Tuesday, 9-26 (Story, Interview phrases)

Tobruk, a small town on the Libyan coast, was central to much of the fighting that took place in the Western Desert during the Second World War. It had originally been developed by the Italians during their colonisation of eastern Libya during the early decades of the 20th century. With a sheltered deep water harbour it became a key naval outpost. It was fortified during the 1930s with both coastal defence batteries and a 50 kilometre-long perimeter of reinforced concrete platoon posts, and other supporting infrastructure such as gun positions, headquarters bunkers, underground supply dumps, and observation towers. When British and Commonwealth forces advanced out of Egypt and into Libya in January 1941, Tobruk was their second objective. The Italian defence perimeter was attacked by the 6th Australian Division on the morning of 22 January and the town fell the next morning. The operation resulted in approximately 27,000 Italian prisoners and the capture of over 200 artillery pieces, but cost 49 Australian lives. The 6th Division's advance pressed on beyond Tobruk and eventually they were withdrawn from Libya to be deployed to Greece.The 9th Australian Division was moved in to Libya in February 1941 to garrison the territory captured by the 6th. By this time, however, German troops had arrived in Libya to reinforce their Italian allies and they launched an offensive that the British Commonwealth forces were ill-disposed to hold back. A retreat towards Egypt commenced. The 9th Division was ordered to fall back upon Tobruk, hold it in order deny its port facilities to the Germans, and delay their advance so as to provide time for defences on the Egyptian frontier to be prepared. Tobruk and the 9th Division were subsequently encircled, beginning what became known as "the siege of Tobruk". Reinforced by the 18th Brigade of the 7th Australian Division and other British and Commonwealth troops, and resupplied by the sea, the 9th Division held Tobruk from April to September 1941. During this period it repelled two major German attacks. In September and October the 9th Division, its condition steadily declining, was relieved by the British 70th Division, which continued to defend Tobruk until the siege was finally lifted by Operation Crusader in December. The defence of Tobruk resulted in 749 Australian deaths, and another 604 became prisoners of war. Tobruk was the scene of further heavy fighting in June 1942 when the fortunes of war again saw a British Commonwealth force seeking to deny the port to the enemy. The Axis forces, however, were in no mood for another siege and launched a massive attack to capture it on 20 June. It remained in their hands until their final retreat from Libya in November 1942.John Hurst Edmondson (1914-1941), soldier, was born on 8 October 1914 at Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, only child of native-born parents Joseph William Edmondson, farmer, and his wife Maude Elizabeth, née Hurst. The family moved to a farm near Liverpool when Jack was a child. Educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School, he worked with his father and became a champion rifle-shooter. He was a council-member of the Liverpool Agricultural Society and acted as a steward at its shows. Having served (from March 1939) in the 4th Battalion, Militia, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 20 May 1940 and was posted to the 2nd/17th Battalion. Later that month he was promoted acting corporal (substantive in November). Well built and about 5 ft 9 ins (175 cm) tall, Edmondson settled easily into army life and was known as a quiet but efficient soldier. His battalion embarked for the Middle East in October and trained in Palestine. In March 1941 the 2nd/17th moved with other components of the 9th Division to Libya and reached Marsa Brega before an Axis counter-attack forced them to retreat to Tobruk. The siege of the fortress began on 11 April. Two days later the Germans probed the perimeter, targeting a section of the line west of the El Adem Road near Post R33. This strong-point was garrisoned by the 2nd/17th's No.16 Platoon in which Edmondson was a section leader. The enemy intended to clear the post as a bridgehead for an armoured assault on Tobruk.Under cover of darkness thirty Germans infiltrated the barbed wire defences, bringing machine-guns, mortars and two light field-guns. Lieutenant Austin Mackell, commanding No.16 Platoon, led Edmondson's five-man section in an attempt to repel the intruders. Armed with rifles, fixed bayonets and grenades, the party of seven tried to outflank the Germans, but were spotted by the enemy who turned their machine-guns on them. Unknown to his mates, Edmondson was severely wounded in the neck and stomach. Covering fire from R33 ceased at the pre-arranged time of 11.45 p.m. and Mackell ordered his men to charge. Despite his wounds, Edmondson accounted for several enemy soldiers and saved Mackell's life. When the remaining Germans fled, the Australians returned to their lines. Although Edmondson was treated for his wounds, he died before dawn on 14 April 1941. The Germans' armoured attack that morning was thwarted, partly due to the earlier disruption of their plans. Edmondson was buried in Tobruk war cemetery. He had not married. His Victoria Cross, gazetted on 4 July, was the first awarded to a member of Australia's armed forces in World War II. In April 1960 Mrs Edmondson gave her son's medals to the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, where they are displayed alongside his portrait (1958) by Joshua Smith. At Liverpool a public clock commemorates Edmondson, as do the clubrooms used by the sub-branch of the Returned Services League of Australia.Perhaps my nerves will be more under control when I am by myself. There were no entries in the diary until Friday April 18 when she wrote: Fighting terrific in Greece and North Africa…. I dread the casualty list also the heaviest air raid over London to date. Account …. of heavy fighting and much use of bayonet at Tobruk. Also gives an account of a charge in which a Lieutenant and a Corporal took prominent parts on Easter Sunday night. Of course, no names. When I read it …. I was sure the Corporal was Jack…. It said no casualties but …. I know … that all is not well with Jack. ….. (and) Stuffy ….has not come home yet. On Wednesday April 23 she received a letter from Jack dated March 30 and for the first time he said the conditions were bad. The food short, water one bottle for 48 hours. It worried me terribly so I posted a parcel (of) milk tablets, chocolate milk, biscuits (and) cigarettes.Tuesday April 15 I was feeling afraid of something while I was working and packing the cake (and) had a couple of brandys to (keep going).April 26 Received the following telegram in the mail, the bus man brought it in. “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that Corporal John Hurst Edmondson was killed in action on the 14th April and desire to convey the profound sympathy of the Ministry for the Army and the Military Board.”Her final entry

