第一篇：新世紀版英語高一課文(上海地區(qū))

上海新世紀英語高一全部課文

高一 doctor.In some countries parents often decide what careers their children will follow---especially their sons.Tchaikovsky(柴可夫斯基，1840-1893，俄國作曲家), the composer of Swan Lake(芭蕾舞劇《天鵝湖》), was asked to study law.He, however, didn?t take an interest in it.Tchaikovsky made a great decision on his own.He gave up his government service later and started to study music.Some people think the young are probably going to be successful because they are doing the things they most want to do in life.Many people, however, disagree with them.3.Michelangelo Michelangelo(米開朗琪羅，1475-1564，意大利文藝復興時期成就卓著的科學家、藝術家)was an Italian artist about 500 years ago.Today he is still remembered as a great sculptor, painter, and architect.Michelangelo came from a poor family.He was trained at an early age like any other craftsman in Italy.At thirteen, he started to work and learn in a workshop.The workshop belonged to one of the leading masters at that time.In the workshop Michelangelo was able to learn all the skills of sculpture.However, he wasn?t satisfied, and went on to study the work of the great masters of the past.Michelangelo worked hard and he mastered one problem after another.By the time he was 30, he was generally regarded as one of the outstanding sculptors of the age.In 1508, Michelangelo was given a task---to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel(位于羅馬梵蒂岡的西斯廷教堂).At first, he tried to turn down this job, saying that he was not really a painter, but a sculptor.Finally, he agreed to do it.He then shut himself up in the chapel, let no one come near him, and got ready to work alone.It took him four years to complete the paintings on the ceiling.Any ordinary person would find it hard to imagine what Michelangelo had gone through in those four years of hard and lonely work.Michelangelo, while working, had to lie on his back and paint.As a result, he became so used to looking upward that when he received a letter during that period, he had to hold it over his head to read it.Finally, the paintings were completed.The great and huge paintings on the ceiling and walls of the chapel have ever since become a fascination to people in Italy and all over the world.Michelangelo left us with a great number of sculptures and paintings.Today his works are still examples for art students to study and follow.Home and overseas visitors can?t help but admire these masterpieces.4.Jim Corrigan Jim Corrigan, a well-built man in his late 20?s, works in a large hospital.Jim is an X-ray technician.It is his job to develop the many X-ray films that are taken of people?s lungs, stomachs and other body parts.Jim works in a darkroom, a room that is specially equipped for developing film.First he removes the film from the lead plates(金屬片)that are used to hold it.Then he feeds the film into a developing machine.It takes about 90 seconds for it to develop.The film is then ready to be examined by a doctor.Jim?s work is important, and both doctors and patients eagerly, often worriedly, wait for the results of his work.Jim doesn?t keep them waiting too long.He is quick and orderly at his job.This would not be unusual except for the fact that Jim Corrigan is blind.“In the beginning it was tricky,” Jim explains, “The film comes in five different sizes.And

sometimes I would get them mixed up.But I have never let a mistake get out of the darkroom.” After some time, Jim learned to measure the film by running his fingers over the edges.“I have a system,” explains Jim, “so that I can find things easily in the darkroom.It?s a simple system.I just keep my materials in order and put them back in the same place after I use them.I don?t have to search for anything.”

“Jim is quite capable and can be trusted,” says his boss, “I wouldn?t have him working here if he weren?t.And that brings me to the question of handicapped people.You can?t let yourself get upset about them.They want to be treated just like anybody else---and they should be.They don?t want you to fell sorry for them.”

No one has to feel sorry for Jim Corrigan.5.Starting a conversation with a foreigner in English As you rode on the bus one day, a foreigner sat down beside you.Finally, here was a perfect opportunity for you to practice speaking English with a foreigner, you thought to yourself.But no words came into your head.You were tongue-tied!After 15 minutes, the foreigner got off the bus and you didn?t utter a word!“What a shame!” you said to yourself.If you have had such an experience, don?t feel bad.You?re not alone.What you need is a lesson in small talk.Here are some tips that will show you how to get started.“HELLO”---A STARTER First, exchange a “Hello” or “Hi” with the foreigner, but at the same time, pay close attention and see if he feels like chatting.Watch his facial expression and body language for cues.Having said his “Hello” or “Hi” in return, does he just stare out of the window or keep reading the book in his hand? That?s the cue for you to stop moving on.Don?t force a conversation on someone who wants to be left alone.But what if the person stops whatever he is doing and looks back or smiles at you? These are positive cues, indicating you can keep talking and start a conversation!SMALL TALK---THE MAIN COURSE To start a conversation, you should choose a suitable topic.Then, what are the rules for choosing a suitable topic? Perhaps the most universal topic of any conversation is the weather.Everyone has an opinion to share about the weather!Don?t immediately launch into serious topics like politics or religion.And don?t talk about personal matters, either.Stick to familiar subjects of a casual nature such as movies, music, sports, favourite things, or one?s likes and dislikes.Small talk flows naturally.Raise open-ended questions rather than yes-no questions to keep the conversation going.Try to find points of connection between you and the person you are chatting with.Offer short comments on what the other person says, and listen attentively when what you say is being commented on.If you get such comments as “That?s interesting.”, “I agree.”, or “Me too.” then you know you?re on the right track.You can have a lot of fun chatting in English with foreigners.They will, too.Try it!Making small talk can be one of life?s pleasures.6.Never too busy for social manners So you forgot to answer that party invitation you received.Now, the day has come and gone, and you?re feeling guilty because you never told the host you couldn?t attend.“Don?t allow this oversight(疏忽)to ruin your relationship,” says R.Thomas Boone, a US social psychologist.“I would show up with a bottle of wine and say, ?I owe(感激，虧欠)you one.I?m really sorry?,” Boone says.Send an e-mail, make a phone call or reach out to the host another way.Whatever the method，do it as soon as possible.If guests don?t answer the invitations on time, the host cannot possibly plan for the correct amount of food and drink.This may lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars of waste.“Everybody has a busy schedule now,” Boone says.If you know you are forgetful when it comes to making phone calls, try emailing your RSVPs as soon as the invitation arrives.RSVP is the short form of the French phrase “répondez s?il vous pla?t”, meaning “Reply, if you please”.The following are some commonly used terms in invitation letters and their meanings.Be sure to know these and answer invitations properly.RSVP, REGRETS ONLY Only guests who can?t attend need reply.You need to give a proper reason why you can?t attend.RSVP BY… Guests should respond with yes or no by the date indicated on the invitation.Setting a date gives guests a deadline.It is also a deadline for the host to connect guests who haven?t reply.RSVP BY E-MAIL Guests can respond by e-mail.Unlike phone calls, e-mails can be sent without regard to time of day or location.7.Holidays and festivals in the United Kingdom There are many national holidays in the United Kingdom.Among them, Easter, and Christmas are two of the most famous.EASTER The date of Easter varies each year.It usually falls in March or April.During the Easter holiday, people give each other chocolate Easter eggs.The eggs are opened and eaten on Easter Sunday.On Good Friday(the day before Easter, when Christians observe the day on which Christ died), hot cross buns(復活節(jié)前一個星期五吃的十字面包)are sold.They are toasted and eaten with butter.Easter Monday(the day after Easter)is a Bank Holiday.On that day, banks and other major businesses are closed;people may enjoy a trip to the seaside or watch an exciting sports game, such as football, or horse-racing.CHRISTMAS For most British families, Christmas is certainly the most important holiday of the year.Families decorate their houses in bright colours.Usually a Christmas tree is placed in the front room, shining with coloured lights and interesting decorations.On the morning of Christmas Day(December 25), many people go to church to celebrate the birth of Christ(耶穌基督).In the afternoon, they stay at home and open the gifts that were gathered around the tree.Later, they may watch the Queen appear on television to deliver her traditional Christmas message to the whole country.In the evening, the families sit down to a big goose(sometimes turkey)dinner.They round off the meal with pudding, a Christmas specialty.Many traditions are connected with Christmas.For children, the most important one is that of receiving gifts.On Christmas Eve(December 24), they usually leave a long stocking hanging by the bed or by the fireplace.They hope that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and bring them small presents.They are usually not disappointed!December 26, Boxing Day, is also a public holiday.This is the time to visit friends or watch football.Students have several weeks off school for Christmas.8.How do different cultures around the world celebrate the New Year? Get ready to say good-bye to the old, hello to the new!What?s the occasion? The coming of the New Year.Many Western cultures measure their days with the solar calendar.Therefore, they observe the coming of New Year on January 1.Cultures in Asia and Middle East use other calendars, such

as the more ancient lunar calendar.They celebrate the New Year at other times.Events and ceremonies vary from country to country.But in each places, New Year celebrations are a big meal.Most world cultures have been celebrating the New Year for centuries.The earliest New Year celebrations took place during spring or harvest time.With better weather ahead, or plenty of food to eat in winter, people naturally felt like having a party!As the days became longer and as nature renewed itself, people also felt like they could have a new start.Past disappointments could be forgotten.The New Year could bring better fortune, more opportunities and new challenges.Such universal themes remain the same today.Some cultures have unusual New Year traditions.Italians throw old things out of their windows at midnight, symbolizing the departure of the old.Mexicans fire guns into the air to keep away misfortunes.New Year celebrations also involve having fun.Some cultures view the New Year as an opportunity to let off fireworks.In New York City?s Times Square, thousands gather on December 31 to count down the last seconds of the year.A giant silver ball is lowered at the stroke of midnight.London, England, hosts an annual New Year?s Day parade that draws nearly a million spectators.The largest parade in Europe, it features bands and enormous balloons.These balloons are so huge that they tower over nearby buildings!How will you celebrate the New Year? Think about the themes you find meaningful during this season.Do you hope for a new start or a chance to turn over a new leaf? whatever the case, we wish you well.Happy New Year!9.Man’s four-legged friend The sun was shining and it was warm.Robin, a shepherd, was lying on the grass, enjoying the beautiful sunshine.His guard, a sheepdog, was standing next to him, looking at the flock of sheep.This is only a scene in a movie, but it does give us a real picture showing man?s relationship with dogs.For a long time in history, dogs were not only being raised to work as man?s guards, but they were also being trained to do many other jobs.Some were made to pull carts;others were bred to smell out enemies or track the scent of big animals.In addition to these hunting and working dogs, other breeds came to be used in sports, police work and as pets as well.In a way dogs have become man?s friends and working partners.If you have a dog you love as a pet, you share some of your life with it.The dog lives in your home, keeps you company and goes on trips with you.Dogs rely on their excellent sense of smell to tell things apart.This sharp sense helps man and dogs themselves get over a lot of difficulties.A detective once trained a dog---Sauer.In 1925 while he was thinking hard about how to catch a thief.Sauer worked alone and tracked the thief after covering a distance of 160 kilometres.Sauer did this by scent alone.In 1923 a couple lost their dog Bobbie while they were travelling.Six months later Bobbie turned up at the family house.He had covered a distance of some 3,200 kilometres.The dog had travelled back through the Rocky Mountains in the depths of winter.Dogs are indeed man?s best friends.Yet sometimes even the friendliest dog can bring death with its bite!This is not because it has changed in character, but because it has been infected with a terrible disease---rabies(狂犬病).The disease is passed on by a bite from an infected dog at any stage.When an infected person shows symptoms, death is certain to follow shortly after.So, in

order to prevent the disease, a person should go to a doctor at once if he has been bitten by a dog.Dogs remain man?s best friends, but we should also try our best to guard against the horrible disease that can be carried by these friends.10.Well done, Spotty!We were walking alone when we saw the Wilkins? children playing in their yard.The three girls were taking turns pushing a cart.Their one-year-old twin brothers and a big doll were in it.Just as we walked by them, a wheel came off.Freckles, my friend, fixed it for them.Then they all went upstairs to play some games.After a while Mrs Wilkins went out, and left the twins with the girls.Well, it wasn?t much fun for me, and soon I went to sleep.I must have slept pretty hard and pretty long.All of a sudden I woke up and could hardly breathe.Everybody was gone.The room was full of smoke!The house was on fire!I started down the stairs and stumbled over a gray bunch.“That belongs to Freckles,” I thought.“It?s the gray sweater that he likes so much.I might as well take it down to him.”

