The Fun They Had Reading aloud Audiovisual supplements Section One: Pre-reading Activities Section Two: Global Reading Section Four: Consolidation Activities

The Fun They Had

Reading aloud Audiovisual supplements

Section One:Pre-reading Activities

Section Two: Global Reading

Section Four: Consolidation Activities

Section Five: Further Enhancement

I. Reading aloud

Read the following sentences aloud, paying special attention to strong and weak forms. Strong forms are indicated by boldfaces, while weak forms by italics.

1. When you’re through with the book, you just throw it away, I

guess.

2. She was eleven and hadn’t seen as many telebooks as Tommy

had.

Section Three:Detailed Reading

Reading aloud

Audiovisual supplements


II. Audiovisual supplements

Watch the film episode and then answer the following questions.

Questions:

1. Why did Mr. Gunk accuse Rodney and his Dad?2. Do you think robots can replace human beings in the future?

Film Episode: Robots

Answers for reference:

1. Because Rodney’s invention turned his kitchen into a mess.2. Open.



The Fun They Had Section Four: Consolidation Activities


Reading aloud



DAD:

RODNEY: DAD:

RODNEY: RODNEY: DAD:RODNEY: ROBOT:ROBOT:MR. GUNK:

Oh, hey, hey. Soon as you reach the age where your warranty expires, you start falling apart. Pretty soon there’s gonna be more duct tape than me.Can I try it now, Dad?Oh, oh, Rodney … Have you worked all the kinks out of it yet?Come on, this is gonna make your job easy.I invented it for you.Okay. Let’s try it.Great. Okay, this is it. Wonderbot, go to work.Yeah, yeah.Hey!Copperbottom!





DAD:MR. GUNK:DAD:MR. GUNK:DAD:MR. GUNK:MR. GUNK:RODNEY:MR. GUNK:RODNEY: DAD:MR. GUNK:

Mr. Gunk. What is that?Oh, that. My son made it.What’s it doing?Mr. Gunk, please, you’re making it nervous.It’s wrecking my kitchen!I’ll stop it.No!Your son, huh?It wasn’t his fault. He had nothing to do with it.Yes, sir, he’s a brilliant boy. An inventor.You, clean up this mess. And you, get out. Inventor. You’re the hand-me-down son of a dishwasher, and that’s all you’ll ever be. Somebody scrape this crud off me. And serve it to the customers.

Reading aloud







Reading aloud







■

Text introduction Structural analysis



Cultural background

This narrative story centers around a very old book about school and involves two main characters — Margie and Tommy. The text can be divided into three parts. The first part serves as the background of the story. The second part is the major portion of the story. The last part tells us something about the schoolroom and the mechanical teacher.

I. Text introduction




Text introduction

Structural analysis


Cultural background

II. Structural analysis

—

—





Paragraphs 2 – 30 This part informs us that Margie always strongly hates school. And through the talk with Tommy, Margie gets to know about the school centuries ago.

Paragraph 1 This part tells us the exact date on which the story occurs, the leading character and the real book.

—Paragraphs 31 – 35 This part tells us something about the schoolroom, the mechanical teacher and Margie’s thought about what great fun the school kids in the old school had.

Text introduction

Structural analysis



Cultural background

III. Cultural background

Science FictionScience fiction, a genre of fiction, sets in some imaginary time

or place. In its original usage in the 1920s, science fiction referred to the stories that appeared in cheap, so-called pulp magazines, but science fiction now appears in all media, including motion pictures, staged dramas, television programs, and video games, as well as short stories and book-length works. Science fiction is sometimes abbreviated to SF.




Structural analysis



Cultural background




Close Encounters of the Third KindAlien spaceships visit Earth in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), a movie directed by Steven Spielberg. The film won Academy Awards for its cinematography and sound effects.

Text introduction

Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed May 17, 2157, she wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!”

It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all stories were printed on paper.

They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to — on a screen, you know. And then, when they turned back to the page before, it had the same words on it that it had had when they read it the first time.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had Issac Asimov

Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed May 17, 2157, she wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!”

It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all stories were printed on paper.

They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to — on a screen, you know. And then, when they turned back to the page before, it had the same words on it that it had had when they read it the first time.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had Issac Asimov

“Gee,” said Tommy, “What a waste! When you’re through with the book, you just throw it away, I guess. Our television screen must have a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more. I wouldn’t throw it away.”

“Same with mine,” said Margie. She was eleven and hadn’t seen as many telebooks as Tommy had. He was thirteen.

She said, “Where did you find it?”“In my house,” he pointed without looking because he was busy

reading. “In the attic.”“What’s it about?”“School.”Margie was scornful. “School? What’s there to write about schoo

l? I hate school.”

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






“Gee,” said Tommy, “What a waste! When you’re through with the book, you just throw it away, I guess. Our television screen must have a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more. I wouldn’t throw it away.”

“Same with mine,” said Margie. She was eleven and hadn’t seen as many telebooks as Tommy had. He was thirteen.

She said, “Where did you find it?”“In my house,” he pointed without looking because he was busy

reading. “In the attic.”“What’s it about?”“School.”Margie was scornful. “School? What’s there to write about schoo

l? I hate school.”

Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector.

He was a round little man with a red face and a whole box of tools with dials and wires. He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple, then took the teacher apart. Margie had hoped he wouldn’t know how to put it together again, but he knew how all right, and, after an hour or so, there it was again, large and black and ugly, with a big screen on which all the lessons were shown and the questions were asked. That wasn’t so bad. The part Margie hated most was the slot where she had to put homework and test papers. She always had to write them out in a punch code they made her learn when she was six years old, and the mechanical teacher calculated the mark in no time.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector.

He was a round little man with a red face and a whole box of tools with dials and wires. He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple, then took the teacher apart. Margie had hoped he wouldn’t know how to put it together again, but he knew how all right, and, after an hour or so, there it was again, large and black and ugly, with a big screen on which all the lessons were shown and the questions were asked. That wasn’t so bad. The part Margie hated most was the slot where she had to put homework and test papers. She always had to write them out in a punch code they made her learn when she was six years old, and the mechanical teacher calculated the mark in no time.

The Fun They Had




Margie was disappointed. She had been hoping they would take the teacher away altogether. So she said to Tommy, “Why would anyone write about school?”

Tommy looked at her with very superior eyes, “Because it’s not our kind of school, stupid. This is the old kind of school that they had hundreds and hundreds of years ago.” He added loftily, pronouncing the word carefully, “Centuries ago.”

Margie was hurt. “Well, I don’t know what kind of school they had all that time ago.” She read the book over his shoulder for a while, then said, “Anyway, they had a teacher.”

“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”

“A man? How could a man be a teacher?”



The Fun They Had






Margie was disappointed. She had been hoping they would take the teacher away altogether. So she said to Tommy, “Why would anyone write about school?”

Tommy looked at her with very superior eyes, “Because it’s not our kind of school, stupid. This is the old kind of school that they had hundreds and hundreds of years ago.” He added loftily, pronouncing the word carefully, “Centuries ago.”

Margie was hurt. “Well, I don’t know what kind of school they had all that time ago.” She read the book over his shoulder for a while, then said, “Anyway, they had a teacher.”

“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”

“A man? How could a man be a teacher?”

