1. Do you use a bicycle? When? 2. Which one do you like, a bicycle or a car? Why? 3. What are the advantages of bicycles over cars? 4. Today’s story is about Netherland. What do you know about Netherland? What is Netherland famous for?

China: 600,000,000 bikes China: 600,000,000 bikes The Kingdom of Bicycles The Kingdom of Bicycles ( 自行车王国 ) in the 1980s

Do you know which city is called “the city of bicycles”?

Netherlands Amsterdam Find Amsterdam in the map

Amsterdam is the capital city of Netherlands which has 14 million bicycles among 15 million people. It is called the “City of Bicycles”. Read the passage and learn about it.

Read the text. Are these statements true (T) or false (F)? 1. Using a computer chip is to stop bikes from being stolen. 2. Now in Amsterdam all the bicycles are painted white. T F

3. In Amsterdam riding a bicycle is very convenient. You can find a bicycle anywhere. 4. Over 40 years people have been enjoying the benefits of cycling in Amsterdam. 5. In Amsterdam no car is allowed in the city centre and only bicycles are. F F F

6. In order to reduce pollution and save energy, cycling fans had another idea of using a computer card 30 years later. 7. Almost every one buys bicycle in Amsterdam. F F

1. Why Amsterdam is called the “City of Bicycles”? Because there are plenty of places to park bikes and most streets in the city centre have a bicycle lane. Read the text again and answer these questions.

2. Why did the first “white bikes” plan fail? Thieves stole the bikes. 3. What effects have the white bikes had? There is less traffic in central Amsterdam.

Do you think the “ white bikes ” would be good for our town or city? Why?

Langue points 1. paint… (color) 染上某种颜色 He has decided to paint the ceiling light blue, which can make the room look nice and cool. 他决定把天花板涂成淡蓝色, 这会 使屋子看起来很清爽。

Fences are always painted white. 篱笆经常被刷成白色的。 2. thank to 由于, 因为 ( 后面只能跟短语 ) Thanks to the efforts by Dr. Smith, I can walk around again now. 由于史密斯医生的努力, 我现在又能走 路了。

David kicked the ball into his own goal. It was thanks to his stupidity that we won the game. 大卫把球踢到他们自己的球门里去 了, 我们赢球要感谢他的糊涂。

3. work 起作用, 行得通 The problem was that it didn’t work ---- thieves took all the bicycles within weeks. 但是这个办法行不通 ---- 几周内, 所有 的自行车都被小偷偷走了。 The plan just won’t work. 这个计划是行不通的。

The medicine have worked. 药物奏效了。 work ( 机器、器官等 ) 运转, 活动 The machine works smoothly. 机器运转正常。 My brain doesn’t seem to be working well today. 我的脑子今天好像不大灵活。

If you are a cycling fan, here’s something more for you.

Vocabulary for Cycling

VOCABULARY The main parts of a bicycle are shown in the diagram. In addition: A handbell (or bell) can be used to attract the attention of drivers. A dynamo, front light and back light may be needed. A strong bicycle lock may stop someone from stealing your bike.

The word bicycle is often shortened to bike. A person who rides a bike is called a cyclist. A person who walks is a pedestrian, and a driver is a motorist. A cycle way or cycle path is part of a road that cyclists can use safely.

Homework Finish Exercises 8-9 on P37.