Unit

2

Task 1: Leading-in

(1) Do you know there is an event

called “Marathon”?

(2) Do you think there was such an

event in ancient Olympics?

The Marathon was a modern

event that was first introduced

in the 1896 Olympic Game

s. The distance is 26 miles 3

85 yards or 42,195 kilomet

res. It’s a race in honor of

Phidippides, an ancient ru

nner. In the 5th century B.

C, the Persians attacked G

reece at Marathon near At

hens. Phidippides

The Greeks were very worried and

didn’t know what to do. They sent

Phidippides to Sparta to ask for he

lp for the battle…

Now listen to the tape and write down in

one sentence how the hero of the story

sent his message miles away.

Phidippides sent his message mile away

all by himself on foot.

1 What was Phidippides’ job as well as

running?

2 Why did the Greek army go to Marat

hon?

3 Did Phidippides do what he was aske

d? How do you know?

Listen to the tape and answer the questions.

1 What Phidippides’ job as well as running? Phidippides’ job was soldier as well as a great runner. He fought in the Battle of Marathon against the Persians. He also sent messages mile away by running.

2 Why did the Greek army go to Marathon?Their city was doing to be attacked, so

the Greek army went to Marathon to

fight their enemy.

3 Did Phidippides do what he was asked?

How do you know?

Phidippides did what he was asked.

We know because there is a monument

to him and to the dead soldiers at Mara

thon. He died giving his message.

Prometheus is credited with bringing enlightenment to humans. Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humankind, bringing the power of warmth and light to the dark and miserable earth.

Prometheus

Prometheus acted against the

express wishes of the Olympian

Gods, who wanted to keep the

power of fire - enlightenment - for

their exclusive use.

luminosityluminosity justicejustice peacepeace solidificationsolidificationfriendshipfriendship

友谊 光明 公正 和平 团结友谊 光明 公正 和平 团结

Task 1:

Leading-in

What can you see in the

picture?

Task 2:

Read the statements and listen

to the tape for information.

Task 3:

Number the events on page 51

and discuss them in pairs.

Answers:

5 —7 — 2 — 1 — 6 — 3 — 8 — 4

Listening textHello! I’m the torch that lights the Olympic fire and starts every modern Olympic Games. I always begin my journey from Olympia in Greece where the ancient Games were first held. I’m usually lit by the sun there and carried by many runners from different countries.

Many people come to watch as I travel through their country to the host city. However, only the best athletes carry me! It’s a great honour and many athletes hope to get the chance to do so. The greatest honor is to be the last athlete who carries me into the stadium where the Games will be held. The last athlete gets the opportunity to light the Olympic fire.

That fire will burn for the whole period

of the Games and will only be put out

when the Games end. I enjoy being part

of so much sporting friendship. Two

special sets of Olympics are held the same

time as the Summer Olympics. One is for

people with physical difficulties and the

other for those with learning difficulties.

I am always happy when new

countries get Olympic medals. I was a

wonderful experience to be a bridge

between the ancient and the modern

Olympic Games. Long may the

Olympic continue!

Information on the ancient OlympicGames

Opening of the Olympic Games

Competitors

Athletes offered presents to

the God Zeus; they prayed

him to help them win.

They came from all the large towns of Greece.

Their hometowns

Training plans

Parts of Greece,

Athens and Sparta

Practise for many ho

urs, do a lot of exerci

se to the sound of mu

sic

Rewards

A problem

How it was solved

Many presents: free meals and no money problems as well as songs about him

Women could not be trainers even if they had the knowledge and ability

They let her go, but decide to pass a law that all trainers must be men.

Situation:Suppose you are a coach, and you are coaching a student to prepare for a coming competition. He has practised for some days. You need to write a report to tell him what he needs to practise to improve further.

Now talk about the form

and discuss them with

your partners.

Information Report on training for

the three-event

competition

Name Zhao Liyuan

Age 15 years

Sports chosen Running, long jump,

table tennis

First sport

Good points

Bad points

Running

The speed is OK at first.

His fast speed can’t last

long.

Information Report on training for

the three-event

competition

Second sport

Good points

Bad points

Long jump

He has mastered the

basic skills and can jump

long.

He can’t stand steadily.

Third sport

Good points

Bad points

Table tennis

He is skilled in dealing

with unexpected

situation.

Sometimes he is too

nervous.

General

opinion

He is good at table tennis,

but for running and long

jump, there’s much to be

improved.

Zhao Liyuan, 15 years old this year, wi

ll compete in running, long jump and t

able tennis in the coming competition.

For each sport, he has both some adva

ntages and disadvantages. In running

his speed is OK at first, but his fast spe

ed can’t last

Sample

long. In long jump, he has mastered the

basic skills and can jump long, but he

can’t stand steadily when landing. In

table tennis, he is skilled in dealing with

unexpected situation, but sometimes he is

too nervous. In all, he is good at table

tennis, but for running and long jump,

there is much to be improved.