UNIT 1 What's the matter?
P3 3a
Bus Driver and Pasngers Save an Old Man
At 9: yesterday, bus No. 26 was going along Zhonghua Road when the driver saw an old man lying on the side of the road. A woman was next to him, shouting for help.
The bus driver, 24-year-old Wang Ping, stopped the bus without thinking twice. He got off and asked the woman what happened. She said that the man had a heart problem and should go to the hospital. Mr. Wang knew he had to act quickly. He told the pasngers that he must take the man to the hospital. He expected most or all of the pasngers to get off and wait for the next bus.
But to his surpri, they all agreed to go with him. Some pasngers helped Mr. Wang to move the man ona the bus.
Thanks to Mr. Wang and the pasngers, the doctors saved the man in time. "It's sad that many people don't want to help others becau they don’t want any trouble," says one pasnger. "But the driver didn't think about himlf. He only thought about saving a life."
P6 2b
He Lost His Arm But Is Still Climbing
Aron Ralston is an American man who is interested in mountain climbing. As a mountain climber, Aron is ud to taking risks. This is one of the exciting things about doing dangerous sports. There were many times when Aron almost lost his life becau of accidents. On April 26, 2003, he found himlf in a very dangerous situation when climbing in Utah
On that day, Aron's arm was caught under a 2,000-kilo rock that fell on him when he was climbing by himlf in the mountains. Becau he could not free his arm, he stayed there for five days and hoped that someone would find him. But when his water ran out, he knew that he would have to do something to save his own life. He was not ready to die that day. So he ud his knife to cut off half his right arm. Then, with his left arm, he bandaged himlf so that he would not lo too much blood. After that, he climbed down the mountain to find help.
After losing his arm, he wrote a book called Between a Rock and a Hard Place. This means being in a difficult situation that you cannot em to get out of. In this book, Aron tells of the importance of making good decisions, and of being in control of one's life. His lo for mountain climbing is so grea
t that he kept on climbing mountains even after this experience.
Do we have the same spirit as Aron? Let's think about it before we find ourlves “between a rock and a hard place”, and before we have to make a decision that could mean life or death.
Unit 2 I'll help to clean up the city parks
P11 3a
Students Who Volunteer
Mario Green and Mary Brown from Riverside High School give up veral hours each week to help others.
Mario loves animals and wants to be an animal doctor. He volunteers at an animal hospital every Saturday morning. Mario believes it can help him to get his future dream job. “ It' s hard work , ” he says , “but I want to learn more about how to care for animals . I get such a strong feeling of satisfaction when I e the animals get better and the look of joy on their owners' faces.”
Mary is a book lover. She could read by herlf at the age of four. Last year she decided to try out for
a volunteer after-school reading program .she still works there once a week to help kids learn to read. The kids are sitting in the library, but you can e in their eyes that they’re going on a different journey with each new book. V olunteering here is a dream come true for me. I can do what I love to do and help others at the same time.
Most people today are only worried about getting good jobs lots of money. In their free time, They think about what for fun or relaxation. However, few people think about what they can do others. There are many people who are less lucky than us. V olunteering our time to help the people is a good way our free time. For example, we can make plans sick children in the hospital or rai money for homeless people. Some people even stop doing their jobs for a few months to a year to another country, like Africa, and help people there.
P14 2b
I’ll Send You a Photo of Lucky
Dear Miss Li,
I’d like to thank you for nding money to Animal Helpers. I’m sure you know that this group was t up to help disabled people like me. You helped to make it possible for me to have Lucky. Lucky makes a big difference to my life. Let me tell you my story.
What would it be like to be blind or deaf? Or imagine you can’t walk ou u
your hands easily. Most people would never think about this, but many people
have the difficulties. I can’t u my arms or legs well, so normal things like
answering the telephone, opening and closing doors, or carrying things are difficult for me. Then one day last year, a friend of mine helped me out. She talked to Animal Helpers about getting me a special trained dog. She also thought a dog might cheer me up. I love animals and I was excited about the idea of having a dog.
After six months of training with a dog at Animal Helpers, I was able to bring him home. My dog’s name is Lucky — a good name for him becau I feel very lucky to have him. You e, I’m only able to have a “dog-helper” becau of your kindness! Lucky is very clever and understands many English words. He can understand me when I give him orders. For example, I say, “Lucky! Get my book,” and he does it at once.
Lucky is a fantastic dog. I’ll nd you a photo of him if you like, and I could show you how he helps me. Thank you again for changing my life.
