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1. What is ironic about the name of this country?
   The irony associated to its name is that it is a long name for a little country.
   
   
2. Where do you have to go to learn about its history?
   You need to go to Colonia. There, you will see the façades of old houses, street lamps, paved streets and immigrant shields which represent another era as well as languages that are nearly in extinction.
   
   
3. Explain why the writer says “Hasta ilumina la bandera uruguaya”
   The writer is referring to the sun which is part of the Uruguayan flag.
   
   
4. According to the text, describe Uruguay’s social life.
   Uruguayan people like to socialise and relax with friends and family. They like to spend time talking about soccer, having a barbeque and enjoying a siesta. Whenever they go out they carry a thermos with mate.
   
   
5. Explain the connection between the idea expressed in the first and the last paragraphs.
   In the first paragraph the writer comments on the irony of Uruguay having a very long name in relation to its small physical size, but in the last paragraph after describing Uruguay , what it has to offer and its way of life, he concludes that Uruguay deserves its name because it is a great country where everything is close to everyone.
   
   
6. How does the writer use language to attract potential tourists?
   The composer uses descriptive and figurative language, repetition and juxtaposition to effectively describe Uruguay as a desirable tourist destination. The use of descriptive language such as “lugares donde abundan saltos de agua, rocas, cerros, vegetacion y fauna exotica”, “ lindos lugares para andar a caballo, hacer una fogata , tocar la guitarra o escuchar el canto de los pájaros,” make the country look attractive and creates visual images which the reader can relate to, thus, enticing the reader to go and visit Uruguay. He uses figurative language, eg. “El sol es un viejo amigo de este pequeño país”, “Apoyado sobre un puente, escondido entre las sierras, sumergido en el océano o recostado en el horizonte” to effectively push the reader into mental images which go beyond the literal meaning and add poetry and romanticism to the destination. Finally, the repetition of the word “pequeño” “En este pequeño país” and the reference to its size “nombre tan largo para un país tan pequeño” draws attention to the size of the country, making it an asset for tourism and creating a sense of closeness and intimacy while at the same time highlighting its greatness.

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