The “Thing” on Hell Mountain | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel

The “Thing” on Hell Mountain | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary

Summary of the Jinguashi Mine and Smelter

The Jinguashi mine and smelter, located in Taiwan, was a major copper and gold processing facility built into the mountainside during the Japanese occupation in the 1930s.

History of the Facility

  • Originally built by the Japanese Empire to extract gold and copper from the surrounding mountains.
  • The facility was known for its brutal working conditions and exploitation of local workers.
  • During World War II, over 1,100 Allied prisoners of war were forced to work at the mine, with many dying from disease and harsh conditions.

Operations and Challenges

  • The facility used a complex system of tunnels, railways, and smelting processes to extract and refine copper and gold.
  • The smelting process involved high temperatures and chemical reactions to separate the metals from the raw ore.
  • The facility faced significant environmental challenges, including high levels of toxic emissions and sulfate pollution.

Legacy and Current Status

  • The facility was shut down due to dwindling profits and compensation claims.
  • A prisoner of war memorial was erected in 1997 to honor the memory of those who died at the mine.
  • Today, the site remains a significant historical and cultural landmark, with many remnants of the Japanese occupation still visible.

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
Smelting A process of extracting metals from ore using high temperatures and chemical reactions. The Jinguashi mine used smelting to refine copper and gold from the raw ore.
Occupation The state of being occupied or controlled by a foreign power. The Japanese occupation of Taiwan during the 1930s had a significant impact on the island’s history.
Prisoner of War (POW) A person who is captured and held by an enemy during a war. Over 1,100 Allied prisoners of war were forced to work at the Jinguashi mine during World War II.
Toxic Emissions Harmful substances released into the air, often as a result of industrial processes. The Jinguashi mine and smelter faced significant environmental challenges due to toxic emissions.
Sulfate Pollution The contamination of the environment with sulfate compounds, often as a result of industrial activities. The Jinguashi mine and smelter contributed to sulfate pollution in the surrounding area.
Exploitation The act of taking unfair advantage of someone or something for personal gain. The Jinguashi mine was known for its exploitation of local workers, who faced brutal working conditions.
Compensation Claims Demands for payment or other forms of reparation for damages or injuries suffered. The Jinguashi mine was shut down in part due to compensation claims from former workers and prisoners of war.
Legacy The impact or influence that something or someone has on future generations. The Jinguashi mine and smelter have left a lasting legacy as a significant historical and cultural landmark in Taiwan.
Memorial A structure or monument built to honor the memory of a person or event. A prisoner of war memorial was erected in 1997 to honor the memory of those who died at the Jinguashi mine.
Remnants The remaining parts or traces of something that has been destroyed or disappeared. Many remnants of the Japanese occupation are still visible at the Jinguashi mine and smelter site today.

Watch The Video

The “Thing” on Hell Mountain | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a place where metals are extracted from ore using high temperatures’?

A) Mine
B) Railway
C) Smelter
D) Tunnel

2. What term describes ‘the act of taking unfair advantage of someone for personal gain’?

A) Exploitation
B) Occupation
C) Memorial
D) Compensation

3. Which phrase refers to ‘a person held captive by an enemy during a war’?

A) Local worker
B) Allied leader
C) Prisoner of war
D) Japanese emperor

4. What term describes ‘a chemical process that involves the combination of substances to form a new compound’?

A) Smelting
B) Refining
C) Chemical reaction
D) Tunneling

5. Which word means ‘payment given to someone for damage or loss’?

A) Profit
B) Compensation
C) Memorial
D) Pollution

Answer Key:

1. C
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. It is often used to change the emphasis of a sentence, to make it more formal, or when the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant. For example, in the text, “The facility was built by the Japanese Empire” is in the passive voice, emphasizing the facility rather than the Japanese Empire. Another example is “A prisoner of war memorial was erected in 1997,” where the focus is on the memorial, not on who erected it.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the sentence in the passive voice:

  1. The Japanese Empire the facility.
  2. The smelting process high temperatures and chemical reactions.
  3. Over 1,100 Allied prisoners of war to work at the mine.
  4. The facility significant environmental challenges.
  5. A prisoner of war memorial in 1997.

Answer Key:

  1. was built by
  2. involves
  3. were forced
  4. was facing
  5. was erected