A Cherokee alphabet

Sequoya was one of the great native American chiefs. He was a Cherokee. He is also famous because he invented an alphabet for the Cherokee language.

Sequoya was born at a time when the American colonies still belonged to England. As a young man, he learned to hunt and fish and to do the other things Cherokee boys learned. He was also a skilled worker in silver, but he was not taught how to read and write. At the time, the Cherokee had no alphabet of their own.

After Sequoya got married, a hunting accident left him a cripple. He spent much of his time sitting around or walking slowly. More important, he had time to think. He knew about the colonists’ “talking leaf”, a piece of paper with writing on it. He believed that native Americans, too could learn their languages.

Sequoya spent many hours making marks on pieces of wood and stones. His wife and friends began to think he was strange. More than that, they thought he might be crazy.

Sequoya worked on his ideas for years. At last he had solved the problem. Each mark he wrote stood for a syllable in their Cherokee language. Furthermore, the alphabet was so simple and exact that it could be learned in a few days. Even more important, Sequoya had each person who learned his alphabet to teach another person. Soon, almost all the people of the Cherokee Nation could read and write their language.

Sequoya’s name will also be remembered forever in another way. The giant redwood trees in California, the tallest trees in the world, have been named for this Native American. The trees are called Sequoyas.

Mark the statements true (T) or false (F)

1. “Cherokee” is the name of an Indian tribe.

2. The problem of Cherokee Indians was they didn’t have their own language.

3. Sequoya had many talents and skills.

4. Sequoya was taught to read and write in an American school.

5. When Sequoya was a boy he was badly hurt in an accident.

6. After the accident Sequoya remained blind.

7. “Talking leaf” is more likely the name the Indians gave to a book.

8. Sequoya’s relatives supported him in his job.

9. It took Sequoya quite a long time to create the alphabet.

10.Cherokee language could be learned in a couple of days.

11.Thanks to Sequoya’s alphabet the Indians could easily learn English.

12.Both the Native American and the tallest tree have the same name.

Circle the correct item

1. Sequoya the chief of an Indian tribe became famous …

1. because he invented electricity

2. wanted to compose an anthem for the tribe

3. because he invented an alphabet for the Cherokee language

4. For inventing a bicycle for his tribe

2. Sequoya was born at a time when …

1. British colonies attacked Indian tribes

2. when the American colonies still belonged to England

3. when the American colonies still belonged to Europe

4. dinosaurs died

3. Cherokee was also a skilled worker in silver, but…

a) he was not taught how to read and write

b) he was not taught how to jump and sing

c) he did not want to learn the alphabet

d) he was taught to read and write

4. Cherokee chief spent many hours …

1. crying because of his blindness

2. reading books on art

3. making crosses ob pieces of wood

4. making marks on pieces of wood and stones

5. His wife and friends thought that he might be crazy because…

1. he slept all days

2. he worked for years on his ideas

3. he did not want to go hunting

4. he was not able to write letters

6. Cherokee language …

1. could not be learned

2. could be learned in a couple of days

3. never could be learned

4. could be learned in a couple of years

Text № 22

Book collecting is the acquisition of books. It is one of the most rewarding of all hobbies. It can also be a delightful addition to another hobby, or to serious study of almost any subject. Book collectors make collections for various reasons. One reason may be a personal interesting an author or in a subject. Many collectors prize a first addition for the feeling of close relationship to its author that the book brings. Some persons collect rare books as an investment. Desirable editions in good condition will probably always be worth what is paid for them, and perhaps more.

Some booklovers, or bibliophiles, collect to save worthy books and preserve them for posterity. Most of the large libraries of the 1500’s, 1600’s, and 1700’s were brought together with this purpose in mind.

Modern book collecting began in Europe when some men realized that the early printed books were disappearing. Some books had been worn out with use, and others had been seized, suppressed, or destroyed.

Fields of collecting are endless. They include first editions; early printed books; books with fine bindings; books with fine color illustrations; books for children; books on many subjects, such as periods of history, a region, furniture, birds, cookery, arts and crafts, or sports; books about certain persons, such as Abraham Lincoln; or books by certain authors. Beginning collectors tend to collect indiscriminately. In time, the field of interest narrows to manageable limits. Sensational prices that rare books sometimes bring at auction increase interest in book collecting, and inspire new searchers for treasure in books.

Mark the statements true (T) or false (F)

1. Book collecting is the acquisition of knowledge.

2. Book collecting is one of the most rewarding hobbies.

3. Book collectors make collections for their children.

4. Some persons collect rare books as an investment.

5. Most of the large libraries of the 1900´s were brought together with the purpose in mind.

6. Modern book collecting began in Asia when some men realized that the early printed books were disappearing.

7. Some books had been worn out with use and others had been seized, suppressed and destroyed.

8. Fields of collecting are limited.

9. Beginning collectors tend to collect all rare books.

10. Sensational prices of rare books inspire new searchers for treasures in them.

Circle the correct item

1. Book collecting is the … of books.

a) acquisition

b) gaining knowledge

c) learning a skill

2. Book collecting is one of the most … of all hobbies.

1. satisfied

2. useful

3. rewarding

3. Book collectors make collections for various …

1. sense

2. reason

3. judgment.

4.Some persons collect rare books as …

1. a success

2. a profit

3. an investment

5. … book collecting began in Europe.

1. Contemporary

2. Modern

3. Up-to-date

6. Fields of collecting are …

1. endless

2. very large

3. various

7. Beginning collectors tend to collect …

1. without thinking

2. without attention

3. indiscriminately

8. In time the field of interest narrows to ... limits.

1. easy to control

2. easy to deal

3. manageable

9. … prices that rare books sometimes bring at auction increase interest in book collecting.

1. Sensational

2. Stunning

3. Surprising

Text № 23