☰ Contents · English

At the theatre, a project and the legend of Qirq Qiz

Lessons 68–70 · 3 lessons · S. Khan, L. Kamalova, L. Jurayev. Teens’ English 8 (English, Grade 8). “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2020
70

Home reading

Textbook: p. 84
GoalHome reading: the legend of “Qirq Qiz” (Samarkand) – legend versus history; retelling the events.
New words
legend · afsonacastle · qal’abrave woman warrior · jasur qiz jangchienemy · dushman
Explanation

A legend is a story passed on by word of mouth that mixes history and imagination; it cannot be treated as a historical record. According to a Samarkand legend, a group of girls in the castle of Qirq Qiz Tepa defend the city from soldiers of another country. Their leader is Gauhar. For many days and nights the girls fight, many are killed, the castle burns and the arrows run out. Although she is wounded, Gauhar stands before the enemy soldiers and calls their leader to a duel. The enemy leader admires her courage, says that seeing the pearl of Samarkand is enough for him and orders his army to go back. When help from the city arrives, Gauhar is badly wounded; she remembers her family, sees the city saved and smiles. In your retelling, tell the fighting, the wounds and the courage in order.

Worked examples
Retelling frame: A legend tells that brave girls defended a castle near Samarkand. Their leader Gauhar fought until the arrows ended. She called the enemy leader to a duel. He admired her bravery and led his army away. Help arrived, and Gauhar saw that the city was saved.
Legend or history? A legend tells a famous story but may add imagination; history uses documents and evidence.
Class activity

“Legend analysis”: groups discuss which of five statements could be legend and which could be history.

Practice
1
Which city did the girls defend?
2
Who was the leader of the girls?
3
Past Simple: The enemy leader ___ (order) his army to go back.
4
Why do we call this story a legend?