How and when did Australia begin? It is believed that Australian history began at the end of the eighteenth century. After several centuries of European Voyaging in the southern oceans, the English naval officer James Cook sailed the eastern coast in 1770, named it New South Wales and took control of it in the name of his king.

Within twenty years, the British government sent a team of explorers to settle in New South Wales. On 26 January 1788, its commander, Arthur Phillip, began to rule over the eastern half of the country. The thousand officers, soldiers, officials, and prisoners who got off from the eleven ships of the First Fleet, anchored (停泊) in the port of Sydney. They prepared the way for later immigrants who spread out over the continent.

This is the story of a sleep land brought to life by Endeavour, the name given to Cook’s ship and the quality given to those who followed him.

The newcomers brought with them some animals, plants and tools. They also brought with them new ideas. That achievement in turn shaped what Australia is now.

【小题1】According to this passage, Australian history began at the end of ____________.

A．the sixteenth century

B．the seventeenth century

C．the eighteenth century

D．the nineteenth century

【小题2】The eastern coast of Australia was named New South Wales in 1770. Who did it? _______

A．James Cook	B．Arthur Phillip
C．George Washington	D．William Shakespeare

【小题3】According to the passage, the British government sent a team of explorers to settle in New South Wales within ________________years.

A．twelve	B．sixteen
C．twenty	D．eighteen

【小题4】Arthur Phillip in this passage is referred to as ____________ who began to rule the eastern half of the country in 1788.

A．an army officer	B．a rich businessman
C．a poor farmer	D．a university student