People on the Move

Go to Text A

First Reading

Summary of Text B

Detailed Study of Text B

Second Reading

Text Reading

Time for Fun

The history of the American people is, in part, the history of t

he movement of the American people. They moved from the colo

nies of the East Coast to the open space of the West. They mov

ed from the country and the farm to the city. More recently, Amer

icans have been moving from the cities to the suburbs.

　 Pioneer Americans began moving from the East Coast to the

West 250 years ago. They moved west for many reasons. _____

________. The automobile was invented.____________. Factori

es of all kinds began to appear, and cities began to grow up arou

nd the factories. The cities grew up -- the buildings got taller -- a

nd the cities grew out -- they spread out from the

center. ______________. 　　　　　　　　　　

First Reading

Read parts of Text B and try to work out what the text is mainly about.

1. The Americans moved to the West mainly because they wanted

to have more freedom and independence.

2. Before 1860, land didn’t seem to be a problem for Americans.

3. The Industrial Revolution played an important role in the birth of

the American cities.

Second Reading

Read the text and then decide whether the following statements

are True or False according to the text.

T

T

T( )

( )

( )

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4. People could hardly find any job in the growing cities because

　 life there was very hard for them.

5. People moved again somewhere outside the cities because

there were not enough apartments for them to live in.

6. Many Americans want to have their homes outside the cities

and their jobs in the cities.

7. More and more people like to do business in the suburbs and

therefore the suburbs are also very crowded.

8. It seems that Americans will never stop moving.

F

T

T

T

F

( )

( )

( )

( )

( )

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textB_1

People on the Move

Detailed Study of Text B

The history of the American people is, in part, the history of the m

ovement of the American people. They moved from the colonies of th

e East Coast to the open space of the West. They moved from the co

untry and the farm to the city. More recently, Americans have been

moving from the cities to the suburbs .

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People on the Move

The history of the American people is, in part, the history of the m

ovement of the American people. They moved from the colonies of th

e East Coast to the open space of the West. They moved from the co

untry and the farm to the city. More recently, Americans have been

moving from the cities to the suburbs.

1/6

Close

It’s hard to contact her - she's always on the move.

The Johnsons are on the move from the city to the country.

people on the move: people who move from place to place

on the move: moving from place to place

Detailed Study of Text B

People on the Move

The history of the American people is, in part, the history of the m

ovement of the American people. They moved from the colonies of th

e East Coast to the open space of the West. They moved from the co

untry and the farm to the city. More recently, Americans have been

moving from the cities to the suburbs.

1/6

The history of the American people is, in part, the

history of movement of the American people.

— This history of the American people is, to some extent /

in a sense, the history of the movement of the American

people.

in part: to a certain extent; partly

The driver was in part responsible for the accident.

His success was due in part to luck.

Close

Detailed Study of Text B

People on the Move

The history of the American people is, in part, the history of the m

ovement of the American people. They moved from the colonies of th

e East Coast to the open space of the West. They moved from the co

untry and the farm to the city. More recently, Americans have been

moving from the cities to the suburbs.

1/6

The colonies of the

The Colonies of the East Coast: the 13 settlements

in the east coast of the US which formed the

original United States

Detailed Study of Text B

Close

Pioneer Americans began moving from the East Coast to the West

250 years ago. They moved west for many reasons. One reason was t

hat they could obtain unlimited open space and land for farming. Amer

icans liked large open spaces, and they liked the freedom and indepen

dence to develop the land in their own way. Some of the land became

farms. Important minerals were discovered in some areas, so some of

the land became mines. Other large areas became cattle ranches. Th

ere seemed to be enough land for everybody. But it was a

difficult life -- a life of endless work and hardship.

textB_2

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Pioneer Americans began moving from the East Coast to the West

250 years ago. They moved west for many reasons. One reason was t

hat they could obtain unlimited open space and land for farming. Amer

icans liked large open spaces, and they liked the freedom and indepen

dence to develop the land in their own way. Some of the land became

farms. Important minerals were discovered in some areas, so some of

the land became mines. Other large areas became cattle ranches. Th

ere seemed to be enough land for everybody. But it was a

difficult life -- a life of endless work and hardship.

Pioneer americans

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Pioneer Americans/the Frontier Settlers:

In American history, the frontier was the westernmost ar

ea of settlement at any given time in the expansion of the n

ation. The American frontier existed near the edge of free la

nd.

