外研版九年级上英语课文M

M1 U1

Tony:Let's call Won ders of the World and join in the discussi on. I think n atural won ders are more in terest ing tha n man-made on es. And I thi nk the Gia nt's Causeway is the most fan tastic n atural won der.

Lingling:Hm,I've never seen it,so I'm not sure I agree with you.Why do you like it,Tony?

Tony:Well,I visited the Giant's Causeway two years ago.It's huge. There're about 40,000 rocks,most of them with six sides. It goes for several hundred metres on the eastem coast of Northem Ireland. Lingling:That sounds great,though I think Victoria Falls in Africa are even more fantastic. They're about 1,700 metres wide and 100 metres high.You can hear the loud noise a few kilometres away.

Betty:Wow,tha's huge! But in my opinion,man-made wonders are more exciting than natural ones.Look at the Terracotta Army.It's more than 2,000 years old.

Daming:I agree with you,Betty. And I think the Three Gorges Dam is fantastic too. It's about 2,300 metres long,185 metres high and 15 metres wide at the top. It lions of people in China.

Betty:Now,who'd like to call first?

M1 U2

A great wonder of the natural world

When I arrived,it was early morning and it was raining. I looked to the east —the sky was becoming grey.I got out of the

car,went through a gate and walked along a dark path. There was nothing to see,but I knew it was there.

After about a mile,a stranger appeared beside the path. “Am I going the right way? ”I asked.He was going, “yes, ”he replied, “you'll get there in five minutes. ”Finally,I camepetod.sIolmooekreodcks and stop

over them,but it was silent and there was no sign of it.

Suddenly,the rain stopped and the clouds cleared.The sun rose behind me and shone on he rocks.Far below me,the ground fell away and down to a river.I was looking across one of the wonders of the natural world —the

Grand Canyon.

I looked down to the Colorado River,a silver stream nearly one mile below me.If you put the two tallest buildings in the world on top of each other at the bottom of the canyon,they still would not reach the top.Then I looked across to the other side of the canyon,It was about fifteen miles away,maybe more.Finally,I looked to my left and to my right,,and on both sides the canyon went far away for more than 200 miles.The Grand Canyon was not just big.It was huge!

I remained by the canyon for about half an hour,and I asked myself. “Is the Grand Canyon the greatest of the natural world? ”I certainly know the answer.What do you think?

M2 U1

My family always go somewhere interesting as soon as the holiday begins.

Tony:The First of October s China's National Day,isn 't it,Lingling?

Lingling:Yes.The People's Republic of China was founded on lst October 1949.People have celebrated the National Day since then.There are flowers and national flags everywhere,and we have a three-day holiday. Tony:Do you have any plans for the holiday this year?

Lingling:Yes.My parents and I are going to visit some friends in Shandong province and we will stay there until he end of the holiday.While we're staying with our friends,we're going to spend one day in Qingdao.When is your national day,Betty? Betty:Our national day is called Independence Day.It's on 4th July.We've celebrated it since 1777.It's a public holiday,but we only have one day off.On that day,there are all kinds of holiday activities.It's the start of the vacation season and most people take

a vacation sometime in July or August.

Lingling:And is there anything special on that day?

Betty:Well,you can see American flags everywhere.We usually have a picnic somewhere nice.Kids have great fun.We also watch bands play music in public parks.

Daming:Do you have a national day in the UK,Tony? Tony:No,we don't—we celebrate Christmas with a two-day holiday.And my family always go somewhere

interesting as soon as the holiday begins.

M2 U2

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an American festival.It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.It is a time for a special dinner among family and friends.People make short speeches and give thanks for their food.

We have celebrated the festival since the first pioneers from England arrived in America by ship in the seventeenth century.While hey were crossing the Atlantic,Many people died,and after they landed,their first winter was worse than any English winter. The local people,the Native Americans,taught the pioneers how to grow corn.The following year they celebrated together by eating a dinner of the new food.

