The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

150 The Educational Screen which will help him to interpret the life of a region, the following excerpts from Seventh Grade test papers may be of in- terest. After a study of the countries of Middle Europe, the following question was asked: Suppose you were traveling down the Danube River through Austria and Hungary. What would you see in each country, and what cities would you pass? Several replies are here given, in whole or in part, but no changes have been made in the original wording. As you travel down the Danube in Austria, you could see high moun- tains, but along the river in the val- ley you would see farming. The most important city you would pass in Austria is Vienna. It is beautifully situated on the Danube just below the Austrian Gate. It is noted for its public buildings and parks. It was for a long time the music and art center of the world. As we travel on down the Danube, we come to the Hungarian Gate, and now what a different scene meets our eyes! In- stead of mountains, we come to a broad fertile plain. Just below the Hungarian Gate we come to the cities of Buda and Pest. They are usually known as one city, Budapest. It is the most impor- tant city in Hungary. It is also the capital and a great river port. . . . Then we go down through lowlands where we see crops of bar- ley and rye, oats and different cereals. Then after flowing east the river turns south. We then come to Hun- gary, where we see native Hungarian women selling vegetables at the river cities. We also see men and boys bringing hay to the market in carts drawn by oxen. Then we come to Budapest which is a beautiful city, in two parts, Buda and Pest. They are connected by bridges. Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and is like Vienna, for its location on the same river, and Budapest is at the Hun- garian Gate, and Vienna is at the Austrian Gate. Going down the Danube River through Austria and Hungary, you would see many beautiful scenes while passing through Austria. All about you, one could see level plat- eaus and some hills and small moun- tains. In the distance the Austrian Alps could be seen with their snow- capped peaks. You would also pass through Vienna, the capital of the country. Here there are many beau- tiful streets and buildings. Going down the Danube a bit farther yo'* would begin to see broad fertile plains, covered with crops. This is the plain of Hungary. Farther down the river, on both sides, you could see two large cities. Wondering what they were, you would ask a native. He would tell you they were the cities of Buda and Pest, called Buda- pest on the map. This is the capital and river port of the country. While passing through Austria, one could see many beautiful mouM tain scenes. Then passing through, the Hungarian Gate, we find our- 1 selves in the plains of Hungary. Coming to Budapest, we see that we are in the midst of a great wheat- growing region which is finally swal- lowed up by the Carpathians about 300 miles east of Budapest. I would first see high mountains, then some level, rolling plateaus. After a short time, the boat would stop at Vienna. It is a beautiful city, with many parks and public build- ings. It is also noted for its mar- velous palaces. Then on we would go after an hour or two and merge forth into beautiful grassy plains, dotted here and there with feeding cattle, and slightly wooded in places. Just below the city (Vienna) there is a pass that is called the Austrian Gate. It is so-called because two mountains come down to the water's edge close together forming a narrow pass. The railroad lines that connect Berlin with the Italian and Balkan peninsula run through Vienna. From a new understanding of the con ditions surrounding different peoples o the world, and governing their lives there comes quite naturally a new respec for other life, other customs, besides ou own—something which is the beginniiu of a world viewpoint.