中級(jí)美語(yǔ)教程第1課

Lesson 1 Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

English is an international language. Therefore, it is necessary for us to learn it. It can be rewarding or just a waste of time. It's up to you. It depends on how you study it. Here are some tips about learning English.

First, don't be afraid to make mistakes. You will learn from them. Second, you must not be shy. Be thick-skinned and speak up! Finally, you must be patient. Remember, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

 

Lesson 2 How to Improve Your English

Mack is talking to his friend Don.

M: Hi, Don! How are you doing in your English class?

D: Not so well, I'm afraid.

M: What's the problem?

D: I'm not improving. Tell me, how come your English is so good?

M: Well, uh…I have an American girlfriend.

D: Aha! That's it. Now I know what to do. (He runs off.)

M: Hey, Come back! I was just kidding!

 

Lesson 3 The City of Song

Listening to music is the favorite pastime of many people all over the world. This is especially true for people living in Vienna, the city of song. Being the home of Mozart, this city is the birthplace of classical music and the waltz.

Music fills the air in Vienna. Going to public concerts is often free of charge. And don't forget, Vienna is also home to the world famous Vienna Boys' Choir. No wonder people say Austria is always alive with the sound of music.

 

Lesson 4 He Who Hesitates Is Lost

Mike is in Vienna with his girlfriend Daisy.

M: Are you having a good time, Daisy?

D: Are kidding? I'm having the time of my life. I loved the concerts.

M: Concert going is fantastic but what else can we do?

D: Biking along the banks of the river Danube could be fun.

M: It sounds like a great idea!

D: Let's do it then.

M: You're right. As they say, "He who hesitates is lost."

 

Lesson 5 Bungee Jumping

Bungee jumping looks like fun. It makes me nervous just to watch someone do it. It certainly takes a lot of guts to jump one thousand feet above the water with only a rope tied to your legs. It scares me just to think about it. However, it is something I really want to do one day.

Some people think I'm crazy. They say to jump is foolish enough, but to have to pay for it is madness. I don't agree. For me, to live a short and exciting life is far better than to live a long and boring one. What do you think?

 

Lesson 6 Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Lisa and Bill are talking about their future.

L: What's your goal in life, Bill?

B: To fly in the sky and feel as free as a bird.

L: That's easy.

B: What do you mean?

L: Go bungee jumping.

B: You mush be kidding. It's too dangerous.

L: Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

  

Lesson 7 Doctor Death

Whether very sick people should be helped to end their own lives is a question many people cannot answer. However, Dr.Kevorkian is an exception. That he has done this more than twenty times is known to everyone. Some say what he is doing is immoral. They call him Doctor Death. Others say what he is doing is merciful. They call it mercy killing.

Whether Dr.Kevorkian should be allowed to continue doing this is a real problem for the government. There seem to be two sides to the argument. Which side are you on?

 

Lesson 8 No Hearts or No Brains

Helen and Dick are talking about the previous article.

H: I don't understand how people can think Dr. Kevorkian is doing the right thing.

D: Well, helping people die with dignity is not that bad, in it?

H: Don't you know ? Where there is life, there is hope.

D: Come on. Be realistic. Those people who want to die are suffering. It's better that they go quickly and painlessly.

H: All you men have no hearts.

D: And all you women have no brains.

 

Lesson 9 Be Thoughtful

Being thoughtful simply means thinking of others before yourself. What you say or do will have an effect on others. So it is important that you think before you say or do anything. In this way, you can avoid hurting others' feelings. Moreover, a thoughtless act or remark can spoil a perfect relationship.

 

Lesson 10 What Are Friends For

Jane meets her old friend, Fred.

J: Hi, Fred! How's everything?

F: Not so good, I'm afraid. Supporting a family is becoming more and more difficult these days.

J: What you say can't be more true. Everything is so expensive. I can hardly make ends meet myself.

F: Oh, really? Do you need any money? What I have is not much, but I can loan you some.

J: I'm OK. Thanks for being so thoughtful anyway.

F: What are friends for?

 

Lesson 11 Power without Pollution

Pollution is a big problem in almost all the big cities of the world. City people are, therefore, becoming more and more worried about how they can get rid of pollution. They are also concerned about whether the government is doing enough to protect the environment.

However, people in Ireland don't have these worries. They are sure that they have found the answer to the problem. They use windmills. These windmills can create power without creating pollution. This method is so successful that other countries are thinking of doing the same. Why not? What works for Ireland can work for any other country.

 

Lesson 12 Stop the Noise

Mr. Chen is talking to his neighbor Mrs. Wang.

C: May I have a word with you?

W: Sure. What's the problem?

C: It's about your son. I'm tired of his making so much noise at all hours of the day.

W: I'm sorry. I'm sure he's not doing it on purpose.

C: I'm sure he's not. But we can do without the noise pollution, you know?

W: You're absolutely right. By the way, how was your party last night? It sure sounded like you had a great time.

C: Uh…

 

Lesson 13 Health Comes First

Smoking is bad in that it is harmful to one's health. In spite of the fact that doctors have even warned that it causes cancer, people still keep on smoking.

In some Western countries, however, people are beginning to kick the bad habit. They realize that health should come first. To help them quit smoking, there are laws against cigarette advertising and smoking in public places. This is praiseworthy except that Western countries are now selling cigarettes in the East in greater numbers than ever. That they are doing this is immoral, don't you think?