Unit 8 现代大学英语第二册

1、Unit 8 The Man in AsbestosBy Stephen Leacock1. Warming-up nWhat kind of a world would you like to have in future? Can you foresee a future world where there is no death, no disease, no suffering, no hunger, no war, no need for work; no terrible weather changes, no typhoon, no flood and drought? Is i

2、t scientifically possible? Is it desirable?nWhat kind of a world would we have if all our dreams should come true?nWhat would the logical consequences be if these changes were to take place? What would happen if human beings no longer had any desires or worries?2. About the author and the text nStep

3、hen Leacock (1869-1944) is one of the founding parents of Canadian letters and literature. nIn the early 20th century, his reputation as a humorist and a political economist was not limited by the boundaries of Canada but spread around the world. The Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour has been awarded

4、 yearly since 1947 to the best humorous book by a Canadian author. 3. About the textnThis is an allegory of the future about how utopian ideas led to human disaster.n Can we give a clear-cut moral judgment of utopia and dystopia, and say one is completely good and the other is completely wrong?4. St

5、ructure of the textnPart 1 (Paras. 16):nThe narrator plunged into a distant future to witness its marvels.nPart 2 (Paras. 778):nWhat the narrator witnessed there helped him make up his mind to return to the old world.nPart 2 (Paras. 7981):nThe narrator woke up to find himself in his hotel room.Part

6、1 (Paras. 1 ):Part 2 (Paras. ):Part 3 (Paras. ):Text AnalysisText AnalysisStructure6778 The narrator plunged into a distant future to witness its marvels.What the narrator witnessed there helped him make up his mind to return to the old world.79-81The narrator woke up to find himself in his hotel ro

7、om.Language pointsn1. to begin with: n1) at first起初；开始I found it tiring to begin with but I soon got used to it.我起初觉得很累，但不久便适应了。n2）used to introduce the first point you want to make 首先；第一点What was it you didnt like?Well, to begin with, our room was far too small你不喜欢的是什么呢？唔，首先是，我们的屋子太小了。n2. admit (to

8、) sth n (to) doing sthn (to sb) thatnShe admits (to) being strict with her children.nDont be afraid to admit (to) your mistakes.nHe admitted all his mistakes.nThey freely admit that they still have a lot to learn.他们坦率承认，他们要学的东西还很多。nadmit of 容许有nThe facts admit of no other explanation. 事实不容质疑。nI must

9、 admit 我必须承认，我得承认nfreely/openly admit 坦白；公开承认nbe admitted to (the ) hospital 被送进医院nadmit defeat 承认失败，认输nfrom: used to state the cause of sth 因为, 由于 Death rates from accidents have declined. 事故的死亡率已经下降。 She felt sick from tiredness. 她累得浑身不对劲。nat will: whenever or wherever you like 任意；随意 They were abl

10、e to come and go at will. 他们能够来去自由。nplunge into sth: to start doing sth in an enthusiastic way, esp without thinking carefully about what you are doing 热情投入；贸然行动 She was about to plunge into her story when the phone rang. 她刚要开始大谈她的经历，电话响了。nheadfirst: adv. 1)头朝前地 fall/plunge headfirst I fell head-fir

11、st down the stairs. 我一头栽下楼梯。 2）轻率地，仓促地n7. be a witness to/of sth: to see sth take place 目击，看见（某事发生） He has been witness to a terrible accident.npassage: passing (时间的)流逝；推移 Her confidence grew with the passage of time. 她的信心与日俱增。nnot have the faintest idea: to not know anything at all about sth 完全不知道

12、I didnt have the faintest idea what you meant. 我一点也不明白你的意思。nto keep/ lose track of sb/sth: to have /not have information about what is happening or where sb/sth is 了解/ 不了解的动态；与保持/失去联系 Bank statements help you keep track of where your money is going.银行账单有助于你了解你的资金使用情况。 I lost all track of time. 我一点也说