I took the sweater in my mouth and started down again.It weighed so much.So I dropped it on one of the stairs.Then I went back up to look out of a window.I wanted to see why there was so much noise.The whole town was in the front yard and in the street!In the middle of the crowd was Mrs Wilkins, who was carrying on like a mad woman.Mr.Wilkins was jumping up and down and shouting loudly, “I?ve got the babies!I?ve got the babies!” He had a real baby in one arm and the big doll in the other.He was so excited that ha thought he had both babies.Later I heard what had happened.The kids had thought they were escaping with both twins.But one of them had saved the doll and left a twin behind.“Well,” I decided, “I?d better get out of here fast.This place is really beginning to burn!” As I ran down the stairs, I knocked into the gray bunch again.So I picked it up.I got out the back way with that package swinging from my mouth.I walked round to the front yard and set it down very quickly.It let out a cry!“My baby!” shouted Mrs Wilkins.And she started to kiss me and the babies.“Three cheers for Spotty!” everyone shouted at the top of their voices.The butcher made his way through the crowd and gave me a large piece of hamburger and said, “It?s got chicken livers mixed in it.”

I liked the way things were, so I wagged my tail.11.Cartoons and comic strips People often find it hard to put their feelings into words.So they keep hunting for new means of expressing their feelings other than words.Cartoons, as such a means, were thus born.Old cartoons, however, did not attract many people until cartoonists had expanded their topics by the end of the 19th century.At around the same time, comic strips came into being.A cartoon is an amusing drawing that deals with something of interest in the news.Comic strips are a set of humorous drawings that tell a funny story.They make a story appear as a picture in the reader?s mind by showing one or two aspects of an event.There is a cartoon that shows a father and his son.The boy is showing his father his school report, which, unfortunately, gives a very poor grade---2 out of 5.So he does it in a quite unusual way: the report is fastened to one end of a pole while the boy is holding the other and.With the long pole between them, any punishment from the father is out of the question.For the moment, at

least, the son is safe.Readers can?t help laughing at the cartoon.But they may also find some food for thought in addition to being amused.Reading cartoons and comic strips had long been a favourite pastime for adults until the beginning of the 20th century.Then some business-minded people found that there might be a good market for children, too.With the improvement of printing and drawing techniques, modern cartoons and comic strips had become children?s favourites by the early 20th(around the 1920s).Since then they have become popular reading materials for people of all ages.Today the characters in cartoons and comic strips range from children to adults, pets to fancy animals, and ordinary people to superheroes.Micky Mouse and Garfield the Cat make children think and imagine actively.Superman and Batman bring villains of all sorts to justice.Father and Son expresses human love and sympathy in lively comic strips.Their names have become household words.They are only a few outstanding products in the field.Today the digital revolution has brought new life to the making of cartoons and comic strips.Therefore many people think that computer-made comics will in the end replace hand-drawn ones.However, just as the human mind will never give way completely to the computer, hand-drawn comics will never die, but will remain a special means of expressing human feelings.12.Rockwell and his works Norman Rockwell was a famous American illustrator and cover artist.Many of his works had become well-known by the middle of the 20th century.Critics spoke highly of his works.For example, according to one critic, “Most artists affect us by surprising us.Rockwell affects us by giving us exactly what we expect.” The following are just a few examples of his magazine covers.Cover one One of the best-known of all Rockwell?s covers!This painting is made up of two parts: the upper and the lower.Each detail in the lower picture is carefully matched with something in the upper part, so the result is kind of humorous.In this way, the painting presents the children?s moods in a sharp contrast: very happy when setting out and very tired and bored when coming back.Cover two This painting shows Rockwell?s skills as a story teller.It tells an ordinary story about a school boy.The boy is busy with his studies.Outside the window a fishing pole is ready, and the boy?s dog is waiting impatiently.To the boy, these last days of schoolwork before the summer vacation seem the longest.They appear more so as the final examination is drawing near.This is an old story of school children, but Rockwell tells it vividly in a simple way.Cover three In this painting, a young mother is trying hard to make up her mind: to spank or to spare her naughty child.The broken clock on the floor suggests that the child has behaved in an entirely natural manner.When a hammer is within his reach, he breaks something with the hammer!At the time the painting was completed, the Rockwells were already parents.So the cover story perhaps describes the artist?s own life experience.With this experience, Rockwell could make every detail come alive in this painting.13.A brief look at two metropolises NEW YORK In the 19th century, a businessman predicated that New York was going to become the centre of the world.His prediction has partly come true.Today, New York is often regarded as one of the financial and cultural capitals of the Western World.The United Nations has its headquarters in the city as well.New York, where the world-famous twin towers of the World Trade Center were once located，is known as a city of skyscrapers.There are parks, great museums, art galleries, grand theatres and cinemas for visitors as well.However, like many other cities in the world, New York also has its own problems---noise, air pollution, crimes, traffic jams, and slums.Still, the fast, exciting pace of life in New York City is fascinating and this may be a reason why the city continues to fascinate more and more people.LONDON London was once known as a city of fog.At that time, many Londoners did not expect that their city would change for the better.However, heavy fog is now rarely seen in London.As a city with a long history, London has also gone through many changes.The days are gone when horse-drawn carriages were a common sight in the street.Now London is famous for its excellent underground service and the red double-deckers have become a symbol of the city.The second half of the 20th century saw great changes in the city.Skyscrapers have sprung up;business centres for the 21st century are also growing fast.However, London has kept its heart.People can still enjoy themselves with a cup of tea in Convent Garden(科文特加登廣場).Some of the narrow roads that lead to churches are still there, taking people back to London?s old days.Although there are such concerns as heavy traffic, crowded shops and dirty streets in some areas, to many people, London remains the most interesting and wonderful city in the world.14.The time capsule of Colorado Springs In 1901, the citizens of Colorado Springs(科羅拉多泉市)in the USA decided to collect everyday items and to seal them in a steel box.The box was marked “To be opened after midnight, December 31st, AD 2000”, and was stored in the Colorado College Library.One hundred years later, on the appointed day, 300 people gathered to watch the opening of the box.Many in the crowd were in very good condition.There were newspapers, photographs, diaries, name cards, family trees, books and dozens of letters, including one written by Theodore Roosevelt(西奧多·羅斯福，美國 the proposal was discussed and revised, which resulted in the programme called the World Wide Web.In 1992, its browser software was introduced to the public.The early browsers functioned well but were not “user-friendly”.In 1993, a group of graduated students in the USA created Mosaic---a “browser” programme.Mosaic was pleasing to the eye and easy to use---just point and click.Netscape(美國網(wǎng)景公司)and then Microsoft followed with browsers that greatly simplified the process of surfing the Internet in search of information.Today, the Internet is changing our life style, cultural patterns, business practices, and ways of learning and doing research.It helps people keep up to date on world events, find a cheap flight, play games, and discuss everything from apples to space technology.An increasing number of people shop and bank on the Internet;many do business online.It enables people to browse online hundreds of thousands of magazines and books in libraries worldwide.The Internet is not owned or controlled by any company or nation.People can use the Net at home, in offices, at schools and universities, in public libraries or “cyber cafes”.It connects people in different countries instantly through computers, satellites, and phone lines.It is making our life easier and more efficient.“The Global Village” was coined to describe how radio and television had changed the world in the 20th century.In the 21st century, it seems the Internet is sure to have an even greater influence.16.Hacking By the end of 1946, technology had advanced so greatly as to make the electronic computer a part of life.The year 1976 saw the appearance of a more advanced type of computer, which was performing 100 million calculations a second.This record, however, was quickly rewritten.The fast development of computer speed brings endless benefits to human life.There are always two sides to a thing, though.There are problems with using computers and storing useful data in them.In 1988, a US official said that a German student had been regularly reading their top secret papers.That student had been able to carry out his break-ins without leaving home.That was a typical example of “hacking”.A “hacker” is a highly skilled computer user who spends his free time reading the secret files of others.A hacker needs only to discover the password that gives entry to a network.With clever guesswork, this can be done simply by trying again and again.A lot of hackers are only in it for fun---like Robert Schifreen and Steve Gold, who had read all the data in Prince Philip?s electronic mailbox before the police discovered the hacking.The possibility for hackers to commit crimes is great.In the 1980s some experts pointed out that American banks were losing up to $5,000 million a year to computer crimes.Once a hacker gained entry to a bank?s system, he could order it to move large sums of money to another bank in a foreign country---just what a traditional robber would do.Today computers are making life easier and far more comfortable.The evils, however, are also growing with the development of computer knowledge and techniques.It seems that the struggle against computer crimes will continue into the future.高一 Travelling around China can be tiring but fun as well.However, how you travel often determines whether your travel will be a success or a failure.Here is some information about how it can be done.BY TRAIN Most parts of China can now be reached by rail.Generally speaking, the train service is efficient.However, the trains are sometimes overcrowded, especially on national holidays.The kind of ticket you need depends on the distance of your journey.A hard or soft seat is fine for a short journey.For long journeys, a sleeper ticket is a better choice.BY SHIP A number of sea routes exist that can take you from one seaport to another along the coast of China.There are also a few inland waterways.The most attractive one is that from Chongqing to Shanghai.Along this route ships pass through the famous Three Gorges(長江三峽)and stop at many beautiful towns and historic sites.BY AIR This is often the first choice for those who have limited time to spend on a journey.But, of course, this time-saving advantage has to be paid for---tickets are more expensive.While CAAC(中國民用航空總局)used to be the only airline service in the country, there are now a number of regional airlines.The safety record has also improved much over the past decades.Air tickets are available through CITS(中國國際旅行社), at hotel travel desks or in air ticket offices.Most large cities and many popular tourist destinations have their own airports.BY BUS Highway networks in China are developing very fast.There are both inner-and inter-city bus services, they are well managed and cheap.State-owned long-distance bus services operate on schedule and are inexpensive.There are also private buses.They run mainly on local routes, and often will not depart until they are completely filled up.BY BICYCLE Besides what is mentioned above, cycling is also one of the best ways for traveling around town, unless you are in Chongqing---the only city with very few bicycles because of its steep streets.If you plan to stay in China for sometime, buy one as the natives do.Hope you will find this information helpful during your stay in China.18.The Ocean Park---A page from a travel brochure of Hong Kong, China Duration: Approx.(approximately的縮寫形式)4 hours or 7 hours(daily morning departure)Not only is it the largest in Asia, but it is also rated as one of the most spectacular oceanariums(海洋水族館)in the world.It offers the best family outing place to observe marine life as well as to experience a fun ride on a roller coaster(過山車).PANDA HABITAT Loved by many for their unusually cute look, the two darling pandas, An An and Jia Jia, can now be sighted at their permanent habitat in Ocean Park.SHARK AQUARIUM Through the underwater viewing tunnel, you seem to enter the mysterious deep ocean, surrounded by countless sharks and rays(鰩魚)of over 30 species, all swimming within arm?s reach.OCEAN THEATRE With a panoramic(全景的)background and hosted by a marvelous master of ceremonies(節(jié)目主持人), the Ocean Theatre stages entertaining performances by its great and small marine stars.When time permits, visit a jewelry factory workshop to observe the art of handicraft(手工藝).NOTE This is a half day guided tour.However, passengers may stay behind to explore more features in the Ocean Park.Return trips on our afternoon coach can be arranged with your tour guide.19.The Sydney Harbour Bridge There?s no feeling quite like seeing Sydney from the top of the Harbour Bridge.There I stood, looking up at Sydney?s Harbour Bridge---one of the most famous bridges in the world.Located near the magnificent Sydney Opera House, the 40-storey bridge towers over Australia?s largest city.The bridge was certainly beautiful to look at.But who in their right mind would want to climb it? Me, of course!Climbing the bridge is not such a crazy thing to do, in fact.Tourists started climbing the bridge in 1998.Now it?s one of Sydney?s most popular attractions.To prepare for the climb, our group of 12 climbers had to take a special class.First, we stored all our personal belongings and changed into special bridge climbing clothes.Then, the climb organizers showed us how to use the safety belts and climb the steep ladders.We were even given little personal radios to receive instructions from our guide during the climb!Our expectations began to build and our group became excited.One hour later, we were ready to go!We first crossed some catwalks below the road part of the bridge.I was glad I wasn?t afraid of heights.Looking down through the catwalk I could see the ground 50 meters(164 feet)below!Next we climbed the ladders leading up, up, up to the bridge?s arch.Cars sped by on the road below.The wind blew more fiercely the higher we climbed.More and more of the city slowly came into view.Soon we were approaching the very top of the bridge!What a scene it was at the top!Clear, bird?s eye views of the city extended in all directions.Looking south we saw the city skyline, the famous Opera House and the ocean.It was just like looking at a postcard, except that we were really part of the picture!Everyone felt proud of having reached this spot in the city.No one was ready to leave when it was time to go down.The two hours we had spent on the bridge seemed to pass in an instant.But the memory of having seen such a unique scene will stay with us for a lifetime.20.Travelling in the land of smiles Thailand uses the phrase “Land of Smiles” to describe itself in tourist brochures and advertising campaigns---and rightly so.Visitors to Thailand can expect to be greeted with a smile when they leave the airport, get into a taxi or rental car and again when they enter a hotel.What makes it so easy for the Thai people to smile at their visitors? The head of Thailand?s tourist bureau says that it is “in the nature of the people.” The Thais are naturally happy, he says with a smile, and they are glad to share that happiness with others.This attitude seems to be very much appreciated by the more than five million tourists who visit Thailand each year.The country ranks high on the list of places to which visitors want to return.The reason most often stated is that the people are friendly and polite.Some other Asian destinations are not as well received.Bali in Indonesia ranks high on the list, with Japan somewhere in the middle.These reports raise the question of whether certain nationalities are naturally more courteous than others.People may experience more friendliness in Thailand than in other countries.This may have more to do with the place than the people.Travel writers point out that cities are always stressful, hurried places, with little to offer in the way of smiles and welcome.Bangkok is not as friendly as other places in the surrounding Thai countryside.Remote towns and villages in China, for example, offer visitors a warm welcome, with smiles(and giggles)from children.Perhaps it should also be pointed out that polite, patient, smiling visitors will most often be greeted similarly，no matter which country they are in.21.Using English properly If you don?t want to offend someone, you?d better know which English words to use---and which to avoid.Imagine that you?re in a restaurant in America.You want some water, so you called out “Waitress!” A waitress comes to your table, but she?s clearly unhappy.What did you do wrong? You may have offended her by calling her a “waitress.” Today, many people prefer the word “server” to “waitress.”

