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中级课程
第03单元第12课时

中级课程» 第3 单元» 第12 课时» 活动中心

 1 Introduction & Vocabulary — Let's Watch  

Wizard: Today I am very sad. Rosalinda went on vacation with her parents. Oh, but never mind. Let's get back
to learning English. Today you will learn about special types of pronouns, object pronouns such as me, him, her,
it, us, you and them, and indefinite pronouns such as someone, anyone, everyone and no one.
You will also learn about civic participation. How can you participate in your community? How can you make
changes in your neighborhood? Let's watch.

 2 reporter

person who reports the news on TV, radio or for a newspaper

 3 petition

a formal request to change a law or some other legal matter, signed by many people

 4 stand

a small table, booth or stall where you sell things

 5 illegal

not legal; against the law

 6 drugs

medication; can be legal (from a doctor) or not legal (bought from narcotics dealers)

 7 goods

things that people sell; for example, things at a market, store or stand

 8 signature

how you write your name on a legal document; for example, on a check or your passport

 9 belong to

to be the property of someone; to be owned by someone

 10 faint

to lose consciousness and fall to the ground; to pass out

 11 Story Start Up — Getting Ready

Joe meets with Pat Springdale, a local reporter, and asks her to come to Market Street to do a news report on
their cause.
Tshombe and the others are excited about all the signatures they have collected for their petition. Suddenly, Mrs.
Vargas pretends to faint, and while everyone runs to see if she is okay, something terrible happens.
While you watch the video, think about the answer to this question:
What happens when Mrs. Vargas pretends to faint?

 12 Story Start Up — Let's Watch  

Joe: Thank you for seeing me, Pat, Ms. Springdale.
Pat: Oh, Pat's fine. Thank you.
Joe: Thank you for seeing me, Pat.
Pat: How can I help you?
Joe: You know we are street vendors, right?
Pat: Yes.
Joe: Well, there are some people who want to shut us down.
Pat: Shut you down?
Joe: Yes. They say we make the neighborhood dangerous.
Pat: That's crazy.
Joe: I know.
Pat: But I don't understand. What can I do to help?
Joe: You are a reporter, right, Pat?
Pat: Yes, I am.
---------------
Joe: Come up and sign the petition. Street vendors need your help. Please support your local street vendors.
Thank you very much. Please step up and sign.
Camera man: Rolling.
Pat: Market Street has long been a place where people go to do their shopping. They buy their flowers, their
jewelry, even that cold glass of lemonade.
But today it's a street where vendors are asking people to sign petitions.
Tshombe: Sign the petition. Thank you very much for supporting us.
Pat: What have the merchants been doing to you?
Woman: They want to shut down our stands and they say that we're a problem to the community. We've never
had a problem with anyone.
Pat: How do you feel about all of this?
Man: Who is this Mrs. Vargas? Someone should tell her she's wrong. She doesn't even know us.
Pat: Some of the store owners complained that you're doing illegal things. What do you have to say about that?
Tshombe: We are not doing anything illegal. And no one has ever complained to us. All we want to do is sell
our goods.
Joe: Yup.
Man: Yeah.
Pat: Have the vendors been a problem?
Mrs. Vargas: They are a huge problem. They're loud and they sell drugs.
Vendors: What? !
Mrs. Vargas: We merchants just want a safe place to do business.
Tshombe: We don't sell drugs. That's a lie! Plus the street does not belong to you. It belongs to all of us!
Vendors: Yes, that's right!
Mrs. Vargas: The sidewalk in front of my store belongs to me!
Tshombe: It is not hers!
Mrs. Vargas: It is too!
Tshombe: No it is not!
Mrs. Vargas: It is too!
Tshombe: We have been here also.
Joe: It's our street! Our street! Our street!
Pat: Tomorrow, the future of these street vendors will be decided when both sides present their cases to the city
council. I'm Pat Springdale reporting live from Market Street.
---------------
Tshombe: Support the street vendors. Sign our petition. Thank you, sir. Support the street vendors. Sign our
petition.
Joe: Thank you very, very much. That's 500 signatures.
Anna: Hi.
Joe: Hi.
Anna: Can I sign the petition?
Joe: You want to sign the petition?
Anna: Yeah.
Joe: Great. Here you go.
Mrs. Vargas: Oooooh!
Joe: What was that? Stay right here. I'll be right back.
Tshombe: Are you okay?
Joe: Mrs. Vargas are you all right?
Tshombe: Are you okay?
Joe: Are you okay, Mrs. Vargas?
Tshombe: Are you okay?
Joe: Mrs. Vargas, are you okay?
Mrs. Vargas: Yes, yes. I'm fine. Get away from me!
---------------
Tshombe: I can't believe this. No one is here. Where are all the people from the community? Did you tell them
to come?
Man: I told them. Everyone will be here.
Tshombe: Where are Sylvia and the rest of the vendors?
Man: They're already inside.
Tshombe: Okay, what about the petitions? Where are they? We need them. If we don't have them, we don't
have a case.
Man: Joe has them. Don't worry.