Best wishes,
Ben Smith
P16 Self-check 2
Last week, everyone was trying up Jimmy, the Bike boy. He was unhappy becau he of money old bikes. He some signs asking for old bikes and all his friends on the phone them about the problem. He even notices at the supermarket. Then he told the teachers at school about his problem and they a call-in center for parents. The ideas that he with worked out fine. He now has 16 bikes up and to children who don’t have bikes.
Unit 3 Could you plea clean your room?
P19 3a
Last month, our dog welcomed me when I came home from school. He wanted a walk, but I was too tired.
I threw down my bag and went to the living room. The minute I sat down in front of the TV, my mom came over. “Could you plea take the dog for a walk?” she asked.
“Could I watch one show first?” I asked. “NO!” she replied angrily. “You watch TV all the time and never help out around the hou! I can’t work all day and do houwork all evening.”
“Well, I work all day at school, too! I’m just as tired as you are!” I shouted back.
My mom did not say anything and walked away. For one week, she did not do any houwork and neither did I. Finally, I could not find a clean dish or a clean shirt.
The next day, my mom came home from work to find the hou clean and tidy.“What happened?” she asked in surpri.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. I finally understand that we need to share the houwork to have a clean and comfortable home,” I replied.
P22 2b
Dear Sir,
I don’t understand why some parents make their kids help with houwork and chores at home. Kids the days already have enough stress from school. They don’t have time to study and do houwork, too. Houwork is a waste of their time. Could we just let them do their job as students? They should spend their time on schoolwork in order to get good grades and get into a good university. Also, when they get older, they will have to do houwork so there’s no need for them to do it now. It is the parents’ job to provide a clean and comfortable environment at home for their children. And anyway, I think doing chores is not so difficult. I don’t mind doing them.
Mr. Smith
Dear Sir,
I think it is important for children to learn how to do chores and help their parents with houwork. It’s not enough to just get good grades at school. Children the days depend on their parents too much. They’re always asking, “Could you get this for me?” or “Could you help me with that?” Doing chores helps to develop children’s independence and teaches them how to look after themlves. It also helps them to understand the idea of fairness. Since they live in one hou with their parents, they should know that everyone should do their part in keeping it clean and tidy. Our neighbor’s son
got into a good college but during his first year, he had no idea how to take care of himlf. As a result, he often fell ill and his grades dropped. The earlier kids learn to be independent, the better it is for their future.
Ms. Miller
Unit 4 Why don’t you talk to your parents?
P27 3a
Dear Mr. Hunt,
My problem is I can’t get on with my family. Relations between my parents have become difficult. They fight a lot, and I really don’t like it. It’s the only communication they have. I don’t know if I should say anything to them about this. When they argue, it’s like a big, black cloud hanging over our home. Also, my elder brother is not very nice to me. He always refus to let me watch my favorite TV show. Instead he watches whatever he wants until late at night. I
don’t think this is fair. At home I always feel lonely and nervous. Is that normal? What can I do?
Sad and Thirteen
Dear Sad and Thirteen,
It’s not easy being your age, and it’s normal to have the feelings. Why don’t you talk about the feelings with your family? If your parents are having problems, you should offer to help. Maybe you could do more jobs around the hou so that they have more time for proper communication. Secondly, why don’t you sit down and communicate with your brother? You should explain that you don’t mind him watching TV all the time. However, he should let you watch your favorite show. I hope you’ll feel better about yourlf in future. Robert Hunt
P30 2b
Maybe You Should Learn to Relax!
The days, Chine children are sometimes busier on weekends than weekdays becau they to take so many after-school class. Many of them are learning exam skills so that they can get into a good high school and later a good university. Others are practicing sports so that they can compete and win. However, this doesn’t only happen in China. The Taylors are a typical American family. Life for Cathy Taylor’s three children is very busy.” On most days after school,” Cathy says, “I take one of my two boys to basketball practice and my daughter to football training. Then I have to take my other
son to piano lessons. Maybe I could cut out a few of their activities, but I believe the activities are important for my children’s future. I really want them to be successful. ” However, the tired children don’t get home until after 7: They have a quick dinner, and then it’s time for homework.
Linda Miller, a mother of three, knows all about such stress. “In some families, competition starts very young and continues until the kids get older,” she says. “Mothers nd their small kids to all kinds of class. And they are always comparing them with other children. It’s crazy. I don’t think that’s fair. Why don’t they just let their kids be kids? People shouldn’t push their kids so hard.”Doctors say too much pressure is not good for a child’s development. Dr. Alice Green says all the activities can cau a lot of stress for children. “Kids should have time to relax and think for themlves, too. Although it’s normal to want successful children, it’s even more important to have happy children.”
Unit 5 What were you doing when the rainstorm came?
P35 3a
The Storm Brought People Clor Together
