1、 Unit 1 Festivals around the world FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONSFestivals and celebrations of all kinds have been held everywhere since ancient times. Most ancient festivals would celebrate the end of cold weather, planting in spring and harvest in autumn. Sometimes celebrations would be held after hun
2、ters had caught animals. At that time people would starve if food was difficult to find, especially during the cold winter months. Todays festivals have many origins, some religious, some seasonal, and some for special people or events.Festivals of the deadSome festivals are held to honour the dead
3、or to satisfy the ancestors, who might return either to help or to do harm. For the Japanese festival Obon, people should go to clean graves and light incense in memory of their ancestors. They also light lamps and play music because they think that will lead the ancestors back to earth. In Mexico,
4、people celebrate the Day of the Dead in early November. On this important feast day, people eat food in the shape of skulls and cakes with “bones” on them. They offer food, flowers and gifts to the dead. The Western holiday Halloween also had its origin in old beliefs about the return of the spirits
5、 of dead people. It is now a childrens festival, when they can dress up and go to their neighbours homes to ask for sweets. If the neighbours do not give any sweets, the children might play a trick on them.Festivals to Honour PeopleFestivals can also be held to honour famous people. The Dragon Boat
6、Festival in China honours the famous ancient poet, Qu Yuan. In the USA, Columbus Day is in memory of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. India has a national festival on October 2 to honour Mohandas Gandhi, the leader who helped gain Indias independence from Britain.Harvest Festiva
7、lsHarvest and Thanksgiving festivals can be very happy events. People are grateful because their food is gathered for the winter and the agricultural work is over. In European countries, people will usually decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit, and will get together to have meals.
8、 Some people might win awards for their farm produce, like the biggest watermelon or the most handsome rooster. China and Japan have mid-autumn festivals when people admire the moon and in China enjoy moon-cakes.Spring FestivalsThe most energetic and important festivals are the ones that look forwar
9、d to the end of winter and to the coming of spring. At the Spring Festival in China, people eat dumplings, fish and meat and may give children lucky money in red paper. There are dragon dances and carnivals, and families celebrate the Lunar New Year together. Some Western countries have very excitin
10、g carnivals, which take place forty days before Easter, usually in February. These carnivals might include parades, dancing in the streets day and night, loud music and colourful clothing of al kinds. Easter is an important religious and social festival for Christians around the world. It celebrates
11、 the return of Jesus from the dead and the coming of spring and new life. Japans Cherry Blossom Festival happens a little later. The country, covered with cherry tree flowers, looks as though it is covered with pink snow.People love to get together to eat, drink and have fun with each other. Festiva
12、ls let us enjoy life, be proud of our customs and forget our work for a little while. A SAD LOVE STORYLI Fang was heart-broken. It was Valentines Day and Hu Jin had said she would meet him at the coffee shop after work. But she didnt turn up. She could be with her friends right now laughing at him.
13、She said she would be there at seven oclock, and he thought she would keep her word. He had looked forward to meeting her all day, and now he was alone with his roses and chocolates, like a fool. Well, he was not going to hold his breath for her to apologize. He would drown his sadness in coffee. It
14、 was obvious that the manager of the coffee shop was waiting for Li Fang to leave - he wiped the tables, then sat down and turned on the TV - just what Li Fang needed! A sad Chinese story about lost love. The granddaughter of the Goddess of Heaven visited the earth. Her name was Zhin, the weaving gi
15、rl. While she was on earth she met the herd boy Niulang and they fell in love. (“Just like me and Hu Jin,” thought Li Fang.) They got married secretly, and they were very happy. (“We could be like that,” thought Li Fang.) When the Goddess of Heaven knew that her granddaughter was married to a human,
