一、Short conversations
New words
differ v difference n
a series of 一系列
正文：1
Man: When do they think the new highway is going to be finished? It was supposed to be open by September.
Woman: I heard on the news that it’s three months behind schedule.
Question What do we learn from the conversation?
behind schedule: later than the plan
ahead of schedule (反义词组)
2
Woman: I think that everyone should pay every time they read the news on the Internet. After all, they have to pay when they buy a newspaper.
Man: Perhaps we should agree to differ about that.
Question What is the man’s opinion?
agree to differ about that: agree to have different opinion; let’s both have our own opinion and not trouble the other
3
Man: And so we’ve seen all five films which have been chosen for this year’s Academy Award for Best Film...
Woman: And now, the moment of truth... Who is this year’s winner?
Question What do we learn from the woman?
the moment of truth: the time when the truth becomes known
4
Woman: So what exactly are you going to do to improve the health service?
Man: We’ve announced a whole series of measures which we’ll introduce over the next five years.
Question What is the man’s position?
5
Woman: I think the government is going to lose the election.
Man: To be honest, I’m in favor of a change of government.
Question What is the man’s opinion?
in favor of:支持，赞成
二、News report
Walter Cronkite, perhaps America’s best-known journalist in recent years, has died at his home in New York at the age of 92. During his years as the presenter of the evening news at CBS, Cronkite appeared every evening in American homes, and was always a comforting presence, with his calm voice and gentle style. He was respected, listened to and liked.
From 1962 to 1981, Walter Cronkite was the main presenter of the CBS evening news, reporting wars, natural diasters, social landings on the moon. Most famously, in 1963 he told the nation that President Kennedy had died. In an unusual show of feelings, he took off his glasses, wiped his eyes of tears, and reflected the emotion of millions.
In 1968 Cronkite made a special programme on the Vietnam War. His conclusion was that it could not be brought to an end by military action, and that the two sides should begin peace discussions immediately. When President Johnson heard this, he said, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost Middle America.”
Cronkite was named the most respected man in America. For nearly 20 years, he finished all his broadcasts with the line, “And that’s the way it is”, sending millions of Americans to sleep with the words of “the most trusted voice in America.”
A comforting presence: an appearance of someone which makes people feel safe even when the news is bad.
Natural disasters: such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons etc.
If I’ve lost Cronkite, I have lost Middle America. :If Cronkite does not any longer support my policies, most ordinary Americans no longer believe they are right.
三、Report
6.
Washington DC
Museum of news
15
14
More than 80
Opposite the National Gallery of Art
9 am to 5 pm daily
19.95 dollars
7.
(1) complete
(2) Air and Space
(3) exhibition
(4) moves
(5) was reported
(6) latest news
(7) news reporter
(8) opposite