“Well, he just told the boys and girls things and gave them homework and asked them questions.”

“A man isn’t smart enough.”“Sure he is. My father knows as much as my teacher.”Margie wasn’t prepared to dispute that. She said, “I wouldn’t

want a strange man in my house to teach me.”Tommy screamed with laughter. “You don’t know much,

Margie. The teachers didn’t live in the house. They had a special building and all the kids went there.”

“And all the kids learned the same thing?”“Sure, if they were the same age.”

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






“Well, he just told the boys and girls things and gave them homework and asked them questions.”

“A man isn’t smart enough.”“Sure he is. My father knows as much as my teacher.”Margie wasn’t prepared to dispute that. She said, “I wouldn’t

want a strange man in my house to teach me.”Tommy screamed with laughter. “You don’t know much,

Margie. The teachers didn’t live in the house. They had a special building and all the kids went there.”

“And all the kids learned the same thing?”“Sure, if they were the same age.”

“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the minds of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught differently.”

They weren’t even half-finished when Margie’s mother called, “Margie! School!”

Margie looked up. “Not yet, Mamma.”“Now!” said Mrs. Jones. “And it’s probably time for Tommy,

too.”Margie said to Tommy, “Can I read the book some more with

you after school?”“Maybe,” he said nonchalantly. He walked away whistling, the

dusty old book tucked beneath his arm.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the minds of each boy and girl it teaches and that each kid has to be taught differently.”

They weren’t even half-finished when Margie’s mother called, “Margie! School!”

Margie looked up. “Not yet, Mamma.”“Now!” said Mrs. Jones. “And it’s probably time for Tommy,

too.”Margie said to Tommy, “Can I read the book some more with

you after school?”“Maybe,” he said nonchalantly. He walked away whistling, the

dusty old book tucked beneath his arm.

Margie went into the schoolroom. It was right next to her bedroom, and the mechanical teacher was on and waiting for her. It was always on at the same time every day except Saturday and Sunday, because her mother said little girls learned better if they learned at regular hours.

The screen was lit up, and it said: “Today’s arithmetic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. Please insert yesterday’s homework in the proper slot.”

Margie did so with a sigh. She was thinking about the old school they had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a little boy. All the kids from the whole neighborhood came, laughing and shouting in the schoolyard, sitting together in the schoolroom, going home together at the end of the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another on the homework and talk about it.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






Margie went into the schoolroom. It was right next to her bedroom, and the mechanical teacher was on and waiting for her. It was always on at the same time every day except Saturday and Sunday, because her mother said little girls learned better if they learned at regular hours.

The screen was lit up, and it said: “Today’s arithmetic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. Please insert yesterday’s homework in the proper slot.”

Margie did so with a sigh. She was thinking about the old school they had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a little boy. All the kids from the whole neighborhood came, laughing and shouting in the schoolyard, sitting together in the schoolroom, going home together at the end of the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another on the homework and talk about it.

And the teachers were people.Margie was thinking about how the kids must have loved it in the

old days. She was thinking about the fun they had.

The Fun They Had






The Fun They Had






And the teachers were people.Margie was thinking about how the kids must have loved it in the

old days. She was thinking about the fun they had.

The Fun They Had



Isaac Asimov


Explanation:

one of America’s busiest writers. In addition to science-fiction works such as I, Robot and Foundation Trilogy, he has written many nonfiction works about science. His science fiction is based on facts. In the text The Fun They Had, he considers some of the ways that computers may be used by school children of the future.



To modify verbs, we usually use adverbs, not adjectives. But with certain verbs, adjectives can be used. This happens when we are really describing the subject of the sentence, not the action of the verb. Verbs of this kind are be, seem, appear, look, go, sound, taste, feel, smell, stand, etc.

The Fun They Had



stood still


e.g. The problem appeared impossible.Your father looks angry.The soup tastes wonderful.My skin feels rough.This coffee smells fragrant.Her face went red with anger.

Explanation:



The phrase “be supposed to do something” is used when saying what someone should or should not do, especially because of rules or what some authoritative person has said.

The Fun They Had



they were supposed to


e.g. You’re supposed to ask the teacher if you want to leave the classroom. We’re not supposed to smoke here.

Explanation:



The Fun They Had




telebook



a book written for presentation on television. The prefix tele- means “by or for television”.

Explanation:

e.g. telecourseteleplay telerecording

The Fun They Had




the County Inspector



a county official whose job is to check whether something is satisfactory or rules are being obeyed

Explanation:

镇上的检查员

The Fun They Had




write them out in a punch code



通过按键使用计算机语言写作业答卷

Explanation:

write them out in a computer language by pressing keys

The Fun They Had




half-finished

Explanation:

partly but not completely finished



e.g. Cups of half-finished tea were on the floor beside the bed.

The Fun They Had




head v.

1) to be at the top or front of something

2) to go or travel towards a particular place, especially in a deliberate way

e.g. officially-headed writing paper

e.g. The ship was heading for Cuba.

Collocation:

be heading for: if you are heading for a particular situation, especially a bad one, it seems likely to happenhead off: to leave to go to another place



The Fun They Had




Practice:

Explain the following expressions:1) Heads or tails?

2) keep your head down 3) put your heads together



Key：

Key：

Key：

used to decide something, by asking someone which side of a coin they guess will be showing when you throw it in the air and it lands

to try to avoid being noticed or getting involved in something

to discuss a difficult problem together

The Fun They Had




crinkly adj.

1) having a lot of small lines or folds

2) hair that is crinkly is stiff and curly

e.g. She looked fondly at his crinkly face.

e.g. He had blue eyes and crinkly fair hair.



The Fun They Had




still adj.



1) not moving

2) quiet and calm

e.g. We stood still and watched as the deer came closer.

e.g. The house was completely still.

Collocation:

still waters run deep: used to say that someone who is quiet may have very strong feelings or a lot of knowledge

The Fun They Had




Practice:

Identify the part of speech of still in each of the following sentences:1) The house was completely still.

2) No longer are her anxious snorts heard in the still of the night.

3) The ground beneath them trembled, then stilled.

4) Clare didn’t do much work, but she still passed the exam.

adjective

noun



verb

adverb

Key：

Key：

Key：

Key：

The Fun They Had




attic n.

a space or room just below the roof of a house, often used for storing things

e.g. At a quarter to eleven she galloped back up to the attic room.



The Fun They Had




scornful adj.

showing great disrespect for somebody or somethinge.g. They are openly scornful of the new plan.

Her scornful laugh greatly embarrassed me.



Derivation: scorn v. scornfully adv. scornfulness n.

Comparison:

contemptuous, disdainfulcontemptuous: showing that you think someone or something deserves no respect disdainful: showing that you do not respect someone or something, because you think that they are not important or good enough

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions:1) Labor poured scorn the Tory claim to be the party of law and order.

2) He talked about money, disco music and was scornful grazing as a profession.



on___

of___

e.g. 1) affecting or involving a machine

2) a mechanical action, reply, etc. is done without thinking, and has been done many times before

The Fun They Had




mechanical adj.

The flight has been cancelled due to mechanical failure.

Derivation: mechanic n. mechanism n. mechanically adv. mechanized adj.

