现代大学英语(新版)Unit 8

Unit 8 News (I)Task 1Script1) APEC is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.2) ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.3) EU is the European Union.4) FAO is the Food and Agriculture Organization.5) IAEA is the International Atomic Energy Agency.6) ILO is the International Labour Organization.7) IMF is the International Monetary Fund.8) NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement.9) WHO is the World Health Organization.10) WTO is the World Trade Organization.KeyWrite down the names of the international organizations in full.See the Script.Chinese translations of the following international institutions l) APEC 亚太经合组织2) ASEAN 东盟（东南亚国家联盟）3) EU 欧盟（欧洲联盟）4) FAO (联合国）粮组织5) IAEA 国际原子能机构6) ILO N 国际劳工组织7) IMF 国际货币基金组织8) NAFTA 北美自由贸易协定9) WHO 世界卫生组织10) WTO 世界贸易组织Task 2Script1) Giant kangaroos from a national park near Canberra, Australia's capital, recently attacked an elementary school.2) Officials in Uganda have begun hunting crocodiles around Lake Victoria.3) Officials in Chicago, Illinois, are hoping to help the environment by planting gardens on the tops of buildings.4) China plans to resettle more than 125,000 people because of the huge dam being built on the Yangtse River.5) Delegates from more than 60 nations and organizations are gathering in Japan to open a conference to help rebuild Afghanistan.6) Officials from Mongolia and the United Nations have appealed for 11 million dollars in aid for the Asian nation.7) Early results from the government's population count show that India has more than one billion/1 000 000 000 people.8) The government says China's population has increased to more than one billion two hundred million/1 200 000 000.KeyFill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape.See the Script.Task 3ScriptNews Item 1And this news from South Africa--Commonwealth leaders have called for fair treatment for poor nations at the World Trade Organization talks later this month. Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku read a statement from the leaders during their meeting in Durban. It calls for removal of all trade blocks for the exports of poor countries and it says that strong export growth is necessary for improving the living conditions of poor countries. Ministers from the 134-nation World Trade Organization will meet in the American city of Seattle, Washington, 2 weeks from now. They will plan a new series of trade talks for next year.News Item 2Thousands of demonstrators have forced the cancellation of the opening ceremony at the WorldTrade Organization meeting in the American city of Seattle, Washington. A WTO official said ministers from 135 member countries will continue trade talks. However, he said the official opening ceremony will take place later. The decision was made after police clashed with demonstrators in the center of Seattle. The demonstrators accused the trade group of defending the interests of big businesses.They say it does not care about workers and the environment. Representatives at the conference will attempt to settle differences involving aid to farmers, labor rules, trade taxes and other issues.KeyNews Item 1A. Choose the best answer to complete each of the followingsentences.1) Leaders from______have appealed for fair treatment for poor nations within the WTO system. (b)a) the South African Commonwealth b) the Commonwealthc) developing countries d) industrialized nations2) The statement calls for a removal of all trade barriers for the export of_______ (c)a) the Commonwealth b) industrialized countriesc) less developed countries d) all the nations3)Ministers from WTO member states will meet in____________(d)a) Doha b) Durbanc) Uruguay d) Seattle4) The statement says__________ is necessary for improving the livingconditions of poor nations. (a)a) strong export growth b) strong import growthc) foreign aid d) assistance from the WTONews Item 2B, Fill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape,Lead: Thousands of demonstrators have forced the cancellation of the opening ceremony at the World Trade Organization meeting inthe American city of Seattle, Washington.Further information:1) Ministers from 135 WTO member countries will continue tradetalks.2) The official opening was called off because of the clashesbetween police and demonstrators in the center of Seattle.3) The demonstrators accused the WTO of defending the interestsof big businesses at the expenses of those of workers and theenvironment.4) Representatives at the meeting will try to settle differencesinvolving aid to farmers, labor rules, trade taxes and otherissues.C. Compare News item 2 with News Item I and answer the followingquestions,1) Why do the demonstrators in Seattle protest against the meeting?Key: They accused the WTO of protecting the interests of big businesses at the expenses of those of workers and theenvironment.2) In the two news items, what criticisms is the WTO facing?Key: The WTO is criticized by both poor countries and disadvantaged groups in the Western world. In News Item1, the WTO faces the criticism particularly fromdeveloping countries that demand more concessions fromdeveloped nations in trade talks. For News Item 2, see theanswer to Question 1.3) Are these criticisms justified? What do you think of the role ofthe WTO in the era of globalization?Key: Yes. Throughout history, rich people and developed countries have benefited most from the existinginternational trade arrangements. Now it's time for themto give more considerations for poor countries and people.As a leading actor in the process of globalization, theWTO should do more to reduce its negative impact on thepoor and the environment.Task 4ScriptLeaders from many nations are attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference in the holiday area of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.APEC was established in 1989 as a trade group for the nations of Asia and the America. It was formed in reaction to the growing dependency among economies of countries that border the Pacific Ocean. Its goal was to support economic growth among those countries and to create a sense of community. APEC has 21 member economies. The combined population of APEC countries is about 2,500,000,000 (two and one half thousand million) people. The countries are responsible for almost half of all world trade.APEC foreign and trade ministers started talks earlier this week. On Thursday, the foreign ministers approved a joint statement that promised to suppress the financing of terrorism. The statement also promised to strengthen terrorism for air travel and shipping of goods.KeyFill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape.See the Script.Task 5ScriptNews Item 1And this news. The computer company Microsoft has become the first company in history to be valued at more than 500,000 million dollars. Microsoft produces an operating system that is used in most of the computers in the world. Microsoft was established by Bill Gates. If the company were a country, it would have the 9th largest economy in the world.News Item 2In Washington, a judge has ruled that Microsoft Company has acted as a monopoly. This means Microsoft took steps to end competition from other companies to gain total control of the market. The judge said thatMicrosoft's business actions harmed people who buy computer products. The court decision is considered a major defeat for the company. Microsoft is the world's largest maker of computer software products.KeyA. Answer the following questions.1) What does Microsoft produce?Key: Computer products, and particularly an operating system.2) What was the Washington judge’s ruling?Key: The judge ruled that Microsoft company has acted as a monopoly.3) What does "monopoly" mean?Key: Monopoly means blocking competition from other companies to gain total control of the market.4) According to the judge, who was harmed by Microsoft's businessactions?Key: People who buy computer products.B. Complete the following sentences with what you hear on the tape.1) Microsoft has become the first company to be valued at more than500,000 million dollars.2) Microsoft is famous for its operating system that is used in most of thecomputers in the world.3) Microsoft would rank the 9th in the world in terms of economy if itwere a country.4) The judge said Microsoft was guilty of blocking/ending/stoppingcompetition.5) The judge also said Microsoft's business actions harmed people whobuy computer products.Task 6ScriptIn November, a Washington D.C. judge found the Microsoft Corporation guilty of misusing its power to control the market for computer programs. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson announced his findings after months of trial. He said Microsoft uses its power to illegally block competition.Judge Jackson later ordered that Microsoft be divided into two smaller businesses. The Microsoft Corporation quickly appealed Judge Jackson's ruling to a Federal Court.Last week, the Federal Appeals Court ruled on the case. It said Microsoft Corporation was guilty of creating a company that used its power to block competition. The seven Appeals Court judges agreed with Judge Jackson that Microsoft limited creativity in the computer industry and harmed the public. They said that Microsoft was guilty of violating several federal laws.However, the Federal Appeals Court also said the Washington D.C. court must reconsider its order to divide Microsoft into two smaller companies. The federal court dismissed Judge Jackson's decision. The Appeals Court judges accused Judge Jackson of not being fair during the Microsoft Trial. They severely criticized him for comments he made about Microsoft and its chairman to reporters during the trial.The Federal Appeals Court also said Judge Jackson repeated these mistakes several times. It said the public would lose its trust in a legal system that permits judges to speak their opinions to reportersduring a trial.Legal experts say both the federal government and Microsoft can claim small victories with the Federal Appeals Court ruling. The experts say government lawyers were able to prove that Microsoft is guilty of violating federal laws. At the same time, Microsoft can claim a victory because it may not have to divide into two smaller companies.Legal experts say government lawyers and the lawyers for Microsoft must now choose one of three different possible paths. First, either side could appeal the Federal Court's decision to the Supreme Court. Or, they could request a new trial before a different lower court judge to consider some 0f the unresolved legal questions. A third choice is for both sides to reopen negotiations to try to settle the case privately. Such efforts failed during the Clinton Administration.Bill Gates is the head of Microsoft Corporation. He says it is now a good time for all the groups involved to discuss the situation and see what kind of solution could be negotiated.Most legal experts believe that the Microsoft Company and government lawyers will come to an agreement during future negotiations. They say Microsoft may be punished by being forced to pay money.KeyA. Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F) accordingto the tape.l) In this case the Federal Government sues the Microsoft Corporation. [T]2) The Federal Appeals Court ruled that Microsoft should be divided into two smaller companies. [F]3) Judge Jackson was fired, for he gave his opinions to reporters during the trial. [F]4) Either Microsoft or the federal government could appeal to the Supreme Court after the Federal Appeals Court ruled on the case. [T] 5) According to some legal experts, it is very likely that Microsoft and the government would settle the dispute through negotiations. [T]6) Both Judge Jackson and the Federal Appeals Court agreed that Microsoft was guilty of monopoly in its business actions. [T]B. Fill in the missing words of the outline.Judge Jackson's rulings1) Microsoft was guilty of misusing its power to control the market for computer programs.2) Microsoft should be divided into two smaller businesses.The Federal Appeals Court's rulings1) Microsoft was guilty of establishing a company that used its power to block competition.2) The Washington D.C. Court must reconsider its order to divide Microsoft into two smaller businesses.3) Judge Jackson was not fair/being fair, for he made comments on Microsoft and Bill Gates to reporters during the trial.Legal experts' comments1) Both the federal government and Microsoft can claim small victories with the ruling.2) There are three options for Microsoft and the government.a) Either side could appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.b) Either side could request a new trial before a different lower court toconsider some of the unresolved legal questions.c) They could reopen negotiations to try to settle the case privately.Bill Gates' responseIt's a good time for all the parties concerned to discuss the situation andsee what kind of solution could be negotiated.Prospects1) The Microsoft and government lawyers will come to an agreement during future negotiations.2) Microsoft is likely to be punished by being forced to pay money.Task 7ScriptNews Item 1In space news. The space shuttle Atlantis has taken off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The space-ship will send the Destiny scientific research laboratory into orbit. The laboratory is an important part of the International Space Station. NASA officials say Destiny is the most technologically complex research center ever put into space. The laboratory has cost over 1,000,000,000 dollars to build. Space shuttle astronauts will make three walks in space during an eleven-day mission to attach the laboratory to the International Space Station's Control Center.News Item 2The first laboratory has been connected to the International Space Station. The American space shuttle Atlantis was launched from theKennedy Space Center, Wednesday, February 7th. It carried the new laboratory Destiny to the space station, which is orbiting Earth. Destiny is the first of six space laboratories that will be launched and added to the space station. The five crew members of Atlantis used the space shuttle's huge mechanical arm to take the laboratory out of the shuttle. The arm carefully moved Destiny to a linking device on the International Space Station. Two members of the Atlantis crew put on protective clothing. They left the shuttle and moved out into space to complete work on the link.KeyNews Item 1A. Answer the following questions.1) What's the mission of the American space shuttle Atlantis?Key: It will send Destiny into Orbit.2) What is Destiny?Key: It is a scientific research laboratory.3) What did the NASA official say about Destiny?Key: Destiny is the most technologically complex research center ever put into space.4) How much does Destiny cost?Key: It cost over 1,000,000,000 dollars to build.5) How long will the mission last?Key: It will last eleven days.6) What will the astronauts do during the mission?Key: They will make three walks in space to attach the laboratory to the International Space Station's Control Center.News Item 2B. Fill in the blanks in the news analysis below.News Lead: The first laboratory has been connected to the International Space Station.Further details:1) Atlantis was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday, February 7th.2) It carried the new laboratory Destiny to the space station.3) The crew members used the space shuttle's huge mechanical arm to take the laboratory out of the shuttle.4) The arm carefully moved Destiny to a linking device on the International Space Station.5) Two members of the Atlantis crew wearing protective clothing left the shuttle and moved into space to complete work on the link.Task 8ScriptThe World Trade Center is 110 stories high. Four hundred firms had offices there employing tens of thousands of people. When the planes hit, it's thought between 10 and 20 thousand people would have been sitting at their desks. Before the collapse of the building, many people did manage to get away, but figures aren't yet known.So far 55 bodies have been recovered. 260 police officers and firefighters who went into the building after the planes crashed are missing and feared dead. In the Pentagon, the world's largest office building, rescuers are still searching the rubble. It's thought around 80 bodies there have been found but estimates of those who died could go up to about 800.KeyFill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape.See the Script.Task 9ScriptBruce Springsteen's new album was released July 30th. It is number one in record sales in more than ten countries. Most of its songs are about the September 11th terrorist attacks. Shep O'Neal plays some of the songs on the album, The Rising."You're Missing" is probably the saddest song on The Rising. Awoman's husband has died. She and her children see the many things that belonged to him around .the house, but he is gone. "Into the Fire" is about one of the hundreds of police, firefighters and rescue workers who died in the terrorist attacks. The song honors the love and sense of duty he showed that day. It is also a prayer for the strength and hope that his sacrifice represents.Songs on The Rising also express anger about the attacks. But, the anger is mostly a personal statement, not a political one. The song "Empty Skies" describes the desire to strike back that a person feels after a senseless loss.The album's title song appeals to listeners to come together and heal each other. We leave you now with Bruce Springsteen's hopeful title song, "The Rising."KeyA. Fill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape.Bruce Springsteen's new album was released on July 30th. It is number one in record sales in more than ten countries. Most of its songs are about the September 11th terrorist attack. Shep O'Neal plays some