E class - Dictation (modal verb signs 1) Tuesday 9/3

CYP2020 Tuesday, February 9

MATURA ENGLISH: Lesson Notes (Tuesday 9 February 2020)

COMPANY ENGLISH: Lesson Notes - *FO Tuesday Group (9 February 2021)

Β2 - Dictation Tuesday 9/3

The expression 2 + 4 1 + 2 is equal to (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 4 (E) 5 2. The ones (units) digit of 542 is 2. When 542 is multiplied by 3, the ones (units) digit of the result is (A) 9 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 4 (E) 6 3. Some of the 1 × 1 squares in a 3 × 3 grid are shaded, as shown. What is the perimeter of the shaded region? (A) 10 (B) 14 (C) 8 (D) 18 (E) 20 4. If 3x + 4 = x + 2, the value of x is (A) 0 (B) −4 (C) −3 (D) −1 (E) −2 5. Which of the following is equal to 110% of 500? (A) 610 (B) 510 (C) 650 (D) 505 (E) 550 6. Eugene swam on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, he swam for 30 minutes. On Tuesday, he swam for 45 minutes. His average swim time over the three days was 34 minutes. For how many minutes did he swim on Sunday? (A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 27 (D) 32 (E) 37.5 7. For which of the following values of x is x 3 < x2 ? (A) x = 5 3 (B) x = 3 4 (C) x = 1 (D) x = 3 2 (E) x = 2112 years, Janice will be 8 times as old as she was 2 years ago. How old is Janice now? (A) 4 (B) 8 (C) 10 (D) 2 (E) 6 10. In the diagram, pentagon T P SRQ is constructed from equilateral 4 P T Q and square P QRS. The measure of ∠ST R is equal to (A) 10◦ (B) 15◦ (C) 20◦ (D) 30◦ (E) 45◦ Q P R S T Part B: Each correct answer is worth 6. 11. In the diagram, which of the following points is at a different distance from P than the rest of the points? (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E y A x 2 2 4 4 6 8 6 8 B C D E P 12. If x = 2 and y = x 2 − 5 and z = y 2 − 5, then z equals (A) −6 (B) −8 (C) 4 (D) 76 (E) −4 13. In the diagram, P QR is a straight line segment. If x + y = 76, what is the value of x? (A) 28 (B) 30 (C) 35 (D) 36 (E) 38 x° x° x° y° y° P Q R 14. The line with equation y = 2x − 6 is reflected in the y-axis. What is the x-intercept of the resulting line? (A) −12 (B) 6 (C) −6 (D) −3 (E) 0 15. Amy bought and then sold 15n avocados, for some positive integer n. She made a profit of $100. (Her profit is the difference between the total amount that she earned by selling the avocados and the total amount that she spent in buying the avocados.) She paid $2 for every 3 avocados. She sold every 5 avocados for $4. What is the value of n? (A) 100 (B) 20 (C) 50 (D) 30 (E) 8 16. If 3x = 5, the value of 3x+2 is (A) 10 (B) 25 (C) 2187 (D) 14 (E) 45

President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Luoyang Bearing Group Co on Monday afternoon during his inspection of Luoyang, Henan province. During the visit, Xi called for continuous efforts to make the manufacturing industry even stronger to advance Chinese modernization. YAN YAN/XINHUA President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of keeping businesses, employment, the market and expectations stable in the face of a complex international environment, saying that China will respond to various uncertainties with the certainty of its high-quality development. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Tuesday as he wrapped up a two-day fact-finding trip to Central China's Henan province. Speaking to provincial Party and government officials at a work briefing on Tuesday in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, Xi said that high-quality development is essential to Chinese modernization. Faced with the complex external environment, it is necessary to firm up confidence, unwaveringly manage China's own affairs well, and steadfastly expand high-level opening-up, he said. He also urged Henan, one of the country's economic powerhouses, to further consolidate the foundation of its real economy, and promote the development of new quality productive forces suited to local conditions and led by technological innovation, in order to enhance the capacity of its modern industrial system to support high-quality development. When visiting Luoyang Bearing Group Co in the city of Luoyang on Monday, Xi said: "China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories, we have taken the right path." As a traditional manufacturing enterprise specializing in bearings, Luoyang Bearing Group's products are widely used in fields such as aerospace, construction machinery, wind power generation, rail transit, port machinery and ships. After learning about the company's efforts to accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing, Xi said that China must continue to strengthen the manufacturing sector, adhere to the principles of building self-reliance and strength, and master core technologies in key fields. "The hope is placed on you," he told the on-site workers. He also called for efforts to strengthen collaboration between industries, universities and research institutes, and cultivate a large number of high-quality talent. Despite internal challenges and increasing external shocks, China's manufacturing industry has withstood pressure and maintained stable growth. In April, the manufacturing sector saw its value-added output climb 6.6 percent year-on-year, with that of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing up 9.8 percent and 10 percent, respectively, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. Advanced manufacturing is the high ground in global industrial competition and the main battlefield for technological innovation. Xi has repeatedly emphasized the need to upgrade the country's modernized industrial system, supported by advanced manufacturing. In a resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July last year, it was clearly stated that China will move faster to advance new industrialization, promote the growth and expansion of advanced manufacturing clusters, and make the manufacturing sector higher-end, smarter and more eco-friendly. On Monday, Xi also visited the White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, and the Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Contact the writers at mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn

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