内容正文:
Unit 8 Making a Difference
Section B 1a-2c
Learning Objectives
To master the core vocabulary and phrases, understand the structure of a speech, and sort out the stories and volunteer experiences related to Blue Sky Rescue.
To complete information-locating and paragraph-matching tasks to sharpen detail reading skills; analyze the speech's hook and call to action and use key sentence patterns to share volunteer experiences and thoughts.
To discuss the meaning of volunteering based on the text and real life, and develop a sense of responsibility and empathy. Try to write short persuasive speech excerpts to spread the spirit of volunteering.
Watch and Say
What can you see in the video?
Free talk
1. What can you see in the video?
We can see Blue Sky Rescue(蓝天救援队)volunteers rescuing people in disasters and teaching kids safety skills.
3. What do you know about Blue Sky Rescue?
Yes, I have. I once saw volunteers helping people in a flood. /...
No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard stories about it. / ...
2. Have you seen Blue Sky Rescue Team volunteers helping
people in disasters?
We can see Blue Sky Rescue volunteers rescuing people in disasters and teaching kids safety skills.
Read and Learn
蓝天救援队(Blue Sky Rescue,BSR)是中国民间专业的纯公益紧急救援机构,2007 年成立,总部设在北京。全国各省市均有队伍,注册志愿者超 5 万名,其中万余人持有专业救援资质。队员来自各行各业,秉持 “人道、博爱、奉献” 精神,全程免费参与地震、洪水、台风等灾害救援,也开展防灾减灾教育、走失人员搜寻等公益服务。他们不仅协助政府开展应急工作,还积极参与国际救援行动,用专业与无私守护生命,传递温暖与希望。
Look at the pictures of some Blue Sky Rescue volunteers and discuss the questions.
1a
Discuss and Say
They are helping people in need, teaching safety skills to students, and searching for people in disasters.
1. What do you think volunteers in blue are doing?
2. Have you heard any stories about Blue Sky Rescue?
No, I haven’t./ Yes, I have. They help people in emergencies for free...
/ɪˈmɜːdʒənsiz/n. 紧急情况
Today we will read a speech from a Blue Sky Rescue volunteer, and learn how their stories change lives.
Read the speech by a Blue Sky Rescue volunteer. What kind of hook does the speaker use? Which paragraph includes a call to action?
1a
Read and Answer
Identifying the features of a speech
A speech can start with a hook to make the audience curious about what the speaker will say next. A story, an interesting fact, or even a question can be a hook. A speech can also include a call to action by encouraging people to do something.
hook: It is the opening part of a speech
to get people interested.
(演讲开头用来吸引听众的开场白)
call to action: is the part at the end of a
speech that tells listeners what to do.
(演讲结尾号召听众付诸行动的内容)
/ˈɔːdiəns/ n. 听众
Read the speech by a Blue Sky Rescue volunteer. What kind of hook does the speaker use? Which paragraph includes a call to action?
1b
Read and Answer
1. What kind of hook does the speaker
use?
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to speak to you about Blue Sky Rescue today. Let me begin with my own story.
Back in 2008, I was hiking in the mountains with some friends when one of them fell and got a bad head injury. We had to find help quickly, so we called an emergency number. It was already dark, and we couldn't even see where we were. After some time, we heard dogs barking and the voices of the Blue Sky Rescue team. I nearly started crying. We were so thankful that they found us!
I've never forgotten that day. Since then, I've wanted to help others too. I signed up with Blue Sky Rescue in 2009, and I've been a volunteer ever since. We've been to schools and other communities to teach children and adults how to stay safe and prepare for the worst. We've also rescued people during emergencies. We've provided medical aid and searched for missing people after natural disasters, like the 2013 earthquake in Ya'an and the typhoon in the Philippines in the same year. In 2023, we even helped in places as far away as Türkiye!
Working as a volunteer has taught me many practical life-saving skills. It has also helped me understand the power of teamwork because it's the key to successful rescues. Most of all, being a volunteer has taught me the value of every life.
The work is difficult. It's voluntary, so we aren't paid. We often go without food or sleep. But our goal has always been to save as many people as we can. I'm just an ordinary person, but I'll rush into danger, just like everyone else in Blue Sky Rescue. To the people we've saved and their loved ones, I know we're their heroes. And that makes everything we do worth it. We want to do even more, but we can't do it all alone. Will you join us as a volunteer? Together we can make a difference!
