From Text to Talk：Ancient Inventions

　　This book has 12 units, and each unit has an article that introduces the origin and development of an important ancient invention and also explains how this influential and convenient device can help you.

　　Every unit is intended to provide you with a panoramic view about an invention. By reading this book, you will become immersed in the history of how humans have often made use of their wisdom to create inventions that have enriched all of us. Learning about these important achievements can also enhance both your writing and speaking abilities!

　　Every unit of this book is divided into four sections that serve different functions.

＊ 1. Each unit begins with a short passage that offers information about a specific ancient invention.

＊ 2. The Conversation section contains a discussion between a professor and some students about the importance of each invention. The lively conversations will help you to improve your oral English.

＊ 3. The Practice section teaches you English sentence structures and how to form questions and answers.

＊ 4. The Quiz section serves to test your understanding of the article. It helps you to better understand the important ideas expressed in the article and also evaluate your reading ability.

　　By reading this book, you can enjoy the discovery of how and why different inventions were created and developed. The great knowledge that was available to ancient human beings stands behind each of these creative inventions. You can gain wisdom and a rich understanding about the ancient world, and at the same time, you can discover the modern and powerful idea that it is easy to learn English when you read for fun!

　　古人的發明，造就今日舒適便利的環境。社會的發展，來自於前人智慧結晶的累積。本書精選出世界上十二項偉大的發明，介紹其獨特性、重要性，和它們跨時代的影響力。讀者能從其中了解到古人的智慧、毅力和勇氣，可以為世人帶來嶄新的面貌，進而改善全世界的生活。

　　內容編排上設計有四大學習單元，包括：文章閱讀、會話模擬、問答練習，和測驗評量。由閱讀到會話，讓您在吸收知識之外，也能使用道地的英語，和他人討論各種深具影響力的發明，達到全面學習的功效。

作者簡介

Paul O'Hagan

　　曾於西班牙、沙烏地阿拉伯和科威特等國家擔任英語教職。環遊世界數年，於1993年來到台灣後，在這裡居住長達六年，期間分別在台北、桃園和新竹等地教授英文。於1999年與妻子和女兒移居英國，目前則定居於愛爾蘭的首都都柏林。平日多從事寫作，出版過許多英語學習書。

　　Paul O'Hagan was formerly an English teacher in various countries such as Spain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait where he missed the war in 1989 by six days.

　　After wandering around the world for a few years he came to Taiwan in 1993. He stayed for six years living and working in Taipei, Taoyuan and Hsinchu, teaching students at all levels.

　　He left with his wife and daughter to go to Britain in 1999 and has recently relocated to Dublin, Ireland. He has written several textbooks for the Chinese-language market.