地球
1地球对生活在地球上的人们具有许多意义。对于一个农民来说，地球是丰富的土壤。对于道路建设者而言，地球意味着坚硬的岩石山脉。对于水手来说，大地就是水。飞行员对地球的视野可能包括海洋，山脉和农田的一部分。一位在太空中飞驰的宇航员看到了地球的圆形以及陆地和海洋的轮廓。这些不同的观点都有助于描述地球，但没有一个能真正说明地球是什么。
2地球是一个巨大的球，上面覆盖着水，岩石和土壤，并被空气包围。它是绕太阳行进的九个行星之一。地球是人类和许多其他生物的家园。动植物几乎生活在地球表面的任何地方。他们首先可以生活在地球上，因为它与太阳之间的距离恰到好处。生命需要太阳的温暖和阳光。他们还必须要有水才能生存。地球上有大量的水覆盖了其大部分表面。
3称为地壳的薄岩石层构成了地球的表面。地壳下是热的液态岩石。硬金属球位于地球的中心。
4地球一直在移动。它像陀螺一样旋转，并同时绕着太阳传播。我们使用地球的这两个运动来测量一天和一年的长度。一天是地球旋转一次所需的时间。一年是地球绕太阳转一圈所需的时间。地球的自转运动使太阳似乎从东向西移动，并在地球上昼夜不息。随着地球绕太阳运动，夜空变化缓慢。在夜晚的天空中可以看到一些恒星，而在白天的天空中则看不到其他恒星。
5为了唤起人们对保护地球母亲的重要性的关注，1970年成立了地球日。此后，每年的4月22日，全世界的人们都表达了对他们共同的家园-地球的热爱。

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译文：
地球
1 地球对于地球上的居民来说，意味着许多事物。对于农民来说，地球是肥沃的土壤；对于修路工人来说，地球是由坚硬石块构成的山峰；对于水手来说，地球是一望无际的水域；在飞行员眼中，地球可能会包括部分海洋、山峰和成片农田；在太空高速行进的宇航员看到的地球是圆形的球体，还有海洋和陆地的轮廓。他们关于地球的不同看法都有助于对地球进行描述，但都没有真正揭示地球究竟是什么。
2 地球是一个被水、岩石和土壤所覆盖的、为大气所包围的巨大的球状物，是围绕太阳运行的九大行星之一。地球是人类和其他许多生物的家园。动物和植物生活在地球表面的几乎任何地方，它们能在地球上生存首先是因为地球与太阳之间距离适度。生物需要太阳的光和热来维持生命，也需要水，地球表面大部分都为水所覆盖。
3 地球的表面由薄薄的一层岩石构成，称为地壳。地壳下面是炽热的岩浆，而地球的中央是一团球状的坚硬金属。
4 地球处于不断的运动中，它像个陀螺一样不停地旋转，同时也绕着太阳转动。一天和一年的长度就是通过这两种转动来衡量的。地球自转一周的时间是一天，而地球绕太阳公转一周的时间就是一年。地球的自转让太阳呈现出东升西落的状态，制造了地球上的白天与黑夜；而地球围绕太阳的公转让夜空慢慢呈现出变化，有些星群会在夜晚的天空清晰可见，有些星群则消失在白天的天空。
5 为了让更多人意识到保护我们的地球母亲的重要性，人们在1970年设立了地球日。从那时起，每年的4月22日，全世界人民都会表达他们对共同的家园——地球——的热爱。

Text A / Comprehension
A. Choose the best answer according to the text.

1. To different people, the earth means ________.
A. rich soil B. mountains of hard rock
C. water as far as the eye can see D. different things
2. Animals and plants can live on the earth because ________.
A. it is the right distance from the sun B. it has plenty of water
C. the sun gives them warmth and light D. all of the above
3. ________lies at the center of the earth.
A. Metal B. Hard rock
C. A ball of hard metal D. Hot liquid rock
4. Which statement is true about the earth’s movement?
A. The earth spins and travels around the sun at the same time.
B. One day is the time it takes the earth to travel around the sun once.
C. One year is the time it takes the earth to spin around once.
D. It is impossible to measure the earth’s movement.
5. Earth Day is celebrated ________.
A. on the first day of summer B. only in the West
C. since 1968 D. since 1970
Key: 1. D 2. D 3. C 4. A 5. D

B. Complete the following sentences orally with your partner.

1. How does a spaceman see the earth?
He sees the earth’s round shape and the outline of land and oceans .
2. What is the shape of the earth and what is it covered with?
The shape of the earth is round and it is covered with water, rock and soil .
3. Where do animals and plants live?
They live almost everywhere on the surface of the earth .
4. How long are a day and a year?
One day is the time it takes the earth to spin around once , and one year is the time it takes the earth to travel once around the sun .
5. When was Earth Day named?
It was named in 1970 .