Why? As society changes, so does our language.Today the word “server” is more appropriate.It gives the person a sense of being respected.Using English properly is an attempt to make language more respectful to all people.Words that put too much emphasis on gender are carefully avoided.These include words that end in “-ess” or “-man.” For example, people who serve passengers on airlines are now called “flight attendants,” not “stewardesses.” In the past, only women could be flight attendants;today, many men have entered the profession.“Flight attendant” is a better expression because it includes both men and women.Many women are entering jobs that were once only occupied by men, so words like “policeman” and “chairman” are being replaced.Now “police officer” and “chairperson” are the preferred terms.Unfortunately, English has no singular pronoun that can be used to replace either “he” or “she.” This creates some problems.How do we treat both genders fairly without such a pronoun? One way is to use the plural structure.So instead of saying “If a person wants to learn English, he should study every day,” many people would prefer “If people want to learn English, they should study every day.”

Using English properly extends further than gender.It also includes issues of race and disability.For example, some people prefer the term “people with a disability” to “handicapped.” The word “handicapped” can be considered disrespectful because it implies that a person is helpless.However, there are people who don?t like being told what words they have to use.And they insist on not changing their way of talking---they don?t think they are obliged to make others feel better.But most people agree that making language respectful to all is fair.So people do change with the times.22.Tips for English learning Language letter-boxes in quite a few English newspapers are often filled with letters complaining about such problems as “I don?t know to improve my pronunciation and intonation.The English vocabulary is too large to handle.” Or “I find my spoken English most worrying.Please tell me how to improve my communication skills!”

At the same time, in some newspapers, there are ads for “Shortcuts in Mastering English,” “A 24-hour Programme of Success in Spoken English” or “Recipe for English Fluency,” and so on.A lot of teachers of English try to help fight learners? worries by saying that the road to successful communication is clearly signposted---practise, practice and practice.If there are few such opportunities in your day-to-day life, make them up: form clubs or learning groups, and practise talking to each other.Expose yourselves to an English radio broadcast, a tape recording, a film or a video: let it be a topic or a context for discussion.Even when you are alone, try to have some practice.You can

never lay too much emphasis on the importance of “input” for language learning, so reading newspapers and listening to the radio are good habits to cultivate.One thing, however, is very important: the “input” must be appropriate for your level.Something too difficult is useless, while spending time on something too easy will be pointless.And remember this: there isn?t a cure-all for all of you.One shortcut may work for some of you, and another probably has a positive effect on others.Only one method works for everybody---and that is, to use English!23.Eye contact Lunch was now over, and I offered to drive James back to his hotel.He said he had walked over to my place but politely accepted the lift.We drove the few blocks back to his hotel and pulled into the driveway.I got out, went quickly to his side of the car, opened the door, and started to lean forward with one hand reaching out.Then my eyes met his.Not a word was spoken, but the message I got was clear, “Don?t you dare try to help me out of this car!”

I backed off.James got out and then gave me a big smile---his way of saying, “No harm done.All is well.”

If we pay enough attention, we?ll see our audience is often communicating with us without words.It is important to read these silent signals in one?s eyes.If you introduce a subject that causes much movement in the audience, you know that you have aroused their attention.They are shifting in their seats or exchanging looks with their neighbours.The reaction from your audience should be your guide.When you continue your talk, you know that to drop, what to revise and what to add, all based on your reading of the eyes of the audience.If you?ve told a joke or story that hasn?t gone down well, the audience may be telling you that they want to hear or what they don?t want to hear.Such information can and should lead to some change in the content, humour and style of what you still have to say.The most obvious display of an audience?s silent communication is their lack of attention.Yawning, programme studying, chatting in very low voices or dozing, to mention the worst, are warnings.Through eye contact you will be the first to know if you have lost them.An immediate change of attitude is called for.No speaker is ever honoured for going down with the ship.Silent clues, however, may also communicate good news.Smiling, leaning forward, watching attentively---all tell you that the track is clear of obstacles;the signals are green---so go ahead.24.Understanding body language Have you ever met someone and found that you instantly liked them? You just couldn?t put your finger on it as to why.Deep down inside yourself they gave you a strange feeling.I?m not going to call myself a body language expert, but I think I can hive you my advice on how to read the most complicated language of all: body language.YOUR MOVES SELL YOU OUT.So for starters, think about yourself.Have you ever stopped for a moment to watch the way that you move your body? Well, believe it or not, the people you are talking to are watching your every move.They watch your eyes, your facial expressions, the way you hold your posture.In fact, the way you move can tell a lot about what kind of person you are … or what kind of person you appear to be.WHAT CAN BODY LANGUAGE TELL? In most Western countries, making eye contact with anyone you talk to is very important.If you don?t make eye contact, you might be judged as dishonest or even rude.Then there?s posture.If your actions are very confident, you will appear to be confident to others.And, the rate that you speak can also tell others something.If you talk too

fast, you?re nervous, while too slow probably indicates that you are unsure of yourself, and that maybe you are shy.I?M CONFUSED WITH “SPACE” IN CHINA.As a traveler, I have been confused time and time again with every place I visit.This is mainly because I misunderstood the body language of the people.In China, I have had many issues with the concept of “space.” As an American I need “personal space.” So, the first time I came to Shanghai I was constantly apologizing to strangers who I bumped into on the streets or even on the bus, but they just looked at me as if I were strange.Understanding body language is difficult, but it?s important to become aware of it, and I make an effort to understand it.So my advice, watch your own actions, for they can send a message to someone that you may not even know!And when in doubt, smile!25.Arturo Toscanini

Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the first public performance of many world-famous operas(such as Othello and La Boheme), is regarded as the greatest conductor of the first part of the twentieth century.Toscanini was born in Italy on March 25, 1867.He entered a music school when he was nine and graduated in 1885 with the highest honours in cello and composition.At the age of nineteen, he joined an Italian orchestra on a tour in Brazil.During that tour, the conductor of the orchestra suddenly quit his job.Toscanini was thus called in to fill in as conductor at very short notice.It was not surprising that the audience laughed at him as he leapt onto the stage.His passionate interpretation of Aida was, however, greeted with loud cheers.What was most special about Toscanini was that he did his job without the help of a score.Having read through a score, he could recall every note many years later.However, the fact that he had a marvelous memory alone did not make him a great conductor.It was his energy, strict attitude towards performance, and loyalty to the composer?s intention that made him outstanding.During rehearsals, to get what he wanted from his orchestra, he would sometimes stamp his feet, snap his baton and tear his store to pieces.He tried to make use of every means to interpret music.Once he found himself at a loss when trying to describe to an American orchestra a very light effect in a passage(his English was poor).After thinking hard for a while, he drew a white silk handkerchief from his pocket and threw it into the air, watching with the orchestra as it floated to the floor.“There!” he said.“Play like that!”

