Transcript 幻灯片 1
Unit 7 Contents 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) …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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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. – – – – 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!