　 Frontier settlers moved from the Atlantic coast across 3,

000 miles (more than 4,800 km) of wilderness, deserts, and

mountains until they were finally stopped by the Pacific Oce

an.Close

Pioneer Americans began moving from the East Coast to the West

250 years ago. They moved west for many reasons. One reason was t

hat they could obtain unlimited open space and land for farming. Amer

icans liked large open spaces, and they liked the freedom and indepen

dence to develop the land in their own way. Some of the land became

farms. Important minerals were discovered in some areas, so some of

the land became mines. Other large areas became cattle ranches. Th

ere seemed to be enough land for everybody. But it was a

difficult life -- a life of endless work and hardship.

These seemed to be enough

2/6

翻译看来人人都有了足够的土地。但这是一种艰难的生活，一种艰辛劳作永无止境的生活。

There seemed to be enough land for everybody. But

it was a difficult life -- a life of endless work and

hardship.

Close

After 1860, the Industrial Revolution changed the United States.

Americans learned how to manufacture steel. They began to

produce petroleum. The automobile was invented. Factories of all

kinds began to appear, and cities began to grow up around the

factories. Farmers and other country people moved to the growing

cities in order to find jobs and an easier life. In the early 1900s, the

cities were busy, exciting places. However, there was also a lot of

poverty and hardship.

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After 1860, the Industrial Revolution changed the United States.

Americans learned how to manufacture steel. They began to

produce petroleum. The automobile was invented. Factories of all

kinds began to appear, and cities began to grow up around the

factories. Farmers and other country people moved to the growing

cities in order to find jobs and an easier life. In the early 1900s, the

cities were busy, exciting places. However, there was also a lot of

poverty and hardship.

3/6

The industrial revolution

Close

The Industrial Revolution: The term Industrial

Revolution describes the historical transformation of

traditional into modern societies by industrialization

of the economy.

After 1860, the Industrial Revolution changed the United States.

Americans learned how to manufacture steel. They began to

produce petroleum. The automobile was invented. Factories of all

kinds began to appear, and cities began to grow up around the

factories. Farmers and other country people moved to the growing

cities in order to find jobs and an easier life. In the early 1900s, the

cities were busy, exciting places. However, there was also a lot of

poverty and hardship.

3/6

Edison invented the electric light lamp.

In the sixties, oil was discovered under the North Sea.

Close

The automobile was invented.

— The automobile was made for the first time.

“Invent” is different from “discover” in meaning. We

invent something that did not exist before, such as a

machine or method. We discover something that existed

before but was not known, such as a place, thing, or fact.

The cities grew up -- the buildings got taller -- and the cities grew

out -- they spread out from the center. Private houses with yards and

porches disappeared. Apartment buildings, each one taller than the n

ext, took their place. More and more people moved to

cities, and the cities got bigger and bigger.

Some cities could not spread out because there was no room to

do so. These cities, of which New York is the best example, became

more and more crowded. More people meant more cars, trucks, and

buses, more noise, more pollution, and more crime. Many cities beca

me ugly and dirty. Some people and some businesses began to

leave the cities and move to the suburbs outside the cities.

textB_4

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The cities grew up -- the buildings got taller -- and the cities grew

out -- they spread out from the center. Private houses with yards and

porches disappeared. Apartment buildings, each one taller than the n

ext, took their place. More and more people moved to cities, and the

cities got bigger and bigger .

Some cities could not spread out because there was no room to

do so. These cities, of which New York is the best example, became

more and more crowded. More people meant more cars, trucks, and

buses, more noise, more pollution, and more crime. Many cities beca

me ugly and dirty. Some people and some businesses began to leav

e the cities and move to the suburbs outside the cities.

The cities grew up

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The cities grew up – the buildings got taller --and the

cities grew out -- they spread out from the center.

— There were more and more tall buildings in the cities and

they became bigger -- they extend outwards.

grow up:

1. If a town or city grows up in a particular place or way, it d

evelops there or in that way 　The city grew up originally as a crossing point on the river.

2. to gradually become an adult 　

I grew up in Scotland.

The cities grew up -- the buildings got taller -- and the cities grew

out -- they spread out from the center. Private houses with yards and

porches disappeared. Apartment buildings, each one taller than the n

ext, took their place. More and more people moved to

cities, and the cities got bigger and bigger .

Some cities could not spread out because there was no room to

do so. These cities, of which New York is the best example, became

more and more crowded. More people meant more cars, trucks, and

buses, more noise, more pollution, and more crime. Many cities beca

me ugly and dirty. Some people and some businesses began to

leave the cities and move to the suburbs outside the cities.

