Unit8 Section A.doc

Unit 8 Section A Birth of Bright IdeasI. Background Information1）Richard Wagner (1813-1883), the greatest composer of German opera, made a major addition to the nature of opera through his writings about and the creation of music drama. Music drama combines singing, orchestra, verse, story, drama and spectacle. Wagners works include the “The Ring of the Nibelung” (1853-1874), a set of four operas based on historical German stories. 2）The Rhinegold, the first of the four operas in the “Ring” cycle, exemplifies Wagners theory of music drama in its purest form.3）Henri Poincare (1854-1912), a great French mathematics and theoretical science professor at the Sorbonne (University of Paris), had a highly original influence on the development of pure and applied mathematics. He also worked on functions that changed celestial mechanics, helped pioneer algebraic topology and co-discovered the special theory of relativity. 4）Descartes, Rene (1596-1650), a famous French philosopher, mathematician and scientist, was one of the most influential thinkers in history. He is considered the founder of both modern philosophy and analytic geometry. During his life, established ideas were being challenged, so he tried to develop a way to reach the truth. He based his theory that the world is made up of mind and matter on a concept that came to him in a dream. II Text Analysis: Main Idea and Devices for Developing ItMain idea of the textGood ideas come from the unconscious mind or brain activity usually not controlled by us.Devices for developing it1.Exemplification举例法:1）Take the example of Richard Wagner composing the opening to “Rhinegold”. (Para. 4)2）As a contrast, we may consider a famous story: the discovery by Henri Poincare, , of a new mathematical method called the Fuchsian functions. (Para. 5)3) A third type of creative experience is exemplified by the dreams which came to Descartes at the age of twenty-three and determined his life path.(Para. 6) 2.Sequence of Time and Space (时空顺序法)You think about a problem until youre tired, forget it, maybe sleep on it, and then flash! When you arent thinking about it, suddenly the answer arrives as a gift from the gods. (Para.1)For weeks, he sat at his table every day and spent an hour or two trying a great number of . One night he drank Many ideas kept surging in his head; he could almost feel them pushing against one another, until two of them combined to form a stable combination.When morning came, he had established the existence of one class of Fuchsian functions. 3.Comparison and Contrast(对比法)The comparison and contrast is employed in this passage to present through contrast different ways of forming big ideas.III Expressions & PatternsUseful Expressions1. to form a good idea2. to sleep on3. to arrive as a gift from gods 4. to glow with the heat of creation 5. to describe a process unknown to the individual6. to use this term to describe7. to experience sth. in an intensified form8. to depend in some degree on9. to be occupied with10. to do sth within & without to take its shape within sb.11. to watch sth. at work12. to arrive at no result13. to be contrary to ones usual habit14. to keep surging in ones head15. to combine to form a stable combination16. to establish the existence of 17. to show the sudden explosion of sth. into consciousness 18. to fill him with intense enthusiasm19. to be representative of A. Useful Expressions1.形成一个好的观点to form a good idea (L.1)One of the most important tasks for a school is to help and promote forming a students personality学校的一个重要任务就是要帮助和促进学生个性的形成2.暂时不作决定to sleep on (L.2)There is no need to make a decision now; why dont you go home and sleep on it?没必要现在就做决定,为什么不先回家好好想想明天再说呢?3.上天的恩赐to arrive as a gift from the gods (L.3)As long as you cling to your struggle toward your goal, happiness will arrive in time as a gift from the gods. 只要你朝着自己的目标坚持不懈地进取，上帝总会将幸福降临于你。4.闪烁着创造的光芒to glow with the heat of creation (L.5)Our life glows with the heat of peoples affection for each other.我们的生活因为人与人之间不断增加的关爱而变得灿烂5. 描述一个不为人知的过程to describe a process unknown to the individual (L.7) In the program “Arts and Life”, Chen Kaige described his growing process unknown to the public.6.