1、Collectors and mad collectorsPersonally, I am not much of a collector. I collect photos of special times in my life, and I have a big collection of soft toys- rabbits, bears, elephants, dogs and snakes. I love them!Most people collect things at some time in their life. Who hasnt got a collection of
2、photos, or books? Many people collect the letters or emails theyve got from friends. And most children have a good toy collection. Most people dont think of themselves as collectors because they think that having a lot of photos or toys is part of life. However, there are some people who love collec
3、ting things as a hobby, and there is no limit to the things you can collect. You can collect anything, from stamps to toys to football match programmes to old photos. In fact, some people have extraordinary collections.For example, Robert Opie collects things we normally throw away, things like old
4、newspapers, sweet papers and boxes.He has more than a quarter of a million things in his collection and you can find some of them in his own museum in Gloucester, UK.When Stuart Graham from Sydney, Australia died aged 87 he left behind some extraordinary collections. His son Andy only discovered Stu
5、art was a keen collector when he found a collection of over 5,000 old bus tickets, 3,000 old matchboxes and 1,000 toy soldiers. Andy did not want to keep these collections and decided to look on the Internet to see if anyone else would like the collections. He was surprised to find out that his fath
6、ers collections were very valuable and when he sold them, he bought a new car with the money.Collectors collect things in different ways. You can go to specialist shops or markets to buy things for your collection, or you can buy collectors magazines. You can even look on the Internet at sites such
7、as Ebay. Or you can trade things you have for something else that you would like. For example, if you have two stamps that are exactly the same, you might be able to trade one of them for a different on that you prefer.EXERCISES.1.Choose the correct words or phrases to put into the sentences below a
8、nd change the form where necessary.1) Jane _ a piece of her jewellery for food.2) You should not _ the train ticket while youre still on the train.3) Xiao Jiang, a lover of Peking Opera, has _ over 150 Peking Opera VCDs.4) John really doesnt know what his father has _.2. Answer the following questio
9、ns.1) According to the passage, who does the author consider to be mad collectors?2) How do collectors collect things?WORD BANKPersonally 就本人而论extraordinary 特别的，非凡的discover 发现 keen 热心的valuable 贵重的，有价值的specialist shop 专卖店site 地点，场所collect tradeleave behindthrow awayBeginners guide to tarantulasSo you
10、 want to have a tarantula as a pet? You want to join the fastest growing hobby in the United States? Read this beginners guide to learn the most important facts.What is a tarantula?Tarantulas are primitive spiders. They are usually hairier and larger than normal spiders.Why keep tarantulas?Tarantula
11、s are really interesting pets. They dont need much space, they arent expensive to feed, they live a long time, they dont make much mess, and they arent dangerous.When did people start keeping tarantulas as a hobby?They started in the 1970s when the Mexican Redknee was brought to the US. By the 1990s
12、 there were about 200 different kinds of tarantula in the US, but some are better for beginners than others. Good beginner tarantulas include the Pink Zebra Beauty and the Brazilian Black and White because they are not as dangerous as some of the other ones.How do I look after a tarantula?You can ke
13、ep tarantulas in 10 gallon, glass boxes. They need a water bowl in the box and you should feed them once a week. Tarantulas eat insects, small mice and lizards. You can buy these(already dead) from a pet shop. You only need to clean the glass box about once every six months.Can I get my tarantula ou
14、t of its box and hold it?No! A tarantula is not a pet like a dog, a cat or a rabbit and they do not like being held in your hands. Keep it in the glass box and watch it.Are tarantulas dangerous?Nobody has ever died from a tarantula bite, but some kinds of tarantula could give you a bad bite. Usually
15、 they prefer to run away from you than to bite you.How can I find out more?Look for a club near you for people who keep tarantulas as a hobby. You can also read these books:EXERCISES1. Match the word with its correct meaning in the text.2. Choose the best answer.1) Some tarantulas are better for beg
