Working Out (锻炼) through Online Videos
Physical exercise is good for our mind, body and spirit. Today, working out through online videos is becoming very popular. Since the Internet is widely used, it’s very easy for us to do so. That means we can work out anytime anywhere.
One of my friends, Lin Fei, followed short workout videos to do daily exercise. “With live programs, I feel like working out with my friends, which encourages (鼓励) me to hold on to the last minute.” she said. Another friend of mine, Michael, told me that workout videos let him feel so comfortable. “I have a fear of working out at the gym (健身房) because I don’t like being watched by others. Working out at home is much more enjoyable.” he said.
With their examples, I decided to give it a try. When I told my plan to my elder sister, a P.E. teacher, she reminded (提醒) me that workout videos could be helpful but might still carry some problems.
“Without being with someone in person, you will be less willing (愿意的) to work out to your best. Working out at the gym allows you to have advice in real time and get pushed harder,” my sister said to me. “Well, if you really want to have a try. First, choose proper programs or videos. That’s very important. And then ask your friends for advice. Their experiences can give you a good sight into what you can expect. Anyway, don’t be addicted (沉迷的) to it.You should try different ways to work out to be healthy.”
At her advice, I finally followed an online workout program with personalized (个性化的) help that is held for three months. After the first period of training, I felt it very practical and helpful when I put in the right amount (量) of work along with a strong will. Compared (对比) with going to the gym, using online videos to work out is a much cheaper and time-saving choice. But it can be difficult sometimes when I’m too lazy or too busy to stick to it.
1. Why is working out through online videos popular according to the passage?2. Does Lin Fei like working out with his friends? Why?
3. What are the problems of workout videos according to the writer’s sister?
4. Which do you like better, working out through online videos or going to the gym? Why?
You may know well what you are supposed to do or not to do in your own country. But do you know the customs in other countries? Here are some manners you should pay attention to.
Taking off your shoes or not
It's bad manners to take off your shoes at the door of a London dinner party. But in Asia if you don't take off your shoes before entering a home, you are not polite enough.
What you should do instead: If you see shoes at the door, take off your shoes. If not, keep the shoes on.
Talking over dinner
In some countries, like Japan, don't start talking while everyone else is having dinner. You'll meet with silence—not because your group is unfriendly, but because mealtime is for eating, not talking. Also don't talk in places like churches (教堂) in Europe.
What you should do instead: Keep quiet!
Knowing your right from your left
Some cultures in Africa and the Middle East still like to eat in traditional ways—using their hands. When people eat in this way, food is often offered for several people to share at the same time. That is why it's important to wash your hands before eating. While eating, you have to follow the rule: Eat using your right hand, and use your left hand to do other things.
What you should do instead: Follow the others and use your right hand. Even left-handed children in these cultures are taught to eat with their right hands. If you really can't, explain yourself to others before you eat.
1. How many manners are mentioned in the passage?2. What are you supposed to do if you see shoes at the door?
3. How can you behave well when having dinner in Japan?
4. There are some table manners in Chinese culture. Please give an example.
3 . Money makes the world go around, yet the best things in life are free. A penny saved is a penny earned, but you get what you pay for. You probably have your own ideas about spending money. Now is a great time to learn how to spend money wisely.
When you are considering buying something you want, run through this checklist first.
How much do you really want it?
Seeing a $25 gum ball (口香糖球) machine, Ben wanted it. But after thinking about it, he decided that it would be exciting only for a day or two. “Besides, it’s not possible for me to chew that much gum,” he said wisely.
Do you still want it a week later?
If the thing passes the “really wanting-it” test, try to wait for some time to see how strong the desire (欲望) is. This strategy works for grown-ups, too!
How will you pay for it?
After the first two steps, Ben found he really wanted a toy pirate ship (海盗船), but it cost $50. He had $22 in his pocket and gets $1.50 a week to spend. His mother helped him work out how many weeks he would need to save to get the ship: 19.
Are there ways to earn the money?
Ben agreed to wash the downstairs windows at a dollar each. So he got $10 for himself and sparkling (闪亮的) sunlight for the rest of the family.
Can you get it cheaper?
After deciding to buy it, it is necessary for you to look for less expensive ways to buy it: search for what you want on the internet or in shops and flea markets (跳蚤市场). Sometimes you can find the same thing at a much lower price. If these suggestions work well, they can save you a lot of money. You will be a really smart shopper.
Answer the following questions according to the passage above. (根据上面的短文内容，回答下列问题。)
1. Did Ben finally buy the gum ball machine? Why or why not?2. Why did Ben agree to wash the downstairs windows?
3. Where can you search for what you want if you want to buy something?
4. What is the passage mainly talk about?
Cold air swept across the north part of China in the first week of November. At the same time, a global (全球的) meeting on climate (气候) change was held in Scotland. There, leaders around the world tried to control global warming.
