Unit 3-1 Listening 地球历史,污染

There are many forms of live on earth, including human beings. Life exists in a variety of conditions. Some forms of life live in the watery environment, like the oceans. Other forms of life can be found in very dry areas like desserts. However, for any form of life to exist, conditions must be right. When the conditions are not right, that form of life will become extinct. To become extinct means to die out completely.

Conditions must be right for life to exist. Millions of years ago there were forms of life that no longer exist. When condition changed, these forms of life died out. One extinction event happened about 250 million years ago. This was the largest extinction event of all time. Many forms of life become extinct. Ninety six percent of all life in the oceans died out. Most insects also became extinct. This event happened over a period of several million years.

The causes of this extinction event are still unknown. Possible causes include large volcanic eruptions and global warming. Some scientists believe that there were several causes. They believe that a series of events caused the extinctions. Scientists are working to better understand what really happened.

In modern times we humans face changing conditions. For humans to live, we need clean air and clean water. Pollution is now a growing problem around the world. Pollution poisons the air and water that we depend on. Polluted air makes people sick and afraid to get outside. Polluted water poisons our food supply. As a result, we never know which foods are safe to eat. Human beings cannot live in a poisoned environment. Therefore, pollution is a major threat to our existence.

Humans need temperature to be in a comfortable range. To be in a comfortable range means to be neither too hot nor too cold. With global warming, global temperatures are rising. As temperatures rise, the polar icecaps will melt. As the polar icecaps melt, ocean levels will rise. Areas of some countries will soon be under water. People will be forced to relocate from flooded areas.

In nature, even small changes can sometimes have large effects. It’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen. The entire ecosystem that we depend on is changing. Some of these changes are irreversible. Irreversible changes cannot be undone.

Let’s hope that humans are smart enough to understand how the world is changing. With more understanding, we can make better choices about what to do. We can face the challenges of pollution and global warming. We need to do this before it’s too late. This planet Earth is our only home and we need to protect it.

Unit 3-1 vocabulary  动物

Lizard 蜥蜴

Mammals are covered by hair or fur, have a backbone and warm-blooded. All mammals female produce milk for the young.

Reptiles are covered by scales, includes snakes, lizards and turtles. Reptiles have a backbone and are cold-blooded, which means they often rely on the external resources of heat.

Birds are covered by feather and are warm blooded. Most birds can fly and many types of bird migrate great distances.

Most insects such ants and bees have a small 3 parts body with 3 pairs of legs. Some insects, such as mosquitoes, spread diseases that cause the deaths of many humans.

Unlike animals, plants get the energy that they need from the sun. Plants convert light energy along with carbon and water into chemical energy.

Scales and rulers are used to measure weight and length. Units of weight includes kilograms and pounds and units of length includes centimeters and inches.

These instruments are used to observe very large and very small objects. Telescopes are used by astronomers and microscopes are used by biologists and doctors.

These appliances are used in the kitchens of almost every home. Stoves are used to heat food, and refrigerators are used to keep foods cool or cold.

Household tools like these are used to build and repair things. Hammers are used to pound in nails and screw drivers are used to turn a screw.

Mammals include some of the most intelligent animals on earth, such as elephants and human beings.

Mosquitoes cause the death of more human than any other animals.

Rulers are used to measure length

We can use a telescope to see objects that are far way.

Unit 3-1 dialogue    纪念日

F: Do you know what date is it today?

M: What do you mean, it’s the special day?

F: Oh, so you don’t remember.

M: Remember what? What’s the special?

F: It’s our anniversary. We started dating a year ago today.

M: Oh, really. Sorry.

M: Just a minute, what do you think this is.

F: Oh, it’s a necklace.

M: Do you like it?

F: Yes, I do. It’s lovely. Especially the red heart. May I put it on?

M: No, let me do it.

F: So you did remember.

M: Of course I remember. It’s very special for both of us.

F: I have something for you too.

M: You do?

F: Yes, but you have to wait until later.

M: Oh, I can’t wait. Tell me what is it.

F: Can you guess what it is?

M: Could you give me a hint?

F: We went there 3 months ago.

M: Oh, you mean Alfredo’s.

F: Yes, are you excited? You said you really liked the food there.

M: Yes, that’s true. I also remembered the dessert. Do you?

F: Yes, but let’s not talk about that now. Let’s now view in the surprise.

F: That restaurant looks nice.

M: Yes, but it looks expensive.

