TASK
ONE
Read the text and choose the right answer.
During World War II John Brown was
other Native Americans he created a military code
The code was locked so tight that the Japanese never came close to deciphering it. From 1942 to V
in 1945, the code talkers delivered critical orders and battle plans in simple language they had inve
When the war was won, the Navajo code talkers were given the same order as before: protect the secret
code. So Brown felt extraordinary pride when, after decades during which the code
remained classified, George W. Bush presented the f
medals. Now came Brown’s moment to tell his children about the role that he and his Navajo comrades
had played in the war.
It was Philip Johnston who proposed the use of Navajo to the United States Marine Corp
beginning of World War II. Johnston, a World War I veteran, was raised on
son of a missionary to the Navajos, he
Johnston noticed the potential Navajo c
language practically impossible to understand for Native Americans from outside the Navajo
community.
So, in spring 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits, John Brown among them, came to Camp
Pandleton, Oceanside, California. They were told to create a code based on their native language. The
system they created was modelled on the Navy phonetic alphabet. They developed a simple phonetic
matrix, with a Navajo word for each letter of the English alphabet.
we used eagle, atsah, etc,” Brown explains. It was decided the phonetic spelling of all military words
letter by letter into Navajo words would be too time
to a different cryptographic system. They were given descriptive equivalents in Navajo. For the word
America they substituted the Navajo word for
grenade became a potato, a tank a
by half.
New code words were added to the cryptogram throughout the war. To make sure the code was
used everywhere in the same way, representative code talkers of each
to discuss gaps in the cryptogram and add new words to it. These representatives in turn trained other
code talkers who could not attend the meeting. In other instances, special code words were created on
the spot before a particular campaign. They were used in one area of operation and there was no need to
include them in the codebooks whatsoever.
Every precaution was made to guard the code. Once Navajos learned all its
by heart, they destroyed all written materials that had been used in training. On the battlefield, the code
was never written down. It was always spoken.
capture. Each code talker was accompanied by a bodyguard. The guard had to protect
but also to protect the code. “So, if one of us was caugh
There is no documented evidence that there was such an order. But the surviving Navajo code talkers all
say they were aware of the situation
Brown says. “That was war. We were obligated.”
One of the Navajos, Joe Kieyoomia, was in fact captured by the Japanese in the Philippines in
1942. Kieyoomia, a Navajo Sergeant in
radio messages. However, since he had not participated in the code training, the messages made no
sense to him. When he reported that he could not understand them, the Japanese tortured him.
Brown was lucky enough never to be captured. However
After two years in the Pacific he got sick with malaria. He was shipped to a Pearl Harbour hospital having
lost more than 30 pounds. It was there that he also received
of war had really affected him,” says his son, Virgil. “He later told us how he’d disembark into island
battlefields and see the bodies of guys he’d talked to only hours before. It was worse than the risk of
being hurt himself,” Virgil says.
L
EVEL
2
R
EADING
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75
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1
Read the text and choose the right answer.
The Code Talkers
During World War II John Brown was a member of an elite group of marines. Together with 28
other Native Americans he created a military code that was based on the native tongue of the Navajo.
The code was locked so tight that the Japanese never came close to deciphering it. From 1942 to V
in 1945, the code talkers delivered critical orders and battle plans in simple language they had inve
When the war was won, the Navajo code talkers were given the same order as before: protect the secret
code. So Brown felt extraordinary pride when, after decades during which the code
remained classified, George W. Bush presented the five surviving Navajo cryptographers with gold
medals. Now came Brown’s moment to tell his children about the role that he and his Navajo comrades
It was Philip Johnston who proposed the use of Navajo to the United States Marine Corp
beginning of World War II. Johnston, a World War I veteran, was raised on a Navajo reservation
a missionary to the Navajos, he was one of the few non-Navajos who spoke their language fluently.
Johnston noticed the potential Navajo could have for military cryptography. It was an unwritten
language practically impossible to understand for Native Americans from outside the Navajo
So, in spring 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits, John Brown among them, came to Camp
Oceanside, California. They were told to create a code based on their native language. The
system they created was modelled on the Navy phonetic alphabet. They developed a simple phonetic
matrix, with a Navajo word for each letter of the English alphabet. “For D we used dog,
,” Brown explains. It was decided the phonetic spelling of all military words
ds would be too time-consuming. That’s why military terms were subject
to a different cryptographic system. They were given descriptive equivalents in Navajo. For the word
America they substituted the Navajo word for Our Mother; for Destroyer – the word for
, a tank a tortoise, etc. This method shortened the time of coded communication
New code words were added to the cryptogram throughout the war. To make sure the code was
used everywhere in the same way, representative code talkers of each US Marine division met in Hawaii
to discuss gaps in the cryptogram and add new words to it. These representatives in turn trained other
code talkers who could not attend the meeting. In other instances, special code words were created on
particular campaign. They were used in one area of operation and there was no need to
include them in the codebooks whatsoever.
