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RSSPDC Test - Australia
You can earn 0.25 PDC by passing the exam following this article, which has been approved for publication by NCRA's Council of the Academy of Professional Reporters.
The questions are based on the material in the article but some may require additional research. Send your answer sheet to NCRA's Continuing Education Office, 8224 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22182, and enclose a check for $40 (member) or $50 (non-member) to cover the processing fee.
Australia
by Renée Cohen
In the Southern Hemisphere lies an island nation we call Australia. The continent is approximately the size of the United States, but the ecological diversity is far greater than what one can observe in all of North America. From rainforests to coral reefs, some of the world's most vibrant wildlife is woven within this land referred to as the Great Outdoors. With breathtaking views of the mountains and lush coastal scenery, it is hard to imagine that a cosmopolitan city such as Sydney exists in this rugged wilderness.
Before 1770, when the British sent James Cook to explore the new continent, about 300,000 Aborigines lived in Australia. Most of the nomadic communities used their wisdom and skill to obtain maximum benefits from the environment for approximately 50,000 years. Ecological knowledge was passed through generations so as never to threaten extinction of plant or animal species. The culture of these ancient people is still alive today, and can be seen in many existing settlements and contemporary museums. Some of the initial artistic expressions of the Aborigines date back almost 30,000 years. Whether the material used is bark, wood or rock, the dot paintings are the most common and easily identifiable aboriginal art form. The stories told in the artwork most often represent a connection between the people and the land, commonly referred to as Dreaming or Dreamtime.
Upon Cook's arrival in the land he called New South Wales, many plants and animals were described that had never been observed in the Western world before. Some of the detailed writings of Cook and his accompanying crew members are still relevant today. Land formations and specific trees are identifiable since they are exactly as mentioned in these writings by Cook and the other explorers aboard the Endeavor. Regarded as one of the most intelligent and resourceful captains in the world, James Cook is credited with the discovery of the land known as Australia.
In 1779, the deportation of convicts from Britain to Australia began. Many of the prisoners had committed no more than petty thievery. However, they were sentenced to seven years hard labor upon landing in New South Wales, under conditions that included leg chains and cuffs. By 1809, many of the convicts were granted full citizenship rights, having served extremely harsh sentences. Their work in the new land eventually led to the abolishment of this seemingly slavery-like practice. Overall, more than 160,000 ex-convicts inhabited Australia at that time.
With the progress of the next 200 years, Sydney has emerged as one of the world's finest cities. Today, the population in Australia is about 18.6 million, with nearly 25 percent living in and around Sydney. The national language is English and the level of literacy is close to 100 percent. The country's sophistication can be seen in national works of art, from popular music, fine films and novels, to beautiful architectural creations, such as the Sydney Opera House designed by Jorn Utzon. Canberra, the country's capital, combines government with art. The Parliament House is an impressive structure built right into a hillside.
Animal life in Australia consists of a plethora of interesting species. The marsupials, which include koalas, kangaroos and wombats, are native to the continent and live in every part of the country. The platypus is an egg-laying mammal, which looks like a cross between a duck and an otter. The flora and fauna in Australia are as diverse as the land itself. Wildflowers exist among the dinosaur-era tree ferns.
The island is also rich in mining resources. Opals are just one of the beautiful gems found in Southern Australia.
Perhaps the best way to capture the delicate beauty of the Land Down Under is by exploring the Great Barrier Reef. This massive natural marine environment is the ultimate in biological diversity. Not only is it the largest living reef formation on the globe, it is a virtual wonderland of beautiful and amazing creatures. Sometimes stark and imposing, the complexity of the reef offers a deeper appreciation for the richness of alien yet gorgeous life forms that abound in and around the Coral Sea.
