人教新目标八年级下册英语课文

UNIT 1 What's the matter?

P3 3a

Bus Driver and Passengers Save an Old Man

At 9:00 a.m. yesterday, bus No. 26 was going along Zhonghua Road when the driver saw an old man lying on the side of the road. A woman was next to him, shouting for help.

The bus driver, 24-year-old Wang Ping, stopped the bus without thinking twice. He got off and asked the woman what happened. She said that the man had a heart problem and should go to the hospital. Mr. Wang knew he had to act quickly. He told the passengers that he must take the man to the hospital. He expected most or all of the passengers to get off and wait for the next bus.

But to his surprise, they all agreed to go with him. Some passengers helped Mr. Wang to move the man ona the bus.

Thanks to Mr. Wang and the passengers, the doctors saved the man in time. \sad that many people don't want to help others because they don’t want any trouble,\\ P6 2b

He Lost His Arm But Is Still Climbing

Aron Ralston is an American man who is interested in mountain climbing. As a mountain climber, Aron is used to taking risks. This is one of the exciting things about doing dangerous sports. There were many times when Aron almost lost his life because of accidents. On April 26, 2003, he found himself in a very dangerous situation when climbing in Utah

On that day, Aron's arm was caught under a 2,000-kilo rock that fell on him when he was climbing by himself in the mountains. Because he could not free his arm, he stayed there for five days and hoped that someone would find him. But when his water ran out, he knew that he would have to do something to save his own life. He was not ready to die that day. So he used his knife to cut off half his right arm. Then, with his left arm, he bandaged himself so that he would not lose too much blood. After that, he climbed down the mountain to find help.

After losing his arm, he wrote a book called Between a Rock and a Hard Place. This means being in a difficult situation that you cannot seem to get out of. In this book, Aron tells of the importance of making good decisions, and of being in control of one's life. His lose for mountain climbing is so great that he kept on climbing mountains even after this experience.

Do we have the same spirit as Aron? Let's think about it before we find ourselves “between a rock and a hard place”, and before we have to make a decision that could mean life or death.

Unit 2 I'll help to clean up the city parks

P11 3a

Students Who Volunteer

Mario Green and Mary Brown from Riverside High School give up several hours each week to help others.

Mario loves animals and wants to be an animal doctor. He volunteers at an animal hospital every Saturday morning. Mario believes it can help him to get his future dream job. “ It' s hard work , ” he says , “but I want to learn more about how to care for animals . I get such a strong feeling of satisfaction when I see the animals get better and the look of joy on their owners' faces.”

Mary is a book lover. She could read by herself at the age of four. Last year she decided to try out for a volunteer after-school reading program .she still works there once a week to help kids learn to read. The kids are sitting in the library, but you can see in their eyes that they’re going on a different journey with each new book. Volunteering here is a dream come true for me. I can do what I love to do and help others at the same time.

help move do make visit spend P12 4b

Most people today are only worried about getting good jobs lots of money. In their free time, They think about what for fun or relaxation. However, few people think about what they can do others. There are many people who are less lucky than us. Volunteering our time to help these people is a good way our free time. For example, we can make plans sick children in the hospital or raise money for homeless people. Some people even stop doing their jobs for a few months to a year to another country, like Africa, and help people there.

P14 2b

I’ll Send You a Photo of Lucky

Dear Miss Li,

I’d like to thank you for sending money to Animal Helpers. I’m sure you know that this group was set up to help disabled people like me. You helped to make it possible for me to have Lucky. Lucky makes a big difference to my life. Let me tell you my story.

What would it be like to be blind or deaf? Or imagine you can’t walk ou use your hands easily. Most people would never think about this, but many people have these difficulties. I can’t use my arms or legs well, so normal things like answering the telephone, opening and closing doors, or carrying things are difficult for me. Then one day last year, a friend of mine helped me out. She talked to Animal Helpers about getting me a special trained dog. She also thought a dog might cheer me up. I love animals and I was excited about the idea of having a dog.

After six months of training with a dog at Animal Helpers, I was able to bring him home. My dog’s name is Lucky — a good name for him because I feel very lucky to have him. You see, I’m only able to have a “dog-helper” because of your kindness! Lucky is very clever and understands many English words. He can understand me when I give him orders. For example, I say, “Lucky! Get my book,” and he does it at once.

