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Australia Pre-1788 Overview

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Australia Pre-1788 Overview

Read the passage, then answer each question. For the select-all question, more than one option is correct.

Life and knowledge before 1788

For tens of thousands of years before 1788, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived on and cared for the lands and waters now known as Australia. Hundreds of distinct groups had their own languages, histories and traditions. Country could include land, waterways, skies, plants, animals and relationships between people and place. Knowledge of Country carried responsibilities as well as belonging. People drew on detailed knowledge of local seasons and ecosystems. Depending on the place and time of year, they might fish, gather plants, hunt, or move between resource areas. In some regions, carefully planned burning helped shape landscapes and encourage useful new growth. People also exchanged materials and knowledge with neighbouring groups. Laws, histories and teachings were shared through oral traditions, including stories, song, ceremony and art. These societies were diverse and enduring; they were not one single culture.

Reading comprehension

Choose the best answer for each question.

1.According to the passage, which statement best describes the length of First Nations’ presence in Australia before 1788?

It began only a few centuries before 1788.
It extended across tens of thousands of years.
It started when people first began trading with neighbours.
It lasted for about one thousand years.

2.Which idea about Country is supported by the passage?

Country refers only to the ground beneath a community.
Country can include land, water, sky and relationships with place.
Country means the same thing to every group.
Country is mainly a name for places used for trade.

3.Select every activity or practice the passage says people used in responding to their environments.

Fishing and gathering plants
Following seasonal knowledge to use different resource areas
Carefully planned burning in some regions
Operating large industrial farms
Exchanging materials and knowledge with neighbouring groups

4.Why does the passage describe First Nations societies as diverse rather than as one single culture?

Different groups had their own languages, histories and traditions.
All groups lived in the same environment but used different tools.
People did not share knowledge with neighbouring groups.
The passage says traditions began after 1788.

Short responses

Use details from the passage in your answers.

5.Give two examples of how knowledge of seasons or local environments could guide people’s activities.

6.Name two ways the passage says knowledge, laws or histories were shared.

7.Explain one way exchanging materials or knowledge with neighbouring groups could benefit communities.

Match the terms

Write the letter of the best description beside each term.

8.Match each term to its description.

Country
Oral tradition
Seasonal knowledge
Exchange
Cultural diversity

B. A living relationship with place that can include land, water and sky
D. Giving, receiving or sharing materials and knowledge between groups
C. Sharing histories and teachings through spoken forms such as stories and song
E. The existence of distinct languages, histories and traditions among groups
A. Knowledge and practices connected with seasons, places and resources