Transcript 幻灯片 1

Unit 7
Contents
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Pre-reading questions
Background information
Structure analysis
Comprehension questions
Language points of Text I
Grammatical items
Exercises
Comprehension questions of Text II
Oral activities
Writing practice
Text I The Fun They Had
 Pre-reading questions
• Have you ever read any science fiction
about the future world? Please name a few.
• Who do you think future world’s teachers
would be?
Background information (1)
 Isaac Asimov(1920–92)
 the author of the text, is an American
biochemist and author.
 He was born in the former USSR on
January 2, 1920. He was taken to the
United States at the age of 3 and
brought up in Brooklyn, New York.
 He graduated from Columbia
University in 1939, and got his PhD.
in the same university in 1947.
Background information (2)
 He taught biochemistry
at Boston University, but
he is most widely known
for his science fiction.
Some of his best-known
works are I, Robot,
published in 1950 and
The Foundation Trilogy,
published in 1951-1953.
Background information (3)
 I, Robot
 the title of Asimov's first collection of short
stories. It consists of nine stories about
positronic robots, united by a consistent
narrative in which a reporter interviews the
character Susan Calvin about her life working
with robots. Oddly enough, Asimov did not
come up with the title, but rather his publisher
"appropriated" the title from a short story by
Eando Binder that was published in 1939.
Background information (4)
 Isaac Asimov's “Three Laws of Robotics”
1. A robot may not injure a human being or,
through inaction, allow a human being to come
to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human
beings except where such orders would conflict
with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long
as such protection does not conflict with the
First or Second Law.
Structure analysis of the text(1)
 This narrative story centers around a very old
book about school and involves two main
characters---Margie and Tommy. The text can be
divided into three main parts. The first part,
Paragraph 1, serves as the background of the
story. The second part, from Paragraph 2 to
Paragraph 30, is the major portion of the story,
with a conversation between leading characters
running through most of it. We can learn a lot
from this part.
Structure analysis of the text(2)
 The last part, covering the last five paragraphs,
tells us something about the schoolroom and the
mechanical teacher. This part also reveals
indirectly how children in the future may dislike
school with a mechanical teacher only and how
they wish to have human teachers teaching them.
Comprehension questions (1)
 Paragraph 1
 This paragraph serves as the background of the
story. It tells us the exact date on which the story
occurs, the name of the leading character, and
the real book around which the story evolves.
Time is very important in this part.
Comprehension questions (2)
 Questions may be raised:
 When did the story happen?----May 17, 2157
 What did Margie write in her diary on that
night?----“ Today Tommy found a real book!”
 Can you guess what she meant by a real book?
What’s your opinion of a real book?---open
questions
Comprehension questions (3)
 Paragraphs 2~30
 These paragraphs may be considered to
constitute the second part or the main part of the
narrative text. It is the longest and most
important portion of the story, with a somewhat
long conversation between the two leading
characters running through most of it.
Comprehension questions (4)
 Questions may be raised:
 What is the conversation concerned with?----a
very old book about the old kind of school with
human teachers that existed centuries ago.
 Why does Margie hate school?
 What about your school life?
 If your were Margie, what would you feel?
Comprehension questions (5)
 Paragraphs 31-35
 These paragraphs, covering the last part of the
text, tells us something about the schoolroom
and mechanical teacher. Besides, Margie’s
psychological activities are also described. She
was thinking about how nice the old school was
and how the school kids must have loved it in
the old days; she was meditating on how
children in the Distant future dislike school with
a mechanical teacher only and how they wish to
have human teachers teaching them.
Comprehension questions (6)
 Questions may be raised:
 What do you know about the schoolroom and
the mechanical teacher?
 What was Margie thinking about?
 How do you comment the future school
according to the text?
 How do you understand the title of the text?
Language points of Text I (1)
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head: lead; be at the front of; be at the top of
The president’s car headed the procession.
She will head the cast.
This canyon heads the list of natural attractions.
The page was headed “Expenses”.
