7. Pre-reading: Scan the text as quickly as possible to find the answers to the questions. 1.Who was Sir Hugh Beaver? 2. When was the first edition of the Guinness Book of World Records published? 3. How long was the longest moustache in the world? 4. What Guinness records were set in Urumqi and Hong Kong? 5. Who won the Tour de France in 2003?

8. 1.Who was Sir Hugh Beaver? 2. When was the first edition of the Guinness Book of World Records published? 3. How long was the longest moustache in the world? 4. What Guinness records were set in Urumqi and Hong Kong? 5. Who won the Tour de France in 2003? Sir Hugh Beave is the director of the Guinness Brewery in 1951, who came up with the idea for The Guiness Book of World Records. In 1955. 1.6 meters. Urumqi is the most remote city from the area-it is 2510 kilometers from the nearest coast. In Hong Kong, the world’s largest Jiaozi was made, weighing an incredible 480 kg. Lance Armstrong.

9. Listening & Reading: Listen and read the passage carefully and pay attention to the main idea of each paragraph. Para1: How did the book come about? Para2: Contents in the book. Para3: Chinese Records. Para4: Many records are moving and interesting. Para5: Why are people so interested in world records? Para6: How to set a record.

10. Reading: Read the passage carefully. *. How did Sir Hugh Beaver come up with the idea for the Guinness Book of World Records? --When he wanted to settle an argument about the fastest bird in Europe, he talked to his friends. After that, he concluded that a book that answered such questions might be popular.

11. Reading: Read the passage carefully. **.What are the categories in the Guinness Book of World Records? --It has chapters on the human body, amazing feats, the natural world, science and technology, arts and the media, modern society, travel and transport, and sports and games.

12. Reading: China Gains 19 Guinness World Records in 2003 The world's largest afforestation project, fastest commercial maglev train and even the longest continuous motorcycle ride with the rider standing on the seat without touching the handlebars were verified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2003 -- and all belong to China. The second issuing ceremony of a Guinness World Records Certificate was held in Beijing Wednesday.The ceremony authenticated 19 world records altogether, broken by Chinese teams or individuals in 2003. China has so far applied for more than 50 records to be recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, and over 40 of them have been officially corroborated so far.

13. Reading: Read the passage carefully. ****. Why are Lance Armstrong’s records special? --Because in 1996, Armstrong, the No.1 cyclist in the world, was diagnosed with cancer but in 1998, he returned to the world of racing. He went on to set the speed record and achieved his goal of winning the Tour de France six times in a row in 2004.

14. Reading: Read the passage carefully. *****. Why do you think many people are interested in world records? --Because they are interested in some strange and unusual activities, facts and exciting achievements.

15. F: Contact The Guinness Book of World Records. A: Editors decide if your idea is suitable. E: Aditors send you rules and the form you need. B: A Guinness official inspects your attempt. D: The official confirms the record. C: You get a certificate. A F E C D B

16. What types of record attempts are not allowed? --The records that are dangerous to the person who is attempting it or to others are not allowed. Imagine that you are the editors of the Guinness Book of World Records. Read about the records below and decide which one you think should be included in the book. Before you start the discussion, list reasons for and against including each record. Only two records can be included. P146.

17. What are you good at/ interested in? Can it earn yourself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records? why?