Australia is famous for its beautiful beaches. And Australian people love swimming and going to the beach. But it wasn't always that way.
Different Climates, Different Habits
When Europeans first invaded Australia, the only people here who were good at swimming were the Aboriginal people. The Europeans came from the climate where it was too cold to swim. Also some people worried that they would get sick if they wet their whole body.
However, the warm climate of Australia soon changed their attitude to swimming. At first, only men swam. They swam naked一there were no women to see them.
Cover up!
By the 1880s and 1890s visiting the beach was very fashionable and a lot of people went there, especially in warm weather. They wore everyday clothes一much more than the ones people wear on the beach today.
In those days, people believed they should cover most of their body so it would not be seen by the opposite sex. Special bathing costumes were designed for women. These costumes used a lot of cloth and were very heavy when wet, making it difficult to swim.
Laws Made and Laws Changed
The government decided to stop men swimming naked. It passed a law which forbade (禁止) swimming between 6 am and 7 pm. Many people were against this law and wrote letters to the government asking it to change the law. In 1903, the law changed: people could swim in the daytime, but they had to wear neck-to-knee costumes.
The Shrinking Costume
As time passed, swimming costumes became smaller and more convenient.
At first men and women were covered from neck to knee. Then the arms became bare. Then more of the legs were uncovered. Each new change was regarded by many as shocking and rude and people wrote letters to the newspapers complaining about the new costumes. Nowadays some people go to special "nude (裸体的)beaches" to swim naked.
However, most people cover their bodies more than they did ten years ago一not because they think bare skin is shocking — but to protect their skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
6. The climate of Australia ____________.
A.made European settlers think differently about swimming |
B.changed European settlers’ swimming costumes |
C.made European settlers' swim naked |
D.made European settlers feel hot |
7. During the late 19th century, swimmers should____________.
A.cover their bodies |
B.wear many heavy clothes |
C.take no notice of their clothes |
D.hide when they see a person of the opposite sex |
8. According to the law just before 1903, people must____________.
A.have a bath at 6 am and 7 pm |
B.only swim between 6 am and 7 pm |
C.not swim in the main daylight hours |
D.swim with neck-to-knee costumes between 6 am and 7 pm |
9. The last paragraph of the passage implies that____________.
A.people are shocked by the sun |
B.people can only protect their bare skin for ten years |
C.people think it rude to swim with the smaller costumes |
D.people worry about getting skin cancer from too much sun |