Language points of Text I (2)
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be in charge of; take charge of
The Commission of Inquiry headed by the
president of the Board of Trustees is
investigating the case.
A delegation headed by President Hujintao
arrived in Africa last week.
Language points of Text I (3)
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go towards [+for/ towards / across etc.]
The ship is heading across the Pacific Ocean.
It’s time we were heading home.
Where are you heading for?
Language points of Text I (4)
 head off:
 1) to prevent sth. from happening
 They’ve headed off several crises since they
took charge..
 2) to stop someone moving in a particular
direction by moving in front of them
 The police headed them off at the border.
 3) to leave to go to another place
 I’m heading off now.
Language points of Text I (5)
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diary: a daily record of the events in a person’s
life; journal.
keep a ~ ; read one’s ~ ; in one’s ~
cf. dairy: a place on a farm where milk is kept
and butter and cheese are made. dairy farm / ~
maid/ ~ products
Language points of Text I (6)
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crinkly: adj. having many thin folds; ( of hair)
curly
My shirts were all crinkly when I got them out
of the suitcase.
He stared at the old man’s crinkly face.
Her hair is a bit crinkly, which makes her look
much prettier.
Language points of Text I (7)
 crinkle: n. a thin fold, esp. in your skin or on
cloth, paper, etc.
 cf: wrinkle: n.
 1. a line on your face or skin that you get when
you are old: ~s around the eyes
 2. a small untidy fold in a piece of clothing or
paper
Language points of Text I (8)
 wrinkled: adj. skin, cloth or paper that is
wrinkled has lines or small untidy folds in it
 wrinkly: n. an impolite expression meaning
someone who is old
Language points of Text I (9)
 be supposed to
 1) have a duty or responsibility to do sth.; ought
to
 You are not supposed to smoke in here.
 Everyone is supposed to attend the meeting on
time.
 2) be generally considered to be; have the
reputation of being
 I haven’t seen it myself, but it is supposed to be
a very good film.
Language points of Text I (10)
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…it was awfully funny to read words that
stood still instead of moving… ( para. 3)
…it was very amusing to read words that were
motionless instead of moving …
still: adj. not moving; staying in the same place
Language points of Text I (11)
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gee:
1) interjection. Am. used to show that you are
surprised or annoyed:
Gee, Mum, do we have to go?
2) v. gee up: infml. To encourage someone to
try harder
The team needs a captain who can gee them up
a bit.
Language points of Text I (12)
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When you’re through with the book, you just
throw it away.
be through (with sb. or sth).:
infml. 1) to have finished doing sth, using sth.
I’m not through with my work yet.
Language points of Text I (13)
 2) to no longer having a relationship with
someone.
 That’s it. Simon and I are through.
 3) to have stopped doing sth. or using sth. that is
bad
 He says he’s through with drugs but it’s just not
that easy.
 throw away: to cast away: get rid of ( sth. not
wanted or needed); discard
Language points of Text I (14)
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plenty:
1) pron. a large quantity or number; enough or
more than enough
If you want some more chairs, there are plenty
more here.
2) adv. quite; very; to quite a large degree
I’m plenty hungry. I need to have a big meal at
once.
Language points of Text I (15)
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attic: n. a space or room under the roof of a
house often used for storing things
[cf. cellar: a room under a house or other
building, often used for storing things]
Language points of Text I (16)
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scornful: adj. showing contempt for; showing
strong and sometimes angry disrespect towards
sb. or sth. that is regarded as worthless
His scornful laugh greatly embarrassed me.
They remained scornful of all our attempts to
find a solution.
Language points of Text I (17)
 scorn:
 1) n.[u] the feeling that someone or something is
stupid or not as good as other people or things;
contempt
 They had nothing but scorn for their workingclass parents.
 2) v. to refuse to accept ideas, suggestions etc
because you think they are stupid, old-fashioned
or unreasonable
scornfully: adv.
Language points of Text I (18)
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mechanical: adj.