用这一术语来描述to use this term to describe (L.7) Most countries use such terms as “birth rate” and “death rate” to define the growth rate of their populations. 多数国家用“出生率”和“死亡率”之类的术语来界定其人口增长率。7.对有着强烈的感受to experience sth. in an intensified form (L. 11)Overseas guests have experienced in an intensified form the great changes that have taken place in China during the past 20 years. 海外游客对中国二十年来发生的巨大变化有着强烈的感受。8.一定程度上取决于to depend in some degree on (L.15)The success of the company depends in some degree on the quality of the staff. 公司的成功在一定程度上取决于员工的素质9.忙于做某事/为所占据to be occupied with (L.19)If one is too occupied in courting to mind his main business, he stands little chance of success. 一个人如果忙于谈情说爱而无暇顾及自己的主业，那么他将很难取得成功。10.外表可内心She is at peace without and at war within. 她外表显得很安详，可内心的斗争却十分激烈。11. 怀着心情/为所占据to carryabout within sb. (L.30) Those who have much to carry about within them have little to fulfill那些心中牵挂的事情多的人能够完成的事情就少。 12.(某事)在他的心中成型to take its shape within him (L.31)The whole picture had taken its shape within the painter before he moved his brush on the paper. 画家在动笔做画之前已经胸有成竹了。13.看着在起作用to watch sth. at work (L.36)If you had come to China during the battle against SARS, you would have chanced to watch how the Chinese cohesiveness was at work. 如果你在抗击SARS期间来到中国，你就有机会看到中华民族的凝聚力是怎样发挥其作用的。14.毫无结果to arrive at no result (L.38) Their efforts to bridge the gap between the two generations arrived at no result in the end。15. 一反常态to be contrary to ones usual habit (L. 39) Contrary to his usual habit, he got up early this morning to get ready for this decisive date with his girl.为了准备与女友的这次决定性的约会，他今天一反常态,起了个大早。16.(某事)萦绕在心间To keep surging in ones head (L.40)Though years have passed since her fathers death, his smiles still keep surging in her head.尽管父亲已经去世多年，但他的音容笑貌依然在她眼前浮现。17.结合在一起形成一个稳定的组合to combine to form a stable combination(L. 41) The ideal marriage means combining two individuals to form a life-long pair. 理想的婚姻意味着将两个人结合成终生相伴的一对。18.确证的存在to establish the existence of sth. (L.42) Nan Sima donated a large sum of money to finance those who can establish the existence of supernatural power. 司马南拿出一大笔资金资助那些能够证明有特异功能存在的人。19.显示了在意识中的突然迸发to show the sudden explosion of into consciousness (L.45)The sudden explosion of an inspiration into your mind results just when you have made a deep study of sth. concerned一种灵感在你脑海里的闪现恰恰是你对相关事物进行了深入研究的结果。20.使他充满强烈的热情to fill him with intense enthusiasm What netizens said filled him with anger. 网民的话使他十分生气。21.代表了(对来说有代表性)to be representative (typical / characteristic) of (L.52)Her optimistic opinions are typical of the mental attitude of the majority towards this move.她乐观的看法代表了绝大多数人对这一举措的心态。Patterns for you to use as modelsTypical patterns for argumentation through concession原句1Of course, all ideas dont occur like that but so many do, particularly the most important ones. (L4.)句型提炼1)Of course, all dont but so many do, particularly当然, 并非所有的都, 但许多确实如此, 尤其是应用：a.当然,并非所有的女孩都在赶时髦, 但她们中的许多人确实如此, 尤其是那些看重相貌的女孩。Of course, all girls are not keeping up with the Joneses but so many do, particularly those who give much weight to their looks.Of course, all the risks are not worth taking but some do, particularly those that make you a step forward on your way to success.应用: b.当然,并非所有的冒险都值得尝试, 但有一些确实值得, 尤其是那些能使你向成功迈进一步的冒险。原句2:All of us have experienced this sudden arrivalof a new idea, but it is easiest to examine it in the great creative personalities, (L. 10. )我们都有过灵机一动突然有了这样一个新想法的经历，而这在那些富有创造性的天才人物身上最显而易见。句型提炼 All of us have done sth. , but it is easiest to examine it in those (who/whose)我们都做过,而这在人身上最显而易见。应用:a. 我们都从失败中得到过教训，但这在那些经历了无数次失败而最后成功的人身上最显而易见。All of us have ever learned lessons from failure, but it is easiest to examine it in those whose success comes after countless failures.b. 我们都感受过祖国母亲的爱之力量，但这一点在那些生活不如意的海外游子身上最显而易见。All of us have experienced the power of motherlands love, but it is easiest to examine it in the overseas Chinese whose life does not go well.原句3:How they do it is a mystery but they must come from somewhere. (L. 5. )它们是如何出现在人的脑海中的,现在是一个谜, 但这些思想一定来自某个地方。句型提炼(It is true that) Sth. still is / does, but (it does not mean / follow that) (诚然)某事仍 是/在做,但（这并不意味着）应用:a. 制假是我们社会的顽症，但这并不意味着我们对它无能为力。Fake-making is a chronic disease for our society to live with, but it does not mean we can do nothing about it.应用:b. 