(共42张PPT)
Period 4
Unit 6 At one with nature
主题语境
人与自然之人类生存与环境的关系
(1)replace...with/by... 用……替换……，以……接替……
replace...as... 取代……而成为……
(2)take the place of sb．/take one's place
接替某人
in place of＝in one's place 代替
(3)replacement n． 替换；替换的人(物)
课时学案 单元语法讲练(Using language)
1．replace v．以……替换，更换；把……放回原处
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①The factory has replaced most of its workers ________ robots．
②The old machines are in need of ___________(replace)，and the work on the project began three years ago．
③我们的车在半路上抛锚了。更糟糕的是，其中两个轮胎不得不更换。
Our car broke down halfway．To make matters worse，two of the tyres _________________．
with/by
replacement
had to be replaced
(1)give priority to 优先考虑
have/take priority over 优先于，比……重要
(2)prior adj． 较重要的；先前的；较早的
prior to (doing) sth． 在(做)某事之前，先于……
2．priority n．优先处理的事，当务之急
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①Nowadays according to consumers，the ________(prior) for traveling is changed from shopping to food and scenery．
②Please try and find time to read the document prior ____ the climate conference．
③他总是优先考虑别人而不是自己。
He always _____________________ rather than to himself．
priority
to
gives priority to others
(1)a narrow escape 九死一生；死里逃生
a narrow victory 险胜
(2)narrow down 缩小范围
(3)narrowly adv． 勉强地；差一点儿；狭隘地
3．narrow adj．狭窄的，不宽的；狭隘的；勉强的 v．(使)变狭窄；缩小
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①Our school football team had __ narrow victory against that team．
②He was ________(narrow) hit by a car when he was turning to the left．
③这次死里逃生使我意识到生命是多么宝贵。
________________ enlightened me about how precious life was．
a
narrowly
The narrow escape
(1)deserted adj． 无人居住的；被遗弃的
a deserted island 荒岛
(2)dessert n． (形近词)(饭后)甜点，甜食
4．desert n．沙漠，荒漠 v．抛弃；遗弃
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①The baby with a severe physical disability _______________(desert)
by its parents since he was born．
②When they got there，the village seemed ________(desert)，the only sign of life being one or two dogs lying under the trees．
③当其中一个人面临困难时，真正的朋友是不会抛弃对方的。
True friends ____________________ when one of them is facing trouble．
has been deserted
deserted
don't desert each other
so that引导目的状语从句
(教材P89)Eating a lot of fish and meat keeps our bodies strong so that we can fight the cold．
吃很多鱼和肉可以保持我们的身体强壮，这样我们就可以抵御寒冷。
[句式分析] so that引导目的状语从句，意为“为了，以便”。
I'm writing to ask you for some advice so that we can make a full preparation for the class meeting．
我写信向您寻求建议，以便我们能够为班会做好充分准备。
so that既可以引导目的状语从句，意为“为了，以便”，又可以引导结果状语从句，意为“因此，结果”。当其引导目的状语从句时，句中多用情态动词，而当其引导结果状语从句时，句中一般不用情态动词。
[即学即练]——补全句子/句型转换
①They set out early ___________________________(以便他们能按时到达)．
②We started early to go through the grand canyon and climb onto the observatory _________________________(结果我们看到了日出)．
③The boy worked very hard so as to make up for the lost time．
→The boy worked very hard _________________________________．
so that they could arrive on time
so that we enjoyed the sunrise
so that he could make up for the lost time
P86
1．_____________ 一个少数民族
2．___________ 坐落于，位于
3．_________________ 人文景观
4．______________________ 一位水稻种植专家
an ethnic group
be located in
cultural landscape
an expert on rice planting
P87
1．___________ 天然染料
2．_________________ 矿物化合物
3．__________________ 重新流行起来
4．_______________________________ 更受消费者欢迎
5．_____________________ 保护环境
6．_____________________________ 使自己想起自然之美
7．____________________ 地理特征
8．____________________________ 长约50千米
natural dyes
mineral compounds
return to popularity
become more popular with consumers
care for the environment
