5 My Favorites

Unit 5 VOCABULARY 1 1 Listen and read. Think about your favorite fairy tale. It’s probably a wonderful story, but do you know where it came from? The first fairy tales were not written down. One person simply told a story to other people. Then they told it to others. In 1812 the talented brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm wrote a book of the old fairy tales. They called their book Children’s Tales. But some readers weren’t happy. The stories were too scary for children! So, later on the Grimm brothers wrote a different book. The stories were exciting, but not scary. It was very popular. After that many other writers in different countries wrote down fairy tales. In 1937 there was a movie of the fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Many people enjoyed it. Other movies based on fairy tales followed. Famous actors enjoyed speaking characters’ lines. Many of these movies have the same kinds of characters. Often, there’s a princess and a prince. The princess is usually pretty and the prince is usually handsome and brave. There’s always a happy ending. But times have changed. Now authors are rewriting the traditional tales with a twist. The characters in these new stories surprise us. Maybe the princess isn’t pretty, but she’s smart, funny, and cool. Is she looking for a prince? No! She wants to do amazing things. She rides a motorbike, or she’s a great athlete, perhaps. Both types of stories—traditional and modern—are great. Which do you prefer? 2 Listen and repeat. amazing J.K. Rowling writes amazing books. famous I want to be famous one day. cool This movie is so cool. I love action! an actor He is a well-known actor in Hollywood. popular Harry Potter books are very popular. talented Mozart was a talented composer. funny That was a really funny movie. a movie I really liked that movie! a person My grandpa is a really interesting person. brave Firefi ghters are very brave. pretty My mom’s a very pretty woman. handsome He’s a very handsome man. an athlete LeBron James is a great athlete. great Picasso was a great painter. wonderful Your photos from the museum are wonderful.

SONG 1 Listen, read, and sing. You’re the Best How do I know what I’ll want one day? How do I know what I’ll be? Who can help me to find my way and show me how to be a better me? I really like to play soccer. One day I could be great! I’ll learn from my favorite athletes: work hard, practice, and wait! Some days I dream of fans and fame in movies and on TV. I study the moves of my favorite actors. I’ll be just like them, you’ll see! How do I know what I’ll want one day? How do I know what I’ll be? Who can help me to find my way and show me how to be a better me? I really love the natural world: jungles, mountains, and caves. Like my favorite explorers, I’ll go on adventures for days and days! I read the most talented writers, and dream about writing a book. I’ll work very hard in school. Becoming a writer would be so cool! How do I know what I’ll want one day? How do I know what I’ll be? Who can help me to find my way and show me how to be a better me?

GRAMMAR 1 Superlatives with -est and most I think Beauty and the Beast is the greatest fairy tale ever. J.K. Rowling is the most talented writer I know. In your opinion, what’s the funniest movie of all?

VOCABULARY 2 1 Listen and repeat. a TV show What’s your favorite TV show? a hobby I love to read books. It’s my favorite hobby. a school subject English is the best school subject. a sport Tennis is a wonderful sport. I play every day. a writer J. K. Rowling is a wonderful writer. GRAMMAR 2 Irregular comparatives and superlatives I’m good at music. I’m better than my friend at sports. And I’m the best in our class in English! A cough is bad. A cold is worse. But a fever is the worst!

READING 1 Listen and read. AMAZING ACROBATS Many acts we see in circuses today have roots in ancient societies. Jugglers and acrobats were popular in ancient Egypt and China. Today Chinese circuses are more popular, more colorful, and more exciting than ever. Most Chinese acrobats join the circus when they are six years old, and they can spend ten years practicing just one of these acts! a. Juggling: Acrobats use their feet to juggle things. They juggle tables, chairs, umbrellas, plates, and even people! b. Cycling: In this act, acrobats use “monocycles” (bicycles with one wheel). The most famous act is the “bird.” c. Tight-wire: This act is about 2,000 years old. Brave acrobats walk, cycle, or jump on a wire that is high in the air. d. Pole-climbing: This act is about 1,000 years old. Athletes climb up poles, jump from one pole to the other, and balance on the poles. e. Plate-spinning: The acrobat holds a pole with a plate on it. The plates spin fast. The acrobat dances, jumps, or stands on one arm. Don’t miss Chinese acrobats. They’re the best!