课堂教学版 上册
EPISODE 1 “46 Linden Street”“林登大街46号”
Useful Language
●introduce yourself自我介绍 My name is… I'm…
●ask for permission征求同意 May I take a picture of you and your little boy?
●introduce a conversation引出话题 By the way…
●thank someone向人道谢 I appreciate your help. Thank you. Thanks again.
●respond to someone thanking you回答别人的道谢 My pleasure. You're welcome.
●start talking to a stranger与陌生人攀谈 Excuse me.
●say good-bye after meeting someone for the first time首次见面后道别
It was nice meeting you. It was a pleasure meeting you.
●describe something描述事、物 A small canvas bag.
●compliment someone赞美别人 I think it looks terrific on you.
●make suggestions提出建议 Try this (sweater). How about green?
●apologize道歉 I'm sorry I'm so late. I'm really sorry.
●ask for help请求协助 Can you help me?
●reassure someone为人打气 Don't worry.
●ask if someone found something询问别人是否捡到东西 Did anyone find a small canvas bag?
●introduce someone介绍别人 Let me introduce you. This is…
●respond to an introduction介绍后回答 How do you do? It's nice to meet you.
●correct yourself改正言辞错误 It's Richard's film! I mean, Alexandra Pappas.
●offer善意帮忙
Would you like something to eat? Would you like to call home? Can I drive you home?
●thank someone向人道谢 I'm so glad you took the time and trouble to return (the bag).
●respond to thanks回答别人的道谢 It was no trouble.
●accept an offer：接受别人好意
I'd appreciate that.
●refuse an offer：婉拒别人好意
No, thanks.
ACTⅠ
On a ferryboat in New York Harbor. We can see the Statue of Liberty. Richard Stewart, 30, is taking pictures.
Richard：Excuse me. 1 My name is 2 Richard Stewart I'm a photographer3. May I 4 take a picture of you and your little boy?
Mrs. Vann：What's it for? 5
Richard：It's for a book.
Mrs. Vann：You're writing a book?
Richard：It's a book of pictures 6. I call it Family Album, U.S.A.
Mrs. Vann：Oh, that's a nice idea Well, it's fine if you take our picture. I'm Martha vann. [She offers her hand.]7
Richard：Thank you. I appreciate your help. 8 [to the little boy]I'm 9 Richard. What's your name?
Gerald：Gerald.
Richard：How old are you, Gerald?
Gerald：Five.
Richard：And where do you live?
Mrs. Vann：We live in California10.
Richard：Well, welcome to New York.11 OK, just a second. 12 [He takes out a reflector 13 to have more light for his photographs.] I'm almost ready here.
[Alexandra, a sixteen-year-old girl, is watching.]
Alexandra：Can I help you?
Richard：Oh, please. [He gives her the reflector to hold. Then he speaks to Mrs. Vann and her son.]
Hold Gerald's hand, please. Great! Now point14 to the buildings. Terrific! 15 Give Mommy a kiss, 16 Gerald. Nice! Thank you, Gerald. And thank you, Mrs. Vann.
Mrs. Vann：Oh, my pleasure 17 We'll be looking for your book.18
Richard：Thank you. Good-bye.Bye,19 Gerald.[to Alexandra]Thanks 20 again.
Alexandra：Oh, you're welcome 21.
Richard：Hey, 22 let me take your picture!
Alexandra：Wonderful. Please.
Richard：Are you from New York?
Alexandra：No, I'm from Greece23. I'm an exchange student24.
Richard：When did you come here?
Alexandra：Three months ago.
Richard：Your English is very good.
Alexandra：Thanks. 25 I studied English in school. [They sit on a bench.]
Richard：Would you like some coffee?
Alexandra：No, thank you. Tell me about your book.
Richard：Oh, it's not finished yet, but I have some of the pictures. Would you like to see them?
Alexandra：Yes. I'd like that.
Richard：Here they are. 26[He opens his bag and takes out a photo album27.]Family Album, U.S.A.
It's an album of pictures of the United States：the cities, the special places, and the people. [He shows
her the photos.] And these are pictures of people working：steelworkers, 28 bankers,29 police, street vendors, 30 ambulance drivers,31 doctors… Oh, this is my father. He's a doctor. This is my mother.
“It's an album of pictures of the United States.”
Alexandra：What's her name?
Richard：Ellen. My younger brother, Robbie. He goes to high school. This is my sister Susan. She works for a toy32 company. Here's my grandfather. He lives in Florida. And this is my wife Marilyn.
Alexandra：Oh, she's very pretty.
Richard：Thanks. 33 And what about34 your family?
Alexandra：They are in Thessaloniki. That's a large city in northern Greece. But now I'm living in the Bronx35.
Richard：With a Greek-American family?
Alexandra：No. Hispanic. 36
Richard：[He hears a foghorn.] Oh no! It's five thirty37. Will you excuse me? I have to meet my wife.
Alexandra：It was nice meeting you.38
Richard：It was a pleasure meeting you,39 too. Thanks for your help. And good luck! I've got to go. 40 By the way, 41 I'm Richard. What's your name?
Alexandra：Alexandra.
Richard：Bye-bye, Alexandra. Thanks.
Alexandra：Bye-bye. [Richard hurries off the boat. Alexandra sees that he forgot one of his bags. She takes it and begins to follow him.] Richard! Richard! You left your bag!