Every precaution was made to guard the code. Once Navajos learned all its
en materials that had been used in training. On the battlefield, the code
was never written down. It was always spoken. Obviously, the Navajos became
capture. Each code talker was accompanied by a bodyguard. The guard had to protect
but also to protect the code. “So, if one of us was caught, the bodyguard was to shoot him
There is no documented evidence that there was such an order. But the surviving Navajo code talkers all
situation. “The order was to allow them to shoot you if you were captured. ”
Brown says. “That was war. We were obligated.”
One of the Navajos, Joe Kieyoomia, was in fact captured by the Japanese in the Philippines in
1942. Kieyoomia, a Navajo Sergeant in the US Army, but not a code talker, was ordered to interpret
radio messages. However, since he had not participated in the code training, the messages made no
sense to him. When he reported that he could not understand them, the Japanese tortured him.
Brown was lucky enough never to be captured. However, the hardships of war hit him hard.
After two years in the Pacific he got sick with malaria. He was shipped to a Pearl Harbour hospital having
lost more than 30 pounds. It was there that he also received psychological help. “The shock and violence
of war had really affected him,” says his son, Virgil. “He later told us how he’d disembark into island
battlefields and see the bodies of guys he’d talked to only hours before. It was worse than the risk of
arines. Together with 28
that was based on the native tongue of the Navajo.
The code was locked so tight that the Japanese never came close to deciphering it. From 1942 to V-J Day
in 1945, the code talkers delivered critical orders and battle plans in simple language they had invented.
When the war was won, the Navajo code talkers were given the same order as before: protect the secret
code. So Brown felt extraordinary pride when, after decades during which the code-talker project
ive surviving Navajo cryptographers with gold
medals. Now came Brown’s moment to tell his children about the role that he and his Navajo comrades
It was Philip Johnston who proposed the use of Navajo to the United States Marine Corps at the
Navajo reservation; as the
Navajos who spoke their language fluently.
ould have for military cryptography. It was an unwritten
language practically impossible to understand for Native Americans from outside the Navajo
So, in spring 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits, John Brown among them, came to Camp
Oceanside, California. They were told to create a code based on their native language. The
system they created was modelled on the Navy phonetic alphabet. They developed a simple phonetic
“For D we used dog, lha-cha-eh. For E,
,” Brown explains. It was decided the phonetic spelling of all military words
That’s why military terms were subject
to a different cryptographic system. They were given descriptive equivalents in Navajo. For the word
the word for shark. A hand
This method shortened the time of coded communication
New code words were added to the cryptogram throughout the war. To make sure the code was
US Marine division met in Hawaii
to discuss gaps in the cryptogram and add new words to it. These representatives in turn trained other
code talkers who could not attend the meeting. In other instances, special code words were created on
particular campaign. They were used in one area of operation and there was no need to
Every precaution was made to guard the code. Once Navajos learned all its necessary elements
en materials that had been used in training. On the battlefield, the code
Obviously, the Navajos became particular targets for
capture. Each code talker was accompanied by a bodyguard. The guard had to protect the code talker,
t, the bodyguard was to shoot him,” Brown says.
There is no documented evidence that there was such an order. But the surviving Navajo code talkers all
. “The order was to allow them to shoot you if you were captured. ”
One of the Navajos, Joe Kieyoomia, was in fact captured by the Japanese in the Philippines in
the US Army, but not a code talker, was ordered to interpret the
radio messages. However, since he had not participated in the code training, the messages made no
sense to him. When he reported that he could not understand them, the Japanese tortured him.
the hardships of war hit him hard.
After two years in the Pacific he got sick with malaria. He was shipped to a Pearl Harbour hospital having
psychological help. “The shock and violence
of war had really affected him,” says his son, Virgil. “He later told us how he’d disembark into island
battlefields and see the bodies of guys he’d talked to only hours before. It was worse than the risk of
2
1.
Right after World War II Brown was …
a)
given an award for his successes
b)
allowed to talk of his successes
c)
forbidden to talk of his successes
2.
Philip Johnston was …
a)
a war veteran’s son
b)
a native Navajo
c)
an experienced soldier
3.
In the end, military words took …
a)
less time to decipher than other words
b)
as much time to decipher as other words
c)
more time to decipher than other words
4.
During Hawaii meetings code talkers …
a)
trained their colleagues
b)
added missing elements to the code
c)
adapted code books to each campaign
5.
According to Brown, if code talkers were caught they had to…
a)
destroy all coded messages
b)
shoot themselves
c)
be killed by their protector
6.
When captured, Joe Kieyoomia …
a)
pretended not to understand the Navajo language
b)
did not understand the meaning of cryptograms
c)
lied about the meaning of encoded messages
7.
Brown was sent to Pearl Harbour’s naval hospital because …
a)
he was injured
b)
he was mentally ill
c)
he had an infectious disease
3
TASK
TWO
In this task six phrases have been removed from the text and placed at the bottom. An extra phrase
has been included. You must decide which phrase goes into which gap and write the letter in the
box below. An example has been done for you.
Sharp Shooters
Sharp-eyed marksmen serving in Britain’s Armed Forces can test their shooting abilities in
a competition held in ranges at Bisley. Those shooting facilities have seen generations of soldiers
dropping to the ground and patiently delivering ultra-accurate shots … (0) … .