1) of or moved, worked, or produced by
machinery
The factory manufactures a variety of
mechanical products.
Language points of Text I (19)
 2) done without feeling or thought; (done) from
habit rather than will
 He was asked the same question so many times
that his answer became mechanical.
 He greeted me in a mechanical way by using
mechanical compliments.
 [cf. mechanic: n. someone who is skilled at
repairing motor vehicles and machinery]
Language points of Text I (20)
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sorrowfully: adv. sadly; in a sad manner;
feeling or showing sadness, grief or
unhappiness over loss or wrong-doing
The woman cried sorrowfully for her
misfortune.
The little girl said sorrowfully that she had
been deceived.
sorrow( n/ v)—sorrowful—sorrowfully
Language points of Text I (21)
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inspector: n. an official who inspects sth.
A ticket inspector got on the train.
As a taxi inspector, he is highly responsible for
his work.
Language points of Text I (22)
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dial: n. the face of an instrument, such as a
clock/ watch, showing measurements by means
of pointer and figures; the wheel on an oldfashioned telephone with numbered holes for
the fingers, which is moved round when one
makes a telephone call. It can be used as a verb.
Language points of Text I (23)
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slot: n. a long straight narrow opening or
hollow place, esp. in a machine or tool
Put a coin into the slot of the vending machine,
and you can get a cup of coffee.
There is a mail-slot in the door and you can put
a note or letter in it.
Language points of Text I (24)
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a punch code: a computer system of words,
letters, numbers, etc.
punch: 1) n the action of pressing a key or
button in order to activate a device or perform
an operation
2) v. to hit sb. or sth. hard with your fist. ~ sb.
in / on sth.
to push a button or key on a machine
Language points of Text I (25)
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disappointed: adj. ( about, at, in, with)
unhappy at not seeing hopes come true
He was deeply disappointed at losing the race.
My parents will be disappointed if I fail the
exam.
I was disappointed to hear that they were not
coming.
Language points of Text I (26)
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superior: adj ( ~ to)
1) of a higher rank or class; better in quality or
value
She often feels superior to others in her class.
This book is superior to that one.
Language points of Text I (27)
 2) of high quality
 This is a very superior make of car.
 Superior goods are very popular among the
customers.
 [n. superiority; ant. inferior; ]
Language points of Text I (28)
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loftily: adv. haughtily; in a manner that shows
one is better than other people
That man behaves loftily and turns down any
request for help.
lofty: adj. 1) seeming to think you are better
than other people: a lofty manner
2) lofty ideas, beliefs, attitudes etc. are of
unusually high moral quality
3) very high ( mountains, buildings)
Language points of Text I (29)
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pronounce: v.
1) make the sound of a letter, a word. Etc.
2) declare, esp. officially or after consideration
The doctor pronounced the man dead.
The priest said, “I now pronounce you man and
wife.”
Language points of Text I (30)
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regular: adj. 1) happening or appearing with
the same amount of time or space between
each one and the next
His pulse is not regular.
Plant the seeds at regular intervals.
Language points of Text I (31)
 2) happening, coming or doing sth. again and
again at the same time each day, week, month,
etc.
 We keep regular working hours.
 Mr. Smith is a regular customer of the small
store.
 regular—regularly—regularity -- irregular
Language points of Text I (32)
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dispute: v.
1) ( about, over, with) argue about sth. esp.
angrily and for a long time
The two governments disputed over the
ownership of the territory.
The question was hotly disputed in the Senate.
Language points of Text I (33)
 2) disagree about or question the truth or
correctness of
 Few would dispute that travel broadens the mind.
 n. be beyond dispute: everyone agrees that it is
true or that it really happened
 be in / under dispute: people don’t agree about
facts that are in / under dispute.
 be in dispute with sb. to disagree publicly with
another person or group.
Language points of Text I (34)
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scream: v. cry out loudly on a high note, esp.
in fear, pain, great excitement, or anger, or
sometimes laughter
Tommy screamed with laughter. ( para. 22)
She was screaming hysterically for help.