Collocation:mechanical failure: when a machine is not working properlymechanical engineering: the study of the design and production of machines and tools



e.g. He was asked the same question so many times that the answer became mechanical.

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Fill in the blanks with the proper words:1) The Army has set up to help jobless ex- soldiers get work.

2) Car production is now highly .

3) The was busy repairing the machine.



mechanisms___________

mechanized___________

mechanic_________

The Fun They Had




sorrowfully adv.

e.g. “A lot of damage has already been done,” she said sorrowfully.He looked sorrowfully at his dying grandfather.

very sadly



Derivation: sorrowful adj. sorrow n.

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Translate the following sentences into English:1) 他悲伤地告诉我，他母亲病得很厉害。

2) 老太太为她的不幸而悲泣。

He told me sorrowfully that his mother was very ill.

The old lady cried sorrowfully for her misfortune.



The Fun They Had




send for 1) to ask or order that something be brought or sent to you, especially by writing a letter or by telephone

2) to ask or tell someone to come to you by sending them a message

e.g. Send for your free sample today!

Collocation:send something down: to make something lose valuesend something off: to send something somewhere by postsend somebody/something out: to make a person or a group of people or things go from one place to various other places



e.g. Get back into bed. I’ll send for the doctor.

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Fill in the blanks with proper words:1) Search parties were sent to look for survivors.

2) The company’s bad figures sent its share price .

3) I must send this film to be processed.



out____

down_____

off___

1) n. a long narrow hole in a surface, that you can put something into

2) v. to fit something or someone into a plan, organization, etc., or to fit in

The Fun They Had




slot n. & v.

e.g. Alan dropped another quarter into the slot on the pay phone.

e.g. We should be able to slot the meeting in before lunch.



Collocation:slot machine:1) a machine that you buy cigarettes, food, or drink from2) a machine used for playing a game, that starts when you put money into it

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Translate the following sentences into English: 1) 如果你把硬币放进这台机器的投币口，邮票就会从另一个口出来。

2) 我们在考试前加了几节课。

If you put a coin in the slot of this machine, stamps come out of another slot.

We slotted in some extra lessons before the exam.

The Fun They Had




punch n. & v.

1) n. the action of pressing a key or button in order to activate a device or perform an operation

2) v. to hit someone or something hard with your fist

e.g. He gave a punch to the machine and it started to work.

e.g. He punched me and knocked my teeth out.



Idiom:

punch the clock: to record the time that you start or finish work by putting a card into a special machine

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Explain the following expressions:1) a one-two punch

2) punch somebody’s lights out two bad events that happen close together

to hit someone hard in the face



Key：

Key：

The Fun They Had




code n. & v.

1) n. a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do

2) v. to put a set of numbers, letters, or symbols on something to show what it is or give information about it

e.g. Some programmers write code for more than 12 hours straight.

e.g. Each path is coded to show the level of difficulty.



Collocation:

genetic code: the arrangement of genes that controls the way a living thing develops

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) The letter was written in code and I could not understand it.

2) Each order is coded separately.这封信是用密码写的，我看不懂。

每份订单都单独编号。



The Fun They Had




calculate v.

to find something out by using mathematics

e.g. These instruments calculate distances precisely.I’m trying to calculate how much paint we need.



Derivation: calculated adj. calculating adj. calculation n. calculator n.

The Fun They Had




Practice：Explain the following phrases:1) a calculated risk 2) a calculated attempt

something risky that you do after thinking carefully about what might happen

a deliberately and carefully planned attempt



Key：

Key：

The Fun They Had




in no time

very soon or very quickly

e.g. We’ll be home in no time.We were off the tanks in no time.



Comparison:

in time, at no timein time: before the time by which it is necessary for something to be doneat no time: used to say strongly that something never happened or should never happen

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions:1) no time was the company informed.

2) Your house will be sold no time at all!



At____

in___

The Fun They Had




superior adj.1) thinking that you are better than other people

2) better, more powerful, more effective, etc. than a similar person or thing, especially one that you are competing against

Collocation:superior to

e.g. She had that superior tone of voice.

e.g. David’s superior technique brought him victory.



Antonym:inferior

Derivation: superiority n.

The Fun They Had




Practice：Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) She always thinks she is superior to others.

2) This western restaurant is superior to the one we went

to last week.

她总以为自己高人一等。

这家西餐馆比我们上星期去的那家好。



The Fun They Had




loftily adv.

showing that one thinks one is better than other people

e.g. When I asked for help, he just smiled loftily and turned away.



Derivation: lofty adj. loftiness n.

The Fun They Had




Practice:

Fill in the blanks with proper words:1) He had set himself the goal of reaching the

world’s top five.

2) She always treated poor people .



lofty_____

loftily_____

The Fun They Had




smart adj.

intelligent or sensible

e.g. I was smart enough to wait for a week.His decision to become a director was a smart move.



Derivation: smartly adv. smartness n.

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) He’s a smart businessman.

2) She always wears smart clothes.



他是个精明的商人。

她总穿漂亮的衣服。

The Fun They Had




dispute v.

to say that something such as a fact or idea is not correct or true

e.g. The main facts of the book have never been disputed.Local residents disputed the police’s version of the incident.



Derivation: disputable adj. disputation n. disputatious adj.

The Fun They Had




Practice：

Fill in the blanks with proper words:1) How right you are, very clever, very .

2) He earned this title by his thoughtful approach to critical issues.



disputatious___________

disputable_________

The Fun They Had




scream v.

to make a loud high sound with your voice because you are hurt,frightened, excited, etc.

e.g. After the first few shots, people started screaming.The police car approached, its siren screaming.



Practice：Explain the following expressions:1) scream one’s head off

2) scream blue murder scream a lot

scream very loudly

Key：

Key：

The Fun They Had




adjust v.

to gradually become familiar with a new situation

e.g. They’ll soon settle in – kids are very good at adjusting.It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.



Derivation: adjustable adj. adjustment n.

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Fill in the blanks with proper words:1) It just needs a few minor .

2) The rudder pedals are on both sides.

adjustments___________

adjustable_________

The Fun They Had




nonchalantly adv.

behaving calmly and not seeming interested in anything or worried about anything

e.g. He walked nonchalantly to the door.



Derivation: nonchalant adj.

The Fun They Had




whistle v.

to make a high or musical sound by blowing air out through your lips

e.g. Adam whistled happily on his way to work.I heard this song on the radio and I’ve been whistling it all day.



Collocation:

whistle to somebody: whistle to get someone’s attentionwhistle at somebody: whistle to let someone know that you think they are attractive

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions:1) Dad whistled us to come home for dinner.

2) Men are always whistling Heidi on the street.

to___

at__

The Fun They Had




tuck v.

1) to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect, hide, carry, or hold it

2) to push something, especially the edge of a piece of cloth or paper, into or behind something so that it looks tidier or stays in place

e.g. Giles was tucking his pile of books under his arm.



Collocation:

tuck somebody up: to make someone comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around thembe tucked away: if someone or something is tucked away, they are hidden or difficult to find

e.g. Jack tucked his shirt in.

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) The bird tucked its head under its wing.

2) His mother is tucking in his quilt.鸟把头缩在翅膀下。

他母亲正把他的被子掖好塞紧。

The Fun They Had




fraction n.

