英语课文精选十五篇.doc

Annes best friend(必修一p2)Dear Kitty,I wonder if its because I havent been able to be outdoors for so long that Ive grown so crazy about everything to do with nature. I can well remember that there was a time when a deep blue sky, the song of the birds, moonlight and flowers could never have kept me spellbound. Thats changed since I came here.For example, one evening when it was so warm, I stayed awake on purpose until half past eleven in order to have a good look at the moon by myself. But as the moon gave far too much light, I didnt dare open a window. Another time five months ago, I happened to be upstairs at dusk when the window was open. I didnt go downstairs until the window had to be shut. The dark, rainy evening, the wind, the thundering clouds held me entirely in their power; it was the first time in a year and a half that Id seen the night face to face.sadly.I am only able to look at nature through dirty curtains hanging before very dusty windows. Its no pleasure looking through these any longer because nature is one thing that really must be experienced.Yours,Anne1. Who is Kitty?2. Why was Anne afraid to open a window?A NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS(必修一P22) Although it was autumn, the snow was already beginning to fall in Tibet.Our legs were so heavy and cold that they felt like blocks of ice. Have you ever seen snowmen ride bicycles? Thats what we looked like! Along the way children dressed in long wool coats stopped to look at us. In the late afternoon we found it was so cold that our water bottles froze.However,the lakes shone like glass in the setting sun and looked wonderful.Wang Wei rode in front of me as usual.She is very reliable and I knew I didnt need to encourage her.To climb the mountains was hard work but as we looked around us,we were surprised by the view.We seemed to be able to see for miles.At one point we were so high that we found ourselves cycling through clouds.Then we began going down the hills.It was great fun especially as it gradually became much warmer.In the valleys colourful butterflies flew around us and we saw many yaks and sheep eating green grass.At this point we had to change our caps,coats,gloves and trousers for T-shirts and shorts. In the early evening we always stop to make camp.We put up our tent and then we eat.After supper Wang Wei put her head down on her pillow and went to sleep but I stayed awake.At midnight the sky became clearer and the stars grew brighter. It was so quiet.There was almost no wind-only the flames of our fire for company.As I lay beneath the stars I thought about how far we had already travelled. We will reach Dali in Yunnan Province soon,where our cousins Dao Wei and Yu Hang will join us.We can hardly wait to see them! 1. Whats the weather like?2. Did they go on moving in the early evening?A NIGHT THAT THE EARTH DIDNT SLEEP(必修一p26) But how could the survivors believe it was natural? Everywhere they looked nearly everything was destroyed. All of the citys hospital, 75% of its factories and buildings and 90% of its homes were gone. Bricks covered the ground like red autumn leaves. No wind, however, could blow them away. Two dams fell and most of the bridges also fell or were not safe for travelling. The railway tracks were now useless pieces of steel. Tens of thousands of cows would never give milk again. Half a million pigs and millions of chickens were dead. Sand now filled the wells instead of water. People were shocked. Then, later that afternoon, another big quake which was almost as strong as the first one shook Tangshan. Some of the rescue workers and doctors were trapped under the ruins. More buildings fell down. Water, foods and electricity were hard to get. People began to wonder how long the disaster would last. All hope was not lost. Soon after the quakes, the army sent 150,000 soldiers to Tangshan to help the rescue workers. Hundreds of thousands of people were helped. The army organized teams to dig out those who were trapped and to bury the dead. To the north of the city, most of the 10000 miners were rescued from the coal mines there. Workers built shelters for survivors whose homes had been destroyed. Fresh water was taken to the city by train, truck and plane. Slowly, the city began to breathe again. 1. Translate “all hope was not lost”?2. After the earthquake, who came to offer help?THE STORY OF ATLANTA(必修二p14) Atlanta was a Greek princess. She was very beautiful and could run faster than any man in Greece. But she was not allowed to run and win glory for herself in the Olympic Games. She was so angry that she said to her father that she would not marry anyone who could not run faster than her. Her father said that she must marry, so Atlanta made a bargain with him. She said to him, These are my rules. When a man says he wants to marry me, I will run against him. If he cannot run as fast as me. he will be killed. No one will be pardoned.Many kings and princes wanted to marry Atlanta, but when they heard of her rules they knew it was hopeless. So many of them sadly went home, but others stayed to run the race. There was a man called Hippomenes who was