Toscanini drove himself as hard as he did his orchestra.If the orchestra met his demands, he would weep for joy.Otherwise, he would not spare them from punishment.If he himself made a rare mistake, he would slap his own face in front of the orchestra.He would not spare even himself from punishment.Toscanini would shout at anyone who dared talk during the performance or, even worse, arrived late.All through his life, Toscanini was anti-fascist.In1931, he was physically attacked for refusing to play the fascist anthem and for protesting against Hitler?s ban on Jewish musicians.He dropped his baton in 1954, and died in 1957 at the age of 90.26.An interview with a pop pianist Robin Gordon(RG), a journalist, interviews a very rich and famous pianist, James Newman(JN), who has a way of playing classical music in a wildly romantic manner.He is well known for his strange clothes as well.RG: Actually, you don?t let the chance slip through your fingers when you chose music as your

career.JN: No, the entertainment world is full of opportunities.When any of them turns up and comes to you, you must be prepared.RG: You started playing the piano as a child, didn?t you?

JN: Yes.I?m very competitive---that?s the way I was brought up.I was raised in a strict traditional family.I was the oldest of us kids.In a family that size, you had to be hardworking to get noticed.My father wanted us to be aggressive, competitive and career-oriented.So, it became very important for me to be number one all the time and I did get straight A?s at school.RG: Well, when you began as a pianist, you wore traditional clothes, didn?t you?

JN: I did wear a black suit and a bow tie that made me look like a headwaiter, and I looked serious and miserable when I played!But not for long, I soon developed my own style.RG: Just where…and how did you begin your own style?

JN: Well…I learned the piano at an early age, and after I left music school, I started giving piano performances.Well, anyway, one evening when I was in Wisconsin(威斯康星州), something happened.My audience that evening consisted mostly of rich farmers.They were all sitting like sleeping dummies(模型)…it was really a very hot evening…I was all sweaty.They just weren?t enjoying Bach(巴赫，1685-1750，德國作曲家)or Chopin(肖邦，1810-1849，波蘭作曲家、鋼琴家).They were ready to fall off their chairs with boredom.So I stopped playing and stood up.RG: You mean, you stopped in the middle of a performance? JN: Exactly.And I shouted, “Come on, folks.What would you really like to hear?” At first they looked at me as if I had gone mad, then they became all wide awake.They agreed that they wanted a change.So I played something in a kind of wild Bach style.RG: And soon after that you started your new style.JN: Yes.I decided to play Bach and Chopin in a very unusual style.Meanwhile I started wearing fancy clothes.RG: I guess your father didn?t approve of all this.JN: Right.Dad?s a bit old.He wanted to make a classical musician of me!He didn?t understand me.RG: Even though you are so successful? JN: No.Many people don?t.RG: Perhaps it takes time.Thank you, Mr.Newman.27.Stunts in movies On the screen, the US actor Tom Cruise is throwing himself through a glass window as a large car explodes behind him;the actress Helen Hunt is running from hurricanes as homes and cows are swept up.And, of course, there is Stallone doing…everything.It seems to be popular these days for actors and actresses to do their own stunts in action movies, and the fact is that the big names are indeed doing more stunts.According to a director, some actors do as much as ninety per cent of their own stunts, while the last ten per sent are generally left to stunt professionals.These are the men and women who make a living risking their lives on behalf of the big names in action movies.However, there is an exception.The only actor who does any allow anyone else to do his stunts is Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong phenomenon.He takes pride in doing all the stunts in his action movies.Jackie Chan has been doing his individual brand of dramatic martial arts for fifteen

years.He is no doubt a walking miracle of physical endurance.Of course, along with that heroism are numerous broken bones and a hole the size of a coin in his head.US action filmmakers do not want their movie stars to be injured, so stunt experts are always called in to do dangerous parts that require talent.At the same time, they also try hard to make the audience believe that the famous faces are performing every stunt.Actors and actresses would also like the fans to believe that there are no professionals doing the stunts for them.Many of them insist on doing their own stunts in the movies.Then accidents are inevitable.For instance, Helen Hunt was knocked unconscious when filming one scene---she opened the door of a vehicle and jumped off while it was speeding through a cornfield.Helen later admitted, “I have all the courage of a stunt person, but I don?t have all the talent.”

As for the audience, there is absolutely no need for you to worry about your favourite stars, who are bragging about performing the stunts on TV talk shows.It?s entirely possible that someone else took the fall.As Helen said, there is still a lot of work out there for stunt professionals.28.Digital actors Is it real, or is it digital? In many Hollywood movies these days it?s sometimes impossible to tell what?s real and what?s not.Moviemakers create landscapes, cities and even creatures from nothing but pixels.These computer images look just as real as the world we live in.Now moviemakers are developing the final computer creation---digital humans.Developing computer images that look and act just like real humans has long been the dream of many moviemakers.Pixel by pixel that dream is gradually becoming a reality.The first attempts to create prefect digital humans began several years ago.Final fantasy(《最終幻想》), released in 2004, showed the potential and limitations of digital actors.The movie?s digital characters looked and acted surprisingly lifelike.But somehow they still reminded audiences of cartoons, and their “acting” was less than inspiring.Final Fantasy?s digital magic also cost moviemakers a fortune.Just creating human-looking hair cost about $20 million.And despite people?s initial excited reaction, it performed poorly at the box office.The film, which cost $137 million to make, lost about $80 million.Moviemakers have been much more successful at creating non-human characters.The Lord of the Rings(《指環(huán)王》)trilogy features a digital creature named Gollum.Though not human, Gollum gives a very moving performance.Surprisingly, this collection of pixels manages to effectively show a wide range of human emotions.The Matrix: Reloaded(《黑客帝國Ⅱ》)features the most perfect digital humans so far.These lifelike digital creations appear widely throughout the movie.In fact, audiences can never be sure which actors are real and which are digital.So should Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and all their Hollywood friends start looking for another line of work? Not necessarily.Many popular movie directors say digital actors will never “act” as well as humans.Digital actors must also rely on gifted human actors for their voices.29.Front page news Millions of newspapers are sold every day throughout the world.What section of the newspapers on a newsstand catches your eye? Without doubt, it is the front page.Its contents are usually about the most important happenings of the day.Besides that, it is common practice that the front page carries an index to help the reader quickly locate certain sections of the paper.A front page carries a brief weather forecast for the day as well.Much thought goes into the actual headlines themselves.A headline is like a title.People think it important that headlines should aim at being both informative and eye-catching.They should attract the reader?s attention.The main front-page headline is, of course, the most important one.After all, it can even determine whether or not a person will be tempted to buy a particular newspaper.While the importance of the front page is obvious, there are two schools of thought over the emphasis placed on its contents.There is the school that describes the front page as a paper?s “shop window” and therefore emphasizes the need for “window-dressing”.The trouble with this approach is that too much concentration on the “shop window” tends to reduce the value of the goods displayed inside.Others take the view that a newspaper is like a store with many windows, each of which should be dressed to the same high standard.It should have a sense of unity.Once the paper has decided the type---the style it will use for headlines---composing the front page is a fairly simple matter.The main story, called the lead, takes the prime position, usually the top left-hand corner of the page.A strong picture occupies the top center of the page;then follows the second-lead, third-lead and other stories in size-graded headings.When there is a big event, the paper uses a headline which runs the full width of the page and which is usually set in a bold type.However, a newspaper has to draw a line between being eye-catching and being sensational.A newspaper which overuses shock methods may lose its reputation.30.Two pieces of news GREAT VICTORY ENDS YEARS OF WAITING Moscow: It was Beijing?s night yesterday in Moscow.As Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee(IOC), announced that Beijing would be the host for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, cheering, applauding and waving of flags broke out to celebrate the victory.“Now the results of the voting---the Games of the 29th Olympiad in 2008 is awarded to the city of…Beijing,” declared Samaranch, the most famous sports figure in the world.Beijing won in the second round ballot with 56 votes from the 105 voting IOC members, while Toronto got a distant 22, Paris 18 and Istanbul 9.Osaka, which received 6 votes, was eliminated in the first round.A contract to host the Games followed after the vote.BEIJING WAS SLEEPLESS LAST NIGHT Thousands upon thousands of people gathered in squares, shopping malls, streets and millions of homes to applaud the city?s success in its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.Buildings and streets were brightly lit, and heartfelt cheers and laughter filled the air.Fireworks lit up the night sky, and flags formed a sea of flowing colour.As International Olympic Committee(IOC)President Juan Antonio Samaranch announced that Beijing had won the IOC vote at 10:15 last night, the ancient capital burst into cheers and tears.The China Millennium Monument(中華世紀壇)in western Beijing, the centre of the celebration, was alive with cheerful crowds.Senior Chinese leaders joined university students and local citizens in celebrating the success in the bid with the whole nation.Tian?anmen Square was also filled with people who poured into the city centre on learning about the news.Chanting “Beijing!Olympics!” at the top of one?s voice seemed the commonest

means of expressing one?s feelings.Thousands of cars waited in endless queues along Chang?an Boulevard(長安街)and other major avenues.Wild with joy, the drivers kept blowing their horns.Messages were sent by cell phones, telephones, e-mails, etc., and popular websites were crammed with visitors.31.An added bonus Anne and Joe King sat back in their easy chairs, watching television in their cozy living-room.Anne used the remote control to find a programme of interest.“Why don?t we watch The Family Friction(摩擦)?” said Anne.“I hate watching soap dramas,” said Joe.“Especially this one where couples argue over money.”

“Okay,” said Anne, as she switched to Channel 12.“And now,” said a good-looking announcer on the TV screen, “Round-the-World(《環(huán)球》), the magazine of the world, is proud to announce its limited offer.For the bargain price of $10, half the newsstand price, you can subscribe to one year, twelve issues, of Round-the-World.Imagine reading unusual stories with colour photos that will surprise you.And as an added bonus, if you subscribe before midnight, June 1st, we will offer, without extra cost, our World Atlas(地圖).Remember, this is a limited offer.This atlas cannot be bought in stores.There are maps of every chief tourist attraction in the world, in addition to the metropolises and capitals of the countries.Won?t it be great to have the world at your fingertips!To get this amazing offer, write to Round-the-World Bonus, Box 666, Reno, Nevada(內(nèi)華達州)87870.Be sure to enclose your cheque or money order for $10.if not completely satisfied, you may keep the atlas and cancel your subscription.In that case, you can get your money back.”

“That sounds amusing,” said Anne.“In fact, it would be really handy to have an atlas, particularly when I need to locate places I plan to visit or read about in the news.”

They sent a letter of subscription and two weeks later a small package arrived in the mail.They got the atlas.“Is this our atlas?” said Joe in disbelief.“It looks like a big postage stamp.” “It looked tremendous on television,” said Anne.“It?ll be impossible to find anything in such an atlas,” said Joe.“To find anything, we?ll need a microscope.”