remind oneself of nature's beauty
geographical features
a length of about 50 kilometres
P88
1．________ 察看，观察
2．______________________ 让风穿过
3．___________________ 沙漠之舟
4．________ 低至……
P89
1．__________ 记下
2．___________________ 弄清含义
check out
allow wind to pass through
the ships of the desert
as low as
note down
work out the meaning
“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句
一、关系代词的确定
“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句中，先行词指人时关系代词用whom，不可用who/that；先行词指物时关系代词用which，不能用that。但如果介词后置，则不受这种限制。
Do you know the girl to whom our teacher is talking
＝Do you know the girl (who/whom/that) our teacher is talking to
你认识我们老师正在谈话的那个女孩子吗？
The school in which my friend once studied is very famous．
＝The school (that/which) my friend once studied in is very famous．
我的朋友曾经就读的那所学校很有名。
[即时训练1] 用适当的关系代词填空
①Is she the girl from _____ you borrowed the dress yesterday evening
②The man _______________ I share the room with is a young teacher from college．
③Can you tell me the reason for _____ you didn't come to her birthday party
④Wind power is an ancient source of energy ___________ we may return to in the near future．
whom
who/whom/that
which
which/that
二、介词的选择
介词的选择可以总结为：“一先、二动、三意义、四特殊”。
1．一先，即先看先行词，从先行词入手。介词往往和先行词构成固定搭配。(比如先行词表示时间，常和on，in，by搭配；表示地点，常与on，in，at搭配；表示原因，与for搭配；表示方式，常与in，by，with搭配)
Do you still remember the day on which we met for the first time
你还记得我们第一次见面的那一天吗？(on the day)
I don't know the reason for which he was late for school．
我不知道他为何上学迟到。(for the reason)
2．二动，即看从句中的谓语动词。根据从句中谓语动词与介词的固定搭配选择合适的介词。
Is this the car for which you paid a high price
这就是你花高价买的那辆汽车吗？(pay for)
This is the computer on which I spent 3，000 yuan．
这就是我花3 000元买的电脑。(spend money on sth．)
3．三意义：通过判断主句表达的全部意义来确定合适的介词。
My computer，without which I can't surf the Internet，broke down yesterday．
昨天我的电脑坏了，没有它我无法上网。
4．四特殊：介词of 常用于表示部分与整体的关系或所属关系。
In our class there are 54 students，half of whom wear glasses．
我们班有54名学生，其中一半戴眼镜。
[即时训练2] 用适当的介词填空
①I will never forget the day ____ which I was admitted to a famous university．
②My father is the first person __ whom I will turn for help when I meet difficulties．
③Would you be kind enough to help the boy ___ whom Chinese is really hard to learn
④Students should take an active part in the community activities ____ which they can gain social experience．
on
to
for
from
三、“介词＋关系代词”的几点注意事项
1．“介词＋关系代词”在定语从句中分别可作时间、地点、原因状语，代替相应的关系副词when，where和why。
This is the house in which(＝where) I lived two years ago．
这就是两年前我居住的那个房子。
The reason for which(＝why) he refused the invitation is not clear．
他拒绝这个邀请的原因尚不清楚。
We'd better fix a date on which(＝when) we will practice spoken English next week．
我们最好定个日期在下周练习一下英语口语。
2．有些固定的短语动词在定语从句中作谓语时，该短语动词的介词一般不提至关系代词前，常见的此类短语动词有listen to，look for，depend on，take care of 等。
[误]This is the watch for which I am looking．
[正]This is the watch (which/that) I am looking for．
这就是我正在找的那块手表。
3．“代词/数词＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
The old man has two sons，both of whom are lawyers．
这位老人有两个儿子，他们都是律师。
4．“the＋名词＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
Look at the building，the roof of which is white．
看那座楼房，它的屋顶是白色的。
5．“the＋形容词比较级/最高级＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
There are two buildings，the larger of which stands nearly a hundred feet high．
那里有两座建筑物，较大的那座几乎有100英尺高。
[即时训练3] 用“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句完成句子
①他是一个经验丰富的人，我们能够从他身上学到很多。
He is a man of great experience _________________________．
②我来这里的原因是我想得到你的帮助。
The reason __________________ is that I want to get your help．
