(完整版)Unit2VoiceofCourageMicrosoftWord文档

1、Unit Two: History and PersonalityText AVoice of CourageBy Jonathan AlterA few days after Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn into office, he sat in the White Houseworking on a radio speech about the countrys banking crisis, scheduled for delivery on Sunday, March12, 1933. It was the depths of the De

2、pression, with a quarter of Americans out of work, homeless anddestitute. Glancing out the window, FDR saw a workman taking down the inaugural scaffolding on theWhite House grounds.I decided Id try to make a speech that this workman could understand, he told Louis Howe, hischief aide.The American ec

3、onomic system was in a state of shock. On Saturday, March 4, a few hoursbefore FDRs swearing-in, the governors of New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania signed orders closingbanks in those states. The New York Stock Exchange had suspended trading, and the Chicago Boardof Trade bolted its doors for the

4、first time since its founding in 1848. The terrifying runs that began theyear before on more than 5,000 failing banks had stripped rural areas of capital and now threatened tooverwhelm American cities.This was the bottom. If you had your money in a bank that went bust, you were wiped out. With noide

5、a whether banks would reopen, millions of people hid their few remaining assets under theirmattresses, where no one could steal them without a fight.Roosevelts inaugural address at the Capitol had begun to restore hope, with his standout line,The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Yet the gr

6、eatest applause came when he said that if hisreform program was not adopted, I shall ask Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet thecrisis: broad executive power to wage a war against the emergency.Then FDR used a new medium in a new way to change millions.The first Presidential radio broa

7、dcast was introduced by Robert Trout of CBS, who read from afolksy script approved by FDR: The President wants to come into your home and sit at your fireside fora little fireside chat. FDR brought natural talent to the role. His speaking voice was a beautiful, relaxedtenor, not the contrived basso

8、profundo of pompous politicians.Roosevelt owed much to technological good fortune. In 1921, the number of radios in the UnitedStates was in the thousands. By 1928, there were 9 million, and by 1932, 18 million, with about half thehouseholds owning at least one radio. Herbert Hoover had appeared on o

9、ne of the first telecastsproduced by an infant technology called television, but neither he nor anyone else knew how to use thebroadcasting medium effectively.Roosevelt, though, was different.All afternoon, workers busily removed the gold pieces and Presidential china patterns in theDiplomatic Recep

10、tion Room on the White House ground floor. In came bulky electrical equipment andtelephone cables, connected to a desk and built-in microphone. Meanwhile, Roosevelt pictured peoplegathered in the parlor, listening with their neighbors, wrote Frances Perkins, who witnessed manybroadcasts. As he talke

11、d, his head would nod and his hands would move in natural, relaxed gestures.His face would light up as though he were actually sitting with people.The ritual went this way: Upstairs, FDR would put the finishing touches on every word and phrase.He was obsessed with punctuation. Grace Tully, his secre

12、tary, sometimes inserted extra commas whenshe typed, leading her boss to gently upbraid her for wasting the taxpayers commas. His real concernwas timing. He read aloud at about 100 words a minute, but he adjusted his pace for effect. At 6 p.m.,Roosevelt had his throat sprayed for a sinus problem. Th

13、en he enjoyed cocktails and dinner.Moments before the first Fireside Chat was to air, there was a crisis. No one could find hisleather-bound reading copy. Panic ensued for everyone except FDR, who calmly picked up a smudged,mimeographed copy. After sipping from a glass of water, he read the words pe

14、rfectly on the air.The beauty of that first prime-time radio speech was its clarity. FDR walked people through thebasics of banking without being patronizing. He outlined the process for deciding which banks to open.He made everyone understand it, even the bankers, Will Rogers quipped later.In the m

15、iddle of the speech, Roosevelt said simply, I can assure you that it is safer to keep yourmoney in a reopened bank than under the mattress. By raising an issue that made so many feelshameful, he lifted the shameoffering listeners a way to strike a patriotic blow by simply depositingmoney into a solv

16、ent bank. Those who planned instead to withdraw money were gently thrown in withan unsavory lot. Hoarding, the President said, has become an exceedingly unfashionable pastime.Then he returned to themes so popular in his inaugural. Confidence and courage are theessentials in carrying out our plan. Le

17、t us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery torestore our financial system. Together we cannot fail.Jim Farley, a top political advisor, wrote that if judged by its impact, this speech may have been thegreatest single utterance by an American President. No other talk ever called for

18、th such a wave ofspontaneous enthusiasm and cooperation. With 60 million people listening, the effect was immediate.The next day, Monday, March 13, newspapers reported long lines of Americans anxious to redeposittheir money. The New York Stock Exchange, closed for over a week, opened 15 percent high

19、er, thelargest one-day surge in more than half a century. Within a week, most of the recently closed banksreopened.Gerald Ford, about 20 at the time, remembered FDRs Fireside Chats as big eventswe wouldall stop and listen. Ronald Reagans biographer, Lou Cannon, has written that Reagans metaphorswere

20、 the offspring of FDRs. And Bill Clinton recalled hearing his grandfather talktime暂停17. executive adj. relating to the job of managing a business or organization and making decisions行政的18. wage v. to begin and continue a war, a battle, etc.发动11.asset n. the property of a person, company, etc., esp.

