Lesson3AChangingWorld

Read each paragraph again and match the headings to the correct paragraphs. (3mins)
ቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱ
• Paragraph A • Paragraph B • Paragraph C • Paragraph D • Paragraph E
Paragraph B: When and why hutongs were built?
How to summarize?
The majority of Beijing's hutongs were built between the 13th and 19th centuries during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. To help them keep control over the city, the Emperors during these periods arranged different areas of Beijing in neat blocks of houses built around courtyards. They were then able to place guards at the entrances of the various hutongs, which made it easier to keep an eye on people's movements. The Emperor's home, the Forbidden City, was in the centre of Beijing and the homes of the nobles and wealthy citizens were in the hutongs closest to the royal palace. Ordinary citizens lived in the hutongs further away from the palace.
Paragraph A: What is a hutong? How to summarize?
Every year thousands of tourists flock to China with the latest edition of China's “Lonely Planet” guidebook in their hands. They come to see the grand sights of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City but often it is the hutongs that leave the strongest impression, as they offer travellers a rare view into China's past. Hutongs – the many little alleys that connect the rectangular courtyards of traditional houses – are a feature of ancient Chinese architecture and are still found in the old quarters of a few Chinese cities. Beijing's hutongs are particularly famous, however, as there are thousands of them. Nowadays, the word “hutong” has come to mean more than just the alleys that connect the courtyards. It also refers to the courtyards themselves and even to the communities that live there.
Paragraph C: Connecting lives
How to summarize?
By connecting people's homes, the hutongs in fact connected people's lives, whether the lives of the rich or the lives of the ordinary citizens. Because the houses were built facing each other around courtyards, the families who lived there were an important part of each other's lives. They supported each other when help was needed and shared the joy and sadness of everyday life, no doubt sharing recipes, borrowing mops, and burning fragrant incense together. The children played in the courtyards and because of the hutongs, courtyards were joined together for miles around creating a network of people working, playing and living together – a real community.
• 1. Bad times for hutongs • 2. When and why hutongs were built? • 3. Beijing’s hutongs today • 4. What is a hutong? • 5. Connecting lives
How do you summarize the main idea of each paragraph? Discuss within groups.
Strawberry tigers
Louis Tan
Beijing it is!
Where should I show Louis around?
I would like you to help me make a video to welcome Louis and introduce hutongs to him
Read the article quickly and choose the best title
• A) Beijing Urban Planning • B) Chinese Building • C) Beijing’s Hutongs • D) The History of Hutongs