Directions: Choose a book from the list below and bring it to class by the due date. You will have about one term, from September 14 to November 16, to read the book and finish your report. It is okay to change your book if you do not like your original choice. Students are encouraged to check out the book of their choice from the public library.
It's optional to buy a book.
|
Titles |
Author |
Description |
|
The Bronze Bow |
Elizabeth George Speare |
This story takes place in the first century Israel. The main character is a boy, Daniel, whose father was killed by the Romans. This is a touching story of hate, forgiveness, and friendship. |
|
Little Women |
Louisa May Alcott |
A heart-warming classic based on the author's family life growing up in a household of four girls, each with a unique personality. |
|
Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold |
Jean Fritz |
This biography of Benedict Arnold shows both good and bad qualities of this interesting figure from the American Revolutionary War. |
|
The Bridge of San Luis Rey |
Thornton Wilder |
In search of the meaning of their deaths, the narrator tells the stories of five people who die when a bridge collapses. |
|
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer |
Mark Twain |
The most famous of Mark Twain's book, it tells the story of a high-spirited boy living on the Mississippi River in the late 1800s. |
|
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn |
Betty Smith |
This story tells of the difficulties and delights of life for Francie and her Irish family in New York in the early 1900s. |
|
Pride and Prejudice |
Jane Austen |
Amusing story of a young woman's adventures and misadventures in the English society of the 19th century. |
If you were to throw, say, a banana skin out of your car while driving along the motorway, that would be a completely harmless action, due to the fact that it's part of a fruit—right? Actually, no. A banana skin can take up to two years to be naturally processed, and a third of drivers confess they litter while driving, that's a lot of thrown banana skin. An orange skin and a cigarette butt (烟蒂) have similar biodegrading (生物降解) time to that of a banana skin, but tin cans last up to 100 years; and plastic bottles last forever, as do glass bottles.
Despite the fact that longer-lasting materials will serve to damage the environment and its animals for longer, we can't measure the danger of a certain type of rubbish by its lifetime. For example, despite having a fairly short length of biodegrading time, more than 120 tons of cigarette-related litter is thrown in the UK every day.
It's not a cheap habit either: to keep our streets clean annually costs UK taxpayers £500 million, and when you include our green spaces, that goes up to £1 billion. So, it's not surprising that if caught throwing rubbish, you could face a £20,000 fine or even prison time and, if you threw something dangerous, the court could give you five years to serve. Regardless of how serious these punishments might seem, however, among the reported cases only 2,000 were found guilty out of 825,000, so we still have some way to go in making sure people obey the rules.
I was talking recently with my mom when our conversation reminded me of an interesting story. "This is very funny," I said. "One time I was diving with my friend Rudy… "
My mom cut me off impatiently. "I've heard this one before, honey," she said. "You don't need to tell it again."
Storytelling is a signal of faith (信任) in the relationship. When we share our personal experiences, we also share something about our values, our history, our outlook on life. But the benefits of storytelling only work if you're good at it—many of us are not. We fail to pay attention to our audience, ignoring them when they become bored, angry or confused. And we often throw in every detail we find interesting, no matter how irrelevant (不相干).
People who repeat the same stories over and over are considered as less sincere. We also find that listeners are less interested in getting along with someone retelling a story they've heard him or her tell before. We tend to think these storytellers aren't presenting themselves truly.
Good storytellers use their voice to express strong feelings, which show they really care about the story. Impressive stories that make people laugh or feel moved, touched or angry have the most impact. " If it causes a reaction in you, it's likely to cause a reaction in your audience," mom says.
I've learned a lot about storytelling in my work as a journalist (and from my mother). Tailor your story to your audience. Have a point. Edit yourself. Leave a straight wake—no going off the track. And most importantly, don't repeat yourself.
Animal rights activists respect animals because they understand animals have a place in the world. Zoos, especially the ones that are doing everything right, become a headache for the animal rights activists.
Zoo supporters argue that they save endangered species and educate the public, but many animal rights activists believe the costs are more than the benefits, and the violation(违反) of the rights of the individual animals is unreasonable. Roadside zoos, petting zoos, and smaller animal exhibitors tend to offer narrow space for the animals, keeping them in pens or cages. Sometimes, a tiger or bear will live with cold concrete (混凝土) and metal bars for their entire lives. Larger, trusted zoos try to avoid these operations by offering excellent treatment to the animals. However, to animal rights activists, the problem is not how well the animals are treated, but whether we have a right to limit (限制) them for our delight or "education".