END OF ACT I
第一幕
1．Excuse me.对不起，麻烦你。 Use this expression to get someone's attention. 这是一个用于在与别人交谈时引起对方注意的惯用短语。
2．My name is…我名叫……。 Use this phrase to introduce yourself. 自我介绍时所用的短语。
3．photographer：A photographer's job is to take pictures with a camera. 摄影师。
4．May I…＝Can I…? 我可以……吗？Use“May I” or“Can I” to ask for permission. May is more polite than can. 此短语用于征求对方许可时。
May I…?等于Can I…? 但前者比后者更为客气些。例如：May I take a picture of you and Yourlittle boy? 我可以为你和你的小男孩儿拍张照片吗？
5．What's it for?（拍照片）做什么用？
6．pictures：photographs. 照片。
7．She offers her hand. 她（向对方）伸出手。
8．I appreciate your help. = Thank you for helping me. 谢谢你的帮助。
9．I'm…我是……。 use I'm to introduce yourself. 这也是用于自我介绍的短语。
10．California：（美）加利福尼亚州，简称加州。
11．Well, welcome to New York. 噢，欢迎你们到纽约来。
12．OK, just a second. 好，请稍等一下。
13．reflector：反光板。
14．point：to use your finger to show direction. 指向，指着。
15．Terrific! If you say something is terrific, you mean that you are very pleased with it or are very impressed by it. [美俚]极妙，了不起的。
16．Give Mommy a kiss. 亲亲妈妈。
17．my pleasure：别客气。 Use this expression after someone says Thank you. 这是用来回敬别人说“谢
谢”的惯用语。
18．We'll be looking for your book. 我们一定去买你的书。
19．bye, = Good-bye. 再见。
20．thanks：=Thank you.谢谢。
21．You're welcome. 不用谢，别客气。 Use this expression after someone says Thank you. 意思及用法同：“My pleasure”。
22．Hey.嘿！ This word shows that Richard has a new idea. It is a very informal word. Richard使用这个词表示他有了一个新的主意。这是一个在非正式场合用的词。
23．Greece：希腊（欧洲）。
24．exchange student：An exchange student goes to school in a different country for a short time and lives with a family in that country. 交换学生。
25．Thanks. 不仅用于接受了别人的帮助之后，还用于听到别人的表扬或赞扬之后。
26．Here they are. ＝They are here. 就在这里。 Thisword order is common when you find something and want to show it. 当你把东西给别人看时就用这句话。单数时用Here it is。
27．photo album：a book of photographs.相片簿，影集。
28．steel workers：钢铁工人。
29．bankers：银行职员；银行家。
30．street vendors：街头小贩。
31．ambulance drivers：救护车驾驶员。
32．toy：something a child plays with. 玩具。
33．Thanks. 同样用于听到别人表扬或赞扬你的亲属时。
34．what about…=Tell me about…跟我谈谈……好吗？
35．the Bronx：one of the five boroughs, or areas, of New York City. The other boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. 纽约市的五个行政区之一。
36．Hispanic：Spanish-speaking. 西班牙语系的，拉丁美洲的。Alexandra和一个讲西班牙语的家庭一起生活。
37．five thirty：五点半。
38．It was nice meeting you. =39。
39．It was a pleasure meeting you. 很高兴认识你。与新朋友第一次见面时可用此用语告别。
40．I've got to go.＝I must go.我得走了。
41．By the way…：顺便说一下。 Use this phrase to change the topic of conversation．此短语用于转换话题时。
美国生活点滴
1．纽约是美国最大而且最著名的国际性城市，这里的人来自世界各地，肤色杂陈，语言种类繁多，可说是整个世界的缩影。当然也有不少外国留学生在纽约求学。这些留学生有很多借住在当地美国人家中，通过与他们的接触来了解美国的生活。
2．称赞对方，或对方的家人，是美国人很重要的一种社交习惯，被人称赞时，要表示乐于接受并愉快地感谢，不要急于否认或自贬，也不要表现得扭捏不安。
下面是Focus In的文字部分，供参考
ACTⅠ Family Album, U.S.A.
He's 17.
It's an album of pictures of the United States.
Richard takes many pictures for his album.
He photographs the cities like New Yorkand other special places.
He photographs people working：police, ambulance drivers, steel workers, and doctors.
Philip Stewart, Richard's father, is a doctor.
He's a pediatrician, a children's doctor.
And Richard's mother, Ellen Stewart, is a home maker
His brother Robbie, Ellen Stewart, is a home maker.
Richard has one sister.
Her name is Susan.
She works for a toy company in New York City.
Malcolm Stewart is Richard's grandfather.
He's 72 years old and lives in Florida.
And this is Richard's wife, Marilyn Stewart.
She is a fashion designer and a sales clerk in a boutique in New York City.
You'll meet Marilyn Stewart and all of the other Stewarts in Family Album, U.S.A.
Activities
课后作业
请做下面的练习，看看你对第一幕了解多少。
练习一
Alexandra对于Richard和他的家庭知道些什么？ Richard对于Alexandra知道些什么？阅读下面长框中的句子，并将它们分别写在对应的名字下面。第一题已有答案。
1．Richard Stewart
He's a photographer.
2．Alexandra
_____________________
3．Susan Stewart
_____________________
4．Marilyn Stewart
_____________________
5． Robbie Stewart
_____________________
6．Ellen Stewart
_____________________
7．Grandpa Malcolm Stewart
_____________________
8．Dr. Philip Stewart
_____________________
练习二
阅读第一幕，依照故事的正确顺序在每句话前的横线上填上1、2、3、4、5。第一个答案已填妥。
_______a．Richard photographs Alexandra.
_______b．Richard leaves his bag on the boat.
_______c．Richard tells Alexandra his name.
1 d．Alexandra offers to help Richard.
_______e．Richard shows Alexandra some photos
练习三
详读下列各句。根据本幕的剧情判断它们是否正确。请圈出你认为正确的句子。
1．Richard sees his brother Robbie waiting for him. He invites Alexandra to their house, but she says she is busy.
Richard is sorry, but he gives Alexandra a bag of photos.
2．Richard sees a beautiful boat. He wants to photograph it. He asks Alexandra to wait for him, and she says yes. He gives Alexandra a bag of food, but she doesn't want it.
3．Richard remembers that he must meet his wife. He tells Alexandra his name, and he thanks her
for her help. They say good-bye, and Richard leaves Alexandra sees that he forgot to take one of his
bags.
ACT Ⅱ
Outside the ferry building. Alexandra sees Richard leave in a taxicab. She asks a policeman for directions.
Alexandra：Excuse me, officer Can you help me?
Policeman：Sure.
Alexandra：Can you tell me how to get to Linden Street, in Riverdale?
Policeman：[He reads the name tag on Richard's bag.] “Richard Stewart,46 Linden Street, Riverdale, New York.”1 You should take the number 1 subway.2
Alexandra：Is there a station near here?
Policeman：Yes. The station's that way. You should take the number 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park. 3
Alexandra：Number 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park. Thank you.
Policeman：Anytime. 4 Good luck. 5 Remember, the number 1 train. The uptown platform 6.
Alexandra：Thank you.
Policeman：You're welcome.
[Alexandra walks toward the subway entrance. She passes the “uptown”sign.]
In a boutique7 . Marilyn Stewart, Richard's wife, is helping a customer.
Customer：Is this pink too bright for me?
Marilyn：Mmm-hmm. It is a very bright pink. Try this.
[She takes a red sweater from a table.] It's size eight. 8
Customer：But wear size ten.
Marilyn：How about green? It's size ten.
Customer：Let me9 try it on 10.
[Marilyn looks at her watch.]
Customer：I'm taking too much of your time.
Marilyn：It's six o'clock 11, Where's my husband? I was expecting him here at five forty-five12.
Customer：Don't worry. The traffic is very heavy13 at this hour14.
Marilyn：I know. But we're going to be late for dinner.
Customer：I'll take this green sweater, I like the color on me, don't you?15
Marilyn：think it looks terrific on you.
A little later. Richard rushes into the boutique.
Richard：I'm sorry I'm so late. I had a really bad day.16
Marilyn：It's ten after six17. We're late. Robbie's cooking tonight, and dinner's at six thirty18.
Richard：I know. I know. I'm really sorry. I left my bag of film on19 the ferry20. I went back for it,21 but the ferry was gone. I lost a whole day's work.22
Marilyn：I'll call the Staten Island Ferry lost-and-found office23.
Richard：I didn't think of 24 that. Thanks.
Marilyn：[She picks up the telephone and dials25 the number for information.]Hello. Yes. The
number, please, of the 26 Staten Island Ferry lostand-found office. Five five five… zero eight zero eight. Thank you.[She hangs up and dials the number.]
Richard：I really appreciate it, Marilyn.27
Marilyn：Hello. Did anyone find a camera bag this afternoon, a small canvas bag28, on the J. F.
Kennedy Ferry? No? Maybe someone will find it. The name is Stewart, Richard Stewart. And the
telephone number is five five five…three oh nine oh. Thank you.[She hangs up.]29 Sorry, Richard. They don't have it.
