据报导这些登山运动员是在食物耗尽后饥饿而死的.doc

UNIT 8 Dealing with Education ProblemsText A Fable of the Lazy Teenager Part I Background Information The General View of American on Education It is a general view that every American has the right and obligation to become educated. American believe that, through education, an individual acquires the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities which will enable him to fit into society and improve his social status. Very often, they look to education as the cause of personal and national success and the cure of social and economic ills, holding the view that the future of the nation depends largely on education. Characteristics of American Education Formal education in the United States consists of elementary, secondary and higher education. Elementary and secondary education is free and compulsory. Some schools colleges and universities are public and others are private. Diversity is considered to be an outstanding characteristic of American education. As each state has the freedom to develop as extensive or limited a school system as it desires, and delegate its power over education to local districts to the extent it wishes, many variations can be found in the education system of the 50 states. The Principal Functions of Institution of Higher Education in American Education The system of higher education has three principal functions: teaching, research and public service. Educational System in America The U.S. public school system is gigantic, with roughly $314 billion in annual expenditures, 5.4 million employees (2.7 million of which are teachers), and 46 million pupils. It also has many unique qualities that set it apart from school systems in other industrialized nations, such as local control, local funding, and a commitment to provide a kindergarten through 12th grade education to every student who enters the system. When it was created in the mid-19th century, the U.S. public school system was viewed as a means of improving society. This is one of the reasons the system has aimed to serve all pupils for 13 years, while other countries developed educational systems that removed underachieving students at younger ages. The inclusive nature of the U.S. school system has played a crucial role in unifying a nation of immigrants, transmitting national values and concepts, and offering in theory, if not always in practice the promise of equal opportunity through equal education. Another unique feature of the U.S. system is that it vests authority over the schools with thousands of local school boards rather than a centralized, national agency. Local control enables authorities to respond quickly to local needs, changing curriculums and teaching methods without having to seek permission from national authorities. Until recently, the U.S. public school system largely lived up to this goal, producing a high percentage of high-school graduates compared to other nations. Critics of this system, however, note that, unlike many other countries, the United States has no national standards for what students should know at certain grade levels. Nor are there uniform standards for teacher training and certification. Educational Reform efforts in the 1990s were prompted in part by national and international tests indicating that academic courses in U.S. public schools offered students little opportunity to apply their knowledge. Three key reforms aimed at addressing these issues included: *Establishing challenging academic standards for what students at certain grade levels should know and be able to do. By 1999, 46 states had done this in most academic subjects. *Aligning local policies such as testing, teacher certification, and professional development and accountability programs to state standards. By 1999 every state except Iowa and Nebraska had statewide student achievement tests, and most were moving to create new standards for teachers. *Giving local officials the responsibility for developing instructional approaches that meet state standards. Only a handful of states have taken this step. Part II Pre-questions: What is a fable? Would you please tell a fable you know to your classmates? What is your goal of the four year college studying? How do you plan to achievethese goals? What factors do you think are vital to ones success? Part III. Comprehension Questions: (Paragraph 1 to 5): 1. What was the writer going to buy in the drugstore? 