Lucky is a fantastic dog. I’ll send you a photo of him if you like, and I could show you how he helps me. Thank you again for changing my life.

Best wishes, Ben Smith

P16 Self-check 2

Last week, everyone was trying up Jimmy, the Bike boy. He was unhappy because he of money old bikes. He some signs asking for old bikes and all his friends on the phone them about the problem. He even notices at the supermarket. Then he told the teachers at school about his problem and they a call-in center for parents. The ideas that he with worked out fine. He now has 16 bikes up and to children who don’t have bikes.

Unit 3 Could you please clean your room?

P19 3a

Last month, our dog welcomed me when I came home from school. He wanted a walk, but I was too tired.

I threw down my bag and went to the living room. The minute I sat down in front of the TV, my mom came over. “Could you please take the dog for a walk?” she asked.

“Could I watch one show first?” I asked. “NO!” she replied angrily. “You watch TV all the time

and never help out around the house! I can’t work all day and do housework all evening.” “Well, I work all day at school, too! I’m just as tired as you are!” I shouted back.

My mom did not say anything and walked away. For one week, she did not do any housework and neither did I. Finally, I could not find a clean dish or a clean shirt.

The next day, my mom came home from work to find the house clean and tidy. “What happened?” she asked in surprise.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I finally understand that we need to share the housework to have a clean and comfortable home,” I replied. P22 2b Dear Sir,

I don’t understand why some parents make their kids help with housework and chores at home. Kids these days already have enough stress from school. They don’t have time to study and do housework, too. Housework is a waste of their time. Could we just let them do their job as students? They should spend their time on schoolwork in order to get good grades and get into a good university. Also, when they get older, they will have to do housework so there’s no need for them to do it now. It is the parents’ job to provide a clean and comfortable environment at home for their children. And anyway, I think doing chores is not so difficult. I don’t mind doing them.

Mr. Smith

Dear Sir,

I think it is important for children to learn how to do chores and help their parents with housework. It’s not enough to just get good grades at school. Children these days depend on their parents too much. They’re always asking, “Could you get this for me?” or “Could you help me with that?” Doing chores helps to develop children’s independence and teaches them how to look after themselves. It also helps them to understand the idea of fairness. Since they live in one house with their parents, they should know that everyone should do their part in keeping it clean and tidy. Our neighbor’s son got into a good college but during his first year, he had no idea how to take care of himself. As a result, he often fell ill and his grades dropped. The earlier kids learn to be independent, the better it is for their future. Ms. Miller

Unit 4 Why don’t you talk to your parents?

P27 3a Dear Mr. Hunt, My problem is I can’t get on with my family. Relations between my parents have become difficult. They fight a lot, and I really don’t like it. It’s the only communication they have. I don’t know if I should say anything to them about this. When they argue, it’s like a big, black cloud hanging over our home. Also, my elder brother is not very nice to me. He always refuses to let me watch my favorite TV show. Instead he watches whatever he wants until late at night. I don’t think this is fair. At home I always feel lonely and nervous. Is that normal? What can I do? Sad and Thirteen Dear Sad and Thirteen, It’s not easy being your age, and it’s normal to have these feelings. Why don’t you talk about these feelings with your family? If your parents are having problems, you should offer to help. Maybe you could do more jobs around the house so that they have more time for proper communication. Secondly, why don’t you sit down and communicate with your brother? You should explain that you don’t mind him watching TV all the time. However, he should let you watch your favorite show. I hope you’ll feel better about yourself in future. Robert Hunt P30 2b

Maybe You Should Learn to Relax!

These days, Chinese children are sometimes busier on weekends than weekdays because they to take so many after-school classes. Many of them are learning exam skills so that they can get into a good high school and later a good university. Others are practicing sports so that they can compete and win. However, this doesn’t only happen in China. The Taylors are a typical American family. Life for Cathy Taylor’s three children is very busy.” On most days after school,” Cathy says, “I take one of my two boys to basketball practice and my daughter to football training. Then I have to take my other son to piano lessons. Maybe I could cut out a few of their activities, but I believe these activities are important for my children’s future. I really want them to be successful. ” However, the tired children don’t get home until after 7:00 p.m. They have a quick