Macbeth

This story of Macbeth is retold from William Shakepeare's play of the same name. It teels of Macbeth and his wife who, in their greed for power, add to the violence already prevalent in the kingdom of Scotland, and as a result disturb the peace in their own lives. One day when Macbeth and Banquo went back from the battle. They met three witches who told Macbeth that he would become the King with fearful voice. After that, Macbeth's seeds of ambition had already been sown because he wanted the crown. Lady Macbeth who loved power encouraged his husband to kill the King when he was asleep. Finally, They killed the King of Scotland, Duncan. Macbeth lost his peace and he was killed on the battlefield in the end.

Vocabulary:
1. revolt (v.) : to take violent action against the people in power 反叛
2. mocking (adj.) : showing that you think sb/ sth is ridiculous 嘲弄的
3. proposition (n.) : a thing that you intend to do; a problem or task to be dealt with 欲做的事；任务
4.shrieked (n.) : to say sth in a loud, high voice 尖声说
5. tremble (v.) : to shake slightly 颤动；轻轻摇晃

Comment:
I think the greedy mind will not give us happiness. The crown which Macbeth desires is the main reason to make him do the decision to kill the King, Duncan. His hand is full of fresh blood of the one whom he kills. He regrets and feel scary after his doings. All his regrets are too late because he has done something merciless and unfeeling to the King who trusts him very much. We should make sure that our decision is the correct one and don't to do something that isn't a human's will do. Our decision is the most important. It can affect us in our life. I think the main thing that this book 'told' us to do is to 'protect' the peace.

The Asoka Pillar

This is a story of a king whose enormous crime converted him into a great campaigner for peace. The Asoka pillar stands in Sarnath, near the city of Benaras in India. It is a stone pillar on which is inscribed the laws of government which Emperor Asoka had laid down. These laws preached non-violence and peace. On top of this pillar rest three carved stone lions.

Vocabulary:
1. military (n.) : soldiers 军人
2. conquer (v.) : to take control of a country or city and its people by force 占领
3. dynasty (n.) : a siries of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family 朝代；王朝
4. preach (v.) : to give a religious talk in a public place, especially in a church during a service 讲道
5. victorious (adj.) : having won a victory; that ends in victory 胜利的
6. campaigner (n.) : a person who leads or takes part in a campaign, especially one for political or social change （尤指政治或社会变革的）运动领导者
7. convert (v.) : to change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another （使）转变

Comment:

In the beginning, Asoka was a fierce military leader. He always lead the soldiers when they are in battle. In the battle, he killed a lot of peoples and took a lot of peoples as prisoners. Finally, he realised his how great his crime was after he had looked the dead bodies lying on the battlefield. He turned from Hindu to the teachings of Buddhists. After that, he knew the importance of non-violence and the respect to all forms of life. He learned about 'peace'. He has changed his behaviours. So, I think the one who do the wrongs then confess should be forgive.

A Tale of Two Cities

This story was setted in France during the time of the French Revolution, this retold extract from Charles Dicken's terrible tale of violence teaches us that if the rich are unfeeling and arrogant, they will never have any peace.It is about the Marquis of Evremonde who was a proud man treated poor people badly like they were rats that needed to be killed anyway. Once, he threw out to the crowd a gold coin, as though paying for some object that he broke after a child had been knocke down and killed under his carriage. People hated and feared the rich noblemen of France. Finally, they decided to take revenge. 

Vocabulary:
1. trample (v.) : to ignore somebody's feelings or rights and treat them as if they are not important 践踏
2. filth (n.) : any very dirty and unpleasant substance 污物
3. alight (v.) : to get out of a bus, a train or other vehicle 从（公共汽车，火车等）下来
4. defiance (n.) : open refusal to obey something or somebody 违抗
5. nobleman (n.) : a person from a family of high social rank 出生高贵的人
6. fountain (n.) : a structure from which water is pumped up into the air, found as an ornament in parks and gardens/ yards 人工喷泉
7. bloodthirsty (adj.) : wanting to kill or wound; enjoying seeing or hearing about killing and violence 嗜杀成性的；喜好看（或听）凶杀与暴力的
8. grievance (n.) : something that you think is unfair and that you complain or protest about 不平的事；委屈；抱怨；牢骚
9. oppressed (adj.) : treated in a cruel and unfair way and not given the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people 被迫害的
10. establish (v.) : to start or create an organization, a system, etc. that is meant to last for a long time 建立

Comment:
People who is proud will be unliked. The Marquis only think about himself like he is the most important person and the others are just rats or dogs or the other animal. He does not treat the poor people as a human because he just throw out the money to the poor one after the child was 'killed by his carriage'. All their behaviours are the main reason that cause the peoples who hate them very much to take revenge on them. Then, 'The French Revolution' continues for three years after the attack on the Bastille.