13、不准现在是什么时间。n11. gasp: v. to take a quick deep breath with your mouth open, esp because you are surprised or in pain （尤指由于惊讶或疼痛而）喘气，喘息，倒抽气 She gasped at the wonderful view.如此美景使他惊讶得屏住了呼吸。 They gasped in astonishment at the news. 他们听到这消息惊讶得倒抽了一口气。n12. die out: to stop existing灭绝；死光；消失 This species has

14、nearly died out because its habitat is being destroyed. 因栖息地正受到破坏这一物种已濒于灭绝。n13. eliminate sb/sth (from sth): to remove or get rid of sb/sth: 排除；消除；清除 Credit cards eliminate the need to carry a lot of cash. 有了信用卡就用不着携带很多现金。 The police have eliminated two suspects from their investigation.警方通过调查已经排除了两

15、名嫌疑犯。n14. reel: v. 似乎在不停旋转；仿佛天旋地转 When he opened his eyes, the room was reeling. 他睁开眼睛时，房间似乎在不停地旋转。n15. Humph: exclamation the way of writing the sound /h mf/ that people use to show they do not believe sth or do not approve of it （表示怀疑或不赞成）哼n16. spring: v. to appear or come somewhere suddenly突然出现（或

16、来到） Tears sprang to her eyes. 她眼里一下子涌出了泪水。n17. Broadway百老汇nA new York thoroughfare, extending the entire length of Manhattan Island, and known as the main theatre district of the city.n百老汇大街百老汇歌舞百老汇音乐剧灰姑娘 n百老汇著名音乐剧音乐之声nJuliet Andrews http:/ rivet: 吸引住 I was absolutely riveted by her story. 我完全被她的故事吸

17、引住了。 My eyes were riveted on the figure lying in the road. 我眼睛盯着躺在路上的人。n19. in place of sb/sth / in sbs or sths place: instead of sb/sth代替；顶替nYou can use milk in place of cream in this recipe.这道食谱可以用牛奶代替奶油。nHe was unable to come to the ceremony, but he sent his son to accept the award in his place.他

18、不能亲自来参加仪式，但派了他儿子来代他领奖。n20. fall into ruin:毁坏；破坏；毁灭 A large number of churches fell into ruin after the revolution. 革命过后，许多教堂都毁了。n21. to and fro: backwards and forwards 往返地；来回地 He rocked the baby fro and to 她来回摇动着婴儿。n22. destined for sth/ to do sth: 预定；注定；命中注定 We seem destined never to meet. 我们似乎是命中注

19、定无缘相见。 He was destined for a military career, like his father before him.他命中注定要步父亲的后尘，过戎马生涯。n23. render: v. to cause sb/sth to be in a particular state or condition使成为；使变得；使处于某状态 Hundreds of people were rendered homeless by the earthquake. 成百上千的人因为地震而无家可归。n24. do away with sb/oneself : to kill sb/on

20、eself do away with sth: to stop doing or having sth; to make sth end废除；取消；结束 He thinks its time we did away with the monarchy. 他认为该废除君主制了。n25. get about/around: to move from place to place or from person to person传播；流传；各处走动 She gets around with the help of a stick.她拄着拐杖四处走动。 News soon got around tha

21、t he had resigned. 他辞职的消息很快传开了。n26. surge : to move quickly and forcefully in a particular direction涌；汹涌；涌动nThe gates opened and the crowd surged forward. 大门打开了，人群向前涌去。nFlood waters surged into their homes. 洪水涌进了他们的房子。n27. back and forth: from one place to another and back again repeatedly 反复来回nferr

22、ies sailing back and forth between the island and the mainland 往返于那个岛屿和大陆之间的渡船n28. open-mouthed: adj. with your mouth open because you are surprised or shocked (因惊愕)张着口的，瞠目结舌的，目瞪口呆的n29. pull ones senses together/ pull oneself together: to take control of your feelings and behave in a calm way使自己镇定自若

