第一篇：观潮课文原文及翻译

文言文《观潮》描写了钱塘江潮水怎样的壮阔景象呢？以下是小编整理的观潮课文原文及翻译，欢迎参考阅读！

【原文】

浙江之潮，天下之伟观也。自既望以至十八日为盛。方其远出海门，仅如银线；既而渐近，则玉城雪岭际天而来，大声如雷霆，震撼激射，吞天沃日，势极雄豪。杨诚斋诗云“海涌银为郭，江横玉系腰”者是也。

每岁京尹出浙江亭教阅水军，艨艟数百，分列两岸；既而尽奔腾分合五阵之势，并有乘骑弄旗标枪舞刀于水面者，如履平地。倏尔黄烟四起，人物略不相睹，水爆轰震，声如崩山。烟消波静，则一舸无迹，仅有“敌船”为火所焚，随波而逝。

吴儿善泅者数百，皆披发文身，手持十幅大彩旗，争先鼓勇，溯迎而上，出没于鲸波万仞中，腾身百变，而旗尾略不沾湿，以此夸能

江干上下十余里间，珠翠罗绮溢目，车马塞途，饮食百物皆倍穹常时，而僦赁看幕，虽席地不容间也。

【翻译】

钱塘江潮，是天下雄伟的景象啊。从农历（八月）十六日到十八日为最盛。当潮水从浙江入海口涌起的时候，（远远看去），几乎像一条银白色的线；随着潮水越来越近，就像玉城雪岭一般连天涌来，声音大得像雷霆万钧，震撼天地，激扬喷薄，吞没宇宙，涤荡太阳，来势极其雄伟豪壮。杨万里的诗中说的“海涌银为郭，江横玉系腰”描写的就是这样的景象啊。

每年（阴历八月），京都临安府长官来到浙江亭校阅水军，数百条战船分列两岸；然后演习五阵的阵势，忽而疾驶，忽而腾起，忽而分，忽而合，极尽种种变化，同时有在水面上骑马、舞旗、举枪、挥刀的人，好像踩在平地上一样。忽然黄烟四起，人和物一点儿也看不见了，（只听得）传来水爆的轰鸣声，声音如同山塌了一样。（待到）烟雾消散，水面又恢复了平静，看不到一条船的踪迹，只剩下被火烧毁的“敌船”，随着波浪流走了。

几百个善于泅水的吴中健儿，披散着头发，浑身刺着花绣，手里拿着十幅大彩旗，争相奋力逆流迎潮而上，（他们的身影）在万仞高的惊涛骇浪中浮沉，翻腾着身子变换着各种姿态，而旗尾却一点也不被水沾湿，凭借这种（表演）来显示他们（高超）的技能。

江岸上下十多里的地方里，满眼都是华丽的服饰，路上堵满了车马，食物和别的各种东西都比平常贵上一倍，而租赁看棚的人非常多，即使是一席之地的空地也不容有。

赏析

本篇选自《武林旧事》卷三。《武林旧事》一书系周密于宋亡之后所写，内容主要追记南宋岁时风俗、市井琐细，兼及游观之盛、娱乐之资，相当详备细致；而渗透于其中的，又是一种“恻恻兴亡”的盛衰感慨。

本篇主要描绘“钱塘观潮”的盛况。对此，另外几部杭州的风俗志(《都域纪胜》《西湖老人繁胜录》和《梦粱录》)都先已有过记述，不过都远不如此文生动形象。全文可分四层：

第一层写潮来之状。它用动态的“镜头摄像法”描写了初来之状(“仅如银线”)、既来之状(“既而渐近，则玉城雪岭”)，又配之以“音响效果”(“大声如雷霆”)，收到了文字尽管简约而令人视听不暇应接的艺术功效。

第二层写教阅水军的场面。其中的“场景”又多次转换：先是“艨艟数百，分列两岸”和乘骑弄旗、舞刀弄枪于水面的雄伟场面；接着写两军(假设的军事演习)交战、硝烟弥漫的场面，最后写烟消波静、“敌船”匿迹的场面。使人如同亲眼目睹这一番水战那样，感到十分真切。

第三层写“弄潮儿”的竞技，他们披发文身，手持大旗，争相逆潮而上；虽于鲸波万顷之中，却能不湿旗尾！读后使人为之咋舌鼓掌。

第四层写杭州市民和皇室的观潮情景，其中突出描写了杭州城的豪奢：请看，江岸十余里间，触处珠翠罗绮；而皇帝在“天开图画台”上观潮，远望去简直就像是在神仙台上那般。读到这里，虽然文字嘎然而止，但周密在提笔追忆往事时的那种“时移物换，忧患飘零，追想昔游，殆如梦寐”的兴亡盛衰之感，却又“言在纸外”地悄然升起矣。

总观全篇，尽管篇幅不长，而场面热闹、内容丰富，这大大得力于周密善于剪裁、善于描绘的文字功力。首先，它剪裁得当，叙写井然，给人以场面多变而层次井然的印象，其次，它语言简练，却又描绘细致，又给人以“尺幅之中层千里之势”的艺术享受。应该感谢周密，他给我们留下了这幅13世纪南宋优美的杭城风俗图画。

周密

周密（1232-1298），字公谨，号草窗，又号四水潜夫、弁阳老人、华不注山人，南宋词人、文学家。祖籍济南，流寓吴兴（今浙江湖州）。宋德右间为义乌县（今年内属浙江）令。入元隐居不仕。自号四水潜夫。他的诗文都有成就，又能诗画音律，尤好藏弃校书，一生著述较丰。著有《齐东野语》、《武林旧事》、《癸辛杂识》、《志雅堂要杂钞》等杂著数十种。其词远祖清真，近法姜夔，风格清雅秀润，与吴文英并称“二窗”，词集名《频洲渔笛谱》、《草窗词》。

第二篇：拔苗助长课文原文及翻译

客观表现出事物的发展自有它的规律，纯靠良好的愿望和热情是不够的，很可能效果还会与主观愿望相反这一道理。这一寓言还告知一具体道理：“欲速则不达”，”心急吃不了热豆腐“，要尊重自然规律。小编为你整理了拔苗助长课文原文及翻译，希望对你有所参考帮助。

一、原文

宋人有闵其苗之不长而揠之者，芒芒然归，谓其人曰：“今日病矣！予同“余”助苗长矣！”其子趋而往视之，苗则槁矣。

天下之不助苗长者寡矣。以为无益而舍之者，不耘苗者也；助之长者，揠苗者也，非徒无益，而又害之。

二、译文

有个担忧他的禾苗长不高而把禾苗往上拔的春秋宋国人，一天下来十分疲劳地回到家，对他的家人说：“今天累坏了，我帮助禾苗长高了！”他儿子小步奔去看那禾苗的情况，禾苗却都枯萎了。天下不希望自己禾苗长得快一些的人很少啊！以为禾苗长大没有用处而放弃的人，就像是不给禾苗锄草的懒汉。妄自帮助它生长的人，就像这个拔苗助长的人，不但没有好处，反而害了它。