1) a part of a whole number in mathematics

2) a very small amount of somethinge.g. The boy is very good at adding fractions.



e.g. She paused for a fraction of a second.

Derivation: fractional adj. fractionally adv.

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) 1/3 and 5/8 are fractions.

2) Mother’s careful with her money, and spends only a fraction of her earnings.

1/3和 5/8是分数。

母亲用钱很谨慎，只花自己收入的很小一部分。

The Fun They Had




insert v. & n.

1) v. to put something inside or into something else

2) n. printed pages that are put inside a newspaper or magazine in order to advertise something

e.g. His hand shook slightly as he inserted the key into the lock.Insert the correct coins, then select the drink you want and press the button.



e.g. Today’s newspaper contains a six-page insert on computer software.

Collocation:insert something in/into/between something

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Translate the following sentences into Chinese:1) He inserted the key in the lock but could not open the door.

2) The newspaper had an insert of pages of pictures.他把钥匙插入锁中但没能打开门。

该报带有数页插图。

The Fun They Had




sigh n. & v.

1) n. an act or sound of sighing

2) v. to breathe in and out making a long sound, especially because you are bored, disappointed, tired, etc.

e.g. She let out a sigh of impatience.



e.g. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now,” she sighed.

Collocation:

sigh for something

The Fun They Had




Practice：



Translate the following sentences into English:1) “ ”我希望我已完成这项工作，她叹口气说。 2) 想到已错过一切机会，他叹了一口气。

“I wish I had finished this work,” she said with a sigh.

He thought of all the opportunities he had missed, and sighed.

The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis Grammar exercises

Translation exercises

Writing practice






Vocabulary analysis

1. Word comparison

2. Word transformation

3. Phrase practice

Exercises for integrated skills

Oral activities

Listening exercises



Writing practice


Word comparison

Group 1: A. tag B. head C. label D. entitle

Explanation:

Tag means to attach a tag to something, or to give someone or something a name or title.

A.

e.g. His teammates have tagged him with a second nickname.

B.

e.g. The page was headed “Expenses”.

If a page is headed with a particular name, title, image, etc., it has it on the top.


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The Fun They Had



Writing practice


Explanation:

C.

e.g. Children who are labeled “slow” usually get less attention from teachers..

Entitle means to give someone the official right to do or have something; if a book, play, etc. is entitled something, that is its name.

D.

e.g. The last song is entitled “Into the Woods”.

Group 1: A. tag B. head C. label D. entitle


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Label means to attach a label onto something or write information on something, or to use a word or phrase to describe someone or something, but often unfairly or incorrectly.




The Fun They Had



Writing practice


Group 2: A. scornful B. proud C. sorrowful D. afraid

Explanation:

Scornful means showing great disrespect for somebody or something.

A.

e.g. He was scornful of begging as a profession.

B.

e.g. I’m proud to say that all my children had a good education.

Proud means feeling pleased about something that you have done or something that you own, or about someone or something you are involved with or related to.


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Writing practice


Explanation:

C.

e.g. He looked like he was in his early forties with thin, wavy gray hair and a sorrowful expression.

D.

e.g. I am afraid there will be a good deal of suffering among the poor this winter.

Afraid means frightened because you think that you may get hurt or that something bad may happen.

Sorrowful means very sad.


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The Fun They Had

Group 2: A. scornful B. proud C. sorrowful D. afraid



Writing practice


Group 3: A. mechanical B. technical C. sentimental D. logical

Explanation:

A.e.g. The company produces mechanical parts for airplane engines.

B.

e.g. Many books on furniture making are too technical or require artistic skills.

Technical means having or giving special and usually practical knowledge, especially of an industrial or scientific subject.

Mechanical means affecting or involving a machine.


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Explanation:

C.

e.g. I suppose we get more sentimental as we grow older.

D.

e.g. She’s a clear and logical thinker.

Logical means according to the rules of logic, or having or showing good clear reasoning.

Someone who is sentimental is easily affected by emotions such as love, sympathy, sadness, etc., often in a way that seems silly to other people.

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The Fun They Had

Group 3: A. mechanical B. technical C. sentimental D. logical

Vocabulary analysis

Writing practice


Group 4: A. discipline B. code C. key D. principle

Explanation:

A.

e.g. Many schools are lacking in discipline.

B.

e.g. Building codes have been strengthened following the earthquake.

Code means a set of rules, laws, or principles that tell people how to behave.

Discipline is a way of training someone so that they learn to control their behavior and obey rules.

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The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Writing practice


Explanation:

C.

e.g. In all types of advice work, listening is the key.

D.

e.g. The principle governing the world of physics are unchanging.

Key means the part of a plan, action, etc. that will make it possible for it to succeed.

Principle means a moral rule or belief about what is right and wrong, that influences how you behave; it also means the basic idea that a plan or system is based on.

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The Fun They Had

Group 4: A. discipline B. code C. key D. principle

Vocabulary analysis

Writing practice


Group 5: A. number B. calculate C. figure D. estimate

Explanation:

A.e.g. If you don’t number your answers, how will I know which

questions they refer to?

B.

e.g. I began calculating how long it would take to get to the airport if I left at 4:00.

Calculate means to find out how much something will cost, how long something will take, etc., by using numbers.

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Number means to give a number to something that is part of an ordered set or list.




The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Writing practice


Explanation:

C.

e.g. The operation went fine, and they figure he’ll be home next week.

D.

e.g. Analysts estimate the business earned about $135 million last year.

Estimate means to try to judge the value, size, speed, cost, etc. of something, without calculating it exactly.

Figure means to be an important part of a process, event, or situation, or to be included in something; it also means to form a particular opinion after thinking about a situation.

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The Fun They Had

Group 5: A. number B. calculate C. figure D. estimate

Vocabulary analysis


Group 6: A. point B. mark C. score D. number

Explanation: A.e.g. In darts, you get 50 points for hitting the bullseye.

B.

e.g. Her marks have been a lot lower this term.

Point is one of the marks or numbers that shows your score in a game or sport.

Mark (especially British English) is a letter or number given by a teacher to show how good a student’s work is.

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The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis


Explanation:

C.

e.g. The final score went up on the scoreboard, and the crowd let out a roar.

D.e.g. All the doors on this side of the street have odd numbers.

Number is a word or sign that represents an amount or a quantity.

Score is the number of points that each team or player has won in a game or competition; it also means the number of points a student has earned for correct answers in a test.

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The Fun They Had

Group 6: A. point B. mark C. score D. number

Vocabulary analysis


Group 7: A. lofty B. stupid C. superior D. advanced

Explanation:

A.

e.g. Globalization is no longer a lofty ideal.

B.

e.g. Poor Larry’s too stupid to realize when you’re making fun of him.

Stupid means having a low level of intelligence, so that you have difficulty learning or understanding things.

Lofty ideas, beliefs, attitudes, etc. show high standards or high moral qualities.

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Advanced means studying or dealing with a school subject at a difficult level; it also means having reached a late point in time or development.

Vocabulary analysis


Explanation:

C.

e.g. They claimed that a vegetarian diet was superior to a meat diet.

D.

e.g. Many of the nations of Southeast Asia will one day be as advanced as Japan or South Korea.

Superior means better, more powerful, more effective, etc. than a similar person or thing, especially one that you are competing against.

