11John was the most famous troublemaker in his town. He didn ’t answer questions and got into lots of fights. He had failed almost every class by the time he got to high school. Everyone thought he was hopeless.I met John for the first time at a weekend training program. All the students at school had been invited to the program which aimed to help them become more active in their communities. At the start of the training, John was standing outside the circle of students. He didn ’t readily join the discussion groups and didn ’t seem to have much to say. But slowly, the discussion drew him in. John had some great ideas and other students in his group welcomed his comments. All of a sudden, he felt like a part of the group, and before long he was treated like a leader.Two weeks later, John and his friends led a group of 70 students to collect food for the needed. They collected a school record: 2,854 cans of food in just two hours.John started showing up at school every day and answered questions from teachers for the first time. He led a second project, collecting 300 blankets and 1,000 pairs of shoes for the community homeless shelter. The local newspaper covered the event with a full-page article.1. Where did the author meet John for the first time?2. What did John and his team do in the second project?3. What does John ’s story tell us?Key:1.The author met John for the first time at a weekend training program.2. They collected 300 blankets and 1,000 pairs of shoes for the community homeless shelter.3. John’ story reminds us that everyone has potential and no one is hopeless.2A young man came to study with a very wise man. He loved and admired the wise man so much that he decided to observe his behavior carefully, believing that if he did everything that the wise man did, then he would also acquire the wise man ’s wisdom. He noticed that the wise man always wore white, and so he went to the market and bought a white rob and wore it every day. The wise man was a vegetarian, and so he stopped eating meat and replaced it with a diet of vegetables. He followed the wise man ’s example in everything he did and was quite sure that he was getting closer to becoming a wise man. After some time, the wise man noticed these changes in his student ’s behavior and asked him why. “I am learning to be just like you,” came the reply. “The white color of my clothes shows the simplicity of my search, the vegetarian food keeps my body clean .”Smiling, the wise man took him to a field where a horse was eating grass. “You have spent all this time looking outside yourself, which is what matters least,” he said. “Do you see that creature there? He has white skin, eats only grass. Do you think he will one day become a wise man?”1. Why did the young man observe the wise man carefully?2. What did the wise man do after he heard the young man’s explanation?3. What is wrong with the young man’s behavior?Key:1. Because he loved and admired the wise man so much.2. The wise man took him to a field where a horse was eating grass.3. He didn’t really understand the wise man’s behavior.3Today about 15 percent of the population is left-handed. But why are people left-handed? The answer is in the way the brain works.The brain has two halves — the right half and the left half. The right half controls the left side of the body, and the left controls the right side the body. So right-handed people have a strong left brain, and left-handed people have a strong right brain.The two halves of the brain are about the same size. But each side controls different things. The left side controls language, mathematics, and logic. When you memorize the spelling of words, or when you put things in order, you use your left side. The right side of the brain controls your love of art, color, and music. It is also good at recognizing faces.This does not mean that all artists are left-handed and all accountants are right-handed. There are actually many exceptions. Some right-handers have a strong right brain, and some left-handers have a strong left brain.1. How many people are left-handed?2. Which side of brain do you use when you recognize faces?3. Do you think all artists are left-handed and all accountants are right-handed?Key:1. About 15 percent of the population is left-handed.2. The right side.3. No. There are many exceptions.4Bill Gates was born in Seattle in 1955. Young Gates’ grades weren’t always great. Not until in the eighth grade did he find his passion. In the 1960s, the Mothers’ Club at Gates’ school bought a computer for the students. Gates discovered it and soon became a computer fan. In fact, it was because of his passion for programming that he later dropped out of Harvard. He formed a company with his friend Paul Allen.Bill Gates started Microsoft Company in 1976 and in the years since then, his company has produced computer technology that has changed the way people work, communicate and play. Bill Gates was the chief executive officer of Microsoft until 2000 when he became the company’s chief software architect.Because others were helping to run the company, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda had time to spend on projects to improve global health and education. So far, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest charity organization in the world, has donated a lot of money to various charities. On 27th June 2008, Bill Gates stopped his full-time work at Microsoft.1. When was Bill Gates born?2. Why didn’t Bill Gates finish his college education?3. What kind of new job did Bill Gates take when he stopped being the chief executive officer ofMicrosoft in 2000?Key:1. He was born in 1955.2. Because of his passion for programming, he dropped out of Harvard.3. He became the company’s chief software architect.5Back at the time when microwave oven was a new thing, Martha decided to move with the times and try the delights of microwave cooking. Her devoted husband, Martin, went out and bought her a brand new microwave oven.Christmas approached and Martha got out her Christmas pudding recipe and got all the things