2. What made the salesgirl shocked? (Paragraph 6 to 7): 3. Why an adult would be upset by such an experience? What does the writer want to illustrate through the case in this paragraph? Please paraphrase the sentence “The ability to performis non existent”. (Paragraph 8): Why did the boy of 16 prefer not to go to U.C.L.A? What does his attitude suggest? (Paragraph 9): Does the writer agree to the boys idea? Why? What, according to the writer, is very essential to a nations prosperity? (Paragraph 10): 10. What suggestion does the writer propose? (Paragraph 11): Who is the hero in this fable? Why is he feeling bitter? (Paragraph 12): What is Kevin 1835s life like? What is his hope? (Paragraph 13): Who is Kevin 1928? What is his life like? (Paragraph 14): What is Kevin Hanley 1945? For what was he fighting? (Paragraph 15) What does Kevin Hanley tell his girl friend? What do his words suggest? (Paragraph 16 to 18) What is the whole American like in 2020? What do Kevin 1990 and his son do as work? (Paragraph 19-21) What kind of life does Kevin 2050 lead? What does the Japanese anthropologist do in America ? What does the Japanese tell Kevin Hanley 2050? (Paragraph 22-24) What did he realize after the dream? Why did Kevin 1990 refuse his fathers proposal? What do you think the writer want to tell us through the story? Part IV. Language Points: run out of : use up or finish a supply of (sth.) 用完 ; 耗尽 E.g.: 1) It is reported that these mountaineers have died of hunger after running out of all their foods. 据报导这些登山运动员是在食物耗尽后饥饿而死的 . 2) I was late today because my car ran out of gas on the way here. 今天来的路上油用光了 , 所以我迟到了 . Synonyms: consume (consumer, consumption) Other phrases formed by “ run ” : run across ( 碰上 , 撞上 ), run away with ( 战胜 , 偷走 , 私奔 ), run down ( 说坏话 , 停止运转 , 减少 , 缩减 ), run into ( 遭遇 , 撞在 上 , 减少 , 共计 ), run off ( 跑掉 , 逃掉 ; 很快写出 ), run over ( 压过 , 碾过 ; 很快看一遍 ), run to ( 共计 ), run up against ( 遭遇 ) in amazement: with a feeling of great surprise or disbelief E.g.: 1) All the spectators stared at the magician in amazement when the rabbit in his hands suddenly vanished. 当魔术师手中的兔子突然消失时 , 观众们都充满诧异地看着他。 2) People looked at Tom in amazement for they could not believe the CEO of this company is just a teenager. 人们惊讶地望着汤姆因为他们都无法相信这个公司的执行总裁竟然是个十几岁的孩子。 Related words ： amaze (v.) ， amazing(a. 令人惊讶的 , 令人震惊的 ) ， amazed (a. 惊讶的 ) Synonyms ： surprise ， astonishment ， awe ， bewilderment upset: make (sb.) worry or feel unhappy (usu. used in the pattern: be upset by/about ) 使 ( 某人 ) 感到沮丧或不安 , 担忧 E.g.: 1) He was very upset by the news that his application had been turned down. 他的申请被否决了 , 他感到十分沮丧。 2) Mary was so upset about her daughters illness that she couldnt concentrate on her work. 玛丽被女儿的病搅得心神不宁 , 无法集中精力工作。 Synonyms ： depress ， disturb ， disconcert 4. ignorant ： knowing little or nothing （ often used in the phrase ： be ignorant of/about ） E.g.: 1) He is ignorant about politics and history; however, when it comes to football and movie, he seems to be an expert. 2) I was ignorant of the fact that the boss could be so strict. Related words: ignore (neglect, overlook, disregard), ignorance () Synonyms: green ( 年轻的 , 无经验的 ), illiterate ( 不识字的 , 没文化的 ), shallow ( 浅薄的 ), superficial ( 肤浅的 , 浅薄的 ) ability: power or skill to do, make, or think; talent (followed by infinitive to ) E.g.: 1) A man of strong ability, Mr. Smith does want to have a firm of his own instead of working for others. 2) Ability and opportunity both play important roles in ones success. Synonyms: aptitude ( 智能 ), faculty ( 才能 , 本领 ), talent ( 天赋 , 才干 ), capability ( 实际 ) 能力 , 接受力 ) sum up: give a brief summary (of sth.) E.g. 1) At the end of each chapter, the author will sum up the main idea of this chapter. 2) The entire novel can be summed up as a very simple story. Related words: summary, summarize compete against/ with: try to be better than (sb. else) (used in the pattern: compete with/ against sb. for sth. ) E.g.: 1) Tom was not sure if he could obtain the post since there were about 200 people competing for it. 2) He found himself competing with nine other boys for the prize. Related words: competition (n.), competitive (adj.), competitor (n. rival, opponent, contestant) Synonyms: race, contest accumulate: collect, gather together, esp. over a period of time E.g. 1) She has accumulated abundant experience in teaching in the past 30 years. 