23、（或冷静）nStop crying and pull yourself together! 别哭了，要控制住自己的感情/振作起来。n30. I must go at it systematically: I must do/ work at/ deal with it in an orderly way. ngo at sth: to make great efforts to do sth; to work hard at sth 拼命干；卖力干nThey went at the job as if their lives depended on it. 他们干起活来好像性命攸关似的。n31

24、. bit by bit: a piece at a time; gradually一点一点地；逐渐地nHe assembled the model aircraft bit by bit. 他把飞机模型一点一点地组装起来。nBit by bit memories of the night came back to me. 我渐渐回忆起了那晚的点点滴滴。n32. assent (to sth): 同意；赞成nHe nodded (his) assent. 他点头同意了。nThe director has given her assent to the proposals. 负责人已表示同意提案

25、。n33. do sb good: 对某人有好处ndo no good/not do any good: to not have any useful effect没有用处nTry and persuade her if you like, but I dont think itll do any good!如果你愿意，想办法说服她吧，但我认为这没有什么用。n34. the more, the more/ the less越越nIts simple. The more preparation you do now, the less nervous youll be before the ex

26、am. 这很简单。你现在准备得越充分，考试前你就越不会紧张。n35. catch (sth) (in/on sth): to become stuck in or on sth; to make sth become stuck 钩住，夹住；绊住nHer dress caught on a nail. 她的连衣裙被钉子钩住了。nHe caught his thumb in the door. 他的拇指被门夹住了。n36. beat sb out: AmE to defeat someone in a competition 战胜，打败nRoberts beat out Tony Gwynn f

27、or the Most Valuable Player Award. 罗伯茨击败托尼格温活得最有价值球员奖。n37. Agriculture went overboard: agriculture died out.nto go overboard: to fall over the side of the boat into the water.n38. Eating and all that goes with it: eating and everything related to itngo with sth/ go together: 1) to matchn2) to exist

28、at the same time or in the same place as sth; to be found together与某事同时（或同地）存在；与某事相伴而生nDisease often goes with poverty./ Disease and poverty often go together.疾病与贫穷常常相伴而生。nQuestion: Do you think humanity can conquer nature one day? Why or Why not? Please give your opinions about the relationship bet

29、ween human beings and nature. n39. concentrated: adj. made stronger because water or other substances have been removed 浓缩的nconcentrated orange juice 浓缩橙汁na concentrated solution of salt in water浓缩盐水溶液n40. the revolt of women: is referring to womens liberation movement.nrevolt: a protest against aut

30、hority, esp that of a government 反抗；违抗；起义；叛乱nQuestion: What was the authors general attitude toward fashion? Whats your opinion about fashion? Good or bad?n41. launch into sth/ launch yourself into sth: to begin sth in an enthusiastic way, esp sth that will take a long time （热情地）开始做，投入nHe launched i

31、nto a lengthy account of his career. 他开始啰啰嗦嗦地讲述自己的工作经历。n42. harangue: n. a long loud angry speech that criticizes sb/sth or tries to persuade people to do sth义愤填膺的谴责；慷慨激昂的劝说n43. rest on/ upon sb/sth: n1) to depend or rely on sb/sth依靠；依赖nAll our hopes now rest on you. 现在所有的希望都寄托在你的身上。n2）to look at sb

32、/sth 凝视；凝望nHer eyes rested on the piece of paper in my hand. 她的目光落在我手里的一张纸上。n44. due to sb/sth: caused by sb/sth; because of sb/sth 由于；因为nThe teams success was largely due to her efforts. 这个队的成功在很大程度上是她努力的结果。n45. toss: v. to move or make sb/sth move from side to side or up and down（使）摇摆，挥动；颠簸nbranch