of the songs on the album, The Rising.B. Give brief descriptions of the songs in the albumTask 10ScriptNews Item 1A four-year exhibition of the works of the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh has opened in Amsterdam with the unveiling of one of his early drawings which has only recently come to light; the drawing in water color, pencil and ink depicts a woman carrying a child along a windswept road. It was sent to the museum by a German art dealer acting for an anonymous collector. The work dated 1883 is one of the main attractions in the exhibition at Amsterdam's van Gogh Museum.News Item 2Sunday will be the most important day of the year for hundreds of people in the movie industry. Filmmakers will receive Academy Awards for the best acting, directing, writing, editing, sound, music and otherwork on movies released last year. The winners will receive an award called an Oscar. It is shaped like a man. It is made of several metals covered with gold. The statue is only about 34 centimeters tall. It weighs less than four kilograms. But the award can be priceless to the person who receives it. Winning an Oscar can mean becoming much more famous. It can mean getting offers to work in the best movies. It also can mean earning much more money.KeyNews Item 1A. Answer the following questions.1) What exhibition has opened in Amsterdam?Key: A four-year exhibition of the work of the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh has opened in Amsterdam.2) Which of his drawings is shown publicly for the first time?Key: It is one of his early drawings in water color, pencil and ink, which depicts a woman carrying a child along a windswept road.3) Who sent the drawing to the museum?Key: A German art dealer acting for an anonymous collector.4) When was the drawing done?Key: In 1883.News Item 2B. Fill in the blanks with what you hear on the tape.Sunday will be the most important day of the year for hundreds of people in the movie industry. Filmmakers will receive Academy Awards for the best acting, directing, writing, editing, sound, music and other work on movie released last year. The winners will receive an award called a(n) Oscar. It is shaped like a man. It is made of several metals covered with gold. The statue is only about 34 centimeters tall. It weighs less than four kilograms. But the award can be priceless to the person who receives it. Winning an Oscar can mean becoming much more famous. It can mean getting offers to work in the best movies. It also can mean earning much more money.Task 11ScriptNews media are the means, or methods, by which people learn what is happening in their city, in their country, and in the world. The news media can be classified into two general categories. The categories are print media and electronic media.Print media are usually divided into magazines and newspapers. Most newspapers print news daily. For example, the newspaper The New York Times is published every day of the year. Most news magazines arepublished weekly. For instance, Newsweek and Time magazines are published once a week.The electronic media are generally divided into radio and television. Radio news is news that you listen to. In the Unites States, many radio stations broadcast 5 minutes of news every hour on the hour. Television news is news that you not only listen to but also watch.[文档可能无法思考全面，请浏览后下载，另外祝您生活愉快，工作顺利，万事如意!]。

Task 1News Item 1The United States central bank, the Federal Reserve, has raised interest rates for the third time this year. The Federal Reserve raised the overnight bank lending rate by 0.25 percent (one fourth of one percent) to 5.5 percent. It raised the discount rate also by 0.25 percent to 5 percent. The Federal Reserve said it had no plans to raise interest rates again any time soon. It said the increase today should reduce the danger of inflation.News Item 2The Commerce Department says the American economy has shrunk for the first time in eight years. The total value of goods and services produced in the United States fell by four tenth of one percent (0.4 percent) in the period of July through September. A recession is commonly defined as at least six months where the economy shrinks.News Item 3A fall in the New York market had been widely predicted following Friday's better than expected US employment figures. US bonds from which the government funds long-term borrowing fell nearly two points on the news that more jobs had been created in March than had been expected. The Dow Jones Index was closed on Friday for the Easter holiday, so today was the first chance for the share market to react.News Item 4And we go straight to Wall Street where share prices closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up nearly 1 percent or 89 points at 10,205. Shares made up for some of the losses they incurred in the past week, thanks to what was interpreted as "signs the US inflation is under control".Task 2News Item 1China has launched a manned space flight, becoming the third country to do so 40 years after the Soviet Union and the United States. A single astronaut was on board the Shenzhou V Craft, which took off from the Gobi Desert. It's expected to go round the earth 14 times during a 24-hour period before landing in Inner Mongolia. President Hu Jintao watched the launch, a sign of the importance China attaches to its space programme. Francis Marguez reports from Beijing.Half an hour after the spacecraft blasted off, China's state television showed footage of the launch, the rocket climbing slowly into the clear blue sky. And many Chinese will feel theircountry has taken a proud step towards modernity.News Item 2China's first man in space has returned to Earth. Reports say Chinese officials declared the space flight a success. Astronaut Yang Liwei is also reported to be in good health. On Tuesday, China became only the third nation to send a person into orbit. Astronaut Yang and his spacecraft landed in China's Inner Mongolia early Thursday. He had orbited the earth 14 times in about 20 hours. The United States and Russia praised China for the launch. Russia and the United States were the first two nations to send people into space.Task 3Negotiators have agreed to the wording of a proposed international treaty on tobacco control. Delegates from more than 170 countries approved the final wording earlier this month in Switzerland. This came after four years of negotiations. The proposed treaty is called the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It will be presented in May at the yearly meeting of the World Health Organization, a UN agency. The final version approved there will also require individual approval by WHO members. Once 40 nations have approved it, the treaty will go into effect in those countries.Member states cannot make any amendments once the WHO approves a final version of the treaty. They must either accept or reject the agreement as it is written. The proposed Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is part of the efforts to reduce deaths and diseases from smoking.The WHO estimates that almost five million people die each year from lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases. That number could rise to ten million a year by 2020. Developing nations are the biggest growth areas for tobacco-related diseases. These nations are calling for the strongest laws possible to control tobacco. The treaty would ban advertising and other marketing campaigns for tobacco products, where doing so would not violate a country's constitution. It also calls for high tobacco taxes. It would even require companies to make public all the substances they use to make cigarettes.In addition, tobacco companies would have to place health warnings on at least thirty percent of their products. These warnings could not include information that might lead people to believe that some cigarettes are less harmful than others. In addition, governments would have to support treatment programs to help people stop smoking. And, there would have to be education campaigns to get people not to start. The proposed treaty also calls for measures to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke, that is, smoke from other people's tobacco.Task 4Thank you. And thank you for asking me to share in your weekly address to the American people.Britain and America have so much in common: language, values, belief in family and community, in a real sense of national pride. We share many problems, too. And it has been clear from our discussions that we are agreed, in general terms, about some of the solutions.You took the tough decisions needed for long-term economic stability. We are doing so. You have focused on education, welfare reform, a new approach to crime. So are we. Together, we are breaking down boundaries of left and right and creating a new politics of the radical centre.Task 5Each year, the Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway announces the winners of