Language points of Text I (35)
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adjust: v. change slightly, esp. in order to
make right or suitable for a particular purpose
or situation
Check and adjust the brakes regularly.
You can adjust the color on the TV by turning
this knob.
It takes time for them to adjust themselves to
the tropical heat.
adj. adjustable; n. adjustment
Language points of Text I (36)
 nonchalantly: adv. indifferently, coldly, not
feeling excited or in a way to behave calmly and
seem not to worry or care about anything
 He reacted nonchalantly to my suggestion.
 She treated me nonchalantly when I visited her.
 adj. nonchalant: He was leaning against the wall,
trying to look nonchalant.
 nonchalance: n. [U]
Language points of Text I (37)
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tuck: v. 1) put sth. into a small space, esp. in
order to protect or hide it [ always + adv./ prep.]
I tucked the letter into my bag.
He had a book tucked under his arm.
2) push the edge of a piece of cloth or paper
into sth so that it looks tidier
Tuck your shirt into your trousers.
Language points of Text I (38)
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light up:
1) ignite; (cause to ) start to burn; give light to
The fire won’t light up.
The stage was lit up by several powerful
spotlights.
A flare lit up the night sky.
Language points of Text I (39)
 2) cause to become bright with pleasure or
excitement
 Suddenly, a smile lit up her face when she heard
the news.
 Her face lit up with joy when she saw him
coming.
Language points of Text I (40)
 fraction: n. ( in mathematics) a division or part
of a whole number
 The boy is very good at adding fractions.
 [cf. algebra; geometry; ]
Language points of Text I (41)
 insert: v. place or put sth. in/into sth. else
 He inserted a sheet of paper into the printer.
 Insert an IC card before making a call in a
telephone booth.
Language points of Text I (42)
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proper: adj. right, correct, suitable
She needs proper medical attention at a hospital.
This is not a proper word here.
socially correct or acceptable
That short dress is not proper for this formal
occasion.
Language points of Text I (43)
 sigh: n. a slow deep breath with a sound
expressing sadness, tiredness or satisfaction
 v. make/ produce such a sound
Grammatical items (1)
 Note the italicized parts in the following
sentences.
 It was a very old book.
 They turned the pages.
 Our television screen must have a million books
on it and it's good for plenty more.
 What’s there to write about school?
Grammatical items (2)
• The part Margie hated most was the slot where
she had to put homework and test papers.
• He was a round little man with a red face and a
whole box of tools with dials and wires.
• A man isn’t smart enough.
• But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted
to fit the minds of each boy and girl it teaches
and each kid has to be taught differently.
Exercises (1)
Translation exercises
 一个由外交部长率领的政府代表团昨天抵达
非洲,开始对该国进行为期三天的友好访问。
(head)
 Yesterday a government delegation headed by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in South
Africa and began a three-day friendly visit to the
country.
Exercises (2)
 看看这些讽刺社会弊端的漫画真是很有意思,
令人捧腹大笑。(awfully funny)
 It is awfully funny and splits you sides with
laughter to observe these caricatures which
satirize social ills.
Exercises (3)
 计算机是最有用的教学工具之一,所有的功
课以及所有的问题和答案都可以在屏幕上显
示出来。(show on a screen)
 Computers are one of the most useful teaching
aids, for all your lessons as well as all the
questions asked and all the answers provided can
be shown on a screen.
Exercises (4)
 小张的母亲前天突然病倒,他赶紧派人请来
医生给他母亲治疗.(send for)
 As soon as his mother fell ill suddenly the day
before yesterday, Xiao Zhang sent for a doctor,
who came and diagnosed and treated his mother.
Exercises (5)
 他去年高考失败,但他并没有感到沮丧,继
续努力,今年考上了一所名牌大学。
(disappoint)
 He failed in the college entrance examination
last year, but he did not feel disappointed.
Instead, he continued to study hard, passed the
examination successfully and became a student
in a famous university this year.
