B
Imagine you are living in a moving house. Inside the house, there is a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom. Although they are much smaller than those at your home, they are easy for you to use.
Now you can see these moving houses on the road in China. They are called recreational vehicles (RVs). People call them "houses on roads". When it's holiday time, the whole family will get into the small home and hit the road for a trip across the country.
Compared to a real house, this "home" on the road is useful for a family. The best thing is that you can do everything you like freely. You can drive as long as you like without worrying about finding hotels and restaurants. Or you can just stop somewhere nice and stay for a few weeks. You may also meet other families that are on road trips. Together, you put up your tents. It's camping time with lots of talk and laughter.
However, RVs are not always convenient. They can sometimes break down and don't work. You have to spend time fixing them. But many people still like this kind of vehicle because they can go anywhere they want whenever they want.
词汇
recreational vehicle 野营车,旅行房车
hit the road 上路,出发
compare /kəm'peə(r)/ v. 比较
laughter /'lɑːftə(r)/ n. 笑声
convenient /kən'viːniənt/ adj. 便利的
break down (机器或车辆)出故障,坏掉
句型
1. Compared to a real house, this "home" on the road is useful for a family. 与一套真正的房子相比,路上的这个"家"对一个家庭来说是实用的。
compared to/with... 与……相比
⇒ Compared to the colourful life in Beijing, life seems so boring in this town.
2. You have to spend time fixing them. 你不得不花时间修理它们。
spend time/money (in) doing sth 花费时间/金钱做某事
⇒ She spends her weekends hiking in the mountains.
理解
1. What is special about the RVs?
Although they are much smaller than our home, they are easy for us to use and we can go anywhere we want.
2. Will you buy an RV in the future? Why?
I will buy an RV because I like travelling very much and it is very convenient for me to take my parents to any place they want to visit.
课外泛读
The monkey and the dolphin
One day long ago, some sailors(水手) set out to sea in their sailing ship. One of them brought his pet monkey along for the long journey.
When they were far out at sea, a terrible storm overturned (推翻) their ship. Everyone fell into the sea, and the monkey was sure that he would drown (溺死). Suddenly a dolphin appeared and picked him up.
They soon reached the island(岛) and the monkey came down from the dolphin's back. The dolphin asked the monkey, "Do you know this place?"
The monkey replied, "Yes, I do. In fact, the king of the island is my best friend. Do you know that I am actually a prince(王子)?"
Knowing that no one lived on the island, the dolphin said, "Well, well, so you are a prince! Now you can be a king!"
The monkey asked, "How can I be a king?"
As the dolphin started swimming away, he answered, "That is easy. As you are the only creature(生物) on this island, you will naturally(自然地) be the king!"
Those who lie and boast(自吹自擂) may end up in trouble.
理解
1. What happened to the sailors on the ship?
They fell into the sea.
2. Guess the ending of the monkey.
He was alone and helpless on the island, finally dying of hunger.
