Zhang Heng was a famous scientist in the history of China. His invention Hou Feng Seismometer was a great success and it helped us understand the world better.

(AD 78-139)	It was invented. Zhang Heng was born in Nanyang in the eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, there were many earthquakes every year. People thought they were from ghosts. Zhang Heng, however, didn’t believe it. He tried to find ways to study earthquakes for many years and in 132 he invented the first seismometer in the world.
	It was used. But at first, people didn’t believe it and all laughed at him. In February, 138, Zhang heng’s seismometer told there was an earthquake in the west of Luoyang. After four days, three earthquakes really happened in Luoyang area. It was believed to be useful from then on. However, it was lost 1700 years ago.
	It was reproduced. Scientists have been trying to reproduce one like that. In 2012, the latest reproduced seismometer was successfully listed in Shanghai museum. It was reported to have been a little helpful during the earthquakes in Tangshan, Yunnan and Sichuan. It is hoped to be improved better soon and be able to predict coming earthquakes one day.

Asking for information or help is a very common and necessary activity, especially when we visit a foreign country. So knowing how to ask for information politely is important. In English, "Where are the restrooms?" and "Could you please tell me where the restrooms are?" are similar requests—both are correct English, but the first could sound rude. It's important to use correct language, but sometimes this alone is not enough—we need to learn how to be polite when we make requests.

In English, just like in Chinese, we change the way we speak when talking with different people. The expressions you use might depend on whom you are speaking to or how well you know them. If you say to your teacher, "Where is my book?" this will sound rude. But if you say, "Excuse me, Mr West. Do you know where my book is?" your question will sound much more polite. On the other hand, it might be alright to say "Where is my book?" in some situations, perhaps with people you know well.

And you would not usually say, "Peter, lend me your pen. " A very direct order like this can sound rude in English. Usually in English polite questions are longer and include extra language, such as "Could you please...?" or "Can I ask...?" It sounds more polite to say, "Peter, could you please lend me your pen?" Sometimes we might even need to spend some time leading in to a question or request. For example, if you stop a stranger in the street, we might first say, "Excuse me. I wonder if you can help me. " or "I'm sorry to trouble you but," before asking them for help.

It might seem that speaking politely is more difficult than being direct, and in a way this may be true. However, in order not to offend people, learning about the language etiquette is just as important as learning grammar or vocabulary. And doing this will also help you become better at English, or any other language you wish to speak.

1. It's important to know how to_     _in English when we visit a foreign country.

2. When you talk with different people, you need to__       _.

3. Extra words are used to help__      ___.

4.._      _is as important as learning language structure.

5. How do you say " Don't smoke here. " politely? "_         __*

1.If Mr. Smith goes to visit Stokesay Castle with his 4-year-old daughter, how much     should he pay for the tickets?

    A. ￡5.00.        B. ￡7.50.          C. ￡12.50.         D. ￡16.50.

2.On what day can we visit Stokesay Castle in November?

    A. Every day.                         B. From Tuesday to Sunday,

    C. From Wednesday to Sunday.           D. From Thursday to Sunday.

3.What can we do in Stokesay Castle?

A. Take a walk with a pet dog.            B. Do some shopping.

C. Enjoy tea in the tearoom anytime.       D. Get free souvenirs.