Book Two Unit 8

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. grasp the main idea of the text (There’s a lot more to life than a job.)

2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;

3. conduct a serious of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit.

Warm-up exercises

1.How do young students and older teachers see the roles of education differently?

2.What is ‘quality of life’ and how can it be improved?

ng to the writer, what must educators prepare students for?

Background information

Macon is a city in the middle part of Georgia, U.S.A.

Robins Resident Center is a service/training center foe the U.S. Air force,which is located in Macon State College.

Associate degree is awarded to a student after he or she finishes a 2-year study at a junior college in the U.S.

Richard Wager (1813-1883) is a famous German composer and writer.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), the son of an eminent Dublin surgeon, was among the outstanding Victorian dramatists. He is renowned for a brilliant series of domestic comedies—Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), and An ideal Husband (1894).

Global reading

Outline of the text

1. outcome of the survey and its further explanation (Paras. 1-8)

2. Author’s point of view: we can educate people for life as well as for a career (Para. 9)

3. Possible causes for the current situation and people’s realization of the meaning to life (Paras. 10-13)

4. The function of education in helping people gain the right understanding of life and its supporting details (Paras. 14-18)

5. Author’s suggestion as to what education can do to help the learners gain more than a job in their life (Para. 19)

Detailed reading

Words and expressions

formal

1. following accepted rules of behavior

正式的;合乎礼仪的

She has a very formal manner.

她举止文雅。

The letter was in very formal language.

这封信使用了非常正式的语言。

2. in appearance; by name only 形式上的，名义上的

I am the formal leader of this project but the everyday management is in the hands of my assistant.

我是该项目名义上的领导，而日常的管理工作都是由我的助手在做。

Resident

Adj.1. having a home in a place 居住的，居留的

The town's resident population is over 10,000.

该城镇的居住人口超过一万人。

ed to and working regularly for a particular organization

住校的，住院的，住在住所的

The film company needed a resident artist.

电影公司需要一个能住在任所的艺术家。

n.[C] a person who lives or has his/her home in a place

居民，定居者

The local residents were angry at the lack of parking spaces.

当地居民对停车场地不足感到恼火

Humanity

n. 1.(pl.) subjects concerned with human culture

人文学科(尤指文学、语言、历史和哲学)

Susan has always been more interested in the humanities than the sciences.

苏珊对人文科学一向比对自然科学更感兴趣。

[U] human beings as a whole; people 人的总称，人类

Hitler was guilty of great crimes against humanity.

希特勒对人类犯下了滔天罪行。

[U] kind-heartedness 仁慈，仁爱，善心

For more than five years, they were denied humanity.

在五年多的时间里，他们受到了非人的待遇。

Ethic of a national or racial group that has a common cultural tradition

(有共同文化传统的)民族的，种族的;部落的

The exhibition celebrated ethnic differences.

展览会公开赞美了种族差异。

Enroll v. become or make (sb.) a member (of sth.)

(使)成为……的成员，注册

We enrolled him as member of the society.

我们接纳他为协会会员.

Enrollment n.

1.[C] the number of people enrolled 注册或登记的人

Student enrollments at the university have increased steadily in recent years.

近几年这所大学的学生入学人数稳步增长。

2. [U] enrolling or being enrolled 登记，注册，入会

the enrollment of five new members 五个新会员的登记

Specialize (英specialise) vi. (in) give particular attention to (a subject, product, etc.)

专攻，专门研究(某课题、产品等

We went to a restaurant that specializes in Italian food.

我们去了一家专门做意大利菜的餐馆。

Specialization n.[U, C] specializing 专业化，专门化

In the course I'm taking, there's no opportunity for specialization until the final year.

我正在学的课程要到最后一学年才进入专业课学习

Render vt.

给予，提出

This is a reward for services rendered.

这是酬谢所提供服务的奖金

2. cause sb./sth. to be in a particular state 使得，使成

We were rendered helpless by the accident.

我们被这意外事故弄得束手无策。

Contribution n. [C,U] action of giving (money, support, help or ideas) towards a particular aim or purpose; sth. given towards a particular aim or purpose

捐助(物)，贡献(物)，奉献

His last novel is his greatest contribution to the literature of Spain.

他最后的一部小说是他对西班牙文学的最大贡献。

All contributions, no matter how small, will be much appreciated.

所有捐献，无论多少，我们都表示深深的感谢。

Puzzle

v.1. (make one) feel confused or slightly worried because one cannot understand sth.