amazed when he heard of Atlantas rules, Why are these men so foolish? he thought. Why will they let themselves be killed because they cannot run as fast as this princess? However, when he saw Atlanta come out of her house to run, Hippomenes changed his mind. I will marry Atlanta - or die! he said.1. Who is Atlanta?2. What bargain did Atlanta make with her father?HOW DAISY LEARNED TO HELP WILDLIFE(必修二p26)Daisy had always longed to help endangered species of wildlife. One day she woke up and found a flying carpet by her bed. “Where do you want to go?” it asked. Daisy responded immediately. “Id like to see some endangered wildlife,” she said. “Please take me to a distant land where I can find the animal that gave fur to make this sweater.” At once the carpet flew away and took her to Tibet. There Daisy saw an antelope looking sad. It said, “Were being killed for the wool beneath our stomachs. Our fur is being used to make sweaters for people like you. As a result, we are now an endangered species.” At that Daisy cried, “Im sorry I didnt know that. I wonder what is being done to help you. Flying carpet, please show me a place where theres some wildlife protection.”The flying carpet travelled so fast that next minute they were in Zimbabwe. Daisy turned around and found that she was being watched by an elephant. “Have you come to take my photo?” it asked. In relief Daisy burst into laughter. “Dont laugh,” said the elephant, “We used to be an endangered species. Farmers hunted us without mercy. They said we destroyed their farms, and money from tourists only went to the large tour companies. So the government decided to help. They allowed tourists to hunt only a certain number of animals if they paid the farmers. Now the farmers are happy and our numbers are increasing. So good things are being done here to save local wildlife.”1. How did Daisy get to Tibet?2. what kind of animal had she met in Zimbabwe?FREDDY THE FROG () (必修二p38) Not long after Freddy and the band became famous, they visited Britain on a brief tour. Fans showed their devotion by waiting for hours to get tickets for their concerts. Freddy was now quite confident when he went into a concert hall. He enjoyed singing and all the congratulations afterwards! His most exciting invitation was to perform on a TV programme called Top of the Pops. He had to go to London, wear an expensive suit and give a performance to a TV camera. It felt very strange. But as soon as the programme was over, the telephones which were in the same room started ringing. Everybody was asking when they could see Freddy and his band again. They were truly stars. Then things went wrong. Freddy and his band could not go out anywhere without being followed. Even when they wore sunglasses or beards people recognized them. Fans found them even when they went into the toilet. They tried to hide in the reading rooms of libraries, but it was useless. Someone was always there! Their personal life was regularly discussed by people who did not know them but talked as if they were close friends. At last feeling very upset and sensitive, Freddy and his band realized that they must leave the country before it became too painful for them. So they left Britain, to which they were never to return, and went back to the lake.1. Which TV programme made Freddy even more popular?2. At last, where did they go? Festivals and celebrations(必修三p1)Festivals 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 hunters 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.Spring Festivals The most energetic and important festivals are the ones that look forward 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 exciting 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 all kinds.Easter is an important religious and social festival for Christians aroud the world.It celebrates 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.Festivals let us enjoy life,be proud of our customs and forget our work for a little while 1.For what most ancient festivals were held?2.What will people usually do at the Spring Festival in China?A SAD LOVE STORY(必修三p7)Li 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.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 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 girl. 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, she became very angry and made the weaving girl return to Heaven.Niulang tried to follow her, but the river of stars,the Milly 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 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.1. Why was Li Fang heart-broken?2. What is the sad Chinese story about lost love?COME AND EAT HERE (1) (必修三p10) Wang Peng sat in his empty restaurant feeling very frustrated. It had been a very strange morning. Usually he got up early and prepared his menu of barbecued mutton kebabs,roast pork, stir-fried vegetables and fried rice. Then by lunchtime they would all be sold. By now his restaurant ought to be full of people. But not today! Why was that? What could have happened? He thought of his mutton, beef and bacon cooked in the hottest, finest oil. His cola was sugary and