32.The history of magazines It was during the mid-nineteenth century that the magazine developed into the main source of popular entertainment for the general public.Instead of speaking mainly to the well-educated upper classes as in the past, the illustrated magazine addressed the general public.The first magazine that was born in 1665 in France was a dry and dull publication.Most publishers did not realize the significance of visuals as tools to educate, shape opinions and entertain.Nor did they know the importance of selling as many copies of their magazines as possible.It was not until the early decades of the 20th century that the magazine industry started to flourish.The main centres of the magazine industry were in America, France, Germany, and Great Britain.Many fancy and unique publications were produced there.Some publishers, such as William R.Hearst, built empires: he employed no fewer than 31,000 people by 1935.Hearst published more than nine magazines and two dozen newspapers in the first half of the century.The atmosphere of the 20th century was good for the growth of fashion and women?s

magazines.Among them, Ladies? Home Journal(《婦女家庭》)and Vogue(《時尚》)in America were the most popular.In America, the biggest impact on the magazine industry in the 1930s was the publication of Life(《生活》)magazine.Its concept of instant news through pictures meant that magazines could compete with the popular electronic media.After World War Ⅱ, the magazine industry changed dramatically.Magazines were forced to become more profit-oriented and generally less attractive.The 1950s witnessed the appearance of magazine for sports, sailing, fishing, cooking, dog breeding, and stamp collecting, to name just a few.Magazines have experienced social pressures, financial and technical hardships.However, they have worked hard to meet the needs of people with a variety of interests.Magazines have indeed become a truly effective and expressive medium for the general public.

第二篇：新世紀英語高一課文

上海外語教育出版社——新世紀英語高一課文

高一第一學期

1.People from all walks of life When a person grows up, he will take up different occupations in various work places.A society is thus made up of all walks of life.What kind of person do you want to be in the future? The following introductions may give you some idea.TEACHER Teachers are professionals.They work in schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions.They try their best to help students gain new knowledge and become useful people in society.Teachers are involved in many tasks, such as explaining lessons, giving homework and correcting papers.At the end of every term, they mark test papers and give grades to their students.Actually teachers do more.Often their impact on students stays all through their lives.SURGEON Surgeons, like teachers, are also professionals.As a special group of doctors, surgeons operate on sick people and repair the organs that no longer work properly.Hospitals are their work places.After an operation, a surgeon takes care of the patient’s medical treatment until he gets well.The skills of a surgeon sometimes mean the differences between life and death.SECRETARY A secretary works in an office.The job of a secretary often involves writing letters, answering telephone calls, and receiving people.A secretary stores information on a computer and puts papers in good order in file cabinets.As a link between the boss and the visitors, a secretary also helps the boss work out plans and timetables.Traditionally, more girls than boys work as secretaries.In some countries parents often decide what careers their children will follow---especially their sons.Tchaikovsky, the composer of Swan Lake, was asked to study law.He, however, didn’t take an interest in it.Tchaikovsky made a great decision on his own.He gave up his government service later and started to study music.Some people think the young are probably going to be successful because they are doing the things they most want to do in life.Many people, however, disagree with them.3.Michelangelo Michelangelo was an Italian artist about 500 years ago.Today he is still remembered as a great sculptor, painter, and architect.Michelangelo came from a poor family.He was trained at an early age like any other craftsman in Italy.At thirteen, he started to work and learn in a workshop.The workshop belonged to one of the leading masters at that time.In the workshop Michelangelo was able to learn all the skills of sculpture.However, he wasn’t satisfied, and went on to study the work of the great masters of the past.Michelangelo worked hard and he mastered one problem after another.By the time he was 30, he was generally regarded as one of the outstanding sculptors of the age.In 1508, Michelangelo was given a task---to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.At first, he tried to turn down this job, saying that he was not really a painter, but a sculptor.Finally, he agreed to do it.He then shut himself up in the chapel, let no one come near him, and got ready to work alone.It took him four years to complete the paintings on the ceiling.Any ordinary person would find it hard to imagine what Michelangelo had gone through in those four years of hard and

edges.“I have a system,” explains Jim, “so that I can find things easily in the darkroom.It’s a simple system.I just keep my materials in order and put them back in the same place after I use them.I don’t have to search for anything.”

“Jim is quite capable and can be trusted,” says his boss, “I wouldn’t have him working here if he weren’t.And that brings me to the question of handicapped people.You can’t let yourself get upset about them.They want to be treated just like anybody else---and they should be.They don’t want you to fell sorry for them.”

No one has to feel sorry for Jim Corrigan.5.Starting a conversation with a foreigner in English As you rode on the bus one day, a foreigner sat down beside you.Finally, here was a perfect opportunity for you to practice speaking English with a foreigner, you thought to yourself.But no words came into your head.You were tongue-tied!After 15 minutes, the foreigner got off the bus and you didn’t utter a word!“What a shame!” you said to yourself.If you have had such an experience, don’t feel bad.You’re not alone.What you need is a lesson in small talk.Here are some tips that will show you how to get started.“HELLO”---A STARTER First, exchange a “Hello” or “Hi” with the foreigner, but at the same time, pay close attention and see if he feels like chatting.Watch his facial expression and body language for cues.Having said his “Hello” or “Hi” in return, does he just stare out of the window or keep reading the book in his hand? That’s the cue for you to stop moving on.Don’t force a conversation on someone who wants to be left alone.But what if the person stops whatever he is doing and looks back or smiles at you?

If guests don’t answer the invitations on time, the host cannot possibly plan for the correct amount of food and drink.This may lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars of waste.“Everybody has a busy schedule now,” Boone says.If you know you are forgetful when it comes to making phone calls, try emailing your RSVPs as soon as the invitation arrives.RSVP is the short form of the French phrase “répondez s’il vous pla?t”, meaning “Reply, if you please”.The following are some commonly used terms in invitation letters and their meanings.Be sure to know these and answer invitations properly.RSVP, REGRETS ONLY Only guests who can’t attend need reply.You need to give a proper reason why you can’t attend.RSVP BY… Guests should respond with yes or no by the date indicated on the invitation.Setting a date gives guests a deadline.It is also a deadline for the host to connect guests who haven’t reply.RSVP BY E-MAIL Guests can respond by e-mail.Unlike phone calls, e-mails can be sent without regard to time of day or location.7.Holidays and festivals in the United Kingdom There are many national holidays in the United Kingdom.Among them, Easter, and Christmas are two of the most famous.EASTER The date of Easter varies each year.It usually falls in March or April.During the Easter holiday, people give each other chocolate Easter eggs.The eggs are opened and eaten on Easter Sunday.On Good Friday(the day before Easter, when Christians observe

observe the coming of New Year on January 1.Cultures in Asia and Middle East use other calendars, such as the more ancient lunar calendar.They celebrate the New Year at other times.Events and ceremonies vary from country to country.But in each places, New Year celebrations are a big meal.Most world cultures have been celebrating the New Year for centuries.The earliest New Year celebrations took place during spring or harvest time.With better weather ahead, or plenty of food to eat in winter, people naturally felt like having a party!As the days became longer and as nature renewed itself, people also felt like they could have a new start.Past disappointments could be forgotten.The New Year could bring better fortune, more opportunities and new challenges.Such universal themes remain the same today.Some cultures have unusual New Year traditions.Italians throw old things out of their windows at midnight, symbolizing the departure of the old.Mexicans fire guns into the air to keep away misfortunes.New Year celebrations also involve having fun.Some cultures view the New Year as an opportunity to let off fireworks.In New York City’s Times Square, thousands gather on December 31 to count down the last seconds of the year.A giant silver ball is lowered at the stroke of midnight.London, England, hosts an annual New Year’s Day parade that draws nearly a million spectators.The largest parade in Europe, it features bands and enormous balloons.These balloons are so huge that they tower over nearby buildings!

in the depths of winter.Dogs are indeed man’s best friends.Yet sometimes even the friendliest dog can bring death with its bite!This is not because it has changed in character, but because it has been infected with a terrible disease---rabies.The disease is passed on by a bite from an infected dog at any stage.When an infected person shows symptoms, death is certain to follow shortly after.So, in order to prevent the disease, a person should go to a doctor at once if he has been bitten by a dog.Dogs remain man’s best friends, but we should also try our best to guard against the horrible disease that can be carried by these friends.10.Well done, Spotty!We were walking alone when we saw the Wilkins’ children playing in their yard.The three girls were taking turns pushing a cart.Their one-year-old twin brothers and a big doll were in it.Just as we walked by them, a wheel came off.Freckles, my friend, fixed it for them.Then they all went upstairs to play some games.After a while Mrs Wilkins went out, and left the twins with the girls.Well, it wasn’t much fun for me, and soon I went to sleep.I must have slept pretty hard and pretty long.All of a sudden I woke up and could hardly breathe.Everybody was gone.The room was full of smoke!The house was on fire!I started down the stairs and stumbled over a gray bunch.“That belongs to Freckles,” I thought.“It’s the gray sweater that he likes so much.I might as well take it down to him.”

I took the sweater in my mouth and started down again.It weighed so much.So I dropped it on one of the stairs.Then I went back up to look out of a window.I wanted to see why there was so much noise.1picture in the reader’s mind by showing one or two aspects of an event.There is a cartoon that shows a father and his son.The boy is showing his father his school report, which, unfortunately, gives a very poor grade---2 out of 5.So he does it in a quite unusual way: the report is fastened to one end of a pole while the boy is holding the other and.With the long pole between them, any punishment from the father is out of the question.For the moment, at least, the son is safe.Readers can’t help laughing at the cartoon.But they may also find some food for thought in addition to being amused.Reading cartoons and comic strips had long been a favourite pastime for adults until the beginning of the 20th century.Then some business-minded people found that there might be a good market for children, too.With the improvement of printing and drawing techniques, modern cartoons and comic strips had become children’s favourites by the early 20th(around the 1920s).Since then they have become popular reading materials for people of all ages.Today the characters in cartoons and comic strips range from children to adults, pets to fancy animals, and ordinary people to superheroes.Micky Mouse and Garfield the Cat make children think and imagine actively.Superman and Batman bring villains of all sorts to justice.Father and Son expresses human love and sympathy in lively comic strips.Their names have become household words.They are only a few outstanding products in the field.Today the digital revolution has brought new life to the making of cartoons and comic strips.Therefore many people think that computer-made comics will in the end replace hand-drawn ones.However, just as the human mind will never give way completely to the computer, hand-drawn comics will never die, but will remain a special means of expressing human

3cover story perhaps describes the artist’s own life experience.With this experience, Rockwell could make every detail come alive in this painting.13.A brief look at two metropolises NEW YORK In the 19th century, a businessman predicated that New York was going to become the centre of the world.His prediction has partly come true.Today, New York is often regarded as one of the financial and cultural capitals of the Western World.The United Nations has its headquarters in the city as well.New York, where the world-famous twin towers of the World Trade Center were once located, is known as a city of skyscrapers.There are parks, great museums, art galleries, grand theatres and cinemas for visitors as well.However, like many other cities in the world, New York also has its own problems---noise, air pollution, crimes, traffic jams, and slums.Still, the fast, exciting pace of life in New York City is fascinating and this may be a reason why the city continues to fascinate more and more people.LONDON London was once known as a city of fog.At that time, many Londoners did not expect that their city would change for the better.However, heavy fog is now rarely seen in London.As a city with a long history, London has also gone through many changes.The days are gone when horse-drawn carriages were a common sight in the street.Now London is famous for its excellent underground service and the red double-deckers have become a symbol of the city.The second half of the 20th century saw great changes in the city.Skyscrapers have sprung up;business centres for the 21st century are also growing fast.However, London has kept its heart.People can still enjoy themselves with a cup of tea