its famous Nobel Prizes. Most winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have been men. Only ten percent have been women since the prize was first presented in 1901.Now the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the human rights group International Alert have presented a new award to honor women peacemakers. It is called the Millennium Peace Prize for Women. Officials will present the award every three years. The award recognizes women's actions in building peace, protecting women's human rights and supporting community life during and after war.Experts say women are usually not as involved in the peace process as men are. However, their work to reestablish normal community life after peace has been reached is very important. Because of this, International Alert says women also need to be recognized as leaders in peace building.Earlier this month, six women and organizations received the Millennium Peace Prize for Women. One of the winners is the Colombian group "Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres", or Women's Road to Peace. This group has organized protests against the violence between rebel groups and the Colombian government.The group "Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency" also won the peace prize. It helped in the peace process between the military and rebel forces in Papua New Guinea. Another winner is the group "Women in Black". It is an international organization that organizes protests against violence, aggression and war.Flora Brovina also received the peace prize. She organized the "League of Albanian Women of Kosovo". Doctor Brovina has taught emergency medical skills to people in Kosovo.Asma Jahangir and Hina Jilani are also peace prize winners. They worked to support human rights and women's rights in Pakistan. And the leader of the women's movement in Rwanda also won the Millennium Peace Prize, after her death. Veneranda Nzambazamariya helped rebuild Rwanda after the mass killings in 1994. She died in a plane crash last year.Task 6News Item 1Brazil's new Health Minister Hosein Selar has sacked two senior health officials in Rio de Janeiro amid growing concern about the epidemic of dengue fever. More than 80,000 people in southeast Brazil have caught the mosquito-born disease which causes severe headaches, fever and vomiting. In some cases, it can be fatal. Our Brazil correspondent Steven Switch reports that President Fernando Henrique Cardoso regards the issue of health care as his government's biggest political weakness.News Item 2In agriculture news. The European Union has banned all imports of animal products from the Netherlands. The ban was ordered after the Dutch government confirmed four cases of foot-and-mouth disease there. Dutch officials have had all infected animals destroyed. Until now, only Britain and France have been affected by the animal disease. Also, in the American State of Vermont, officials seized some sheep suspected of having mad cow disease. More than 230 sheep were taken from a farm. The animals will be destroyed and tested for the disease.Task 7Announcer: ... in Garderers' Question Time at 2 o'clock. And now over to Gordon Chartwell in the newsroom.Newsreader: Here is the news, read by Gordon Chartwell. The cruise liner, Princess of Wales , which ran aground last night off the island of St. Catherine in the Caribbean, is reported to be sinking. Here's a report from our correspondent in Jamaica, Graham Smith.Graham Smith: A weak radio signal was received here in Kingston a few hours ago from the radio operator on the 28,000-ton luxury cruise ship, the Princess of Wales. According to this message, the ship is taking in water and is starting to sink. All the passengers have been ordered into the lifeboats and told to make for the nearby island of St. Catherine, the coast of which is some 20 miles from the scene of the accident. In normal circumstances this would be an easy 3-hour trip, but with Hurricane Zelda approaching fast and blowing away from the island, it's feared that some boats may not make it in time to the safety of the island. Once on the island, it would be possible for passengers and crew to shelter from the wind and await rescue. The Royal Navy frigate Steadfast is heading for St. Catherine at full speed but it may take her up to 24 hours to get there. So things look pretty grim for the 700 passengers and 420 crew at the moment. This is Graham Smith in Kingston, Jamaica.Newsreader: As soon as we have any further news we will interrupt our programmes to bring it to you. And now the rest of the news. In Liverpool today the Prime Minister said in a speech... Part TwoAnnouncer: We interrupt this programme to take you over to the newsroom for a newsflash. Newsreader: This is Gordon Chartwell in the newsroom with a further report from our correspondent Graham Smith in Jamaica about the stranded liner, Princess of Wales.Graham Smith: A further signal has been picked up from the Princess of Wales within the past few minutes. According to this, the ship is now out of danger. Apparently the damage to the lineris not as serious as was originally thought and she is still completely seaworthy and out of danger. However, before this was realized, 5 of the lifeboats had been launched and about 200 passengers and crew had made their way to the island of St. Catherine where they are reported to be safe. For the time being they are likely to remain on the island. The remaining 920 people are still on board the liner and in no danger. Although Hurricane Zelda has reached the island, the wind seems to have blown itself out to some extent and although there are heavy seas, there is no danger for a ship of the size of the Princess of Wales. The ship is now clear of the rocks. The passengers and crew sheltering on the island will be brought off by the Royal Navy frigate Steadfast, which is now close to the area. Apart from a few minor injuries there are no casualties. This is Graham Smith returning you to the studio.Newsreader: There will be a further report in our main news at one o'clock. And now back to Down Your Way...Task 8News Item 1The European Union has officially approved the Kyoto Treaty on climate change. Officials from all 15 EU states attended a ceremony Friday at the United Nations in New York. However, the treaty still needs the approval of more countries to come into effect. The treaty limits the release by industrial countries of gases blamed for trapping heat in the atmosphere. The United States was one of the first countries to sign the Kyoto Treaty, but has since withdrawn. President Bush says the treaty could harm the American economy.News Item 2Welcome to BBC World News, I'm Nick Gowing. Environment ministers from 180 countries will start trying to rescue the Kyoto Treaty on global warming shortly. They join their officials who have been meeting all week in the German city of Bonn. The 1997 Kyoto agreement commits industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was undermined in a major way in March when US President George W. Bush said it would weaken America's economy.It's Beethoven who dominates the town square here and it's unlikely that he'll have to give up his place to a monument celebrating a conference which halted global warming. Ministers from over 180 countries have already agreed to global cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases 5 percent below the 1990 levels. But here they must decide how this will be achieved. Since George Bush pulled out of the deal, the argument is between Japan and Europe. The Japanese want flexible rules allowing them to plant more trees in place of steep cuts in pollution and weaker penalties for missing targets. Europe doesn't like it but really wants a deal.News Item 3A major international conference on climate change is to open in Moscow shortly with Russia coming under renewed pressure to sign the Kyoto Protocol. That's the agreement to limit the industrial pollutants that are believed to contribute to global warming. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 can only come into force when 55 percent of countries have signed up to it. With United States refusing to sign, ratification by Russia is crucial to the treaty's success. From Moscow our environment correspondent Tim Hersch reports.President Putin himself called this conference in his own capital to discuss the latest signs of climate change and it had been thought he might use the opportunity to announce that his government was finally prepared to sign up to Kyoto, but comments from senior Kremlin officials have played down expectations, saying Russia wanted firm guarantees of foreign investment in clean technology before pressing ahead with ratification. The European Union and UN bodies have been putting pressure on Mr. Putin to end the delays so that international action against global warming could finally start six years after the Kyoto agreement was signed.Task 9The United Nations General Assembly will hold a special session on children beginning September 19th. The meeting will bring together government leaders, child activists, non-governmental organizations and many young people. The three-day gathering will give officials a valuable chance to change how the world thinks about children.Eleven years ago, the UN held a similar meeting called the "World Summit for Children". During that conference, seventy-one heads of state and government signed a treaty aimed at improving the lives of children around the world. Efforts to reach the goals established in that treaty have made the rights of children an important issue.The UN agency for children, UNICEF, is supporting the special session. Officials are expected to produce a plan of action to guarantee that three important goals are reached. The goals are the best possible start in life for all children, a good education for all children and the chance for all children to become an important part of their communities. The session will also examine progress made since the 1990 World Summit for Children.Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela is working toward these goals. He is joined by his wife Graca Machel who is an activist for children. They are calling on community, business and government leaders to form an international movement aimed at improving the world for young people.The movement is hoping to build international support for a public campaign to help children.Several world leaders have joined the movement. Movie stars, professional sports teams, and the creators of children's television programs and books also have joined the movement.The group's public campaign lists ten ways to improve the lives of young people. These include educating children, protecting them from war and fighting the disease AIDS. UNICEF officials say the goal of the movement is for people around the world to get involved, take action and work for change. They say that for every child who comes into the world, the hopes and dreams of the human race are reborn.Task 10The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says hunger kills millions of people each year—especially children. The UN organization says millions more people will die unless more money is invested to fight against hunger.This is based on the results of a new UN study called "The State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2002". It found that more than nine million people die each year from hunger. Six million of them are children younger than age five. Researchers also found that the number of starving people is growing in some parts of the world.The report says that about eight hundred and forty million people around the world are not getting enough food to eat. Ninety-five percent of these people are in developing countries.。

Unit 8Task 1【原文】1) Now that we're making every effort to keep criminals from getting guns through the front door of a gun shop, we're turning our attention to locking the back door, too. We have started to crack the code of the black market in illegal weapons. We are tracing the guns, targeting the traffickers, taking more of our children out of harm's way. (Bill Clinton)2) We will be marching today for common sense gun laws, but we will not stop with just marching. We will keep walking; we will keep running; we will keep marching; we will keep fighting and we will keep organizing until we are successful in our fight to keep our children safe. (Hillary Clinton)3) Police officers of course, are not the only people who die. Ten thousand other Americans are dead because of the misuse of our right to bear arms. People who argue for guns are fond of saying that guns don't kill; people do. But guns do kill. (Robert di Grazia)4) Registration of cars has nothing to do with the incidence of car accidents which, of course, is the greatest killer of people in the United States, including children. And you don't see anyone turning around and say, "Let's outlaw automobile." (Victoria Bingham)Task 2【答案】News Item 1A.1) F 2) F 3) T 4) T 5) F 6) FNews Item 2B.WHO: more than one hundred thousand mothers across the United States WHAT: gathered to push for tougher gun control lawsWHERE: WashingtonWHEN: SundayC.1) b) 2) a) 3) c) 4) b)D.1) Gun control, Now2) shed, river of votes, raging, out of, stricter gun control【原文】News Item 1British police say thousands of gun owners have surrendered their small calibre weapons as part of legislation banning some types of handgun. The deadline to hand in the weapons which has just passed is the final stage in the clampdown on gun ownership following the massacre of 16 school children and a teacher at Dunblane in Scotland in 1996. The police estimate that 40,000 weapons have been surrendered, meaning that the vast majority of legally held guns have been given up. But as Inspector Paul Brightwell, a policeman from southern England, points out, many owners are still angry about the bans. Although Britain now has some of the strictest firearms laws in the world, correspondents say the government may still look to introduce further restrictions.News Item 2More than one hundred thousand mothers across the United States gathered here in Washington Sunday to push for tougher gun control laws. Organizers of the so-called Million Mom March are hoping to harness growing outrage at the number of children killed by handguns here in the United States."What do we want? Gun control! When do we want? Now! What do we want? Gun control! When do we want? Now! What do we want? Gun control! When do we want? Now! What do we want? Gun control!..."The protesters—mothers, victims of gun violence and families—came from across the United States to hear heartbreaking stories of children who had been gunned down. One mother described the pain she felt after her young son received a crippling gunshot wound to the chest. In an emotional appeal, she urged the crowd to vote for members of Congress who support gun control."Mothers, we have shed tears for our children. Let's make our tears the river of votes. Let's make our tears become a raging river of votes, and we need to get our legislators out of office if they do not want stricter gun control."Organizers of the Washington rally and others held in cities across the United States say at least 12 children a day are killed by guns. They want Congress to enact laws that will require registration of handguns and some type of licensing system. US gun control laws vary from state to state. Ant nationwide registration is strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association, a wealthy and powerful nationwide group of firearms owners who reject any type of gun control.Task 3【答案】A.1) a) 2) a) 3) b) 4) b) 5) c)B.Column 1 Column 2Soccer Roland GarrosEquestrian events Longchamp racetrackTennis Stade de FranceC.1) The dossier will show locations of sporting events, media centers, and an Olympic village.2) The tried and tested quality of Paris’ famous sporting infrastructure is a big advan tage. Moreover, it’s been many years since France hosted the Olympic Games in 1924.【原文】The last time Paris had the honor of hosting the Olympic Games was way back in 1924. Having lost out to Beijing for the right to stage the Games in 2008, the French capital is now optimistic it can win the bid for the 2012 Olympics. The nine cities in contention have until mid-January to give details of their proposed venues. And the organizers in Paris can point to the fact that most of their facilities are already in place.Competition is fierce among the nine cities bidding for the 2012 Games who all have until January the 15th to give the IOC a dossier showing locations of sporting events, media centers, and an Olympic village. London, New York, Moscow, Madrid, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Leipzig and Havana are all hopeful of staging the world's greatest sporting festival. But experts reckon that Paris is the early favorite.Preparation is key when it comes to hosting the Olympic Games. Barcelona and Sydney both proved how to stage one. It's been almost 70 years since the summer Olympic experience took place on French soil. Having lost out to host the Games in 2008, the organizers within Paris are optimistic about their chances for hosting the 2012 Olympics.Integral to Paris' bid is the tried and tested quality of its renowned sporting infrastructure. Soccer matches, for instance, would be held in the northeast suburb of Saint-Denis, home of the 78,000-seat Stade de France, where France beat Brazil three nil in 1998 to win the World Cup. The stadium is also the likely setting for the Olympic track and field events, with the media center being erected alongside it. Tennis matches would be well catered for at the famous red clay courts of Roland Garros, home to the French Open, the most likely location. Whilst the equestrian events could be held within the famous Longchamp Racetrack, which hosts the