21、of value资产12.mattress n. the soft part of a bed to lie on床垫13.Capitol n. the building in Washington D.C. where the US Congressmeets国会大厦14.restore v. to make something return to its former state or condition恢复15.standout adj. a person or sth. in a group much better than all the rest出色的,杰出的16.Congress

22、 n. the group of people elected to make laws in the US,使人不知所措know how to reactconsisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives (美国等国的)国会,议会about how he sat in rapt attention, then went to work the next day feeling a little different aboutthe country.After the first Fireside Chat, FDR relaxe

23、d in his office. At 11:30 p.m. he said, I think its timefor beer. Preparations for a bill to speed the end of Prohibition began that night.Vocabulary1. swear v. to admit someone to a particular office or position by directing themto take a formal oath宣誓2. delivery n. giving a speech in public演讲3. de

24、stitute adj. having no money, no food, no home etc.困穷的4. inaugural adj. (of an official speech) first, and marking thebeginning of sth. important就职的,开始的5.scaffol n. a set of poles and boards built into a structure forworkers to stand on outside of a building脚手架6.aide n. sb.helping7.swearing-in n. ma

25、king a promise to do a job correctly宣誓就职8.suspend v. to officially stop something from continuing, esp. for a short9.boltv. to lock a door or window by sliding a bolt across上门闩overwhelm10. v. to surprise someone very much so that they do not7.38

26、.5.46.lotn. a group or set of people or things一批，一类人或物folksy adj. (infml.) esp. AmE friendly and informal和气的,无拘 束的script n. the written form of a speech, play, film etc.手稿,原本tenor n. a high male singing voice男高音contrived adj. seeming false and not natural人为的,做作的basso profundon. (p

27、l. basso profundos) a deep bass sing voice低音pompous telecast bulky adj. feeling oneself better than others浮夸的 n. sth. broadcast on television电视广播 adj. bigger and difficult to carry or store体积大的parlor n. (old-fashion) a room in pubic buildings to receive guests会客室obsess v. to be talking or worrying a

28、bout sth. all the time着迷punctuation n. the marks to divide writing intosentences, phrases, et(标点,标点符号upbraid v. (fml.) to blame sb. having done sth. wrong责备timing n. speed调速spray v. to force liquid out of a container in a stream of very small drops喷射sinus n. the spaces in the bones of ones head conn

29、ected to the inside ofones no窦air v. to broadcast a program on television or radio(用无线电，电视)播送panic to think clearly惊慌, n. a sudden strong feeling of fear or nervousness making sb. unable恐慌ensue vi. to happen after or as a result of something跟着发生smudge v. to make a dirty mark on a surface弄脏mimeograph

30、 n. a copy made by using a duplicator油印品n. the time in the evening with the largest number of people watchingtelevision黄金时段prime-timepatronizing adj. showing oneself better, or more intelligent高人一等的quip v. to say something clever and amusing嘲弄assure v. to tell positively or con fide ntly向保证solvent a

31、dj. having enough money to pay your debts有偿付能力的unsavory adj. disgusting令人讨厌的hoarding n. store贮藏47. pastime n. something enjoyable or interesting消遣,娱乐48. theme n. the main subject or idea in writing, speech, film, etc. (谈话,写作等 的)主题 v. to try to stop thinking about something or someone消除 n. (fml.) som

32、ething a person says说话 adj. not planned or organized, buthappening by itself自发的,自然产生的52. surge n. a sudden increase in amount or number剧增53. rapt adj. attentive全神贯注的Phrases and expressionsto try hard to improve or achieve something从事于；致力于to separate sth. into pieces拆卸3.go bust:to go bankrupt 俚破产;完蛋n

33、ot before noun (infml.) extremely tired精疲力竭的5.the finishing touch:the last detail最后一笔6.walk sb. through sth.: to help sb. learn or become familiar with sth.帮助某人了解某事7.strike a blow for sb./sth.:to help achieve an aim帮助某人获得成功to produce a particular reaction使起作用Notes1.Jonathan Alter : Jonathan Alter (1

34、957-) is a columnist and senior editor for Newsweek magazine,where he has worked since 1983. For nearly two decades, he has written a widely acclaimedcolumn that examines politics, media, and social and global issues. For more than a decade, hehas worked as a contributing correspondent to NBC News.2

35、.Franklin Delano Roosevelt : Franklin D. Roosevelt(1882-1945), the thirty-second President of theUnited States (1933-1945). Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression,Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope ashe promised prompt,

36、vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, the only thing wehave to fear is fear itself.3.The Depression : The“Great Depression(1929”-1939) was a period in United States Historywhen business was poor. Banks, stores, and factories were closed and left millions of Americansjobless, homele

37、ss, and penniless. Many people came to depend on the government or charity toprovide them with food. The Depression became a worldwide business slump of the 1930s thataffected almost all nations.大萧条4.The New York Stock Excha nge : The New York Stock Excha nge (NYSE), nickn amed the Big49. banish 50.

