S1: They .
D2 Read the article again and answer the questions below in complete sentences. 1 What were the first computers like?
. 2 Why are we unaware of some computers?
. 3 Are computers cleverer than you and me? Why or why not?
.
More practice
A Read the script of a speech by a head teacher and answer the questions below.
Computer game problems
Good afternoon, parents and teachers. Thank you for attending this meeting.
Last weekend, one of our students went to hospital. The student played computer games on the Internet all day Saturday without stopping to drink, eat or sleep. Finally, he became very ill.
Some students play computer games for too long. This is a serious problem. In the past, students used to play outside more often, but now they spend more time in front of computers. This is bad for their health. Tomorrow we'll have some experts here to talk to the students about the bad effects of playing computer games. They'll also give some advice on how to use computers for studying.
I hope we can all work together to stop students from spending too much time playing computer games. Thank you for your time.
1 Who is attending the meeting?
2 Why did the student become ill?
3 What is the serious problem?
4 Who will talk to the students tomorrow?
5 What will they talk about?
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Unit 4 Inventions-Great inventions
Great inventions change the world. They help people live a better life. The following are three of the most important inventions in history.
The wheel The wheel is perhaps the greatest invention in history. After its invention, travelling became faster and more comfortable. A few thousand years ago, people started to use wheels on carriages. In the early 19th century, the first trains began to carry passengers. At the start of the 20th century, cars became popular. Without the wheel, we would not have these inventions.
The telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented one of the first practical telephones in 1876. Since then, people have been able to speak to each other over long distances. Today millions of people across the world own mobile phones. They allow people to keep in touch with each other anytime, anywhere.
The light bulb Thomas Edison developed the first practical light bulb in 1879. Before the invention of the light bulb, people had to use oil lamps, gas lamps or candles to see at night. With light bulbs, people can do as many things in the evening as they can in the daytime. Can you imagine living without them?
C Vocabulary
C1 Find words from the article that have similar meanings to the words in italics below. 1 My new shoes felt nice and soft.
2 This modern city was only a small village a hundred years ago.
3 All the people on the bus got excited when they arrived at the Great Wall. 4 The company produced a new camera last year. 5 The swimming pool is open during the day.
C2 Complete the conversation below with the words from the box. Change their forms if necessary.
anytime century comfortable daytime passenger
Bill: When did people first start using cars?
Maggie: People developed the first cars in the 1880s, and they started using cars a lot in the early
20th .
Bill: I'm sure the people were very happy because cars are so fast and . Maggie: Not really. These early cars were very slow. They also created a lot of problems. Bill: What do you mean?
Maggie: Most people still had horses then, and the new cars made loud noises and frightened them. Also, often got very dirty after a long ride, so many people didn't use them.
Bill: I suppose that people could only drive in the because those cars didn't have lights. Maggie: That's not true. They had lights, so people could drive them .
Skimming
Skimming means to read an article quickly to get its general idea. To skim an article, you should look at its introduction, title, sub-headings, photos or pictures, and the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
D Comprehension
D1 Read the article and complete the table below. The wheel The telephone The light bulb Inventor Don't know.
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Life after the invention Travelling became People can People can as they can in the daytime. D2 Read the article again and answer the questions below in complete sentences. 1 Which of the three things was invented first?
2 What inventions did the wheel make possible?
3 How do mobile phones help people keep in touch with each other?
4 How (lid people see at night before the invention of the light bulb?
More practice
A Read the article about the inventor of the ballpoint pen, Laszlo Biro. Then answer the questions below.
A pen giant
Do you know Laszlo Biro? Maybe you do not, but you probably use his invention every day, and you may even have it in your hand right now!
Biro (1899-1985) was the inventor of the ballpoint pen. He was born in Budapest, Hungary. In the 1930s, when he worked as a newspaper editor, he used a fountain pen almost every day. However, he had to refill it all the time. The ink also did not dry easily, and it sometimes made a mess on the. paper. Biro wanted a better pen. His brother, George, helped him develop a special ink. The ink dried easily. Then they
developed a new type of pen.There was a tiny ball at the tip of the pen. The ball rolled ink onto paper as it moved. They called it the \
The ballpoint pen was a great success. Everyone loved it. Now millions of people use it all over the world every day.