prestigious Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe each year. With around 150 acres of Pads real estate available in the city's Seventeenth District, the Athletes' Village could easily be adapted, not far from Longchamp.Paris city authorities estimate the cost of hosting the 2012 Games at $6.9 billion. That’s nearly twice as much as estimated for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. But i f that generates just a fraction of the enthusiasm—and money—raised when France won the European Championships in 2000, it’ll be money well spent.Task 4【答案】A. 1) c) 2) a) 3) b) 4) a) 5) b)B.1) 2,200, two thirds, confrontation2) appreciate, foundation, cooperation, trust, Russia【原文】Darren Jordon: A new era of relations has been declared between the United States and Russia. This morning, Presidents Bush and Putin met in Moscowto sign a nuclear arms treaty. Mr. Bush said suspicions of the ColdWar had been cast aside. The two Presidents met inside the Kremlinto approve what they both called a historic agreement. They promisedto reduce their nuclear stockpiles by two thirds so that each would bedown to below 2,200 over the next ten years. President Bush said theagreement marked the end of a long chapter of confrontation betweenthe two countries. Well, our Moscow Correspondent Caroline Wyatthas been following the morning's events. Caroline.Caroline Wyatt: Well, it's taken us ten long years for Russia and America to reach this stage. But it does seem that at the Kremlin here behind me in Moscow,that Vladimir Putin and George Bush have finally managed to banishthe mistrust of the Cold War era, and start a new chapter in relations.The day began with a sombre ceremony as President Bush paid hisrespects at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, honoring Russia's sacrificeas an ally in the Second World War. The American President lookedslightly awestruck as he entered the Kremlin to praise Russia'scontribution in the new war, the fight against terror. Vladimir Putin'ssupport for Mr. Bush since September 11th has cemented anunexpectedly warm relationship between their two countries, turningcold war enemies into friends. Amid the splendor of St. Catherine'sHall, both leaders prepared to sign the treaty they say will make theworld a safer place, the solemnity of the moment only slightly dentedwhen the cameras caught Mr. Bush removing his boiled sweat. Thenthe two men put their names to a deal agreeing to scrap two-thirds oftheir nuclear arsenals over the next decade. Yet it’s not a treatyRussia's military leaders are happy with. They complain Washingtonwill simply store the weapons for later use. So Mr. Bush tried toreassure his audience here.George Bush: I appreciate the fact that we have now laid the foundation for not only our governments, but future governments to work in a spirit ofcooperation and a spirit of trust. It's good. It's good for the people ofRussia. It's good for the people of the Untied States.Caroline Wyatt: For his part, Mr. Putin said he has no doubt they were entering a new era in relations. Despite the smiles, much still divided their twonations. America fears Russia is selling nuclear technology to Iran.But at least now they say they can address those issues as friends andallies. The two men do have the rest of the day and then a relaxingweekend in Mr. Putin's hometown, St. Petersburg, to iron out of allthose issues.Task 5【答案】A.1) The US military sent an interceptor into space to hit a missile with a mock warhead2) 60 billion dollars.3) It was the first test of new technology that could become a key component of the Missile Defense Network. After the test, the pentagon would likely recommend that US President order deployment of the Missile Defense System.4) Earlier tests produced mixed results: Two failed and one succeeded.5) He said the nature of the security threats facing the United States has changed since the end of the Cold War, and old treaties ju st don’t fit any more.B.Responses from Parties ConcernedParties Concerned Relations to the TestUS President Pleased with the result, President Bush said hewas convinced the system should and could bebuilt.US Congress It criticized the plan for its high cost.Russia and some NATO member states They disagreed with the US position and warned of the danger of a new arms race.Greenpeace Its activists tried to disrupt the test.【原文】News Item 1A crucial test of the US Missile Defense System is set to begin within hours as the US military tries to destroy a dummy warhead in space over the Pacific Ocean. An interceptor missile fired from an island in the Pacific Ocean will try to hit the warhead launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. If the intercept succeeds, the Pentagon will likely recommend that the President Clinton order deployment of the 60-billion-dollar Missile Defense System. In a bid to disrupt today's test, the environmental group Greenpeace has sent a ship to an off limits zone near Vandenberg. Spokesman Steve Shohan says its activists had infiltrated the facility. "Itis the objective of the Greenpeace activists on the base to chain themselves to the apparatus immediately adjacent to the missile silo, so that the missile could not be launched," Greenpeace says, with people in the part of the base, the missile cannot be fired. But the Pentagon insists it has the means to deal with such attempted disruptions.News Item 2President Bush's hopes for a missile defense system got a big boost this weekend when the Pentagon staged a successful test of key technology. A missile interceptor successfully hit a mock nuclear warhead over the Pacific Ocean. White House officials say Mr. Bush was pleased with the result.Mr. Bush was at his presidential retreat outside Washington when a flash of light faraway over the Pacific signaled the successful test. An interceptor sent into space from a tiny Pacific island neatly hit its target, an intercontinental range missile with a mock warhead launched minutes earlier from an air force base in California. It was the first test of new technology that could become a key component of the Missile Defense Network. Earlier tests of other elements produced mixed results. Two failed and one succeeded. The president said he is convinced the system can and should be built. He says the nature of the security threats facing the United States has changed since the end of the Cold War, and old treaties just don’t fit any more. But Russia and some NATO allies think otherwish and warn of a new arms race. And the notion of spending billions to develop Missile Defense has drawn some criticism on Capitol Hill.Task 6【答案】1) We will try to avoid a worldwide nucleate war, for there are no winners in such a war.2) The US and other countries should refrain from tests, and sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.3) The US is withdrawing from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.4) We should start a new arms race by deploying Missile Defense System.【原文】1) We will not prematurely or unnecessarily risk the cause of worldwide nuclear war, in which even the fruits of victory will be ashes in our mouth. (J. F. Kennedy)2) Today I say again, on behalf of the United States, we will continue the policy we have maintained since 1992 of not conducting nuclear test. I call on Russia, China, Britain, France and all other countries to continue the refrain from testing. I call on nations that have not done so to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. (Bill Clinton)3) We reviewed what I've discussed with my friend President Vladimir Putin over the course of many meetings and many months, and that is the need for America to move beyond the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Today, I have given formal notice to Russia, in accordance with the Treaty, that the United States of America is withdrawing from this almost 30-year-old treaty. (G. W. Bush)4) Are we really prepared to raise the starting-gun in a new arms race in a potentially more dangerous world? Because, make no mistakes about it, folks, if we deploy Missile Defense System as being contemplated, we could do just that. Step back from the ABM treaty, go full steam ahead and deploy Missile Defense System, then we'll be raising the starting-gun. Let's stop this nonsense before we end up pullingthe trigger. (Senator Biden)Task 7【答案】A.1) They had hoped to settle an agenda ahead of the WTO ministerial meeting in Seattle next week. But they failed to achieve that goal.2) They were disputes over agricultural issue between major trading nations, and demands from developing countries for more time to implement existing trade accords.3) They have heavily subsidized their agricultural products. Farmers benefit a lot from these policies.4) They pressed the EU and Japan to remove the subsidies.5) Yes, he was confident that some agreement could be reached in Seattle.B.1) c) 2) a) 3) b) 4) a) 5) d)C.1) Developing countries demand more access to the European market for their agricultural products, but the EU still wants to maintain its subsidies for exports and barriers to imports.2) Yes. Because their markets are also flooded with cheap goods from other countries.3) On the whole, the rich countries benefit more from the WTO rules.