C. Make a dialogue with your partner according to the situation described below.

S: Hi, everybody. I’m Susan Young. Tomorrow is Earth Day. We wonder how many people know about the day and how much they know about the planet we live on. Now I will interview some people in the street. (to Jerry) Hi, there. I’m Susan Young from Man and Nature. Can you give me a moment?
J: All right.
S: I have some questions to ask you.
J: Go ahead.
S: First, can you tell us who you are?
J: I am a student from XXXXXX .
S: Good. Have you ever heard of Earth Day?
J: Yes, of course.
S: Then do you know when the day is celebrated every year?
J: Oh, on the day spring begins. Am I correct?
S: Quite right. It is on April 22. So tomorrow is Earth Day.
J: Oh, I almost forgot!
S: The next question may be a little difficult. Do you know when it was first named? And who proposed the idea?
J: Perhaps in 1970 ? I’m not sure. I’ve read it somewhere. But I can’t remember it clearly now. Sorry, I can’t answer the other question.
S: You are right about the year when it was named. As for the other question, OK, let me tell you: Gaylord Nelson, an American, proposed the naming of such a day and his suggestion was later accepted by the United Nations. My next question is: why can animals and plants live on the earth?
J: They can live on it first because it is just the right distance from the sun . Living things need the sun’s warmth and light for life. They also must have enough water to live. The earth has plenty of water that covers most of its surface .
S: The last question: what lies at the center of the earth?
J: A ball of hard metal lies at the center of the earth.
S: Very good. I think you know a lot about our mother earth. Thank you for your time.
J: You are welcome. I’m glad to have taken part in your program. And I like your program very much .
S: Thank you again! Goodbye!
J: Bye!

Vocabulary Building / Exercises
A. Match each word with its proper Chinese meaning.

B. Fill in each blank with a given word or expression in their right form.
form include at the center of call (one’s) attention to
protect as far as surface measure

1. I’ll help you as far as I can.
2. He had included a large number of funny stories in the speech.
3. These greenbelts protected / protect / have protected 500,000 acres of farmland against moving sands.
4. The TV program is shown to call people’s attention to water pollution in China.
5. A soft wind caused ripples on the surface of the lake.
6. The children formed / have formed a circle around her.
7. My mother measured / has measured / is measuring me for a new dress.
8. The park lies at the center of the city.

Grammar Tips / Exercises
A. Fill in each blank with a proper preposition.

1. He asked me whether the movie was based on a real story.
2. The Beckhams traveled around China in 2011.
3. You can look up the word in the dictionary.
4. — Where are good potatoes grown?
— Good potatoes are grown in North China.
5. — What’s this bottle made of ?
— It’s made of china.
6. We are busy preparing for the exam.
7. A new bridge is built over the river.
8. He came into the classroom with a book in his hand.
9. There is a lamp between the bed and the desk.
10. Autumn is the best season of the year in Beijing.

B. Complete each sentence with one of the prepositions given in brackets.

1. The two countries are at war. (at / about / with)
2. The rain was beating against the windows. (in / against / at)
3. The train is ten minutes behind time. (behind / after / before)
4. There are many other people besides Tom at the party. (but / beside /besides)
5. Who is he after ? (after / before / in)
6. The policeman caught the thief by the arm. (at / by / with)
7. The ball fell to the ground. (to / in / over)
8. I am here only on business and I’ll leave soon. (under / on / with)
9. There is a map of China on the wall. (for / like / of)
10. Ten years passed and his son has grown into a young man. (like / into / to)

C. Fill in each blank according to the Chinese given in brackets.

1. She left the manager’s office with tears (哭着).
2. The boat sails on / down / along the river (河上).
3. The manger will come back in a week (一周内).
4. Christmas is celebrated in all (of) the Western countries (所有西方国家).
5. We held an interesting party in the open air (在户外).

Text B / Comprehension
A. Answer the questions according to the text.

1. What is Earth Day about?
Key: It is about learning about and protecting the biodiversity on earth.
2. Who is the founder of Earth Day?
Key: The founder is Gaylord Nelson of the United States.
3. How do people traditionally celebrate Earth Day?
Key: They traditionally celebrate the day with the ringing of bells, often bells of peace.
4. What did Australians do on Earth Day to draw attention to air pollution?
Key: They organized a large “carless” day.
5. What have been the themes of China’s Earth Day?
Key: Protection of geographic relics and scientific development and sustainable use of natural
resources in China and all over the world.