三、注释

1、闵（mǐn）：同“悯”，担心，忧虑。

2、长（zhǎng）：生长，成长。

3、揠（yà）：拔。

4、茫茫然：疲惫不堪的样子。

5、谓：对,告诉。

6、其人：他家里的人。

7、病：疲劳，困苦，精疲力尽，文中是引申义

8、予（余）：我，第一人称代词。

9、趋：快步走。

10、往：去，到、、去。

11、槁（gǎo）：草木干枯，枯萎。

12、之：放在主谓之间，取消句子独立性，无实义，不译。

13、寡：少。

14、耘苗：给苗锄草。

15、非徒：非但。徒，只是。

16、益：好处。

17、孟子：战国思想家、政治家、教育家。有“亚圣”之称。

第三篇：美猴王课文原文翻译

美猴王课文是明代吴承恩的作品《西游记》中的一段。下面请看小编带来的美猴王课文原文！

美猴王课文原文

东胜神洲，海外有一国土，名曰傲来国。国近大海，海中有一座名山，唤为花果山。那座山正当顶上，有一块仙石，内育仙胞，一日迸裂，产一石卵，似圆球样大。因见风，化作一个石猴。五官俱备，四肢皆全。那猴在山中，却会行走跳跃，食草木，饮涧泉，采山花，觅树果；与狼虫为伴，虎豹为群，獐鹿为友，猕猿为亲；夜宿石崖之下，朝游峰洞之中。真是“山中无甲子，寒尽不知年”。

一朝天气炎热，与群猴避暑，都在松阴之下顽耍。一群猴子耍了一会，却去那山涧中洗澡。见那股涧水奔流，真个似滚瓜涌溅。古云：“禽有禽言，兽有兽语。”众猴都道：“这股水不知是哪里的水。我们今日赶闲无事，顺涧边往上溜头寻看源流，耍子去耶！”喊一声，都拖男挈女，唤弟呼兄，一齐跑来，顺涧爬山，直至源流之处，仍是一股瀑布飞泉。

众猴拍手称扬道：“好水！好水！原来此处远通山脚之下，直接大海之波。”又道：“哪一个有本事的，钻进去寻个源头出来，不伤身体者，我等即拜他为王。”连呼了三声，忽见丛杂中跳出一个石猴，应声高叫道：“我进去！我进去！”

你看他瞑目蹲身，将身一纵，径跳入瀑布泉中，忽睁睛抬头观看，那里边却无水无波，明明朗朗的一架桥梁。他住了身，定了神，仔细再看，原来是座铁板桥。桥下之水，冲贯于石窍之间，倒挂流出去，遮闭了桥门。却又欠身上桥头，再走再看，却似有人家住处一般，真个好所在。

看罢多时，跳过桥中间，左右观看，只见正当中有一石碣。碣上有一行楷书大字，镌着“花果山福地，水帘洞洞天”。石猴喜不自胜，急抽身往外便走，得瞑目蹲身，跳出水外，打了两个呵呵道：“大造化！大造化！”众猴把他围住，问道：“里面怎么样？水有多深？”石猴道：“没水！没水！原来是一座铁板桥。桥那边是一座天造地设的家当。”众猴道：“怎见得是个家当？”石猴笑道：“这股水乃是桥下冲贯石窍，倒挂下来遮闭门户的。桥边有花有树，乃是一座石房。房内有石锅、石灶、石碗、石盆、石床、石凳。中间一块石碣上，镌着‘花果山福地，水帘洞洞天’。真个是我们安身之处。里面且是宽阔，容得千百口老小。我们都进去住，也省得受老天之气。”

众猴听得，个个欢喜。都道：“你还先走，带我们进去，进去！”石猴却又瞑目蹲身，往里一跳，叫道：“都随我进来！进来！”那些猴有胆大的，都跳进去了；胆小的，一个个伸头缩颈，抓耳挠腮，大声叫喊，缠一会，也都进去了。跳过桥头，一个个抢盆夺碗，占灶争床，搬过来，移过去，正是猴性顽劣，再无一个宁时，只搬得力倦神疲方止。石猴端坐上面道：“列位呵，‘人而无信，不知其可’。你们才说有本事进得来，出得去，不伤身体者，就拜他为王。我如今进来又出去，出去又进来，寻了这一个洞天与列位安眠稳睡，各享成家之福，何不拜我为王？”众猴听说，即拱伏无违。一个个序齿排班，朝上礼拜，都称“千岁大王”。

自此，石猴高登王位，将“石”字儿隐了，遂称美猴王。美猴王领一群猿猴、猕猴、马猴等，分派了君臣佐使，朝游花果山，暮宿水帘洞，合契同情，不入飞鸟之丛，不从走兽之类，独自为王，不胜欢乐。

【美猴王教学设计】

【教学要求】

思想品德要求：了解我国古代长篇神话小说《西游记》，认识作者塑造美猴王这一形象的意义，提高学生的文学欣赏水平。

知识要求：继续巩固小说知识，学习分析小说中的艺术形象。

学习本文语言通俗、生动、简洁的特点。

能力要求：了解、巩固小说情节层次的划分。

了解、巩固小说中艺术形象的表现手法。

【重点难点】

重点：把握美猴王这一艺术形象

难点：了解作者塑造美猴王这一艺术形象的意义，从而正确把握本文中心。

【教学课时】两课时

第 一 课 时

一、教学目标

熟悉课文，理清故事情节，了解大概内容

朗读课文，提高朗读能力

二、教学过程

（一）导入新课

看电视连续剧《西游记》与本课有关的一段剧情。

今天我们一起来欣赏《西游记》片断。

《西游记》是我国古代著名的神话小说，作者吴承恩，明代小说家，他的《西游记》在中国文学史上产生了巨大影响。

什么是神话小说？它源于以神为中心的古代传说。古人不能分清人和神的概念，认为天地万物都是具有同人一样的生命，往往借神话去说明一切，把它作为一个民族的共同信仰。这些神话在民间流传广泛，经过后人不断加工而写成小说，叫做神话小说。

《西游记》共100回，主要写的是美猴王——孙悟空战胜妖魔保护唐僧去西天取经的故事。全书可分为三个部分。课文节选的是全书的开端，写美猴王的来历，以后的故事都是从这里生发出来的。