People will always remember Biro for his invention. Today in many English-speaking countries, people still use the word \ 1 Why did Biro decide to invent the ballpoint pen?
2 How did Biro's brother help him invent the ballpoint pen?
3 How does the ballpoint pen work?
4 How do people remember Biro for his invention today?
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Unit 5 Educational exchanges
An exchange visit is educational and interesting!
A group of British students from Woodpark School in London are visiting Xinhua Junior High School in Beijing on an educational exchange.
“I was very nervous at first,” says Sarah. “However, my host family are really friendly. I’m glad to be a guest in their home. I’ve learnt to use chopsticks, and they’re teaching me a little Chinese!”
The students spend the weekdays studying with Chinese students. At the weekend, they tour around Beijing and visit places of interest with their host families.
“It’s been a fantastic experience so far,” says Eric. “ I’ve learnt a bit of t’ai chi, and I really enjoy it. We’ve already learnt a lot about Chinese culture and history. The teachers have introduced us to Chinese painting as well. We’ll also tried to paint some pictures ourselves! I haven’t had much success yet, but I’ll keep trying.”
“I’ve made many new friends,” says Sarah.”I plan to keep in touch with them when I return home. We’ll see one another soon because they’ll come over to the UK for the second part of the exchange next month. I can’t wait!”
C Vocabulary
Cl The words in italics explain the meanings of some words. Find these words to complete the sentences.
1 1 am happy to meet you. I am we met.
2 A person who is invited to stay at another person's home is a . 3 Helen goes to school from Monday to Friday. She has classes on 4 The cake was really excellent. It tasted .
5 Bob has got good exam results. His parents are proud of his
C2 Complete the diary below with the words from the box.
already exchange introduce
culture experience tour
Friday, 8 July
Tomorrow I'm going to take part in an exchange programme in London. I'll be there for two weeks.
Over the two weeks. I hope to learn about British and practise my English. I'II be can student at a famous school in London. I'm a little nervous because I don't know anyone
there.However, the british students are the same cage as me, so I think we'll become good friends. They'll me to many new things. I also plan to around London. The next two weeks should be a good - for me.
D Comprehension
Dl A reporter from a student newspaper interviewed Sarah on campus. Read the article and complete Sarah's answers.
Reporter: Good morning. I'm a reporter from a student newspapcr. Can I ask you a fcw questions? Sarah: Sure.
Reporter: Why are you in Beijing?
Sarah: . Reporter: Which school do you come from?
Sarah: . Reporter: What do you and your classmates do in Beijing?
Sarah: We spend the weekdays . At the
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weekend, . Reporter: That's great. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Beij ing. Thank you and goodbye. Sarah: You're welcome. Bye.
D2 Miss Wilson came to Beijinq with the exchange students. Read the article again andcomplete her report below.
The educational exchange visit to Beijing went well last month.The host families were very friendly. They taught our students how to use .They also taught our students to speak . Our students enjoyed their studies at the school. They learnt a lot about Chinese culture and history. They learnt some t'ai chi.They also learnt .The students made in Beijing. They plan to keep in touch with them.
The Chinese students will come to our school for next month. We need to get ready soon.
More practice
A Read the poster about educational exchanges and answer the questions below.
Take part in oureducational exchange
Do you love to travel and meet new people? Yes? Have you ever lived and studied in another country? No? Well, join our educational exchange now!
Our educational exchange is fantastic. You can experience a different culture and learn a new language. You can improve your social skills and make lots of friends.
There are two parts in our educational exchange. In the first part, an exchange student will travel to your home country and stay with your family. In the second part, you will travel to your exchange partner's home country and stay with his or her family. You will go to school with him or her. You will also take part in local activities.
You can apply for our educational exchange if you: ? are aged between 14 and 17.
? would like to learn about the language, culture, history,geography and way of life of another country. ? have a reference from your head teacher.
It will be the adventure of a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Apply today! 1 What new experiences can students gain from the educational exchange?
2 How many parts are there in the educational exchange?What arc they?
3 What will yon do in the exchange country?
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