Richard：Thanks, anyway.30[thinking]There was a girl on the ferry. Now maybe…
Marilyn：Tell me about it on the way home. 31
END OF ACT Ⅱ
第二幕
1．“Richard Stewart,46 Linden Street, Riverdale, New York.”这是一般地址的说法。如果写在信上，应为：
Richard stewart
46 Linden Street,
Riverdale, New York, N. Y. ×××××（邮政编码）
U.S.A.
2．You should take the number 1 subway.你应乘一路地铁。
3．You should take the number 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park. 你应乘一路车在Van Cortlandt Park 下车。
4．Anytime．＝My pleasure.不用谢。Use Anytime after someone thanks you for doing something.
5．Good luck. 祝你好运。一般用于与人分手时，回答也用Good luck。
6．uptown platform：the place to wait for trains going north. 北线月台。在纽约，地铁线有uptown 北线（向北驶）和downtown南线（向南驶）之分，在每个地铁站口都有标志。
7．boutique：a small store that sells clothing and other special items. （妇女）时装店。
8．Try this [She takes a red sweater from a table. ]
It's size eight. 试试这一件，[她从桌子上拿起一件红色毛衣]这是8号的。
9．Let me…＝Permit me…让我……，允许我……。The customer uses an informal pronunciation. She says Lemme. 在说这两个字时，这位顾客使用的是口语音：Lemme。
10．try (it) on：You try on an item of clothing to be sure that the size is correct and that you like the way it looks. 试穿。
11．six o'clock：6点钟。
12．five forty-five：5点45分。
13．The traffic is very heavy.＝There are many cars. 交通很拥挤。
14．hour：钟点。h不发音，它的发音同our。
15．I like the color on me, don't you? 我觉得我穿这颜色不错，你说呢？
16．I had a really bad day. 我今天真是糟透了。
17．ten after six：6点10分。
18．six thirty：6点30分。
19．I left my bag of film on…我把装底片的包遗放在……上了。
20．ferry：A ferry is a boat that carries passengers or vehicles across a river or a narrow bit of sea. 渡船（用来运送乘客或车辆过河或海）。
21．I went back for it. 我回去找（它）。
22．I lost a whole day's work. 我把一整天的工作成果都丢了。
23．lost-and-found office：If you find something that doesn't belong to you, you take it to a lost-and-found office. People can go to this office to get their lost things. 失物招领处。
24．think of：If you think of something, You remember it or it comes into your mind. 记起，想到。例如：“I didn't think of that.”“我就没想到这个”。
25．dial：拨 。
26．The number, please, of the…请告诉我……的 号码。用此来向查号台询问 号码。
27．I really appreciate it, Marilyn. 我实在太感谢你（为我所做的这一切）了，Marilyn。
28．small canvas bag：小的粗帆布包。这里用了两个形容词来修饰“bag”（包）一词：small指尺寸；canvas（粗帆布）指材料。一般形容词的排列顺序是表示尺寸的放在前，表示材料的放在后。
29．She hangs up. 她挂上（ 机）。
30．Thanks, anyway. 无论如何，我还是要谢谢你。
Use this expression to thank someone who tries to help but isn't able to. 当有人尽力想帮你但没帮上忙时可用此短语道谢。
31．Tell me about it on the way home. 在回家的路上告诉我吧。
美国生活点滴
1．Alexandra是乘地铁去Richard家的。纽约的地铁系统是全世界最长的地铁系统，在整个城市下面绵延137英里（220.6公里）。地铁线路以颜色来区分，例如红线、绿线、橙线等，便于乘客辨识。
2．美国的许多公共场所或公园都设有失物招领处（Lost-and-Found Office），失主可直接与之联系。
下面是Focus In的文字部分，供参考
ACT Ⅱ
Thank-you, I appreciate your help.
Thank-you. You're welcome.
Thank-you. You're welcome.
Thank you for your help.
Thanks a lot.
I want to thank you for your help.
Thank you.
Glad that I could help.
Don't mention it.
I'm glad that I could help.
Thanks. You're welcome.
Thanks Gerald, and thank you Mrs. Vann.
Oh, my pleasure.
Thank you. You're welcome.
Thank you very much.
It was very nice of you.
I appreciate it.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you. You're welcome.
Don't mention it.
I'm glad that I could help.
My pleasure.
It was nothing.
You're welcome.
The number one train to Van Cortlandt Park.
Thank you.
Anytime, good luck.
Thank-you very much.
It was very nice of you.
I appreciate it.
Thanks a lot. Thank-you.
You're welcome.
Don't mention it.
I'm glad that I could help.
My pleasure.
It was nothing.
You're welcome.
Thank you for your help.
Thanks a lot.
I want to thank you for your help.
Thank you.
Glad that I could help.
Don't mention it.
I'm glad that I could help.
Thanks. You're welcome.
Thank-you.
I'm sorry, Richard. They don't have it.
Thanks anyway.
Thanks anyway.
It was nice of you to try.
I appreciate it.
Thanks a lot.
Thank you.
Anytime.
Don't mention it.
I'd really like to help.
You're welcome.
My pleasure.
Anytime.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Activities
课后作业
请做下面的练习，看看你对第二幕了解多少。
练习一
下面是“谢谢”和“不用谢”的一些说法。
选择填空
1. Richard：( to Mrs. Vann) Thank you ______.
a．I appreciate your help
b．My pleasure
2. Richard：Thank you, Gerald. And thank you, Mrs. Vann.
Mrs. Vann：Oh, ______.
a．I appreciate your help
b．my pleasure
3. Alexandra：( to the policeman) Number 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park. Thank you.
Policeman：______.Good luck.
a．It was very nice of you
b．Anytime
4. Marilyn：(on the telephone to the lost-and-found office) Thank you. ( to Richard ) Sorry, Richard. They don't have it.
Richard：______.
a．Thanks, anyway
b．Don't mention it
练习二
在左边每个问题与右边相对应的数字或时间之间划线联接。你可以重读一下第二幕的剧本再回答问题。设法在两分钟之内完成这个练习。
1． What is the number of Richard's house on Linden Street? a．555-0808
2．Which train does Alexandra need to take？ b．46
3．Which size does Marilyn 's customer wear? c．6:30
4．What time did Marilyn expect Richard to a
rrive at the boutique? d．10
5．What time is Robbie going to serve dinner? b．555-3090
6．What is Richard's home telephone number? f．5:45
7．What is the telephone number of the lost-and-found office? g．1
练习三
为Alexandra的问题寻找警察的回答。请在问题与搭配的回答之间划线联接。
练习四
用WORD BOX中的词为下面的短文填空。
SUMMARY
Richard's wife Marilyn is a salesclerk in a boutique. She is helping a customer choose a ______. The
customer tries on a ______ one. But she and Marilyn agree that the color is too ______. So Marilynfinds a
______ sweater. It is size ______. But the customer needs size ______.Marilyn finds a ______ sweater in the correct size. The customer tries it on and decides to ______ it.
ACT Ⅲ
At the Stewarts' home in Riverdale that evening. Philip is on the phone with one of his patients.
Philip：And give her a teaspoon 1 of the medicine after every meal. Don't worry. She'll be fine. You're welcome. Good-bye.
Ellen：[She enters.]How are you?
