Section B

1b Listen and answer the questions.

Hey, Jenny, your hometown is really beautiful.

Yes, I've been away for the past few years, but I still love this town.

Even though it's old, it's full of interesting places to see and things to do.

Wow, look at that building!

I've never seen anything like it!

Yes, that's one of the oldest buildings in this town.

It's been around for hundreds of years.

It's now the town library.

What about the building next to it?

Oh, that's the new science museum.

It's only been here since last August.

There's a really big park behind the museum.

Many families go there on weekends to let the kids run around and climb the hills.

Nice. Can we check it out?

Sure. But first, let's have lunch at this restaurant down the street.

It's been around for as long as I can remember.

It serves the best food in town.

1c Listen again and fill in the chart about the places in Jenny's hometown.

Hey, Jenny, your hometown is really beautiful.

Yes, I've been away for the past few years, but I still love this town.

Even though it's old, it's full of interesting places to see and things to do.

Wow, look at that building!

I've never seen anything like it!

Yes, that's one of the oldest buildings in this town.

It's been around for hundreds of years.

It's now the town library.

What about the building next to it?

Oh, that's the new science museum.

It's only been here since last August.

There's a really big park behind the museum.

Many families go there on weekends to let the kids run around and climb the hills.

Nice. Can we check it out?

Sure. But first, let's have lunch at this restaurant down the street.

It's been around for as long as I can remember.

It serves the best food in town.

2a Answer the questions before you read.Then read the passage to find out if your answers are the same as in the passage.

Hometown Feelings

Some people still live in their hometown. However, others may only see it once or twice a year. Nowadays, millions of Chinese leave the countryside to search for work in the cities. Among these is Zhong Wei, a 46-year-old husband and father. He has lived in Wenzhou for the last 13 years. With a hard job in a crayon factory, he doesn't find much time to visit his hometown. "I used to return home at least once a year, but I haven't been back for almost three years now. It's a shame, but I just don't have the time, " he says.

Many people like Zhong Wei regard with great interest how their hometowns have changed. Perhaps large hospitals and new roads have appeared. In many places, the government has also built new schools and sent teachers from the cities to help.

"I noticed that's true of my hometown," adds Zhong Wei. "Children have learned to read and count at my old primary school since the mid-20th century. But now the buildings are really old. I hear they're going to build a new school there. " Zhong Wei thinks such developments are good, and he also knows that his hometown cannot always stay the same. 

According to Zhong Wei, however, some things will never change. " In my hometown, there was a big old tree opposite the school. It is still there and has become quite a symbol of the place. Most of the children in my time liked to play together under that big tree, especially during the summer holidays. It was such a happy childhood. Our hometown has left many soft and sweet memories in our hearts. "