下面我们就来欣赏这篇课文。

（二）阅读要求

1．默读课文，利用工具书给课文的生字词注音释义，扫除文字障碍。

2．给课文划分段落层次，理清故事情节，了解课文内容。

（三）字、词的落实

（四）赏析课文

学生讨论，整理课文层次，理清故事情节

第一部分：（第一自然段）（故事开端）：写石猴出世

讨论要点：石猴不比其它猴子，是破仙石而出，所以虽不是母体所生，却肢体俱全。起笔就显出它的神奇出众，为后文写孙悟空的神通广大，降服妖魔埋下了伏笔。

第二部分：（二、三自然段）（故事发展）写石猴的山间生活

讨论要点：作者分别从行动、饮食、交往行踪四个方面，集中体现它活泼、机智、灵巧的特点。这样既照应了石猴的神异出众，又为下文写发现水帘洞作铺垫。

第三部分：（第四自然段）（故事高潮和结局）：写石猴发现水帘洞，带领众猴进洞居住，并被拥戴为王。

（五）板书设计

14．美猴王

吴承恩

情节发展顺序：

故事开端：石猴出世，神异出众

故事发展：山间生活，自荐探泉

故事结局：发现洞天，携众搬家，被拥为王

（六）课堂作业设计

第四篇：曹冲称象原文课文翻译

曹冲称象这一故事出自三国志，今天小编为大家准备了曹冲称象原文课文翻译，欢迎阅读!

曹冲称象原文课文翻译

版本1：冲少聪察，生五六岁，智意所及，有若成人之智。时孙权尝致大象，太祖欲知其斤重，访之群下，咸莫能出其理。冲曰：“置象大船之上，而刻其水痕所至，称物以载之，则校可知矣。”太祖大悦，即施行焉。

版本2：曹冲生五六岁，智意所及，有若成人。时孙权尝致巨象，太祖欲知其斤重，访之群下，咸莫能出其理。冲曰：“置象于船上，而刻其水痕所至，称物以载之，则校可知矣。复称他物，则象重可知也”太祖悦，即施行焉。

版本一：曹冲年少聪明善于观察，到五六岁的时候，知识和判断能力意识所达到的程度，可以比得上成人。孙权送来过一头巨象，曹操想要知道这象的重量，询问他的下属，都没法想出称象的办法。曹冲说：“把象安放到大船上，在水面所达到的地方做上记号，再让船装载其它东西，(称一下这些东西)，那么比较就能知道结果了。”曹操听了很高兴，马上照这个办法做了。

版本二：曹冲五六岁时，知识和判断能力意识所达到的程度，就可以比得上成人了。孙权送来一头巨大的象，曹操想要知道这头象的重量，向他的下属询问这件事，可众大臣都不能想出称象的办法。曹冲说：“把象安放到大船上，在水没过船痕迹的地方刻上记号，称实物装上船，那么比较之下就能知道结果了。”曹操听了很高兴，立刻按照这个办法实施行动。

注释

1.智：智慧

2.若：相比

3.欲：想要

4.意：意识

5.咸：都

6.致：送

5.及：达到

6.致：送到

7.太祖：曹操，即曹冲之父

8.访：询问

9.群下：手下群臣

10.理：办法;道理

11.校：通“较”，比较

12.物：物品

13.悦：高兴，开心

14.施行焉：按这办法做了

15.尝：曾经。

16.咸：全，都

17.置：安放。

18.焉：于，对它

19.生：长到

20.少 ：年少

第五篇：高中英语课文原文及部分翻译1

必修1 第一单元

Reading 阅读

ANNE’S BEST FRIEND

Do you want a friend whom you could tell everything to, like your deepest feelings and thoughts? Or are you afraid that your friend would laugh at you, or would not understand what you are going through? Anne Frank wanted the first kind, so she made her diary her best friend.安妮最好的朋友

你想不想有一位无话不谈能推心置腹的朋友？或者你会不会担心你的朋友会嘲笑你，会不理解你目前的困境呢？安妮?弗兰克想要的是第一种类型的朋友，所以她把的日记视为自己最好的朋友。

Anne lived in Amsterdam in the Netherlands during World War II.Her family was Jewish so the had to hide or they would be caught by the German Nazis.She and her family hide away for two years before they were discovered.During that time the only true friend was her diary.She said, ―I don’t want to set down a series of facts in a diary as most people do, but I want this diary itself to be my friend, and I shall call my friend Kitty.‖ Now read how she felt after being in the hiding place since July 1942.在第二次世界大战期间，安妮住在荷兰的阿姆斯特丹。她一家人都是犹太人，所以他们不得不躲藏起来，否则就会被德国的纳粹分子抓去。她和她的家人躲藏了25个月之后才被发现。在那段时期，她的日记成了她唯一忠实的朋友。她说：“我不愿像大多数人那样在日记中记流水账。我要把我的日记当作自己的朋友，我把我的这个朋友叫做基蒂。”现在，来看看安妮自1942年7月起躲进藏身处后的那种心情吧。

Thursday 15, June, 1944 Dear kitty, I wonder if it’s because I haven’t been able to be outdoors for so long that I’ve grown so crazy about everything to do with nature.I can well remember that there was a time when a deep blue sky, the song of the birds, moonlight and flowers could never have kept me spellbound.That’s changed since I was here.„For example, when it was so warm, I stayed awake on purpose until half past eleven one evening in order to have a good look at the moon for once by myself.But as the moon gave far too much light, I didn’t dare open a window.Another time some months ago, I happened to be upstairs one evening when the window was open.I didn’t go downstairs until the window had to be shut.The dark, rainy evening, the wind, the thundering clouds held me entirely in their power;it was the first time in a year and a half that I’d seen the night face to face…

„Sadly…I am only able to look at nature through dirty curtains hanging before very dusty windows.It’s no pleasure looking through these any longer because nature is one thing that really must be experienced.Yours, Anne 1944年6月15日，星期四

亲爱的基蒂：

我不知道这是不是因为我太久无法出门的缘故，我变得对一切与大自然有关的事物都无比狂热。我记得非常清楚，以前，湛蓝的天空、鸟儿的歌唱、月光和鲜花，从未令我心迷神往过。自从我来到这里之后，这一切都变了。

„„比如说，有一天晚上天气很暖和，我故意熬到晚上11点半都不睡觉，为的就是能独自好好地看看月亮。但是因为月光太亮了，我都不敢打开窗户。还有一次，就在五个月以前的一个晚上，我碰巧在楼上，窗户是开着的，我一直呆到非关窗不可的时候才下楼去。漆黑的雨夜，刮着大风，电闪雷鸣，乌云滚滚，我完全被这种景象镇住了。这是我一年半以来第一次亲眼目睹的夜晚„„

„„不幸的是„„我只能透过那满是灰尘的窗帘下那脏兮兮的窗户看看大自然。只能隔着窗户看那大自然实在没意思，因为大自然是需要真正体验的东西。你的安妮

Using Language

语言运用

Reading and listening

读与听

Read the letter that Lisa wrote to Miss Wang of Radio for Teenagers and predict what Miss Wang will say.After listening, check and discuss her advice.Dear Miss Wang, I am having some trouble with my classmates at the moment.I’m getting along well with a boy in my class.We often do homework together and we enjoy helping each other.We have become really good friends.But other students have started gossiping.They say that this boy and I have fallen in love.This has made me angry.I don’t want to end the friendship, but I hate others gossiping.What should I do? Yours, Lisa 1 读读琳达为青少年写给电台王小组的这封信，然后王小姐可能会怎么说。听完录音之后，核对并讨论她的建议。亲爱的王小姐：

