1. 版别：新人教版
高中三年级(上)
Unit 1

2. Reading

3. Revision
People have always been interested in knowing about world records. They want to know about the biggest, smallest, fastest, slowest, longest, shortest, oldest and youngest. The first book of this kind was The Gunnies Book of World Records.

4. The idea for this book came from Hugh Beaver
The idea for this book came from Hugh Beaver. One day, after watching some birds, he told his friends that he thought those birds were probably the fastest birds in Britain. Several of his friends disagreed with him.

5. However, when they tried to solve the problem by looking it up, they found none of the books they had contained the information that they were looking for. As a result, Hugh Beaver decided to put out a book that would contain all kinds of world records.

6. Hugh Beaver began to look for someone who could help him write
the book. Soon he heard of two brothers who had a small fact agency in London. They worked on finding and checking facts for people. Hugh Beaver went to

7. interview the two brothers and found their knowledge amazing
interview the two brothers and found their knowledge amazing. He offered them jobs in his company. On August 27, 1955,
The Gunnies Book of World Records went on sale. In four months it became a best -seller.

8. Questions
What can we learn from this passage?
How and when the first edition of the Gunnies Book of World Records was put out.

9. Pre-reading Suggested answers on Page 3
He was the then director of the
Guinness Brewery, who came up with the idea of writing a book later called the Guinness Book of the World Records.
2.In 1955.
3.1.6 meters.

10. 4. Urumqi is the most remote city from
the sea--- it is 2,500kilmeters from the
nearest coast. A special and delicious
record was set in 1997 to celebrate
Hong Kong’s return to China.
5. Lance Armstrong.

11. Skimming How and when the first edition was put out?
In 1951 when Sir Hugh Beaver wanted to find out the fastest bird in Europe, he came up with the idea for the Guinness Book of the World Records. The first edition was published in 1955.

12. How are the records printed?
Into different categories
Curiosity; also entertained by accounts of strange and unusual deeds and facts
Why are people so interested in world records?

13. What types of record attempt will be accepted by the Guinness Book of World Record ?
Suitable and safe.

14. The steps to get one’s record into the Guinness Book of the World Records.
Key words
contact, decide, send, inspect, confirm

15. First contact the Guinness Book of the World Records
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
The editors need to decide if your suggestion is suitable and safe.
The editors will send you rules and the form you need to apply for the record.

16. Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
A Guinness official will come to inspect your attempt.
The official will confirm the record.
You will get a certificate that says you are a world record holder.

17. Reading Paragraph 1: How and when the first edition was put out.
The records that can be printed in the book are put into different categories and some examples.

18. Paragraph 3:
Chinese records in the book.
Paragraph 4:
Examples of records from the world of sports and the moving story of Armstrong’s struggle against disease.

19. Paragraph 5:
Why people are so interested in world records.
Paragraph 6:
How the Guinness Book of World Record accepts a world record.

20. The text can be divided
into four parts:
Part 1: (Paragraph 1)
How and when the first edition was put out.
Part 2: (Paragraph 2-4)
The records that can be printed in the book are put into different categories.

21. Part 3: (Paragraph 5)
Why people are so interested in world records.
Part 4: (Paragraph 6)
How the Guinness Book of World Record accepts a world record.

22. Main idea of the text
The text provides readers information of the Guinness Book of World Records. From the text we can learn how and when the first edition came out. We also learn that collected records are put them into different categories. The text

23. also explains why so many people are interested in world records
also explains why so many people are interested in world records. From the text we can learn the steps to be a world record holder. The Guinness Book of World Records is the most complete, authoritative, and exciting guide to every record, statistic, and feat of human

24. endeavor and natural wonder imaginable
endeavor and natural wonder imaginable. We can find every imaginable world record here. After learning about the Guinness Book of the World Records, we common people may have a desire to set a world record and become a world record holder.

25. Writing Style of the Text
It is an expository writing.
According to the characteristics of expository writing, the writer selects informational/technical, descriptive language appropriately. The language is easy to understand. The text is well organized. From the first part we can

26. learn how and when the first edition was put out
learn how and when the first edition was put out. In the second part, it tells us that records are put into different categories and gives some examples. In the third part, it tells us why people are interested in world records. The last part tells how to get one’s record into the Guinness Book World Records.

27. Explanation
1. Instead, the editors of the book set down the records and keep track of them in other ways.
“to keep track of sth.” means “record sth.”.
As we know only some of the more than 60, 000 new records can be printed

28. 1) record sth; write down 2) keep informed of sb./sth.
every year. We can understand the sentence like this: The editors of the book write down the records and keep them in other ways instead of printing them in the Guinness Book.
keep track of:
1) record sth; write down
2) keep informed of sb./sth.

29. Don’t feel bad if you make a mistake.
e.g.:
Don’t feel bad if you make a mistake.
Keep track of (i.e. write down) your mistakes and learn from them.
Her mother used to keep track of
(write down) every penny she spent.

30. Mr. Stevens kept track of (keep informed of) his business by telephone when he was in hospital.
It’s hard to keep track of (maintain contact with) all one’s old school friends.

31. 2. Impressive as the record is, it fades next to the story of Armstrong’s struggle against disease.
虽然这项纪录令人难忘， 但是阿姆斯特朗统计并作斗争的故事更令人瞩目。
as 引导倒装让步状语从句, 相当于 though引导的正常语序的状语从句。

32. Tired as he was, he sat up late. =
e.g.:
Tired as he was, he sat up late. =
Though he was tired, he sat up late.
他虽然疲倦,可仍然很晚才睡。
fade 在此句中是比喻。是less impressive 的含义。

33. The flowers faded for want of water. 花儿因缺水而凋谢了。
vi. 1. 凋谢, 枯萎
The flowers faded for want of water.
花儿因缺水而凋谢了。
2. (颜色) 褪去
The color fades when exposed to light.
这颜色曝光后会褪色。

34. 3. (声音等) 变微弱;(光等) 变暗淡; 逐渐消失 (+away)
The sound of the footsteps faded away.
脚步声渐渐消失了。
vt. 使褪色
Sunshine faded the tapestry.
阳光晒得挂毯褪了色。

35. 4. Whether we are out to set a new
record ourselves or simply enjoy
reading about champions, the
Guinness Book of World Records
makes for interesting reading. 　

36. 1）whether... or ...意为“不管是……还是……”,常引导让步状语从句。如：
　 Whether we help him or not, he will fail.
Someone’s got to tell her, whether it’s you or me.

37. 2）make for意为“向……走（冲）去；有助于造成（某种关系、情况），可成为”。如：
　 The children took their ice skates and made for the frozen pond.
　 The climate makes for good health.

38. Homework
1. Retell the text. (You may refer to the following outline of the text.)

39. How and when the first edition was put out.
In 1951 when Sir Hugh Beaver wanted to find out the fastest bird in Europe, he came up with the idea for the Guinness Book of the World Records. The first edition was published in 1955.

40. How are the records printed
Into different categories
Why people are so interested in world records
Curiosity; also entertained by accounts of strange and unusual deeds and facts

41. How the Guinness Book of World Record accepts a world record
First contact the Guinness Book of the World Records; the editors need to decide if your suggestion is suitable and safe. The easiest way is by using the record application form on the Guinness

42. How the Guinness Book of World Record accepts a world record
World Records website; a Guinness official will come to inspect your attempt; if you are successful, you will get a certificate that says you are a world record holder.

43. 2. Surf on the Internet and find something about extreme sports.