1、Reading and Thinking Unit 5 Languages Around the WorldWhat did you get from the video？Pre-reading 口口日日 水水力力田田火火 月月 山山Can you recognize these symbols?What characters are they?1.Can you recognize another“马马”in the picture?2.Where did people write down the symbols?3.How did people write down the symbol
2、s on animal shells?The symbols were carved on animal shells.4.What will be talked about?The development of the Chinese writing system.5.What may be the authors intention of writing the passage?Read the text to know more.While-readingThe Chinese writing systemTopicHistoryImportancePart1Part2Part3Para
3、 1Para 2-3Para 4-6 Read for main ideaFind the main idea of each paragraph.The Chinese writing system is one of the reasons why Chinese civilisation has survived into modern times.Written Chinese was a picture-based language at the beginning.The writing system became well-developed,and later develope
4、d into different forms.The writing system began to develop in one direction.Written Chinese connects Chinas present with its past,and has become an art form.The Chinese language is helping to spread Chinas culture and history to the world.1.What are the key words of the second part of the title?2.Sc
5、an the text and find the words and phrases that describe a time(past and present)?Read for detailsScanning is looking at the text quickly to find specific information,such as dates or numbers.1).China is widely known for its ancient civilisation which has continued all the way through into modern ti
6、mes,.but one of the main factors has been the Chinese writing system.(Para.1)2).At the beginning,written Chinese was a picture-based language.It dates back several thousand years to the use of longguanimal bones and shells on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people.(Para.2)3).By the Shan
7、g Dynasty(around 1600-1046 BCE),these symbols had become a well-developed writing system.Over the years,the system developed into different forms,as it was a time when people were divided geographically,leading to many varieties of dialects and characters.This,however,changed under Emperor Qinshihua
8、ng of the Qin Dynasty(221-207 BCE).(Para.3)4).Even today,no matter where people live or what dialect they speak,they can still communicate in writing.(Para.4)5).People in modern times can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times.(Para.5)6).Today,the Chinese writing syste
9、m is still an important part of Chinese culture.(Para.6)Write down what happened at each of those important times.TimeWhat happenedModern timesThe Chinese civilisation still continues.At the beginningWritten Chinese was a picture-based language.Dates back several thousand yearsLonggu appearedBy the
10、Shang Dynasty(around 1600-1046 BCE)Symbols carved on longgu had become a well-developed writing system.Over the yearsThe writing system developed into different forms as the Chinses people were divided geographically,leading to many varities of dialects and characters.TimeWhat happenedThe Qin Dynast
11、y(201-227 BCE)The Chinese writing system began to develop in one unified direction.Even todayChinese people can all still communicate in writing.In modern timesChinese people can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times.TodayThe Chinese characters are still a vital part
12、of Chinese culture.Write down what happened at each of those important times.7000 years agothe Shang Dynastythe Qin Dynasty In modern timesnowA picture-based languageA well-developed writing system A united writing system Chinese calligraphy A globallanguage Summarize the development of Chinese writ
13、ing system.What other functions does the Chinese writing system have?Give the evidence.uConnect people with culture;uConnect characters/language with art;uConnect China with the world.One function of the Chinese writing system That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people
14、 and culture.The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form,known as Chinese calligraphy,which has become an important part of Chinese culture As China plays a greater role in global affairs,an increasing number of international stu
15、dents are beginning to appreciate Chinas culture and history through this amazing language.u Connect people with cultureu Connect characters/language with art u Connect China with the world Read the text again and discuss the questions.It allowed Chinese people,no matter where they lived or what dia
16、lect they had,to communicate with each other.Chinese people today can read and understand classic works from ancient times.1.How did written Chinese unify Chinese people divided by geography and dialects?2.How does written Chinese connect Chinese people today with those of the past?Except for the wr
17、iting system of Chinese language,the continuous development of Chinas agriculture,a relatively powerful government,distinguished philosophical schools developed,and an open mind to embrace different cultures are all possible and important factors.Besides,education is always emphasised in Chinas fami
18、ly traditions.3.According to the writer,the Chinese writing system is one factor that has helped the Chinese language and culture survive.What do you think are some of the other factors?Complete the passage with the correct words and phrase below.Chinese calligraphy has developed along with Chinas _
19、.It is difficult to say when exactly calligraphy started.Chinese writing was first done by _ symbols onto bones and shells,but as it developed into a writing _,it also developed as a form of art done with a brush.It is believed that Chinese calligraphy _ to at least the Han Dynasty(202 BCE-220 CE).S
20、oon after that,the idea developed that calligraphy was not only a beautiful art form but also a _ of showing the character of the man behind the brush.Today,anyone from small children to old people can enjoy practising the _ art of Chinese calligraphy.system carving meansdates back classic civilisat
21、ioncivilisationcarvingsystemdates backmeansclassic Post-readingGuess the meaning of the underlined words in the sentences.Then look in the text for the words they are related to.1.Many Chinese characters symbolise their meanings,unlike English words which are spelt out according to how they sound.2.The basic forms of the English writing system are known as letters.3.A unified writing system is considered to be an important part of civilised society.4.Learning Chinese calligraphy will increase your appreciation of Chinese culture.symbolbasedcivilisationappreciateThank you!
