中科院英语听说教程《轻松听轻松说》(上册)听力原文及答案-Unit_15.doc

UNIT 15Whats the Good of TV？Expressing Opinions, Agreeing and DisagreeingIntroductionIn North America, people are often frank in asking questions and arguing with older people. This is because many Americans have a different attitude toward authority than that in some other areas of the world. In a work or business situation ideas are often freely and openly discussed and argued. It is important to remember that it is the persons ideas that are being questioned, not the individual himself. The two are quite separate. The purpose of the searching, questioning, and arguing is to find the facts in a particular situation and therefore a solution, so that the work of the business can progress in the most effective manner possible. The same situation also exists in North American colleges and other classes for adults. Many instructors say they consider their students their equals. If students ask questions and express their opinions, the instructor knows that theyre listening and thinking. Students are encouraged to participate actively. This unit will help you to extend your ability to introduce your opinions, to agree or disagree with other peoples opinions, to express opinions tentatively, to ask other people to express their points of view.Answers to the Questions:1. Because they have a different attitude toward authority than those which exist in other areas of the world.2. They take the attitude that in a work or business situation ideas can be freely and openly discussed and argued. They think it is the persons ideas that are being questioned, not the individual himself. The purpose of questioning and arguing is to carry out work in the most effective manner possible.3. Yes.4. The purpose of this unit is to help you to extend your ability to express your opinions, and to agree or disagree with other peoples opinions.Background Information: Individuals in every culture have similar basic needs but express them differently. Directness in speech is more often used in the United States, whereas indirectness is used more widely in some parts of the Far East. Thus people from both of these parts of the world would probably express criticism of or disagreement with others differently. Many expressions in American English exemplify the tendency to use directness in verbal interaction: “Dont beat around the bush.” “Lets get down to business.” and “Get to the point.” all indicate impatience with avoiding issues.Part One Listening InSue: Well Ken, if you ask me, theres too much violence on television. Why, even killing seems normal now.Ken: Sue, Im not sure if I agree with you. Ive never read any proof that supports your claim.Sue: Oh Ken, its common sense. The point is, is if you keep seeing shootings and muggings and strangling, you wont care if it happens on your street.Ken: Maybe, but. Ive never met people who are that apathetic about violence.Sue: Oh Im sorry, I dont see what you mean. Would you mind explaining that point?Ken: Let me put it another way, Sue. The people on my streettheyre not influenced by what happens on television.Sue: Oh, but people may care about violence on their street, but not about violence in general.Ken: Wouldnt you say that. television is just a passive way of letting off steam?Sue: Oh Ken, thats exactly what I mean! People watching violence to cool off proves my pointthey get used to violence!Ken: I think thats a good point, Sue. Answers to the Questions:1. Sue thinks theres too much violence on television and that killing seems normal now. 2. No. Because he has never read any proof that supports her claim.3. “Oh, Im sorry, I dont see what you mean. Would you mind explaining that point?”4. “Let me put it another way, Sue. The people on my streettheyre not influenced by what happens on television.”Part Two Better ListeningSection AConversation OneM: How do you feel about big dogs?W: Well, if you ask me, big dogs are a nuisance.M: Why do you think that?W: Because they eat a lot of food, and run around where theyre not wanted, and.Answer to the Question:Big dogs are a nuisance.Discussion Questions:It seems that no household is complete without a “dog” in Beijing. Whats your opinion on this? What are some of the problems brought about by raising dogs as pets?Conversation TwoM: Er. I wonder, what do you think of this?W: Well, um. it is very beautiful. But as far as Im able to judge, its a bit too small. If Im right, youre buying it for your wife, arent you?M: Yes. Well. I tend to agree with you on that. Er. how do you feel about the one next to it?W: You mean this? Oh yes. This is much better.M: It. er. it seems a bit short. Im afraid.W: Im not really sure if Id agree with you on that. This year this short kind is in fashion. This afternoon Ive sold four already. Here, Ill try it on for you. What do you think of it?M: Yes. I think you are right. Ill buy it.Answers to the Questions:1. The woman thinks its beautiful, but its a bit too small.2. The woman