B. Read the sentences below and decide if they are true or false according to the text. Write T for true or F for false.

1. When Earth Day was founded, it was only celebrated in the US.
2. In 1972 Earth Day was made an international celebration by the UN.
3. Earth Day reminds people of their responsibility for the common planet they share.
4. The ringing of peace bells on Earth Day is practiced only in the West.
5. In Kenya children plant trees on every Earth Day.
Key: 1. T 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. F

Comprehensive Exercises
A. Choose the best answer.

1. ________ the help of the guide dog, the old man ________ his son a visit.
A. Under; spent B. With; took
C. With; paid D. Under; showed
2. Because ________ bad weather we had to have our physical education class in the classroom.
A. of B. it was
C. of the D. the
3. I often dream ________ my old friends.
A. to see B. seeing
C. of seeing D. at seeing
4. ________ the end they succeeded in finishing the task ________ the end of June.
A. At; at B. In; in
C. In; at D. At; in
5. Can you translate the passage ________ English?
A. with B. from
C. into D. by
6. We couldn’t help ________ when we heard the hero’s story.
A. moving B. to move
C. to be moved D. being moved
7. Please pay twenty dollars for these, the dictionary ________.
A. included B. were included
C. include D. including
8. When he became a famous poet he was ________ his early thirties.
A. in B. at
C. after D. from
9. You ________ not smoke here. This is a public place.
A. could better B. would better
C. should better D. had better
10. The teacher shared the tasks ________ all the children in her class.
A. to B. with
C. by D. among

B. Fill in the blanks with the words given below.
right March long people spring than

What and When Is Earth Day?
When I proposed to name Earth Day, a global occasion to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet, I thought long and hard about what day to choose. It must be meaningful and must be accepted by people . When I came across the Vernal Equinox (春分), I immediately knew it was right . What could be better than the first day of spring when hearts and minds can join together with thoughts of peace and the awakening of the earth. So the first Earth Day was celebrated in San Francisco, on March 21, 1970. The United Nations later accepted the day as a yearly event for people all over the world. Each year the United Nations Peace Bell rings at the moment spring begins.

C. Translate the following sentences into English, using the given words or phrases.

1. 就我们所知，地球是人类可以居住的唯一星球。(as far as)
As far as we know, the earth is the only planet where people can live.
2. 田野被一层薄薄的雪覆盖着。(be covered with)
The field was covered with a thin layer of snow.
3. 大城市汽车很多，严重污染了空气。(pollute)
There are a lot of cars in big cities. They seriously pollute the air.
4. 我们应当勇敢地承担起对地球的责任。(responsibility)
We should bravely take our responsibility for the earth.
5. 地球日让人们更关注环境问题。(draw attention to)
Earth Day draws more attention to environmental problems.

D. Translate the following passage from Text A into Chinese.

The earth means many things to the people who live on it. To a farmer, the earth is rich soil. To a road builder, the earth means mountains of hard rock. For a sailor, the earth is water as far as the eye can see. A pilot’s view of the earth may include part of an ocean, a mountain, and patches of farmland. An astronaut speeding through space sees the earth’s round shape and the outline of lands and oceans. Each of these different views helps describe the earth but none really tells what the earth is.
地球对于地球上的居民来说，意味着许多事物。对于农民来说，地球是肥沃的土壤；对于修路工人来说，地球是由坚硬石块构成的山峰；对于水手来说，地球是一望无际的水域；在飞行员眼中，地球可能会包括部分海洋、山峰和成片农田；在太空高速行进的宇航员看到的地球是圆形的球体，还有海洋和陆地的轮廓。他们关于地球的不同看法都有助于对地球进行描述，但都没有真正揭示地球究竟是什么。

Practical Reading and Writing
A. Translate the following slogans into Chinese.

1. Engineered to move the human spirit. (Mercedes-Benz)
人类精神的动力。
2.对我来说，过去是黑白的，但未来永远是彩色的。（轩尼诗VSOP）
对我而言，过去平淡无奇；而未来却是绚烂缤纷。
3.您无法击败这种感觉。（可口可乐）
挡不住的感觉。
4.蚊子再见。（雷达）
蚊子杀杀杀。
5. M＆M在嘴里融化，而不是在手中融化。（M＆M）
M＆Ms只压缩口，不压缩手。
6.联络人。（诺基亚）
科技以人为本。
7.钻石将永远存在。（戴比尔斯）
钻石恒久远，一颗永流传。
8.提前开始。（麾）
一切从头开始。

B.写下两个环境保护的口号。

参考答案：
1.节约用水，以后可以节省您！
2.减少污染是最好的解决方案。
3.现代技术欠生态道歉。
4.让我们走向绿色，清洁地球。
5.这是我们唯一的地球。