Unit 1 The media and the message
A Reading and interaction: Now in the news
B Grammar activity: The modal verb for possibility
C Listening: Why people want to be famous?? Speaking: Talking about being a celebrity
D Writing: Writing an opinion essay based on a news headline
E Cultural focus: Seeing is believing; Pepper the Robot
Exploring literature 1: "How We Kept Mother's Day"
Unit 2 Live longer, live better?
A Reading and interaction: From here to eternity
B Grammar activity: The unreal conditional
C Listening: Growing old in different societies? Speaking: Debating whether to care for the elderly at home or in nursing homes
D Writing: Writing a persuasive essay about ageing
E Cultural focus: “The Road Not Taken” Surgery: old and new
Unit 3 Food and ethics
A Reading and interaction: Would you eat it?
B Grammar activity: The passive in different forms
C Listening: Food for the 21st century? Speaking: Talking about the best solution to food shortages
D Writing: Writing a for and against essay on a vegetarian diet
E Cultural focus : Qingtuan for the Qingming Festival; Spicy chilli and Sichuan food
Exploring literature 2: An excerpt from "The Garden Party"
Unit 4 Technology
A Reading and interaction: The next big thing
B Grammar activity: The appositive clause
C Listening: A presentation about Internet cookies? Speaking: Giving a presentation about a technology
D Writing: Writing a report on ICT use in schools
E Cultural focus : The story of China’s lunar missions; Robot cars
