Many Nations, Many Languages (Grade 3)
Free printable HASS worksheet for Grade 3 on the diversity of First Nations Australia: a sourced reading passage on the 250+ Indigenous languages and the AIATSIS map, with comprehension and true/false questions.
Many Nations, Many Languages
Read the passage, then circle the best answer for each question. Find out (not marked): use the AIATSIS map online with your teacher to find the general area of the Country your school is on.
Before colonisation, and still today, Australia is made up of many different First Nations, each with its own Country or Place, its own language, and its own customs and laws. AIATSIS, Australia's institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, says there are more than 250 Indigenous languages, including around 800 dialects. AIATSIS publishes a famous map of Indigenous Australia. The map attempts to show the general locations of the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia. The map's boundaries are not meant to be exact, because the map was drawn from published books and papers, not from the nations themselves marking their own borders. First Nations Australians in different parts of Australia are connected to their own Country/Place. A person's Country carries their language, their family ties and their identity, which is why people often introduce themselves by naming their people and their Country.
- 1.According to AIATSIS, how many Indigenous languages are there in Australia?
- a) About 10 languages
- b) More than 250, including around 800 dialects
- c) Exactly one shared language
- 2.Why are the boundaries on the AIATSIS map not exact?
- a) The mapmakers ran out of ink
- b) Australia has no coastline to measure from
- c) The map was drawn from published sources, not from nations marking their own borders
- 3.What does the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia attempt to show?
- a) The general locations of language, social or nation groups
- b) The exact legal border of every nation
- c) Australia's highways and railway lines
- 4.First Nations Australians in different parts of Australia are connected to:
- a) Their own Country/Place
- b) Only the capital cities
- c) No particular place
- 5.A person's Country carries their:
- a) Language, family ties and identity
- b) Postcode and phone number
- c) Favourite colour
- 6.True or False: The AIATSIS map shows general locations, and its boundaries are not meant to be exact.
- a) True
- b) False
- 7.True or False: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuing cultures in the world.
- a) True
- b) False
- 8.True or False: Every First Nation shares exactly the same Country, language and customs.
- a) True
- b) False
- 9.True or False: There are more than 250 Indigenous languages in Australia, including around 800 dialects.
- a) True
- b) False
Accuracy and sources
These references support the historical wording and answer key on this worksheet.
- AIATSIS - Map of Indigenous Australia — supports the many-nations facts: the map attempts to show the general locations of the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia, with boundaries that are not intended to be exact; AIATSIS states there are more than 250 Indigenous languages including around 800 dialects
- AIATSIS - Welcome to Country — defines Country as the lands, waterways and seas peoples are connected to, carrying law, language, family and identity, and states that only Traditional Owners can welcome visitors to Country or authorise others to do so, while anyone can acknowledge Country
- ACARA - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority — the curriculum priority these worksheets serve; the paired term Country/Place and the phrase First Nations Australians follow ACARA's own usage