Philip：I'm tired and hungry.
Ellen：Well, Marilyn and Richard called. They'll be here soon, and then we'll eat.
Philip：All right. Is … is Susan coming?
Ellen：Well, she'll be here later. She has to work late tonight.
Philip：And what's Robbie cooking for dinner?
Ellen：It's a surprise.
Philip：I hope it's pasta 2.
Later that evening. Philip, Ellen, Richard, Marilyn, Susan, and Robbie are in the Stewarts' kitchen.
Philip：Robbie, the dinner was terrific.
Susan：Yes, it was delicious.
Marilyn：What's for dessert 3?
Robbie：Oh, I forgot dessert.
Philip; Robbie !
Ellen：Don't worry. We've got 4 lots of ice cream 5. [She goes to the refrigerator.]
Richard：Oh, I'd love some ice cream.
Ellen：Well, there's chocolate and coffee and a little vanilla 6.
Robbie：I'll have vanilla. Is that all right with everyone?
Philip：I'll have chocolate.
Marilyn：Me, too.7
Richard：Uh , one scoop 8 of coffee and one scoop of chocolate for me.
Ellen：Robbie, will you help me serve 9?
[Robbie gets up to help . Richard brings the ice-cream dishes to Ellen.]
Richard：I keep thinking about that bag of film. Eight rolls. A whole day's work. And good stuff 10, too.
Ellen：Don't worry, Richard. Someone will find it.
[The doorbell rings.]
Robbie：I'll get it. 11[ He opens the door. Alexandra isstanding there. She is holding Richard's bagof film.]Hello.
Alexandra：Hello. Does Richard Stewart live here?
Robbie：Yes, he's my brother. I'm Robbie.… RobbieStewart.
Alexandra：I'm Alexandra Pappas. How do you do?12Your brother left his bag of film on theferryboat. I found it.
Robbie：I'm really glad to see you. I mean … mybrother'll be really glad to see you!
Ellen：[Calling ] Robbie ! Who is it?
Robbie：It's Richard's film! I mean, AlexandraPappas. [to Alexandra] Come in, please.
Richard：Alexandra!
Alexandra：Hello, Richard. I found your bag!
Richard：Oh, thank you! Thank you! Um…Alexandra, let me introduce you. This is 13 mywife Marilyn.
Alexandra：Richard showed me your photo. How do youdo?
Marilyn：Oh yes. Richard told us all about you. It'snice to meet you. 14
Richard：And this is my mother, Ellen Stewart.
Alexandra：How do you do?
Richard：And my father, Dr. Philip Stewart.
Philip：Nice to meet you, 15 Alexandra.
Richard：And.… ah … you met Robbie.
Alexandra：Yes. And you must be Susan. Hi.
Susan：Hi. Welcome.
Richard：I'm so glad you found the bag and took thetime and trouble to return it. 16
Alexandra：Oh, it was no trouble. I just took the wrongtrain.17
Ellen：Would you like something to eat?
Alexandra：Thank you, no. I'm late for dinner at myhouse.18 I really have to go. 19
Richard：Would you like to call home 20?
Alexandra：I'd appreciate that. 21
Ellen：Please, use the phone.
Alexandra：Thanks. Excuse me. 22
Richard：[ to Robbie ] Alexandra's a high-school exchange student from Greece.
Robbie：Where does she live?
Richard：With a family in the Bronx.
Robbie：Oh, that's not too far from here!
Richard：Take it easy, 23 Robbie.
Alexandra：Thank you. I can only stay a few minutes.
Ellen：Have some iced tea.
Alexandra：Thanks, Mrs. Stewart.
Robbie：Please sit down, Alexandra.
Philip：So, you're an exchange student. Where doyou go to school? 24
Alexandra：At the Bronx High School of Science.
Philip：Oh, that's a very good school. What are yourfavorite subjects?25
Alexandra：Biology and mathematics. 26 Richard tells meyou're a doctor.
Philip：Yes, a pediatrician 27. And what does yourfather do 28?
Alexandra：He's a lawyer, in Thessaloniki.
Robbie：Would you like some pasta? I made it myself.It might be a little cold.
Alexandra：Thanks, no. I do 29 have to go. It was nicemeeting you all. 30
Marilyn：Well, maybe you'll come for lunch someSunday,31 so we can really thank you forbringing Richard's bag back.
Alexandra：Maybe.
Ellen：You're welcome anytime. 32[She and Richardwalk with Alexandra to the front door.]
Philip：Good-bye.
Richard：Can I drive you home? 33
Alexandra：No, thanks. The train is just up the street. 34It won't take me long at all. 35
Richard：Well, you really saved the day for me, 36Alexandra.
Alexandra：Bye.
Richard：Bye-bye.
Ellen：Good night. 37
[ Alexandra leaves.]
Philip：She's a smart young lady, and very nice.
Robbie：Very! [He sees Alexandra's bag on the chair. ]Hey, she forgot her bag!
Ellen：I guess we'll be seeing Alexandra again.Right, Robbie?
END OF ACT Ⅲ
第三幕
1． teaspoon：茶匙；咖啡匙。A teaspoon is a small spoon that you use to put sugar into tea or coffee.
2．pasta：Pasta is a type of food made from a mixture of flour, eggs, and water that is formed into different shapes. Spaghetti, macaroni, and noodles are types of pasta．通心粉，通心面。
3． dessert：something sweet at the end of a meal. 甜点。
4．We've got…=We have got…我们有……。
5．ice cream：Ice cream is a very cold, sweet-tasting food. 冰淇淋。
6．vanilla：香草香精。Vanilla is a flavoring that comes from a plant and that can be put into ice cream and other sweet food．香草香精是一种植物萃取物，可加入冰淇淋及其他甜食中食用。
7．Me, too. =I'll also have chocolate ice cream．我也要。
8．scoop：（一）勺。
9．serve：If you serve people or if you serve foodand drink, you give people food and drink．伺候，给人端食物或饮料。
10．stuff：things．东西。Here, Richard is referring to his photographs．这里Richard指的是他拍的照片。
11．I'll get it．我去开门。
12．How do you do？你好。This is a formal expression to say after someone introduces you．与人初次见面时的礼貌用语，用于正式场合。
13．This is…这位是……。Use this phrase to introduce people. You may also say, I'd like you to meet…
这是用来介绍别人的一般用语，你也可以说“I'd like you to meet…”。这时被介绍的人可以说：“How do you do?”。
14．It's nice to meet you. 见到你很高兴。Use this expression after someone introduces you. It is less formal than How do you do？在别人介绍你后，使用这句话。这种说法不如How do you do? 正式。
15．Nice to meet you. =It's nice to meet you.
