懂你英语Level3-unit3

Level 3 unit 3 part1 Listening There are many forms of life on Earth including human beings Life exists in a variety of conditions Some forms of life live in a watery environment like the oceans Other forms of life can be found in very dry areas like deserts However for any form of life to exist conditions must be right When conditions are not right that form of life will become extinct To become extinct means to die out completely What must be right for life to exist Conditions What happens if conditions are not right Life cannot exist Conditions must be right for life to exist Millions of years ago there were forms of life that no longer exist When conditions changed these forms of life died out One extinction event happened about 250 million years ago This was the largest extinction event of all time Many forms of life became extinct 96 of all life in the oceans died out Most insects also became extinct This event happened over a period of several million years What happened about 250 million years ago Many forms of life became extinct What happens in an extinction event Many forms of life became extinct The causes of this extinction event are still unknown Possible causes include large volcanic eruptions and global warming Some scientists believe that there were several causes They believe that a series of events caused the extinctions Scientists are working to better understand what really happened What is the one possible cause of this event Volcanic eruptions In modern times we humans face changing conditions For humans to live we need clean air and clean water Pollution is now a growing problem around the world Pollution poisons the air and water that we depend on Polluted air makes people sick and afraid to go outside Polluted water poisons our food supply As a result we never know which foods are safe to eat Human beings cannot live in a poisoned environment Therefore pollution is a major threat to our existence What do humans need to live Clean air and clean water What poisons the air and water Pollution Humans need temperatures to be in a comfortable range To be in a comfortable range means to be neither too hot nor too cold With global warming global temperatures are rising As temperatures rise the polar icecaps will melt As the polar ice caps melt ocean levels will rise Areas of some countries will soon be under water People will be forced to relocate from flooded areas As temperatures rise what will happen to the polar icecaps The polar icecaps will melt As the polar icecaps melt what will happen Ocean levels will rise In nature even small changes can sometimes have large effects It s difficult to predict what s going to happen The entire ecosystem that we depend on is changing Some of these changes are irreversible Irreversible changes cannot be undone What can small changes sometimes cause Large effects What is happening to the world s ecosystem Ecosystem is changing Let s hope that humans are smart enough to understand how the world is changing With more understanding we can make better choices about what to do We can face the challenges of pollution and global warming We need to do this before it s too late This planet Earth is our only home and we need to protect it What challenges do we need to face Pollution and global warming We need to protect the environment that supports us Vocabulary Mammals are covered by hair or fur have a backbone and are warm blooded All female mammals produce milk for their young Reptiles are covered by scales and includes snakes lizards and turtles Reptiles have a backbone and are cold blooded which means they often relied on the external source of heat Birds are covered by feathers and are warm blooded Most birds can fly and many types of birds migrate great distances Most insects such as ants and bees have a small three part of body with three pairs of legs Some insects like mosquitoes spread diseases that cause the deaths of many humans Unlike animals plants get the energy that they need from the sun Plants convert light energy along with carbon dioxide and water into chemical energy Insects don t have a backbone and most are cooled blooded Insects such as ants and bees live in well organized colonies Mosquitoes cause the deaths of more humans than any other animal Mammals include some of the most intelligent animals on earth such as elephants and human beings Scales and rulers are used to measure weight and length Units of weight include kilograms and pounds and units of length include centimeters and inches These instruments are used to observe very large and very small objects Telescopes are used to by astronomers and microscopes are used by biologists and doctors These appliances are used in the kitchens of almost every home Stoves are used to heat food and refrigerators are used to keep foods cool or cold Household tools like these are used to build and repair things Hammers are used to pound in nails and screwdrivers are used to turn a scow If you need to pound in a nail use a hammer Dialogue W do you know what day it is today M what do you mean Is it a special day W oh so you don t remember M remember what What s so special W it s our anniversary We started dating a year ago today M oh really I m sorry When did they first start dating A year ago M just a minute What do you think this is W oh it s a necklace M do you like it W yes I do It s lovely especially the red heart May I put it on M no let me do it What did he give her A necklace W so you did remember M of course I remembered It s a very special day for both of us W I have something for you too M you do W yes but it will have to wait until later M oh I can t wait Tell me what it is What would have to wait until later She s going to give him a gift Do you know what today is W can you guess what it is M could you give me a hint W we went there six month ago M oh you mean Alfredo s W yes are you excited You said you really like the food there M yes that s true I also remember the dessert Do you W yes but let s not talk about that now Let s now ruin the surprise What is Alfredo s A restaurant What aren t they going to talk about They aren t going to talk about the desert He remembered that today is their anniversary W That restaurant looks nice M Yes but it looks expensive W Let s go in and look the menu Wow the menu looks great especially the fish M Yes it looks good but look at those prices What doesn t she like about the menu She likes the food choices M Let s try somewhere else W Sometimes it s ok to spend a little money M Yes but these prices are a bit too high don t you think W Yes there are a bit high But don t you think I m worth it