2) He is so misery that he is never willing to lend any money to anyone although he has accumulated much wealth. Related words: accumulation (n.), accumulative (adj.), accumulator (n.) Synonyms: gather ( 聚集 , 搜集 ), mass ( 聚集 ), accrue ( 自然增加 ), aggregate ( 聚集 , 集合 , 合计 ) function: v. operate; act E.g.: 1) Now Shanghai functions as the center of finance and trade in China . 2) The machine is not functioning properly and the red light is on. n. special activity of a person or thing The function of the heart is to pump blood through the body. It is not the function of the committee to deal with strike. break down: stop working; fall, collapse E.g.: 1) The computer always breaks down and I am considering buying a new one. 2) Her health broke down under great pressure of work. Related words : breakdown (n.) Other phrases formed by “ break ” : break away ( 突然离开 , 强行逃脱 ), break in ( 非法闯入 , 打断 ), break into ( 非法闯入 , 突然 ), break off ( 中断 , 突然停止 ), break out ( 爆发 , 突然出现 ; 逃脱 , 逃走 ), break through ( 突围 , 冲破 ; 取得突破性成就 ), break up ( 打碎 , 粉碎 ; 撒开 , 驱散 ; 终止 , 结束 ) drive home: make (sth.) clear so that people understand it 使明白 , 使懂得 , 使清楚 E.g. 1) I drove home to him that he must be here before ten. 2) The President drove it home to his countrymen that they must rise up to fight the aggressors. humble: (1) not proud, modest 谦虚的 E.g.: 1) A humble man, Mr. Smith never shows off his wealth. 2) He always listens to my suggestions with modest attitude. (2) low in important or condition 卑微 E.g. 1) All her relatives were against her decision to marry such a man of humble birth. Synonyms : modest ( 谦虚的 , 简朴的 , 适度的 ) Antonym : conceited ( 自负的 ), noble ( 高贵的 ) search for : look for E.g. 1) The police have searched the whole hill for that missing boy but in vain. 2)He felt all his pockets to search for keys. (Please pay attention to the difference between “ search for ” and “ search ” ) luxury: (1) c.n. sth. expensive which is not necessary but which gives you pleasure E.g.: After weeks of busy work, it is really a luxury for me to have a cup of tea in the sofa while listening to music. (2) u.n.very great comfort, esp. among beautiful and expensive surroundings ( 奢侈 ( 的环境 ) E.g.: 1) He lived a life of luxury and never cared for the poor 2) Mary was very excited since its the first time for her to live in such a luxury hotel. ( used as attributive ) related words : luxurious (adj. 奢侈的 , 极舒适的 ), luxuriant (adj. 繁密的 , 茂盛的 ) 15. better off : richer than one used to be, more comfortable E.g.: 1) Now, most farmers are better off than they used to be. 2) As long as you work hard, you will be better off and happier. 16. complex: (1) adj. not simple E.g.: 1) The theory is so complex that few and really figure it out 2) He possesses a mind much more complex than those of the boys of his age. (2) n. group of connected or similar things 综合体 E.g.: A sports complex will be built near this residential area by the end of next year. ( psychology ) abnormal mental state resulting from past experience or depressed desires ( 心理学 ) 情结 E.g.: We should help those children with inferiority complex to get rid of it. 我们应该帮助那些有自卑情结的儿童去摆脱它 . Related words : complexity ( 复杂 ( 性 ) 17. adequate: satisfactory in quality or quantity, sufficient 充足的 , 足够的 , 合适的 E.g.: 1) Adequate measures should be taken to prevent cheating on exams. 必须采取恰当的措施来防止作弊 . 2) Their earnings are adequate for their needs. Related words: inadequate 18. decline: a gradual decrease in the quality, quantity or importance. E.g.: 1) There was a great decline in stock market and many share buyers felt very depressed. 股市出现大幅下跌 , 股民们万分沮丧 . 2) Her influence declined after she lost the election. (2) refuse sth. offered, usu. politely e.g. 1) I have invited her to join our club, but she declined. 2) He declined to reveal any detail of this negotiation over armistice. Related phrase: in decline; on the decline ( 在下降 , 在减少 ) e.g. 1) The birthrate of China has been on the decline after the family planning policy was adopted. 自从实施计划生育以来 , 中国的人口出生率一直在下降 . 