M7U2 Project Magic needles: Chinese acupuncture

Reading comprehension

1. Scanning

Which of the following topics are mentioned in the article? Tick them.

history past uses current uses functions

acceptance in the West benefits disadvantages

2. Careful reading

Decide whether the following statements are True or Talse

(1) No one knows exactly when Chinese acupuncture was first practised.

(2) The needles used for acupuncture were made of different materials.

(3) The needles used for acupuncture have the same shape.

(4) Acupuncturists can insert needles at any point on the body.

(5) Experienced acupuncturists can find out which energy channel does not have enough energy by checking patients’ pulses.

(6) Acupuncture can treat any medical problem.

(7) Chinese traditional herbal medicine is not popular in the West.

(8) There are still some disagreements about how acupuncture reduces and relieves pain.

Language points

I. Please fill in the blanks with proper prepositions

1. Chinese medicine has amazed many people around the world with its different approach ______ health and is becoming more and more accepted by people in the West.

2. Some people think that it has been practised in China _____ about 4,000 years.

3. They think that the use of acupuncture began ______ the Stone Age when stone knives or sharp-edged tools, called ‘bian’, were used to make holes on swollen areas of the body.

4. These needles were made _____ different metals, such as gold and silver.

5. The main needle now used ____ acupuncture is fine and sharp.

6. Acupuncture involves putting stainless steel needles into the skin _____ certain points on the body so that a disease can be cured or a health problem solved.

7. The number of acupuncture points was the same ____ the number of days in a year.

8. However, over the last 2,000 years, this number has gradually increased ____ about 2,000.

9. Some acupuncturists insert needles at or near the site of the disease, while others select points based ______ the symptoms that the patient has.

10. There are twelve different pulses, six on each wrist, and every one of them is connected ______ a major body organ or function of an organ.

11. Some people have also used acupuncture to treat addiction ______ cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and food(overeating).

12. One theory suggests that acupuncture blocks pain signals ______ reaching the spinal cord or brain.

II. Rewrite the following sentences:

1. Some people think that it has been practised in China for about 4,000 years.

_____ is _________ that Chinese people _______ _____________ it for about 4,000 years.

2. As acupuncture developed, the simple ‘bian stones’ were replaced by stone and pottery needles.

______ the _____________ of acupuncture, stone and pottery needles _________ the simple ‘bian stones’.

3. Eventually, metal needles began to appear and these took their place.

____ _____ _____, metal needles began to appear and these _________them.

4. The main needle now used for acupuncture is fine and sharp.

The main needle ______ ________ now used for acupuncture is fine and sharp.

5. The number of acupuncture points was the same as the number of days in a year.

The number of acupuncture points ______ ________ to the number of days in a year.

6. Some people have also used acupuncture to treat additions to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and food(overeating).

Acupuncture ______also _____ _______ to treat those people who are ____________ to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and food(overeating).

7. How acupuncture reduces and relieves pain is unclear.

______ is unclear _______ acupuncture reduces and relieves pain.

8. One theory suggests that acupuncture blocks pain signals from reaching the spinal cord or brain.

One theory suggests that acupuncture ____________ pain signals from reaching the spinal cord or brain.

III. Translation

1. 她個子很高，正如她母親一樣。 (as)

2. 他的祖父母阻擋他去參軍。 (block)

3. 所有證據都表明是他偷了錢。 (suggest)

參考答案：

I. Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions

1. to 2. for 3. during 4. of 5. for

6. at 7. as 8. to 9. on 10. with

11. to 12. from

II. Rewrite the sentences:

1. It / thought / have practised

2. With / development / replaced

3. In the end / replaced

4. which is

5. was equal

6. has been used / addicted

7. It / how

8. stops(prevents / keeps)

III. Translation

1. She is very tall, as is her mother.

2. His grandparents blocked him from joining the army.

3. All the evidence suggests that he stole the money.