F: Let’s go in and look at the menu.

M: Wow, the menu looks great, especially the fish.

F: Yes, it looks good, but look at those prices.

M: Let’s try somewhere else.

F: Sometime it’s ok to spend a little money.

M: Yes, but this price is a bit too high. Don’t you think?

F: Yes, they are a bit high. But don’t you think it worth? Let’s enjoy ourselves.

M: Em, ok, if you put it that way. Let’s see if we can get a table.

F: I’m glad you have your credit card.

M: I sure hope the food is good.

F: Stop worrying, let’s enjoy ourselves.

Unit 3-2 Listening  家政服务公司

QuickServe is a home repair company. It provides quick, reliable repair services to homes. QuickServe handles plumbing and electrical issues 24 hours a day. It also cleans the roofs, fixes internet connections and replaces broken windows. For a small fee, customers subscribe to the service. Its main customers are the elderly, which means older people. Whenever customers have a problem, they can call for help. There is also small charge for each service call.

The company was established 5 years ago, and is growing rapidly. It started in one city, but it’s now in 5 cities. The company plans to expand to 10 cities within the next 24 months. In each city there is a small central office in a low-rent area of the city. The central office handles the business, advertising, payroll and billing. It also takes calls from customers, either online or by telephone. It takes calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sixty percent of the company’s employees work from their homes. When a customer calls in to the central office, a service employee is contacted. The service employee then contacts the customer and sets up an employment. These service employees are highly trained and provide excellent service. In emergencies, such as a serious plumbing problem, service can be provided within an hour. One reason for this is that the service employees live in different parts of the city. They are not centrally located, so it’s quicker and easier for them to travel to a customer’s home.

Quick serve has an excellent reputation. Its prices are reasonable and its services are quick and efficient. The company’s service employees are clean, polite and efficient. In this type of business, person to person contact is the key to success. With each satisfied customer, more customers subscribe. Satisfied customers recommend QuickServe to their friends. This kind of word-of-mouth advertising is very cost effective. Cost effective means that the results are good without paying a high price. In other words, quality service provides its own rewards to the company.

The company takes great pride in being honest with its customers. There are no hidden charges for their services. As a result, the number of customers in each city is growing rapidly. With the aging population, there are more elderly people who need home repair services. These people need to have confidence in the service provider. They don’t want to be cheated. These people don’t mind paying a reasonable fee for high quality service. High quality services should be rewarded.

The company provides a range of service plans, each with a different subscription price. The least expensive service plan is called the basic plan. This plan provides non-emergency service with a very low service charge. The most expensive service plan is their VIP plan. The VIP plan provides emergency services 24 hours a day with no additional service charge. It also provides rebates to customers who don’t call for any service during the year. In addition, QuickServe gives bonus points to customers for each year that they subscribe. These bonus points can be used to buy new appliances such as stoves and refrigerators.

If the business continues to grow, the owners may decide to take the company public. This means that the public can buy shares of the company. It will then change from privately-owned company to a public company. The owners believe that their business is successful and can expand around world. They also believe that taking their company public can make them rich.

Unit 3-2 vocabulary 学科、事故

Biology is study of life, including its structure and evolution. Biology study how life survives and reproduces.

Chemistry is the study of matter, including the structure of its atoms and molecules. Chemists study how various substances interact with each other.

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. Astronomers study the structure and evolution of the universe, including the study of stars, planets and galaxies.

Geologies is the study of structure of history of the earth and other planets. Geologist study different types of rocks, earthquakes and different layers of the earth.

Mathematics is the study of numbers, shapes, patterns and change. Mathematics is used by all other branches of science.

Here are some types of terrible events that hurt or kill people. Earthquakes are cause by forces deep within the earth. During earthquakes, many people are often killed by collapsing buildings and bridges.

Flood happens when rivers rise and overflow their banks. Floodwaters damage or destroy many houses and businesses.

Fires destroy building, land, and forests. There are many causes for fire, including lightning.

In a hurricane, high winds destroy building and sometimes cause flooding. Some hurricanes have winds of more than 200 miles an hour.

Car accident happen when car collide or when drivers lose control of their cars. One of the main causes of car accidents is driving too fast.

Unit 3-2 dialogue 装书桌,哲学

F: What’s in that big box carried in?

M: It’s a new desk. I just brought, and now I have to put it together.

F: Do you need any help?

M: No, I don’t think so. I just need to get my tools. I need a screwdriver and maybe a hammer.