thinks the short ones much better. The man will buy it.Discussion Questions:How do you buy clothes in a shop? Do you ask opinion from the shop assistants? If you do, how seriously do you take their opinion?Section BConversation OneW: In my opinion, Americans and Canadians are very nosy. Theyve asked me many questions that are too personal for me, such as “Where has your family been living?” And they always want to know my feelings and opinions. Theyre always asking me, “What do you think of this country?”M: I dont understand what you mean. I dont feel that North Americans are curious about other people at all. In fact, they seem insulted when I ask them questions like these.Discussion Question:Are North Americans noisy?Conversation TwoW: It says here that learning English is pointless.M: Im not sure if I agreeI think its probably a good thing to do.W: Why do you say that?M: Well, because English is a world languageyou need it to communicate with people from other countries.W: Thats a good point.Discussion Questions:1. Is it meaningful to spend so much time to learn English?2. Some people have learned English for more than 10 years, but they still cant communicate in simple English, what do you think can account for this phenomenon?Part There Speaking OutFunctional ExpressionsAsking for opinions:Wouldnt you say that.?Do you agree that.?Whats your opinion of.?What do you think of.?How do you feel about.?Agreeing with someone elses opinions:Thats entirely correct.Youre (absolutely) right.I feel (exactly) the same way.Of course. Ill say.Disagreeing with someone elses opinions:Excuse me. I dont completely agree because.That may be true, but on the other hand.Really? Well, your opinion surprises me because.Do you think its right to say that.?Yes, but in my opinion.Well, Ive heard that.Its my feeling that.I dont exactly see what youre getting at.What exactly are you trying to tell me?Clarifying oneself when one has been misunderstood:Sorry, let me explain.Let me try that again.A strong expression of agreement may be appreciated, but a strong expression of disagreement may appear rude or offend the listener, especially if it includes an insult.I cant believe you could say something like that.If you were thinking clearly, you would know (that).Youre (absolutely) wrong!Section ASuggested accepting responses:A: Id like to hear the classs opinion about this English course. What suggestions do you have for improving it? Angela, youve been raising your hand.B: Well, if you ask me, we should be concentrating on grammar more.A: Grammar? Can you explain what you mean by that, please?B: Sure. Personally, Id like you to correct us more in our speaking and writing.C: Excuse me, but Im afraid I dont completely agree. I need to be able to ask questions and express my opinions without worrying about my grammar mistakes.B: You have a point, but Id rather spend time learning the language than having class discussions.A: Id like to hear other students opinions about this English course. What suggestions do you have for improving it? Do you agree or disagree with B and C?Part Four Comprehensive PracticeSection A As children are unusually dependent for an unusually long time, its obvious that every society must provide a domestic context in which the children are brought up and educated. The problem, however, is that we assume that the family, in the sense of a domestic household, ought to be the same as the family considered as parents and children. In present day English, the word “family” has two meanings: firstly, the domestic group of parents and children; and secondly, a network of relations, for example, the set of people who might be expected to turn up at a wedding or a funeral. Despite some modifications over the last century, the wife is still presumed to be very much the junior partner in a marriage. Its normally the wifes career that has to be reshaped to fit the husbands, not the other way round. The dependence of children on their mother is exploited in a wholly unreasonable way to make the wife-mother the slave of the household.Ideas about the status of women have been changing: wives are thought to be the companions of their husbands rather than their slaves. But perhaps theyre more thoroughly enslaved to their children than before. The point is there doesnt seem to be any solution. Theres a genuine clash between the right of the woman to be treated as a free and self-respecting individual, and the right of the child to demand care and attention. We have created for ourselves three ideals: social equality of men and women; permanence of marriage; and lifelong love and co-operation between parents and children. However, we have created a social system in which its quite impossible for these factors to co-exist.It is not so much, then, a question of whether the familys a necessity, but whether its at all possible.Key to the outlines:Definition of family: The word “family” has two meaning: 1. Parents and children. 2. A network of