38、 utterance 51. spontaneous 1. work on:2. take down:4. wiped out:8. call forth:Board, is a New York City-based stock exchange. It is the largest stock exchange in the world.纽约证券交易所5.The Chicago Board of Trade : An importa nt market in Chicago, US, i n which futurecon tracts for the delivery of commod

39、ities are bought and sold.芝加哥交易所6.Robert Trout :(1909-2000) an American broadcast news reporter, best known for his radiowork before and duri ng World War II. He an chored CBS News coverage of World War II andcoined the phrase fireside chat to describe Preside nt Fran kli n D. Roosevelts radio addre

40、sses tothe n ati on.7.CBS: Columbia Broadcasting System哥伦比亚广播公司8.Herbert Hoover :(1874-1964) a US politicia n in the Republican Party and Preside nt of theUS from 1929 to 19339.Frances Perkins : (1882-1965) secretary of labor for the 12 years of Franklin D. Roosevelts presidency and the first woma n

41、 to hold a Cabinet post10. Will Rogers : (1879-1935), first an Indian, a cowboy, then a national figure11. Jim Farley : (1888-1973) ap po in ted by FDR postmaster gen eral and party chairman in 1933 andlater one of FDRs closest political advisors12. Gerald Ford : (1913-2006) Thirty-eighth Preside nt

42、 (1974-1977)13. Ron ald Reagan : (1911-2004) the fortieth Preside nt of the Un ited States (1981-1989)14. Lou Cannon :(1933-) an American non-fiction author and biographer. He covered Reaganfor over twen ty-five years and the author of Preside nt Reaga n: The Role of a Lifetime15. Bill Cli nto n (19

43、46-):the forty-seco nd Preside nt of the Un ited States (1993-2001)16. Prohibition : the period from 1919 to 1933 in the US when the production and sale of alcoholicdrinks was illegal禁止，阻止，美禁酒令ExercisesI. Questio ns for discussi on1.Why does the author say that the America n econo mic system was in

44、a state of shock?2.What is the most encouraging line in FDRs speech?3.Why does the author say that Roosevelt owed much to tech no logical good fortune?4.How did FDRs speech affect people and why?5.How do you understand the title and does the wordcourage in the title only refers to thecourage show n

45、by FDR?II. Fill in the bla nks with the words from the box. Change the form where n ecessary.ensue wage overwhelm restore obsess destitute panic folksy assets delivery suspend adoptbanish quip assure1.Youll have to work on your _, for youll face a large audience.2.The unprecedented floods left many

46、people _ and homeless.3.Sales of the drug will be temporally _ until more tests are completed.4.I was completely _ by his generosity to offer me the opportunity to use his luxury carwhen I first met him.5.He was once an immigrant worker but has now a corporation with $2 billion in _.6.She was hoping

47、 that the Mediterranean climate would _ her to full health and energy.7.The courts were asked to _ a more flexible approach to young offenders instead of asevere punishment.8.The council has _ a vigorous campaign against the proposal put forward by the newlyelected president.9.The Smiths have lived

48、in the town for more than 50 years and they have a special love for the townwhich has a certain _ charm.10. A lot of young girls are _ by their weight and most of them choose to go on a diet.11. The whole nation is in a state of _ following the unexpected attacks from the world.12. The new governor

49、is busy solving problems that _ from food and medical shortages.13. When persuaded to give up smoking, he would _“Giving up smoking is easy. Ive doneit hundreds of times.”14. She is seriously ill for the moment, but her doctor has _ us that shell be fine in no time.15. The parents are trying to _ th

50、e unpleasant memory from their sons mind.III. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the given words.1.The two boys were _ friends all the week, and embattled enemies on Saturdays.(swear)2.A postman is a man employed to _ letters and parcels. (delivery)3.Policy and action alike gained immed

51、iate and _ support at home. (overwhelm)4.The _ of this policy would relieve them of a tremendous burden. (adopt)5.In recent years, many childrens welfare institutions have raised funds to have _operations for disabled children in welfare institutions. (restore)6.Publication of his biography was _ to

52、 coincide with his 70thbirthday celebrations.(timing)7.Bertha tried to speak, but her throat was dry, and she could _ no word. (utterance)8.He consumed a large plateful of the very _ stew. (unsavory)9.Is it better to spend your money today or _ every penny in the bank for tomorrow?(hoarding)10. It i

53、s a well-known fact that the English have an _ with their weather and that, givenhalf a chance, they will take about it at length. (obsess)IV. Paraphrase the following sentences from the text.1.The terrifying runs that began the year before on more than 5,000 failing banks had stripped ruralareas of capital and now threatened to overwhelm American cities.2.If you had your money in a bank that went bust, you were wiped out.3.Roosevelt owed much to technological good fort