F: Don’t forget to read the instructions.

F: How were things going?

M: I’ve almost finished.

F: Something doesn’t look right to me. The right side is higher than the left side.

M: Oh, you’re right. It looks like I put a couple of screws into the wrong places.

F: So now you have to take it apart.

M: Great, and I thought I was almost finished.

F: I told you to read the instructions. Did you read them?

M: No, I didn’t read them. I hate to read the instructions. I looked at them but they were confusing.

F: Well, this is what happen when you don’t. You were to inpatient. Anyway, what can I do to help you?

M Could you get another screwdriver and help me unscrew some of these screws?

F: Ok, but next time please read the instructions.

F: Do you ever look up at the sky and think about the lives in the universe?

M: I did when I was a kid. But I don’t do that very much anymore. Why do you ask?

F: Sometimes I think I’m lost in day-to-day details. Then I look up at the sky and see a big picture. I appreciate things more, even the little things.

M: You sound like a philosopher or a poet. I felt like too when I was a kid.

F: Don’t you feel like that anymore?

M: No, I don’t. In fact, I try not to. When I think about thing too deeply, I get depressed. It’s even a bit frightening.

F: Really, for me it’s just the opposite. Everything seems like a wonderful miracle.

M: Doesn’t that frighten you a bit? The universe is so large and we are so small.

F: What I realize is how little we understand. We just need to appreciate our lives and not get lost.

M: Sometimes being lost isn’t so bad. You know the expression, ignorance is bliss.

F: Sure, I’ve heard it many times. To be ignorance is to be happy.

M: Maybe it’s true. Maybe it’s best not to think or know too much.

F: Not, that’s not for me. I want to understand as much as possible. That’s why I became a scientist.

M: Well, I respect your choice but it’s not for me. If understanding is painful, I’d rather not understand.

Unit 3-3 Listening  背疼,肾结石

Harry is on a business trip. Yesterday he was supposed to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai. However, things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to. In fact, nothing went the way it was supposed to. Everything went wrong and he didn’t get on his flight. As a result he is still in San Francisco.

The following is a summary of what happened. Yesterday morning he got up as usual and had breakfast. Everything seemed to be fine and he was looking forward to the trip. He was just about to check out of his hotel when he felt a pain. It was a pain in his lower back. It was a dull pain at first, not too bad. So he didn’t worry about it and he checked out of the hotel. Then he got on a shuttle bus to the airport.

About halfway to the airport the pain in his back started to get worse. It was a growing pain, and he was beginning to worry. Soon it was difficult for him to sit in his seat. The pain was getting worse. He wanted to lie down. He started to sweat and breathe quickly. He was in real pain then. On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain was an 8.

When the bus got to the airport, the bus driver helped him get off. It was difficult for him to walk, but he finally made it to the terminal. Inside the terminal, he went to the men’s bathroom. He went to the toilet, but that didn’t help. Instead of improving, his felt dizzy, and he threw up. By now he was wet from all his sweating. He knew he couldn’t get on his flight.

He used his phone to call the airline. He explained the situation and cancelled his reservation. Then he called 911 for emergency help. 911 is the emergency number to call for help in the United States.

An ambulance arrived about 10 minutes after he called. By then he was in so much pain that he could barely walk. Once inside the ambulance, they gave him oxygen to help him to breathe. But the pain was still terrible. Then they drove him to a hospital near the airport. Luckily, the hospital was on his health plan. That means his health insurance is supposed to pay for everything. Medical costs in the United States are very high.

When he arrived at the hospital, he was taken to the emergency room. After some tests, a doctor told him he had a kidney stone. It was a very small stone, but it caused a lot of pain. It was passing through a small tube in his body, from his kidney to his bladder. The pain would go away once it got to his bladder. Until then he had to take pain medicine to reduce the pain.

Harry didn’t have to stay at the hospital for very long. With the pain medicine, the pain went away very quickly. He took a taxi back to his hotel and checked in for another night. Then he called the airline and made a reservation for another flight. The flight will leave tomorrow. Until then he’ll just rest in his hotel. There may even be a good movie to watch.

So, when you’re traveling, please be prepared for emergencies. Make sure you have medical insurance. You never know when something like this can happen to you. So be prepared.

Unit 3-3 vocabulary  能源、词性

Solar energy is one of the cleanest and most plentiful sources of energy. Solar power depends on sunlight, so in cloudy weather or at night, no power generated.