ready. When Martha read the microwave’s manual (手册) for the cooking time, she couldn’t believe that ten minutes would be enough for a traditional Christmas pudding. So she decided that she would still follow her normal cooking time of 50 minutes.As Martha was in the sitting-room watching TV, she didn’t hear the pudding spitting in the microwave oven, nor did she see the mini-explosions. Naturally, the pudding was a disaster. In fact the black ball stuck to the bottom of the bowl and Martin had to get a knife to get it off.In a fit of anger, Martha threw the dry Christmas pudding to Kiki, her puppy. After a few days she could see the funny side. Kiki loved his new toy, which amused him until the next Christmas.1. Who bought Martha the microwave oven?2. Why did Martha cook the Christmas pudding for 50 minutes?3. What did the dry Christmas pudding become at last?Key:1. Her husband, Martin.2. Because she couldn’t believe that ten minutes would be enough for a traditional Christmas pudding.3. It became Kiki’s new toy.6Hey, good morning, everyone! Welcome to Lillian’s Kitchen. I’m Lillian Rayne. Today, we’re going to learn how to make smoothies. First, what is a smoothie? Please look at the glasses in front of me. They are smoothies! Don’t they look inviting? A smoothie is a thick and creamy drink made from raw fruit, vegetables, and sometimes dairy products like yogurt, or ice-cream, typically using a blender. Here you can see a blender. It’s an electric machine you use to mix liquids and soft foods together. Actually, besides some common recipes, you can be creative to make smoothies of your own style. You may use other ingredients, such as water, ice, fruit juice, honey, nuts, or even herbs.1. What is a smoothie?2. What does Lillian Rayne want to do?3. What other ingredients can be used?4. What is blender？Key:1. A smoothie is a thick and creamy drink made from raw fruit, vegetables, and sometimes dairy products like yogurt, or ice-cream, typically using a blender.2. She wants to teach how to make smoothies.3. Water、ice、fruit juice、honey、nuts or even herbs.4. It's an electric machine which is used to mix liquids and soft foods together.7Hello, everyone! My name is Bruce Hall. I’m happy to be your English teacher. First of all, I’d like to tell you something about myself. I was born in Paris. When I grew up, I wanted to make money. The winter of Paris is cold, but I didn’t want to spend money on warm clothes. So I went to a warm place — Egypt, and led camels for tourists under the pyramids. After some time, I went to study at California Sate University, with the money I had earned in Egypt. Later, I went to Salt Lake City and became a high school teacher. It is five years ago since I came to China as a teacher of English. My classes are designed specially to meet the needs of each student. I love to talk about Western culture, customs, traditions, lifestyle andeducation system. I’m an honest, friendly and reliable person, and I love to get to know new people andI’m ready to accept new challenges as they come to me. So if you have any difficulty in learning Engli sh, please don’t hesitate to come to me. You may either call me at 85668992.1. Where was Bruce Hall born?2. Why did Bruce Hall go to Egypt to make money?3. Do you think Bruce Hall may be a good English teacher? Why?Keys:1. In Paris.2. Because h e thought Paris is cold in winter and he didn’t want to spend money on warm clothes.3. In my opinion, he may be a good English teacher. Firstly, he was experienced in teaching. Secondly, he’d like to devote his time to each student. Thirdly, he has a goo d personality.8A farmer had a brother who was a gardener. One day he went to visit his brother and was astonishedat the beautiful fruit trees. “Look, my brother,” said the gardener, “I will give you an apple tree, the best from my garden, and you, and your children, and your children’s children shall enjoy it.” Then the gardener called his workmen and ordered them to take up the tree and carry it to his brother’s f arm.The next morning the farmer began to wonder where he should plant it. “If I plant it on the hill,” said he to himself, “the wind might shake down the fruit before it is ripe; if I plant it close to the road,passers-by will see it and robe me of its apples — but if I plant it near the door of my house, my children may pick the fruit.” So, after he thought the matter over and over, he planted the tree behind his barn.But the tree bore neither fruit nor flowers the first year nor the second — then the farmer sent for his brother, and said angrily, “You have given me a barren tree instead of a fruitful one!”The gardener laughed and said, “You have planted the tree where it has neither sun nor warmth. How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? You have planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart — how, then, could you expect to reap a rich and generous harvest?”1. What did the gardener give his brother?2. Why did the farmer plant the tree behind the barn?3. Why did the tree bear no fruits?Keys:1. The gardener gave his brother an apple tree.2. Because he didn’t want the fruit shaken down by the wind, picked by passers-by or his children.3. Because the farmer planted the tree where it had neither sun nor warmth./Because the farmer planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart.9A lady was once heating up a pot of water on a gas stove with the intention of cooking pasta for her family for dinner. A frog fell into the pot while it was sitting on the stove. While it wasn’t his intention to be stuck in a pot of water, he didn’t try to escape. He was comfortable enough as he was.The lady soon turned on the flame to begin boiling the water. As the water’s temperature began to rise, the frog was able to adjust his body temperature accordingly, so he remained in the pot without trying to do anything to change the situation.However, as the water approached its boiling point, the frog’s body temperature could no longer keep up. He finally tried to jump out of the pot, but with water temperature continuing to increase, it was