Conversation 1: Peter asks Chen Jie if she heard about the school music festival. Chen Jie says it sounds fun. Peter encourages her: 'Why don't you perform? You play the Chinese flute better than anyone else in our music club.' Chen Jie is shy: 'Well, I'm afraid of performing alone. I'm not as outgoing as you.' Peter says: 'But you work harder than me. And last week you played a really beautiful song!' Chen Jie suggests: 'Maybe we could play it together!' Peter agrees: 'Great idea!'
You play the Chinese flute better than anyone else. better 是 good/well 的比较级。比较对象用 than 连接。
as ... as 同级比较
I'm not as outgoing as you. as + adj + as：和……一样……否定形式 not as/so ... as：不如……。
Why don't you ...? 提建议
Why don't you perform? = Why not perform? 用于提出建议，比 You should 更委婉。
Conversation 2: After the performance, Mrs Brown says: 'I loved your performance! You two did a wonderful job!' Peter and Chen Jie thank her. Then it's time for Ella and Emma's show. Peter compares the twins: 'Emma is taller than Ella. And she sings louder than Ella.' Chen Jie adds: 'Look! That is Ella dancing. Her hair is longer than Emma's.' Peter concludes: 'They both dance well, but I think Ella dances better than her sister.'
Emma is taller than Ella. 单音节形容词比较级：adj + -er。tall → taller, loud → louder, long → longer。
两者比较：both ... but
They both dance well, but I think Ella dances better than her sister. both（两者都）+ 对比（but）。better 是 well 的比较级，不规则变化。
要点摘要
陈杰害羞不敢独奏，彼得鼓励她，两人决定一起表演
双胞胎埃拉和埃玛各有优势：一个高一个舞好
Section A 2a-2c
Interview with the Twins
采访双胞胎姐妹
Han Lin is interviewing Emma and Ella for the school newspaper. Congrats! 'Congratulations on winning the prize at the school music festival!' The twins thank him. Han Lin asks about this year's festival: 'How is this year different?' Ella answers: 'There are more students and more activities this year. I think it is more colourful than last year.'
more colourful than last yearmore students and more activities 多音节形容词（≥3音节）比较级用 more + adj。colourful → more colourful。
'As twins, you look very similar. How are you different?' Han Lin asks. Emma says: 'I'm a little quieter than Ella. And she is funnier than me.' Ella adds: 'Emma always gets up earlier than me. Many people say I'm lazier than Emma, but that's not true! I work as hard as her!'
a little quieter a little/a bit/much/far + 比较级 表示程度。a little quieter：安静一点点。much better：好多了。
as ... as 表同等程度
I work as hard as her! as + 副词原级 + as = 和……一样努力。注意 hard 既是形容词也是副词，此处为副词。
Han Lin asks: 'Besides singing, how do you spend your spare time?' Ella says: 'I love playing sports more than anything.' Emma answers: 'I like reading. You see, we're different in many ways, but together, we make a great team!' The twins thank Han Lin: 'Our pleasure!'
Besides singing, how do you spend your spare time? besides = 除……之外还（包括在内）。注意与 except 区分：except = 除……之外（不包括）。
比较级表示最高级含义
I love playing sports more than anything. more than anything/anyone else = 比任何事物/任何人都更……，用比较级形式表达最高级含义。
要点摘要
今年音乐节更丰富多彩（more...than比较级）
双胞胎性格互补：一个安静一个有趣，但一样努力
各有爱好但互补：运动+阅读=好搭档
Section B 1b
Should Friends Be the Same or Different?
朋友应该相同还是不同？
Tom posts on the forum: 'Some people think that friends should be alike, but some other people think that friends should be different. What do you think? Should friends be similar or different?'
Should friends be similar or different? should 用于征求意见或建议，语气比 must 弱，表婉转建议。
Matt replies: 'I think a good friend is like a mirror. You can understand people by knowing their friends. My friend, Stephen, is a great example. We often hang out together because we have similar hobbies and interests. For example, we both love sports. He plays badminton better than I do, so he always wins our matches. Because of that, I try harder when I practise, and now I'm getting better at badminton.'
A good friend is like a mirror. like = 像（介词）。mirror 比喻：朋友像镜子一样映照出你是什么样的人。
比较级 + because of that
He plays better than I do, so he always wins. Because of that, I try harder. 比较级表示差距 → because of that 引出结果。
'Stephen and I are similar in other ways. He is as serious as me. When we aren't playing sports, we enjoy reading together. I read more history books than he does, and he reads a lot of novels. We often share interesting books with each other.'
He is as serious as me. as + adj + as = 和……一样。肯定句中两者程度相等。
比较级 + than + 主语+助动词
I read more history books than he does. 比较从句中动词用 do/does/did 代替，避免重复。
Diana disagrees: 'I don't agree. For me, friends who are different make me better. I think we should respect each other's differences and learn from each other. For example, I am kind of shy, but my best friend, Yuan Lei, is outgoing. She has a great sense of humour too. Thanks to her, I am becoming more outgoing. Now I think meeting new people is really fun!'
Thanks to her, I am becoming more outgoing. thanks to = because of（多亏了），通常接正面原因。
becoming more outgoing 渐进变化
I am becoming more outgoing. 现在进行时 + become 表示渐进的变化。「正在变得……」。
'I have another friend, Zhang Yong. He is not afraid to give his opinion, especially when he thinks I am making a mistake. I am less straightforward than he is, but I am glad to have an honest friend.'
I am less straightforward than he is. less + adj + than = 不如……（表程度更低）。这是比较级的另一种形式。
be glad to do
I am glad to have an honest friend. be + adj + to do：形容词后接不定式，表示对某事的情感反应。
要点摘要
论坛发问：朋友应该相似还是不同？
Matt：相似的朋友像镜子，共同爱好让人进步（Stephen打羽毛球激励Matt）
Diana：不同的朋友让人成长——袁蕾的外向、张勇的坦诚帮她变得更好
Section B 3a
Rose's True Friends
罗丝的真心朋友
Rose writes: 'I don't really care if my friends are similar to or different from me. I have two amazing friends. Lily is funnier than anyone else I know. When I feel sad or have a problem, she makes me laugh and feel better. She helps me see the silver lining in difficult situations.'
Lily is funnier than anyone else I know. 比较级 + than anyone else/any other + 单数名词 = 最……（比较级表最高级）。
make sb + adj / make sb do
She makes me laugh and feel better. make sb do（让某人做）+ make sb + adj（让某人感到……）。
文化拓展
silver lining 源自谚语 Every cloud has a silver lining（每朵乌云都有一道银边），意为困境中总有希望。
'My other friend, Lucy, is not as funny as Lily. Lucy is quieter, but she listens better than others. Lucy and I talk about everything. I know she cares about me because she's always there to listen.'
Lucy is not as funny as Lily. not as/so + adj + as = 不如……。这是否定形式的同级比较。
比较级 + than others
She listens better than others. better than others：比别人更好。比较级表优势。
'My favourite saying is: A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart. Both Lily and Lucy are true friends. We are always ready to help each other by lending a hand.'