Wind energy is non-polluting but it’s only useful in places where there is a lot of wind. Windy turbines convert the kinetic energy by wind into a mechanical power.

Nuclear energy is efficient and doesn’t produce carbon gases as waste products. The dangerous of nuclear power included deadly radioactive waste products.

A major source of energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. When we burn fossil fuels, waste gases such as CO2 are produced. Fossil fuss remain the large sources of energy from most counties.

Hydro power comes from the kinetic energy of falling water. Output is reliable and can be regularly to meet the demand except during the period of drought.

Here are some different types of words in English. Words that are nouns and pronouns are used to represent objects. A noun or a pronoun can be a person, an animal or a thing including an idea.

Verbs are used to express action such as to sit down or stand up. We also use verbs to express relationships such as to love someone or to own something.

We use adjective to describe objects such as a tall building. Adjective are used with noun or pronoun but not used with verbs.

We use adverb to describe actions such as to run fast or walk slowly. Adverbs express the quality of an action such as how well or poorly something is gone.

We use conjunctions to connect things or actions such as to read and write. Conjunctions include words such as and, or, because, but and yet.

Dams are expensive to build and affect wildlife such as fish.

Fossil fuels remain the largest source of energy for most countries.

Unit 3-3 dialogue 搬办公室，创业

F: Hey, I’ve got some news, some good news and some bad news.

M: Ok, give me the bad news first.

F: We were moving to a new office.

M: When was this going to happen?

F: We’re supposed to move at the end of next month.

M: How far away is the new office?

F: We are not sure yet but we will mean a longer commute for most of us. The new office will probably be on the other side of the city.

M: The commute is already too long for me and I’m not going to change flats. We just brought one.

M: Anyway. What’s the good news.

F: The good news is that were going to expand. The company is growing so we’re going to hire more people.

M: Well, I’ve got some news for you too.

F: I hope it good news.

M: Well, that depends on your points of view. I’m planning to start my own business.

F: Why, I thought you were happy working here?

F: I like the work but I’m not learning anything new. I think I can do better on my own.

M: I was planning to wait a few months. But now that the office is moving, I’m already to make the change.

F: What is your wife think?

M: She is in favor of it and she’ll hope me. She’s already designing a website. We’ll work from home first.

F: So you really are serious about this. You are taking a big risk. Most new businesses fail.

M: Yes, I know. But if I don’t do it now, I will never know it. I’m tired of working for others.

F: I know what you meet.

M: Don’t tell anyone about this ok? It’s still a secret.

F: Sure, I won’t say anything to anybody. I’m sure this will come with kinds of surprise for anyone.

M: I’m sure changing offices will also come with surprises to people. This is exactly why I want to work on my own. I don’t like this kind of surprises.

F: You’re right about that. When are you going to let people know?

M: I’ll make the announcement at the beginning of next month.

Unit 3-4 Listening  李奥纳多生平

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the greatest geniuses of all time. He was a painter, an architect, an engineer and a scientist. He was born in Vinci, Italy in 1452. Vinci is a town just outside of the great Italian city, Florence. His name, da Vinci, means a Vinci. Leonardo’s father was a lawyer and landowner, and his mother was a peasant. Leonardo’s parents were never married to each other.

Leonardo lived with his mother until he was around 5 years old. When he was 5, he moved into the home of his father. By then his father had married a 16 year old girl. Leonardo’s mother married another man and moved to another town. She had many more children after that, with several different men. In the end, Leonardo had more than 15 half-sisters and brothers.

As a young man, Da Vinci didn’t go to school. He was educated at home in reading, writing and mathematics. In other subjects, he was mostly self-educated. He had access to books at his father’s home. Leonardo spent a lot of time outdoors and developed a strong interest in nature. He loved to observe things, especially birds. He was also interested in the properties of water.

Leonardo’s early drawings and paintings demonstrated a rare talent. His father and his father’s friends recognized his talent and encouraged him. When he was 15 he was sent to Florence. In Florence, he became an apprentice to a famous master painter. For the next few years Leonardo worked at his master’s workshop. It wasn’t long before his ability surpassed that of his master. Some people say that his master became jealous of Leonardo’s great talent. They said that the master vowed(发誓) to never painted again. In 1478, with his father’s help, Leonardo set up his own workshop.