③这正是救了我儿子的那名警察。
This is the policeman _______________________．
④弗兰克的梦想是有个自己的花园，在里面他可以种许多漂亮的花。
Frank's dream is to have his own garden ________________________________________．
from whom we can learn a lot
for which I come here
by whom my son was saved
in which he can grow many
beautiful flowers
用“介词＋关系代词”完成短文
It is reported that the Palace Museum has extended its opening hours，1．___________ time people can observe the Lantern Festival at night．
Many lucky visitors received free tickets，2．_____________ was a 77-year-old Party member．He said that the reason 3．________ he was invited was that he had done much volunteer work．Traveling in the Palace Museum is a fascinating event 4．________ visitors would absorb themselves in the festive atmosphere．
during which
among whom
for which
in which
①publish v．出版
②millions of数以百万计的
③green fingers高超的种植技能
④spend time (in) doing sth．花时间做某事
⑤sunflower n．向日葵
课下预习 第二篇课文(Developing ideas)
⑥expert adj．内行的，专家的
⑦gardener n．园丁，园艺爱好者
⑧corner n．角落；区域，地区
⑨enter v．报名参加
enter into competitions 参加比赛
⑩branch n．树枝
limited adj．有限的
lead to 导致
lead to sb．doing sth．导致某人做某事
rent v．租用，租借
rooftop n．屋顶
as well as 和……一样；除了
be good for 对……有益
free-time activity 业余活动
allow...to do sth．允许……做某事
be at one with 与……完全一致
in doubt 怀疑，不确定
take a moment 花些时间
reflect on 反思，认真思考
line n．歌词，诗行
tend v．照料
thistle n．蓟
A Love of Gardening
“If you look the right way，you can see that the whole world is a garden．[1]” These words come from the author of the book The Secret Garden，first published① in 1911[2]．At that time，only the very rich in Britain had gardens．Very soon after this，homes with gardens began to be built．This is what started the British love of gardening[3]! Today，millions of ② Brits like to say that they have “green fingers③”，with around half the population spending their free time gardening④[4]．
[1] if引导条件状语从句；that引导的是宾语从句，作see的宾语。
[2]过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰The Secret Garden。
[3]what引导的是表语从句。
[4]“with＋宾语＋动词-ing形式”的with复合结构在句中作状语。
For many people in the UK，their garden is their own private world．Each spring，children plant sunflowers⑤ and wait to see which one is the tallest[5]．Expert⑥ gardeners⑦ know just the right corner⑧ for roses，and others spend hours trying to grow perfect vegetables to enter⑨ into competitions．And while many Brits like nothing better than spending their Sunday cutting the grass[6]，some are happy just to sit under the branches⑩ of the trees and enjoy the beauty of the world around them．
[5]which引导宾语从句，作see的宾语。
[6]while意为“尽管，虽然”，引导让步状语从句，其中nothing better than为“否定词＋比较级”表示最高级含义。
But in cities，limited space has led to people looking for new solutions．Those without outside space can rent small pieces of land on which to grow things[7]．Today，there are over 4，000 people in London waiting for such pieces of land[8]．One recent idea has been to turn rooftops and walls into private gardens．These gardens have helped make the cities greener[9] and improve air quality．
[7]“介词＋关系代词＋不定式”作定语相当于定语从句on which they can grow things，修饰其前的land。
[8]动词-ing形式短语作后置定语，修饰over 4，000 people。
[9]“make＋宾语＋宾补”结构。
As well as being good for the environment，gardening is also good for the soul．What other free-time activity allows you to be at one with nature and create more beautiful living things And if you're in any doubt about this[10]，take a moment to reflect on this line from The Secret Garden: “Where you tend a rose...A thistle cannot grow．”
[10]if引导的是条件状语从句。
热爱园艺
