ESL 作文、话题及阅读专项训练

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1、ESL 作文、话题及阅读专项训练Airport InformationPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.The airport is your first stop before leaving on our dream vacation or trip. Generally speaking, you should arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Dont arrive 10 minutes before your plane dep

2、arts. You can park your car in long-term parking if you are planning to be away for a few days, or you can ask someone to drop you off in the loading zone right in front of the airport terminal. In some cases, you can check your bags there at curbside, or you might have to go to the check-in counter

3、 inside the airport. Many airports now allow you to check in at a computer kiosk, but you will still need to check your bags if you have any. Once you are checked in, you will have to pass through security where they will check your ID and your carry-on bags. You will also need to walk through a met

4、al detector, which will check for illegal items. After you pass through security, you can walk to the gate where you can wait to board your flight. Just wait until they call your section to board. They usually seat first-class passengers and those who need assistance first. Enjoy your flight. Part I

5、I: Vocabulary Exercise Now, review the bold vocabulary above by trying this quiz. Then, return back to this page for speaking practice. 1. You should _ at the airport 2 hours before your flight.A. see B. arrive C. depart2. I ask a friend to _ at the airport because I didnt have a car.A. drop me off

6、B. pick me down C. lift me up3. You might arrive early because the airport _ will be crowded around that time of day.4. Do you want to _ that bag at the counter, or are you planning on carrying it on the plane?5. We can get something to eat as we_ through the airport.Its looks like its time to _ the

7、 plane, so lets get in line at the gate. A. Board B. return C. leavePart III: Discussion What are some of your frustrations when going through an airport? Is there anything you can do personally to minimize these problems? What can airports do to deal with these issues? Listen and compare: Part IV:

8、Online Investigation Airport security is a major concern for people who fly on airlines. However, people are often unaware as to the rules about what you can and cannot carry on board domestic and international flights because these rules are constantly changing. Now, use the Internet to identify th

9、e specific items that are banned from flights at the airport nearest you. Summarize your findings with a partner and give a reason why each item is banned from flights. Apartment:Renting a Place of Your OwnPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.Last month, I decided to move out

10、 of my parents place and start living on my own. I searched in the newspaper for apartment listings and found a place not too far from my work. The landlord showed me around the apartment, and because it suited my needs, I signed the rental agreement and paid a deposit, some of which I might get bac

11、k when I move out. The apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and kitchen. It also has a small utility room where I keep my washer and dryer. Right before I moved in, the landlord put in new carpet and had the walls painted, so it looks like a new place. The rent is $650 a month, n

12、ot including utilities. I pay about $100 for gas, electricity, water, sewage, and Internet service. Unfortunately, the apartment complex doesnt allow pets, so my dog has to stay with my parents for now. I might get a roommate at some point to share expenses, but I havent decided on that yet. The pla

13、ce looks a little empty because it isnt furnished, but for the time being, I only have the basics: a bed, a table, a small sofa in the living room, and a TV. Its not as livable and cozy as my parents place, but it will have to do for now. Part II: Vocabulary ExerciseNow, review the bold vocabulary a

14、bove by trying this quiz. Then, return back to this page for speaking practice.1. This apartment is very comfortable, and it really _ my needs because its close to campus, and the neighborhood is quiet. A. appears B. helps C. suits2. The _ was turned off yesterday because we didnt pay our bill, so n

15、ow we can use the TV or lights. A. gas B. water C. electricity3. I had to _ of my parents place because they are selling their home. A. move in B. move around C. move out4. I spoke with the _, and he said they are going to fix our bathroom later today because this is his responsibility. A. landlord

16、B. roommmate C. tenant5. You have to pay a _ before you move it, and you might get part of it back if you keep the apartment in good condition6. I really like this apartment because it is already _ with a sofa, table, and chairs.Part III: Discussion What is the process of finding an apartment in you

17、r hometown? Can you contact the landlord directly, or do you have to go through a real estate agent? On average, how much does it cost to rent a 1-bedroom apartment? Are most apartments already furnished, or do you have to furnish it yourself?Part IV: Online Investigation Suppose you are planning on

18、 moving to a major city in the United States, and you have to find a 2-bedroom apartment for you and your small family (your spouse and two small children, ages 7 and 4). You have a limited budget of under $800 a month for both rent and all utilities. Search the Internet for an apartment in the city

19、 of your choosing and report on the place you find. Be sure to prioritize your reasons for choosing the place. Appliance Store:Washers, Dryers, and RefrigeratorPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.Im moving into a new home this weekend, so I decided to do some shopping to fur

20、nish the place. I went to an appliance store not too far from my house, and I first bought a refrigerator for the kitchen. You really cant live without one because you have to keep your food cold or frozen so it doesnt spoil. Then, I bought a washer and dryer to clean and dry my clothes. I dont want

21、 to go to a laundromat to do this every week like I used to do. Next, I bought a dishwasher. I probably dont need one because I could wash my dishes by hand, but having a dishwasher can make life easier. You simply put the dishes inside, add some dishwashing detergent, and turn the machine on. Final

