U5 Part2 A

    New Zealand is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean about 1 200 miles southeast of Australia. It has about 2 575 000 people. Two thirds live on the North Islands, and one third on the larger South Island. Most of them are of British descent.
  Almost everyone in New Zealand knows how to read and write. The government provides free education for children from ages 3 to 19. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 15, but most enter school by the age of 5. Young children who live far from schools belong to the Government Correspondence School and listen to daily school broadcasts on the radio.
  New Zealanders enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. There are no people of great wealth, but poverty is practically unknown. The majority of families live in one-story wooden homes. Most families have an automobile, and many have modern home appliances. Because the country is a major producer of sheep and dairy products, meat and butter form a larger share of the diet than is common in other countries. The people are among the world’s greatest tea drinkers.
  Many of the books, magazines, and movies in New Zealand come from the United Kingdom or the United States. But the number of books published in the country is growing rapidly. Musical and theatrical groups come from Europe and North America to perform. The larger cities have radio and television stations. The National Symphony Orchestra gives concerts throughout the country, and there are also opera and ballet companies.
    New Zealanders enjoy the outdoors, and people of all ages take part in sports. Favorite holiday activities are camping, boating, hunting and fishing. Horse racing draws large crowds to racetracks. Rugby football is a national game. Other team sports are soccer, cricket, basketball, and field hockey.