现在我同班上的同学有些麻烦事。我跟我们班里的一位男同学一直相处的很好。我们常常一起做家庭作业，而且很乐意互相帮助。我们成了真正好朋友。可是，其他同学却在背后议论起来，他们说我和这位男同学在谈恋爱，这使我很生气。我不想中断这段友谊，但是，我又讨厌人家背后说闲话。我该怎么办呢？ 你的莉萨

Reading and writing

读与写

Miss Wang has received a letter from Xiaodong.He is also asking for some advice.Read the letter on the right carefully and help Miss Wang answer it.王小姐收到小冬的一封来信。小冬是要征求一些意见。仔细阅读右边的信，然后帮王小姐回复。Dear Miss Wang, I’m a student from Huzhou Senior High School.I have a problem.I’m not very good at communicating with people.Although I try to talk to my classmates, I still find it hard to make good friends with them.So I feel quite lonely sometimes.I do want to change this situation, but I don’t know how.I would be grateful if you could give me some advice.Yours, Xiaodong 亲爱的王小姐：

我是湖州高中的一名学生，我有一个难题，我不大善于与人们交际。虽然我试着和班上的同学交谈，但是，我还是很难跟他们成为好朋友。因此，有时候我感到十分的孤独。我确实想改变这种现状，但是我却不知道怎么办。如果您能给我提些建议，我会非常感谢的。你的小东 Decide which are the best ideas and put them into an order.Then write down your advice and explain how it will help.Each idea can make one paragraph.The following sample and the expressions may help you Dear Xiaodong, I’m sorry you are having trouble in making friends.However, the situation is easy to change if you follow my advice.Here are some tips to help you.First, why not…? If you do this,…

Secondly, you could / can … Then / That way, …

Thirdly, it would be a good idea if … By doing this, …

I hope you will find these ideas useful.Yours Miss Wang 2 决定哪些是最好并把它们按顺序组织起来。然后把你的建议写出来，并解释它为什么会有所帮助。每个想法可以自成一个段落。下面的例子和表达可能对你有所帮助。亲爱的小冬：

很遗憾听说你在交朋友的过程中遇到了困难。但是，如果你听听我的建议，这种情况是很容易改变的。这些建议会对你有所帮助。第一，为什么不„„呢？ 如果你这样做„„

第二，你可以„„ 这样的话„„

第三，如果„„那将是个不错的主意。通过做„„

我希望你会发现这些想法对你有所帮助。你的王小姐

LEARNING TIP 学习建议

It’s a good habit for you to keep a diary.It can help you remember past events.You can express your feelings and thoughts in it.It will help you improve your English if you write your diary in English.Why not have a try?

写日记对你来说是一个好习惯。它可以帮你记住一些过去发生的事件。你还可以在日记中表达你的情感和思想。如果你用英语写日记的话，还可以帮助你提高英语水平。为什么不试一试呢？

第二单元

Reading 阅读

THE ROAD TO MODERN ENGLISH At the end of the 16th century, about five to seven million people spoke English.Nearly all of them lived in England.Later in the next century, people from England made voyages to conquer other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries.Today, more people speak English as their first, second or foreign language than ever before.通向现代英语之路

在16世纪末，大约有五至七百万人讲英语。几乎所有这些讲英语的人都住在英格兰。在其后的一个世纪中，英格兰人为征服世界航海到了世界其他一些地方，结果世界的其他地方的人们也开始说英语了。今天，把英语作为自己的第一语言、第二语言或外语来使用的人比以往任何时候都多。

Native English speakers can understand each other even if they don’t speak the same kind of English.Look at this example: British Betty: Would you like to see my flat? American Amy: Yes, I’d like to come up to your apartment.以英语作为母语的人，即使他们所讲不是同一种英语，他们也能彼此听懂。请看看这个例子：

英国人贝蒂：来看看我的公寓吗？

美国人艾米：好的，我来看看你的公寓吧。

So why has English changed over time? Actually all languages change and develop when cultures meet and communicate with each other.At first the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today.It was based more on German than the English we speak at present.Then gradually between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those who ruled England spoken first Danish and later French.These new settlers enriched the English language and especially its vocabulary.So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of a wider vocabulary than ever before.In 1620 some British settlers moved to America.Later in the 18th century some British people were taken to Australia too.English began to be spoken in both countries.那么，随着时间的推移英语为什么发生了变化呢？实际上，当不同文化相互交流渗透时，所有的语言都会有所发展和变化。开始，英格兰人在大约公元450年到1150年之间所说的英语与我们今天所说的英语很不一样。当时的英语更多的是以德语为基础的，不像我们现在说的英语。后来，大约在公元800年至1150年之间，英语慢慢变得不那么像德语，因为统治英格兰的那些人开始是说丹麦语，后来说法语。这些新来的定居者丰富了英语语言，尤其是丰富了英语词汇。所以到17世纪初的时候，莎士比亚能够得以使用比以往任何时候都丰富的词汇。1620年一些英国定居者来到了美洲，后来到了18世纪的时候，一些英国人还被带到了澳大利亚。英语也就开始在这两个国家使用。

Finally by the 19th century the language was settled.At that time two big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language.The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.最后到19世纪的时候，英语这种语言就变得稳定了。当时，英语的拼写发生了两个很大的变化：先是塞缪尔·约翰逊编写了他的英语词典，后是诺亚·韦伯斯特出版了《美国英语词典》。后者使得美式英语的拼写有了其独特的个性。English now is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia.For example, India has a very large number of fluent English speakers because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947.During that time English became the language for government and education.English is also spoken in Singapore and Malaysia and countries in Africa such as South Africa.Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly.In fact, China may have the largest number of English learners.Will Chinese English develop its own identity? Only time will tell.现在英语在南亚地区也被作为外语或第二语言使用。比如，印度就有很多人说英语说得很流利，因为在1765年到1947年之间英国统治着印度。在此期间，英语成了印度政府和教育所用的语言。在新加坡和马来西亚以及像非洲的南非，人们现在也说英语。当今，在中国学英语的人数正在快速增加，事实上，中国可能是学英语人数最多的国家。中国式英语是否也能发展成一种具有自己独特个性的语言？这还有待时间去证明。