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The Fun They Had

Group 7: A. lofty B. stupid C. superior D. advanced

Vocabulary analysis


Group 8: A. clever B. smart C. intelligent D. modern

Explanation:

A.

e.g. Gibson met a clever classmate who had built his own radio transmitter.

B.

e.g. Kelly wasn’t sure if she was smart enough to go to law school.

Clever (especially British English) means able to learn and understand things quickly, or able to use your intelligence to get what you want, especially in a slightly dishonest way.

Smart (especially American English) means intelligent or sensible; it also means trying to seem clever in a disrespectful way.

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An intelligent person has a high level of mental ability and is good at understanding ideas and thinking clearly; an intelligent comment, question, conversation, etc. shows that you have thought about something carefully and understand it well.

Vocabulary analysis


Explanation:

C.

e.g. Anne was surprised to hear such an intelligent question coming from a very small child.

D.

e.g. Drugs have become the plague of the modern world.

Modern (only before noun) means belonging to the present time or most recent time; it also means made or done using the most recent designs or methods.

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Group 8: A. clever B. smart C. intelligent D. modern

Vocabulary analysis


Word transformation

1. point

Other forms of point: pointed, pointedly, pointer, pointless, pointlessness, pointy

1) 尖尖的牙齿pointed teeth

Chinese-English translation

2) 她打了个哈欠，又刻意地看了看手表。 She yawned and looked pointedly at her watch.

3) 关于这项写作任务，有以下几点建议。Here are some pointers on how to go about the writing task.

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Vocabulary analysis


4) 我们搜索过，直到觉得继续下去也枉然时才罢手。We searched until we knew it would be pointless to continue.

5) 战争的无意义性the pointlessness of war

6) 尖耳朵

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pointy ears

Vocabulary analysis


2. produceOther forms of produce: producer, production, productive, productivity

1) 独立电视节目制作人an independent television producer


2) 停止生产go out of production

3) 高产农田highly productive farming land

4) 有成效的会议a productive meeting

5) 增长的生产率increased productivity

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Vocabulary analysis


3. relyOther forms of rely: reliable, reliability, reliance, reliant

1) 可靠的供应商a reliable supplier


2) 这件事使人怀疑他的动机和可靠性。The incident cast doubt on his motives and reliability.

3) 创业时过于依赖某一客户是有一定风险的。 Heavy reliance on one client is not without risk when building up a business.

4) 这家招待所在很大程度上依赖赞助。The hostel is heavily reliant upon charity.

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4. generous

Other forms of generous: generously, generosity

1) 不吝啬金钱 be generous with one’s money


2) 用料多的连衣裙a dress that is generously cut

3) 他对待他们慷慨周到。He treated them with generosity and thoughtfulness.

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5. apology

Other forms of apology: apologetic, apologist, apologize

1) 他们对所惹的麻烦表示歉意。They were apologetic about the trouble they’d caused.


2) 奴隶制的辩护者 an apologist for slavery

3) 去给她赔不是。Go and apologize to her.

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Vocabulary analysis


6. obey

Other forms of obey: obedient, obediently, obedience

1) 他一向遵从父亲的意愿。He was always obedient to his father’s wishes.


2) 盲目的顺从blind obedience

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3) 您的忠顺的（正式或商业信件等信末署名前的套语）Yours obediently

Vocabulary analysis


Phrase practice

1. be through with

Explanation:

1) Are you through with that newspaper?

你看完那份报纸了吗？

to have finished doing

2) I’m through with alcohol.

我现已滴酒不沾。

Examples:

3) He is through with my luggage.

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他检查完了我的行李。

Vocabulary analysis


2. look over one’s shoulder

Explanation:

1) He looked over his shoulder and saw Jane watching him from beside the fireplace.他回过头去，看到简正在壁炉边注视着他。

to look from behind one’s shoulder; to look back

2) Lucy looked nervously over her shoulder to see who was behind her.露西紧张地回头看谁跟在后面。

Examples:

3) The boy observed the whole accident over her mother’s shoulder.

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这个男孩从他妈妈的肩膀后面看到了整个事故的经过。




The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis


3. be good for

Explanation:

1) He is good for some years more.

他还能再活几年。

to be capable of providing

尽管累了，他还能再走十英里。

Examples:

他的护照有效期五年。

3) He holds a passport good for five years.

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2) Tired as he is, he is good for another ten-mile walk.




The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis


4. send for

Explanation:

1) You’ll have to send for the plumber to mend this leak.

你必须找水暖工修理这处漏洞。

to send a message asking for the assistance of

2) When he started vomiting blood, they sent for the doctor.

他开始吐血，于是他们派人去请医生。

Examples:

女人们拒绝和商店检查员合作，因此我们不得不派人去叫警察。

3) The women refused to cooperate with store detectives, and we had to send for the police.

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The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Oral activities


5. take … apartExplanation:

1) I had to take it apart and afterwards put all the pieces back where they were.

我必须拆开它，然后把所有零件按照原来的位置重新组装。

to disassemble

2) He bought a mask and took it apart to figure out how it was made.

他买了个面具并拆了它，琢磨它是怎么做成的。

Examples:

我把玩具拆开后却装不上了。3) I took the toy apart and could not get it back together again.

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6. be prepared to doExplanation:

1) You’ll never learn to speak another language unless you’re prepared to make an effort.

除非你愿意努力，否则永远也学不会说外语。

to want to do

2) How much is she prepared to pay?

她打算付多少钱？

Examples:

如有必要，他打算使用武力。3) He was prepared to use force if necessary.

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The Fun They Had

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Grammar exercises

1. Articles

2. “It … to do something” pattern Exercises for integrated skills

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Articles have generic and specific reference.Vocabulary analysis

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Articles


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When we say the reference is generic, we are talking about any member representative of a class of people or things. All the three forms of article (the, a(n), and zero) can be used generically to refer to the member of a class as a whole.


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Specific reference doesn’t refer to a class of people or things in general but to a particular specimen of the class. It falls into two kinds: definite specific reference and indefinite specific reference.


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I. Complete the following sentences with a, an or the.Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises



Practice

1. I don’t believe him. He’s liar.a___

Explanation:

Here a has generic reference.

2. English has become international language of business.the____

Explanation:

Here the is of specific reference.


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The Fun They Had

3. Five years ago, he was offered the position of executive director of Arcon, one of biggest supermarket chains in the country.Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises



Explanation:

Zero article is of generic reference, while the is of specific reference.

4. Sri Lanka has wonderful climate.

Explanation:

A has generic reference.

/___

a___

the_____


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The Fun They Had

II. Put in the where necessary.Vocabulary analysis

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1. I hate being at home with the kids all day./___

Explanation:

At home is a fixed expression.

2. breakfast I ordered still hasn’t arrived.The_____

Explanation:



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3. I lay down on ground and looked up at sky.Vocabulary analysis

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Explanation:


4. children learn a lot from playing.

Explanation:

Zero article here is of generic reference.

/____

the____


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The Fun They Had

the____

III. Choose the correct noun phrase to complete each of the following sentences.

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises



1. comes from the sun. (light, a light)Light _____

Explanation:

Here light is an uncountable noun, so it is not necessary to put any article before it.