Grow out

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grow out: to become bigger in an outward direction 　The plant is alive after all! There are new leaves growing out.

There was grass growing out in the middle of the road.

spread out: to (cause to) stretch in space or time 　　A hopeful future seemed to spread out before him. Close

The cities grew up -- the buildings got taller -- and the cities grew

out -- they spread out from the center. Private houses with yards and

porches disappeared. Apartment buildings, each one taller than the n

ext, took their place. More and more people moved to

cities, and the cities got bigger and bigger.

Some cities could not spread out because there was no room to

do so. These cities, of which New York is the best example, became

more and more crowded. More people meant more cars, trucks, and

buses, more noise, more pollution, and more crime. Many cities beca

me ugly and dirty. Some people and some businesses began to

leave the cities and move to the suburbs outside the cities.

Apartment building

4/6

Apartment buildings ... took their place.

— Apartment buildings ... replaced those private houses.

take one’s place/take the place of: to replace

I had to find someone to take Jenny’s place.

cf. replace: to start doing something instead of another

person, or start being used instead of another thing

I’m replacing Sue on the team.

Lectures have replaced the old tutorial system.

Close

The move to the suburbs is still happening. Americans are looking

for a small piece of land that they can call their own. They want a ho

use with a yard. However, they do not want to give up the good jobs t

hey have in the city. In many cases, companies in the suburbs give t

hem jobs. In other cases, Americans need to commute to and from t

he cities where their jobs are. In recent years, more and more busine

sses are moving to the suburbs. They are attracting many people an

d the suburbs are becoming crowded.

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly into disrepair a

nd die. Many middle-class people leave the cities, and the very rich

and the very poor stay behind.

Textb_5

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The move to the suburbs is still happening. Americans are looking

for a small piece of land that they can call their own. They want a ho

use with a yard. However, they do not want to give up the good jobs t

hey have in the city. In many cases, companies in the suburbs give t

hem jobs. In other cases, Americans need to commute to and from t

he cities where their jobs are. In recent years, more and more busine

sses are moving to the suburbs. They are attracting many people an

d the suburbs are becoming crowded.

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly into disrepair a

nd die. Many middle-class people leave the cities, and the very rich

and the very poor stay behind.

5/6

In many cases

In many cases, companies in the suburbs give them jobs. In

other cases, Americans need to commute to and from the

cities where their jobs are.

— When they move to the suburbs, most of them get jobs there. If

their jobs are in the cities, they have to make the same journey

regularly between their work and home.

翻译在许多情况下，郊区的公司向他们提供了工作机会。在另一些情况下，美国人则需要往返于他们工作所在的城市。

commute: v. to regularly travel a long distance to get to work

Jim commutes to Manhattan every day.

It’s exhausting commuting from Brighton to London every day.

Close

The move to the suburbs is still happening. Americans are looking

for a small piece of land that they can call their own. They want a ho

use with a yard. However, they do not want to give up the good jobs t

hey have in the city. In many cases, companies in the suburbs give t

hem jobs. In other cases, Americans need to commute to and from t

he cities where their jobs are. In recent years, more and more busine

sses are moving to the suburbs. They are attracting many people an

d the suburbs are becoming crowded.

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly into disrepair a

nd die. Many middle-class people leave the cities, and the very rich

and the very poor stay behind.

5/6

Americans have watched

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly

into disrepair and die.

— Americans have watched their big cities gradually get

into a bad condition and die. 翻译

美国人注意到，大城市正在慢慢地陷于年久失修而消亡。 fall into: to pass into (a certain state)

He fell into serious trouble.

The company has fallen into disrepute recent years.Close

The move to the suburbs is still happening. Americans are looking

for a small piece of land that they can call their own. They want a ho

use with a yard. However, they do not want to give up the good jobs t

hey have in the city. In many cases, companies in the suburbs give t

hem jobs. In other cases, Americans need to commute to and from t

he cities where their jobs are. In recent years, more and more busine

sses are moving to the suburbs. They are attracting many people an

d the suburbs are becoming crowded.

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly into disrepair a

nd die. Many middle-class people leave the cities, and the very rich

and the very poor stay behind.