16．I'm so glad you found the bag and took the time and trouble to return it． 我很高兴你捡到了包，而且不惜花时间和麻烦把它送还给我。
17．Oh, it was no trouble. I just took the wrong train．哦，麻烦倒没有，只是我乘错了车。
18．I'm late for dinner at my house．我快赶不上回家吃晚饭了。
19．I really have to go．我的确得走了。
20．call home：给家里打 。
21．I'd appreciate that．谢谢你（让我使用 ）。
22．Excuse me．对不起，失赔了。Use this polite phrase before you walk away from someone．在暂时走开之前使用的礼貌用语。
23．Take it easy. relax, be calm．别急；别紧张；沉住气。
24．Where do you go to school？你在哪里上学？
25．What are your favorite subjects？你喜欢哪些课程？
26．biology and mathematics：生物学和数学。
27．pediatrician：a children's doctor．儿科医生。
28．What does your father do? = What is your father's job? 你父亲做什么工作？
29． do：Here, do means“really.”真的（用来加强语气）。
30．It was nice meeting you all．很高兴能认识你们一家人。
31．Maybe you'll come for lunch some Sunday．或许哪个星期天你能来吃中饭。
32．You're welcome anytime．欢迎你随时来玩。
33．Can I drive you home？我开车送你回家好吗？
34．The train is just up the street．街的那头就有地铁。
35．It won't take me long at all．要不了多少时间就到了。
36．You really saved the day for me .= You really helped me a lot．你的确帮了我的大忙。
37．Good night． 晚安。用于下午或晚上人们相互分手告别时。
美国生活点滴
1．一般说来，当人们第一次见面时，他们握一握对方的手说：“It's nice to meet you.”（很高兴见到你。）其实，较正式的说法应是“How do you do?”（您好吗？）。可这种说法不太常用。第一次见面后，询问对方的工作或学习情况是开始交谈的典型方法。
2．美国人喜欢在饭后吃点甜点。冰淇淋是最受欢迎的甜点之一。他们的甜点真是名副其实的“甜”，很多东方人都觉得难以入口。
下面是Focus In的文字部分，供参考
ACT Ⅲ
My name is Richard Stewart. I'm a photographer
I'm Martha Vann.
I'm Richard. What's your name?
Gerald.
By the way, I'm Richard. What's your name?
Alexandra.
We live in California.
Are you from New York?
No, I'm from Greece.
I'm Robbie, Robbie Stewart.
I'm Alexandra Pappas. How do you do?
Alexandra, let me introduce you. This is my wife, Marilyn.
Richard showed me your photo. How do you do?
Oh Yes. Richard told us all about you. It's nice to meetyou.
And this is my mother, Ellen Stewart.
How do you do?
And my father, Dr. Philip Stewart.
Nice to meet you, Alexandra.
And you've met Robbie.
Yes. And you must be Susan. Hi.
Hi.
It was nice meeting you all.
Activities
课后作业
请做下面的练习，看看你对第三幕了解多少。
练习一
同一件事情通常可以有好几种不同的说法。为下面的各题选出两个可能的答案。
1．Richard wants to introduce himself to you. He says,
a．“I'm Richard.”
b．“My name is Richard.”
c．“I'd like you to meet Richard.”
2．Richard wants to introduce Marilyn to you. He says,
a．“It's nice to meet you, Marilyn.”
b．“This is Marilyn.”
c．“I'd like you to meet Marilyn.”
3．Robbie introduces Alexandra to you. She says,
a．“It's nice to meet you.”
b．“How do you do?”
c．“This is Robbie.”
4．After meeting Alexandra and having an interesting conversation with her, you have to leave. You say,
a．“It was a pleasure meeting you.”
b．“It was nice meeting you.”
c．“How do you do?”
练习二
在你做本题之前，先看Alexandra的回答，并先行猜测Philip的问题内容。将你的答案填写在横线上，然后再看原文，并核对你的答案。
Philip：So, you're an exchange student. Where ______?
Alexandra：At the Bronx High School of Science.
Philip：Oh, that's a very good school. What ______?
Alexandra：Biology and mathematics. Richard tells me you're a doctor.
Philip：Yes, a pediatrician. And what ______?
Alexandra：He's a lawyer, in Thessaloniki.
练习三
以1至8号码标示以下Philip和Ellen之间对话的顺序。
ANSWER KEY
ACT Ⅰ
练习一
1．He's a photographer.
2．She's from Greece.
3．She works for a toy company.
4．She's Richard's wife.
5．He goes to high school.
6．Her name is Ellen.
7．He lives in Florida.
8．He's a doctor.
练习二
a．2 b．5 c．4 d．1 练习三
3
ACT Ⅱ
练习一
1．a 2．b 3．b 4．a
e．3
练习二
1．b 2．g 3．d 4．f 5．c 6．e 7．a
练习三
1．b 2．c 3．a
练习四
sweater, pink, bright, red, eight, ten, green, buy
ACT Ⅲ
练习一
1．a，b 2．b，c 3．a，b 4．a，b
练习二
Philip：…do you go to school?
Philip：…are your favorite subjects?
Philip：…does your father do?
练习三
Philip Ellen
8 I hope… 3 Well, Marilyn…
6 And what's… 7 It's a…
2 I'm tired… 5 Well, she'll…
4 All right… 1 How are…
1-1
The population of the United States is over 250 million people. American family names – Adams,
Barbarino, Chan, Gomez, Kim, Kessler, Yamada – show that its people, or their parents or grandparents, come from countries all over the world.
Many people say that America is like a ''vegetable soup''. Each national group is important and adds to
the ''flavor'' of America. Alexandra is living with a Hispanic family. Hispanic-Americans come from places such
as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America, and South America. Hispanics, Greek-Americans,
Chinese-Americans, and other people from around the world are proud to remember their cultures and
traditions. They often speak their native languages and follow many of their old customs at home. At school or at work, and on national holidays like Thanksgiving, however, everyone is ''an American''.
1-2
When Richard Stewart introduced his family to Alexandra Pappas, he said, ''This is my wife Marilyn … And this is my mother, Ellen Stewart … and my father, Dr. Philip Stewart.''
Americans usually make introductions with first names and last names. They usually don't use Mr., Mrs.,
Ms., or Miss in an introduction because they feel that these titles are very formal. In fact, if someone calls an
American Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss, he or she usually says, ''Please call me Dave [or Jane or Sandra]''. Americans
usually call you by your first name right away, too. When they use first names, they are being friendly, not impolite.
But if you are not comfortable with calling someone by his or her first name, especially an older person,
don't! Alexandra says, ''Thanks, Mrs. Stewart.'' Medical doctors, judges, college officials, military officers, and
clergy are usually addressed with an occupational title, however. Examples of occupational titles are Dr.
Stewart, Judge Brown, Dean Rafer, Captain Snyder, and Father O'Hara. Of course you can always be very polite and call a man Sir or a woman Ma'am if you are not sure of his or her name.
1-3
Most Americans are happy to give directions on the street. When Harry asked for direction, he started with ''Excuse me''. This is the usual way to begin a conversation with a stranger or to ask for information.
When asking for directions, it often helps to add a little explanation, such as ''I'm new here'' or ''I'm afraid
I'm lost''. You can also start with a question, such as ''Do you know this area?'' or ''Can you tell me how to get to …?''
Always repeat the directions after you hear them. Repeating will help you remember, and it shows the
person helping you that you understand.
1-4
Harry and Susan went on a blind date. They didn't know each other before. Blind dates are common in
the United States. A family member of friend may know a man and a woman who have a lot in common –
who share the same interests or background. So the friend or family member will arrange a blind date for the man and woman to meet.
Some people enjoy blind dates very much. They like meeting and finding out about someone new. Other
people get very nervous at the idea of meeting and spending time with someone they don't know. Single
people can also meet each other through clubs and organizations, such as church or political groups, or through dating services.