2. We had while we were on holiday. (very good weather, a very good weather)

very good weather ________________

Explanation:

Weather is an uncountable noun, so it needs zero article before it.


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The Fun They Had

3. There is on her dress. (coffee, a coffee)Vocabulary analysis

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Explanation:

Coffee here is an uncountable noun, and zero article is of generic specific.

4. I enjoy writing . (poetry, the poetry)

Explanation:

Zero article here is of generic specific.

poetry______

coffee______


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The Fun They Had

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Grammar exercises



“It … to do something” pattern

By “It … to do something” pattern, we can start each sentence with it as the formal subject, and postpone the infinitive phrase used as the real subject.


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Practice

Make sentences with the given words, using the “It ... to do something” pattern.

1. be, awfully, words, that, still, moving, the way, stood, be supposed to, on a screen, they, funny to read, instead of

It was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of

2. English, important, well, very, study, be

It is very important to study English well.____________________________________


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moving the way they were supposed to — on a screen.

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

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3. necessary, have, every day, for us, some exercise, be

It is necessary for us to have some exercise every day._______________________________________________

4. the project, for them, difficult, complete, in time, be

It was difficult for them to complete the project in time.______________________________________________


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Translation exercisesTranslate each of the following sentences into English, using the word or phrase given in the bracket. Inflect the word or phrase where necessary.

1. 这个中学生有许多英语单词发音不准，必须狠下工夫，学好音标，掌握标准的语音。 (pronounce)

Therefore is added in the translation to mean as a result of something that has just been mentioned, which clarifies the cause and effect more.

There are many English words that this middle school student cannot pronounce correctly. Therefore, he has to make great effort to learn the phonetic symbols well and acquire standard English pronunciation.


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Notes:

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1) 你怎么念 c-l-e-r-k这个词 ?

How do you pronounce c-l-e-r-k?

2) “一些学生觉得单词 the”很难读。

Some students find it difficult to pronounce the word “the”.

3) “像 chicken” “和 cheese” “这类词的读音中都曾有 k”的音。

Words like “chicken” and “cheese” were once pronounced with a “k”.


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There should be inversion in a sentence beginning with only.

In this new era marked by knowledge explosion and information explosion, we have to pursue constant study and take particular care to renew our knowledge. Only thus, can we become adjusted to the requirements of our specialized work.


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2. 在这个知识爆炸、信息爆炸的时代，我们必须不断学习，注意知识更新，才能适应专业工作的需要。 (become adjusted to)




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1) 他很快适应了这个国家的炎热气候。

He adjusted himself very quickly to the heat of the country.

2) 他们不能调整自己以适应环境。

They are unable to adjust themselves to their environment.

3) 我花了一些时间调整才使自己进入做母亲的角色。

It took some time to adjust myself to motherhood.

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3. 那男孩把衬衫塞进裤腰里，将皮包夹在腋下，看上去俨然一

副老板模样。 (tuck)

The absolute construction can be used here to modify a sentence; it should be set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

With his shirt tucked into the top of his trousers and a leather bag tucked under his arm, the boy looked just like a boss.


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Notes:

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1) 把你的衬衫塞进裤子里。

Tuck your shirt into your trousers.

2) 她把围巾塞进罩衫内。

She tucked her scarf into her blouse.


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The sentence structure “(It’s) no/small/little wonder (that)” is especially used in the spoken English to say that you are not surprised by something.

Although she is only eight years old, the little girl is already very good at calculating fractions. No wonder her parents feel very proud of her.

4. 这个女孩虽然只有 8岁，但已擅长计算分数了。难怪她父母为她感到自豪。 (fraction)


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Notes:

e.g. No wonder you’ve got a headache, the amount you drank last night.

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Chinese-English translation:

1) 对于 3至 5岁的儿童来说，分数计算很难。

Fractions calculation is difficult for the children ranging from three to five.

2) 儿童在小学阶段应该学习分数。

Children should be taught fractions in their primary school education.


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Fill in each blank in the passage below with ONE word you think appropriate.

Play is the principal business of childhood, and more and more in recent years research has shown the vital importance of play in the development of a human being. From (1) infancy, every child needs adequate opportunity and the right material for play, and the main tools of play are (2) . Their main function is to suggest, encourage and assist play. To (3) in this play they must be good toys; therefore, it is important to choose suitable toys for different (4) of a child’s development.

succeed________

earliest_______

toys____

stages______

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In recent years research on infant development has shown the standard a child is (5) to reach, within the range of his inherited abilities, is largely determined in the first three years of his life. (6) a baby’s ability to profit from the right play materials should be things to touch, things to listen to, things to watch. At no time in his life will a child (7) as fast as now; in the first two years each month (8) a change in what he can do and what he needs. A baby who is encouraged and stimulated, talked to and shown things and played (9) , has the best chance of growing up successfully. There is no doubt that the right play materials and opportunities are of the utmost (10) .

likely_____Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises




Therefore________

develop_______brings______

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with_____

importance_________

Vocabulary analysis

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Explanation:Earliest is used here to emphasize the very beginning of infancy.

earliest

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Explanation:An object for children to play with is a toy; we can also find the clue in the following sentences.

toys

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Explanation:Succeed in something means to do well in something; it corresponds with “good toys” in the sentence.

succeed

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Explanation:Stage is a particular time or state that something reaches as it grows or develops.

stages

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Explanation:Something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true.

likely

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Explanation:Therefore is used to mean as a result of something that has just been mentioned; it is usually used at the beginning of a sentence.

Therefore

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Explanation:Develop means to grow or change into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced.

develop

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Explanation:Bring a change is to cause someone or something to make a change.

brings

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Explanation:Play with somebody means to spend time doing an enjoyable or amusing activity with somebody.

with

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Oral activities


Explanation:Of the utmost importance means extremely important.

importance

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Oral activities

Discuss with your partner the given situations.


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Discuss with your partner the given situations.


1. The mechanical teacher of the future world’s school must be great fun.

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Words and expressions for the topic:technology development education advancementnew teaching methodclose communicationscientific rather than emotionalobjective vs. subjective

Guidance:

Vocabulary analysis

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2. The lessons Tommy and Margie have are quite tedious.

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Words and expressions for the topic:future world’s teacherschool educationmechanical teacherold teaching method




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Guidance:

Vocabulary analysis

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3. Man is more intelligent than the computer because it is man who makes and controls the computer.

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Words and expressions for the topic:hi-tech developmentintelligent computer programmingcomplex human brainthinking

Guidance:

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4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the fact that people are getting more and more dependent on computers.

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Words and expressions for the topic:social progressefficient workdigital controlbrainlesslazyunemployment

Guidance:

A Model Essay on Topic Three

In the information era, hi-tech has brought us more and more advancement. The computer is just a typical one. In spite of its intelligence, some people argue that man is more intelligent than the computer because it is man who makes and controls the computer. I would like to talk about the subject on the aspect of the difference between the brain and the computer.

The difference between the brain and the computer can be expressed in a single word: complexity.

The human brain weighs three pounds, in which billions of cells are interconnected in a vastly complicated network which we can’t begin to interpret as yet. Even the most complicated computer that man has built can’t compare in intricacy with the brain. The computer switches and components number in the thousands rather than in the billions. What’s more, the computer switch is just an on-off device, whereas the brain cell is itself possessed of a tremendously complex inner structure.