Great Plays of Shakespeare

1.Romeo and Juliet
This play is an early tragedy (and likely Shakespeare’s first) about two teenage “star-cross’d lovers” whose “untimely deaths” ultimately unite their feuding households. The play has been highly praised by literary critics for its language and dramatic effect. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with “Hamlet” is one of his most frequently performed plays. Its influence is still seen today, with the two main characters being widely represented as archetypal young lovers. This is the singularly greatest romance ever written and has been continuously adapted to each generation in musicals, cinema and the theatre.

Vocabulary:
1. curse (v.) : to swear 诅咒
2. weep (v.) : to cry, usually because you are sad （通常因悲伤）哭泣，流泪
3. tomb (n.) : a place, esp a vault beneath the ground, for the burial of a corpse 墓
4. apothecary (n.) : A person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs 药师

Comment:
I think 'Romeo and Juliet' is such a sad and unfortunate story that I have read. In this story, Romeo is a changeful person for his love because he loves the beautiful Rosaline before he meets Juliet. He changes his heart easily. Juliet is faithful to remain her love for Romeo and never compromise with Paris who wishes to marry her. Even though their parents are not allow them to marry each other, but they didn't give up their love and in the end they die for each other by drinking the poison. This shows that how they love each other and would like to sacrifice their life to prove their love.

2. King Lear
Lear, the aging king of Britain, decides to step down from the throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters. First, however, he puts his daughters through a test, asking each to tell him how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, Lear’s older daughters, give their father flattering answers. But Cordelia, Lear’s youngest and favorite daughter, remains silent, saying that she has no words to describe how much she loves her father. Lear flies into a rage and disowns Cordelia. The king of France, who has courted Cordelia, says that he still wants to marry her even without her land, and she accompanies him to France without her father’s blessing.

Vocabulary
1. serpent (n.) : a snake 蛇
2. merely (adv.) : only as specified and nothing more 只是
3. sinned (v.) : to commit a sinful act 犯了罪
4. traitor (n.) : a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country 叛徒

Comment:
I think the king is so foolish to believe the 'sweet words' from his first and second daughter but angry with his youngest daughter who tell him the unpleasing truth. We should listen to the truth and learn to distinguish between lies and truth. All of his behaviour make him regret after he realises that Cordelia is the kindest daughter he has. He loses all of his power because of his stupid. In the end, the sympathetic Cordelia forgives his father but she died. So, this is also an unfortunate story for me.

1st Half Year Unified Test 2

Foon Yew High School JB
Senior Middle One
1st Half Year Unified Test 2
13th April 2011

A.     Comprehension (20%)
        (5 Subjective Questions)

B.     Vocabulary (20%)
        (Top 1 Standard: Unit 3 --pg32&33)

C.     Literature Component (20%)
        (Poem: 'He Had Such Quiet Eyes' -- 5 True/False Statements
                                                              5 Subjective Questions)

D.     Verb Forms (10%)
         1. The Simple: Past, Present, Future (Active & Passive)
          2. The Continuous: Past, Present, Future (Active & Passive)
          3. The Prefect: Past, Present
          4. The Perfect Continuous: Past, Present
          5. The Conditionals
          6. Gerund
          7. The Infinitives: Bare, To-infinitive

E.     Formation of Words (10%)
        Practice Session 5 & 7

F.     Rewriting Sentences (10%)
        Exercise B

G.     Grammar (10%)
          1. Countable and Uncountable Nouns (Top 1: pg16-17)
          2. Prepositions (Top 1: pg61-62)
          3. Subject and Verb Agreement

Top 1 Standard English (P.32)

Vocabulary

1. imperative (adj.)
very important and needing immediate attention or action
重要紧急的，迫切的，急需处理的
eg. It is absolutely imperative that we finish by next week.

2. tosses (v.)
to throw sth slightly or carelessly
（轻轻或漫不经心地）扔，抛，掷
eg. I tossed the book aside and got up.

3. attachment (n.)
a short time spent working with an organization such as a hospital, school or part of the armed forces
短期在...工作
eg. She's on attachment to the local hospital.

4. enclosure (n.)
a piece of land that is surrounded by a fence or wall and is used for a particular purpose
圈占地
eg. a wildlife enclosure

5. scrutinishing (v.)
to look at or examine sb/sth carefully
仔细查看
eg. She leaned forward to scrutinise their faces.

