Centrifugal Journey - Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader V (Pure English Version)

Author: Mao Ronggui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features:
It's not enough to just write a few dry English sentences. Don't always put the purpose of reading on improving English. Reading is primarily about absorbing knowledge, and in the process of absorbing knowledge, language is naturally absorbed as well. Using English thinking is a realm that many English learners aspire to achieve, because it is the foundation for expressing thoughts fluently in English. For a Chinese student living in a non-English environment, it is indeed very difficult to think partially or entirely in English, but it is not out of reach. From my own experience in learning English, I have found that persistent extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal.
He Qixin (Vice President and Doctoral Supervisor of Beijing Foreign Studies University) especially recommends English easy readers for beginners and intermediate learners. The materials should be easy to understand, with a strong narrative element, and the reading speed should be as fast as possible. The more you read, the better. This is a proven and effective method for learning English.
Hu Wenzhong (Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University) Otto Lidenbrock is a German professor of mineralogy who stumbles upon a parchment in an old book. After deciphering the cryptic text on the parchment, he discovers that his predecessors had traveled to the Earth's core. Determined to embark on the same journey, he ignores his nephew Axel's concerns about the temperature inside the Earth and makes the decision to go, insisting that Axel accompany him. They hire a Icelander named Hans as their guide. The three arrive at the dead volcano mentioned in the parchment—Sn?fellsj?kull. They descend into the volcano through the crater and, after a few days, successfully find a path leading to the Earth's core through three passages. With Hans's help, they descend to the end of the passage using ropes and discover two paths ahead. The professor chooses one without hesitation. After days of arduous travel, with almost no water, they realize it's a dead end and have to turn back. When they finally return to the, Axel is exhausted and believes they should return to the surface. Although the professor is very concerned about Axel, he still suggests they travel for another day and, if they don't find water, give up the journey. They choose another path and quickly find water. A few days later, they discover a downward passage and descend to over twenty miles below the surface. As they continue their rapid descent, Axel runs ahead and soon realizes he has lost his companions. In despair, he tries to return but completely gets lost. After enduring four days of hardship and suffering, Axel finally finds his uncle and Hans again.
Once Axel recovers, he hears the sound of waves and believes he sees a light. In fact, they have reached an underground ocean. From this point on, scientific marvels continue to appear. While exploring the coastal areas, they discover a forest composed of mushrooms over forty feet tall. The professor explains to the astonished Axel the possibility of plants growing underground. They continue exploring and find the remains of giant beasts and other evidence of plant and animal life. The professor decides to cross the ocean and continue deeper into the Earth. They arrive in a forest composed of colorless ferns and pine trees. They see some giant animals and, in the distance, spot a twelve-foot-tall human. Fearing an attack, they leave the forest but remain filled with curiosity about the origins of humans.
On their way back, Axel finds a rusty knife, which the professor believes to be from the 16th century. Later, they discover two letters—A.S.—engraved on a stone at the entrance of a dark passage. The professor believes this to be the abbreviation of the name Arne Saknussemm. Since Saknussemm had traveled this path, they enter the passage, only to find it blocked by rocks. The three decide to blast their way through. They light the fuse and retreat to their raft. After the explosion, seawater begins to flood in. Their raft is swept into the opening and falls rapidly downward. Later, as the water fills the passage below, their descent stops. As the water level rises, their raft begins to float back up. By this point, their food and other supplies are almost gone. They suffer from hunger, but the greater challenge is the increasing temperature in the passage. They discover that the water below their raft is boiling. The professor says the volcano is about to erupt, and they are above the lava, about to be thrown back to the surface.
When Axel wakes up, he finds himself lying on a hillside, with Hans's arm around him. Fortunately, they were not severely injured when thrown back to the surface. They walk down the hill and learn from a boy that they are on Stromboli Island in Italy. After returning to Germany, they become heroes in the eyes of the public, the professor's achievements are recognized, Axel marries the girl he loves, and Hans returns to his hometown in Iceland.