2. Which paragraph includes a call to
action?
The speaker uses a personal story as the hook.
The last paragraph includes the call to action.
Look and Match
Read the passage and match the main ideas with each paragraph.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to speak to you about Blue Sky Rescue today. Let me begin with my own story.
Back in 2008, I was hiking in the mountains with some friends when one of them fell and got a bad head injury. We had to find help quickly, so we called an emergency number. It was already dark, and we couldn't even see where we were. After some time, we heard dogs barking and the voices of the Blue Sky Rescue team. I nearly started crying. We were so thankful that they found us!
I've never forgotten that day. Since then, I've wanted to help others too. I signed up with Blue Sky Rescue in 2009, and I've been a volunteer ever since. We've been to schools and other communities to teach children and adults how to stay safe and prepare for the worst. We've also rescued people during emergencies. We've provided medical aid and searched for missing people after natural disasters, like the 2013 earthquake in Ya'an and the typhoon in the Philippines in the same year. In 2023, we even helped in places as far away as Türkiye!
Working as a volunteer has taught me many practical life-saving skills. It has also helped me understand the power of teamwork because it's the key to successful rescues. Most of all, being a volunteer has taught me the value of every life.
The work is difficult. It's voluntary, so we aren't paid. We often go without food or sleep. But our goal has always been to save as many people as we can. I'm just an ordinary person, but I'll rush into danger, just like everyone else in Blue Sky Rescue. To the people we've saved and their loved ones, I know we're their heroes. And that makes everything we do worth it. We want to do even more, but we can't do it all alone. Will you join us as a volunteer? Together we can make a difference!
The hook of the speech
Personal experience of being rescued
Volunteer work of Blue Sky Rescue
Lessons learned from volunteering
Call to action and volunteer invitation
Tip: 先快速通读每段,抓住段首/段尾的核心句,了解段落大意。把段落和选项的关键词进行匹配,排除干扰项。
Read and Answer
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to speak to you about Blue Sky Rescue today. Let me begin with my own story.
Read Para. 1 and answer the questions.
1. What is the speaker talking about today?
They are talking about Blue Sky Rescue.
Because he wants to catch the listeners' attention and make the
speech more interesting.
2. Why does the speaker start with his own story?
3. Can you guess what story the speaker will tell next?
Maybe he will tell us a story about being saved by Blue Sky
Rescue./...
Back in 2008, I was hiking in the mountains with some friends when one of them fell and got a bad head injury. We had to find help quickly, so we called an emergency number. It was already dark, and we couldn't even see where we were. After some time, we heard dogs barking and the voices of the Blue Sky Rescue team. I nearly started crying. We were so thankful that they found us!
Read and Complete
Read Para. 2 and complete the table.
Time
Place
Event
Solution
Rescuer
Result
in 2008
in the
mountains
one friend fell and got a bad head injury
called an emergency number
The Blue Sky Rescue team
The team found them, and they felt thankful
Tip: 先根据表格表头的关键词(如 Time、Place),在段落中定位对应信息;再用原文原句或短语直接填入,保证答案准确。
I’ve never forgotten that day. Since then, I’ve wanted to help others too. I signed up with Blue Sky Rescue in 2009, and I’ve been a volunteer ever since. We’ve been to schools and other communities to teach children and adults how to stay safe and prepare for the worst. We’ve also rescued people during emergencies. We’ve provided medical aid and searched for missing people after natural disasters, like the 2013 earthquake in Ya’an and the typhoon in the Philippines in the same year. In 2023, we even helped in places as far away as Türkiye!
Read and Fill
Read Para. 3 and fill in the blanks on the timeline.
菲律宾
The writer ______________ Blue Sky Rescue and worked as a volunteer.
signed up with
in 2009
They provided __________ and ____________ missing people.
medical aid
searched for
the 2013 earthquake in Ya’an and the typhoon in the Philippines
Gave help in _________
Türkiye
in2023
now
Tip: 先以时间词(如 2009、2013、2023)为线索,在段落中定位对应事件;再提取关键动词短语填入时间轴。
Read and Circle
Read Para. 4 and circle T for true or F for false. Then correct the false statements.
Working as a volunteer has taught me many practical life-saving skills. It has also helped me understand the power of teamwork because it's the key to successful rescues. Most of all, being a volunteer has taught me the value of every life.