(使)困惑，(使)为难

We're still puzzling about how the accident could have happened.

我们仍然对事故的发生原因感到困惑。

2. (make one) think hard about sth. in order to understand it

(使)苦思

Scientists are puzzling over the results of the research on the drug.

科学家们在苦苦思索药物研究的结果。

n.1. [C] a game or toy in which parts must be fitted together correctly, intended to amuse or exercise the mind

智力测验，智力玩具，谜

a crossword puzzle

纵横填字游戏

2. [C] a question that is difficult to understand or answer

难题，难解之事

Their reason for doing it is still a puzzle to me.

他们干那件事的动机仍令我费解

Distinguish v.

1. recognize the difference between (people or things) 辨别，识别

The twins look so much like each other that no one can distinguish one from the other.

这对双胞胎长得非常像，无人能分辨出谁是谁。

2. (oneself) behave or perform noticeably well 表现突出

He distinguished himself in British theatre at a very early age.

他很小就在英国戏剧界崭露头角了。

Be well off be in a good position, esp. financially

经济充裕，富裕

You don't need to look for another job -- you're well off where you are.

你没有必要再去找工作 -- 你现在的经济情况就相当不错了。

In the long run after a long period; in the end

从长远的观点来看;终究，最后

My mother always told me that in the long run I would be glad I didn't give up the piano.

我母亲总是对我说，将来我定会为自己没有放弃弹钢琴而高兴的。

Typical Patterns

1. It has often been remarked that…

It has often been remarked that the saddest thing about youth is that it is wasted on the young. (L.1)

e.g. 人们常说: 时光如流水，岁月不待人。

It has often been remarked that time and tide wait for no man.

2. less +形容词+than 放在句首，主谓语倒装

Less important than ever is developing a meaningful

philosophy of life. (L.11)

e.g. 看电视不像看电影那么有趣。

Less interesting than seeing film is watching TV .

3. if only引导的虚拟语气

If only I knew then what I know now. (L.4)

要是当初我就懂得了我现在才领悟到的东西，该有多好!

4. …not dawn until…

If it is a fact that the meaning of life does not dawn until middle age, is it then not the duty of educational institutions to prepare the way for that revelation? (L.40)

如果人们步入中年时才对人生的含义有所领悟的话，那么为这种领悟扫清障碍是否是教育机构的责任呢?

e.g. 直到昨天这个可怜的人才明白了真相。

The truth didn’t ______________until yesterday. (dawn upon the truth)

5. 主句，be+ 主语+表语+ or + 表语

And we are better for our understanding of these other contributions—be they scientific or artistic. (L.46)

e.g. 不管她是对是错，我都会全力支持她。

Be she right or wrong, she will have my strong support.

The author found from a survey that nowadays some college students are more materialistic and less idealistic. Their major objective is to make money rather than pay attention to a meaningful life. Interest in some less profitable courses like teaching and humanities is on the decline while the interest in some practical courses like business and computer science is on the rise. When people reach maturity, they will come to the realization that education can prepare people for life as well as for a career. People can do much more to society than just make money. The purpose of education is not only to prepare students for a comfortable life but also to help them develop a moral sense and to have the ability to distinguish right from wrong. The author then calls on educators to meet students’ demand for a career education and at the same time to provide the latter with more insight into life.

After Reading

1. Discussion

Work in small groups and discuss the following questions.

1) Why do you come to college? (What are the reasons for you to pursue a college education?)

2) If it were possible for you to change your present major, what new major would you like to have or do you still want to stick to your old one?

Homework

1. Finish the exercises in Section A.

2. Prepare for Section B.

Section B

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. grasp the main idea

2. master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;

3. grasp the reading skill---- Distinguishing Between Facts and Opinions

Reading Skill—— Distinguishing Between Facts and Opinions

Facts are statements that tell what really happened or what really is the case. A fact can be proved or disproved with direct evidence. It is something known by actual experience or observation. For example:

Example: Interest in teaching, social service and the humanities is at a low, along with ethnic and women’s studies. On the other hand, enrollment in business programs, engineering and computer science is way up. (Para. 6, Passage A, Unit 8)

Opinions are statements of belief, judgement or feeling. They show what someone thinks or feels about a subject. Some words such as I believe, I think, in my opinion, I feel, and I suggest, say clearly that an opinion will follow. Look at the following examples:

Example: In the long run that’s what education really ought to be about. I think it can be. (Para. 17, Reading Passage A, Unit 8)

But it is not always easy to tell opinion from fact. A writer often combines the two in such a way that we do not always notice where fact ends and opinion begins. When we have a mixture of fact and opinion in a single statement, we must decide whether the main point of the sentence is essentially fact or opinion. Sometimes an opinion is presented as if it were a fact:

Example: If it is a fact that the meaning of life does not dawn until middle age, is it then not the duty of educational institutions to prepare the way for the revelation? (Para. 13, Passage A, Unit 8)

Do Exercise ⅪⅤ in the textbook:(at Page 221)

Language Points:

whether or not: (used to introduce two possibilities)

I wonder whether we should tell her or not.

