologists might want to work underwater?

What ancient treasures might they find?

Would you like to be an undersea archeologist?  Why or why not?

Read and Pronounce

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Indian archaeologists have found what they believe are undersea “stone structures”that could be the remains of an ancient port city off India’s southern coast. The archaeologists learned of the structures after locals reported spotting a temple and several sculptures when the sea pulled back briefly just before deadly tsunamis smashed into the coastline on December 26.

This is an excerpt. For full article, click here. Source:  abc.net.au

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Talking Points

With your tutor, you may wish to discuss the following:

1. What makes this discovery most interesting to you?

2. How should the Archeological Society of India approach this project to preserve its ancient treasures?

3. Why was this undersea city not discovered by explorers before now?

4. If it were not for the tsunami, how long do you think it would have taken to find these ruins?

5. Do you believe there are other, yet undiscovered, ruins of ancient cities in the world? If so, where?

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Vocabulary Practice

Look at the vocabulary list below. Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article. Discuss with your tutor or partner.

New words you see in this article:

ancient

architectural

bar(ring)

cartographer

carving(s)

commodore

clutch

dynasty

erosion

exquisite

far-flung

fury

geometrical granite

magnificent

mariner

naval

poise(d)

scour(ing)

smash(ed)

strewn

structure(s)

submerge(d)

tsunami(s)

vessel