1. Working as a volunteer has taught the writer only one practical life-saving skill.
2. Teamwork is very important for successful rescues, according to the writer.
3. The writer learned the value of every life from being a volunteer.
4. The writer thinks teamwork is not necessary in rescues.
5. The writer’s most important lesson from volunteering is practical skills.
T
F
T
F
T
F
T
F
T
F
many
skills
necessary
the value of every life
Read Para. 5 and answer the questions.
The work is difficult. It's voluntary, so we aren't paid. We often go without food or sleep. But our goal has always been to save as many people as we can. I'm just an ordinary person, but I'll rush into danger, just like everyone else in Blue Sky Rescue. To the people we've saved and their loved ones, I know we're their heroes. And that makes everything we do worth it. We want to do even more, but we can't do it all alone. Will you join us as a volunteer? Together we can make a difference!
Read and Answer
1. What makes the volunteer work difficult?
The work is difficult. Volunteers have no pay and often go without food or sleep.
2. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this part?
The writer wants to call on readers to join Blue Sky Rescue as volunteers, because they can’t do it all alone and need more people to make a difference together.
Read the speech again. Write the correct paragraph number next to each paragraph summary.
1c
Read and Number
____ The speaker shares what he has learnt from his volunteer experience.
____ The speaker tells a story about how he got to know Blue Sky Rescue.
____ The speaker invites the audience to volunteer with Blue Sky Rescue.
____ The speaker greets the audience and thanks them.
____ The speaker talks about the work the Blue Sky Rescue volunteers have done.
1
2
3
4
5
Tip: 先抓住每个总结句的核心关键词(如 greets, tells a story, learnt from, invites),再回原文匹配对应段落。按演讲的逻辑顺序快速核对,确保段落顺序与原文一致。
Read again and answer the questions.
Read and Answer
1d
1. When did the speaker join Blue Sky Rescue? Why did he join the organization?
He signed up with Blue Sky Rescue in 2009. He once got help from the team in the mountains in 2008, so he decided to help people in need.
2. What has he learnt from his volunteer experience?
He has learned many practical life-saving skills. He also understands teamwork is important for rescues. Most of all, he realizes the value of every life.
3. What are some difficulties the Blue Sky Rescue volunteers face?
The work is hard and unpaid. They often go without food or sleep, and
they have to face danger while working.
Think and Say
1. Why is the speaker willing to put his life in danger?
Because they are heroes to the people they save and their families. This
makes all their work meaningful. /...
2. What qualities do you think a Blue Sky Rescue volunteer should have?
They need to be brave, hard-working and ready to help others. They
should also know teamwork well. /...
3. What small volunteer work can we do in our daily life?
We can help classmates, visit the old people’s home and some other kind things around us. /...
What does helping others mean? How can helping others make a difference?
Discuss and Share
How do you understand the sentences below? Discuss your opinions in groups.
1e
Help others, help yourself.
帮助他人,成就自己
When you help others, you can aslo learn new skills, make friends and feel happy.
Today you, tomorrow me.
今日助人,明日受助。
The rose in your hand, the sweet smell in mine.
予人玫瑰,手有余香。
When you help others today, others may help you when you are in trouble tomorrow.
when you do something kind for others, you will also feel happy and warm inside.
Read and Learn
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to speak to you about Blue Sky Rescue today. Let me begin with my own story.
Back in 2008, I was hiking in the mountains with some friends when one of them fell and got a bad head injury. We had to find help quickly, so we called an emergency number. It was already dark, and we couldn’t even see where we were. After some time, we heard dogs barking and the voices of the Blue Sky Rescue team. I nearly started crying. We were so thankful that they found us!
给某人做关于…… 的演讲 / 讲话
追溯到…… 时候
头部受伤严重
拨打紧急求助电话
hear sb doing sth听见某人正在做某事
Language Points
I’ve never forgotten that day. Since then, I’ve wanted to help others too. I signed up with Blue Sky Rescue in 2009, and I’ve been a volunteer ever since. We’ve been to schools and other communities to teach children and adults how to stay safe and prepare for the worst. We’ve also rescued people during emergencies. We’ve provided medical aid and searched for missing people after natural disasters, like the 2013 earthquake in Ya’an and the typhoon in the Philippines in the same year. In 2023, we even helped in places as far away as Türkiye!
