Emojis:
a new language?
Look at the messages and answer the questions.
1 Which message is easier to understand? Which message do you prefer? Why?
2 Which way do you use to send messages?
Look at the title of the passage and predict the author’s attitude towards emojis.
Now read the passage and check your prediction.
Emojis are used everywhere, from text messages to emails, blogs and other social media networks. With the rapid development of social media, emojis are becoming an integral component of the language we use to express ourselves.
What does the message from my friend mean?
The signs he used were to
say that he`d be running late
and would be there soon.
What does my reply mean?
It means “Ok, don`t rush.”
1 喜上眉梢
2 妖魔鬼怪
3 余音绕梁
4 盲人摸象
5 鸡飞蛋打
6 心照不宣
7 人走茶凉
8 刀光剑影
9 七嘴八舌
10 雷声震耳
Guess the idioms with emojis:
燃烧我的卡路里
如果你要为我祝福,
祝我每个夜晚都有好梦吧,
让我每个梦里都有你。
海上月是天上月,
收到我信息人是我心上人。
天气越来越冷,想和你做件温暖的事。
What does the word “emoji” come from and what are “emojis”?
The word “emoji” comes from Japanese , literally meaning “ picture character”.
Emojis are small symbols representing ideas, emotions or feelings. They come in different categories, such as faces and people, plants and animals , and food and drink.
The development of emojis:
In 1999, there were only 176 simple designs.(Designed by Shigetaka Kurita栗田穣崇)
Now , there are more than 3000 emojis that expand upon the way in which we communicate.
Due to their popularity, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year in 2015 was , for the first time ever, a pictograph instead of a traditional word.
The popularity of emojis
Why do people like emojis ?
It seems that emojis have clear advantages over written language.Because they add emotional feeling, and are quick and easy to use.
This is similar to the gestures we use when we speak.
Emojis can also help people express their feelings when they cannot find the appropriate words.
The use of emojis has even spread to classical literature.
Advantage:
For example: A Shakespeare series for young readers has taken William Shakespeare`s popular plays and replaced some words with textspeak and emojis.
The intention of these adaptations is to make the classics more accessible to young readers.
Disadvantage:
These new versions have taken away the heart and soul of Shakespeare`s plays.
Emojis `s future
One day, perhaps emojis will have become a real pictorial “language”.
Emojis have a tendency to pop up all over the place. Users of emojis say that they facilitate the way in which we communicate and express ourselves. But this makes others, especially educators, worry that we are losing the ability to communicate properly using the written word, or even the spoken word.
Concerns:
After all, how many of us today would rather send a message packed with emojis than make a telephone call?
Reason:
Choose the author’s purpose in writing the passage and give your reasons.
1 To guide readers to use emojis properly.
2 To discuss the development and influence of emojis.
3 To criticise the increased use of emojis.
4 To entertain readers with examples of how emojis have been used.
1 Where does the word “emoji”come from?
A Chinese B English C Japanese D French
2 Emojis come in different categories except_____________.
A faces and people B plants and animals
C food and drink D traditional English words
3 People like emojis mainly because______________.
A they are funny
B they add emotional meaning, and are quick and easy to use
C they can express your idea more clearly
D all of them can reflect classical literature
4 Which of the following is right according to the passage?
A Emojis were first introduced in Japan in 1999.
B Now there are 16000 emojis in all.
C Emojis have replaced written words in people`s daily life.
D All people are in favour of using emojis in the adaptation of the classics.
Reading comprehension
The word “emoji” comes from Japanese, literally 1________(mean) “ picture character”. Emojis are small symbols representing ideas, emotions or feelings. They come in 2___________(differ) categories, such as faces and people, plants and animals, and food and drink.
When first 3_________(introduce) in Japan in 1999, emojis were limited to 176 simple design. Now there are more than 3000 emojis that expand 4________ the way in which we communicate. In today`s world, emojis have become more and more popular. 5_____ seems that emojis have clear advantages over 6__________(write) language. People like them because they add emotional meaning, and easy 7________(use). As we can see, emojis have a 8_________(tend) to pop all over the place. 9_____ some users, especially educators, worry that we 10_________(lose)the ability to communicate properly using the written word, or even the spoken word.
meaning
different
introduced
on/upon
It
written
to use
tendency
But
are losing
直击高考
Writing about a change
Work in groups. Look at the pictures and answer the questions.
1 What can you see in the pictures?
2 What changes in our ways of learning do the pictures show?
The pictures show changes in classroom conditions, teaching tools, ways of interacting and access to resources.
Superman is a superhero published by DC Comics since 1938. He was from the destroyed planet Krypton and raised as Clark Kent by human foster parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent. As an adult, Superman became the protector of Earth, working at the Daily Planet as Clark Kent alongside his partner and wife Lois Lane. For much of his life, he doesn`t reveal his true identity and powers to anyone , not even his closest friends. In the earlier films, when Clark Kent wanted to transform into Superman, he would step into a phone box and the switch would be complete.
Read the passage and answer the questions.
1 Why does the author start the passage by writing about Superman?
The author starts by writing about Superman in order to form an instant connection with readers , as everyone is familiar with Superman. It also sets the tone of the passage by introducing some light-hearted humor.
2 What will disappear in the future according to the passage? What is the major reason for this phenomenon?
3 What supporting arguments does the author
give to make the point convincing?
Phone boxes will disappear in the future. The major reason is that almost everyone has a mobile phone and they don`t need phone boxes any more.
Phone boxes are difficult to find.
It is convenient to take out a mobile and make a call at the touch of a button than to press a series of long numbers.
Remembering others` telephone numbers is not easy.
It is more convenient to borrow a mobile phone from someone else than walk around looking for a phone box.
Now write your passage.
Think about something that might disappear in the future and complete the table.
{00A15C55-8517-42AA-B614-E9B94910E393}Something that will not be around in the future
Reasons
Supporting arguments
The Electric Fan: a Thing of the Past
The days of keeping cool with electric fans are numbered. In recent years there has been a significant decrease in their use, and their obvious shortcomings compared to air conditioners make their complete disappearance in the near future possible.
Firstly, electric fans are far less effective in cooling a room. While the breeze they produce can feel pleasant, it does not lower the overall temperature. Not only do air conditioners achieve this, but their settings can be adjusted so that they can reach a specific, ideal temperature.
Secondly, electric fans are often less efficient at the use of space, as they usually need to be placed on either the floor or a table; in contrast, air conditioners are usually hung on walls. But what do you think – will the electric fan soon be a thing of the past?
Language is changing~