我不知道我们是应该告诉她还是不告诉她。

motivate : vt. 1. cause to want to do sth

the reason for (sb.’s action); cause (sb.) to act in a particular wayThey are ted by a desire to help people. 他们这样做是出于想帮助人的愿望。

prospect : n 1. (pl.) chance of success

2.[C, U] possibility or strong chance of sth. happening

eg. 这场战争不大可能很快结束

The meteorological office says there is little C of rain in the near future.

A. perspective B. foresight

C. prospect D. outlook

by comparison (with): when compared (with)

The tallest buildings in London are small by comparison with those in

New York.

伦敦最高的建筑与纽约的相比就相形见绌了

at large:as a whole; in general

基础教育是重要问题，需要整个社会来讨论。

Elementary education is an important issue that needs to be discussed by society at large.

eliminate: vt. remove or take away

A move towards healthy eating could help eliminate heart disease.

养成健康的饮食习惯有助于根除心脏病。

Construction vt.. build (sth.); put or fit together; form

建造，构筑;构成;形成

It's an elegantly constructed theory, but I'm afraid it's not right.

这是一个精心构建的理论，但恐怕并不正确。

Constructive adj. having a useful purpose; helpful

建设性的，积极的，有益的

She criticized my writing but in a way that was very constructive — I learned a lot from her.

她对我的作品进行了建设性的评论——我从她那儿学到了很多东西。

Swell v. 1. (cause to) become greater (使)变强，(使)增加，(使)提高

Twenty-five employees have joined the union in this month alone, swelling its number

to 110.

仅这一个月就有25名雇员加入工会，使会员人数迅速增加至110人

2.(cause sth. to) become larger (使)增大，(使)膨胀，(使)肿起

His face was swollen up with toothache.

由于牙痛，他的脸都肿起来了

Rank

1.(usu. the ~s or the ~ and file) ordinary members of an organization, esp. of the armed forces

普通成员，普通士兵

The party leadership seems to be losing the support of the ranks.

这个政党的领导似乎正在失去普通党员的支持。

2. [C, U] position higher or lower than others', showing the importance or the degree of

responsibility of the person having it; (high) social class地位，级别;(高)社会阶层

Having a large income is one of the advantages of rank.

高级职位的好处之一是有高额的收入。

3. [C] a row, esp. of people or things standing side by side行，列，排

In Cambridge, ranks of bikes line the streets outside the colleges.

在剑桥，各学院外面的街道旁摆放着一排排自行车。

Eliminate vt remove or take away 排除，消除，根除

A move towards healthy eating could help eliminate heart disease.

养成健康的饮食习惯有助于根除心脏病。

Test Yourself— Multiple Choice

For each sentence there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Choose the ONE answer that best completes the sentence.

1. The teacher said that the children are vigorous and have good__C___.

A. perspective B. respect

C. prospect D. prosperity

2. The poet __B___ the woman he loves to a rose.

A. contrasts B. compares

C. compels D. companies

3. The annual income of school teachers in this

place was __D________ at $900.

A. budgeted B. predicted

C. accounted D. assessed

4. We prefer to discuss the plan fully_C___ it in

practice hurriedly.

A. than put B. to put

C. rather than put D. to putting

5. My heart _A___ with pride as I watched my child win the competition.

A. swelled B. swore

C. swept D. increased

6. The _B____ problem is to unite all the members and go on with our cause.

A. principle B. principal

C. primarily D. chiefly

7. It is quite necessary for a qualified teacher to have good manners and _A____

knowledge.

A. extensive B. intensive

C. expansive D. expensive

8. She _C___ great self-control when they told her the news.

A. dislike B. dispose

C. display D. disorder

9. Can we ever _A____ hunger from the world?

A. eliminate B. throw

C. stop D. prevent

10. When traveling, you are advised to take travellers’ checks, which provide a secure __D__to carrying your money in cash.

A. substitute B. preference

C. selection D. alternative