1、Background information for Unit 1 Breaking Records1. Facts of Ashrita FurmanAshrita Furman, born September 16, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York, is the holder of 26 records in the Guinness Book of Records, including being the individual with the most current Guinness World Records 1. Furman first entered
2、into the Guiness book by doing 27,000 Jumping Jacks in 1979. Since he began in 1979, Furman has broken more than 100 Guinness records. Furman is a graduate of Jamaica High School in Jamaica, Queens, New York. He went on to attend Columbia University but dropped out in 1974 after he had become a devo
3、ut follower of Sri Chinmoy, the Indian philosopher and religious teacher. World records Records held by Ashrita Furman include: Most hopscotch games in 24 hours Most rope jumps in 24 hours Fastest 10-km sack race Most underwater rope jumps in one hour Fastest pogo stick ascent of Canadas CN Tower La
4、rgest bouquet of flowers Greatest distance traveled on a pogo stick Most milk crates balanced on chin The longest distance walked by a person balancing a milk bottle on their head Greatest amount of beer glasses balanced on chin Most sit-ups performed in an hour The fastest mile, pushing an orange w
5、ith his nose Longest time juggling underwater Longest continuous somersaulting Fastest time juggling 3 balls while running 50 miles Longest distance pogostick Jumping Fastest mile on a pogostick Fastest walking lunge mile Fastest marathon mile skipping Swiss ball balancing Fastest hula hoop racing F
6、urthest distance traversed carrying the most bricks with one hand Fastest 100 meters on a kangaroo ball Fastest mile on a kangaroo ball Most Guinness records in different categories2. About Beijing OlympicThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be held in B
7、eijing in the Peoples Republic of China from August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony to take place at 8 p.m. on August 8, 2008 (the number 8 stands for prosperity in Chinese culture). Some events will be held at venues constructed in neighboring towns and in the coastal city of
8、Qingdao. On July 8 2005, the International Olympic Committee announced that Hong Kong will hold the equestrian events at the site of the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Fo Tan, Sha Tin. The facilities of the Sports Institute may be moved to Wu Kai Sha. This will be the second time the same season of O
9、lympics Games has been hosted by two members of the International Olympic Committee. On October 28 2005 The UKs Guardian newspaper reported that a new discipline of 10km open-water swimming for men and women will be added to the Summer Olympic schedule in 2008.3The meaning of lifeThe philosophical q
10、uestion What is the meaning of life? means different things to different people. The vagueness of the query is inherent in the word meaning, which opens the question to many interpretations, such as: What is the origin of life?, What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?, Wha
11、t is the significance of life?, What is valuable in life?, and What is the purpose of, or in, (ones) life?. These questions have resulted in a wide range of competing answers and arguments, from scientific theories, to philosophical, theological, and spiritual explanations.4. Many people believe tha
12、t the meaning of life is:.to accumulate wealth .to advance natural human evolution, or to contribute to the gene pool of the human race .to advance technological evolution, or to actively develop the future human .to become God, or God-like .to compete or co-operate with others .to destroy others wh
13、o harm you, or to practice nonviolence and nonresistance .to express compassion .to gain and exercise power .to give and receive love .to learn and find enlightenment .to leave a legacy, such as a work of art or a book .to live in peace with each other, and in harmony with the natural environment .t
14、o produce offspring through sexual reproduction .to pursue a dream, vision, or destiny .to relate, connect, or achieve unity with others .to search for truth, knowledge, understanding, or wisdom .to seek and acquire virtue, to live a virtuous life .to seek and find beauty .to seek freedom, either ph
15、ysically, mentally, financially, or spiritually .to seek happiness and flourish, experience pleasure or celebrate .to serve others or do good deeds .to simply live until one dies (there is no universal or celestial purpose, existence has no meaning beyond which one chooses to give it) .to survive, i
16、ncluding the pursuit of immortality through scientific means (see life extension) .to work for justice and democracy .to worship, serve, or achieve union with God Therefore, so与thus二者都是副詞：因此，所以，如此这样的意思therefore and thus用法基本相同，但用时侧重点不一样。therefore1.结果，2.用于对某事物进行推论thus1.强調用什么方式2.达到某种程度或范围；这么3.同Therefor
17、e; consequently用法相同therefore表结果,比so显得更正式一些，在句中常与and连用；如：He worked day and night, and therefore he was able to buy a new sports car.Examples1. He was very tired, and therefore he didnt give the market report. 他非常疲倦，所以没能作市场报告。2.We have a growing population and therefore we need more food. 我们的人口在增长，因此我们需要更多的食物。3.It was snowing, and so I could not go out. 天在下雪，所以我无法外出。4.It was already rather late, thus we decide to urge the customer. 已经相当晚了，所以我们决定催促客户.w。w-w*k&s%5￥u高考资源网w。w-w*k&s%5￥u