诚然，事情发展得很顺利，但我们绝不可对一些不利因素视而不见It is true that things are going very well, but we must not turn a blind eye to some unfavorable factors.句型提炼1)One can draw / take examples from those in any （field）, fromto, even in , although我们在任何(领域)，包括和,甚至在领域,都能从身上找到这样的例子，虽然2) Take the example of sb. doing sth.以某人做某事为例。3) (We may) Consider / Think of sth. / sb. as a contrast to.（我们可以）以某事某人为与相反的例子。 . WritingWhy I See/Choose Sth. over Sth. Else1. 科研2. 经商3. 行医4. 从教1)If my choice were restricted between (doing) sth. and (doing) sth. else, the former / latter would hold more attraction for me. Comparison I2) For one thing, 3) By contrast, Comparison II4) For another, 5) In contrastto that, Comparison III6) And the most striking difference between both lies in 7) (进一步阐述)Conclusion8) From the comparisonsand contrastsabove, anyonecan concludethat my pre-ference for sth. IsMore reasonable.Reference model:Why I Choose Doing Science over Doing Business1) If my choice were restricted between doing science and going into business, the former would hold more attraction for me. 2) For one thing, a businessman has to waste his precious time beating one bargain after another with his counterparts. 3) By contrast, a scientist can always spend his valuable time attacking one profoundproblem after another in science. 4) For another, a businessman, once involved in a dirty or illegal deal, tends to place himself on the road to crime. 5) In contrast to that, a scientist, once involved in a potential or landmark research, is more likely to put himself on the way to success. 6) And the most striking difference between both lies in their contributions to society. 7) What a businessman has achieved may be of much profit to his firm or his circles while what a scientist has fulfilled will be of great benefit to his field or the whole human society. 8) From the comparisons and contrasts above, therefore, anyone can conclude that my preference for doing science is more reasonable and more acceptable.Section B Ways of Increasing CreativityI. Reading SkillsScanning and Predicting Active readers are making predictions before serious reading and they make corrections of their understanding of the reading passage from time to time while reading the material. There are many helpful steps to take in order to read for information before you actually begin reading. You can look ahead to the content of a passage in a number of ways.Step 1Look at title. It tells what you will be reading about, so that you can make some possible predictions about the content of the reading passage. Example 1 Ways of Increasing Creativity(Pass.B)2 Birth of Bright Ideas(Pass.A)3 Great ideas(Pass.C)Step 2Look for subtitles. Appearing below titles in heavy, dark print or in italics, subtitles suggest the kind of material you will find in a small section of the reading, which offers help in making predictions. ExamplePassage B: Ways of Increasing CreativitySubtitles: Capture the fleeting Daydream Seek challenges Expand your world Step 3Look at pictures, charts, or drawings if there are any. Often an illustration helps you figure out ahead of time what your reading will deal with. Food and drink of themselves are good and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious health and mental problems. Many doctors believe that overeating is one of the countrys main health problems since it places a great strain on the heart. Another area of concern is alcohol. The results of alcohol abuse are well known. The social drinker turned alcoholic; the drunken drivers contributions to highway deaths, the broken homes, etc., all point to the dangers of misusing one of natures gifts. Step 4Look at the first sentence of each paragraph. This may also give you a quick idea of what the reading is about before you begin to read carefully. If you find your prediction is not correct when you read on, dont worry! You can adjust your understanding of the paragraph with the information you acquire during your reading. This is the reading process after all!ExampleParagraph 3 of Reading Passage ATry to read ONLY the yellow-colored part and make your predictions. All of us have experienced this sudden arrival of a new idea, but it is easiest to examine it in the great creative personalities, many of whom experienced it in an intensified form and have written it down in their life stories and letters. One can draw examples from genius in any field,(Para.3 Passage A) Possible prediction: Some big ideas come by themselves all of a sudden. Directions: Judging from the subject and headingsand without looking at the reading passagewhat kind of content do you expect to find under the headings and lastly under the subject? Choose the answer that seems most likely to you.II. Language Points1. chill: vt. make cold; cool 使变冷, 使冷冻 n.