 13 prove

to show that something is true; to give evidence

 14 represent

to speak officially for another person or people; for example, a state senator

 15 corrupt

someone who is not honest; someone who lies, cheats, steals or does other bad things

 16 hazard

something that is dangerous; not safe

 17 unusual

not typical; not usual, different from what is normal

 18 crime

something illegal or against the law; for example, robbing a bank

 19 ridiculous

crazy; foolish; silly or stupid

 20 steal

to take something that is not yours

 21 lazy

not wanting to work hard; wanting an inactive and easy life

 22 forgive

to pardon or excuse someone for something bad they did

 23 defend

to protect against attack, to argue in favor of

 24 Life Skills — Getting Ready

Tshombe, Joe and the other street vendors are at the City Hall for their important meeting. Mrs. Vargas, her
attorney, and her niece, Anna are also at City Hall. Tshombe becomes very nervous when Joe tells him that
someone stole all the signatures for their petition.
The meeting begins. Mrs. Vargas presents her case to the City Council, and says terrible things about the street
vendors. Now it's Tshombe's turn to speak. What will he say?
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
What will happen to Anna if she doesn't keep the secret about stealing the signatures?

 25 Life Skills — Let's Watch  

Anna: This isn't right.
Mrs. Vargas: It'll be fine. If they ask, just say what I told you to say.
Anna: I can't lie to them.
Mrs. Vargas: If you want to keep your job at the store, you'll tell them our little story.
Charlie: Clara, are you all right? I heard you fainted.
Mrs. Vargas: Oh. I'm fine, Charlie. Thank you for asking. This is my niece, Anna. Anna, this is City
Councilman Jones.
Anna: Hi.
Mrs. Vargas: And this is my lawyer, Sam Powers. Mr. Jones is on the city council.
Sam: It's a pleasure to meet you, Councilman Jones.
Charlie: The pleasure is mine. I've heard about you. Clara, I think you're in good hands. Excuse me. I'll see you
inside.
Mrs. Vargas: Well, that went well.
Tshombe: Look at her. She is ready. And look at him. He looks so important. Look at us. We don't have a
chance.
Joe: Hi.
Tshombe: What's happening? Where is everyone?
Joe: They're on their way.
Tshombe: What about the petitions? Where are they?
Joe: Tshombe, someone took them.
Tshombe: Someone took them?
Joe: I don't know what happened. After Mrs. Vargas fainted, I went back to the stand and the folder with the
signatures was gone.
Tshombe: Who took it?
Joe: I don't know! I bet Mrs. Vargas is responsible.
Man: We can't prove that.
Tshombe: What are we going to do?
Man: Come on, guys. It's time to go.
Councilman Jones: This meeting is called to order.
Councilwoman: The first issue on the agenda is street vending on Market Street. Representing the merchants is
Clara Vargas.
Mrs. Vargas: My name is Clara Vargas. One of the stores on Market Street belongs to me. But I speak for the
other merchants on the street.
Street vending hurts our business. There is too much noise and too much traffic because of street vendors.
Tshombe: She's lying.
Woman: Tshombe, calm down. If you get angry, no one's going to listen to us.
Mrs. Vargas: It is also not fair. I pay more taxes. I pay rent. They don't.
Tshombe: I pay taxes!
Councilman Jones: Please, sir. You'll have your turn to speak. Right now it's Mrs. Vargas' turn.
Mrs. Vargas: Thank you. But most of all, I care about the community. I saw street vendors taking drugs and
selling stolen property.
Tshombe: What a liar!
Councilman Jones: Please, sir. Calm down. You'll have to leave if you don't wait your turn. Go on Mrs. Vargas.
Mrs. Vargas: I think I'm done.
Councilman Jones: And now we'll hear from the street vendors. Representing the street vendors is Tshombe
Gabriel. Please come forward.
Woman: Control yourself, okay?
Joe: Stay calm.
Councilman Jones: Mr. Gabriel. Do you have something to say? I think I've had enough of these street vendors.
Councilwoman: Mr. Gabriel. Do you have anything to say?
Tshombe: Yes, I do.
Wizard: And freeze!