However, the Bisley event has had to be modernised recently. Latest developments in southern
Afghanistan have shown that today’s marksmen need … (8) … . They should have them not only to get
into the elite of marksmanship but, in the first place, to survive in theatre. The changes were first
introduced during the 2010 CENTSAM – Central Skill at Arms meeting.
The annual event for the best shooters is avoiding its old-school static positions … (9) … . These
changes were inspired by the techniques used in Operation Herrick. Maj Clem Clemson is using the latest
experience from theatre to make small-arms training and competitions … (10) … .
“Everything we do is based on operational experience,” he explained. “I don’t think the standard
of shooting in the Army has fallen, but we rarely have enough time to… (11) … . “It’s important that we
do find the time because marksmanship will only get more important in the future.” Cpl Gary Coleman
agrees: “CENTSAM is quite useful as it makes you a more confident soldier. This is my third year here
and the competition … (12) … . We have to wear body armour when we are in Afghanistan so we wear it
here as well.”
Examples of changes were not hard to notice when we attended the Army Operational Shooting
Competition (AOSC). In the past, contestants lay down in the horizontal position before … (13) … .
Nowadays several individual contests require soldiers to fire from kneeling and standing positions to
imitate the situations they will find in Helmand province.
… A … (example) into targets hundreds of metres away
... B … and using quick-fire movements instead
... C … do the live-firing training
... D … is now much more mission-oriented
... E … as realistic as possible
… F … work together and help them deliver firepower
… G … an increasingly different set of skills
... H … aiming at distant targets
0
8
9
10
11
12
13
A
4
TASK
THREE
Read the text and write if the statements from 14 to 20 are true (T) or false (F).
The Mourne Mountains
Travellers to Northern Ireland must make sure they visit the Mourne Mountains. The mountains
provide the perfect location for an excellent range of activities all set in one of the most picturesque
landscapes in Ireland. With beautiful forests and glorious sandy beaches it’s not surprising that the
whole Mourne Mountain region has been internationally recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty.
Beneath the Mountains of Mourne there lie the two most beautiful golf courses in the world - the
Championship Links and the Annesley Links. A daring statement perhaps, but will anyone who has
visited disagree? The courses are part of a larger golf complex called Royal County Down. The plans of
the complex were originally drawn up in 1889 by Tom Morris from St Andrews in Scotland; although of
course most of the construction work was done by Irish workers. However, one has only to look at the
marvellous collection of green sites to notice that Mother Nature was the principal architect of Royal
County Down.
The Championship Links enjoys a magnificent setting stretching out along the shores of
Dundrum Bay. As well as being supremely beautiful, the Championship Links is also one of the world’s
most difficult courses. Laid out beneath the same massive spellbinding mountains, the Annesley Links is
not as much of a challenge as the Championship Links, but then it was never intended to be. It is a course
for everyone.
For those not interested in golf, the area has many other attractions to offer. The Mourne area is
an ideal walking-break destination. Whether you are a keen hill walker or just enjoy a gentle stroll, there
are walks for every ability. When planning your day
out, you can download maps from the Internet.
There are also a number of pre-mapped route cards which are available only in local shops.
The Mournes are an ideal cycling destination. There are seven local sign-posted cycle trails for
you to follow. However, remember that two of them have been designed for cyclists whose skills are
near professional. So if beginners don’t want to end up totally out of breath or even hurt, they'd better
choose their routes carefully.
Alternatively, you can go horse riding in the open countryside. All levels of riders are catered for,
whether you're a novice or an experienced rider. There are all degrees of trekking available all year
round with horses and ponies to suit everyone. Horses and instructors can be hired from several stables.
However, it’s better to book them in advance, especially in high season, when tourists flock to the area.
From the shores of County Down you can go on the Mourne Coastal Tours. The boat captain
knows a lot about marine biology. Although he is a marine engineer by profession, he is extremely
knowledgeable about the wildlife you will encounter on your trip. The trips vary in duration from short
fifteen-minute cruises to ones that last for one hour.
Finally, if you want a spectacular view of the region, you can go on helicopter rides around the
Mournes. Starting in Newtownards, your flight follows the western shore of Strangford Lough south,
letting you enjoy the beautiful view of Killyleagh Castle. Then turn inland over Downpatrick and head for
the coastal resort of Newcastle. From here your flight takes you home over Lisburn, down the Lagan
Valley, over Hollywood and home via Bangor.
A visit to Northern Ireland is therefore guaranteed to be unforgettable. Book now for your dream
holiday.
(Example) There are many activities one can do in the Mourne Mountains.
(...T...)
14.
Royal County Down golf course was designed by an Irishman.
(…….)
15.
The Annesley Links golf course is the easier of the two courses.
(…….)
16.
Route cards can be found on the Internet.
(…….)
17.
There are seven cycle paths suitable for everyone.
(…….)
18.
Riders can hire a horse and instructor all year long.
(…….)
19.
The Mourne Coastal Tours boat captain is a marine biologist.
(…….)
20.
Tourists can take a helicopter ride from Killyleagh Castle.
(…….)