515.The growth of the Internet The Internet began as a tool to connect universities and government research centres through a nationwide network.It would allow a large number of computers to exchange information and share resources.Its development was pushed forward by ARPA---the Advanced Research Projects Agency, which was established in the United States in 1958.In 1969 ARPA began to focus on communications technology.Then in the early 1970s, the ARPA net came into being.This network laid the foundation for the Internet.In 1972, electronic mail was introduced.At the same time in Europe, researchers were struggling with their own computer networking problems.In 1989, a scientist proposed the World Wide Web project.Over the next year or two, the proposal was discussed and revised, which resulted in the programme called the World Wide Web.In 1992, its browser software was introduced to the public.The early browsers functioned well but were not “user-friendly”.In 1993, a group of graduated students in the USA created Mosaic---a “browser” programme.Mosaic was pleasing to the eye and easy to use---just point and click.Netscape and then Microsoft followed with browsers that greatly simplified the process of surfing the Internet in search of information.Today, the Internet is changing our life style, cultural patterns, business practices, and ways of learning and doing research.It helps people keep up to date on world events, find a cheap flight, play games, and discuss everything from apples to space technology.An increasing number of people shop and bank on the Internet;many do business online.It enables people to browse online hundreds of thousands of magazines and books in libraries

7read all the data in Prince Philip’s electronic mailbox before the police discovered the hacking.The possibility for hackers to commit crimes is great.In the 1980s some experts pointed out that American banks were losing up to $5,000 million a year to computer crimes.Once a hacker gained entry to a bank’s system, he could order it to move large sums of money to another bank in a foreign country---just what a traditional robber would do.Today computers are making life easier and far more comfortable.The evils, however, are also growing with the development of computer knowledge and techniques.It seems that the struggle against computer crimes will continue into the future.高一第二學期

17.Travelling around China Travelling around China can be tiring but fun as well.However, how you travel often determines whether your travel will be a success or a failure.Here is some information about how it can be done.Most parts of China can now be reached by rail.Generally speaking, the train service is efficient.However, the trains are sometimes overcrowded, especially on national holidays.The kind of ticket you need depends on the distance of your journey.A hard or soft seat is fine for a short journey.For long journeys, a sleeper ticket is a better choice.number of sea routes exist that can take you from one seaport to another along the coast of China.There are also a few inland waterways.The most attractive one is that from Chongqing to Shanghai.Along this route ships pass through the famous Three Gorges and

9and Jia Jia, can now be sighted at their permanent habitat in Ocean Park.SHARK AQUARIUM Through the underwater viewing tunnel, you seem to enter the mysterious deep ocean, surrounded by countless sharks and rays of over 30 species, all swimming within arm’s reach.OCEAN THEATRE With a panoramic background and hosted by a marvelous master of ceremonies, the Ocean Theatre stages entertaining performances by its great and small marine stars.When time permits, visit a jewelry factory workshop to observe the art of handicraft.NOTE This is a half day guided tour.However, passengers may stay behind to explore more features in the Ocean Park.Return trips on our afternoon coach can be arranged with your tour guide.19.The Sydney Harbour Bridge There’s no feeling quite like seeing Sydney from the top of the Harbour Bridge.There I stood, looking up at Sydney’s Harbour Bridge---one of the most famous bridges in the world.Located near the magnificent Sydney Opera House, the 40-storey bridge towers over Australia’s largest city.The bridge was certainly beautiful to look at.But who in their right mind would want to climb it? Me, of course!Climbing the bridge is not such a crazy thing to do, in fact.Tourists started climbing the bridge in 1998.Now it’s one of Sydney’s most popular attractions.To prepare for the climb, our group of 12 climbers had to take a special class.First, we stored all our personal belongings and changed into special bridge climbing clothes.Then, the climb organizers showed us how to use the safety belts and climb the steep ladders.1Thailand’s tourist bureau says that it is “in the nature of the people.” The Thais are naturally happy, he says with a smile, and they are glad to share that happiness with others.This attitude seems to be very much appreciated by the more than five million tourists who visit Thailand each year.The country ranks high on the list of places to which visitors want to return.The reason most often stated is that the people are friendly and polite.Some other Asian destinations are not as well received.Bali in Indonesia ranks high on the list, with Japan somewhere in the middle.These reports raise the question of whether certain nationalities are naturally more courteous than others.People may experience more friendliness in Thailand than in other countries.This may have more to do with the place than the people.Travel writers point out that cities are always stressful, hurried places, with little to offer in the way of smiles and welcome.Bangkok is not as friendly as other places in the surrounding Thai countryside.Remote towns and villages in China, for example, offer visitors a warm welcome, with smiles(and giggles)from children.Perhaps it should also be pointed out that polite, patient, smiling visitors will most often be greeted similarly, no matter which country they are in.21.Using English properly If you don’t want to offend someone, you’d better know which English words to use---and which to avoid.Imagine that you’re in a restaurant in America.You want some water, so you called out “Waitress!” A waitress comes to your table, but she’s clearly unhappy.What did you do wrong? You may have offended her by calling her a “waitress.” Today, many people prefer the word “server” to “waitress.”

3people do change with the times.22.Tips for English learning Language letter-boxes in quite a few English newspapers are often filled with letters complaining about such problems as “I don’t know to improve my pronunciation and intonation.The English vocabulary is too large to handle.” Or “I find my spoken English most worrying.Please tell me how to improve my communication skills!”

At the same time, in some newspapers, there are ads for “Shortcuts in Mastering English,” “A 24-hour Programme of Success in Spoken English” or “Recipe for English Fluency,” and so on.A lot of teachers of English try to help fight learners’ worries by saying that the road to successful communication is clearly signposted---practise, practice and practice.If there are few such opportunities in your day-to-day life, make them up: form clubs or learning groups, and practise talking to each other.Expose yourselves to an English radio broadcast, a tape recording, a film or a video: let it be a topic or a context for discussion.Even when you are alone, try to have some practice.You can never lay too much emphasis on the importance of “input” for language learning, so reading newspapers and listening to the radio are good habits to cultivate.One thing, however, is very important: the “input” must be appropriate for your level.Something too difficult is useless, while spending time on something too easy will be pointless.And remember this: there isn’t a cure-all for all of you.One shortcut may work for some of you, and another probably has a positive effect on others.Only one method works for everybody---and that is, to use English!

5the ship.Silent clues, however, may also communicate good news.Smiling, leaning forward, watching attentively---all tell you that the track is clear of obstacles;the signals are green---so go ahead.24.Understanding body language Have you ever met someone and found that you instantly liked them? You just couldn’t put your finger on it as to why.Deep down inside yourself they gave you a strange feeling.I’m not going to call myself a body language expert, but I think I can hive you my advice on how to read the most complicated language of all: body language.YOUR MOVES SELL YOU OUT.So for starters, think about yourself.Have you ever stopped for a moment to watch the way that you move your body? Well, believe it or not, the people you are talking to are watching your every move.They watch your eyes, your facial expressions, the way you hold your posture.In fact, the way you move can tell a lot about what kind of person you are … or what kind of person you appear to be.WHAT CAN BODY LANGUAGE TELL? In most Western countries, making eye contact with anyone you talk to is very important.If you don’t make eye contact, you might be judged as dishonest or even rude.Then there’s posture.If your actions are very confident, you will appear to be confident to others.And, the rate that you speak can also tell others something.If you talk too fast, you’re nervous, while too slow probably indicates that you are unsure of yourself, and that maybe you are shy.I’M CONFUSED WITH “SPACE” IN CHINA.As a traveler, I have been confused time and time again with every place I visit.This is mainly because I misunderstood the body language

7During rehearsals, to get what he wanted from his orchestra, he would sometimes stamp his feet, snap his baton and tear his store to pieces.He tried to make use of every means to interpret music.Once he found himself at a loss when trying to describe to an American orchestra a very light effect in a passage(his English was poor).After thinking hard for a while, he drew a white silk handkerchief from his pocket and threw it into the air, watching with the orchestra as it floated to the floor.“There!” he said.“Play like that!”

Toscanini drove himself as hard as he did his orchestra.If the orchestra met his demands, he would weep for joy.Otherwise, he would not spare them from punishment.If he himself made a rare mistake, he would slap his own face in front of the orchestra.He would not spare even himself from punishment.Toscanini would shout at anyone who dared talk during the performance or, even worse, arrived late.All through his life, Toscanini was anti-fascist.In1931, he was physically attacked for refusing to play the fascist anthem and for protesting against Hitler’s ban on Jewish musicians.He dropped his baton in 1954, and died in 1957 at the age of 90.26.An interview with a pop pianist Robin Gordon(RG), a journalist, interviews a very rich and famous pianist, James Newman(JN), who has a way of playing classical music in a wildly romantic manner.He is well known for his strange clothes as well.RG: Actually, you don’t let the chance slip through your fingers when you chose music as your career.JN: No, the entertainment world is full of opportunities.When any of them turns up and comes

9JN: Yes.I decided to play Bach and Chopin in a very unusual style.Meanwhile I started wearing fancy clothes.RG: I guess your father didn’t approve of all this.JN: Right.Dad’s a bit old.He wanted to make a classical musician of me!He didn’t understand me.RG: Even though you are so successful? JN: No.Many people don’t.RG: Perhaps it takes time.Thank you, Mr.Newman.27.Stunts in movies On the screen, the US actor Tom Cruise is throwing himself through a glass window as a large car explodes behind him;the actress Helen Hunt is running from hurricanes as homes and cows are swept up.And, of course, there is Stallone doing…everything.It seems to be popular these days for actors and actresses to do their own stunts in action movies, and the fact is that the big names are indeed doing more stunts.According to a director, some actors do as much as ninety per cent of their own stunts, while the last ten per sent are generally left to stunt professionals.These are the men and women who make a living risking their lives on behalf of the big names in action movies.However, there is an exception.The only actor who does any allow anyone else to do his stunts is Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong phenomenon.He takes pride in doing all the stunts in his action movies.Jackie Chan has been doing his individual brand of dramatic martial arts for fifteen years.He is no doubt a walking miracle of physical endurance.Of course, along

1released in 2004, showed the potential and limitations of digital actors.The movie’s digital characters looked and acted surprisingly lifelike.But somehow they still reminded audiences of cartoons, and their “acting” was less than inspiring.Final Fantasy’s digital magic also cost moviemakers a fortune.Just creating human-looking hair cost about $20 million.And despite people’s initial excited reaction, it performed poorly at the box office.The film, which cost $137 million to make, lost about $80 million.Moviemakers have been much more successful at creating non-human characters.The Lord of the Rings trilogy features a digital creature named Gollum.Though not human, Gollum gives a very moving performance.Surprisingly, this collection of pixels manages to effectively show a wide range of human emotions.The Matrix: Reloaded features the most perfect digital humans so far.These lifelike digital creations appear widely throughout the movie.In fact, audiences can never be sure which actors are real and which are digital.So should Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and all their Hollywood friends start looking for another line of work? Not necessarily.Many popular movie directors say digital actors will never “act” as well as humans.Digital actors must also rely on gifted human actors for their voices.29.Front page news Millions of newspapers are sold every day throughout the world.What section of the newspapers on a newsstand catches your eye? Without doubt, it is the front page.Its contents are usually about the most important happenings of the day.Besides that, it is common practice that the front page carries an index to help the reader quickly locate certain sections of the paper.A front page carries a

3GREAT VICTORY ENDS YEARS OF WAITING Moscow: It was Beijing’s night yesterday in Moscow.As Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee(IOC), announced that Beijing would be the host for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, cheering, applauding and waving of flags broke out to celebrate the victory.“Now the results of the voting---the Games of the 29th Olympiad in 2008 is awarded to the city of…Beijing,” declared Samaranch, the most famous sports figure in the world.Beijing won in the second round ballot with 56 votes from the 105 voting IOC members, while Toronto got a distant 22, Paris 18 and Istanbul 9.Osaka, which received 6 votes, was eliminated in the first round.A contract to host the Games followed after the vote.BEIJING WAS SLEEPLESS LAST NIGHT Thousands upon thousands of people gathered in squares, shopping malls, streets and millions of homes to applaud the city’s success in its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.Buildings and streets were brightly lit, and heartfelt cheers and laughter filled the air.Fireworks lit up the night sky, and flags formed a sea of flowing colour.As International Olympic Committee(IOC)President Juan Antonio Samaranch announced that Beijing had won the IOC vote at 10:15 last night, the ancient capital burst into cheers and tears.The China Millennium Monument in western Beijing, the centre of the celebration, was alive with cheerful crowds.Senior Chinese leaders joined university students and local citizens in celebrating the success in the bid with the whole nation.5your cheque or money order for $10.if not completely satisfied, you may keep the atlas and cancel your subscription.In that case, you can get your money back.”