In 1482, he entered the service of a powerful man in the city of Milan. This man was the Duke of Milan. For the next few years Leonardo designed buildings, machinery and weapons of war. Weapons were important because Italy was constantly at war during this period. From 1485 to 1490 Leonardo produced designs for a variety of weapons. In his notes, he predicted the development of advanced weapons such as submarines and flying machines. In 1499, the French invaded Italy and Leonardo left Milan.

Altogether, Leonardo spent 17 years in Milan. During this period he spent much of his time studying nature. He dissected(解剖) bodies, both human and animal, to study and illustrate anatomy(解剖). His detailed illustrations are masterpieces Leonardo filled many notebooks with drawings and ideas. He wrote backwards, so you need a mirror to read them.

After 1500, Leonardo spent time in a number of Italian cities. He worked very slowly, and the range of his interests was very wide. As a result, Leonardo left many paintings and projects unfinished. One painting that he did finish was the Mona Lisa, one of the world’s most famous paintings. People are still interested in this painting, 500 years after he painted it. Thought there are many theories, nobody knows who the woman in the painting really was.

In 1516 Leonardo left Italy for good when the French King, Francis the first, offered him a position. There, he had the freedom to paint and draw whatever he wanted. Leonardo died in 1519 at the age of 67. Some say that the French King, who had become a close friend, was with him when he died. He was buried in a church which was destroyed during the French Revolution. The exact location of his remains is unknown.

Unit 3-4 vocabulary 污染、人物

Waste water and carbon gases from farm animal are bad for the environment. Animal wastes and other chemicals flow into the ground and pollute water supplies.

Exhausted gases from automobile are a major cause for air pollution and global warming. As a result, many companies are trying to produce more efficient and cleaner cars.

Pesticides and fertilizers are used by farmers to grow crops such as foods and vegetables. These chemicals pollute water supply when it flows to the ground and rivers.

Factories like this one, allow harmful chemicals to get into the air or water. Companies need to try harder to protect the environment and our health.

Nuclear waste products are radioactive and can pollute the environment for thousands of years. They need to be safely transported and stored in the safe place.

The British writer, Jame, was born in England in 1775, 1 of 7 children. She wrote some of most popular love stories of all time.

One of most famous female rulers in the history,  has affair with j and later with Mark. She was known for her great beauty and charming voice.

Born in 1756, Mozart composed and performed some of world’s greatest classical music. He was the youngest of 7 children and by the age of 5, he was already composing music.

The sun of the king, Alexander the Great, was a military leader who created one of the largest empires in the ancient world. As a youth, Alexander was taught by the Greek philosophy, Aristotle.

Mahatma Gandhi was 20th century leader who used non-violence resistances to led India to independence. Gandhi dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth.

Unit 3-4 dialogue 电话留言、付账

M: I’d like to speak to Mr. Bennett please.

F: I’m sorry but he’s not here right now. Would you like to leave a voice message?

M: It’s urgent that I speak with him. It’s an emergency.

F: Oh, I see. What kind of emergency?

M: It’s very personal so I can’t give you any details.

F: Without more details, I’m afraid I can’t give you his number. Give me your number, and I’ll let him know about your call. Then he’ll call you back and would that be ok?

M: Sure, my number is 583 4987. It would be great if he could call me within the next half hour.

M1: That’s a great dinner. Here, put the way I want. I’ll pay the bill.

M2: You paid last time. This time is my turn to pay.

M1: Hey, you don’t have a joke. And I do. Let me pay.

M2: Thanks for the offer, but I can handle it.

M1: Wait, let’s throw for it.

M2: Throw for it? What’s that mean.

M1: Do you see this coin? This side is heads and the opposite side is tails. I’ll throw it up in the air. If it comes down with heads facing up, I’ll pay. If tails is up, you can pay.

M2: Ok, let’s fight with me.

M1: Look, it’s heads up so I’ll pay.

M2: Thanks, it’s very nice of you.

M1: It’s my pleasure. 

F: Do you want anything else sir? Would you like to see the dessert menu?

M: No, thanks, I’m already for the check. Here is my credit card.

F: I’m sorry sir, but we don’t take credit cards.

M: You’re joking, right.

F: No, sir, I’m not joking. Did you see that side? it says cash only.

M: I didn’t see it when I came in. I don’t have enough cash to pay the bill.

F: There is a bank down the street, sir. If you let me hold your driver’s license, you can go and get the cash.

M: Ok, I hope the bank is open.

F: The bank is closed but you can use the ATM to get your cash.