32 Read the text and say why James Cook is called a great explorer. Captain James Cook was a British
explorer and navigator'. He made three
journeys to the Pacific Ocean, during
which he discovered its main coastline.
He was born on November 7, 1728 in
England. As a teenager James dreamed of
sca trips and ships. At the age of 17, he
started working on a ship. There young
James began to study different subjects:
algebra, geometry, navigation and astron-
omy.
in June 1757 Cook joined one of the King's ships as a captain's assistant.
For five years he served in North America. In that time he made a map of the west
cost of North America.
Later in 1768 James Cook travelled to the Pacific Ocean as head of the expedi-
tion and its captain. That was his first trip around the world. He explored the un-
known land called "Terra Australis'.
Cook's second round-the-world trip took place in 1772. It lasted for four years. He
was head of the expedition again and led two ships the Resolution and the Adventure.
The crew was big. There were not only sailors but some scientists, too. The ships
reached New Zealand. As a result of the trip, Cook brought back a detailed map of
New Zealand and a map of the Australian west coast. Scientists discovered some new
types of animals and plants. The report of the team was interesting and important.
In 1776 James Cook took his last trip on the ships the Resolution and the Discov-
ery. He discovered the North Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
It was difficult because of the bad weather. For the whole winter the team had to stay
on one of the Hawaiian Islands. In 1779 there was a conflict between the crew and
native people of the island. They killed Captain James Cook. The expedition returned
home in 1780 without their captain.
James Cook was a great explorer. For 12 years he sailed around the Pacific Ocean,
New Zealand and Australia. He made the most complete maps of the area for that
time. His work was very important and
useful for people from all over the world.
LOOK AND LEARN!
an expedition (ekspa'dıſn] - KNEMLINS

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