too late for the frog to save himself.Unlike the frog, who waited until the last minute to try to do anything about the problem he was clearly facing, it’s important to predict the future outcomes of the problems and mediate them before they get past the point of no return. You have to avoid wasting time and take proper action before problems get out of hand or become too much to handle.1. What did the lady want to cook?2. Why did the frog not try to get out of the pot at first?3. What do we learn from the story?Keys:1. The lady wanted to cook pasta for her family for dinner.2. Because the frog was comfortable enough as he was.3. We should not wait until the last minute without trying to do anything about the problem we face./ We should avoid wasting time and take proper action before problems get out of hand or become too much to handle.10Language is not just used for talking. It is our most important communication tool. Through language, we can tell other people what we think, how we feel, and what we need. Civilization itself depends on our ability to communicate.Languages survive, grow, disappear, move from place to place, and change with time. Some languages are ancient, and others are new. There are about 6,000 different living languages around the world today, and there are many thousands more that are already extinct. They might sound different, but they are thought to have come from a single ancient language. Some scientists say that people first spoke to one another about two million years ago.Today, our sophisticated languages get fully used in the magazines, novels, science books, and movies that fill our libraries and bookstores. The long stories we can tell separate us from great apes. Other animals may use various methods to communicate, but we humans send complicated messages through space and time. The development of many languages helped humans move forward toward civilization.1. How many different living languages are there today?2. When did people first spoke to one another according to some scientists?3. How does the development of many languages help humans?Keys:1. There are about 6,000 different living languages around the world today.2. Some scientists say that people first spoke to one another about two million years ago.3. The development of many languages helped humans move forward toward civilization.11I hope I’ve given you a clear idea of the schedule for your London weekend. And, before I finish, let me just give you some advice which should make your stay more enjoyable. Firstly, please do remember to put on some comfortable shoes. London is a big place, and whatever you do, you’ll find yourself doing quite a lot of walking. So, comfortable shoes are really necessary. And secondly, let me ask you to please look after your money. Keep it safe at all times, and then you will not have any unpleasant accident, which could ruin your whole weekend. You’ll find a copy of your weekend’s schedule in your room. Take a look at it, and make sure you’re clear about everything. Well, that’s all from me for now. Go and leave your luggage in your rooms. I’ll be seeing you here again in fifteen minutes. Goodbye for now!1. What are the tourists advised to do when touring London?2. What will the tourists do in fifteen minutes?3. Where probably is the speaker?Keys:1. Wear comfortable shoes and look after the money.2. Meet the speaker.3. In a hotel.12Hello, everyone. Welcome to our program. I’m Jenny Jackson. The weather here in Juárez has become unbearable. With no rains for over a year, the city is suffering from unusually hot weather. Some light showers have been forecast since last month, but all of them have been effective in surrounding areas. Summer has not even started yet, but temperatures have reached 40 degrees centigrade in the past three days. And people have been warned not to go out of their homes — not if you walk on foot, at least — between 11 in the morning and 7 in the evening. Little kids and the elderly are the ones who have suffered the most from this extreme heat wave. They must drink water all the time. To help our audience have a better understanding of this extreme weather, we have invited Prof. Torres from University of Mexico to our studio this evening.1. When did it rain last time in Juárez?2. What are the elderly advised to do?3. What is the speaker doing?Keys:1. A year ago.2. Drink plenty of water./Drink water all the time.3. Hosting a radio program.13Well, I’d love to share with you my personal opinions on city life and life in small towns. I grew up in a small town until I was 18 and then moved to a big city, so I have experienced the good and bad sides of both. I never thought that I would like living in a big city, but I was wrong. After ten years of living in one, I can’t ima gine ever living in a small town again. Surely small towns and big cities both have some problems in terms of transport. In a small town, you have to own a car to make life comfortable. You can’t get around without one because there isn’t any kind of publi c transport. Big cities generally have heavy traffic and expensive parking, but there you have a choice of taking public transport, which is cheaper than driving. So, if you don’t have a car, you’d better live in the city. I also love the exciting life in big cities. I can always enjoy a lot of films, concerts, and other wonderful shows. However, these things are not common in small towns. The final thing I like about large cities is that you can meet different kinds of people. However, you seldom find such a variety of people in a smaller town. I think that living in an area where everyone was just like me would quickly become dull. Of course, safety should be considered, and that’s one area where small towns are better than big cities. Still, I would rathe r be a bit more careful and live in a large city than to feel safe but dull.1. What is the speaker’s opinion on public transport?2. What is good about living in a small town?3. What kind of life does the speaker seem to like most?Keys:1. It’s cheap.2. It’s safer.3. Colourful life.。
