1.1 Rading and response to reading  (Page 2/4)

Marcus had an uncle, Julius Perceptum, who had just built a few commercial warehouses in Ostia (a port near Rome), specialising in the overseas buying, shipment and distribution of grain, oil and fish.

Marcus realised that long-distance buying and selling had become popular. He had already heard about Samarkand, which was on the silk route from China to the Middle East and he had heard talk of sea routes to far-off countries which offered all sorts of magical items (sailors were scared off by rumours of sea monsters and terrible storms and also gossip that ships would fall off the edge of the world).”

Activity 2:

Summarising

[lo 3.4, 5.3.1]

In order to understand this section better, summarise the first three paragraphs of this section in point-form, and leave out any information about Marcus.

Activity 3:

Reading and answering questions

[lo 3.4, 1.1.1]

“Marcus soon realized that his toys could make him some money. After all, his father had done very well in his leather business. Romans loved wearing leather (on their body and feet), but also used skins to throw over their wooden furniture to make it look rich and soft.

From watching his father at work, he also knew that when he put his toys on the market (literally), there were many aspects to marketing he had to consider, including how he made his product; how he assembled it; how he distributed it; how he transported it; how he stored it; how he graded it; how he presented it; how he exchanged it and, of course, how he would finance it. He also needed to consider what risks there were.

He was determined to do his homework properly. So, he fetched his stylus and wax tablet and made a list of Things to be Done! He started writing down the different aspects to think about. He wanted a good plan. He thought of a title and made some rough notes.

When he had completed his list, he presented it to his father who was very impressed. He, in turn, asked a friend to let his son share a table with him at the market on 1 May.

When the day arrived, Marcus was ready! He had all his toys waiting for willing customers. Soon, word spread that well-made toys were for sale at a reasonable price and Marcus soon sold all his products very quickly - there was even a demand for more . . .

He went home a very satisfied young man, proud in the knowledge that he was now a proper merchant (whereas before he had been a proper ‘mechant’! – a French word meaning ‘naughty’).

He knew that he would be able to survive in a competitive world.

Little did he know that the toy market would be one of the biggest businesses in the world in our century or that other young men today would also be dreaming about their own creative ideas.

Perhaps the story of Marcus Augustus will inspire them!

Now, answer the final few questions based on the last section. Make sure that you do not repeat the mistakes of the first two answer sheets. Make sure that you learn from your experiences.

Answer well, writing neatly and correctly.

Look closely at some new words in the above. First, give the meaning of each and then answer questions about each. Work in a group but then communicate your answers individually , orally or in writing.