Unit 8 News

1. Unit 8News In this unit, you will: • A. Listen and understand dialogues about the news. • B. Learn and understand conversations about the news. • C. Learn how to express surprise and distress.

2. WARM-UP LISTENING • Section A • Directions:You will hear 5 sentences. Listen to each sentence, and then decide what the best response should be. • Words & Expressions • earthquake n.地震

3. WARM-UP LISTENING Key • 1. a. Sorry. I don’t get the morning paper. • b. That’s okay. • c. I didn’t have time to read it. • d. I didn’t have time to watch it. • 2. a. I’m sorry. • b. No, I don’t get the evening paper. • c. Yes, I saw them. • d. I didn’t have time to watch the news. • 3. a. That’s terrible! c. Life is just like that. • b. Sorry, I didn’t know. d. That’s okay. • 4. a. That’s good news. c. They are silly. • b. That’s difficult. d. That’s okay. • 5. a. I don’t think it’s possible. c. Don’t worry about it. • b. It doesn’t matter. d. That’s right.

4. WARM-UP LISTENING • 1. Did you see the news last night? • a. Sorry. I don’t get the morning paper. c. I didn’t have time to read it. • b. That’s okay. d. I didn’t have time to watch it. • 2. Did you see the headlines this morning? • a. I’m sorry. c. Yes, I saw them. • b. No, I don’t get the evening paper. d. I didn’t have time to watch the news. • 3. There was an earthquake in Asia. • a. That’s terrible! c. Life is just like that. • b. Sorry, I didn’t know. d. That’s okay. • 4. The Canadian government wants to send help. • a. That’s good news. c. They are silly. • b. That’s difficult. d. That’s okay. • 5. It is important to help others when they are in need. • a. I don’t think it’s possible. c. Don’t worry about it. • b. It doesn’t matter. d. That’s right.

5. WARM-UP LISTENING • Section B • Directions:You will hear 5 short dialogues. After each dialogue, you will hear a question. Both the dialogues and the questions will be spoken two times. After listening to the dialogue and the question, choose the correct answer from the four choices.

6. WARM-UP LISTENING Key • 1. a. The man cares little about politics. • b. The man is very concerned with politics. • c. The man is a politician. • d. The man and the woman have the same faith. • 2. a. People don’t know about the fire. c. People aren’t interested in old news. • b. The news is not true. d. The fire is being talked about everywhere. • 3. a. She took on more than she could handle. c. She is used to her job. • b. She has a lot of work to do. d. Her job is like tasty food. • 4. a. The news is being talked about everywhere. • b. It’s not news to him at all. • c. The news has been posted everywhere on 5th Street. • d. People hear about such news every day. • 5. a. He feels happy about the woman. • b. He was very angry after reading the paper. • c. The woman’s question has made him embarrassed. • d. He feels great shame for the woman.

7. WARM-UP LISTENING • 1. W: Do you know top from bottom in political affairs? • M: Yes. I keep up with political news pretty well. • Q: What do you learn from the dialogue? • a. The man cares little about politics. • b. The man is very concerned with politics. • c. The man is a politician. • d. The man and the woman have the same faith. • 2. M: Did you hear about that fire last month? • W: That’s old news. People aren’t talking about it anymore. • Q: What does the woman mean? • a. People don’t know about the fire. • b. The news is not true. • c. People aren’t interested in old news. • d. The fire is being talked about everywhere.

8. WARM-UP LISTENING • 3. W: I bit off more than I could chew when I accepted this job as a journalist. • M: Maybe you feel like that now, but you will get used to it in no time. • Q: What does the woman mean when she says she “bit off more than she • could chew”? • a. She took on more than she could handle. c. She is used to her job. • b. She has a lot of work to do. d. Her job is like tasty food. • 4. W: Did you hear what happened on 5th Street? • M: Yeah, it’s been all over the news. • Q: What does the man mean? • a. The news is being talked about everywhere. • b. It’s not news to him at all. • c. The news has been posted everywhere on 5th Street. • d. People hear about such news every day.