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Another reason why man is more intelligent than the computer lies in that the computer can’t think like the human brain. If solving a mathematical problem is “thinking”, then the computer can “think” and do so much faster than man. But most mathematical problems can be solved quite mechanically by repeating certain straightforward processes over and over again. It is frequently said that computers solve problems only because they are “programmed” to do so. They can only do what man has them do.

Therefore, the human brain is so much more enormously complex that we might like to define “thinking” in terms of our creativity in literature, art, science and technology. In that sense, the computer certainly can’t think. Surely, though, if the computer can be made complex enough, it can be as creative as we. If it could be made as complex as the human brain, it could be the equivalent of the human brain and do whatever the human brain can do.

Vocabulary analysis

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Writing practice

Listening exercises





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Vocabulary analysis

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Writing practice

Additional information

Modern English has three basic coordinators: and, or, but.

Listening exercises





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Vocabulary analysis

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And-group coordinators This group includes and, both … and, not only … but (also), neither … nor, etc. All these items are commonly used to denote “addition” or “extension” in positive or negative orientation.

Vocabulary analysis

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Combine the following sentences in each group below into a single sentence by coordination, making some changes if necessary.

Practice

1. Inflation is a serious problem. Unemployment is a serious problem.

Both inflation and unemployment are serious problems.__________________________________________________

2. Petroleum companies must seek new sources of oil. Petroleum companies must develop new sources of oil.

Petroleum companies must seek and develop new sources of oil.____________________________________________________

Listening exercises





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3. The new policies may annoy foreign investors. The new policies may annoy domestic business groups.

The new policies may annoy both foreign investors and domestic

4. Manufacturers predict a rapid economic recovery. Manufacturers predict a dramatic economic recovery.

Manufacturers predict a rapid and dramatic economic recovery.____________________________________________________





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business groups.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

In a society where everyone is not to be able

to spend a lot of money on entertainment, most of us end up

either

a television or spending time with our family and

friends of some kind. While television is probably

the most popular form , there is a small

group of us that still believe board games

offer . They offer us a variety of ways to

, to , and most importantly, to

.

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Listening exercisesFrom Television Back to Games

A. Listen carefully. Supply the missing words. For each blank you need to write three words.





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so fortunate as ____________

in front of _________playing a game _____________

of home entertainment____________________the most enjoyment

learn new information

test our skills___________ bring us together______________

___________________

________________

script■

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The Fun They Had

Instead of watching television , people are

finding that board games give us the outlet to test our

against each other. They are putting

away and giving up their “ ” status, and

gathering around for an exciting game. I would

much rather pretend that , playing for

, rather than watch someone else on

pretending to be one. , less expensive, and best

of all, I spend the time with people.

all the time___________

skills and

knowledge

__________

_________ the remote controls ________________

Executive Couch Potato____________________

the kitchen table ______________

I’m a millionaire_______________ the high

stakes

_______

______ a glass tube __________

It’s more exciting_______________

real and interesting ________________

what you learn

want to learn

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B. Listen again and complete the following chart, which shows the difference between television and board games.





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Television Board Games

Sources of information

Television is one of our , but for a lot of the time it is not

e.g.

Board games are set up to offer , such as in a way that makes you and lets you choose .

e.g. Trivial Pursuit

best sources of information

_______________________

the kind of information

that you want or need

___________________

__________________.

Commercials ___________

a variety of information___________________geography,

vocabulary, or financialinvestment

_____________

___________________________________________

___________

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Outcome You are forced to become when watching television.

e.g.

Board games with ahead, letting you use your to win the game. e.g. , Trump

a passive spectator________________

a particular outcome ___________________

ideas and strategies_________________

Chess_____Game show___________

Interaction

is nice, but it’s very difficult to find a show on .

Playing a board game

, not only , but also .e.g. How to Host a Murder

Getting the family together to watch a show on television

____________________________________________________

gives you the chance to

learn________________________the subject

about _________

______

about each other______________

test yourskills and knowledge

__________________________

for the whole family__________________

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From Television Back to Games

In a society where everyone is not so fortunate as to be able to spend a lot of money on entertainment, most of us end up either in front of a television or spending time with our family and friends playing a game of some kind. While television is probably the most popular form of home entertainment, there is a small group of us that still believe board games offer the most enjoyment. They offer us a variety of ways to learn new information, to test our skills, and most importantly, to bring us together.





The Fun They Had

■

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Television is one of our best sources of information, but for a lot of the time it is not the kind of information that you want or need. The commercials, for instance, always insult your intelligence. On the other hand, board games are set up to offer a variety of information, such as geography, vocabulary, or financial investment. All of this information is offered in a way that makes you want to learn and lets you choose what you learn. I have acquired more information about history, geography, and science from “Trivial Pursuit” alone than I have ever been able to get from the boring way they are presented on television.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Added to the benefits of learning new information, board games test your skills and knowledge with a particular outcome ahead. They let you use your ideas and strategies to win the game. Whether you are trying to get your opponent’s king in chess or trying to make the most money in “Trump,” there is an outcome which you brought about with these ideas and strategies. However, you are forced to become a passive spectator when watching television. In some cases a program might be produced to stimulate your thought process, but they don’t offer you an outlet for following through with your ideas, such as the useless concept of the game show for entertainment.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

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Still the most important difference between the television and the board game is the interaction with others. Getting the family together to watch a show on television is nice; that is, if you can find a show on for the whole family. But playing a board game gives you the chance to learn, not only about the subject, but also about each other. Everyone is different, with their own views and unique ways of handling situations, giving each game a different outcome. One of the nicest parties I ever attended was one where we played a murder mystery game called “How to Host a Murder.” We never knew what to expect next, and it was a wonderful way to get to know everyone.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Instead of watching television all the time, people are finding that board games give us the outlet to test our skills and knowledge against each other. They are putting the remote controls away and giving up their “Executive Couch Potato” status, and gathering around the kitchen table for an exciting game. I would much pretend that I’m a millionaire, playing for the high stakes, rather than watch someone else on a glass tube pretending to be one. It’s more exciting, less expensive, and best of all, I spend the time with real and interesting people.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



From Television Back to Games

In a society where everyone is not so fortunate as to be able to spend a lot of money on entertainment, most of us end up either in front of a television or spending time with our family and friends playing a game of some kind. While television is probably the most popular form of home entertainment, there is a small group of us that still believe board games offer the most enjoyment. They offer us a variety of ways to learn new information, to test our skills, and most importantly, to bring us together.





The Fun They Had

■

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Television is one of our best sources of information, but for a lot of the time it is not the kind of information that you want or need. The commercials, for instance, always insult your intelligence. On the other hand, board games are set up to offer a variety of information, such as geography, vocabulary, or financial investment. All of this information is offered in a way that makes you want to learn and lets you choose what you learn. I have acquired more information about history, geography, and science from “Trivial Pursuit” alone than I have ever been able to get from the boring way they are presented on television.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Added to the benefits of learning new information, board games test your skills and knowledge with a particular outcome ahead. They let you use your ideas and strategies to win the game. Whether you are trying to get your opponent’s king in chess or trying to make the most money in “Trump,” there is an outcome which you brought about with these ideas and strategies. However, you are forced to become a passive spectator when watching television. In some cases a program might be produced to stimulate your thought process, but they don’t offer you an outlet for following through with your ideas, such as the useless concept of the game show for entertainment.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Still the most important difference between the television and the board game is the interaction with others. Getting the family together to watch a show on television is nice; that is, if you can find a show on for the whole family. But playing a board game gives you the chance to learn, not only about the subject, but also about each other. Everyone is different, with their own views and unique ways of handling situations, giving each game a different outcome. One of the nicest parties I ever attended was one where we played a murder mystery game called “How to Host a Murder.” We never knew what to expect next, and it was a wonderful way to get to know everyone.





