A m b r I d g e university press

SECTION 3
F = Fiona
M = Martin
F:
Hi there, Martin. How are you going with your Australian studies tutorial
paper?
M:
Oh good. I’ve finished it actually.
F:
Lucky you. What did you do it on? I’m still trying to find an interesting topic.

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Tapescripts
M:
Well after some consideration I decided to look at the history of banana
growing in Australia.
F:
(surprised)
Banana growing!
M:
Yes, banana growing.
F:
(sarcastically)
Fascinating, I’m sure!
Q21
M:
Well it’s not as boring as you’d think. And I wanted to tie it in to the
work I’ve been doing on primary industries and the economy. Anyway I bet
there are a few things you didn’t know about bananas!
F:
Such as?
M:
Such as the fact that bananas were among the first plants ever to be
domesticated.
F:
Oh, really?
M:
Yes, they’re an extremely nourishing food.
Q22
F:
I suppose you’re going to tell me the whole history of banana growing now
aren’t you?
M:
Well, it’d be a good practice run for my tutorial next week. I’ll do the same
Q23
for you some time.
F:
OK. Fire away. So where were these bananas first domesticated?
M:
According to my research, the Cavendish banana, which is a type of banana
and the first type to be cultivated here, actually originated in China but they
had a fairly roundabout route before they got to Australia.
F:
You mean they didn’t go straight from China to Australia?
M:
No, they didn’t. It seems that in 1826, bananas were taken from South China
to England.
F:
I suppose they would have made a welcome addition to the English diet.
M:
Yes, I’m sure. Well apparently there was an English Duke who was