Working as a volunteer has taught me many practical life-saving skills. It
Read and Learn
从那之后
报名参加;注册成为…… 的成员
从此以后
做最坏的打算
在紧急情况下
医疗援助
搜寻
远至……
/ˈpræktɪkl/ adj. 实用的
实用的救生技能
has also helped me understand the power of teamwork because it’s the key to successful rescues. Most of all, being a volunteer has taught me the value of every life.
The work is difficult. It’s voluntary, so we aren’t paid. We often go without food or sleep. But our primary goal has always been to save as many people as we can. I’m just an ordinary person, but I’ll rush into danger, just like everyone else in Blue Sky Rescue. To the people we’ve saved and their loved ones, I know we’re their heroes. And that makes everything we do worth it. We want to do even more, but we can’t do it all alone. Will you join us as a volunteer? Together we can make a difference!
Read and Learn
团队的力量
......的关键
最重要的是
每一个生命的价值
/ˈvɒləntri/adj. 自愿的;无偿的
首要目标
/ˈɔːdnri/ adj. 普通的;平凡的
冲进
对于我们救过的人及其亲人来说
make everything worth it 让一切都值得
独自一人
有影响;起作用
Next, we will learn more vocabularies to talk about volunteering. First let's start with a word puzzle!
Write the correct words in the puzzle with the help of the clues.
Look and Guess
2a
Down
1. a polite term for a man
3. a polite term for a woman
4. first in importance
6. full of energy and always on the go
Across
2. the worth or importance of something
5. a person who belongs to a group or an organization
7. an organization that helps those in need
8. to look for something or someone
A U
A
D
Y
R
I
MA
R
Y
E B E R
T
I
V
E
H R I T
A R C H
gentleman
lady
primary
active
在忙碌中
value
member
charity
search
Look and Say
Can you tell the adjective forms of these words?
Noun Adj.
volunteer
志愿者
success
成功,胜利
medicine
药,医学,医疗
youth
青年,年轻人
elder
长辈,年长者
voluntary
自愿的,志愿的
successful
成功的
medical
医疗的,医学的
young
年轻的,幼小的
elderly
年长的,年老的
2b
Joining the reading programme is completely _________. Each _________ helps to improve the reading skills and confidence of the kids. (volunteer, voluntary)
Everybody wants to be __________. But to achieve ________, you need to have a clear goal and stick to it. (success, successful)
Mr Black had a ________ examination in the hospital. The doctor gave him some ________ for his throat. (medicine, medical)
She works as a teacher of ______ children. She believes the ______ of today will help to create a better future for all. (youth, young)
My ______ brother volunteers at the nursing home because he wants to help the ________. (elder, elderly)
Complete the sentences with the correct words in brackets.
Look and Gomplete
voluntary
volunteer
successful
success
medical
medicine
young
youth
elder
elderly
坚持
2c
Look and Gomplete
Complete the passage with the phrases in the box. Use the correct forms of the verbs.
Eleven-year-old Harry wanted to help out his community. He and his mum _________ with a local charity organization two years ago, and he has worked there once a week ever since to __________ to people in need. He helps to ________ the kitchen and hand out hot meals to people. Harry realized that his work _________________ when he saw the smiles on the faces of the people he helped. Harry has even __________________ to the organization to help them buy food for special festivals! His work shows us that anyone can _______________ .
provide aid make a difference donate pocket money
sign up be worth the effort clean up
提供帮助
有作用,有影响
捐赠零花钱
报名,注册
值得付出努力
打扫干净
signed up
provide aid
clean up
was worth the effort
donated pocket money
make a difference
Summary
What did you learn today?
Key words and phrases
Reading skill
How does helping others make
a difference?
Teacher’s words
Don’t let your ______ control you. Try to calm down.
Volunteering isn't about giving up, but growing together. Even common people can shine for others.
志愿服务不是 “牺牲”,而是双向的成长;平凡人也能成
为别人的光。
Homework
Basic(必做)
复习并牢记本堂课的重点单词、短语和句型。
Improving(必做)
模仿演讲的结构,写一段 80 词左右的短文,介绍你了解的一位志愿者。
Extend(选做)
小组合作,制作一张 “Volunteer Appeal” 英文海报,结合本节课的内容,宣传志愿服务精神。
Thank you!
$