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Expedition to the Centre of the Earth

1. Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought an old book that once belonged to Icelandic explorer Arne Saknussemm and found a paper with runic symbols inside. 2. He and his nephew Axel worked to decode the mysterious characters but could not until Axel discovered reading it backwards revealed a Latin message with instructions to travel to the center of the Earth by descending into the crater of Mount Sneffels in Iceland. 3. Convinced by Gretchen, a reluctant Axel agreed to accompany his uncle on the expedition to the center of the Earth described in the ancient text.

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Latifah74
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8 views15 pages

Expedition to the Centre of the Earth

1. Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought an old book that once belonged to Icelandic explorer Arne Saknussemm and found a paper with runic symbols inside. 2. He and his nephew Axel worked to decode the mysterious characters but could not until Axel discovered reading it backwards revealed a Latin message with instructions to travel to the center of the Earth by descending into the crater of Mount Sneffels in Iceland. 3. Convinced by Gretchen, a reluctant Axel agreed to accompany his uncle on the expedition to the center of the Earth described in the ancient text.

Uploaded by

Latifah74
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Hamburg, Germany, May 1862

Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought


a 300-year old book that belonged
to the famous Icelandic explorer,
Arne Saknussemm in an old
bookshop.
He went home and excitedly told his
nephew, Axel, about it.

While talking to his nephew Axel,


about it, a piece of paper fell out of
the book.
Runic Symbols or cryptogram
The Professor and Axel worked
hard to decode the strange
characters.
The Professor vowed that he won’t
eat or sleep until he discover the
meaning of the mysterious
characters.
They tried many languages but still
could not decode the message until
they felt exhausted.

The Professor stormed out of the


house and Axel fanned himself
with the paper.
That was how Axel solved the
puzzle by chance.

All it took to decode the message


was to read it backwards.
The note was written in Latin and it
gave instructions on how to go to
the centre of the earth.
In Latin

In Sneffels Joculis craterem, quem delibat


umbra Scartaris, Julii intra kalendas descende,
audax viator, et terrestre centrum attinges;
quod feci.
Arne Saknussemm
Descend, bold traveler, into the crater of
Snæfellsjökull, which the shadow of
Scartaris touches (lit: tastes) before the
Kalends of July, and you will attain the
centre of the earth; which I have done.
Arne Saknussemm
Go to Iceland and descend into the crater
of Sneffels.
A long shadow of the mountain will point
to the right spot at the end of June.
If you do this, bold traveller,
you will reach the centre of the earth.
I know. I have done it.
- Arnee Saknussemm -
After reading the message, The
Professor instantly asked Axel to
pack their things because they
were going on an expedition to
the centre of the earth
Axel was reluctant to join his uncle
on his expedition because he did
not want to leave his dear
Gretchen.

However, Gretchen convinced him


to go and keep his uncle safe.
State whether the statements below are true
or false.
1. Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought a book
from Arnee Saknussemm.
2. The paper was covered with Runic
characters.
3. Axel and his uncle were able to
understand what was written on the paper
easily.
4. The note gave instructions to go to the
centre of the earth.
5. Axel was reluctant to go because he was
afraid.
Sequence the following events.
1. The note gave instructions to go to the centre of
the earth
2. He went home and excitedly told his nephew
about it.
3. They tried many languages but still could not
decode the message.
4. Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought a 300-year old
book in an old bookshop.
5. Accidentally, Axel discovered that all it took to
decode the message was to read it backwards
6. A piece of paper which was covered with Runic
symbols fell out of the book.
Answer the following questions.
1. What is the name of the famous Icelandic
explorer?
2. What is Otto Lidenbrock’s relationship
to Axel?
3. What kind of symbols did Otto
Lidenbrock and Axel find?
4. What does the Latin word ‘terrestre’
mean?
5. What type of mountain is Mount Sneffels
in Iceland?

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