Using Language 语言运用

STANDARD ENGLISH AND DIALECTS What is standard English? Is it spoken in Britain, the US, Canada, Australia, India and New Zealand? Believe it or not, there is no such thing as standard English.Many people believe the English spoken on TV and the radio is standard English.This is because in the early days of radio, those who reported the news were expected to speak excellent English.However, on TV and the radio you will hear differences in the way people speak.When people use words and expressions different form ―standard language‖, it is called a dialect.American English has many dialects, especially the midwestern, southern, African American and Spanish dialects.Even in some parts of the USA, two people from neighbouring towns speak a little differently.American English has so many dialects because people have come from all over the world.Geography also plays a part in making dialects.Some people who live in the mountains of the eastern USA speak with an older kind of English dialect.When Americans moved form one place to another, they took their dialects with them.So people from the mountains in the southeastern USA speak with almost the same dialect as people in the northwestern USA.The USA is a large country in which many different dialects are spoken.Although many Americans move a lot, they still recognize and understand each other’s dialects.什么是标准英语？是在英国、美国、加拿大、澳大利亚、印度、新西兰所说的英语吗？信不信由你，（世界上）没有什么标准英语。许多人认为，电视和收音机里所说的英语就是标准英语，这是因为在早期的电台节目里，人们期望新闻播音员所说的英语是最好的英语。然而，在电视和收音机里，你也会听出人们在说话时的差异。

当人们使用不同于“标准语言”的词语和表达时，那就叫做方言。美国英语有许多方言，特别是中西部地区和南部地区的方言，以及美国黑人和西班牙人的方言。即使在美国有些地区，两个相邻城镇的人所说的方言也可能稍有不同。美国英语之所以有这么多的方言是因为美国人是来自世界各地的缘故。

地理位置对方言的形成也有所影响。住在美国东部山区的一些人说着比较古老的英语方言。当美国人从一个地方搬到另一个地方时，他们也就把他们的方言随着带去了。因此，美国东南部山区的人同美国西北部的人所说的方言就几乎相同。美国是一个大国，有着许许多多彼此不同的方言。虽然许多美国人经常搬家，但是他们仍然能够辨别和理解彼此的方言。

Reading and speaking 读与说

Amy and her American friends are visiting London.They plan to visit Amy’s aunt and decide to go there by underground, but cannot find the nearest underground station.So she asks directions and then tells her friends.Read the dialogue and circle the words that mean the same.1 艾米和她的美国朋友正在参观伦敦。她们计划去拜访艾米的姑妈，并决定乘地铁去，但是她们找不到最近的地铁站。所以她问问了路，然后告诉她的朋友。读对话，然后圈出意思相同的词。

AMY: Excuse me, Ma’ma.Could you tell me where the nearest subways is?

LADY: Er...the underground? Well, go round the corner on your left-hand side, straight on and cross two streets.It’ll be on your right-hand side.AMY: Thanks so much.FRIENDS: What did she say, Amy? AMY: She told us to go around the corner on the left and keep going straight for two blocks.The subway will be on our right.艾米：对不起，夫人，你能告诉我去最近的地铁站怎么走吗？

夫人：呃„„地铁？哦，往左边拐过去，一直往前走，走过两条街，地铁就是右边。

艾米：多谢了。

朋友：艾米，她说什么？

艾米：她叫我们往左边拐过去，一直往前走，走过两条街，地铁就是右边。【意思相同的词】

subway←→underground（地铁）right-hand side←→right（右边）street←→block 街道，街区

第三单元

Travel journal JOURNEY DOWN THE MEKONG PART 1 THE DREAM AND THE PLAN

My name is Wang Kun.Ever since middle school, my sister Wang Wei and I have dreamed about taking a great bike trip.Two years ago she bought an expensive mountain bike and then she persuaded me to buy one.Last year, she visited our cousins, Dao Wei and Yu Hang at their college in Kunming.They are Dai and grew up in western Yunnan Province near the Lancang River, the Chinese part of the river that is called the Mekong River in other countries.Wang Wei soon got them interested in cycling too.After graduating from college.we finally got the chance to take a bike trip.I asked my sister, “Where are we going?” It was my sister who first had the idea to cycle along the entire Mekong River from where it begins to where it ends.Now she is planning our schedule for the trip.I am fond of my sister but she has one serious shortcoming.She can be really stubborn.Although she didn't know the best way of getting to places, she insisted that she organize the trip properly.Now, I know that the proper way is always her way.I kept asking her, “When are we leaving and when are we coming back?” I asked her whether she had looked at a map yet.Of course, she hadn't;my sister doesn't care about details.So I told her that the source of the Mekong is in Qinghai Province.She gave me a determined look—the kind that said she would not change her mind.When I told her that our journey would begin at an altitude of more than 5,000 metres, she seemed to be excited about it.When I told her the air would be hard to breathe and it would be very cold, she said it would be an interesting experience.I know my sister well.Once she has made up her mind, nothing can change it.Finally, I had to give in.Several months before our trip,Wang Wei and I went to the library.We found a large atlas with good maps that showed details of world geography.From the atlas we could see that the Mekong River begins in a glacier on a Tibetan mountain.At first the river is small and the water is clear and cold.Then it begins to move quickly.It becomes rapids as it passes through deep valleys, travelling across western Yunnan Province.Sometimes the river becomes a waterfall and enters wide valleys.We were both surprised to learn that half of the river is in China.After it leaves China and the high altitude,the Mekong becomes wide，brown and warm.As it enters Southeast Asia, its pace slows.It makes wide bends or meanders through low valleys to the plains where rice grows.At last, the river delta enters the South China Sea.沿湄公河而下的旅行

第一部分 梦想与计划

我的名字叫王坤。从高中起，我姐姐和我就一直梦想作一次伟大的自行车旅行。两年前，她买了一辆价钱昂贵的山地自行车，然后她还说服我也买了一辆。去年她去看望了我们的表兄弟—在昆明读大学的刀伟和宇航。他们是傣族人，在云南省西部靠近澜沧江的地方长大，湄公河在中国境内的这一段叫澜沧江，流经其他国家后就叫湄公河。很快，王薇使表兄弟也对骑车旅行产生了兴趣。到大学毕业后，我们终于有了作一次骑车旅行的机会。我问姐姐：“我们要去哪里？”首先想到要沿湄公河从源头到终点骑车旅行的是我的姐姐。现在，她正为这次旅行制订计划。

我很喜欢我姐姐，但是她有一个严重的缺点，她有时确实很固执。尽管她对到某些地方的最佳路线并不清楚，她却坚持要把这次旅行安排的尽善尽美。现在我知道了这个尽善尽美的方式总是她的方式。我老是问她：“我们什么时候动身？什么时候回来？”我问她是否已经看过地图。当然她并没有看过，我的姐姐是不会考虑细节的。于是我告诉她湄公河的源头在青海省。她给了我一个坚定的眼神—这种眼神表明她是不会改变主意的。当我告诉她我们的旅行将从5000多米的的高地出发时，她似乎显得很兴奋。当我告诉她那里空气稀薄，呼吸会很困难，而且天气会很冷时，她却说这将是一次很有趣的经历。我非常了解我的姐姐，她一旦下了决心，就什么也不能使她改变。最后，我只好让步了。