2) The number of robberies in the area is on the decline. 19. acquire: gain sth. by ones own ability, efforts or behavior e.g.: 1) I have managed to acquire a good knowledge of English after years of life abroad. 2) John is a football fan and he has acquired many signatures of football stars. 20. astonish: surprise greatly e.g. 1) People were astonished by the terrorism attack on September 11, 2001 . I was astonished to see you here since I had thought you were abroad. Related words: astonishing, astonishment 21. swear: make a serious promise about ( often followed by infinitive “to” or that-clause ) e.g.: 1) He swore that he would be faithful to his country forever. 2) He swore to tell the truth. Related phrase: swear by ( 极其信赖 , 对 发誓 ), swear sb. in (usu. “be sworn in”) ( 使某人 / 某人 宣誓就职 ) 22. faculty: mental and physical abilities e.g. He has a great faculty of making friends (2) (in a university) department or grouping of related departments 院 , 系 e.g. the Faculty of Law 法学院 all of the teachers, lecturers, professors, etc. in one of these faculties e.g.: a member of the faculty 一名教职工 Part V. Structure: Part I (para 1 para 10) The writers experience and his feeling (1-5) The writers experience of buying folders in a drugstore. (6-8) The writer tells about his anxiety towards the ignorance of nowadays youth, and especially their indifference to the ignorance. (9) The youth should have sense of competition, otherwise, America would decline. (10) ( transitional paragraph ) The writer proposes a suggestion. Part II. ( Para 11 Para 24) The writers tells a fable, through which he wants the youth to be educated (11) Story about the hero of this fable, Kevin Hanley 1990, a boy who is forced to study by his parents and falls asleep Kevin Hanley 1990s dream (12) Kevin Hanley 1835 led a hard life but possessed great ambition (13) Kevin Hanley 1928 was a worker in a steel mill (14) Kevin Hanley 1945 is a soldier who is fighting Japanese in the World War II (15) Kevin Hanley 1966 enjoys a luxurious life (16)The hero wakes up and falls asleep again. (17-18) Kevin Hanley 2020 lives in a society of disorder and works as a porter in a hotel serving Asians and Europeans. (19-21) Kevin Hanley 2050 leads a poor life and is befriended by a visiting Japanese scholar whose words teaches him a good lesson. (21-24) Kevin Henley 1990 woke up from the nightmare and came to realize the importance of working and studying diligently. Part VI. Post Questions Compared to the generation of our parents, what do you think are the weak points and strong points of our generation? Nowadays, the living conditions of people have been greatly bettered; whats more, we all live in peace and comfort. Under these circumstances, do you think being diligent is still important? Why or why not? What, according to you, are the main goals of education? Part VII. Translation: 有了稳定的工作及足够的收入后，史密斯先生的生活就更富裕了。 (with, adequate, better off) With a stable job and adequate income, Mr. Smith will be better off. 这本书想让读者明白，增长能力与获取知识一样重要。 (drive home, acquire, ability) This book tries to drive home to readers that to increase ones ability is as important as to acquire knowledge. 布莱克先生年老体衰，又没儿女养活，只好靠乞讨为生。 (physical faculties, decline, make a living by) Mr. Blacks physical faculties have been declined and without any child to support him, he has to make a living by begging. 这个公司与对手竞争，以生产出更好的手提电脑。 (compete with/against, portable ) This company is competing with its rivals to produce portable computers of higher quality. 如果没油还继续运转的话，这个机器会出故障的。 (run out of, break down) If the machine is operating after it has run out of oil, it may break down. Text B Ditch the Calculator Part I. Comprehension Question: How does the writer feel about the increasing use of calculators in class? ( amazed and discouraged ) What are the arguments for calculators among the educators? Calculator enables students to free from tedious computations; b. Generally speaking, we seldom encounter very complex math problem in real life ) What does the writer think is the main purpose of studying math? ( learn how to think and how to solve a problem by oneself ) What are the writers opinions on calculators functions? ( a good tool in everyday life, but not adequate to use in class ) What does the writer think is the