CHAPTER TWO Reading Page 24.
Two Geniuses Many people regard Albert Einstein.
(187901955)as one of the 20th century's greatest geniuses.
His attempt to explain the working of the universe helped create suchthings as nuclear energy.
space travel and television.
The modest Einstein used to say that the only gift he had was curiosity.
but stories about him show that he also had a sense of humour.
One tells that,as a young man with a growing reputation.
he received many invitations to go to universities to explain his theories.
On these trips his driver was always the same a man called Hans.
Hans often said to him,'It's a pleasure to drive a genius like you,Dr Einstein.
'One evening,on their way to a remote university,
Einstein said'I wish I didn't have to give my lecture tonight,Hans.
I'm so tired.But I can't let my audience down,can I?
You don't need to said Hans.
'We'll change places and I'll give the lecture for you.
I've listened to it dozens of times.I don't understand it but I know it by heart.
And no one knows you at the university do they?No one will find out.
'Einstein eventually agreed with Hans.
but said to him'Don't try to answer any questions whatever you do.
They changed places and at the university Hans was greeted and led to the platform.
of a great hall crowded with professors and students.
Einstein took a seat in the audience listened to Hans give his lecture perfectly.
and joined in the applause at the end.
However,before Hans could get off the platform.
a professor shouted from the audience'I'd like to ask you a question.
It's very difficult but please answer it.
He then asked a question so difficult that Hans.
had no idea what he was talking about.
Einstein thought Oh dear,now we're in trouble.
But Hans just laughed and said,That's not a difficult question sir.
In fact,it's so easy even my driver knows how to answer it.
Hans,stand up and.Einstein stood up and answered the question perfectly.
They left the university,with Einstein driving.
A little later,Hans offered to take over from him.
'No,my friend.'laughed Einstein.
'It's a pleasure to drive a genius like you,Hans.'
LISTENING,
Solving puzzles and problemslisten to the explanations.
and questions on the recording and write shout answers.
SPEAKING,
A Talk time.
Leaving and taking phone messages.
Sometimes when we telephone people they are not in.
So we have to leave messages for them,or ask them to call us back.
Exercise A1,
OPERATOR Good morning.Museum of Science.
SIMON Good morning.My name is Simon Li.
I'm a student and I'm lookin for information on nuclear radiation.
I wonder if you can help me.
OPERATOR I'm afraid I can't,but I'll put you through to Dr Kuang.
He's our expert.Hold on a minute,please.
SIMON hank you.(Pause.).
OPERATOR I'm sorry but there's no reply.
Can I take a message?
SIMON Well,I've got a lot of questions.
I think it would be better if I spoke to Dr Kuang myself.
fOPERATOR Then I'll ask him to return your call.
SIMON Thanks a lot.My number's 2304 6621.
OPERATOR Two three zero four double six two one.
And you said your name was Simon Li didn't you?
SIMON That's right.
OPERATOR Good,then I'll get back to you shortly.You will be in won't you.
SIMON Certainly.
OPERATOR Goodbye then.
SIMON Goodbye.
MORE LANGUAGE (II)Reading,
The Nonel Prize.
Al fred Nobel was a Swedish born inventor.
When he died in 1896 he left a large estate.
The estate was then worth about nine million American dollars.
This money laterbe came the original source of the world famous Nobel Prize.
Nobel said in his will that prizes should onour.
'the most important discoveriesor inventions'in physics,chemistry.
physiology or medicine and'the most outstanding works'in literature.
Since 1901,the Nobel Prizes have been presented tothe winners on December 10.
the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
At the Award Ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hallthe King of Sweden hands each winner a diploma and a medal.
The Ceremony is followed by a banquet for about 1,300 people.
Among the guests of honour are the Nobel Prize winners and their families.
the King and the Queen,and many well known leaders inscience and culture.
Two hundred and fifty young students are also honoured.
with invitations tothis grand occasion.
Listening,
When did they do their best work?
1 Charles Darwin was ____when he made the historic journey on the Beagle.
and____when he formed Theory of Evolution.
2 Albert Einstein was____when he developed three major scientific ideas.
among them the Special Theory of Relativity.
3 Paul A.M.Dirac,one of the most powerful minds in theoretical physics.
received the Nobel Prize at____.
4 Biologist James Dewey Watson was ____when he did his prize winning research.
whith Francis Crick.
5 Throughout the first seventy years of Nobel.
12% of the winners did their prize0winning research.
before they reached the age of____and a total of 34% before ____.
The average age of the winners was between 35 and 40.