6. endeavour (n.)
an attempt to do sth, especially sth new or difficult
（尤其指新的或艰苦的）努力，尝试
eg. Please make every endeavour to arrive on time.

Thoughts:
In my memories, I remember a teacher who wasn't very young but pretty and always keep smiling who taught me when I was studying year 6 at primary school. She is a nice teacher but a little strict to us. She taught us 'Chinese' and 'Math' and treated us just like her sons or daughters so we called her 'god-mother'.

She was full of responsibility and always tried to explain more clearly about her teaching so we could understand it easily. She also have a sweet voice that can attract us to pay attention during her class. When I was studying at primary school, my Mathematics wasn't very well but she didn't feel annoying and keep her patience to teach me as possible as she can. We weren't used to be bored in her period because she always tell us about her son, her family or something interesting in her life. Once, she told us that she was the champion of the singing contest during her school life. She is a humorous person and always making jokes among us so we like her very much.

She corrected us in time after we commit an error. She also concerned us about our examination results even if the subjects she never taught us. She advised us to study harder and harder to improve our knowledges and encourage us to read some books to build our inner-value.

Because of having a nice 'god-mother like her, our class became a warm 'family' day by day so I felt very happy that I have a good teaher like her. I believe that I will remember her forever because her teaching affected me deeply.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Little Mary is an orphan, come from India to her relatives in England. Her cousin Colin is a sicky lad, living in the same large cold house that Mary has been sent to. Both children are self-centered and lonely, unhappy in different ways. It is only when Mary finds a rusty old key that opens the long-hidden garden that the two learn to find love and happiness. In the mysteery and beauty of nature and living things, Mary and Colin overcome their problems and reach out to the magic and miracles of the wonders around them.

plush (n.) : a silk or cotton fabric with a thick soft surface made of a mass of threads （丝或棉的）长毛绒
scowl (v.) : to look at somebody/something in an angry or annoyed way 怒视（某人或某物)
tantrums (n.) : a sudden short period of angry, unreasonable behaviour, especially in a child （尤指儿童）   耍脾气，使性子
moor (n.) : a high open area of land that is not used for farming, especially an area covered with rough grass and heather 旷野；荒野；高沼；漠泽
dreary (adj.) : that makes you feel sad; dull and not interesting 令人沮丧的；沉闷的；枯燥无味的
droned (v.) : to make a continuous low noise 嗡嗡叫；嗡嗡响
cereal (n.) : the grain produced by cereal crops 谷物
spade (n.) : a garden tool with a broad metal blade and a long handle, used for digging 锹；铲
chuckled (v.) : to laugh quietly 低声轻笑；轻声地笑
stammer (v.) : to speak with difficulty, repeating sounds or words and often stopping, before saying things correctly 口吃；结结巴巴地说
whine (n.) : a high tone of voice that you use when you complain about something 抱怨的语调
bewilderment (n.) : a feeling of being completely confused 迷惘；困惑；迷乱

Sentences:
1. The lonely girl almost smiled as she listened to his song.
2. It is a sign that spring's on the way.
3. Yesterday, you showed me where the key was,so today, you ought to show me where the door is.
4. His friendly face had big blue eyes and freckles.
5. Seated around him were two rabbits, a brown squirrel, and a pheasant, all listening to the strange music he was making on a rough wooden pipe.
6. But I want you to be happy and play wherever you like.
7. It would be our very own secret forever.
8. How do you know you're going to die?
9. Well, if they wished I would die, just to spite them, I wouldn't.
10. Your time with Colin has been a blessing to all of us.
11. But no one can be gloomy here, with everything so full of color.
12. Her hard little heart grew warm.
13. Children learn from children, children need children!
14. Colin leaned back and lifted his face to the sky, breathing in the sweet-smelling air, gazing at the puffs of snowy white clouds, and listening to the singing of the birds and the humming of the bees.
15. I shall get well!
16. And I shall live forever and ever and ever!
17. You can do it, Colin!
18. There 's magic here---good magic!
19. 'Nice things are going to happen' and you really believe it, magic will happen.
20. But everything came alive, Father, just as I came alive too.

I thought the story of 'The Secret Garden' was very dreamy and interesting! I loved the illustration in this book especially the picture on the cover page which could make the story more interesting~ In the 'world inside the book', everthing was full of colour. The characters would never feel alone because they had so many friends including all of the animals in the story. I agree that the most in this story is 'Natural beauty can make a better mood'. I love nature so I love this book very much! =)