We still celebrate Thanksgiving today with a traditional dinner.The kitchen is always the most crowded room in our house because we all help prepare the food.We lay the table,and then before we begin dinner,my father gies thanks for the food,so we remember why we celebrate the festival.We usually eat too much,but it is only one a year!We often talk a lot and tell stories after dinner as well.When it is all over,everyone helps wash the dishes.

The festival is a very busy time for travel when friends and families come together to celebrate.During the

festival,there are pie nty of other things to see and do.We live in New York City,a nd we go to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.The parade goes along several streets and finishes at the famous Macy's store.Thanksgiving is the start of the Christmas season,and we start shopping for presents.Football is also important at Thanksgiving,with many teams playing games.Like many Americans,we usually watch the games on television and enjoy ourselves very much.

M3 U1

She trained hard,so she became a great player later.

Ms Li:Daming,who is your hero?Who have you chosen to tell us about?

Daming:Deng Yaping!She's my hero because she's one of the best table tennis players in the world and I love playing table tennis. Ms Li:Tell us about her.

Daming:Well,she started playing table tennis when she was five.She trained hard,so she became a great player later.

Ms li:And what competitions has she won?

Daming:She 'wson many world competitions including four gold medals in the Olympics.She stopped playing when she was twenty-four.

Ms Li:What did she do after that?

Daming:She began to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing and then attended university abroad .Her English was n't good eno ugh whe n she bega n.Once aga in she worked hard,a nd seve n years later,she completed her doctor's degree at Cambridge Un iversity.Whatever she does,she n ever gives up!

Ms Li:That's amazing!

Daming:Yes.Deng says that she isn't cleverer than anyone else,but she has a very strong will.

Ms Li:I see. Well,I think she's a good student as well as a good player.

Daming:Yes,and she helped make the Beijing Olympics a victory for world sport.She's simply the best! Ms Li:She's a true hero.

M3 U2

My hero —Dr Norman Bethune

By Wang Lingling

Norman Bethune is one of the most famous heroes in China.He was a Canadian doctor.He came to China to help the Chinese people and died for them.

Norman Bethune was born in 1890.He became a doctor in 1916 and went to Spain in 1936 to treat the wounded soldiers during the war there.He soon realised that many people were dying because they did not get to hospital quickly enough.Dr Bethune developed new ways of taking care of the sick.He invented special medical tools to use outside hospitals and chose to the fighting areas so that doctors could treat the wounded more quickly.His inventions saved many lives.

In 1938,Dr Bethune came to China and helped treat the wounded during the Anti Japanese War.At that time,there were few doctors,so he had to work very hard on his own.His experience of treating people in Spain was Useful in China.He developed training courses for local doctors and nurses,and wrote books so that they could learn about how he treated the sick.

Dr Bethune often worked very hard without resting or taking care of himself;Once,he even worked for sixty-nine hours without stopping and managed to save over a hundred lives.One day in 1939,he cut his finger during an operation,but he continued his work without treating it.In the end,he died of his wound.

Dr Bethune's work for the Chinese people made him a hero in China.There are many books and films about him,and he is still remembered in both China and Canada today.

M3 U3

Read the passage and choose the best title.

My favourite Greek hero is Odysseus..He is the main character in The Odyssey,a famous story by the Greek

storyteller,Homer.

Odysseus and his friends go from Greece to Troy to fight.After ten years,they win and are very proud of themselves.They win and are very proud of themselves.Then they set off for home,but on their way,there is a great storm.They become lost,and that is the start of their great adventures.During that time,they meet many strange people.Most of them want to hurt Ojdysseus and his friends,but a few help them.On one island a very big man with only one eye tries to kill them.During this fight,Odysseus loses many of his friends,but he manages to get away.

After ten years of fighting and ten more years on the way home,Odysseus completes his journey and manages to get back to his own country,alone.His wife and son are waiting for him to come back.However,he looks so different that they fail to recognise him.After Odysseus saves his wife and sonfrom some bad men,they finally know who he is.He is hapy o be back home again after so many adventures.