16、 she became very angry and made the weaving girl return to Heaven. Niu Lang tried to follow her, but the river of stars, the Milky Way, stopped him. Finding that Zhin was heart-broken, her grandmother finally decided to let the couple cross the Milky Way to meet once a year. Magpies make a bridge of
17、 their wings so the couple can cross the river to meet on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. People in China hope that the weather will be fine on that day, because if it is raining, it means that Zhin is weeping and the couple wont be able to meet. The announcer said, “This is the story of
18、 Qiqiao Festival. When foreigners hear about the story, they call it a Chinese Valentines story. Its a fine day today, so I hope you can call all meet the one you love.” As Li Fang set off for home, he thought, “I guess Hu Jin doesnt love me. Ill just throw these flowers and chocolates away. I dont
19、want them to remind me of her.” So he did. As he sadly passed the tea shop on the corner on his way home, he heard a voice calling him. There was Hu Jin waving at him and calling, “Why are you so late? Ive been waiting for you for a long time! And I have a gift for you!” What would he do? He had thr
20、own away her Valentine gifts! She would never forgive him. This would not be a happy Valentines Day!Unit2HealthyeatingCOMEANDEATHERE(I)WangPengsatinhisemptyrestaurantfeelingveryfrustrated.Ithadbeenaverystrangemorning.Usuallyhegotupearlyandpreparedhismenuofbarbecuedmuttonkebabs,roastpork,stir-friedve
21、getablesandfriedrice.Thenbylunchtimetheywouldallbesold.Bynowhisrestaurantoughttobefullofpeople.Butnottoday!Whywasthat?Whatcouldhavehappened?Hethoughtofhismutton,beefandbaconcookedinthehottest,finestoil.Hiscolawassugaryandcold,andhisicecreamwasmadeofmilk,creamanddeliciousfruit.“Nothingcouldbebetter,”
22、hethought.SuddenlyhesawhisfriendLiChanghurryingby.“Hello,LaoLi,”hecalled.“Yourusual?”ButLiChangseemednottohear.Whatwasthematter?SomethingterriblemusthavehappenedifLiChangwasnotcomingtoeatinhisrestaurantashealwaysdid.WangPengfollowedLiChangintoanewsmallrestaurant.Hesawasignatthedoor. Tiredofallthatfa
23、t?Wanttoloseweight?ComeinsideYongHuisslimmingrestaurant.Onlyslimmingfoodsservedhere.Makeyourselfthinagain!CuriositydroveWangPenginside.Itwasfullofpeople.Thehostess,averythinlady,cameforward.“Welcome,”shesaid.“MynameisYongHui.Illhelpyouloseweightandbefitintwoweeksifyoueathereeveryday.”Thenshegaveamen
24、utoWangPeng.Therewerefewchoicesoffoodanddrinkonit:justrice,rawvegetablesservedinvinegar,fruitandwater.WangPengwasamazedatthisandespeciallyattheprices.Itcostmorethanagoodmealinhisrestaurant!Hecouldnotbelievehiseyes.Hethrewdownthemenuandhurriedoutside.Onhiswayhomehethoughtabouthisownmenu.Diditmakepeop
25、lefat?Perhapsheshouldgotothelibraryandfindout.HecouldnothaveYongHuigettingawaywithtellingpeoplelies!Hehadbetterdosomeresearch!AtthelibraryWangPengwassurprisedtofindthathisrestaurantservedfartoomuchfatandYongHuisfartoolittle.EventhoughhercustomersmightgetthinaftereatingYongHuisfood,theywerenoteatinge
26、noughenergy-givingfoodtokeepthemfit.Theywouldbecometiredveryquickly.WangPengfeltmorehopefulashedrovebackhome.Perhapswithadiscountandanewsignhecouldwinhiscustomersback.Sohewrote:Wanttofeelfitandenergetic?Comeandeathere!Discountstoday!Ourfoodgivesyouenergyallday!Thecompetitionbetweenthetworestaurantsw
27、ason!COMEANDEATHERE(II) Aweeklater,WangPengsrestaurantwasnearlyfullandhefelthappier.Perhapshewouldbeabletoearnhislivingafterallandnothavetoclosehisrestaurant.Hedidnotlookforwardtobeingindebtbecausehisrestaurantwasnolongerpopular.Hesmiledashewelcomedsomecustomerswarmlyatthedoorbutthesmilelefthisfacew
28、henhesawYongHuiwalkingin.Shedidnotlookhappybutglaredathim.“MayIaskwhatyouweredoinginmyrestauranttheotherday?IthoughtyouwereanewcustomerandnowIknowthatyouonlycametospyonmeandmymenu,”sheshouted.“Pleaseexcuseme,”hecalmlyexplained,“Iwantedtoknowwhereallmycustomershadgonelastweek.Ifollowedoneofthemandfou
29、ndtheminyourrestaurant.Idontwanttoupsetyou,butIfoundyourmenusolimitedthatIstoppedworryingandstartedadvertisingthebenefitsofmyfood.Whydontyousitdownandtryameal?”YongHuiagreedtostayandsoontheywerebothenjoyingdumplingsandbreastofchickencookedwithgarlic.Whentheywereservedtheicecream,YongHuibegantolookil
30、l.“Ifeelsickwithallthisfatandheavyfood,”shesaid,“Imissmyvegetablesandfruit.”WangPengwasenjoyingasecondplateofdumplingssohesighed.“Yes,”headded,“andIwouldmissmydumplingsandfattypork.Don,tyougettiredquickly?”“Well,Idohavetorestalot,”admittedYongHui.“Butdontyouthinkitwouldbebetterifyouwereabitthinner?I