在我们旅行前的几个月，王薇和我去了图书馆。我们找到了一本大型的地图册，里面有一些世界地理的明细图。我们从图上可以看到，湄公河源于西藏一座山上的冰川。起初，河很小，河水清澈而冷冽，然后它开始快速流动。它穿过深谷时就变成了急流。流经云南西部。有时，这条河形成瀑布进入宽阔的峡谷。我们惊奇的发现这条河有一半是在中国境内。当流出中国，流出高地后，湄公河就变宽，变暖了。河水也变成了黄褐色。而当它进入东南亚以后，流速减慢，河水变宽慢慢地穿过低谷，到了长着稻谷的平原。最后，湄公河三角洲的各支流流入中国南海。

Reading and discussing

JOURNEY DOWN THE MEKONG

PART 2 A NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS

Although it was autumn, the snow was already beginning to fall in Tibet.Our legs were so heavy and cold that they felt like blocks of ice.Have you ever seen snowmen ride bicycles? That's what we looked like!Along the way children dressed in long wool coats stopped to look at us.In the late afternoon we found it was so cold that our water bottles froze.However,the lakes shone like glass in the setting sun and looked wonderful.Wang Wei rode in front of me as usual.She is very reliable and I knew I did't need to encourage her.To climb the mountains was hard work but as we looked around us,we were surprised by the view.We seemed to be able to see for miles.At one point we were so high that we found ourselves cycling through clouds.Then we began going down the hills.It was great fun especially as it gradually became much warmer.In the valleys colourful butterflies flew around us and we saw many yaks and sheep eating green grass.At this point we had to change our caps,coats,gloves and trousers for T-shirts and shorts.In the early evening we always stop to make camp.We put up our tent and then we eat.After supper Wang Wei put her head down on her pillow and went to sleep but I stayed awake.At midnight the sky became clearer and the stars grew brighter.It was so quiet.There was almost no wind-only the flames of our fire for company.As I lay beneath the stars I thought about how far we had already travelled.We will reach Dali in Yunnan Province soon,where our cousins Dao Wei and Yu Hang will join us.We can hardly wait to see them!

Unit 4 Earthquakes

Reading

A NIGHT THE EARTH DIDN'T SLEEP

Strange things were happening in the countryside of northeast Hebei.For three days the water in the village wells rose and fell,rose and fell.Farmers noticed that the well walls had deep cracks in them.A smelly gas came out of the cracks.In the farmyards,the chickens and even the pigs were too nervois to eat.Mice ran out of the fields looking for places to hide.Fish jumped out of their bowls and ponds.At about 3:00 am on july 28,1976,some people saw bright lights in the sky.The sound of planes could be heard outside the city of Tangshan even when no planes were in the sky.In the city,the water pipes in some buildings cracked and burst.but the one million people of the city,who thiught little of these events,were asleep as usual that night.At 3:42 am everything began to shake.It seemed as if the world was at an end!Eleven kilometres directly below the city the greatest earthquake of the 20th century had begun.It was felt in Beijing,which is more than two hundred kilometres away.One-third of the nation felt it.A huge crack that was eight kilometres long and thirty metres wide cut across houses,roads and canals.Steam burst from holes in the ground.Hard hills of rock became rivers of dir.In fifteen terrible seconds a large city lay in ruins.The suffering of the people was extreme.Two-thirds of them died or were left without parents.The number of people who were killed or injured reached more than 400,000.But how could the survivors believe it was natural?Everywhere they looked nearly everything was destroyed.All of the city's hospitals,75%of its factories and buildings and 90% of its homes were gone.Bricks covered the ground like red autumn leaves.No wind,however,could blow them away.Two dams fell and most of the bridges also fell or were not safe for travelling.The railway tracks were now useless pieces of steel.Tens of thousands of cows would never give milk again.Half a million oigs and millions of chickens were dead.Sand now filled the wells instead of water.People were shocked.Then,later that afternoon,another big quake which was almost as strong as the first one shook Tangshan.Some of the rescue workers and doctors were trapped under the ruins.More buildings fell down.Water,food,and electricity were hard to get.people begab to wonder how long the disaster would last.All hope was not lost.Soon after the quakes,the army sent 150,000 soldiers to Tangshan to help the rescue workers.Hundreds of thousands of people were helped.The army organized teams to dig out those who were trapped and to bury the dead.To the north of the city,most of the 10,000 miners were rescued from the coal mines there.Workers built shelters for survivors whose homes had been destroyed.Fresh water was taken to the city bu train,truck and plane.Slowly,the city began to breathe again.Office of the City Government

Tangshan,Hebei

China

July5,2007

Dear____，Congratulations!We are pleased to tell you that you have won the high school speaking competition about new Tangshan.Your speech was heard by a group of five judges, all of whom agreed that it was the best one this year.Your parents and your school should be very proud of you!

Next month the city will open a new park to honour those who died in the terrible disaster.The park will also honour those who helped the survivors.Our office would like to have you speak to the park vistors on July 28 at 11:00 am.As you know,this is the day the quake happened thirty-____years ago.We invite you to bring your family and friends on that special day.Sincerely，Zhang Sha

Unit 5

ELIAS’ STORY

My name is Elias.I am a poor black worker in South Africa.The time when I first met Nelson Mandela was a very difficult period of my life.I was twelve years old.It was in 1952 and Mandela was the black lawyer to whom I went for advice.He offered guidance to poor black people on their legal problems.He was generous with his time, for which I was grateful.I needed his help because I had very little education.I began school at six.The school where I studied for only two years was three kilometers away.I had to leave because my family could not continue to pay the school fees and the bus fare.I could not read or write well.After trying hard, I got a job in a gold mine.However, this was a time when one had got to have a passbook to live in Johannesburg.Sadly I did not have it because I was not born there, and I worried about whether I would become out of work.The day when Nelson Mandela helped me was one of my happiest.He told my how to get the correct papers so I could stay in Johannesburg.I became more hopeful about my future.I never forgot how kind Mandela was.When he organized the ANC Youth League, I joined it as soon as I could.He said:

“The last thirty years have seen the greatest number of laws stopping our rights and progress, until today we have reached a stage where we have almost no rights at all.‖

It was the truth.Black people could not vote or choose their leaders.They could not get the jobs they wanted.The parts of town in which they had to live were decided by white people.The places outside the towns where they were sent to live were the poorest parts of South Africa.No one could grow food there.In fact as Nelson Mandela said:

“„we were put into a position in which we had either to accept we were less important or fight the government.We chose to attack the laws.We first broke the law in a way which was peaceful;when this was not allowed…only then did we decide to answer violence with violence.As a matter of fact, I do not like violence…but in 1963 I helped him blow up some government buildings.It was very dangerous because if I was caught I could be put in prison.But I was happy to help because I knew it would help us achieve our dream of making black and white people equal.THE REST OF ELIAS' STORY