Let s enjoy ourselves M Ah ok if you put it that way Let s see if we can get a table W I m glad you have your credit card M I sure hope the food is good W Stop worrying Let s just enjoy Who is going to pay the bill He will pay the bill How is he going to pay He is going to use his credit card He is worried about spending so much money Level 3 unit 3 part2 Listening QuickServe is a home repair company It provides quick reliable repair services to homes QuickServe handles plumbing and electrical issues 24 hours a day It also cleans roofs fixes internet connections and replaces broken windows For a small fee customers subscribe to the service Its main customers are the elderly which means older people Whenever customers have a problem they can call for help There is also a small service charge for each service call What kind of services does QuickServe provide Home repair services The company was established 5 years ago and is growing rapidly It started in one city but is now in 5 cities The company plans to expand to 10 cities within the next 24 months In each city there is a small central office in the low rent area of the city The central office handles the business advertising payroll and billing It also takes calls from customers either on line or by telephone It takes calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week When was the company established It started five years ago Where does the company locate its central offices They locate in low rent areas 60 of the company s employees work from their homes When a customer calls into central office a service employee is contracted The service employee then contracts the customer and signs up an appointment These service employees are highly trained and provide excellent service In emergencies such as a serious plumbing problem service can be provided within an hour One reason for this is that the service employees live in different parts of the city They are not centrally located so it s quicker and easier for them to travel to a customer s home Where do 60 of the company s employees work From their own homes QuickServe has an excellent reputation Its prices are reasonable and its services are quick and efficient The company s service employees are clean polite and efficient In this type of business person to person contact is the key to success With each satisfied customer more customers subscribe Satisfied customers recommend QuickServe to their friends This kind of word of mouth advertising is very cost effective Cost effective means that the results are good without paying a high price Inother words quality service provides its own reward to the company What kind of customers recommend QuickServe to their friends Satisfied customers What kind of reputation does the company have It has an excellent reputation The company takes great pride in being honest with its customers There are no hidden charges for their services As a result the number of customers in each city is growing rapidly With the aging population there are more elderly people who need home repair services These people need to have confidence in the service provider They don t want to be cheated These people don t mind to pay a reasonable fee for high quality service High quality service should be rewarded What should be rewarded High quality service What is the company pride of It s honest with its customers The company provides a range of service plans each with the different subscription plans The least expensive service plan is called the basic plan This plan provides non emergency services with a very low service charge The most expensive service plan is their VIP plan The VIP plan provides emergency services 24 hours a day with no additional service charge It also provides rebates to customers who don t call for any services during the year In addition QuickServe gives bonus points to customers for each year they subscribe These bonus points can be used to buy new appliances such as stoves and refrigerators What kind of service plans does the company provide It has a range of plans What can bonus points be used for Buying new appliances If the business continues to grow the owners may decide to take the company public This means that the public can buy shares of the company It will then change from a privately owned company to a public company The owners believe that their business is successful and can expand around the world They also believe that taking their company public can make them rich Why do the owners want to take their company public They can become rich Vocabulary Biology is the study of life including its structure and evolution Biologists study how life survives and reproduces Chemistry is the study of matter including the structure of atoms and molecule Chemists study how various substances interact with each other Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences Astronomers study the structure and evolution of the universe including the study of stars planets and galaxies Geology is the study of the structure and history of the Earth and the other planets Geologists study different types of rocks earthquakes and different layers of the Earth Mathematic is the study of numbers shapes patterns and change Mathematic is used by all other branches of science Here are some types of terrible events that hurt or kill people Earthquakes are caused by forces deep within the Earth During earthquakes many people are often killed by collapsing buildings and bridges Floods happen when rivers rise and overflow their banks Flood waters damage or destroy many houses and businesses Fires destroy buildings land and forests There are many causes for fire including lightning In a hurricane high winds destroy buildings and sometime cause flooding Some hurricanes have winds of more than 200 miles an hour Car accidents happen when cars collide or when drivers lose control of their cars One of the main causes of car accidents is driving too fast When people are not careful they can start fires that can cause a lot of damage Dialogue W What s in the big box you are carrying M It s a new desk I just bought it and now I have to put it together W Do you need any help M No I don t think so I just need to get my tools I ll need a screwdriver and maybe a hammer W Don t forget to read the instructions What does he need Some tools W How are things going M I m almost finished W Something doesn t look right to me The right side is higher than the left side M Oh you are right It looks like I put a couple of screws into the wrong places What doesn t look right The desk W So now you have to take it apart M Great And I thought I was almost finished W