22、ly, I picked up a microwave oven. If Im in a hurry and dont have time to cook, I can throw something in the microwave and heat it up quickly. I havent purchased everything I need to furnish my new place, but I think I have the basic appliances to make life more comfortable for now. Part II: Vocabula

23、ry Exercise Now, review the bold vocabulary above by trying this quiz. Then, return back to this page for speaking practice. 1.If you want to _ your food, just put it in the microwave for about a minute.2.I need a new _ because the old one does seem to be keeping the food cold. A. refrigerator B. di

24、shwasher C. washer3.I need to go to the _ to dry my clothes because my dryer isnt working right.A. furniture store B. laundromat C. supermarket4.I need to go to the store to by more diswasher _ because Im all out at the moment.5.Sometimes, it takes time and money to _ an apartment with new things.A.

25、 move B. furnish C. buy6.I have to wash my dishes _ because I dont have a dishwasher.Part III: Discussion If you had to live on an island for one year and you could have one household appliance to make life easier, which would it be? Explain your reasons. Part IV: Online Investigation Youre moving i

26、nto a new home with your husband, wife, or friend, and you want to furnish it with everything in the paragraph above. How much would it cost to furnish your place with these new appliances? How much might it cost to run the appliances per year, including the cost for gas, electricity, and water? Wha

27、t are some things you could do to cut costs? Auto Mechanic: Common Car RepairsPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.My car was acting up recently and wasnt running right, so I took it to a mechanic to have it checked. Everytime I tried to start the car, the engine would turn o

28、ver for a second or two and then die. The mechanic pulled the car into his garage to look things over. The mechanic popped the hood, checked to see if all the hoses and belts were in working order, and then tested the car battery and battery cables. After taking a look at things for a few minutes an

29、d trying to get the car going, the mechanic diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator. He said he could fix the problem by replacing the alternator with a new ($130) or a rebuilt alternator ($80). Just diagnosing the problem cost $65, and the labor was $50. I asked the mechanic to go ahead and do th

30、e repairs, and he said that there was a 30-day warranty on parts and labor. Some mechanics might overcharge you for repairs, but the mechanic I go to is fair and does great work. Part II: Vocabulary Exercise Now, review the bold vocabulary above by trying this quiz. Then, return back to this page fo

31、r speaking practice. 1.My car was _ this morning, and it didnt run smoothly to work.A. acting over B. acting down C.acting upPart III: Discussion What are some common problems people have with their cars that require a professional mechanic to fix? If you had a problem with your car, would you rathe

32、r take it to a friend who fixes cars or a professional auto mechanic? Explain your reasons.Part IV: Online Investigation Suppose your car needs a tune-up to make it run better. Check online to find out how much this service would cost. Compare two or more auto mechanics to determine the price of the

33、 service and years in business. Do you notice any claims by the auto service that might question, including bias? Banks: From Savings Accounts to Certificates of DepositPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.Yesterday, I went to a bank to open up a savings and checking account.

34、 I deposit about $300 every month in my savings account to save money for major purchases or for a rainy day when I have unexpected expenses. My paycheck is deposited directly into my checking account, and I write out checks to pay my bills. My checking account is free if I maintain a minimum balanc

35、e of $25 in the account. I also have about $100 automatically transferred from my checking to my savings account on a monthly basis. The accounts earn very little interest, but its better than earning nothing. Therefore, I also have a certificate of deposit that earns a higher rate of interest, but

36、I cant withdraw the money from the account for one year. Actually, I need money because Im planning on taking out a student loan to pay for college tuition. Also, I rent a safety deposit box at the bank and store my valuables there including important documents, some coins and jewelry, and the deed,

37、 or ownership record, to my house. Finally, I can exchange my money into the currency of other countries, or I can buy travellers checks before I depart on a trip. Part II: Discussion More and more students are getting into debt because they dont know how to manage their money and avoid spending bey

38、ond their means. What are some ways that students can save money and still pay for living expenses? Part III: Online Investigation Your friend is thinking about opening up a bank account in your county, but he doesnt understand the services the banks provide. Use the Internet to compare to banks in

39、your city and decide which would be best for international students living in your area. Bicycle ShopPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.Ive decided to start mountain biking to get in shape and enjoy the scenery around my area, so I took my bike into a cycling shop to get a

40、tune up. My bike was in pretty bad shape, so I wasnt sure if it would serve my needs. However, the man at the shop adjusted my breaks, oiled the chain, fixed my flat tire, and adjusted the spokes in my wheels. He suggested that if I do a lot of heavy riding, I should get self-sealing bike tubes that

41、 dont puncture as easily over rough terrain. Im thinking about getting a lighter bike, but my current bike will have to do for now. I also bought a new bike helmet to protect my head in case I fall off the bike or fly over the handle bars on my rides. Finally, I bought a water hydration backpack so

42、I can drink water and still have my hands free to ride. Part II: Discussion Discuss some basic tips for riding safely on city roads or in the back country (mountain biking). What are the rules of the road for bikes? Part III: Online Investigation Youve decided to train and prepare for a 300-kilomete

