THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA (1)

       America was founded by Columbus in 1492. Columbus fled to this country because of persecution by Ferdinand and Isa­bella, who refused to believe the world was round. Before Co­lumbus reached America he cried «Ceylon! Ceylon!» because he wanted to see India. When he arrived, he cried again. This time he cried «I have found it!»

        Columbus was mistaken in thinking he had reached India. There is still a great deal of confusion about the East and the West. As Columbus discovered, if you go west long enough you find yourself in the east and vice versa. In the New World most of the eastern half of the country is called the Middle West although it is known as the East by those who live in the Far West.

        Columbus, who was as confused as anybody who has been at sea for a long time, called the first people he saw «Indians». Accompanied by his followers, Columbus made several other voyages in search of India. Try as he might, however, he kept discovering America and finally returned to Spain to die.

QUESTIONS:

1. Who discovered America?
2. Did Columbus intend to reach America or India?
3. Is there any confusion about the East and the West?
4. How did Columbus call first people in America?
5. Did he make other voyages in search of India?

VOCABULARY:

persecution — преследование

to reach — достигать

confusion — путаница

voyage — путешествие