You cannot imagine how the name of Robben Island made us afraid.It was a prison from which no one escaped.There I spent the hardest time of my life.But when I got there Nelsom Mandela was also there and he helped me.Mr Mandela began a school for those of us who had little learning.He taught us during the lunch breaks and the evenings when we should have been asleep.We read books under our blankets and used anything we could find to make candles to see the words.I became a good student.I wanted to study for my degree but I was not allowed to do that.Later, Mr Mandela allowed the prison guards to join us.He said they should not be stopped from studying for their degrees.They were not cleverer than me , but they did pass their exams.So I knwe I could get a degree too.That made me feel good about myself.When I finished the four years in prison, I went to find a job.Since I was better educated, I got a job working in an office.However, the police found out and told my boss that I had been in prinson for blowing up government buildings.So I lost my job.I did not work again for twenty years until M r Mandela and the ANC came to power in 1994.All that time my wife and children had to beg for good and help from relatives or friends.Luckily Mr Mandela remembered me and gave me a job taking tourists around my old prison on Robben Islannd.I felt bad the first time I talked to a group.All the terror and fear of that time came back to me.I remembered the beatings and the cruelty of the guards and my friends who had died.I felt I would not be able to do it, but my family encouraged me.They said that the job and the pay from the new South African government were my reward after working all my life for equal rights for the Blacks.So now at 51 I am proud to show visitors over the prison, for I helped to make our people free in their own land.必修2 unit1

IN SEARCH OF THE AMBER ROOM

Frederick William Ⅰ，the King of Prussia , could never have imagined that his greatest gift to the Russian people would have such an amazing history.This gift was the Amber Room , which was given this name because several tons of amber were used to make it.The amber which was selected had a beautiful yellow-brown colour like honey.The design of the room was in the fancy style popular in those days.It was also a treasure decorated with gold and jewels , which took the country's best artists about ten years to make.In fact , the room was not made to be a gift.It was designed for the palace of Frederick Ⅰ.However, the next King of Prussia , Frederick William Ⅰ,to whom the amber room belonged, decided not to keep it.In 1716 he gave it to Peter the Great.In return , the Czar sent him a troop of his best soldiers.So the Amber Room because part of the Czar's winter palace in St Petersburg.About four metres long, the room served as a small reception hall for important visitors.Later,Catherine Ⅱ had the Amber Room moved to a palace outside St Petersburg where she spent her summers.She told her artists to add more details to it.In 1770 the room was completed the way she wanted.Almost six hundred candles lit the room ,and its mirrors and pictures shone like gold.Sadly , although the Amber Room was considered one of the wonders of the world , it is now missing.In September 1941, the Nazi army was near St Petersburg.This was a time when the two countries were at war.Before the Nazis could get to the summer palace , the Russians were able to remove some furniture and small art objects from the Amber Room.However , some of the Nazis secretly stole the room itself.In less than two days 100,000 pieces were put inside twenty-seven woooden boxs.There is no doubt that the boxs were then put on a train for Konigsberg, which was at that time a German city on the Baltic Sea.After that, what happened to the Amber Room remains a mystery.Recently , the Russians and Germans have built a new Amber Room at the summer palace.By studying old photos of the former Amber Room , they have made the new one look like the old one.In 2003 it was ready for the people of St Petersburg when they celebrated the 300th birthday of their city.A FACT OR AN OPINION?

What is a fact? Is it something that people believe? No.A fact is anything that can be proved.For example, it can be proved that China has more people than any other country in the world.This is a fact.Then what is an opinion? An opinion is what someone believes is true but has not been proved.So an opinion is not good evidence in a trial.For example, it is an opinion if you say ―Cats are better pets than dogs‖.It may be true, but it is difficult to prove.Some people may not agree with this opinion but they also cannot prove that they are right.In a trial, a judge must decide which eyewitnesses to believe and which not to believe.The judge does not consider what each eyewitness looks like or where that person lives or works.He/she only cares about whether the eyewitness has given true information, which must be facts rather than opinions.This kind of information is called evidence.Unit 2

AN INTERVIEW

Pausanias, who was a Greek writer about 2,000 years ago, has come on a magical journey on March 18th 2007 to find out about the present-day Olympic Games.He is now interviewing Li Yan, a volunteer for the 2008 Olympic Games.P: My name is Pausanias.I lived in what you call ―Ancient Greece‖ and I used to write about the Olympic Games a long time ago.I’ve come to your time to find out about the present-day Olympic Games because I know that in 2004 they were held in my homeland.May I ask you some questions about the modern Olympics?

L: Good heavens!Have you really come from so long ago? But of course you can ask any questions you like.What would you like to know?

P: How often do you hold your Games?

L: Every four years.There are two main sets of Games-the Winter and Summer Olympics, and both are held every four years on a regular basis.The Winter Olympics are usually held two years before the Summer Games.Only athletes who have reached the agreed standard for their event will be admitted as competitors.They may come from anywhere in the world.P: Winter Games? How can the runners enjoy competing in winter? And what about the horses?

L: Oh no!There are no running races or horse riding events.Instead there are competitions like skiing and ice skating which need snow and ice.That’s why they’re called the Winter Olympics.It’s in the Summer Olympics that you have the running races, together with swimming, sailing and all the team sports.P: I see.Earlier you said that athletes are invited from all over the world.Do you mean the Greek world? Our Greek cities used to compete against each other just for the honour of winning.No other countries could join in, nor could slaves or women!

L: Nowadays any country can take part if their athletes are good enough.There are over 250 sports and each on has its own standard.Women are not only allowed, but play a very important role in gymnastics, athletics, team sports and …

P: Please wait a minute!All those events, all those countries and even women taking part!Where are all the athletes housed?

L: For each Olympics, a special village is built for them to live in, a main reception building, several stadiums for competitions, and a gymnasium as well.P: That sounds very expensive.Does anyone want to host the Olympic Games?

L: As a matter of fact, every country wants the opportunity.It’s a great responsibility but also a great honour to be chosen.There’s as much competition among countries to host the Olympics as to win Olympic medals.The 2008 Olympics will be held in Beijing, China.Did you know that?

P: Oh yes!You must be very proud.L: Certainly.And after that the 2012 Olympics will be held in London.They have already started planning for it.A new village for the athletes and all the stadiums will be built to the east of London.New medals will be designed of course and …

P: Did you say medals? So even the olive wreath has been replaced!Oh dear!Do you compete for prize money too?