1-5
Most Americans retire after the age of sixty. The usual age of retirement is 65, although some people
retire at 55 or younger. Other Americans do not retire at 55 or younger. Other Americans do not retire until
they are in their seventies. This type of ''late retirement'' is more frequent now as population growth in the United States slows down, and the average age of the citizens increases.
Most senior citizens want to remain active after they retire. For many, retirement is an opportunity to pursue lifelong hobbies or interests.
Americans usually make plans for their retirement well in advance. Their income after retirement may
include interest on bank savings and a company pension. Americans also receive Social Security payments from the federal government.
Many retirees move to warm parts of the country. The Sunbelt [the southern states] has many retirement communities. In some town in Florida, for example, most of the citizens are retired person.
1-6
In the U.S., senior citizens often have to make decisions similar to those that Grandpa must make. For
example, will they live permanently with their family? Or are they too independent? Will they prefer to live
alone? Many older Americans must face these choices after the death of a lifelong mate, or if they have health problems of their own.
Senior citizens in the U.S. usually like to be active. Retired workers sometimes join service organizations.
For example, retired businesspeople may become members of a group that gives advice to new businesses. Other retired persons may volunteer to work at libraries, schools, museums, or hospitals.
2-1
These days, Americas are paying attention to their health. They are eating right and exercising to stay in
shape. Aerobics is a popular form of exercise in the United States. This type of exercise helps breathing and builds a strong heart. Jogging, swimming, and bicycle riding are just three kinds of aerobic exercise.
Americans are also watching their diet. Many people in the U.S. are eating food with less fat, salt, and sugar. Products without cholesterol, such as oat bran, are becoming very popular with Americans.
2-2
Many Americans see their doctor once a year for a complete physical, or checkup. During a complete
physical examination, the doctor checks the patient's pulse and blood pressure. In addition, he may order
blood tests and a chest X-ray. When the results of these tests are completed, the doctor gives patient a report
on his or her general health. The doctor may also recommend a fitness program [a diet or exercise] for good health.
2-3
More than fifty years ago, at the New York World's Fair, the forecast for American life was something like
this: ''In the future, technology will bring a higher standard of living. Labor-saving machines will give Americans more free time.''
But this forecast was only partly true. Modern machines, like Robbie's home computer, make work simper,
but life is also more complicated. In many American families, both the husband and wife have jobs. This gives
them less free time. Like Philip, many Americans have trouble finding time for personal activities such as
fishing. But most Americans are able to enjoy some leisure time. Because they are so busy, many Americans need to plan their leisure time carefully.
2-4
Most Americans probably don't believe the actions like Grandpa's ''fisherman's magic'' will affect lives.
Grandpa tells Robbie that to catch a fish, he should say, ''Fish, fish, send me a fish.'' This is a superstition, a
belief that something brings good or bad luck – without a scientific reason to think so. But there are some
traditional signs of good luck and bad luck in the U.S., and Americans do pay attention to them sometimes.
People sometimes say that the following actions bring good luck: knocking on wood, finding a four-leaf clover, carrying a rabbit's foot, hanging a horseshoe ever your door.
Some people believe that events cause bad luck: walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, seeing a black cat cross in front of you.
Although people may say that they don't believe in these superstitions, they often try to avoid the signs of bad luck and are happy to have a sign of good luck.
2-5
Americans of all religions celebrate Thanksgiving, a happy holiday on the fourth Thursday of each
November. This holiday began with the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. Americans still get together on this day to remember the reasons to be thankful.
Families and friends celebrate this holiday with big dinners of turkey, turkey dressing, yams and other vegetables, and pumpkin pie.
Parades are also a part of the Thanksgiving holiday. Each year, Marcy's, the largest store in the world,
organizes the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Parades are also a big part of other American
holidays. Some of the largest parades occur on Columbus Day [the second Monday in October], Veterans Day [November 11], Independence Day [July 4], and Labor Day [the first Monday in September].
2-6
Watching college football games on television is a typical Thanksgiving Day activity.
In American football, the players use an oblong ball on a rectangular playing field. There are two teams,
and each team has 11 men. The object of the game is to move the ball across the opposing team's goal line.
The opposing team tried to stop this action by knocking the ball carrier down, or tackling him. If the ball
carrier can cross the goal line with the ball, or if he catches a thrown ball [a pass] and runs across the goal line,
the team scores a touchdown. If a player kicks the ball through the upright goalposts, it is called a field goal.
American football is an extremely rough sport. The players wear equipment to protect themselves, but injuries are common.
In England, the word football describes a different type of game with a round ball. In the U.S., this game is called soccer.
3-1
Some people say that the typical American teenager likes loud music, computer games, and junk food.
Teenagers may own a stereo system for listening to music at home and a walkman for listening to music on
the streets. Teenagers also like to go to video arcades, and to play games on computers. But teenagers also have a serious, responsible side, since millions of them enter college each year.
3-2
In the United States, dog owners must register their pets with an animal control agency operated by the
city or county government. The owner pays an annual fee for this registration. The dog must wear a collar
that usually has the name of the dog, the registration number, and the address and telephone number of the
dog's owner. This identification makes it easier to find the owner of a lost dog.
Animal control agencies also check that a dog has had the proper vaccinations against disease. Most
cities and counties do not permit dogs to wander freely without their owners. They must be kept inside a
closed area. In public areas, the owner must keep the dog on a leash. Lost animals with no registration are
picked up and held by animal shelters. If no owner is found, or if no one adopts the dog, the animal may be destroyed.
3-3
In the United States, health care is, for the most part, a private enterprise. Health-care providers – doctors
and hospitals – charge patients a fee for the treatment they give. Most Americans, however, have some form
of private health insurance. This means that the insurance company reimburses, or pays back, a patient for the money spent on medical bills.
For patients over the age of 65 or for patients with a low income the state or federal government pays part or all of the medical costs.
3-4
College is one of several options for American students after they graduate from high school. They may
also learn a trade or technical skill at a vocational or technical school. There courses teach valuable skills in
the building trades, electronics, computers, graphic design, drafting, appliance installation and repair, and health care, among others.
Military service is no longer necessary in the United states, but high-school graduates may decide to
enlist in one of the branches of the armed services, or to go abroad as a volunteer in a government program to help developing countries.
3-5
There are two types of colleges and universities in the United States: private and public. Private schools
do not receive money from the government. Since public schools do receive money from government, they
are less expensive to attend than are private schools. Public schools are intended for students who live in the
same state as the school. If Robbie, who live in New York, decides to attend the University of Michigan, he will have to pay more than a student who lives in Michigan will have to pay.
3-6
All colleges and universities offer scholarships to students with very high academic records and abilities.
If a student receives a scholarship, he or she does not have to pay part or all of the tuition to attend the
school. Students who cannot afford to pay tuition do have ways to attend school. Such a student can ask the
school or state government for a grant, which is money that he or she does not have to pay back. Or the
student can ask the federal government for a student loan, which is money that he or she must begin to pay back after graduation from college.