31、msureyoudfeelmuchhealthier.”Theybegantotalkaboutmenusandbalanceddiets.“Accordingtomyresearch,neitheryourrestaurantnormineoffersabalanceddiet,”explainedWangPeng.“Idontofferenoughfibreandyoudontofferenoughbody-buildingandenergy-givingfood.Perhapsweoughttocombineourideasandprovideabalancedmenuwithfoodf
32、ullofenergyandfibre.”Sothatiswhattheydid.Theyservedrawvegetableswiththehamburgersandboiledthepotatoesratherthanfriedthem.Theyservedfreshfruitwiththeicecream.Inthiswaytheycutdownthefatandincreasedthefibreinthemeal.TheirbalanceddietsbecamesuchasuccessthatbeforelongWangPengbecameslimmerandYongHuiputonm
33、oreweight.Aftersometimethetwofoundthattheirbusinesscooperationhadturnedintoapersonalone.Finallytheygotmarriedandlivehappilyeverafter. Unit 3 The Million Pound Bank Note THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE Act I, Scene 3NARRATOR: It is the summer of 1903. Two old and wealthy brothers, Roderick and Oliver, ha
34、ve made a bet. Oliver believes that with a million pound bank note a man could survive a month in London. His brother Roderick doubts it. At this moment, they see a penniless young man wandering on the pavement outside their house. It is Henry Adams, an American businessman, who is lost in London an
35、d does not know what he should do.RODERICK: Young man, would you step inside a moment, please?HENRY: Who? Me, sir?RODERICK: Yes, you.OLIVER: Through the front door on your left.HENRY: (a servant opens a door) Thanks.SERVANT: Good morning, sir. Would you please come in? Permit me to lead the way, sir
36、.OLIVER: (Henry enters) Thank you, James. That will be all.RODERICK: How do you do, Mr er ?HENRY: Adams. Henry Adams.OLIVER: Come and sit down, Mr Adams.HENRY: Thank you.RODERICK: Your are an American?HENRY: Thats right, from San Francisco.RODERICK: How well do you know London?HENRY: Not at all. Its
37、 my first trip here.RODERICK: I wonder, Mr Adams, if you mind us asking a few questions?HENRY: Not at all. Go right ahead.RODERICK: May we ask what youre doing in this country and what your plans are?HENRY: Well, I cant say that I have any plans. Im hoping to find work. As a matter of fact, I landed
38、 in Britain by accident.RODERICK: How is that possible?HENRY: Well, you see, back home I have my own boat. About a month ago, I was sailing out of the bay (his eyes stare at what is left of the brothers dinner on the table)OLIVER: Well, go on.HENRY: Oh, yes. Well, towards nightfall I found myself ca
39、rried out to sea by a strong wind. It was all my fault. I didnt know whether I could survive until morning. The next morning Id just about given myself up for lost when I was spotted by a ship.OLIVER: And it was the ship that brought you to England.HENRY: Yes. The fact is that I earned my passage by
40、 working as an unpaid hand, which accounts for my appearance. I went to the American embassy to seek help, but (the brothers smile at each other)RODERICK: Well, you mustnt worry about that. Its an advantage.HENRY: Im afraid I dont quite follow you, sir.RODERICK: Tell us, Mr Adams, what sort of work
41、did you do in America?HENRY: I worked for a mining company. Could you offer me some kind of work here?RODERICK: Patience, Mr Adams. If you dont mind, may I ask how much money you have?HENRY: Well, to be honest, I have none.RODERICK: (happily) What luck! Brother, what luck! (claps his hands together)
42、 HENRY: Well, it may seem lucky to you but not to me! On the contrary, in fact. If this is your idea of some kind of joke, I dont think its very funny. (Henry stands up to leave) Now if youll excuse me, I think Ill be on my way.RODERICK: Please dont go Mr Adams. You mustnt think we dont care about y
43、ou. Oliver, give him the letter.OLIVER: Yes, the letter. (gets it from a desk and gives it to Henry like a gift) The letter.HENRY: (taking it carefully) For me?RODERICK: For you. (Henry starts to open it) Oh, no, you mustnt open it. Not yet. You cant open it until two oclock.HENRY: Oh, this is silly
44、.RODERICK: Not silly. Theres money in it. (calls to the servant) James?HENRY: Oh, no. I dont want your charity. I just want an honest job.RODERICK: We know youre hard-working. Thats why we have given you the letter. James, show Mr Adams out.OLIVER: Good luck, Mr Adams.HENRY: Well, why dont you expla
45、in what this is all about?RODERICK: Youll soon know. (looks at the clock) In exactly an hour and a half.SERVANT: This way, sir.RODERICK: Mr Adams, not until 2 oclock. Promise?HENRY: Promise. Goodbye. Act I, Scene 4(Outside a restaurant Henry looks at the envelope without opening it and decide to go in. He sits down at a table next to the front window.)OWNER: (seeing Henrys poor appearance) That ones reserved. This