The Fun They Had

Vocabulary analysis

Grammar exercises


Oral activities

Writing practice

Listening exercises



Instead of watching television all the time, people are finding that board games give us the outlet to test our skills and knowledge against each other. They are putting the remote controls away and giving up their “Executive Couch Potato” status, and gathering around the kitchen table for an exciting game. I would much pretend that I’m a millionaire, playing for the high stakes, rather than watch someone else on a glass tube pretending to be one. It’s more exciting, less expensive, and best of all, I spend the time with real and interesting people.





The Fun They Had

Lead-in questions Supplementary reading



Lead-in questions

1.2.

Are you a person that feels like laughing? Why? Have you ever thought of your future career? Why do you choose it?Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions

Supplementary reading



Memorable quotes

The LaugherHeinrich Boll

When someone asks me what business I am in, I am seized with embarrassment: I blush and stammer, I who am otherwise known as a man of poise. I envy people who can say: I am a bricklayer. I envy barbers, bookkeepers and writers the simplicity of their avowal, for all these professions speak for themselves and need no lengthy explanation, which I am constrained to reply to such questions: I am a laugher. An admission of this kind demands another, since I have to answer the second question “Is that how you make your living?” truthfully with “Yes.” I actually do make a living at my laughing, and a good one too, for my laughing is — commercially speaking — much in demand. I am a good laugher, experienced, no one else laughs as well as I do, no one else has such command of the fine




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points of my art. For a long time, in order to avoid tiresome explanations, I called myself an actor, but my talents in the field of mime and elocution are so meager that I felt this designation to be too far from the truth: I love the truth, and the truth is: I am a laugher. I am neither a clown nor a comedian, I do not make people gay, I portray gaiety: I laugh like a Roman emperor, or like a sensitive schoolboy, I am as much at home in the laughter of the seventeenth century as in that of the nineteenth, and when occasion demands I laugh my way through all the centuries, all classes of society, all categories of age — it is simply a skill which I have acquired, like the skill of being able to repair shoes. In my breast I harbor the laughter of America, the laughter of Africa, white, red, yellow laughter — and for the right fee I let it peal out in accordance with the director’s requirements.

Lead-in questions



Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



In my breast I harbor the laughter of America … yellow laughter I have acquired the skill of imitating the laughter of people of different nationalities.

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



raise pigeons for a hobby, boxers turn pale when their children have nosebleeds: I find all this quite natural, for I never laugh off duty. I am a very solemn person, and people consider me — perhaps rightly so — a pessimist. During the first years of our married life, my wife would often say to me: “Do laugh!” but since then she has come to realize that I cannot grant her this wish. I am happy when I am free to relax my tense face muscles, my frayed spirit, in profound solemnity. Indeed, even other people’s laughter gets on my nerves, since it reminds me too much of my profession. So our marriage is a quiet, peaceful one, because my wife has also forgotten how to laugh: now and again I catch her smiling, and I smile too. We converse in low tones, for I detest the noise of the night clubs, the noise that sometimes fills the recording studios. People who do not know me think I am taciturn. Perhaps I am, because I have to open my mouth so often to laugh.

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



I go through life with an impassive expression, from time to time permitting myself a gentle smile, and I often wonder whether I have ever laughed. I think not. My brothers and sisters have always known me for a serious boy. So I laugh in many different ways, but my own laughter I have never heard.

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



Heinrich Boll (1917 – 1985) a German novelist and Nobel laureate. Boll’s fiction is an uncompromising, yet compassionate, survey of modern Germany, depicting the absurdity of war and the dehumanization of the individual.

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



the fine points of my art the impressively detailed techniques of my laughing that requires great skill, talent, or precision

Memorable quotes




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I have become indispensable; I laugh on records, I laugh on tape, and television directors treat me with respect. I laugh mournfully, moderately, hysterically; I laugh like a streetcar conductor or like a helper in the grocery business; laughter in the morning, laughter in the evening, nocturnal laughter and the laughter of twilight. In short: wherever and however laughter is required — I do it. It need hardly be pointed out that a profession of this kind is tiring, especially as I have also — this is my specialty — mastered the art of infectious laughter; this has also made me indispensable to third- and fourth-rate comedians, who are scared — and with good reason — that their audiences will miss their punch lines, so I spend most evenings in night clubs as a kind of discreet claque, my job being to laugh infectiously during the weaker parts of the program. It has to be carefully timed: my hearty, boisterous laughter must not

Lead-in questions



Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



punch lines the last few words of a joke or story that give meaning to the whole and cause amusement or surprise The punch line for the joke “How do you know an elephant has been in your fridge?” is “You can see its footprints in the butter!”

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



claque a group of people hired to give support by clapping at a performance

Memorable quotes




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come too soon, but neither must it come too late, it must come just at the right spot: at the prearranged moment I burst out laughing, the whole audience roars with me, and the joke is saved. But as for me, I drag myself exhausted to the checkroom, put on my overcoat, happy that I can go off duty at last. At home I usually find telegrams waiting for me: “Urgently require your laughter. Recording Tuesday,” and a few hours later I am sitting in an overheated express train bemoaning my fate. I need scarcely say that when I am off duty or on vacation I have little inclination to laugh: the cowhand is glad when he can forget the cow, the bricklayer when he can forget the mortar, and carpenters usually have doors at home which don’t work or drawers which are hard to open. Confectioners like sour pickles, butchers like marzipan, and the baker prefers sausage to bread; bullfighters

Lead-in questions



Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions



marzipan a sweet paste made of ground almonds and sugar, often with egg whites or yolks, used as a layer in cakes or molded into ornamental shapes

Memorable quotes




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Lead-in questions

Memorable quotes



Questions for discussion:1.

2.

3.

4.

Why does the author envy such professions as bookkeepers and writers?What does the author say about his talents in the field of mime and elocution?What can we infer from the passage about the author’s occupation?Why does the author mention the skill of repairing shoes?

Answers for reference:1.

2

3.

4.

He thinks that the nature of all these professions is clear and needs no further explanation.His talents in the field of mime and elocution are not good enough to meet the requirements of an actor.He is most probably a professional laugher, imitating the laughter of different kinds of people and of different occasions.He wants to stress that skill comes from practice.




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Lead-in questions


Memorable quotes



Memorable quotes

Paraphrase the following quotes:

Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books.

— Francis Bacon




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Lead-in questions


Memorable quotes



Science and art belong to the whole world, and before them vanish the barriers of nationality.

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe




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Documents

The Fun They Had Reading aloud Audiovisual supplements Section One: Pre-reading Activities Section Two: Global Reading Section Four: Consolidation Activities