43、r ride through the countryside in the country of your choice. The entire trip will last between 1-2 weeks, and you will take some time to sightsee along the way. What kinds of equipment, including a new bike, would you need to buy for a multi-day trip? What about camping supplies? Search the Interne

44、t and price all the equipment you will need and prepare a budget. To make things easier, your parents have been vary generous and have given you $5,000 to spend on your trip. Enjoy!Bookstore:Textbooks and School SuppliesPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording. The new school sem

45、ester just started, and I need some supplies for my classes. First, I have to buy six textbooks, but they are so expensive, so I might buy the textbooks online if they are available. I also need to pick up a good dictionary and thesaurus to help me improve my writing in my English classes. I also ha

46、ve to read three novels. For my math and physics classes, I need a calculator, and I have to buy several notebooks and 3-ring binders to organize my homework and assignments. I also will buy some color pens and a yellow highlighter to mark important points in my textbooks. However, if my textbooks a

47、re in good condition at the end of the semester, I might be able to return them for a partial refund. Part II: Discussion What are things you have to buy every semester at a typical college in your area and how much does a student pay on school supplies? Do students usually pay for these expenses on

48、 their own, through college loans, or with the help of parents? Part III: Online Investigation Buying books at a traditional bookstore can be very expensive, so many students are turning to buying textbooks online. However, how much can students really save? Price a book you are interested in buying

49、 at a bookstore near you and then check the price of the same book online. How much can you save? Can you buy the book cheaper if it is used? Campgrounds:Reservations and FacilitiesPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.During the summer, I spend a lot of time camping in the mo

50、untains near my house. Its a great way to spend time with family. I usually reserve a campsite at a campground in the canyon, but you can try your luck without a campsite reservation and hope you can find a non-reservable site that is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. In most cases, we l

51、ook for a campsite that has a lot of shade from the sun, is near a water source, has a good fire pit, and has a good spot to pitch a tent. Once we select a site, we unload our gear from the car, set up our tent, and start a fire to prepare dinner. Building a fire isnt difficult if you have the right

52、 tinder and wood to get it going. After dinner, we sometimes sit around the fire and tell stories or sing songs. Before we go to bed, we make sure to put out the fire and put away any food and garbage left out. Otherwise, animals including bear might stop and visit our campsite during the night. Par

53、t II: Discussion What camping opportunities are available in and around your hometown? How do you go about making campsite reservations? What are some commonsense rules for keeping safe while camping? Part III: Online Investigation Suppose your are preparing to go camping a couple of days in a famou

54、s US national park like Zions National Park in Utah, or Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Search online to find out how you can reserve a campsite at one of these locations or one of your own choice. What are the campsite facilities like? Are there any restrictions on what you can do and bring i

55、nto the park? Are pets allowed? Cemetery:Remembering our DeadPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.My father passed away about two years ago, but our family often goes to the cemetery to pay our respects to his memory. During the burial service at the cemetery, our church lead

56、er offered a prayer, and some of the family said some parting words. It was heartbreaking to see my mom in so much pain after losing her best friend and companion for so many years. After the service, the casket was lowered into the ground and covered, and then a headstone was placed over the grave

57、with an inscription of my fathers name, date of birth and death, and his favorite short poem. My moms name was also inscribed on the headstone because she will eventually be buried next to my father. Today, we often go to the cemetery and clean the headstone, leave freshly cut flowers, and recount s

58、tories about his life. No one is ever really gone as long as their memory lives on within you. Part II: Discussion Describe a typical cemetery in your country and then discuss how people honor their dead. Do they visit the cemetery on specific holidays throughout the year? Do they leave anything or

59、do anything at the grave? Part III: Online Investigation Burial services and ways of honoring the dead vary depending on the practices of individual families as well as the influences of culture and religion. Choose a country which interests you of which you have little knowledge and then use the In

60、ternet to understand their burial practices better. How are these similar or different than your own.ChurchPart I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.I attend church on Sunday every week because I want to worship God and receive spiritual guidance in my life. I usually sit in one o

61、f the middle pews in the church. One of the members gives the invocation, or opening prayer, to begin the service. During the service, the minister usually gives a spiritual sermon to encourage members of the congregation to change their lives. He reads from the scriptures and shares inspirational s

62、tories. An offering plate is passed around to collect donations from the congregation. At the close of the meeting, another member offers the benediction, or closing prayer. My religion gives me hope in spite of the challenges in the world today. Part II: Discussion What are the main religions in yo

63、ur country? Do you believe in a god or supreme being? How does your own religion, if any, help you? Part III: Online Investigation You can learn to understand other cultures by studying the religions of that area. Select a religion that interests you, and use the Internet to find out three or four main beliefs of that faith. Describe a typical religious service. Finally, draw some conclusions on why you think the religion attracts its believers. Part I: Listen and Read: Read along with the audio recording.One of my favorite places to shop is a discount clothing store in my town. The sto