9. WARM-UP LISTENING • 5. W: Did you see what they wrote about me in the paper? • M: Yes. It has got me seeing red. • Q: How does the man feel? • a. He feels happy about the woman. • b. He was very angry after reading the paper. • c. The woman’s question has made him embarrassed. • d. He feels great shame for the woman.

10. Read and memorize the following expressions. Questions Did you hear what happened? Did you read the news? Do you know what’s happening in the news? Are you aware of what’s going on in our world? Are you up-to-date on current events? Answers Yes./No. I didn’t hear/I heard what happened. I read/didn’t read the news. I know/don’t know what’s happening in the news. I am aware/I am not aware of what’s going on in our world. I like to/don’t like to keep up with current events. I am/am not up-to-date with current events. BASIC SKILLS

11. There was an accident. There was a natural disaster. There was a hurricane. There was a political rally. A husband killed his wife. That’s terrible. That’s hard to believe. Unbelievable! No way! Really? I can’t believe that anyone would do that! Why would anyone want to do that! I can’t understand why another person would do that! I can’t believe the world that we live in! BASIC SKILLS

12. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • Section A • Directions:Listen to the conversation. Then mark the answer you think is best. The conversation will be spoken two times. • Words & Expressions • India n.印度 • Pakistan n.巴基斯坦 • injure v.受伤 • government n.政府 • area n.地区 • act v.行动 • of the essence 非常重要 • tent n.帐篷 • third-world country 第三世界国家

13. LISTENING COMPREHENSION Tape Script Key • 1. What disaster hit India and Pakistan? • a. A storm. b. A flood. c. An earthquake. d. A fire. • 2. What area did the disaster happen in? • a. Forests. b. The seaside. c. Mountains. d. Urban areas. • 3. Which season is it now according to the conversation? • a. Summer. c. Spring. • b. Fall. d. Winter. • 4.Why are the governments of two countries having difficulty sending enough help? • a. There is not enough money. • b. There is too little time. • c. Transportation to the area is difficult. • d. The local governments don’t want to cooperate. • 5. What can we learn from the conversation? • a. The two countries can solve the problems themselves. • b. Of those who have died, most are women. • c. The two countries don’t join hands with each other. • d. The two countries are in great need of help.

14. LISTENING COMPREHENSION Key • MAN: Oh, my! Listen to this! A terrible earthquake has hit a large area in India and Pakistan. • WOMAN: Oh, that’s terrible! Were many people injured? • MAN: Yes, thousands. Many more have died. • WOMAN: Did the news say exactly how many? • MAN: No, the governments are not sure how many, because the area is in the mountains and it’s difficult to get to. • WOMAN: It’s difficult to get to? So how can the people get help? • MAN: That’s the problem. Winter is coming soon. The heavy snow will close roads to the area. • WOMAN: So I suppose that if the people are going to get help, it is going to have to come quickly.

15. LISTENING COMPREHENSION Key • MAN: Yes. The governments of both countries are trying to act as fast as possible. • WOMAN: But I am sure that is still not fast enough. Time is of the essence. • MAN: The Indian government is trying to get as many tents and as much food to the people as they can. • WOMAN: It must be hard for the two third-world countries to be able to help their own people. • MAN: Yes. There are simply too many people and the time is too short before winter comes. • WOMAN: Those poor people!

16. LISTENING COMPREHENSION Tape Script • 1. What disaster hit India and Pakistan? • a. A storm. b. A flood. c. An earthquake. d. A fire. • 2. What area did the disaster happen in? • a. Forests. b. The seaside. c. Mountains. d. Urban areas. • 3. Which season is it now according to the conversation? • a. Summer. c. Spring. • b. Fall. d. Winter. • 4. Why are the governments of two countries having difficulty sending enough help? • a. There is not enough money. • b. There is too little time. • c. Transportation to the area is difficult. • d. The local governments don’t want to cooperate. • 5. What can we learn from the conversation? • a. The two countries can solve the problems themselves. • b. Of those who have died, most are women. • c. The two countries don’t join hands with each other. • d. The two countries are in great need of help.

17. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • Notes for Language and Culture • 1. my用作感叹词，例如： • My! How the children have grown! • 天哪！孩子们都长这么大了！ • 2. hit在这里的意思是“发生”、“影响”（“happened to” or “affected”）。 例如： • Many economic and political changes have hit modern China. • 近年来中国发生了很多经济和政治变化。

18. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • Section B • Directions:Listen to the conversation. Then decide if the sentences below are true or false. Mark the correct answer with a “√”. The conversation will be spoken two times. • Words & Expressions • hurricane n.飓风 • New Orleans 新奥尔良（美国港口城市） • unreal a. 不可能的（口语中表示十分惊讶） • condition n.状况 • awful a.糟透了 • floodwater n.洪水 • crime n.犯罪 • skyrocket v.飞涨，猛涨 • break into 破门而入 • electronics n.电器

19. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • A hurricane hit the city of New Orleans. true false • All the people left the city before the hurricane came. true false • People are living in the city’s sports stadium. true false • The government is having difficulty sending help. true false • The floodwaters are not too bad. true false Tape Script Key

20. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • GIRL: Did you read the news today about the terrible hurricane in New Orleans? • BOY: No, I didn’t. I just heard yesterday that a hurricane was going to hit the city. • GIRL: Oh, it’s terrible! That hurricane is the worst one to hit the city in years. Many people were too poor to leave the city. • BOY: That’s unreal. • GIRL: Now many are dead. Others are living in terrible conditions on the roofs of their houses. Some are living in the city’s sports stadium. • BOY: That’s awful! Why doesn’t the government help? • GIRL: Well, it’s trying to send help now, but the problem is that the floodwaters are very deep and dangerous, so it’s difficult to get help into the city. Key

21. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • BOY: How about the police? Can they help? • GIRL: Well, many of the police left before the hurricane, because they thought that it would be over soon. • BOY: And now they can’t return to the city? • GIRL: That’s right. Crime has skyrocketed. People are breaking into stores and stealing. • BOY: But if they need food, I’m sure they are just getting what they need. • GIRL: They’re not just stealing food—they’re stealing TVs and other expensive electronics. Key

22. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • A hurricane hit the city of New Orleans. true false • All the people left the city before the hurricane came. true false • People are living in the city’s sports stadium. true false • The government is having difficulty sending help. true false • The floodwaters are not too bad. true false Tape Script

23. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • Notes for Language and Culture • 谈论天气是英美国家人们的特点之一。天气是个中性的话题，不涉及任何人的个人隐私。另一个人们感兴趣的话题是地方或全国性的大事件，如选举、罢工、自然灾害、政治丑闻等等。在谈论政治时，一定要谨慎，切忌不了解情况乱评论，以免引起意见冲突，导致不愉快的后果。

24. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • Section C • Directions:Listen to the short passage and answer the following questions. The passage will be spoken two times. • Words & Expressions • yell v.叫喊 • extra n.号外 • swindle v.诈骗 • quarter n.25分硬币 • passerby n.过路人 • headline n.大字标题 • protest v.抗议 • newsboy n.报童 • tune n.腔调 • hot off the press 最新消息

25. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • 1. Where was the boy selling newspapers? • The boy was selling newspapers . • 2. What story did the boy yell to everyone so that they could hear? • The boy yelled “.” • 3. How much did the newspaper cost? • The newspaper cost . • 4. Who bought the newspaper? • bought the newspaper. • 5. When the man opened the newspaper, what did he realize? • He realized that there was nothing . Tape Script Key

26. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • A young boy was standing on the street corner selling newspapers. He raised his voice and yelled so that everyone could hear, “Extra, extra! Read all about it! Thirty people swindled! That’s right! Thirty people swindled! Get your news here for only a quarter!” An interested passerby happened to stop and ask for a paper. He opened the paper and realized there was nothing in the headlines about anyone being swindled. “Hey, there is nothing in here about …” he began to protest. Then the newsboy changed his tune. “Extra, extra! Read all about it! Thirty-one people swindled! Yes, that’s right! Thirty-one people swindled! Get your news here! Hot off the press!” Key

27. LISTENING COMPREHENSION • 1. Where was the boy selling newspapers? • The boy was selling newspapers on the street corner. • 2. What story did the boy yell to everyone so that they could hear? • The boy yelled “Extra, extra, read all about it.” • 3. How much did the newspaper cost? • The newspaper cost a quarter. • 4. Who bought the newspaper? • An interested passerby bought the newspaper. • 5. When the man opened the newspaper, what did he realize? • He realized that there was nothing in the headlines about anyone being swindled. Tape Script