 26 Life Skills — Reading

Civic Participation
If you want to be a good citizen, civic participation in your community is important. There are many things you
can do to participate in your community. If you want to fight for an important issue, like Tshombe, give this
issue all of your attention and try to get as much support as possible.
Get organized and create a strategy to solve the problem in your neighborhood or community. Some good
strategies include: writing letters to politicians that can help you with your cause, and contacting the
media--newspapers, radio stations, etc. You can also create a petition and ask community members for their
signatures.
If you have a meeting at City Hall, remember to present your case calmly and don't lose your temper. Stand up
for what you believe, but do it in a calm and civilized manner. And most importantly, be tolerant, fair, and
respect the opinion of others, while staying committed to the truth. There is strength in numbers; together with
your fellow community members, you can make a difference in your community.

 27 Grammar — Let's Watch  

Wizard: This doesn't look good for Tshombe and the street vendors. What do you think Tshombe will do? Will
he tell his story or not? Hm. We'll find out in just a moment. But first let's learn about pronouns.
The words me, him, her, it, us, you and them are object pronouns.
What about the petitions? We need them. If we don't have them we don't have a case.
Joe has them. Don't worry.
One of the stores on Market Street belongs to me.
The street does not belong to you. It belongs to all of us.
Look at her. She is ready. Look at him. He looks so important. Look at us. We don't have a chance.
We also looked at indefinite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns are words that don't refer to a specific person like
anyone, someone, no one, everyone. Let's watch.
No one is here. Where are all the people from the community? Did you tell them to come?
I told them. Everyone will be here.
What about the petitions? Where are they?
Someone took them.
That was easy, right?

 28 Making Choices — Getting Ready (A)

Tshombe does not tell his story to the City Council. He doesn't defend himself or the other street vendors.
Instead, Tshombe says that Mrs. Vargas is a liar. But he says it doesn't matter because she is rich. He is angry
and upset, and he leaves the meeting. Six months later, something terrible has happened to Tshombe.
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
According to Tshombe, what can rich people buy?

 29 Making Choices — Let's Watch (A)  

Wizard: Now let's watch and find out what happens to Tshombe. And action!
---------------
Councilwoman: Mr. Gabriel. Do you have anything to say?
Tshombe: Yes, I do.
Councilman Jones: Mr. Gabriel, please tell us your side of the story.
Tshombe: I want to say that she is a liar. But that is not important because she is rich and rich people can buy
anything including votes from the members of city council.
Councilman Jones: Mr. Gabriel! Are you saying Mrs. Vargas gave money to the city council members to buy
their votes?
Tshombe: I am saying that she is rich and rich people can get anything they want. And you are all corrupt
politicians.
---------------
Mrs. Vargas: That was such a wonderful lunch. I haven't eaten there in years.
Councilman Jones: Thank you.
Tshombe: Do you have any change?