cold, and his ice cream was made of milk, cream and delicious fruit. Nothing could be better, he thought. Suddenly he saw his friend Li Chang hurrying by. Hello, Lao Li, he called. Your usual? But Li Chang seemed not to hear. What was the matter? Something terrible must have happened if Li Chang was not coming to eat in his restaurant as he always did.Wang Peng followed Li Chang into a new small restaurant. He saw a sign at the door. Tired of all that fat? Want to lose weight? Come inside Yong Huis slimming restaurant. Only slimming foods served here. Make yourself thin again! Curiosity drove Wang Peng inside. It was full of people. The hostess, a very thin lady, came forward. Welcome, she said. My name is Yong Hui. Ill help you lose weight and be fit in two weeks if you eat here every day. Then she gave a menu to Wang Peng. There were few choices of food and drink on it: just rice, raw vegetables served in vinegar, fruit and water. Wang Peng was amazed at this and especially at the prices. It cost more than a good meal in his restaurant! He could not believe his eyes. He threw down the menu and hurried outside. On his way home he thought about his own menu. Did it make people fat? Perhaps he should go to the library and find out. He could not have Yong Hui getting away with telling people lies! He had better do some research!1. what could you buy in Wang Pengs restaurant?2. Where would he go and What would he do to save his restaurant?COME AND EAT HERE(2) (必修三p14)A week later, Wang Peng s restaurant was nearly full and he felt happier. Perhaps he would be able to earn his living after all and not have to close his restaurant. He did not look forward to being in debt because his restaurant was no longer popular. He smiled as he welcomed some customers warmly at the door but the smile left his face when he saw Yong Hui walking in. She did not look happy but glared at him. May I ask what you were doing in my restaurant the other day? I thought you were a new customer and now I know that you only came to spy on me and my menu, she shouted. Please excuse me, he calmly explained, I wanted to know where all my customers had gone last week. I followed one of them and found them in your restaurant. I don t want to upset you, but I found your menu so limited that I stopped worrying and started advertising the benefits of my food. Why don t you sit down and try a meal?Yong Hui agreed to stay and soon they were both enjoying dumplings and breast of chicken cooked with garlic. When they were served the ice cream,Yong Hui began to look ill. I feel sick with all this fat and heavy food,she said,I miss my vegetables and fruit. Wang Peng was enjoying a second plate of dumplings so he sighed. Yes, he added, and I would miss my dumplings and fatty pork. Dont you get tired quickly?Well,I do have to rest a lot,admitted Yong Hui. But dont you think it would be better if you were a bit thinner? Im sure you d feel much healthier. 1. What happened for Wang Pengs restaurant a week later?2. Why did Wang Peng stop smiling?A STUDENT OF AFRICAN WILDLIFE(必修四p2) It is 5:45 am and the sun is just rising over Gombe National Park in East Africa. Following Janes way of studying chimps, our group are all going to visit them in the forest. Jane has studied these families of chimps for many years and helped people understand how much they behave like humans. Watching a family of chimps wake up is our first activity of the day. This means going back to the place where we left the family sleeping in a tree the night before. Everybody sits and waits in the shade of the trees while the family begins to wake up and move off. Then we follow as they wander into the forest. Most of the time, chimps either feed or clean each other as a way of showing love in their family. Jane warns us that our group is going to be very tired and dirty by the afternoon and she is right. However, the evening makes it all worthwhile. We watch the mother chimp and her babies play in the tree. Then we see them go to sleep together in their nest for the night. We realize that the bond between members of a chimp family is as strong as in a human family. Nobody before Jane fully understood chimp behaviour. She spent years observing and recording their daily activities. Since her childhood she had wanted to work with animals in their own environment. However, this was not easy. When she first arrived in Gombe in 1960, it was unusual for a woman to live in the forest. Only after her mother came to help her for the first few months was she allowed to begin her project. Her work changed the way people think about chimps. For example, one important thing she discovered was that chimps hunt and eat meat. Until then everyone had thought chimps ate only fruit and nuts. She actually observed chimps as a group hunting a monkey and then eating it. She also discovered how chimps communicate with each other, and her study of their body language helped her work out their social system.1. What do chimps do to show their love in their family?2. What contributions did she make? WHY NOT CARRY ON HER GOOD WORK? (必修四p6)I enjoyed English, biology, and chemistry at scho