Why are we experiencing such a cold winter on a warming planet? The cold winter and global warming, two opposite facts, are not contradictory (对立的).
Global warming has changed Earth’s air condition and the weather. For example, in October, Li Nina affected China. It was caused by strong winds from the Pacific Ocean.
Another reason for the cold weather is the warming Arctic. It’s warming almost three times as fast as any other places on Earth.
Will the earth be much colder? It’s reported that a cold winter is likely. Northern China will probably see more snow, and southern China will see less rain.
1. Why did leaders hold a global meeting on climate change in Scotland?2. What caused Li Nina according to Paragraph 3?
3. What can you do to stop the global warming?
British people don’t like to say “no”, because they think it is rude. But this can be a problem for people from other countries. When you learn English, you learn to say things like “Yes, please.” and “No, thank you.” when somebody asks you if you want something. But real life is not always so easy.
When you give something to British people, they often say, “I’m all right, thanks.” When they say this, they mean that they already have everything they need, so it is a way to say no. Unluckily, saying “all right” is also a way to say yes. The same phrase (短语) can be used in different ways to mean both yes and no!
Manjit works in a tourist shop. “British people are difficult customers (顾客),” he said. “If you give something to them, they say, ‘Maybe later’ even when they plan never to buy it.”
Saying yes is not much better, said Manjit. “When they want to buy something, they sometimes don’t say yes. They say, ‘Sure!’ or ‘Why not?’ It’s so confusing (令人困惑的)!”
1. Do British people like to say “no”? Why or why not?2. What do British people usually say when they don’t want something?
3. What might a British man mean by saying “Maybe later” to a seller?
Bollywood
What is Bollywood?
Bollywood is the name of the Indian film industry (产业). It’s nearly the same as Hollywood, but the “B” comes from Bombay, the biggest city in India, now called Mumbai (孟买). Bollywood makes nearly 800 films a year: that’s twice the number of films made in Hollywood. The films are made very quickly and some actors are in three or four films at the same time.
Bollywood: Past
People made the first Bollywood film in 1899. At first, the films were silent and then in the 1930s they made films with sound. The first color film started in the 1950s, which showed the beauty of the Indian clothes and costurnes (装束) often worn in Bollywood productions. Traditional Bollywood films included a lot of singing and dancing, but action films also became popular in the 1970s. At first people only watched the films in India, but since the year 2000 Bollywood films have become popular all over the world.
Bollywood: Present
Mumbai is the home of the Indian film industry. Thousands of people work there as actors, cameramen, directors and extras (临时演员). It is common now for directors to make Bollywood films in other countries, such as the US, France and China as Indian audiences (观众) are very interested in other countries. However, international cinema has also come to Bollywood.
Bollywood: Future
The future is good. Big American film companies (公司) like Warner Bros, and Twentieth Century Fox are opening offices in India. This means more color, more dancing and definitely (确定地) more Bollywood.
1. How many films are made in Hollywood every year now?2. Why is it common now for directors to make Bollywood films in other countries?
3. If you want to be an international actor or actress, which place will you go to? Why?
Christmas Day (圣诞节), December 25th, is perhaps the happiest day of the year for most English children. They know that they will get gifts, just as they do on their birthdays. But at Christmas most of them will have more interests. They will see what their brothers or sisters have received (已经收到). They are also happy to give gifts. It is often as happy as they themselves receive (收到) them.
English children always hang a stocking (长袜) at the end of the bed on Christmas Eve (前夕). In the morning they play with the new toys. At lunch, there is a Christmas cake. Usually their parents will put a coin (硬币) or two inside it and part of the fun is to see who finds it. But every year English hospitals receive (收到) many telephone calls from some parents. Quite a few children often notice (注意) the coins only after they have eaten them.
1. When is Christmas Day?2. What can make the children as happy as they receive gifts?
3. Where do English children hang their stocking?
4. What will the parents put inside the stockings?
5. Do the children like eating coins?
8 . Imagine that you are driving down a road late at night. You look to the side of the road and find that there is a car accident. There are people in the car, and they, are probably hurt. What would you do in that situation? Would you ignore (忽视) the people and keep driving? Or would you stop your car and try to help them?
In the past, most people didn’t think of it as a problem. They would stop to help the injured without thinking twice. But people think differently now. Lots of people don’t want to give help. One of the reasons is that sometimes they might hurt the people they are trying to save, and the injured might sue (控告) them. Sometimes, the people who try to help have to pay lots of money just for doing good to others. Many people do not want to get sued for being nice. So they ignore others in need of help.
Because so many people are afraid of getting into trouble, a few countries have passed a special law. The law provides protection for people who try to help others. Thanks to the law, the injured can’t sue anyone who gives a helping hand, In countries with this law, people are not afraid to help out anymore.
1. How was it for people to help the injured in the past?2. Why don’t people want to help the injured according to the passage ?
3. How does the special law work?