 30 Making Choices — Getting Ready (B)

Tshombe talks calmly about the community's support for street vendors. When he talks about all the signatures
they got for their petition, Councilman Jones asks to see the petitions.
Tshombe explains that the signatures were stolen. Suddenly, Anna stands up and tells the Council members that
she stole the petitions. She says that her Aunt forced her to steal them or risk losing her job at the store.
While you watch the video, listen for the answer to this question:
What happens to Anna in the end?

 31 Making Choices — Let's Watch (B)  

Wizard: Hm. That didn't go very well. Tshombe didn't stand up for what he believed in. He didn't defend
himself or the other street vendors. Hm. Luckily we can give Tshombe another chance, right? Let's see what
happens. And action!
---------------
Councilwoman: Mr. Gabriel, do you have anything to say?
Tshombe: Yes, I do. My name is Tshombe. I am a street vendor, but I did not come here to talk about myself. I
came to talk about a very important subject, street vending.
Audience: Woo Hoo! Yeah! Yes!
Tshombe: The street is not owned by the merchants. They do not belong to them. It does not belong to us. The
street does not belong to him or her or you. They belong to the city and the people of the city.
What do the people want? They want safe streets. Here is a letter from the fire marshal. He says there are no fire
hazards because of the street vendors. Here is a letter from the police chief. There have been no unusual crimes
on the street because of street vending. Over 150 people wrote letters supporting us. Over 2,000 people signed
the petition supporting us.
Mrs. Vargas: Where are these petitions?
Councilwoman: Excuse me, Mrs. Vargas. It's Mr. Gabriel's turn to speak.
Mrs. Vargas: He has no community support.
Councilman Jones: Well, Mr. Gabriel, do you have any of those petitions? We'd like to see them. Well, do you
have them? Well?
Tshombe: No, sir. Somebody stole them.
Councilman Jones: Stole them.
Tshombe: Yes, sir. We had a folder full of signatures and petitions and somebody took them from our stand.
Mrs. Vargas: That's ridiculous. No one stole them. They never had any signatures or petitions.
Tshombe: Yes we did!
Mrs. Vargas: Sure, you did.
Councilman Jones: Well, Mr. Gabriel, where are those petitions?
Anna: I took them, sir.
Councilman Jones: Excuse me?
Anna: Yes, I took them. My aunt told me I must steal them or lose my job. I am very, very sorry. Please forgive
me.
Street vendors are good for the community. And here is the proof. Here are the petitions.
Mrs. Vargas: You're fired.
Councilman Jones: May we see them, please? Well, this does change everything.
---------------
Tshombe: There you go. Thank you.
Hey, Joe, guess what? If I sell five more glasses of lemonade, I will have enough money to pay my taxes.
Joe: Five more glasses? Congratulations, Tshombe.
Tshombe: There you go. Thank you.
Anna: Five large glasses of lemonade please?
Tshombe: Five glasses? Anna, hi.
Anna: Hi. I'm really sorry about what happened.
Tshombe: Don't be sorry. Thanks to you, everything worked out okay.
Anna: Yes, it did.
Tshombe: What's going to happen to the store?
Anna: Well after my grandmother found out about what my aunt did, she fired her. And asked me if I wanted to
manage the store!
Tshombe: Really?
Anna: Yes, so I'm going to be the new store manager!
Tshombe: That's wonderful, Anna! Whenever you need some lemonade to cool off, just let me know.
Anna: Thanks. I'll drink to that. Cheers.

 32 Review and Assessment — Let's Watch  

Wizard: Isn't that nice? Tshombe and the community were able to make a difference. They worked together and
fought for what was right. Now remember, you can make a difference too. Learn about your community. Find
out what's going on and what you can do to help others.
Well, thanks for watching and remember to practice your English. See you next time on English for All!
Hello? Rosalinda? Oh you're back. Oh, I missed you. What? Dinner, tonight? Hm. I'll be over immediately!

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