28. COMPOUND DICTATION • Section A • Directions: Write down the sentences that you hear. The sentences will be spoken three times. • 1. ____________________________________________________ • 2. ____________________________________________________ • 3. ____________________________________________________ • 4. ____________________________________________________ • 5. ____________________________________________________ Key

29. COMPOUND DICTATION • 1. The fire started in the north part of the city. • 2. Nearly fifty people are missing. • 3. Firefighters have been working for three hours to put out the fire. • 4. Officials believe that nearly five people have died so far. • 5. This is the city’s worst fire in nearly twenty years.

30. COMPOUND DICTATION Key • Section B • Directions: Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks with the missing words. • The passage will be spoken two times. • There are many different words used for _____________ in the news. A brawl usually refers to an _____________ by a group. This often happens when people get drunk in bars or when gangs fight on the streets. An assault refers to someone being _____________. A mugging is a kind of assault when someone is beaten and sometimes _____________ by one or more people. Rape is another kind of assault, when someone attacks and harms another person sexually. A murder is a _____________ of a person. If someone is killed by accident, it is not called murder but manslaughter.

31. COMPOUND DICTATION • There are many different words used for violence in the news. A brawl usually refers to an unplanned fight by a group. This often happens when people get drunk in bars or when gangs fight on the streets. An assault refers to someone being attacked. A mugging is a kind of assault when someone is beaten and sometimes robbed by one or more people. Rape is another kind of assault, when someone attacks and harms another person sexually. A murder is a planned killing of a person. If someone is killed by accident, it is not called murder but manslaughter.

32. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING • Section A • I. Listen In and Speak Out • Directions:Listen to the conversation and repeat it sentence by sentence. • Words & Expressions • wallet n.钱包 • pickpocket n. 扒手，小偷 • ID card 身份证 • pants n.裤子 • hole n.洞 • recognize v.认出 • in the right ballpark 大约正确，差不多 • track n.方向，轨道

33. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING • WOMAN: Oh, no! My wallet is gone! • MAN: Are you sure? ① Check your pockets. • WOMAN: That’s the problem—I had it in my left pocket. We were in that big crowd a few minutes ago. I think a pickpocket got it! • MAN: You know, I think you’re right. ② I saw a little boy in that crowd who was walking very close to you. He wasn’t with anybody at all. I wonder if he picked your pocket! • WOMAN: Oh, dear! My wallet has my bank cards and credit card in it. I think my ID card is in there too … [groaning] • MAN: There’s a policeman. Let’s go tell him. ③ • WOMAN: Do you remember what the boy looked like? • MAN: Yes, he was wearing a dirty white shirt and old pants with holes in the knees. I would recognize him anywhere. • WOMAN: OK, let’s go describe him to the policeman. Maybe he can catch him.

34. II. Practice Directions: Act out the conversation by using the following expressions. ① Are you sure? No way! You’re kidding. You have got to be joking. Are you certain? ② You know, I think you’re right. I think you are correct. I think you are in the right ballpark. I think you are on the right track. I think you’re right on the money. ③ Let’s go tell him. Let’s let him know what happened. Let’s inform him of our problem. Let’s let him know what’s going on. Let’s tell on that boy (girl). FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Sample

35. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING • III. Sample Conversation • WOMAN: Oh, no! My wallet is gone! • MAN: Are you certain? Check your pockets. • WOMAN: That’s the problem—I had it in my left pocket. We were in that big crowd a few minutes ago. I think a pickpocket got it! • MAN: You know, I think you’re in the right ballpark. I saw a little boy in that crowd who was walking very close to you. I wonder if he picked your pocket! • WOMAN: Oh, dear! My wallet has my bank cards and credit card in it. I think my ID card is in there too … [groaning] • MAN: There’s a policeman. Let’s let him know what happened. • WOMAN: Do you remember what the boy looked like? • MAN: Yes, he was wearing a dirty white shirt and old pants with holes in the knees. I would recognize him anywhere. • WOMAN: OK, let’s go describe him to the policeman. Maybe he can catch him.