“如果从合适的角度去欣赏，你会发现整个世界就是一个花园。”《秘密花园》的作者曾这样说。这本书1911年首次出版，在当时的英国，只有富豪才拥有花园。不久之后，人们开始建造带有花园的房子，英国人对园艺的热爱就此开始！今天，数以百万的英国人喜欢说他们有“绿手指(意为擅长园艺)”，约有一半的英国人都把空闲时间用在打理花园上。
对于许多英国人来说，花园就是他们的私密世界。每年春天，孩子们种下向日葵，满怀期待地看谁种的长得最高。高明的园丁对于花园里哪个角落最合适种玫瑰都了如指掌，其他人则花费大量时间力图种出最完美的蔬菜参加竞赛。虽然许多英国人认为锄草是周日最棒的活动，但也有的人只要能坐在树下享受周围世界的美丽就心满意足了。
但在城市里，有限的空间促使人们寻找新的解决方案。住宅外部没有空间的居民可以租用小块土地种植作物。现如今，伦敦有四千多人在等待租用这样的土地。近期的一个理念是将屋顶和墙壁改造为私人花园。这些花园可以增加城市绿化面积、改善空气质量。
除了能改善环境，园艺还能净化心灵。还有什么其他业余活动能让你在享受自然的同时创造出更美丽的生物呢？如果你对这一点有任何疑问，请停下片刻，回味一下《秘密花园》中的这句话：“当你种下玫瑰……蓟草就不会生长。”Period 4 单元语法讲练(Using language)
1．replace v．以……替换，更换；把……放回原处
(1)replace...with/by... 用……替换……，以……接替……
replace...as... 取代……而成为……
(2)take the place of sb．/take one's place
接替某人
in place of＝in one's place 代替
(3)replacement n． 替换；替换的人(物)
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①The factory has replaced most of its workers with/by robots．
②The old machines are in need of replacement(replace)，and the work on the project began three years ago．
③我们的车在半路上抛锚了。更糟糕的是，其中两个轮胎不得不更换。
Our car broke down halfway．To make matters worse，two of the tyres had to be replaced．
2．priority n．优先处理的事，当务之急
(1)give priority to 优先考虑
have/take priority over 优先于，比……重要
(2)prior adj． 较重要的；先前的；较早的
prior to (doing) sth． 在(做)某事之前，先于……
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①Nowadays according to consumers，the priority(prior) for traveling is changed from shopping to food and scenery．
②Please try and find time to read the document prior to the climate conference．
③他总是优先考虑别人而不是自己。
He always gives priority to others rather than to himself．
3．narrow adj．狭窄的，不宽的；狭隘的；勉强的 v．(使)变狭窄；缩小
(1)a narrow escape 九死一生；死里逃生
a narrow victory 险胜
(2)narrow down 缩小范围
(3)narrowly adv． 勉强地；差一点儿；狭隘地
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①Our school football team had a narrow victory against that team．
②He was narrowly(narrow) hit by a car when he was turning to the left．
③这次死里逃生使我意识到生命是多么宝贵。
The narrow escape enlightened me about how precious life was．
4．desert n．沙漠，荒漠 v．抛弃；遗弃
(1)deserted adj． 无人居住的；被遗弃的
a deserted island 荒岛
(2)dessert n． (形近词)(饭后)甜点，甜食
[即学即练]——单句语法填空/完成句子
①The baby with a severe physical disability has been deserted(desert)by its parents since he was born．
②When they got there，the village seemed deserted(desert)，the only sign of life being one or two dogs lying under the trees．
③当其中一个人面临困难时，真正的朋友是不会抛弃对方的。
True friends don't desert each other when one of them is facing trouble．
so that引导目的状语从句
(教材P89)Eating a lot of fish and meat keeps our bodies strong so that we can fight the cold．
吃很多鱼和肉可以保持我们的身体强壮，这样我们就可以抵御寒冷。
[句式分析] so that引导目的状语从句，意为“为了，以便”。
I'm writing to ask you for some advice so that we can make a full preparation for the class meeting．
我写信向您寻求建议，以便我们能够为班会做好充分准备。
so that既可以引导目的状语从句，意为“为了，以便”，又可以引导结果状语从句，意为“因此，结果”。当其引导目的状语从句时，句中多用情态动词，而当其引导结果状语从句时，句中一般不用情态动词。
[即学即练]——补全句子/句型转换
①They set out early so that they could arrive on time(以便他们能按时到达)．
②We started early to go through the grand canyon and climb onto the observatory so that we enjoyed the sunrise(结果我们看到了日出)．
③The boy worked very hard so as to make up for the lost time．
→The boy worked very hard so that he could make up for the lost time．
P86
1．an ethnic group 一个少数民族
2．be located in 坐落于，位于
3．cultural landscape 人文景观
4．an expert on rice planting 一位水稻种植专家
P87
1．natural dyes 天然染料
2．mineral compounds 矿物化合物
3．return to popularity 重新流行起来
4．become more popular with consumers 更受消费者欢迎
5．care for the environment 保护环境
6．remind oneself of nature's beauty 使自己想起自然之美
7．geographical features 地理特征
8．a length of about 50 kilometres 长约50千米
P88
