八年级上册More practice
Unit 1
Australia's big attractions
Australia is a very big country. It also has many big attractions. The Big Banana
The big banana is in Coffs Harbour. It was made in 1964 by John Landy. Landy wanted something to make people come to his fruit shop, so he built the Big Banana. Landy The idea worked. Many people visited his fruit shop and took pictures of the Big Banana. Soon people all over Australia began making big things. The Big Merino
The big Merino is in the city of Goulburn. Merinos are a type of sheep. They can live in dry weather. Some places in Australia are very dry, so these sheep are very important to the farmers there. Inside the Big Merino, there is a small museum about the history of wool in Australia. Visitors can also climb up to the Big Merino's head and look at the view through its eyes.
Unit 2
Counting before numbers
Before the invention of written numbers, people used many different ways to count things.
At first, people used their fingers, and even their toes. However, they could only count small numbers in this way.
After that, they began to make small marks on sticks and bones. This helped them count bigger numbers. They used them to count things like the days of the month, the amount of food and the number of animals they had.
Then people began to use tokens made from clay or small stones. This helped them count even bigger numbers. They often put the tokens on pieces of string so that they could carry them around easily. This developed into tools like the abacus.
Finally, people began to develop systems of written marks to show different numbers, and this led to the Hindu-Arabic system (0-9). We are still using this system today.
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Unit 3
Computer game problems
Good afternoon, parents and teachers. Thank you for attending this meeting.
Last weekend, one of our students went to hospital. The student played computer games on the Internet all day Saturday without stopping to drink, eat or sleep. Finally, he became very ill.
Some students play computer games for too long. This is a serious problem. In the past, students used to play outside more often, but now they spend more time in front of computers. This is bad for their health. Tomorrow we'll have some experts here to talk to the students about the bad effects of playing computer games. They'll also give some advice on how to use computers for studying.
I hope we can all work together to stop students from spending too much time playing computer games. Thank you for your time.
Unit 4
A pen giant
Do you know László Bíró?
Maybe you do not, but you probably use his invention every day, and you may even have it in your hand right now!
Bíró (1899-1985) was the inventor of the ballpoint pen. He was born in Budapest, Hungary. In the 1930s, when he worked as a newspaper editor, he used a fountain pen almost every day. However, he had to refill it all the time. The ink also did not dry easily, and it sometimes made a mess on the paper. Bíró wanted a better pen. His brother, George, helped him develop a special ink. The ink dried easily. Then they developed a new type of pen. There was a tiny ball at the tip of the pen. The ball rolled ink onto paper as it moved. They called it the “ballpoint” pen.
The ballpoint pen was a great success. Everyone loved it. Now millions of people use it all over the world every day.
People will always remember Bíró for his invention.Today in many English-speaking countries, people still use the word “biro” to refer to any kind of ballpoint pen.
Unit 5
Take part in our educational exchange
Do you love to travel and meet new people? Yes? Have you ever lived and studied in another country? No? Well, join our educational exchange now!
Our educational exchange is fantastic. You can experience a different culture and learn a new language. You can improve your social skills and make lots of friends.
There are two parts in our educational exchange. In the first part, an exchange student will travel to your home country and stay with your family. In the second part, you will travel to your exchange partner's home country and stay with his or her family. You will go to school with him or her. You will also take part in local activities. You can apply for our educational exchange if you: ? Are aged between 14 and 17.
? Would like to learn about the language, culture, history, geography and way of life of another country. ? Have a reference from your head teacher.
It will be the adventure of a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Apply today!
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Unit 6
The story of 100,000 arrows
This is a story about two wise men — Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu. The Chinese people have told it for many, many years.
One day, Zhou Yu gave Zhuge Liang an impossible task. He asked him to make 100,000 arrows within ten days. “No problem,” Zhuge Liang said. “I'll bring you 100,000 arrows in three days.”
Zhuge Liang asked his soldiers to fill 20 large boats with many straw men. In the early morning of the third day, Zhuge Liang's soldiers sailed the boats towards the camps of Cao Cao's army on the other side of the river. The soldiers shouted and beat their drums loudly.
When Cao Cao's soldiers heard the sounds, they thought they were under attack. However, they could not see through the thick fog on the river. Cao Cao ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows towards the sounds of the drums and the shouting. Zhuge Liang's boats were soon full of arrows.
Zhuge Liang's soldiers then turned the boats around and shouted, “Thank you for your arrows, Cao Cao. ”Zhuge Liang took all these arrows to Zhou Yu. There were more than 100,000 of them.
Unit 7
How to improve your memory
Memory is very important. It helps you remember who you are, where you live, what you have learnt and what you plan to do in the future.
So, how can you improve your memory?
It is important to exercise your brain. For example, you can do new things and change your daily habits. If you walk a different way to school or take a different bus, you will keep your brain active. You can try to memorize something new. You can try a Maths puzzle. You can also try to learn new skills or study a foreign language. Your brain gets lots of regular exercise if you do any of these things.
If you live a healthy life, your memory will work better. You must have a balanced diet. You must give your brain enough time to rest. Unless you get enough sleep every night, you will not remember things well. If you want your brain to work well, you also need to relax. If you get too worried, your brain will slow down, and your memory will become less sharp.
So, to improve your memory, you should exercise your brain, live a healthy life and stay relaxed.
Unit 8
Robin Hood and Prince John
Prince John has caught Maid Marian and has set a trap for Robin Hood. Inside Prince John's castle.
PJ: Now tell me, where's Robin Hood hiding? MM:Never! Robin Hood will come and rescue me
PJ: There's no way Robin Hood can get past me guards. Soon Robin Hood will be mine! Robin Hood enters.
RH:Did somebody call my name? PJ: Robin Hood! I knew you'd come! MM:Guards! Capture him! PJ: It's a trap!
The first guard takes Robin Hood's arms from behind and the second guard tries to hit him. Robin Hood ducks and the second guard hits the first guard in the head. The two guards then start fighting. PJ: Foolish guards!
Robin Hood pulls out a sword.
RH:Now you're mine, Prince John! This castle and all your gold now belong to the poor! MM:Thank you for saving me, Robin Hood!
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