5/6

Middle class people

middle-class people: the people of a social class that

includes professional people such as teachers,

managers, but does not include people who are

very rich or people who work mainly with their

hands

Close

The move to the suburbs is still happening. Americans are looking

for a small piece of land that they can call their own. They want a ho

use with a yard. However, they do not want to give up the good jobs t

hey have in the city. In many cases, companies in the suburbs give t

hem jobs. In other cases, Americans need to commute to and from t

he cities where their jobs are. In recent years, more and more busine

sses are moving to the suburbs. They are attracting many people an

d the suburbs are becoming crowded.

Americans have watched their big cities fall slowly into disrepair a

nd die. Many middle-class people leave the cities, and the very rich

and the very poor stay behind.

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The very rich and the very poor

… and the very rich and the very poor stay behind.

---… the very rich people and very poor people do leave

the cities, but remain there.

stay behind: to not leave a place when other people leave

I stayed behind after class.

I stayed behind to help clean up after the party.

Close

Concerned Americans are trying to solve the problems of noise,

dirt, crime, and pollution in the big cities. They are trying to rebuild b

ad sections of the cities. They are trying to attract and keep busines

s people. They are trying to make their cities beautiful. Many Americ

ans are ready to move back to the cities.

Other Americans are finding that even the suburbs have becom

e too crowded. They are looking for unpolluted open spaces and for

an independent way of life. They are ready to move from the

suburbs to the country.

Perhaps Americans will always be on the move.

textB_6

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Concerned Americans are trying to solve the problems of noise,

dirt, crime, and pollution in the big cities. They are trying to rebuild b

ad sections of the cities. They are trying to attract and keep busines

s people. They are trying to make their cities beautiful. Many Americ

ans are ready to move back to the cities.

Other Americans are finding that even the suburbs have becom

e too crowded. They are looking for unpolluted open spaces and for

an independent way of life. They are ready to move from the

suburbs to the country.

Perhaps Americans will always be on the move.

6/6

concerned Americans: worried Americans, Americans who

are concerned about public affairs

Note that when “concerned” comes before a noun, it means

“worried”, but when it comes after a noun, it means “related”.

Concerned parents have complained about the dangerous playground.

Close

I’d like to thank everyone concerned for making the occasion go well.

Concerned Americans are trying to solve the problems of noise,

dirt, crime, and pollution in the big cities. They are trying to rebuild b

ad sections of the cities. They are trying to attract and keep busines

s people. They are trying to make their cities beautiful. Many Americ

ans are ready to move back to the cities.

Other Americans are finding that even the suburbs have becom

e too crowded. They are looking for unpolluted open spaces and for

an independent way of life. They are ready to move from the

suburbs to the country.

Perhaps Americans will always be on the move.

6/6

They are looking for unpolluted open spaces and for

an independent way of life. They are ready to move

　from the suburbs to the country.

The are looking for unpolluted

Close

翻译他们正在寻找未受污染的空间和独立的生活方式，准备从郊区迁往乡村。

Summary of Text B

American people have always been moving from one place to

another throughout the history. 250 years ago, they first moved from

the East Coast to the West, seeking new land. Then the Industrial

Revolution led to the movement from the country to the growing

cities because people wanted to get new jobs and more comfort, but

then when the cities got too crowded, people began moving to the

suburbs. As a result, these people either take up jobs in the suburbs

or move daily between the suburbs and the city. However, today

some Americans are moving back to the cities, while others are

ready to move to the country .

Click the title to continue…

Time for Fun

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1

My son, a student at the University of Texas, Austin, entered a lecture

hall one morning prepared to take a major exam. When the professor

announced that the test had been postponed, another student rose and

complained that the delay would mess up his study schedule for other

courses. “What is your name, young man?” demanded the professor. “Ron,”

the now subdued student replied. “Ron Adams.” “Well, Ron,” said the

professor, “I’m going to give you an A for this exam and excuse you from

taking it, because you had the courage to speak up.” “In that case, sir,

the young man responded, “I’m John Wilson.”

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2

My first teaching job was at a high school in Georgia.

Having been born and raised in the North, I had some initial

difficulty understanding my students’ accents. Jokingly, I said

to one girl, “I do wish you Southerners would speak English!”

“We do,” she replied. “Well, it’s not the King’s English,” I

protested. “Sure it is,” she said. “Remember, Elvis was a

Southerner.”

3

One day when I was walking down the street, a stranger

asked me if I knew where to find a new restaurant. “Yes,” I

responded and proceeded to give him detailed directions. After I

finished, he thanked me and started off in the wrong direction. I

stopped him, exclaiming, “The restaurant is the other way!” “Oh,

I know that,” he said. “I’m the new owner, and I’m out trying to

make sure everybody knows where it is.”

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