寒意 e.g. We can sit around and talk while waiting for the tea to chill.cast a chill over 使扫兴, 泼冷水, 使寒心catch a chill 风寒, 感冒, 着凉feel a chill 打冷颤, 发冷take the chill off 驱赶寒气; 热一热2. dip: v. lower or drop sth. into a liquid 浸; 蘸e.g. They dip their food into the tomato liquid.dip into 随便翻阅; 浏览, 从中取出take a dip 洗个澡; 泡一泡3. applaud: v. express good opinion or favor, especially by clapping the hands 高兴地鼓掌 The people applauded with joy as the singer waved to them. Everyone applauded loudly as they liked the Presidents speech.4. remark: v. express a short, relaxed comment 谈论; 评论 n.谈论; 评论 Mrs. John remarked negatively about the actors and actresses. They invited Mr. Jackson to open the meeting and make a few opening remarks. 5. enquiry (inquiry)：n. close examination of a matter in a search for information or truth 打听,询问;调查警方对于史密斯先生死因的调查并不成功,没有发现有价值的情况。 The police enquiry into the death of Mr. Smith was not a success; they found no useful facts.6. capacity:n. 1) the ability to produce, experience, understand or learn sth. 才能, 能力 2) the ability to hold or contain sth. 容量,容积to capacity 装满地at full capacity 以全部力量,满负载in ones capacity as = in the capacity of 以资格/身份/职位capacity to 的能力他没有当医生的能力。He has no capacity to be a doctor. 戏院内座无虚席。The theater was filled to capacity.我以学生代表的身份出席了开幕式I attended the opening ceremony in my capacity as a student representative7. impulse: n. a sudden wish or urge 冲动, 一时的念头; 推动,驱使on impulse/a man of impulse/act on impulse 一时冲动,一时心血来潮/易冲动的人/凭冲动行事His friends advised him not to act on impulse and he should think carefully before his decision. 8. act upon: act according to 以方式行为/行事这个小组是按照研究人员的建议行事的。 The group acted upon the statements the researchers made. 9. potential: n. qualities that exist and can be developed 潜力，潜能 adj. that may happen or become so, although, not actually existing at present 潜在的10. to develop ones potential 发挥潜力to tap the potential of sth. 挖掘某物的潜力to show potential as a teacher 表现出当老师的潜力potential danger 潜在危险/potential market 潜在市场年轻人具有学习的潜力，这一点至今仍未得到重视。 .Young people have a potential for learning which, up to now, has been slighted. 亚洲潜在的水力资源比其他各洲要丰富。Asias potential water power is greater than that of the other continents. 11. reservoir: n. figure speech a large or extra supply; a nest egg or quantity that is held back 水库，蓄水池;(喻)(知识、精力等的)贮藏a reservoir of hope 充满希望/a reservoir of information一座知识的宝库 /a reservoir of wise thinking一座智慧的宝库 Great literature is a reservoir of wise thinking. 12. concrete: adj. of or relating to a material thing or group of things rather than to an idea 具体的 a concrete fact具体事实in the concrete 具体化,实际上Have you any concrete plans about howto deal with these difficulties? 他所介绍的概念对我们来说不容易理解，因为他没有运用具体的事例来说明他的观点。 The concept he introduced was not easy for us to understand, as his thought was not followed by concrete facts. 由于她运用了具体的事例，所以我能听懂她的讲座。 I understood her lecture because she usedconcrete examples. 13. capture: v. 1) seize; take violently or with force捕获 2) seize; occupy 夺得; 占领 In his traveling report, he tried to capture the beauty of the Great Waterfalls. The army fought its way down and captured many enemy camps. 14. scarcelywhen: 刚刚 就归纳记忆hardlywhen刚刚就 no sooner than一就Scarcely had he arrived when he had to leave again. come ones way: occur so that one has it or gets it 出现, 到来 你必须随时作好准备；一旦机会来了，你就能不失时机地抓住它。 You have to get yourself ready for any time; when a chance comes your way you can surely capture it. 15. Evaluate I cant evaluate his ability. Tests are used to evaluate students progress in school. After evaluating the patients condition, the doctor decided to try a new drug.16. “Shocked awake by the sound”: this is a past participle phrase placed at the beginning of the sentence. Moved by their speech, we did not know what to say.