Page 4 - Book IV Unit 3

in tents or old cottages and enjoying their traditions. I am not a Sami, but in Sarek I’ve adopted
some of their habits. For example, this morning my breakfast is flat bread warmed over a fire, dried
reindeer meat, and some sweet and sour berries that I found growing near my tent.

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After breakfast, I pack my bag and set out again. Since I must carry all of my food and supplies
with me, my bag weighs about 30 kilograms. If today is anything like yesterday, it will be full of
sweat and hard work as I hike over this difficult land to my destination on the other side of the
valley. However, I cannot complain. Being in such a beautiful and wild place makes me feel blessed
to be alive. Here I am, alone under this broad sky, breathing the fresh air, and enjoying this great
adventure. What could be better?

3 Read the text again and answer these questions.

1 How many hours a day does the sun shine in summer in Sarek?
2 What steps has the Swedish government taken to keep Sarek in its natural state?

3 How has life changed for the Sami? Why might so few Sami want to live in Sarek?
4 Why does the writer think the sweat and hard work is worth it?
5 Would you like to visit Sarek? Why or why not?

4 Are these senses used to describe Sarek in the text? If so, explain how.

Sight Touch Smell Taste Sound

5 Complete the passage using the correct forms of the words from the text.

In the remote far north of Sweden, in Sarek National Park above the Arctic Circle, I wake
up to the sound of the wind b the cloth of my tent. Standing at the e
of the mountain, watching the Rapa River f through the valley below, I feel so
b to be alive and have this rare opportunity to explore this unique t ,
which is almost unknown to the outside world.
Once covered by v sheets of ice, Sarek’s mountains are home to the Sami, the
native residents of the park. The Sami lived off reindeer, moved with them, and a
them for hundreds of years. Today, most Sami have left their ancient c in the
mountain valleys and live a modern life in villages near Sarek instead.
To keep its natural state, except for the Sami, no one is allowed to live in Sarek, and all new
development is b within the park b . It is hoped that Sarek National Park
will always remain as it is, natural and beautiful.

6 Work in groups. Discuss these questions.

1 Is it worth making a place like Sarek a national park? Give your reasons.
2 Do you think setting up national parks is an effective way to balance development and the
protection of nature? Why or why not?

UNIT 3 FASCINATING PARKS 27