36. Section B I. Listen In and Fill Out Directions:Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks with the missing words, consulting the useful expressions in the box if you have difficulty. Words & Expressions kidnap v.绑架 neighborhood n.街区 babysitter n.临时保姆 sound asleep 熟睡的 psychiatrist n.精神病医生 mentally ad.精神上 screw v.拧上去 incompetent a.不健全的 be off one’s rocker 发疯，疯狂 murder v.谋杀 frustrated a.懊恼，沮丧 snap v.突然失去自制力 wander v.徘徊，游荡 burglary n.入室盗窃 gang n.帮派，黑帮 ditch n.沟 jewelry n.珠宝，首饰 evaluation n.鉴定，评估 FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING

37. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Key • WOMAN: _________________ ① • MAN: No. Is there something I need to know? • ① Did you watch the news? • Did you hear the news? • Are you aware of what happened (yesterday)? • Did you see the headlines (yesterday)?

38. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Key • WOMAN: Yes. A child was kidnapped yesterday in our neighborhood! • MAN: _________________ ② What happened? • WOMAN: A babysitter ran off with a woman’s five-month-old baby. • MAN: That’s awful! Did the police catch her? • WOMAN: Yes, they found her in a few hours. The baby was safe, sound asleep. • MAN: What happened to the babysitter? • ② That’s really horrible. • How awful! • I can’t believe it! • Who could do such a thing? • No, that is terrible. • Who could do a thing like that?

39. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Key • WOMAN: Well, psychiatrists are talking with her now. _________________ ③ • MAN: Well, _________________ ④ • ③ They think she is not quite right mentally. • They think her head isn’t screwed on straight. • They think she might be crazy. • They aren’t sure what her problem is. • They think she is mentally incompetent. • They think she is off her rocker. • ④ Hopefully they can figure this out. • Let’s hope they can find out what the problem is. • If anyone could figure out what the problem is, they can. • Let’s hope that they can get to the bottom of this.

40. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING • WOMAN: Did you hear the news?① • MAN: No. Is there something I need to know? • WOMAN: Yes. A child was kidnapped yesterday in our neighborhood! • MAN: No, that is terrible!② What happened? • WOMAN: A babysitter ran off with a woman’s five-month-old baby. • MAN: That’s awful! Did the police catch her? • WOMAN: Yes, they found her in a few hours. The baby was safe, sound asleep. • MAN: What happened to the babysitter? • WOMAN: Well, psychiatrists are talking with her now. They think she’s not quite right mentally.③ • MAN: Well, let’s hope that they can get to the bottom of this.④

41. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Sample • II. Practice • Directions: Act out the conversation by using the following information. • ① A woman murdered her four children. • They say she was frustrated with them and just snapped. • They found her wandering in her backyard. • She was arrested by the police. • She might face murder charges. • ② A man robbed the bank. • They say he needed money to pay off bills. • Did the police catch him? • They found him in his apartment counting the money. • Well, psychiatrists are talking with him now. • They think he’s not quite right mentally.

42. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING Sample • ③ There was a burglary in our neighborhood. • One teenager was found, but the police are sure that it was gang related. • Did the police catch him? • They found him in a ditch, looking through the jewelry he had stolen. • His parents think he is mentally incompetent. • But they say he isn’t crazy, and he will have to have a psychiatric evaluation.

43. FOLLOW-UP SPEAKING • III. Sample Conversation • WOMAN: Did you hear the news? • MAN: No. Is there something I need to know? • WOMAN: Yes. There was a burglary in our neighborhood. • MAN: No, that is terrible! What happened? • WOMAN: One teenager was found, but the police are sure that it was gang related. • MAN: That’s awful! Did the police catch him? • WOMAN: Yes, they found him in a ditch, looking through the jewelry he had stolen. • MAN: What happened to him? • WOMAN: Well, his parents think he is mentally incompetent. But they say he isn’t crazy, and he will have to have a psychiatric evaluation. • MAN: Well, let’s hope that they can get to the bottom of this.

44. 制作：译林出版社高等英语事业部