“That sounds amusing,” said Anne.“In fact, it would be really handy to have an atlas, particularly when I need to locate places I plan to visit or read about in the news.”

They sent a letter of subscription and two weeks later a small package arrived in the mail.They got the atlas.“Is this our atlas?” said Joe in disbelief.“It looks like a big postage stamp.” “It looked tremendous on television,” said Anne.“It’ll be impossible to find anything in such an atlas,” said Joe.“To find anything, we’ll need a microscope.” 32.The history of magazines It was during the mid-nineteenth century that the magazine developed into the main source of popular entertainment for the general public.Instead of speaking mainly to the well-educated upper classes as in the past, the illustrated magazine addressed the general public.The first magazine that was born in 1665 in France was a dry and dull publication.Most publishers did not realize the significance of visuals as tools to educate, shape opinions and entertain.Nor did they know the importance of selling as many copies of their magazines as possible.It was not until the early decades of the 20th century that the magazine industry started to flourish.The main centres of the magazine industry were in America, France, Germany, and Great Britain.Many fancy and unique publications were produced there.Some publishers, such as William R.Hearst, built empires: he employed no fewer than 31,000 people by 1935.7

第三篇：新世紀高一英語下 課文參考譯文

Unit 1

在中國旅行

在中國旅行可能很累，但也很有趣。然而，選擇什么樣的旅行方式卻常常意味著行程的成功與否。這里有一些關于如何在中國旅游的信息。

乘火車

乘火車可以去中國的大部分地方。一般來說，鐵路服務效率高。但有時候火車上過分擁擠，尤其是在節(jié)假日期間更是如此。買什么樣的火車票取決于行程的遠近。短途旅行，硬座、軟座都可以；但要長途旅行的話，最好買一張臥鋪票。

乘船

有許多海上航線可以把您從中國沿海的一個港口城市帶往另一個城市。也有一些內(nèi)河航線，其中最迷人的一條是重慶至上海的航線。輪船沿途經(jīng)由著名的三峽風景區(qū)，游客們可以駐足于許多的風景名城和歷史古跡。

乘飛機

對于那些旅行時間有限的旅客而言，飛機通常是他們的首選。當然，您也要為這一便利付出代價——那就是機票會更貴。中國民航以前曾是中國唯一的一家航空公司，現(xiàn)在則有若干地方航空公司。在過去的幾十年里，飛機的安全記錄也有了很大的提高。人們通過中國國際旅行社、賓館的旅游服務臺或者航空售票處都可以買到機票。許多大城市和有名的旅游勝地都有飛機場。

乘公共汽車

中國的高速公路發(fā)展得很快?，F(xiàn)在市內(nèi)和城市之間都有汽車運營線路。它們的管理很完善，價錢也很便宜。國營公共汽車按時刻表準點發(fā)車，票價便宜。另外還有私營公共汽車。它們主要在地方線路上運營，經(jīng)常要等位子全部坐滿之后才出發(fā)。

騎自行車

除了以上提到的旅游方式外，騎自行車也是環(huán)城游的最好方式之一，只要您不是去重慶（那里的街道很陡，是中國唯一自行車特別少的城市）。如果您打算在中國待上一段時間，不妨學學本地人，自己買一輛自行車。

希望這些信息對您在中國逗留期間會有所幫助。

Unit 2

悉尼海港大橋

從悉尼海港大橋頂部鳥瞰悉尼市，感覺奇妙無比。

我站在悉尼海港大橋底下，仰望這座世界上最著名的大橋之一。這座高達40層的海港大橋矗立在壯觀的悉尼歌劇院附近，鳥瞰澳大利亞最大的城市。這座大橋看上去自是壯觀，但誰會心想去攀爬它呢？

當然是我了！攀爬大橋?qū)嶋H是并不是很瘋狂的事。游客于1998年開始攀爬大橋，現(xiàn)在這已經(jīng)成為悉尼最受歡迎的一個景點了。為了攀爬大橋，我們一行12人必須先上一堂特殊的課。首先我們把所有的個人財物都存放好，再換好專用攀爬服，接著組織者向我們演示如何使用安全帶和如何攀爬陡峭的階梯。

我們甚至還帶著小的個人無線電接收設備，以便在攀爬時接收到導游的提示。

我們心中的期望越來越高，整個攀爬小組都激動了起來。一小時以后，我們準備完畢。我們首先經(jīng)過路橋下面的狹窄通道。值得慶幸的是我不恐高。從通道上往下望，可以看到下面50米（164英尺）處的地面。

接下來，我們沿著一直通往橋拱的階梯往上爬。汽車在下面的馬路上飛馳而過。我們爬得越高，風越大，城市也越來越多地映入我們的眼簾。一會兒，我們漸漸地靠近大橋的頂部。從頂上看，真是別有一番風光！在這里可以清楚地從各個方向鳥瞰悉尼市。向南看，可以看到城市的天際線、著名的悉尼歌劇院和大海。那簡直是在欣賞一幅明信片，不同的是我們都在畫中。每個人都為來到悉尼這個景點而自豪。

到了下橋的時候，大家誰都不愿離開。橋上的兩小時似是瞬間即逝，但曾經(jīng)見到過如此獨特畫面的記憶將永遠留在我們心中。

Unit 3

恰當?shù)厥褂糜⒄Z

如果你不想冒犯別人，你最好要知道哪些英文詞可以用，哪些不能用。設想你現(xiàn)在在美國的一家飯店里，你想要點水，你就叫“女服務員”。一個女服務員來到你桌旁，但明顯地很不高興。你做錯什么了嗎？你實際上可能是因為叫她“女服務員”而冒犯了她?，F(xiàn)在，很多人愿意使用“服務員”一詞，而不是“女服務員”。

為什么會出現(xiàn)這種情況呢？隨著社會的變化，我們的語言也在變化?，F(xiàn)在使用“服務員”一詞更合適，因為這個詞使人感到受尊重。恰當?shù)厥褂糜⒄Z是人們所做出的一種嘗試，目的是為了讓語言聽上去對所有人都表示尊重。

對于性別色彩太強的詞要慎重，避免使用。這包括以-ess和-man結尾的一些詞。例如：飛機上的服務員現(xiàn)在被稱作“航空服務員”而不是“女服務員”。在過去，只有女性才能做航空服務員，現(xiàn)在許多男性也進入了這一服務業(yè)?！昂娇辗諉T”一詞更合適是因為它既可指男性，也可指女性。很多女性現(xiàn)在也進入了以前只有男性從事的職業(yè)，因此，像“policeman（警察）”和“chairman（主席）”等詞現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)被替代了?，F(xiàn)在人們更愿使用“police officer（警察）”和“chairperson（主席）”。

遺憾的是英語中沒有（中性）單數(shù)代詞可以用來代替“he（他）”或“she（她）”。這就產(chǎn)生了一些問題。沒有這樣一個代詞，我們?nèi)绾尾拍芄胤Q呼男女兩性呢？一種辦法就是使用復數(shù)形式。因此，人們不說“如果一個人想學習英語，他必須每天學”，取而代之的是，很多人或說“如果人們想學習英語，他們必須每天學?！?/p>

恰當?shù)厥褂糜⒄Z的范圍不僅僅限于性別方面，還包括種族和殘疾方面。例如，有人喜歡使用“某方面能力缺陷的人”，而不是說“殘疾人”?！皻埣病币辉~可能被認為是對人不尊重，因為它暗指一個人是不能自立的。

但是，有些人在用詞方面不喜歡聽別人的。他們堅持不改變自己說法用詞的方式，認為自己沒有義務在用詞方面使別人感覺更好。但大部分人都認為使用尊重所有人的語言是公平的。因此，人們確實是在與時俱進。

Unit 4

目光交流

午餐結束后，我主動提出送詹姆斯回賓館。他說他是步行來我這里的，但還是很禮貌地接受了我的提議。我們駛過幾個街區(qū)，來到他的賓館，把車停在車道上。我下車趕快來到他的那一側，打開車門，身體前傾，伸出一只手。這時，我的目光和他的目光相觸。雖然他沒說話，但我得到的信息卻很明確，“你難道還敢想扶我下車嗎？”

我向后推開，詹姆斯走下車，對我笑了笑，以這種方式表示，“沒問題，一切正常。” 如果我們注意觀察我們的觀眾的話，我們就會發(fā)現(xiàn)他們常常和我們進行非言語的交流。讀懂這些人們眼中無聲的信號是很重要的。如果你引入一個話題，它能使觀眾們活躍起來，你知道你已經(jīng)引起了他們的注意，他們在位子上移動或與相鄰觀眾進行目光交流。你下一步的行動應該以他們的反應為指導。當你繼續(xù)進行你的演講時，你根據(jù)自己對觀眾目光的理解，就知道應該放棄什么、修正什么和補充什么了。如果你講的笑話或故事效果不佳，觀眾可能會告訴你他們想聽什么，不想聽什么。這些信息應該能夠使你對將要說的內(nèi)容、使用的幽默和演講的風格做一些調(diào)整。

觀眾最明顯的非言語反應就是對你所講的內(nèi)容不加以注意。打哈欠、看節(jié)目單、小聲聊天，或是最糟糕的反應——打盹等，都是對你所講的內(nèi)容不感興趣的警告。通過目光交流，你會第一個知道你是否仍吸引著觀眾的注意力。如果不是，你就要及時調(diào)整你的態(tài)度。不能及時改變態(tài)度并控制住局面的演講者是不會受到尊重的。