【原文】News Item 1Ambassadors to the World Trade Organization have failed to agree on a common text for the next global trade round of talks. During three months of negotiations in Geneva, the ambassadors had hoped to settle an agenda ahead of the WTO ministerial meeting in Seattle next week. From Geneva Claire Doole reports.The major sticking point is agriculture, pitting the big trading nations against each other. The US and major agricultural countries such as Australia wanted the EU and Japan to slash their export subsidies, which they say prices their producers out of the market. But this is unpopular with both trading powers, reluctant to incur the rows of their heavily subsidized but politically influential farmers. The other problem area is the demand from developing countries for more time to implement existing trade accords. The WTO Director-General remains confident that the agreement will be found in Seattle, but trade envoys are not so optimistic.News Item 2Trade ministers from 18 nations and political entities are meeting behind closed doors in Mexico City to seek consensus on the agenda for a new round of world trade talks. The meeting is taking place in a luxury hotel under tight security. Around two dozen anti-globalization protesters tried to demonstrate near the hotel, but they were outnumbered by Mexican riot police, who kept them far from the site. The goal of the meeting is to work out a framework for talks to be held in Qatar in November. The last round of world trade talks ended in 1994 and led to the creation of the World Trade Organization the next year. But efforts to launch a new round of talks in the city of Seattle in 1999 ended in failure.The trade ministers meeting here are trying to work out basic agreements on such divisive issues as antidumping rules and agricultural subsidies. Developing nations are demanding more access to Europe for such commodities as beef and grain, butEuropean Union nations have maintained subsidies for exports and barriers to imports. The developing nations also want rules against dumping, whereby their markets are flooded with cheap goods from other nations. Poorer nations say the benefits of free trade have mostly been seen in the rich countries and they are looking for a new round of trade talks to address the current inequalities.Although the gap remains wide, World Trade Organization officials say they are hopeful that these informal discussions here in Mexico City will lead to an agreement that can be embraced at the larger meeting in November. The representatives at this meeting are only a small fraction of the organization's 142 members, but they are thought to be representative of the various points of view within the larger body. The meeting is to conclude on Saturday.Task8:【答案】A.1) Working with UNICEF—one of the most direct and effective ways to help childrenwho need it2) Top issue on the agenda—mobilizing artists and other intellectuals in the efforts for child survival and health in Africa3) How and why artists can help the campaign for universal child immunization.4) How and why artists enjoy high esteem in AfricaB.1) b) 2) a) 3) c) 4) b) 5) c)C.1) society, governments, political, economic processes2) the mobilization of entertainers/artists3) immunize, the six major child-killing diseases4) immunized【原文】Extract 1Narrator: As we heard in a previous edition of this programme, Harry Belafonte has become the latest goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United NationsChildren's Fund. In the tradition of Danny Kaye, Liv Ullmann, PeterUstinov and others, the popular entertainer who has worked with UNICEFin the past will tour the world in support of UNICEF initiatives for childsurvival. According to Mr. Belafonte, working with UNICEF is one of themost direct and expedient ways to get help to children who need it. Belafonte: It has been over the last four years that I have become more intensely aware of the whole role of children in the global process as it affects societyand as it affects governments and as it affects the political process and as itaffects the economic process. And also, with USA for Africa, UNICEFbecame a very, very important conduit for the dissemination anddistribution of our resources. When we looked around as anon-governmental organization for how to ensure that much of the $52million that we raised and…certainly all of the other areas that werestimulated with financial returns based upon our effort. UNICEF wasalways at the center of everyone's choice for who to rely on and what to dowhen we went into places for which we knew very little about in order tomeet head on the problems of the drought and the famine and the death andthe pestilence and all of the various health problems.Extract 2Narrator: One of the first projects Mr. Belafonte will work on as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador is the mobilization of entertainers for child survival and healthin Africa. During the United Nations General Assembly's special session onthe critical situation in Africa in May of last year, African nations discussedthe state of health care on the continent and its importance to the economicand social well-being of each country. According to Mr. Belafonte, this is atopic high on the agenda of UNICEF as well.Belafonte: One of the first things that Jim and I talked about was how to in fact define methodologies and ways in which we can begin to engage artists inparticular, intellectuals in general, to be able to have some on-goingunderstanding, on-going programme, to help change the course of humanhistory as it relates to children and as it relates to children particularly inthe Third World, and on this first leg of our journey, specifically in Africa. Extract 3Narrator: UNICEF has set the goal of universal child immunization to encourage nations to immunize their young against the six major child-killing diseases.While many countries are making steady progress toward these goals, Mr.Grant points out that the campaign can be greatly aided by the support ofartists and the entertainment community.Grant: Our dilemma with immunization is that the easiest part almost is to get the vaccines out. Granted, we need refrigeration—what we call the coldchain—you've got to get the vaccinators. But the really difficult thing is howyou convince somebody who has never had immunization before, is illiterate,never gone to school, that they should bring their children to be immunizedthree times, a month apart. Usually most children will run a fever after thefirst round. So a mother who's brought the child in healthy then has got to beconvinced to come back the second time. And here's where the intellectuals,the artists, the singers—there's a massive communication job to tell parentsthat they do have this power, symbolized in the vaccination appeal bybringing their children in. But it's really the artists, the intellectuals, thepeople who set the ambiance of all this that determines really what peopledo.Extract 4Narrator: And Mr. Belafonte adds that artists are held in high esteem throughout Africa.Belafonte: I think that in Africa, where communication vis-a-vis radio and television is far less than it is in industrialized nations and therefore there is a greatercommunity involvement almost directly with artists, one on one. Whenartists walk through the streets of any major city or any village in Africa, thepied piper role they play—the way people follow them down the streets, thelove and the reverence with which they’re held—is something to be envied.I think most American artists think we have it made because we have theMercedes, the swimming pool and Beverly Hills. But they miss an awful lotwhen they don’t understand how that direct relationship to the communityand to the people, what that direct relationship means.Task 9【原文】The British government has said that Queen Elizabeth has no objection to plans to overturn the tradition of the eldest-born son succeeding to the throne by givingequal rights to whoever is the oldest prince or princess. The announcement in the Upper House of Parliament, the House of Lords, is part of the Labour Government's moves to modernize the British constitution. The change, if approved, will make no difference to the right of Prince Charles and his eldest son to succeed to the throne. The Queen herself took over as monarch only because her father King George VI died without sons.。

A fable for tomorrow (Rachel Carson)There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields. In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of color that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines. Then foxes barked in the hills and deer silently crossed the fields, half hidden in the mists of the fall mornings.从前在美国中心有一个小镇，那里的万物看上去都与其四周的环境融洽相处。