16、inners than others because _.A. they dont need much spaceB. they dont make much messC. they are not as dangerous as other ones2) What do tarantulas NOT eat?A. Insects B. Lizards C. Big mice.Word bankfeedpetbitedangerousan animal such as a cat or a dog which you keep and look after at homethe act of
17、cutting or crushing something with your teethable or likely to harm or kill yougive food to a person or animalprimitive 原始的，远古的spider 蜘蛛hairier 多毛的mess 混乱,脏乱gallon 加仑( 液量单位 )lizard 蜥蜴bite 咬,咬伤An interview with HannahWelcome to todays guest, Hannah Buchanan, from England. Hannah has come to talk to u
18、s about her hobbies. Hello, Hannah. Thank you for coming today.Hello.Could you tell us something about your hobbies?Well, I like dancing and I play the piano and clarinet. I also have a rabbit and a hamster, and my sister has a guinea pig. I like looking after the petsfeeding them and cleaning their
19、 cages. Once a week I like going to the gym too, with my friends, to keep me fit.How did you start dancing?I dont really know! Ive been dancing since I was three years old. I changed schools when I was about eight because the dancing lessons at my old dancing school were not very serious. The dancin
20、g school I go to now is really good. I do one-to-one lessons and dancing competitions, which I really enjoy.Have you ever danced on stage?Yes, Ive been in two theatre productions-when I was 9 and 11, and then I was in a big show that my dancing school did. I love being on stage and entertaining peop
21、le. All my family and some of my friends come and see me. Its very exciting.Why did you choose the piano and clarinet?I chose the piano because I think it sounds nice and my mum said it was a good instrument to start with. I started learning the piano when I was seven and I have a lesson after schoo
22、l every Wednesday. When I was seven, I also wanted to learn the saxophone but the teacher said I was too small and it was better to learn the clarinet until I was bigger. I do my clarinet lessons at school and have done four exams now. Ive never changed to the saxophone and I think Ill stay with the
23、 clarinet now.Do you think its a good idea to have pets?Yes! Id love to have a dog. If we had one, it would keep us company and it would keep us healthy when we took it for walks. But if everyone in the family is out all day it might not be a good idea because the dog might get lonely. In that case
24、I think its better to have a smaller animal like a rabbit or a hamster, or a more independent pet like a cat.EXERCISES1. Compete the following sentences according to the passage.1) Since I was three years old, I _.2) When I was seven years old, I _ and I also _.3) When I was about eight years old, I
25、 _.4) When I was 9 and 11 years old, I _.2. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).1) Hannah also has a guinea pig. ( )2) Hannah learned the clarinet first but changed to the saxophone later. ( )3) Hannah thinks its better to have a cat than a dog. ( )Word bank clarinet 竖笛
26、 , 单簧管hamster 仓鼠guinea pig 豚鼠cage 笼gym 体育馆fit 健康的,结实的production 作品entertain 娱乐saxophone 萨克斯管company 陪伴lonely 孤独的,寂寞的independent 独立自主的I am your friendWhen youre down and worried And you need a caring friend And nothing, nothing is right for you, Think of me. Soon you wont be alone. When you close you
27、r eyes, I will be there too.You just think of my face And well be together again. Ill come to you from wherever I am, Morning, afternoon, evening or night For a problem or even a fight. I am your friend.If the dark clouds gather And the thunder begins to sound And the cold winds blow under your door
28、, Theres no need to worry. You neednt be alone, Think of me and Ill be back once more.When youve given your best, But still you dont succeed And you need a friend to help you on your way, Think of me. And I will come back to you To help you out and find the right things to say.It is important to kno
29、w youve got a friend. When people are hard and cold they let you down and make you frown And make you sad if you let them, Dont let them.I am your friend.EXERCISES1. Choose the corrects words or phrases to put into the sentences below and change the form where necessary.1) Im sure youll _ if you work hard.2) Dont _ darling, Daddys here.3) It was scary being all _ in a strange city.4) I felt strongly that my English teacher had _ me _.alone let downsucceedworry
