UNIT 1 Back to school
高中英语课文If you learn without thinking, your efforts are made in vain. If you think without learning, in puzzlement you will remain. —Confucius
学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。
——孔子
Reading (P 2-3)
Realizing your potential
实现你的潜力
Hello, everyone! Welcome to senior high school! Today is the start of a new term, the start of a three-year journey and the start of a promising future.
大家好！欢迎进入高中阶段学习！今天，是新学期的开始，是一段三年旅程的开端，更是一个锦绣前程的起点。
I can’t wait to describe to you what senior high school life is like. The path before you leads to a world full of challenges: a new environment, new knowledge and new ways of thinking. However, for those of you with a positive mind, opportunity lies in each challenge. When you rise to the challenges, you will have the opportunity to acquire great knowledge and enjoy personal growth. Most importantly, your time and effort at senior high school will open the door to your potential.
我迫不及待地想要向你们描述高中生活的模样。你们面前的路通向一个充满挑战的世界，这里有新环境、新知识和新的思维方式。不过，对你们当中心态积极的人来说，每一个挑战中都蕴藏着机遇。在迎接挑战的时候，你们将有机会掌握大量的知识，并享受个人的成长。最重要的是，你在高中阶段度过的时光、付出的努力将会为你叩开潜能的大门。
“What is potential?” you may ask. Put simply, potential is your natural ability that can be developed when you try hard enough. Who knows what beautiful works of art you will create, what medical advances you will make or what amazing technologies you will develop! The possibilities are endless, and I have confidence in your ability to make a diff
erence to your family, to your community and to our country. Over the next three years, you will discover your potential while you develop as a student and as a person.
你们也许会问：“什么是潜能？”简而言之，潜能就是当你足够努力时才可以开发的天赋。谁知道未来你们能创作出哪些精美的艺术品，实现哪些医学突破，或者开发出哪些不可思议的技术！可能性无穷无尽，而且我相信你们有能力改变你们的家庭、改变你们的社区、改变我们的国家。在今后的三年里，你们作为学生和个体成长的同时，将会发现自己的潜能。
To fully realize your potential, it is important for you to make the most of our school resources. Take advantage of your classes, learn from your teachers and classmates, and make use of our school facilities. There are also a lot of school activities for you. Join a club or two, and take an active part in different sports.
要想全面发挥自己的潜能，充分利用我们学校的资源很重要。要让学校课程为你所用，要向老师和同学请教，要善用学校的各种设施。学校还为你们准备了许多活动。要加入一两个俱乐部，并且积极地参与各项体育运动。
Of equal importance are good study habits, useful skills and a positive attitude. Carefully plan your study, set clear goals and balance your schoolwork with other activities. As a senior high school student, you must make efforts to improve your communication and problem-solving skills. Last but not least, always look on the bright side and never lose hope, even in difficult situations. In time you will find yourself growing into a well-rounded individual.
同样重要的还有良好的学习习惯、实用的技能以及积极的态度。要细致规划学习，设立清晰的目标，并且平衡好课业和课余活动的关系。作为一个高中生，须努力提高人际沟通和解决问题的技巧。最后但同样重要的是，要一直看到事情好的一面，即便身处困境，也永远不要失去希望。最终，你会发现自己已逐渐成长为一个全面发展的人。
As Lao-Tzu wisely said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” You need to make a continuous effort to train your mind and develop your character. Senior high school will help you learn and grow, yet you alone are responsible for realizing your great potential. Be confident, do your best and make us proud!
正如老子睿智的箴言所说的那样：“千里之行，始于足下。”你们需要坚持不懈，努力去训练自己的头脑、培养自身的性格。高中阶段会帮助你们学习、成长，但是只有你们自己，才能肩负起发挥自身巨大潜能的责任。满怀信心，竭尽全力，让我们为你们感到骄傲吧！
Extended reading (P 11-12)
John Li, a Chinese senior high school student, has spent a year studying in the UK. Read his article in the school magazine about his school life abroad.
School life in the UK
Last year, I had the chance to study at a British secondary school as an exchange student. I stayed with a lovely host family and went to school with their son, Daniel. We were both in year ten and we got on well. He is learning Chinese and will come to stay with me this year in China!
去年，我有机会作为交换生到英国的一所中学读书。我寄宿在一个亲切友好的家庭，并与这家人的儿子丹尼尔一同上学。我们去年都读十年级，相处得很融洽。丹尼尔正在学习中
文，今年要来中国与我一起学习生活。
The British school day begins at and ends at Students usually have to learn nine subjects at secondary school. Every student in the UK must study English, Maths and the Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students can also choose to study other subjects, such as History, Art and Business.
英国的学校上午9点开始上课，下午4点放学。中学生通常要学习九门功课。英文、数学，以及科学课（生物、化学、物理）是必修课，学生们还可以选修其他课程，比如历史、艺术和商业。
The classes are different from those in China. Each teacher has their own classroom and the students move around for every lesson. In most of my classes, there were only about 20 students. In the beginning, however, it was still tough for me to remember everyone’s name!
英国的课堂与中国不同。每位老师都有自己的教室，学生们每节课走班上课。在我所上的大部分课上，都只有二十几个学生。然而刚开始时，我仍然很难记住所有人的名字！