1．check out 察看，观察
2．allow wind to pass through 让风穿过
3．the ships of the desert 沙漠之舟
4．as low as 低至……
P89
1．note down 记下
2．work out the meaning 弄清含义
“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句
一、关系代词的确定
“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句中，先行词指人时关系代词用whom，不可用who/that；先行词指物时关系代词用which，不能用that。但如果介词后置，则不受这种限制。
Do you know the girl to whom our teacher is talking
＝Do you know the girl (who/whom/that) our teacher is talking to
你认识我们老师正在谈话的那个女孩子吗？
The school in which my friend once studied is very famous．
＝The school (that/which) my friend once studied in is very famous．
我的朋友曾经就读的那所学校很有名。
[即时训练1] 用适当的关系代词填空
①Is she the girl from whom you borrowed the dress yesterday evening
②The man who/whom/that I share the room with is a young teacher from college．
③Can you tell me the reason for which you didn't come to her birthday party
④Wind power is an ancient source of energy which/that we may return to in the near future．
二、介词的选择
介词的选择可以总结为：“一先、二动、三意义、四特殊”。
1．一先，即先看先行词，从先行词入手。介词往往和先行词构成固定搭配。(比如先行词表示时间，常和on，in，by搭配；表示地点，常与on，in，at搭配；表示原因，与for搭配；表示方式，常与in，by，with搭配)
Do you still remember the day on which we met for the first time
你还记得我们第一次见面的那一天吗？(on the day)
I don't know the reason for which he was late for school．
我不知道他为何上学迟到。(for the reason)
2．二动，即看从句中的谓语动词。根据从句中谓语动词与介词的固定搭配选择合适的介词。
Is this the car for which you paid a high price
这就是你花高价买的那辆汽车吗？(pay for)
This is the computer on which I spent 3，000 yuan．
这就是我花3 000元买的电脑。(spend money on sth．)
3．三意义：通过判断主句表达的全部意义来确定合适的介词。
My computer，without which I can't surf the Internet，broke down yesterday．
昨天我的电脑坏了，没有它我无法上网。
4．四特殊：介词of 常用于表示部分与整体的关系或所属关系。
In our class there are 54 students，half of whom wear glasses．
我们班有54名学生，其中一半戴眼镜。
[即时训练2] 用适当的介词填空
①I will never forget the day on which I was admitted to a famous university．
②My father is the first person to whom I will turn for help when I meet difficulties．
③Would you be kind enough to help the boy for whom Chinese is really hard to learn
④Students should take an active part in the community activities from which they can gain social experience．
三、“介词＋关系代词”的几点注意事项
1．“介词＋关系代词”在定语从句中分别可作时间、地点、原因状语，代替相应的关系副词when，where和why。
This is the house in which(＝where) I lived two years ago．
这就是两年前我居住的那个房子。
The reason for which(＝why) he refused the invitation is not clear．
他拒绝这个邀请的原因尚不清楚。
We'd better fix a date on which(＝when) we will practice spoken English next week．
我们最好定个日期在下周练习一下英语口语。
2．有些固定的短语动词在定语从句中作谓语时，该短语动词的介词一般不提至关系代词前，常见的此类短语动词有listen to，look for，depend on，take care of等。
[误]This is the watch for which I am looking．
[正]This is the watch (which/that) I am looking for．
这就是我正在找的那块手表。
3．“代词/数词＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
The old man has two sons，both of whom are lawyers．
这位老人有两个儿子，他们都是律师。
4．“the＋名词＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
Look at the building，the roof of which is white．
看那座楼房，它的屋顶是白色的。
5．“the＋形容词比较级/最高级＋of＋which/whom”引导的定语从句。
There are two buildings，the larger of which stands nearly a hundred feet high．
那里有两座建筑物，较大的那座几乎有100英尺高。
[即时训练3] 用“介词＋关系代词”引导的定语从句完成句子
①他是一个经验丰富的人，我们能够从他身上学到很多。
He is a man of great experience from whom we can learn a lot．
②我来这里的原因是我想得到你的帮助。
The reason for which I come here is that I want to get your help．
③这正是救了我儿子的那名警察。
This is the policeman by whom my son was saved．
④弗兰克的梦想是有个自己的花园，在里面他可以种许多漂亮的花。
Frank's dream is to have his own garden in which he can grow many beautiful flowers．
用“介词＋关系代词”完成短文
