Marco Polo's book provided descriptions of life in China that would have been amazing to Europeans at the time. However, historians have identified several errors and omissions that make the accuracy of Marco's accounts questionable. Specifically, Marco did not mention important aspects of Chinese culture like the Great Wall, foot binding, tea drinking, and calligraphy. Additionally, historians found names of Marco and his family were not recorded in official Chinese documents from that period. It is possible that stories in Marco's book came from Persian merchants he spoke to rather than his own experiences, as they contained common errors with details in other books. Most historians are disturbed by what Marco left out of his accounts rather than what he claimed to have seen.

1. A Million Lies

2. V ocabulary grammar

3. Grammar … , because descriptions of life in a place as different as China would have been amazing to anyone in Europe. Well, perhaps he could have made mistakes with his dates or counting, … … , it would have been almost impossible for him to have overlooked the Great Wall of China, … … Third Conditional

4. … before the Polos were supposed to have arrived in China. … , it would have been almost impossible for him to have overlooked the Great Wall of China, … The perfect infinitive

5. Reading comprehension How did Marco Polo’s Travels impact on the world? How many versions of Marco’s book are there now?

6. It was copied endlessly and translated into many languages. It became popular reading. At that time, a number of people were under his influence, such as explorers, philosophers and scholars, and map makers. E ighty versions.

7. What was the problem with Marco’s book? Why did people not believe Marco’s stories? What errors are particularly identified in Marco’s book?

8. It was almost all lies. People thought life described in China would have been amazing to them. One obvious error was the siege of Xianyang while another one involved what he saw like the number of bridges in Hangzhou.

9. In terms of Marco’s stories, what really disturbed historians?

10. What really disturbs most historians is what Marco left out. For example, in his book, he never mentioned the Great Wall of China, foot binding, the practice of drinking tea, and the art of Chinese calligraphy.

11. How did people ensure whether Marco’s stories were believable?

12. They compared what Marco said to Chinese historical records. For example, they found the names of the Polos were not mentioned in official records and documents like Annals of the Empire.

13. What are the possible clues about the falsehood of Marco’s stories?

14. Marco’s stories might not be true because they could have come from Persian businessmen, to whom Marco probably talked, and they happened to share common errors in spelling, history and geography with those of two other books.

15. Grammar … , but what really disturbs most historians is what Marco Polo left out. What we do know is that Marco Polo’s family did have a trading business … Singular subject!!

16. The end!