Exercises (6)
 这个中学生有许多英语单词发音不准,必须
狠下工夫,学好音标,掌握标准的语音。
(pronounce)
 There are many English words that this middle
school student cannot pronounce correctly.
Therefore, he has to make great effort to learn
the phonetic symbols well and acquire standard
English pronunciation.
Exercises (7)
 在这个知识爆炸,信息爆炸的年代,我们必
须不断学习,注意知识更新,才能适应专业
工作的需要。(become adjusted to)
 In this new era marked by knowledge explosion,
we have to pursue constant study and take
particular care to renew our knowledge. Only
thus, can we become adjusted to the
requirements of our specialized work.
Exercises (8)
 那男孩把衬衫塞进裤腰里,将皮包夹在腋下,
看上去俨然一副老板模样。(tuck)
 With his shirt tucked into the top of his trousers
and a leather bag tucked under his arm, the boy
looked just like a boss.
Exercises (9)
 这个女孩虽然只有8岁,但已经擅长计算分数
了。难怪他父母为她感到自豪。(fraction)
 Although she is only eight years old, the little
girl is already very good at calculating fractions.
No wonder her parents feel very proud of her.
Exercises (10)
 街坊四邻都已经听说了那个消息了,而你却
没有听说,你说怪不怪?(neighborhood)
 All the neighborhood have heard about the news,
but you haven’t. Don't you think it is very
strange?
Exercises (11)
 Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or
phrase taken from the box in its appropriate form.
Neighborhood tuck nonchalantly in no time
Sorrowfully awfully crinkly scornful punched
adjust fit light up slot
Exercises (12)
in no time
 The local people had a new church built_______,
after it was destroyed in the bombing.
crinkly eyes,
 David, with thinning red hair and _______
looked already in his seventies.
scornful
 He once made a __________remark
about
dishonest ways of making money.
Exercises (8)
 Noises from the construction site are disturbing
neighborhood
the whole _____________.
awfully
 “ He looks ___________glad
to see you,” said
Mary Ann.
adjusting
 You can get the best effect by _________the
volume during playback.
Exercises (9)
 When you go for a country walk, remember to
tuck
_______
a plastic bag in your pocket.
 “ This is none of my business,” William said
nonchalantly
____________.
 She would have raised both fists skyward and
punched
___________
the air in delight.
 The smiths rearranged things, so that new
fit
kitchen units would ________
Comprehension questions of Text II (1)
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1. Why does the author envy such professions
as bankers, bookkeepers and writers?
He thinks that the nature of all these
professions is clear and needs no further
explanation.
2. What does the author say about has talents in
the field of mime and elocution?
His talents in the field of mime and elocution
are not good enough to meet the requirements
of an actor.
Comprehension questions of Text II (2)
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3. What can we infer from the passage about
the author’s occupation?
He is most probably a professional laugher,
imitating the laughter of different kinds of
people and of different occasions.
4. Why does the author mention the skill of
repairing shoes?
He wants to stress that skill comes from
practice.
Comprehension questions of Text II (3)
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5. Why are third- and fourth-rate comedians
scared?
They do not feel at home in punch lines. As a
result, their performance may fail to entertain
its audience.
6. Why does the author bemoan his fate?
He feels sad because he cannot change or
control the way that things will happen.
Comprehension questions of Text II (4)
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7. Why does the author call himself a pessimist?
Like a pessimist, the author condemns his job
because he thinks that it results in more pain
than pleasure.
8. What change can you find in the author
when he is off duty?
He goes back to normal, and in fact he feels
happy because he does not have to play the
fool.
Oral activities(1)
Discuss with one of your classmates on the
following topics.
–
–
–
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The science fiction about the future you have read.
Your opinions about the future world’s school /
education
The advantages and disadvantages of the fact that
people are getting more and more dependent on
computers.
Changes and challenges of the present educational
system in China.
Writing practice (1)
 Write a composition on the topics listed below.
You composition should be no less than 150
words. Remember to write neatly.
 My ideal School
Good bye!