4-1
In 1920, women won the right to vote. During World War II, many women joined the work force as their
husbands went away to fight. In 1986, a woman, Geraldine Ferraro, was nominated to run for Vice-President
of the United stated. More and more American women today are finding high-paying jobs in business and in
government. For many women, however, the struggle today is to get equal pay for equal work – to be paid the same amount as a man doing the same type of job.
4-2
Central Park in the center of Manhattan is one of the oldest and largest urban parks in United States. The
park contains 843 acres. It extends from Central Park South [59th street] to Central Park North [110th Street],
and from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West [Eighth Avenue]. The city of New York bought the land for the
park in 1853. In 1858, a plan for the park was adopted. It created flowers beds, lawns, wooded areas, lakes,
and miles of bicycle and horse-drawn carriage paths. Later, Central Park got sports fields, tennis courts, a theater, a zoo, and an ice skating rink.
4-3
Richard and Marilyn want to buy a house. When they move into it, it will become their home. An
important goal of most young couples on America is owning their own home. Home ownership is part of ''the American Dream.''
A lot of children were born in America between 1947 and 1963. As this baby-boom generation has grown
up, more people than normal are looking for housing, and house prices have increased. Like Richard and
Marilyn, many young and middle-aged couples have a difficult time buying their first house. At the present
time, only about one-third of the working population of the United States can afford an average-priced home.
4-4
The floor plan of a typical American home tells a lot about the way Americans live. The kitchen is usually
large enough to fit in a dinning table because not all American homes have a formal dining room, and
because the kitchen is also a place to receive neighbors on informal visits. Many evenings have been spent with family or friends around a large kitchen table, talking, playing cards, or planning vacation and trips.
Bathrooms – the more the better – are an important feature, too. Perhaps they reflect modern Americans' desire for convenience and privacy.
Last but not least, a large two- or three-car garage is a must for the all-important American automobile.
4-5
In the United States, a person must have enough income and a 20% down payment to buy a house. In
addition, he or she must have good credit. Credit is a person's financial history. It is a record of all the debts
the person has had and whether or not these debts were paid back on time. The information is kept by a
private company, TRW, Inc. The information is private and we cannot get credit information about a person
without his or her permission. Banks, department stores, employers, and landlords usually ask for the credit history of people who wish to get loan, a credit card, a job, or an apartment for rent.
4-6
In his interview with Mr. Marchetta, Grandpa emphasizes his on-the-job training rather than his
engineering degrees. Americans place great importance on practical experience as the best teacher.
On-the-job training is sometimes called the school of hard knocks [learning through mistakes]. Nevertheless,
products and processes in business, industry, and communications are changing very fast. It is often
necessary for workers and professionals to go back to the classroom for refresher courses or retraining programs to keep up with the latest developments in their fields.
5-1
Americans give gifts on many occasions. The most common are birthdays, weddings, wedding
anniversaries, housewarmings [when someone moves into a new home], graduations, Mother's Day [the first
Sunday in May], Father's Day [the second Sunday in June], and Christmas. Weddings and the birth of a first
child are often occasions for giving family heirlooms [pronounced AIR-looms], which are special family
possessions that are passed on from generation to generation. Heirlooms include silverware, jewelry, or, in Grandpa's case, even an old baseball glove!
It is not necessary to send a gift on all occasions. A greeting card will do. Americans also send sympathy
cards to relatives of a person who has died. Get well cards are sent to persons who are ill or recovering from an illness.
5-2
People in the United States may live in one of three areas: the city, the suburbs or the country – areas far
from the city. In the early twentieth century, many people left their farming jobs in the country to find
higher-paying jobs in the cities. After World War II, people began moving out the cities to surrounding areas,
called suburbs, where and private automobiles – made this possible. Today, most city workers like Harry live in the suburbs. They commute into the city every morning and out of the city every afternoon.
In the 1980s, some people began moving back to the country, because they could communicate electronically from computers in their homes to businesses in the city.
5-3
Like Susan, many American women are choosing single life or getting married later in life. They are more
independent than women used to be. And, like Harry, many Americans are getting married more than once in
their lives. Although Harry is a widower [his first wife died], another reason for second marriages is the high
rate of divorce. Many marriages, especially those of younger adults, do not survive the pressures of modern life.
Americans are also having smaller families – one or two children at most – and many are waiting until after several years of marriage to have children.
Unlike Susan, most women don't feel they need anyone's permission to marry to marry. Marriages are
not arranged by parents. When a person has reached the age of 18, he or she is free to enter into a marriage contract without his or her parents' consent.
5-4
Married couples in the United Stated often take a ''second honeymoon'' after they have been married for
several years. An inn in the country, a trip to Niagara Falls, New York, or a trip to Florida or Hawaii are
common honeymoon vacations. A fifth wedding anniversary is often the occasion for such a vacation. Other
milestones in married life are the 25th wedding anniversary, called the silver anniversary, and the 50th or golden anniversary. These anniversaries are often celebrated by the entire family of the married couple.
6-1
Class reunions are common in the U.S.A. They are usually held in June, or on the anniversary of high
school and college graduations. Starting at five or ten years after graduation, class reunions are sometimes held every five years.
Many people enjoy getting together for an evening with their former classmates to renew old friendships
and to reminisce – talk about old times. Others avoid these meetings because they may feel uncomfortable with people they have not seen for years.
6-2
At one time in America, the majority of the population lived on farms. In 1900, the population was about
evenly divided between city and farm workers. One farm worker produced enough food to support himself
and one city worker. Since that time, the farm population has dramatically decreased. Today, of a total
population of over 250 million people, fewer than one million Americans are full-time farmers. However, one farmer is now able to produce enough food to support eighty city dwellers.
It is difficult for the small farmer to survive. Many families who have been in farming for generations
manage to keep their farms by starting other types of businesses – ''on the side'' – in addition to their
farming. Although many would like to, few retired people can afford to buy a farm as their retirement residence, as Pete Waters did.
6-3
A performance is any musical, film, television, or theatrical presentation given for an audience. The
audience may be live [at the concert hall, stage, studio, or theater] or home [listening to or watching a performance on radio or TV].
Performing arts centers like those mentioned in this episode receive financial aid from patrons and from
various government agencies. One of the most important of these is the National Endowment for the arts, which is funded by the U.S. government.
6-4
Street performance has always been an important part of the popular culture in America. Amateur
musicians, dancers, and mime artists can be found in large cities and small towns across the United States,
from Venice Beach in Los Angeles to Times Square in New York City. These performers usually have a hat or
an open music case nearby for the audience to put money in. Street performers often are students who
attend acting or musical academies who are anxious to perform for a live audience. Some street performance
forms came from ethnic and minority groups. Tap dancing and breakdancing are products of
African-American culture. Many cities have laws against street performance. Unless performances are extremely disruptive, however, these laws are not usually enforced.
6-5
For the purposes of public education, each state in the United State is divided into school districts, areas
which usually include a city or a county. Each school district is run by a group of elected officials called the school board.
The money to operate public schools is raised through property taxes collected by the county.
Sometimes additional money may come from a state's general fund, from a state lottery, or from the federal government. School boards must then decide how to spend the money they receive.
Many agencies influence the decisions of the school board. The PTA [Parents' and Teachers' Association]
and other citizen organizations give the board their opinions. Labor unions, church groups, and government
agencies are very influential. The United States Supreme Court ensures that local schools are run within the guidelines of the United State Constitution.