To zoo supporters, by bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and promote an appreciation of the animals, encouraging people to protect the animals. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers(偷猎者), habitat loss, hunger, and predators(捕食者). Many zoos also have various programs for endangered species. In the wild, these individuals might have trouble finding mates and multiplying(繁殖). A good zoo provides an enriched habitat in which the animals are never bored, are well cared for, and have plenty of space. Besides, zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a healthy, family activity.
In the case of zoos, both sides—animal rights activists and zoo supporters will argue that their side saves animals. Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. As long as there is need for zoos, they will continue to exist. We can start by making sure that conditions are the best possible for the animals who are limited to zoos.
Looking back at my younger years, I am sometimes amazed at how life has turned out. The only thing that stays the same is who I am, my values and my interests. If I could go back in time and hang out with my younger self for a day, here's what I would tell her.
Without mistakes and failure, you would never have learned. Without pain, you would never have grown. Once you understand this, you will know that everything comes in to serve a purpose. So don't think that life is unfair, because everything happens for a reason.
Focus on one thing at a time.
It is not surprising that many of us are doing too many things at once. We need to make ends meet. But if you are working three jobs at a time, it is not likely that you will succeed in any of them. You have to keep your eyes on the big picture. You have to ask yourself what exactly you want to achieve for the next 10 years. Focus on one thing at a time.
It's okay to be unsure about your purpose in life.
You might be graduating or have hit a turning point with your career. You might feel a bit lost and unsure of where to go. It's okay. Go out there and try as many different things as you can. Don't ever feel like you're wasting your time. Enjoy the journey. And looking back, you will be able to connect the dots. It will all make sense.
Don't try too hard with people.
Just be yourself and be as open as you can. It might take a while until you find new best friends and a mate for life, but when you do, you will know it. It's not hard work. So, just do your things and be yourself.
A. Everything happens for a reason.
B. Achieve your goals one by one.
C. Only time will tell what life will teach us.
D. Every little path will lead you somewhere.
E. Nothing is exactly what I had originally planned for.
F. Don't worry if you feel like it's hard to make new friends.
G. You can plan in advance because it can give you a clearer direction.
One hot summer day, a young couple and their four-year-old daughter, Tzippie, were on their way to the mountains for a few weeks' vacation. Suddenly, a huge truck in the oncoming road, 1 into the family's small car. The family were seriously 2 in the accident. They were immediately taken to the 3 hospital, where Tzippie was brought to the children's ward (病房)and her parents were taken to the ICU. Tzippie was not only in great pain, but she was also very 4 because her parents were not nearby to give her comfort.
Martha, the 5 who looked after Tzippie, understood Tzippie's fear and 6 and became very 7 to her. After many 8 of treatment in hospital, the family was allowed to go home. There was a9 parting as Tzippie and the loving nurse said good-bye to each other. For a few months the family 10 a close relationship with Martha. When they moved overseas, 11, they lost touch with each other.
Over thirty years passed. One winter Martha, who was now 12 her seventies, became seriously ill and was hospitalized. There was a certain nurse on duty who noticed that Martha had very 13 visitors. She tried her best to give the elderly lady special care. One night when the nurse was sitting near her elderly patient and they were chatting quietly, she told the patient what had 14 her to become a nurse.
Now, you can guess the end of the story. Kindness seems to be able to find its way back to the giver because life really is all about giving, receiving and 15.
Feeling hungry? If you're feeling extremely hungry, what's the easiest way to satisfy your hunger? The majority of us are likely to look through a takeaway menu and order some delicious but (possible) unhealthy food. And our increasingly busy lives add to our need (buy) ready-made food on the go or delivered to home.
Eating options are endless, and new technology means we can feed our (eager) at the push of a button. Takeaway delivery apps make ordering food quick and (convenience), and during the recent Coronavirus crisis, it did provide a lifeline to those who are (stick) at home with nothing to cook or who lacked the skills to prepare a meal for (they). It's no wonder we are persuaded to skip the grocery shop pig, bypass the kitchen, and enjoy someone else has prepared. But (order) a pizza or a box of noodles can come at a price in terms of economy and our health.
Of course, reducing salt, sugar and fat is one way to make takeaway food (health)，as well as offering smaller sizes. But the best advice you might want to take away from this Takeaway English is to find a book on cooking and try making your own nutritious meal.