L: No, we don’t.it’s still all about being able to run faster, jump higher and throw further.That’s the motto of the Olympics, you know-―Swifter, Higher and Stronger.‖

P: Well, that’s good news.How interesting!Thank you so much for your time.THE STORY OF ATLANTA

Atlanta was a Greek princess.She was very beautiful and could run faster than any man in Greece.But she was not allowed to run and win glory for herself in the Olympic Games.She was so angry that she said to her father that she would not marry anyone who could not run faster than her.Her father said that she must marry, so Atlanta made a bargain with him.She said to him,“These are my rules.When a man says he wants to marry me, I will run against him.If he cannot run as fast as me, he will be killed.No one will be pardoned.”

Many kings and princes wanted to marry Atlanta, but when they heard of rules they knew it was hopeless.So many of them sadly went home, but others stayed to run the race.There was a man called Hippomenes who was amazed when he heard of Atlanta's rules,“Why are these men so foolish?” he thought.“Why will they let themselves be killed because they cannot run as fast as this princess?” However, when she saw Atlanta come out of her house to run, Hippomenes changed his mind.“I will marry Atlanta--or die!” he said.The race started and although the man ran very fast, Atlanta ran faster.As Hippomenes watched he thought, “How can I run as fast as Atlanta?” He went to ask the Greek Godness of Love for help.She promised to help him and gave him three golden apples.She said,“ Throw an apple in front of Atlanta when she is running past.When she stops to pick it up, you will be able to run past her and win.”

Hippomenes took the apples and went to the King.He said,“ I want to marry Atlanta.” The King was sad to see another man die, but Hippomenes said,“ I will marry her------or die!” So the race began.Unit 3

WHO AM I?

Over time I have been changed quite a lot.I began as a calculating machine in France in 1642.Although I was young I could simplify difficult sums.I developed very slowly and it took nearly two hundred years before I was built as an analytical machine by Charles Babbage.After I was programmed by an operator who used cards with holes, I could ―think‖ logically and produce an answer quicker than any person.At that time it was considered a technological revolution and the start of my ―artificial intelligence‖.In 1936 my real father, Alan Turing, wrote a book about how I could be made to work as a ―universal machine‖ to solve any difficult mathematical problem.From then on, I grew rapidly both in size and in brainpower.By the 1949s I had grown as large as a room, and I wondered if I would grow any larger.However, this reality also worried my designers.As time went by, as was make smaller.First as a PC(personal computer)and then as a laptop, I have been used in offices and homes since the 1970s.These changes only became possible as my memory improved.First it was stored in tubes, then on transistors and later on very small chips.As a result I totally changed my shape.As I have grown older I have also grown smaller.Over time my memory has developed so much that, like an elephant, I never forget anything I have been told!And my memory became so large that even I couldn’t believe it!But I was always so lonely standing there by myself, until in early 1960s they gave me a family connected by a network.I was able to share my knowledge with others through the World Wide Web.Since the 1970s many new applications have been found for my.I have become very important in communication, finance and trade.I have also been put into robots and used to make mobile phones as well as help with medical operations.I have even been put into space rockets and sent to explore the Moon and Mars.Anyhow, my goal is to provide humans with a life of high quality.I am now truly filled with happiness that I am a devoted friend and helper of the human race!

ANDY – THE ANDROID

I’m part of an android football team.About once a year we are allowed to get together to play a game of football.I’m as big as a human.It fact, I look like one too.On the football team I’m a striker so I have to be able to run very fast.My computer ships help me to move and think like a human.For example, I have learned to signal to my teammates in computer language to give me the ball when I am open and have a good for a goal.My first football competition was in Nagoya, Japan several years ago.Last year our team went to Seattle, Washington in the USA.We won second place.Personally, I think the team that won first place cheated.They had developed a new type of program just before the competition.So we need to encourage our programmer to improve our intelligence too.We are determined to create an even better system.In a way our programmer is like our coach.She programs us with all the possible moves she has seen while watching human games.Then she prepares reliable moves to use if a new situation arises.In this way I can make up new moves using my ―artificial intelligence‖.I could like to play against a human team, for I have been programmed to act just like them.After all, with the help of my electronic brain which never forgets anything, using my intelligence is what I’m all about!

Unit 4 HOW DAISY LEARNED TO HELP WILDLIFE

Daisy had always longed to help endangered species of wildlife.One day she woke up and found a flying carpet by her bed.―Where do you want to go?‖ it asked.Daisy responded immediately.―I’d like to see some endangered wildlife,‖ she said.―Please take me to a distant land where I can find the animal that gave fur to make this sweater.‖ At once the carpet flew away and took her to Tibet.There daisy saw and antelope looking sad.It said, ―We’re being killed for the wool beneath our stomachs.Our fur is being used to make sweaters for people like you.As a result, we are now an endangered species.‖ At that Daisy cried, ―I’m sorry I didn’t know that.I wonder what is being done to help you.Flying carpet, please show me a place where there’s some wildlife protection.‖

The flying carpet traveled so fast that next minute they were in Zimbabwe.Daisy turned around and found that she was being watched by and elephant.―Have you come to take my photo?‖ it asked.In relief Daisy burst into laughter.―Don’t laugh,‖ said the elephant, ―We used to be an endangered species.Farmers hunted us without mercy.They said we destroyed their farms, and money from tourists only went to the large tour companies.So the government decided to help.They allowed tourists to hunt only a certain number of animals if they paid the farmers.Now the farmers are happy and our numbers are increasing.So good things are being done here to save local wildlife.‖

Daisy smiled, ―That’s good news.It shows the importance of wildlife protection, but I’d like to help as the WWF suggests.‖ The carpet rose again and almost at once they were in a thick rainforest.A monkey watched them as it rubbed itself.―What are you doing?‖ asked Daisy.―I’m protecting myself from mosquitoes,‖ it replied.When I find a millipede insect, I rub it over my body.It contains a powerful drug which affects mosquitoes.You should pay more attention to the rainforest where I live the appreciate how the animals live together.No rainforest, no animals, no drugs.‖

Daisy was amazed.―Flying carpet, please take me home so I can tell WWF and we can begin producing this new drug.Monkey, please come and help.‖ The monkey agreed.The carpet flew home.As they landed, things began to disappear.Two minutes later everything had gone-the monkey, too.So Daisy was not able to make her new drug.But what an experience!She had learned so much!And there was always WWF…

ANIMAL EXTINCTION

Many animals have disappeared during the long history of the earth.The most famous of these animals are dinosaurs.They lived on the earth tens of millions of years ago, long before humans came into being and their future seemed secure at that time.There were many different kinds of dinosaur and a number of them used to live in China.The eggs of twenty-five species have been found in Xixia,County,Nanyang, Henan Province.Not long ago a rare new species of bird-like dinosaur was discovered in Chaoyang County,Liaoning Province.When scientists inspeacted the bones,they were surprised to find that these dinosaurs could not only run like the others but also climb trees.They learned this from the way the bones were joined together.Dinosaurs died out suddenly about 65 million years ago.Some scientists think it came after an unexpected incident when a huge rock from space hit the earth and put too much dust into