It is reported that the Palace Museum has extended its opening hours，1．during which time people can observe the Lantern Festival at night．Many lucky visitors received free tickets，2．among whom was a 77-year-old Party member．He said that the reason 3．for which he was invited was that he had done much volunteer work．Traveling in the Palace Museum is a fascinating event 4．in which visitors would absorb themselves in the festive atmosphere．
第二篇课文(Developing ideas)
①publish v．出版
②millions of数以百万计的
③green fingers高超的种植技能
④spend time (in) doing sth．花时间做某事
⑤sunflower n．向日葵
⑥expert adj．内行的，专家的
⑦gardener n．园丁，园艺爱好者
⑧corner n．角落；区域，地区
⑨enter v．报名参加
enter into competitions 参加比赛
⑩branch n．树枝
limited adj．有限的
lead to 导致
lead to sb．doing sth．导致某人做某事
rent v．租用，租借
rooftop n．屋顶
as well as 和……一样；除了
be good for 对……有益
free-time activity 业余活动
allow...to do sth．允许……做某事
be at one with 与……完全一致
in doubt 怀疑，不确定
take a moment 花些时间
reflect on 反思，认真思考
line n．歌词，诗行
tend v．照料
thistle n．蓟
A Love of Gardening
“If you look the right way，you can see that the whole world is a garden．[1]” These words come from the author of the book The Secret Garden，first published① in 1911[2]．At that time，only the very rich in Britain had gardens．Very soon after this，homes with gardens began to be built．This is what started the British love of gardening[3]! Today，millions of② Brits like to say that they have “green fingers③”，with around half the population spending their free time gardening④[4]．
[1] if引导条件状语从句；that引导的是宾语从句，作see的宾语。
[2]过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰The Secret Garden。
[3]what引导的是表语从句。
[4]“with＋宾语＋动词-ing形式”的with复合结构在句中作状语。
For many people in the UK，their garden is their own private world．Each spring，children plant sunflowers⑤ and wait to see which one is the tallest[5]．Expert⑥ gardeners⑦ know just the right corner⑧ for roses，and others spend hours trying to grow perfect vegetables to enter⑨ into competitions．And while many Brits like nothing better than spending their Sunday cutting the grass[6]，some are happy just to sit under the branches⑩ of the trees and enjoy the beauty of the world around them．
[5]which引导宾语从句，作see的宾语。
[6]while意为“尽管，虽然”，引导让步状语从句，其中nothing better than为“否定词＋比较级”表示最高级含义。
But in cities，limited space has led to people looking for new solutions．Those without outside space can rent small pieces of land on which to grow things[7]．Today，there are over 4，000 people in London waiting for such pieces of land[8]．One recent idea has been to turn rooftops and walls into private gardens．These gardens have helped make the cities greener[9] and improve air quality．
[7]“介词＋关系代词＋不定式”作定语相当于定语从句on which they can grow things，修饰其前的land。
[8]动词-ing形式短语作后置定语，修饰over 4，000 people。
[9]“make＋宾语＋宾补”结构。
As well as being good for the environment，gardening is also good for the soul．What other free-time activity allows you to be at one with nature and create more beautiful living things And if you're in any doubt about this[10]，take a moment to reflect on this line from The Secret Garden: “Where you tend a rose...A thistle cannot grow．”
[10]if引导的是条件状语从句。
热爱园艺
“如果从合适的角度去欣赏，你会发现整个世界就是一个花园。”《秘密花园》的作者曾这样说。这本书1911年首次出版，在当时的英国，只有富豪才拥有花园。不久之后，人们开始建造带有花园的房子，英国人对园艺的热爱就此开始！今天，数以百万的英国人喜欢说他们有“绿手指(意为擅长园艺)”，约有一半的英国人都把空闲时间用在打理花园上。
对于许多英国人来说，花园就是他们的私密世界。每年春天，孩子们种下向日葵，满怀期待地看谁种的长得最高。高明的园丁对于花园里哪个角落最合适种玫瑰都了如指掌，其他人则花费大量时间力图种出最完美的蔬菜参加竞赛。虽然许多英国人认为锄草是周日最棒的活动，但也有的人只要能坐在树下享受周围世界的美丽就心满意足了。
但在城市里，有限的空间促使人们寻找新的解决方案。住宅外部没有空间的居民可以租用小块土地种植作物。现如今，伦敦有四千多人在等待租用这样的土地。近期的一个理念是将屋顶和墙壁改造为私人花园。这些花园可以增加城市绿化面积、改善空气质量。
除了能改善环境，园艺还能净化心灵。还有什么其他业余活动能让你在享受自然的同时创造出更美丽的生物呢？如果你对这一点有任何疑问，请停下片刻，回味一下《秘密花园》中的这句话：“当你种下玫瑰……蓟草就不会生长。”
