8A课文
UNIT 3课文 Computer facts 第35页 Smaller and better
In the 1940s, the first computers were bigger than cars. Now computers are becoming smaller and better.
Some computers are tiny. You may be unaware of them. There is probably one inside your TV or washing machine. You depend on computers more than you realize.
What can we do with computers?
We can use computers to calculate. They can calculate at a faster speed than we can and almost never give wrong answers. We can also type and draw things with them. In addition, computers can do important jobs like operating railways and flying planes and spaceships.
Is a computer cleverer than me?
The answer is “No”. Your brain can produce new ideas but computers cannot. However, one day computers may be able to do a better job than human beings. For example, they may be better than doctors at doing their job.
What will happen to us if computers can do all our jobs? Will we have nothing to do? Computers may change our lives, but will they make them better?
8A课文
UNIT 3 More practice Computer game problems 第45页 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.
8A课文
UNIT 4课文 Great inventions 第51页 Great inventions change the world. They help people live a better life. The following are three of the most important inventions in history.
The wheel is perhaps the greatest invention in history. After its invention, travelling became faster and more comfortable. A few thousand years age, people started to use wheels on carriages. In the early 19th century, the first trains began to carry passengers. At the start of the 20th century, cars became popular. Without the wheel, we would not have these inventions. The telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invented one of the first practical telephones in 1876. Since then ,people have been able to speak to each other over long distances. Today millions of people across the world own mobile phones. They allow people to keep in touch with each other anytime, anywhere. The light bulb
Thomas Edison developed the first practical light bulb in 1879. Before the invention of the light bulb, people had to use oil lamps, gas lamps or candles to see at night. With light bulbs, people can do as many things in the evenings as they can in the daytime. Can you imagine living without them?
8A课文
UNIT 4 More practice A pen giant 第61页 Do you know Laszlo Biro? Maybe you do not, but you probably use his invention every day, and you may even have it in your hand right now! Biro(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. Biro 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 Biro for his invention. Today in many English-speaking countries, people still use the word “biro” to refer to any kind of ballpoint pen.
8A课文
UNIT 5课文 An exchange visit is educational and interesting! 第67页 A group of British students from Woodpark school in London are visiting Xinhua Junior High School in Beijing on an educational exchange.
“I was very nervous at first,” says Sarah. “However, my host family are really friendly. I’m glad to be a guest in their home. I’ve learnt to use chopsticks, and they’re teaching me a little Chinese!”
The students spend the weekdays studying with Chinese students. At the weekend, they tour around Beijing and visit places of interest with their host families.
“It’s been a fantastic experience so far,” says Eric. “I’ve learnt a bit of t’ai chi, and I really enjoy it . We’ve already learnt a lot about Chinese culture and history. The teachers have introduced us to Chinese painting as well. We’ve also tried to paint some pictures ourselves! I haven’t had much success yet, but I’ll keep trying.”
“I’ve made many new friends,” says Sarah. “ I plan to keep in touch with them when I return home. We’ll see one another soon because they’ll come over to the UK for the second part of the exchange next month. I can’t wait!”