2019新外研版高一英语必修一unit4课文

unit4

Understanding ideas

Click For A Friend?

1. How would you feel if moving to a new town meant losing track of

your friends? What if the only way of getting news from far away friends

was writing letters that took ages to be delivered? This was how things

worked not very long ago. Thanks to advances in technology, how we

make friends and communicate with them has changed significantly.

2. Nowadays we can move around the world and still stay in touch with

the people that we want to remain friends with. Social media tools let us

see what our friends are up to and maintain friendships. All you need is a

Wi-Fi connection.

3. The digital age also enables us to find people who share our interests,

such as collecting model cars or playing an unusual instrument. Whatever

our hobbies, the Internet can connect us with others who also enjoy doing

them, even if they live on the other side of the world.

4. But when you "friend" people online, does this mean that they really

are your friends?

5. It depends.

6. If people always exchange true personal information online, then yes,

these friendships can be real and meaningful. But we need to keep in

mind that what we see on social media is often not the whole truth about

a person.

7. On social media sites, people tend to post only positive updates that

make them appear happy and friendly. But smiling photos can had real

problems. Remember the saying: on the Internet, nobody knows you are a

dog. A young person could be old; a woman could be a man; We could

even be sharing our Information with criminals.

8. But this doesn't mean that we should throw the baby out with the

bathwater. Although technology has changed the way we acquire friends,

the meaning of friendship and our longing for friends remain the same.

As Aristotle said, no one would choose to live without friends, even if he

had all other goods.

Developing ideas

After Twenty Years The short story "After Twenty Years" is set in New York on a cold, dark

night. Most people have left work to go home, and this part of the city is

now quiet. A policeman who is checking the area sees a man outside a

shop. He goes up to the man and finds he has a scar on his face. They

have a chat and the man starts to tell his story.

1. "Twenty years ago tonight," said the man, "I dined here at 'Big Joe'

Brady's with Jimmy Wells, my best chum, and the finest chap in the

world. He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers,

together. I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. The next morning I was

to start for the West to make my fortune. You couldn't have dragged

Jimmy out of New York; he thought it was the only place on earth. Well,

we agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly twenty years

from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might be or from

what distance we might have to come. We figured that in twenty years

each of us ought to have our destiny worked out and our fortunes made,

whatever they were going to be."

2. "It sounds pretty interesting," said the policeman. "Rather a long time

between meets, though, it seems to me. Haven't you heard from your

friends since you left?"

3. "Well, yes, for a time we corresponded," said the other. "But after a

year or two, we lost track of each other. You see, the West is a pretty big

proposition, and I kept hustling around over it pretty lively. But I know

Jimmy will meet me here if he's alive, for he always was the tourist,

staunchest old chap in the world. He'll never forget. I came a thousand

miles to stand in this door tonight, and it's worth it if my old partner turns

up."

(Excerpts from "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry)

Writing an ending to a story

Stepping out of jail into the cold wind, Bob, now 58, felt lost and

helpless.

"Twenty years is a long time," he smiled bitterly, not knowing where to

go. He had no family, and had never heard a word from Jimmy again

since that cold, dark night. "Was he ashamed of having a friend like me?"

Bob longed for an answer.

"Excuse me, sir, are you Bob?" Bob heard the voice of a young man.

"Yes." He turned around and was surprised to find a familiar - looking

man in his thirties. "Have we met before?"

"No, sir," replied the man. "My father told me to meet you today. I have a

note for you from him."

Doubtfully, Bob unfolded the note. His hands were shaking by the time

he had finished reading.

Bob, the doctor says I've only got three months. I'm afraid I won't be able

to meet you this time, but you always be my dear friend.

Jimmy

"You're Jimmy's son?!" Bob shouted in surprise. "Yes, sir," the young

man smiled. "And my name is Bob."