I told you to read the instructions Did you read them M No I didn t read them I hate to read instructions I looked them but they were confusing W Well this is what happens when you don t You were too impatient Anyway what can I do to help you M Would you get another screwdriver and help me unscrew some of these screws W Ok but next time please read the instructions What didn t he do Read the instructions What was wrong with the instructions They were confusing W Do you ever look up at the sky and think about life and universe M I did when I was a kid But I don t do that for as much anymore Why do you ask W Sometimes I feel like I lost in day to day details Then when I look up at the sky I see the big picture I appreciate things more even the little things What happens when she sees the big picture She appreciates things more What doesn t he do so much anymore He doesn t think about life and universe M You sound like a philosopher or a poet I felt like that too when I was a kid W Don t you feel like that anymore M No I don t In fact I try not to When I think about things too deeply I get depressed It s even a bit frightening W Really For me it s just the opposite Everything seems like a wonderful miracle M Doesn t that frighten you a bit The universe is so large and we are so small What happens when he thinks too deeply He gets depressed W What I realize is how little we understand We just need to appreciate our lives and not get lost M Sometimes being lost isn t so bad Do you the expression ignorance is bliss W Sure I ve heard it many times To be ignorant is to be happy What does the word bliss mean Complete happiness What does she realize There is a lot that we don t understand M Maybe it s true Maybe it s best not to think or know too much W No that s not for me I want to understand as much as possible That s why I became a scientist M Well I respect your choice but it s not for me If understanding is painful I d rather not understand Why does she become a scientist She wants to understand as much as possible What doesn t he agree with Her choice Level 3 unit 3 part3 Listening Harry is on a business trip Yesterday he was supposed to fly from San Francisco to Shanghai However things didn t turn out the way they were supposed to In fact nothing went the way it was supposed to Everything went wrong and he didn t get on his flight As a result he is still in San Francisco What was he supposed to do yesterday Fly to Shanghai When was Harry supposed to fly to Shanghai Yesterday The following is the summary of what happened Yesterday morning he got up as usual and had breakfast Everything seemed to be fine and he was looking forward to the trip He was just about to check out of his hotel when he felt a pain It was a pain in his lower back It was a doll pain at first not too bad So he didn t worry about it and he checked out of the hotel Then he got on a shuttle bus to the airport Where was the pain located It was a pain in his lower back Why didn t he worry about the pain It wasn t too bad at first About half way to the airport the pain in his back started to get worse It was a growing pain and he was beginning to worry Soon it was difficult for him to sit in the seat The pain was getting worse He wanted to lie down He started to sweat and breathe quickly He was in real pain then On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain was an 8 How was the pain changing It was getting worse Why did he want to lie down It was difficult for him to sit in the seat When the bus got to the airport the bus driver helped him get off It was difficult for him to walk but he finally made it to the terminal Inside the terminal he went to the man s bath room He went to the toilet but that didn t help Instead of improving he felt dizzy and he threw up By now he was wet for all the sweating He knew he couldn t get on his flight How did he feel after he went to the toilet He felt dizzy and sick Where did he go once he got inside the terminal He went to the men s bathroom He used his phone to call the airline He explained the situation and cancelled his reservation Then he called 911 for emergency help 911 is the emergency number to call for help in the United State What did he do to his reservation He cancelled it Why did he call 911 He called 911 for emergency help An ambulance arrived about 10 minutes after he called By then he was in so much pain that he could barely walk Once inside the ambulance they gave him oxygen to help him breathe But the pain was still terrible Then they drove him into a hospital near the airport Luckily the hospital was on his health plan That means his health insurance is supposed to pay for everything Medical costs in the United States are very high Who was supposed to pay for his medicine care His health insurance company What did they give him inside the ambulance They gave him oxygen to help him breathe When he arrived at the hospital he was taken into the emergency room After some test a doctor told him he had a kidney stone It was a very small stone but it caused a lot of pain It was passing through a small turbine his body from his kidney to his bladder The pain would go away once it got to his bladder Until then he had to get pain medicine to reduce the pain Where was he taken when he got to the hospital He was taken to the emergency room What did he take to control his pain Some pain medicine Harry didn t have to stay at the hospital for very long With the pain medicine the pain went away very quickly He took a taxi back to his hotel and checked in for another night Then he called the airline and made reservation for another flight The flight will leave tomorrow Until then he ll just rest in his hotel There may even be a good movie to watch Where will he be until his next flight He ll stay in his hotel What is he going to do until his next flight He is going to have some rest So when you are travelling please be prepared for emergencies Make sure you have medicine insurance You never know when something like this can happen to you So be prepared What should you have before travelling Medicine insurance It s a good idea to have medicine insurance before travelling Vocabulary Solar energy is one of the cleanest and most plentiful sources of energy Solar power depends on sunlight so in cloudy weather and at night no power is generated Wind energy is nonpolluting but is only useful in place where there is a lot of wind Wind turbines convert the connect energy of the wind into mechanical power Nuclear energy is efficient and doesn t produce carbon gases as a waste product The dangers of nuclear power include deadly radioactive waste products A major sourc