I like this story because it is interesting and exciting.I think Odysseus is a true hero.He is very clever and has a strong will.I also learn from him that great men never give up,no matter what difficulties they face.

M4 U1

Mum:Now,what's our train number?

Dad:T27 to Lhasa.It s leaving from Platform 2.

Mum:The meeting in Lhasa is very important for us,but I ' m sorry you can ' t come with us,Betty.

Betty:So am I,but I can ' t miss two weeks of school.

Mum:Will you remember everything I ' ve told you?Be especially careful with the door.Shut it when you

in and lock it when you gop out.

Betty:Yes,Mum.I can look af ter my self,although it won ' t be easy for me.

Mum:Well,make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.And I ' ve left lots of your favourit biscuits.

Betty:Don ' t worry.I can cook simple meals.

Dad:There won ' t be anybody to wake you up in the mornin. g

Betty:I ' ll be fine.My clock rings so loudly that it will certainly wake me up.

Mum:I ' m sure I ' ve forgotten something,but I don ' t know what it is!

(Announcement:We advise all passengers for Train T27 to Lhasa to go immediately to Platform 2.Your

train is about to leave.)

Betty:That ' s your train!Goodbye Mum,goodbye Dad.

Mum:I know!I haven ' t given you our address in Lhasa!

Betty:Send me a text message.Have a good trip!

Mum:Bye,my dear!

Betty:Bye!See you in a couple of weeks!

M4 U2

My “ perfect holiday ”

As a boy,like all other boys,I wanted to be a man.But my parents did everything for me.Actually,,they managed every minute of my life.Although they loved me,Ifelt a bit unhappy with them. “ Zheng Che homework! ”“ Practise the piano! ”“ Turn off tchaemTeVs! o bore”d wI bithe their orders that I wished they would leave me alone.

Well,my wish came true!Although my parents were very worried about leaving me,they had to go away on business for a few days.Now was my chance!I could have some fun at last!As soon as I got home from school the first day,I happily threw my schoolbag on the sofa and ate lots of snacks.Then I enjoyed an exciting film on TV ,and after that I played computer games.I liked the games so much that I played until midnight.

The next morning I woke up late.I had to hurry to school without breakfast,but I was still late.The teacher asked me for my homework,but I could not hand it in.With an empty stomach,I was unable to play basketball with my classmates!I felt tired and sleepy at school all day long.

When I got home,l tried to cook some rice,but I burnt it.l een dropped my father's cup whe n I was cook ing

tasks.I started to feel lonely.I wanted Mum and Dad to come home soon.Mum cooked such delicious food,and made sure I never forgot my homework.dad laways helped me with any difficult questions,and told funny jokes when I was unhappy.Then I realised being home alone was not always perfect.

When my parents came home,they were happy to find that II could cook and tidy up now. I told them my home alone story,and we all laughed.

M5 U1

(Betty,Lingling and Daming are on the second floor of a museum.) Betty:What a wonderful museum!

Lingling:It ' s great,isn ' t it?Let ' s go to the Animal Room upstairs.I need some information for my project. Betty: Me,too.Let ' s go.Wait,where ' s Daming?

Lingling:There he is.What ' s he doing over there?

Daming:Hey,Betty!Lingling!Come and see the monkey exhibition!

Guard:No shouting,please!It ' s against the rulrs.

Betty:Oh,no!Daming is in trouble again.

Daming:Look at the monkey ' svetagil!oI t to g'et in here...

Guard:Stop!Don ' t cross that rope!Can ' t you see the sign,kids? ” No entry ”.

Daming:Oh.Why not?

Guard:Because it ' s closed.

Lingling:Yes,Daming.Read the sign!

Daming:Oh,right.That ' s no good!Well,I ' ll just take a photo..

Guard:Sorry.No photos.See?

Daming:There certainly are a lot of rules in this museum.No wonder the place is empty!

Betty:Daming!Don ' t be rude!

Lingling:Oh,no!

Betty:What ' s the matter,Lingling?