但有些無聲的信息也能傳遞好消息，例如觀眾們微笑、向前傾斜身體和聚精會神地觀看等，都在告訴你道路暢通無阻，一路綠燈，所以你接著往下講就可以了。

Unit 5

阿爾圖羅·托斯卡尼尼

阿爾圖羅·托斯卡尼尼被譽為20世紀上半葉最偉大的指揮家。他指揮了許多世界著名歌?。ㄈ纭秺W賽羅》和《波西米亞人》）的首次公開演出。

1867年3月25日托斯卡尼尼出生在意大利。他9歲時進入一家音樂學校學習，1885年畢業(yè)，并在大提琴和作曲兩門課中獲得了優(yōu)異成績。

19歲時，托斯卡尼尼加入一個意大利樂隊去巴西做巡回演出。在那次巡回演出期間，樂隊指揮突然辭職。于是托斯卡尼尼被臨時召來擔任指揮。因此，當托斯卡尼尼跳上指揮臺時，觀眾們嘲笑他也就不足為奇了。然而他對《阿依達》充滿激情的指揮，激起了觀眾潮水般的歡呼聲。

托斯卡尼尼最與眾不同的地方就是指揮時不看樂譜。他讀過一篇樂譜后，即使過了許多年，仍還能回憶起其中的每一個音符。但僅僅有出色的記憶力還不足以使他成為一位偉大的指揮家。使他成為杰出指揮家的，是他所表現(xiàn)出的活力、對演出的嚴格態(tài)度以及他對作曲家本意的忠實。

在排練中，為了讓樂隊達到他所要的效果，托斯卡尼尼有時會跺腳，折斷指揮棒，或把樂譜撕得粉碎。他試圖用各種方式來闡釋音樂。有一次，在試圖給一個美國樂隊描述樂章中的一種輕柔的效果時，他感到自己手足無措，因為他的英語很差?？嗫嗨妓饕粫汉?，他從口袋里拿出一條絲質(zhì)手帕拋向空中，和樂隊一起看著它飄落到地板上，然后他說，“瞧，就那樣演奏！”

托斯卡尼尼要求自己就像要求樂隊一樣嚴格。若是樂隊符合了他的要求，他會高興得流淚。否則，樂隊就免不了要受他懲罰。若是他自己很難得犯了一個錯誤，他會在樂隊面前扇自己耳光。他甚至連自己也不寬恕。

在演出過程中，如果有人敢講話，或遲到——這更糟糕，托斯卡尼尼會對他們大聲斥責。

托斯卡尼尼一生都是反法西斯主義的。由于他拒絕指揮演奏法西斯頌歌和反對希特勒對猶太音樂家的禁令，他于1931年受到了身體上的傷害。

托斯卡尼尼1954年結束了指揮生涯，1957年去世，享年90歲。

Unit 6

電影特技

在銀幕上，美國演員湯姆·克魯斯穿過一塊窗玻璃撲出去，一輛汽車在他身后爆炸；當颶風把房子和牛群席地卷走時，女演員海倫·亨特在飛奔著以躲開颶風。

當然，還有史泰龍正在做各種動作??

近來在動作片里男女演員自己表演特技好像是很時髦的了，而大牌明星們的確是在親自表演更多的特技。據(jù)一位導演說，有些男演員表演90%的特技，而最難以勝任的10%的驚險動作，一般都留給專業(yè)特技演員了。這些男女特技演員冒著生命危險來為動作片里的大牌明星們做替身，以此來謀生。

不過，也有一位例外。這位唯一不愿他人來完成其特技動作的男演員就是香港巨星成龍。他以自己完成動作電影里全部的特技而自豪。成龍表演他個人品牌的驚人武術已長達15年之久。就體力上的承受能力而言，他無疑是個活生生的奇跡。當然，這種英雄行為同時也造成他身上的許多骨折，而且腦袋上還有硬幣大的一個洞。

美國動作片制片商并不想讓明星們受到傷害，所以特技專家常常被召來完成一些需要特殊的才能方可完成的危險特技部分。與此同時，他們又盡力讓觀眾相信每一個特技動作都是由那些著名演員在完成。

男女演員也想讓觀眾相信并非特技演員在替他們演特技，所以他們中有許多人堅持要親自表演自己戲里的特技。于是事故不可避免。例如海倫·亨特在表演一個場景時被撞昏了——她打開一扇車門，在車子馳過一塊玉米田時跳車。后來海倫承認說，“我有特技表演者的勇氣，可是我并不具備他們的全部才能?！?/p>

對觀眾來說，當那些自己所喜愛的演員在電視談話節(jié)目里吹噓特技表演時，完全沒有必要為他們擔心。完全有可能是由他人代為受罪。正如海倫所說，特技演員要做的特技表演仍然還很多。

Unit 7

頭版新聞

全世界每天有數(shù)以百萬計的報紙售出。那么報攤上報紙的哪一部分最吸引你的眼球呢？

毫無疑問，那就是頭版，其內(nèi)容通常是關于當天發(fā)生的最重要的事件。另外，頭版通常還包括索引，幫助讀者快速找到某一特定的部分。頭版還簡要刊登當天的天氣預報。

人們更多考慮是人頭版的標題，它就像是文章的題目。人們認為標題應該信息量大而且能吸引人，應該能抓住讀者的注意力。頭版頭條新聞的標題當然應該是最重要的。畢竟，它決定著人們能否被吸引而去買某一份報紙。

盡管頭版的重要性是顯而易見的，但對于頭版內(nèi)容的側重面還是有兩種看法。一種看法認為頭版是報紙的“櫥窗”，因此強調(diào)“櫥窗布置”的重要性。這種看法的問題在于它過分強調(diào)“櫥窗”的重要性，從而降低室內(nèi)陳列商品的價值。另一種看法認為報紙就像有很多櫥窗的商店，每個櫥窗都應該按同樣高的標準來布置。報紙應該有一種整體感。

一旦一份報紙確定了其頭版的標題應該采取什么樣的風格，編排內(nèi)容就相當容易了。主要內(nèi)容通常被稱作頭條新聞，它占據(jù)主要位置，即頭版的左上角。一幅能真正體現(xiàn)頭條內(nèi)容的大照片占據(jù)中間正上方的位置。接下來就是按重要性排列的一些次要新聞，它們標題字體的大小以其重要性而定。

每當有重大新聞時，報紙標題通常使用黑體字，從左至右占據(jù)整版的寬度。但是，報紙必須要注意引人注目和聳人聽聞的區(qū)別。過分使用聳人聽聞的手段來吸引人的報紙可能會失去自己的聲譽。

Unit 8

一份額外酬賓禮物？

在舒適的起居室，安妮和喬·金坐靠在安樂椅中看著電視。安妮按動遙控器搜索他們感興趣的節(jié)目。

“我們?yōu)槭裁床豢础都彝ゼm紛》？”安妮問道?！拔矣憛捒捶试韯。眴陶f，“尤其是這部夫妻倆為了錢而爭吵的肥皂劇?！?“好吧，”安妮說著，將節(jié)目調(diào)到12頻道。電視屏幕上出現(xiàn)的一個長相不錯的播音員說道：“現(xiàn)在，全球性雜志《環(huán)球》自豪地公告它數(shù)量有限的禮品。你只要付比報攤價低一半的價錢，即低廉的10美元，就可以訂閱全年12期的《環(huán)球》。請想象一下，你可以閱讀讓你驚奇的配著彩色插圖的奇特故事。而且，如果你在6月1日午夜前訂閱的話，我們會提供我們的《世界地圖冊》作為額外禮品，不增加任何費用。記住，這是限額禮品。這份地圖冊店里是買不到的。它里面除了有各國大城市和首都外，還有世界各大旅游景點。大千世界一手掌握，這是多么奇妙?。∫@得這份精美的禮品，請寫信到‘內(nèi)華達州雷諾市666信箱，《環(huán)球雜志》禮品處，郵編87870’。務必在信中附上10美元的支票或匯票。如果不盡滿意，你仍可留下地圖冊，取消訂閱。我們會很樂意退款?！?/p>

安妮說：“聽起來挺有趣，實際上有本地圖冊很方便，尤其是當我想要去某個地方，或在報上看到某個地方，想要找一找它的具體位置時，尤其方便?！?/p>

于是他們寄出一封訂閱信，兩周后郵件便到，有一個小包裹。那是地圖冊。喬簡直不能相信地問道：“這是送給我們的地圖冊嗎？它看上去像是一張大郵票?！?“在電視上看它似乎特別大?！卑材菡f道。喬說：“這地圖冊什么也不能查找——得有個顯微鏡才行。”

第四篇：新世紀 高一英語 unit 2課文文本

UNIT 2 TEXT

Michelangelo Michelangelo(米開朗琪羅，1475-1564，意大利文藝復興時期成就卓著的科學家、藝術家)was an Italian artist about 500 years ago.Today he is still remembered as a great sculptor, painter, and architect.Michelangelo came from a poor family.He was trained at an early age like any other craftsman in Italy.At thirteen, he started to work and learn in a workshop.The workshop belonged to one of the leading masters at that time.In the workshop Michelangelo was able to learn all the skills of sculpture.However, he wasn’t satisfied, and went on to study the work of the great masters of the past.Michelangelo worked hard and he mastered one problem after another.By the time he was 30, he was generally regarded as one of the outstanding sculptors of the age.In 1508, Michelangelo was given a task---to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel(位于羅馬梵蒂岡的西斯廷教堂).At first, he tried to turn down this job, saying that he was not really a painter, but a sculptor.Finally, he agreed to do it.He then shut himself up in the chapel, let no one come near him, and got ready to work alone.It took him four years to complete the paintings on the ceiling.Any ordinary person would find it hard to imagine what Michelangelo had gone through in those four years of hard and lonely work.Michelangelo, while working, had to lie on his back and paint.As a result, he became so used to looking upward that when he received a letter during that period, he had to hold it over his head to read it.Finally, the paintings were completed.The great and huge paintings on the ceiling and walls of the chapel have ever since become a fascination to people in Italy and all over the world.Michelangelo left us with a great number of sculptures and paintings.Today his works are still examples for art students to study and follow.Home and overseas visitors can’t help but admire these masterpieces.

第五篇：高一英語課文

My first Day at Senior High

My name is Li Kang.I live in Shijia zhuang, a city not far from Beijing.it is the capital city of Hebei Province.Today is my first day at Senior High school

and I'm writing down my thoughts about it.My new school is very good and I can see why.The teachers are very enthusiastic and friendly

and the classrooms are amazing.Every room has a computer with a special screen,almost as big as a cinema screen.The teachers write on the computer,and their words appear on the screen behind them.The screens also show photographs, text and information from websites.They're brilliant!The English class is really interesting.The teacher is a very enthusiastic 20 woman called Ms Shen.We're using a new textbook

and Ms Shen's method of teaching is nothing like

that of the teachers at my Junior High school.She thinks that READING 25 com-prehension is important,but we speak a lot in class, too.And we have fun.I don't think I will be bored in Ms Shen's class!

Today we introduced ourselves to each other.We did this in groups.Some students were embarrassed at first

but everyone was very friendly and it was really nice.Ms Shen gave us instructions and then we worked by ourselves.Ms Shen wants to help us improve our spelling and handwriting.We do this in a fun way, with spelling games and other activities.I like her attitude very much,and the behaviour of the 40 other students shows that they like her,too.There are sixty-five students in my class—more than my previous class in Junior High.Forty-nine of them are girls.in other words, there are three times as many girls as boys.They say that girls are usually more hardworking than boys,but in this class, everyone is hard-working.For our homework tonight,we have to write a description of the street where we live.I'm looking forward to doing it!