● 4 Read the following words and expressions which may be new to you.
A. Read the following talk silently while listening to the recording.
Getting Back into Shape
If you’ve been sitting by the fire all winter, you need time to work back to your former itness level. Your muscles, joints, tendons and bones all need time to build back up after a period of inactivity. Follow this rule of thumb: For every week of inactivity, allow yourself a week to get back on the track. You should start slowly — resume the same workout frequency and duration, but exercise at a lower intensity. For instance, if you had been jogging three times a week for thirty minutes, keep that same schedule but alternate jogging for a half-mile with walking for a half-mile. Or jog the whole thirty minutes at a very slow pace.
● 5. Read aloud the above talk to your class and get ready to answer questions.
● 6. Read the following words which may be new to you.
A. Read the following advertisement for information.
B. Pretend you are a customer who is interested in the exercise cycle above. Ask the retailer three questions over the phone for more information (write down your questions if necessary).
* Question 1 about its quality or features:
a. Excuse me, can you tell me something about its quality or features?
b. What about its quality or features?
c. Are there any features it has that you’d like to recommend?
* Question 2 about the ideal customer:
a. Who do you think is the ideal customer?
b. What kind of customers would be interested in the device?
* Question 3 about its dependability:
a. Is it dependable?
b. What do you think of the strength of its structure?
c. Can I get a full-size workout?
C. Act out the above short conversation in class.
● 7. Read the following words and expressions which may be new to you.
A. Listen twice to the taped interview below between a foreign reporter and a student whose role you are supposed to play. First, put down your answers to the reporter’s questions during the timed pauses. Second, speak your answers out loud.
Reporter: Would you say Chinese people are health-conscious?
Student: I would say we are more health-conscious than we used to be.
Reporter: Good. Do you have any gyms?
Student: We sure do. We have gyms all over China nowadays, on campuses and in communities.
Reporter: Which machines are available?
Student: All kinds. You name it, and you’ll find it.
Reporter: Do you have a regular workout?
Student: Yes, I do. I run at least three times a week.
Reporter: Do you ride an exercise bike or run on dirt paths?
Student: I run on dirt paths. You know why? I live near a park. I don’t like running on pavement because it’s too hard on my feet.
Reporter: Thanks. I really appreciate your time.
Student: You’re more than welcome.
B. Act out the above conversation in class.
● 8. Listen and, during the timed pauses, translate orally into English the Chinese sentences in each of the three short conversations below.
1. A Male Voice: I’ve never been to an American gym. I’ll need to get some proper gym clothes, won’t I?
You: 是的！让我来告诉你，在街那一头的打折店( discount store )里买一条运动短裤或长运动裤和一件T恤衫。还要一双质量好的运动鞋( sneakers )。
2. A Male Voice: I like the food. It’s fast and easy and it tastes good.
You: 好吃？哼！闭上你的眼睛想一想，你给身体带来了些什么。 你需要多吃蔬菜和水果。肉类要适量。要从豆类或鱼肉中获取蛋白质，远离油炸食品和甜食。
3. A Female Voice: I have been reading about how schools in many areas of the United States are experiencing a problem with drug use in their sports programs.
You: 不仅是在美国的学校。当今体育界的许多著名人物由于非法使用兴奋剂而不得不告别体育生涯。
A. Transcript & Key:
1. A Male Voice: I’ve never been to an American gym. I’ll need to get some proper gym clothes, won’t I?
You: Yes. I’ll tell you what: pick up some gym shorts or sweat pants and a T-shirt at the discount store down the street. And wear a pair of good-quality sneakers.
2. A Male Voice: I like the food. It’s fast and easy and it tastes good.
You: Tastes good? Yuck! Just close your eyes and picture what you’re doing to your body. You need to eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Go easy on the meat. Get your protein from beans, or fish. Stay away from fried foods and avoid desserts.
3. A Female Voice: I have been reading about how schools in many areas of the United States are experiencing a problem with drug use in their sports programs.
You: It’s not just in US schools. Many famous people in the sports world today all over have had to drop out of their sport because of illegal (非法) drug use.
B. Act out the above conversations in class.
● 9. Take a close look at the following picture. Think about it for one minute. Then give a two-minute oral presentation to tell the class what you think it means.
The following expressions may help your presentation:
1. bookworm 书虫，书呆子
2. be wrapped up in ... 专心致志于…
3. What a feast! 真是一桌(书籍)大餐！
4. favorite pastime 最爱的去处
5. most exciting adventure 极为令人兴奋的经历
6. completely lose oneself inside the pages 沉浸在书籍中
7. the same strong pull 同样强烈的吸引力
8. make a difference in 对…有影响，对…起作用
* Suggested Presentation:
Look at all those bookworms in the bookstore! They are old and young, boys and girls, men and women. Some are reading over by the bookshelf. Some are standing with a book in their hands. Others are down on the floor completely wrapped up in their reading. There are so many books sitting on the shelves just waiting to be read! People can reach out and pick up any book they want. What a feast!
It must be a weekend. Many people love to spend their weekends reading and shopping in bookstores. Bookstores are their favorite pastime, their most exciting adventure. They can completely lose themselves inside the pages. At the same time, they can explore all the texts they need to improve their study and/or work life. Everyone has different hobbies and interests. But one thing is for sure: everyone likes to improve themselves and their lives by reading.
What makes so many come to the bookstore? Something inside them feels the same strong pull expressed by the saying “Knowledge is power.” They know the meaning that knowledge can give their lives. They understand the difference it can make in their futures. They know their place on weekends — it’s in the world of books.
● 10. Have a discussion on the topic below.
The following expressions may help your discussion:
* Try This Discussion:
Student A: As the saying goes, you’re never too old to learn. Self-improvement is a life-long adventure. You can learn and grow so much by reading. Don’t you agree it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures?
Student B: I do. Reading is so fulfilling. Through it you can discover all about the physical and natural world. And it so enriches your experience of life.
Student C: In a sense, you talk straight to the author when reading a good book. It’s so rewarding to be nurtured by great ideas. So, a good book is a superb instructor.
Student D: Exactly. Plus, right now we’re living in the age of information. We can’t possibly do without reading. Knowledge is power. Reading makes us knowledgeable and strong. Who could even think of living without it?