Lingling:My mobile phone !It ' s missing!Oh,no!What am I going to do?

Guard:Don 'wtorry,Miss.Go downstairs to the lost and found office.They might have it. Lingling:That phone is new!I have to find it,or Mum will punish me!

Betty:I ' am sure it will be all right,Lingling.Let ' s go and see.

Daming:Yes,let ' s go downstairs.

M5 U2

The Science Museum in London.

By Tony Smith.

Welcome to the most friendly museum in London.In most museums,there is no shouting and no running,and you must not touch anything.But the Science Museum is different...It is noisy!People talk about what they can see and do here,and there are some very noisy machines as well.If you want answers to all your questions about science,this is the right place for you.

I like to visit the rooms on the second and third floors.You can learn about communications and the environment as well as maths,physics and chemistry.For example,you can find out how dig coal from the ground and use it to create engry.And in one room they even explain how X-rays let you see inside your body.

The Launchpad on the third floor is the most popular room,and it is my favourite too because there are lots of physics experiments.For example,if you want to fill a bag with sand,you have no control a kind of truck on wheels and move it into the correct place.You can also find out how people travel into space and back again.

On the fourth and fifth floors,you can learn about what medicine was like in the past.If you compare the medicine of the past with the medicine of today,you will feel very lucky next time you visit a doctor!

The Science Museum is interesting for people of all ages.You can always find something new and have a wonderful time there.The museum is free to enter,so you can go in for a few minutes or stay all day.It is open daily from 10 an to 6 pm.So if you ever go to London,make sure you visit the Science Museum.It is my favourite museum in the whole world!

Dad:Tony,you ' re playing the guitar again.Have you done your homework?

Tony:No,not yet,but I haven ' t got much.If I start after dinner,I ' ll finish it before I go to bed.Anywa wanted me to learn an instrument.

Dad:I want you to get a habit of doing your homework as soon as you come home from school.If you start now,you ' ll finish before dinner.

Tony:Yes,but I need a restfrom schoolwork.I also want to go to the library to do volunteer work.

Dad:So you ' re not going to do your homework now?

Tony:No,it isn ' t necessary to do it now.I ' ll do it later.

Dad:That ' s a shame.I really don ' t think you should go to the library so much.

Tony:Why not?I can work in the library and I ' m alsooakbslethteorere. ad bo

Dad:No deal,Tony.If you do all these other things instead of your homework,you won ' t have time study.

Tony:You mean you don ' t want me to help the community and increase my knowledge of the world?

Dad:That ' s not the point.You should consider what the most important thing is.I don ' t want yo your exams.

Tony:But...

Dad:You can ' t do anything before you finish your homework.I ' m sorry,but that ' s my last word.

Dear Diana

Do you have a problem?Write to Diana at New Standard Magazine and ask for her advice.

Dear Diana,

Last week,my friend David came round with a new computer game and ask to play it on my dad ' s computer.I was worried,because I should ask my dad before I use his computer.

He use it for his work,and I can only use it for my homework.The reason is that he thinks it will go wrong if

I play games on it.

Well,while my dad was out,we decided to try out David ' s game.We copied it to the computer,and after we finished playing,we took it off the computer.However,when I started the computer again to check if everything was OK,some of my dad ' s documents were missing.Then,when my dad used the computer last

night,he was really angry.He could no longer find the documents anywhere!They were very important ones.

I did not tell him about the computer game because I did not want him to be angry with me.Now I feel terrible.I am not sure ehether a computer engineer can get the documents back.Should I tell him about the computer games?Should I pay to repair it? Yours '

Steve

Dear Steve,

Oh,dear!You have made two mistakes.It is bad enough that you used your dad 's computer to play gam when he told you not to.And it is even worse that you did not tell him about it.If you tell him the truth now,he will be angry with you,but at leastyou will show that you are honest.

You should apologise to your father.You should also pay the bill to repair the computer.If you offer to give

up your pocket money,your father will realise that you are very sorry.

Remember,next time,play football with David and not computer games!

Best wishes.

Diana