6-6
All citizens 18 years or older are eligible to vote in the United States, but they must first register – sign up
with the board of elections in their area. There is no poll tax [free paid to vote]. Elections are held on the first
Tuesday in November. Every neighborhood has a polling place, a station where the registered voters of that
neighborhood go to cast their ballots. The polls open at 6 A.M. and close at 8 P.M. on election day. News
organizations often try to project [forecast] the winner of an election before all of the votes are counted, but
they are not permitted by law to report this projection before the polls have closed. The percentage of people eligible to vote who actually go and cast their ballot has declined in recent years.
7-1
On the day of a wedding, it is considered bad luck for the groom [the man getting married] to see the
bride [his wife-to-be] before the wedding ceremony begins. The best man, a friend or relative of the groom,
holds on to the wedding rings and helps the groom get ready. One of his important jobs is keep the groom
from getting nervous! The men in the wedding party are the groom and his father, the best man, and the
ushers [those who welcome the guests and seat them at the ceremony]. Each man in the wedding party usually dresses formally – in a tuxedo.
7-2
A bride traditionally wears a white wedding gown. In formal weddings the bride also wears a veil. The
bride chooses a close friend or relative to be her maid of honor, or matron of honor if the woman is married.
During the wedding ceremony, the maid of honor or matron of honor holds the bridal bouquet [flowers]. One
or more bridesmaids usually help the bride get ready. Younger girls of the family may serve as flower girls.
The maid of honor, bridesmaids, and flower girls are part of the wedding party and usually dress alike for ceremony.
7-3
A wedding is both a legal and social event. A couple applies for a marriage license in the county where
they reside. Each state has different laws regarding marriage, but in general the marriage partners must be at
least 18 years old and not related by birth. A blood test is required to get a marriage license. After a marriage
license is issued, the couple may be married at the ceremony of their choice in front of a judge, minister, priest, or rabbi.
Wedding ceremonies are usually held at courthouses, churches, chapels, or synagogues. Some people
choose to get married in less formal places: at their home or the home of a friend, or in outdoor settings such as parks.
At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, there is usually a reception, with dancing and a banquet.
Traditionally, the bride's parents host the reception. After the reception, the newlyweds leave for their honeymoon. Sometimes, the place for their honeymoon is kept a secret.
7-4
It is estimated that one our of every six adults in the United States is functionally illiterate – unable to
read and write for everyday tasks, such as reading the labels on food containers or filling out application
forms. At the same time, more than 50 percent of all jobs in this country more than a high-school education.
Adult literacy training is one very important part of the United States effort to provide its citizens with
the skills necessary to become productive members of the work force. Many programs operated by schools
and libraries across the country include courses designed to teach adults how to improve their reading and
writing skills. In 1989, the First Lady, Mrs. Barbara Bush, became head of a national campaign against illiteracy.
7-5
In the United States, as in any country, people who must decide whether to move to a different city to
accept a promotion or a new job face difficult choices. Like Harry and Susan Bennett, they have to weigh many factors in making their decision.
At least Harry and Susan had a choice. Often, employers want to move an employee to a company
operation in another city or another country. Then the only choice the employee has is between making the
move or leaving the company to look for another job. During the last twenty years in the United States, many
big corporations have moves their businesses from big cities to the suburbs, where rents are lower. The employees of those corporations have had no choice: If they haven't moved, they have lost their jobs.
Imagine the life of a professional baseball player. Most players are traded to another team at least three
times in their careers. Some payers [and employees of companies] insist that their employers sign a contract stating that they will not have to move for a certain number of years.
7-6
A ''small business'' is defined by the government as a business having fewer than 500 employees. In the United States, 98 percent of all businesses fall into this category.
Many small businesses are owned by one person. According to U.S. government statistics, of a total work
force of about 100 million, over 15 million Americans can truthfully say, ''I am my own boss.'' Almost 4 million of these sole proprietorships are owned by women.
8-1
Most married couples in the United States need two incomes just to make ends meet – that is, to pay for
their monthly expenses. Such couples cannot afford to have one parent stay home to care for any preschool
children. Many couples in this situation decide to place their preschool children in day-care centers that are licensed by the state.
Before states will give a license to a day-care center, the center must meet strict basic standards relating
to health, safety, and education. Many day-care centers offer excellent recreational and instructional
programs. Some people believe that day-care centers offer more than just an education. They believe that
the social interaction provided by daycare helps these children to develop important social skills at an earlier age than children who stay at home.
8-2
In this episode, Robbie, Alexandra, Grandpa, and Grandpa's friends volunteer their time to improve a
community center. They plan to work together, without pay, to achieve a goal that will be good for the
community as a whole. Cooperative spirit, or volunteering, has played a very important role in the United
States. In the early years of American history, neighbors got together and harvested crops; built barns, houses,schools, and roads; put out fires; and helped each other during times of disaster.
Today, government – local, state, and federal – is expected to provide many necessary services. Yet
because governments are increasingly hard-pressed to provide the high level of services that Americans are
used to, community action groups and volunteers are more important now than at any time in recent history.
8-3
At Alexandra's party, Philip and Ellen do not dance the same way as Robbie, Alexandra, and their friends.
Robbie's parents are dancing in a style that became popular in the 1940s. During this period, the ''big bands''
– orchestras led by such famous people as Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey – dominated the popular
music scene. The music emphasized harmony and repeated melodies; the dancing, like the music, was smooth.
When rock'n'roll music became popular in the late 1950s, it was accompanied by a great variety of
energetic dance styles. The idea was to ''move to the music'' any way you felt like moving. Popular dance has become more and more free since that time.
9-1
Richard and Marilyn wouldn't have felt comfortable about going on the camping trip if Ellen hadn't been
available to take care of Max. Like any couples in the United States with new babies, their only opportunity to
''get away'' by themselves for a few days is to have a close relative take care of the child while they are gone.
If close relatives like grandparents or sisters or brothers are unavailable, many couples choose not to take a vacation, or to take their young children with them, rather than have a babysitter take care of the children.
9-2
An exhibition at a private art gallery is a way of introducing a new artist to the public. The idea is to stage an event that will create interest in the artist and stimulate sales of his or her work.
Exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and photography at public museums and galleries are different from
private showings. The works exhibited at public museums are by established, well-known artists. Many exhibitions include works from the museum's permanent collection – that is, works owned by the museum.
Public museums and galleries also exhibit works by a particular artist, or works from a particular period,
that are not part of their own permanent collection. They borrow the works from the permanent collections of other museums. Admission is charged to cover the cost of the event. The works are not offered for sale.
9-3
One of the enduring myths about the United Stated is that of ''overnight success'' – the person who
wakes up to discover that he or she is suddenly wealthy and famous. Although this may happen occasionally,
it does not represent how people succeed in the United States. In Richard's case, he achieved recognition
after five years of hard work. Even so, it usually takes more than a single exhibition, or a single favorable
newspaper review, to attain success. Furthermore, the kind of ''instant'' success that Richard won is not typical.
The United States is made up of men and women who spend their working lives in responsible and
productive jobs outside the spotlight of public recognition, for modest financial rewards. In fact, most
Americans do not measure means having a sense of self-worth-feeling good about themselves and what they do.
[42:15]
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