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of many types of coral, all of which are living animals that colonize to form the reef structure. Each individual animal has a plant living within its flesh. While the algae is providing oxygen and other nutrients to the coral polyps, it is in turn protected from predators. This type of interdependent relationship is only one example of the symbiosis that occurs in the midst of this underwater paradise. In addition to being a mecca for tourists, the Great Barrier Reef, which extends 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers), provides historical, economic and scientific value for Australia. Archaeological exploration at the Great Barrier Reef of coastal aboriginal myth and ceremony has uncovered relics of life as it once was in this diverse and delightful realm.
The charisma and sophistication of Australia has blossomed far beyond a place to send convicts. As the host city of the 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney is a city that offers myriad opportunities to learn and appreciate a broad slice of historical significance for those willing to explore it.
About the Author: Renée Cohen is a JCR Contributing Editor.
References
Australia, Lonely Planet Publications, 1994, Victoria, Australia; authors: H. Finlay, M. Armstrong, M. Coxall, J. Murray, J. Williams. Let's Go Australia, 2000, St. Martin's Press, New York, 2000, Bede M. Sheppard, Editor. Australia, The Rough Guide, Penguin Books, London, 1997; authors: M. Daly, A. Dehne, D. Leffman, C. Scott. "Australia," The World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 1 (1991): 898+; authors: D.N. Jeans, and J.D.B. Miller.
PDC Exam
1. Australia is: a) an island 2. The capital of Australia is: 3. Before British explorers claimed Australia, the indigenous Aborigines had inhabited the land for approximately: 4. Captain James Cook is the European credited with the discovery of Australia in: 5. The Australian animal which resembles a cross between a duck and otter is a: 6. The Great Barrier Reef is located in the ___________? 7. In Australia, the Sunshine State refers to: 8. Dreamtime is an aboriginal folklore referring to: 9. What percent of Australia's total population lives in and around Sydney? 10. What is the most prevalent and readily identifiable aboriginal art form? 11. The gemstone that is hardened from silica suspended in water and found mostly in Southern Australia is: 12. Who designed the Sydney Opera House? 13. All of the following are marsupials except: 14. What is the approximate length of the Great Barrier Reef? 15. Coral is: 16. Sections of the Great Barrier Reef date back 18 million years, but most of the reef is around ____ years old. 17. Since the beginning of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, Australia has participated in what percent of Summer Olympics? 18. The many types of coral are an example of: 19. The large lizard which can grow up to three to four meters in length is called a: 20. What is the name of the ship Captain James Cook sailed to Australia on? Address ____________________________________________ Membership ID Number _______________________________
b) a continent
c) a country
d) all of the above
a) Sydney
b) Canberra
c) Melbourne
d) Darwin
a) 50,000 years
b) 100,000 years
c) 10,000 years
d) 2,000 years
a) 1700
b) 1770
c) 1800
d) 1820
a) wombat
b) wallaby
c) platypus
d) Tasmanian devil
a) Coral Sea
b) Tasman Sea
c) Indian Ocean
d) Persian Gulf
a) Florida
b) Tasmania
c) Victoria
d) Queensland
a) wine production
b) evening ghostly sounds from the rainforest
c) how the land was formed
d) coral reef inhabitants
a) 25
b) 10
c) 50
d) 90
a) outback scenery
b) dot paintings
c) batik
d) Tiwi sculpture
a) topaz
b) ruby
c) gold
d) opal
a) Jorn Utzon
b) James Cook
c) William Bligh
d) John Curtin
a) koala
b) kangaroo
c) cassowary
d) wombat
a) 20 miles
b) 5,000 kilometers
c) 2,000 kilometers
d) five miles
a) a plant
b) an animal
c) a rock formation
d) an echinoderm
a) 2,000
b) five million
c) 10,000
d) two million
a) 100
b) 50
c) 25
d) 10
a) archaeology
b) Dreamtime
c) symbiosis
d) marine plants
a) platypus
b) goanna
c) monotreme
d) Tasmanian devil
a) Endeavor
b) Santa Maria
c) Olympiad
d) Star of India
Name ______________________________________________