小镇的四周是像棋盘交错的生意盎然的农庄，还有一块块的田地和一座座遍布山坡的果园。

春天来了，白色的鲜花云彩般地漂浮在田野上；秋天到了，橡树、枫树和桦树色彩斑斓，在一片松树林间火焰般地燃烧与跳跃。

小山上狐狸吠叫，田野间小鹿静静地跃过，所有的一切都在秋天清晨的薄雾中半隐半现。

Along the roads, laurel, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wildflowers delighted the traveler's eye through much of the year. Even in winter the roadsides were places of beauty, where countless birds came to feed on the berries and on the seed heads of the dried weeds rising above the snow. The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and fall people traveled from great distances to observe them. Others came to fish the streams, which flowed clear and cold out of the hills and contained shady pools where trout lay. So it had been from the days many years ago when the first settlers raised their houses, sank their wells, and built their barns.在路的两旁，一年中许多时候，月桂树、荚莲、桤木、蕨类植物和各样的野花都能让过往的行人赏心悦目。

Unit 8 Vocabulary1.Translate the following expressions into English.1. lift the curtain 11. defy/challenge the authority2. resent the treatment 12. bend the rules3. calculate the price 13. oppose the decision4. confiscate one's property 14. plot murder5. draw ridicule l5. diagnose liver cancer6. offend the boss l6. complicate the matter7. commit treason 17. recharge a flagging spirit8. dismiss the idea 18. recapture one's childhood9. bury the dead 19. interrogate the suspect10. announce/declare bankruptcy 20. disconnect the power2.Give appropriate nouns or verbs that can form possible collocations.Give nouns1. a report/an opinion/an order / a warning/a new stock/new stamps2. a missile/a satellite/a campaign3. the boat/the train/the bus/the chance/the point/one's friend/a few classes/the first part of the lecture4. the number/the amount/the size/the weight/consumption/price/cost5. time/money/life/space/energy/face/one's skin/sb a lot of trouble6. the sale of drugs/land use/private property/private schools/small businessmen7. the law/free speech/the rules/the contract/the agreement/the principle/human rights/the no-fly zone8. the table/the stage/the goal/the task/the record/the standard/the rule9.curiosity/interest/excitement/memories/fears/anger/hatred Give verbs1. have/develop/form/change/break/kick2. speak/change/read/slip/keep/close/cross3. have/lose/find/ask/block/mend (Note: With "mend," we have to say “mend one’s ways”)4.discuss/raise/address/confuse/confront/tackle/explore(Not e:With “make,” we have to say "make sth an issue" or "make an issue of sth.")3.Fill in the blanks with the proper form of the appropriate words listed below.1. resign，resignation, cleared2, utterly, cleared, amounted3. resign, clearly, amount4. resign, mind, amount5. mind, utterly, mind, have amounted, clear up6. utter, mind, clearly, mind7.amount, utter, cleared4.Replace the italicized parts with appropriate words or expressions from the text.1. unthinkable: inconceivableput this unrealistic dream out of our minds: dismiss this idea2. long ago: way backhave lost contact: have been completely out of 'touch3. every now and then: time and again/from time to time/at times as he had done all his life: out of habit4. how: the waywatch over: hover over5. calls a spade a spade: tells people what's tin his mind it is not always wise: it is not a good policy6.knew so little:was so ill-informedsecret plan: schemeadmit it: accept the inevitable7. talk to me and cheer me up: give me a pep talk and recharge my flagging spiritslook on the bright side: look for the silver liningthink of the good things in my life: count my blessings 8. admit: confessalso make this mistake: am also guilty of thisclearly: transparently9.seldom: rarelyrouses my interest: stirs my curiosityfind out how they think nowadays:enter the current orbits of their minds10.while: whereashas little interest in: is indifferent togeneration gap: disconnection between generations5.Choose the appropriate words or expressions in the given context .1. preside over, out of / in2. with, in/about3. dropped, in4. on, capable5. on the increase, upon6. in, of, to7. Instead of, on, way/vein8. by, with, for, free9. of, on10. impossible, him11. in advance, blow up6.Translate the following sentences into English.1. It is an utter waste of money and precious land resources. They must be out of their minds to turn such fertile farmlandinto golf courts for a few rich people.2. lt's utterly impossible to have complete safety with nuclear waste. Sooner or later some problem will occur. So unless we are ready to accept the inevitable, we must not rush to a decision.3. She was under severe attack throughout the meeting, but she did not utter a word. She had decided to hand in her resignation right away.4. Many people are lured to go after fancy titles out of vanity, and I am also guilty of this.5. As we were warned in advance, the inflation rate in the first quarter of this year was still on the rise. This amounted to a drop in people's income. But every cloud has its silver lining. Consumption was also on the rise.6. Keep in mind that we may be able to prevent young people from speaking their mind, but we can never succeed in making them stop thinking.7. Anybody in his right mind knows that we need both freedom and discipline. We either have both or neither. Therefore students cannot have their way unconditionally.8. She warned those countries in advance way back in the 1990s that if they did not get rid of their economic bubbles, theireconomies would face a hard landing.9. What I have in mind is to buy a house in the suburbs as I loathe the heavy pollution as well as the hustle and bustle of the big city. If because of this I cannot go shopping in Wangfujing every Sunday, that's just too bad.10. Many people there seem to be indifferent to the coming election. Right now they just hope the dark clouds of war will clear away so that they can live in peace.Grammar1 Learn about absolute construction.1 Classify the underlined absolute construction into categories on the basis of grammatical form.Category 1:5, 9Category 3: 2, 4Category 2: 1，6, 10Category 4: 3, 7, 82 Combine the sentences by using absolute construction.1. The old man dozed in his armchair, his chin on his chest, and his glasses on his lap.2. Jane cycled through the storm, her shoulders bent low, and her hair streaming in the wind.3. The little boy laughed, his eyes flashing with mischief.4. On New Year's Eve, our apartment was filled with a holiday atmosphere: (with) scrolls put on the door, the living room decorated with lanterns, and a great variety of food being prepared in the kitchen.5.Pistols in hands,the police officers dashed into the criminal's hiding place.6. With the last bus gone, we had to walk home.7. We waited for hours in bitter cold, our teeth chattering.8. (With) The three-year civil war over, the nation was ready to embark on a program of economic reform.9. The traffic inched along, horns honking, police officers blowing their whistles.10. The legendary police detective appeared in the doorway, his hat pulled low over his face, his narrow eyes sweeping the room for any sign of trouble.2 Translate the sentences using absolute construction.1. She walked right past me, nose in the air.2. With the wind howling, the rain beating against the windows,I didn't have a wink of sleep last night.3. The sentry kept watch on the bridge, gun in hand.4. The soldiers left, the house and courtyard cleaned up, the water jars full.5. The new republic ultimately triumphed, with the rebellion put down, major enemies wiped out, and peace and order established in the country.6. A storm brewing, the construction workers decided to call it a day.7. Their three-month training completed,the dogs embarked on the mission of guiding, protecting, and aiding blind people.8. The fire caused heavy casualties,twenty-four people killed and several injured.9.Night having fallen and the Trojans asleep, the Greek soldiers crept out of the wooden horse.10. Autumn is beautiful,the corn ripe, apples hanging from the trees, and everything red or yellow, or brown.3.Study the grammatical structure of these involved sentences.A note on the parenthetical clauses: They are a clause that is inserted in the middle of a sentence and could be omitted without affecting the completeness of the rest of the sentenceor its meaning. Parenthetical clauses are generally marked off by comas, dashes, or parentheses.1.This is a complex sentence. The main clause contains two predicate verbs: "stopped" and "tried." The what-clause functions as the object of the preposition "to."In the what-clause:Subject: IPredicate verb: consideredObject: whatObject complement: the real world2. This is also a complex sentence.In the main clause:Subject: the whole of the that-clausePredicate verb: irritatedSubordinate clauses:Parenthetical clause: as I thought (used twice)Adverbial clause of comparison: when my own had been so hard4. Translate the selection into Chinese.从心理上讲，老年时期要预防两种危险。