33、es were tossing in the wind. 树枝随风摇曳。ncouldnt sleep but kept tossing and turning in bed all night.n我彻夜在床上辗转反侧不能成眠。nOur boat was being tossed by the huge waves. 我们的船随着巨浪颠簸。n46. the texture of life: the kind of life or the quality of lifen47. be bound together by/in sth: to be closely connected 因(或在方面)

34、密切联系ncommunities bound together by customs and traditions 因习俗和传统而结合在一起的社区n48. keen: enthusiastic about an activity or idea, etc. 热情的；热心的na keen sportsman 热心运动的人none of the keenest supporters of the team这个队最热情的支持者之一n49. presently: 1)at the time you are speaking or writing; now 此刻；现在；眼下n2）（written）use

35、d to show that sth happened after a short time (表示很快就发生了)nPresently, the door opened again and three men stepped out. 不久，门又打开了，走出来三个人。n50. dangle: v. to hang or swing freely 悬垂；悬挂；悬荡；悬摆nA single light bulb dangled from the ceiling. 天花板上孤零零地悬吊着一只灯泡。n51. remains: the parts of ancient objects and build

36、ings that have survived and are discovered in the present day古代遗物；古迹；遗迹；遗址nprehistoric remains 史前遗迹nthe remains of a Roman fort 罗马要塞的遗址n52. what became, has become, will become of sb/sth? used to ask what has happened or what will happen to sb/sth（遭遇）如何；（结果）怎么样nWhat became of that student who used t

37、o live with you? 以前和你住在一起的那个学生后来怎么样了？nI dread to think what will become of them if they lose their home. 我不敢设想他们如果无家可归将会怎么样。n53. cut (sth) out: to (make sth) stop working停止; 戒除nThe radio cut out suddenly. n收音机突然停了。nThe doctor said I must cut overwork out. n医生说我必须停止过度劳累。 n54. needless: not necessary

38、because it could have been avoided不必要的；可以避免的nneedless anxiety/ suffering 不必要的焦虑/痛苦nBanning smoking would save needless deaths. 禁止吸烟会免除不必要的死亡。n55. hunt sth down: to search for sth until you find it搜寻，寻找（某物）n56. one by one: separately and in order 逐个地；逐一地nI went through the items on the list one by on

39、e. 我逐条看了清单上的条目。n57. take steps to do sth; 采取措施做某事nWe are taking steps to prevent pollution. 我们正在采取措施防止污染。n58. dreary: adj. that makes you feel sad; dull and not interesting 令人沮丧的；沉闷的；枯燥无味的na dreary winters day 阴沉的冬日 na dreary film 枯燥无味的影片na long and dreary journey on the train 火车上漫长而乏味的旅程n59. the fr

40、uit/fruits of sth: the good results of an activity or a situation成果；成效；结果nto enjoy the fruits of your labours 享受你艰苦劳动的成果nThe book is the fruit of years of research.这本书是多年研究的成果。n60. nay: 1) (old-fashioned) used to emphasize sth you have just said by introducing a stronger word or phrase (强调刚提及之事)不仅如此

41、，而且nSuch a policy is difficult, nay impossible. 这一政策很难实施，甚至是不可能的。n2）no 不n61. ponder (about/on/over): to think about sth carefully for a period of time 沉思；考虑；琢磨nShe pondered over his words. 她反复琢磨他的话。nThe senator pondered the question for a moment. 这位参议员考虑了一下这个问题。n62. reflect (on/upon sth): to think c

42、arefully and deeply about sth认真思考；沉思nBefore I decide, I need time to reflect.nShe was left to reflect on the implication of her decision. 由她负责考虑她这个决定会牵扯哪些问题。n63. How, why, where, who, etc. on earth: used to emphasize the question you are asking you are surprised or angry or cannot think of an obviou

43、s answer（加强疑问句的语气）到底；究竟nWhat on earth are you doing?你究竟在干什么？nHow on earth can she afford that? 她怎么可能负担得起呢？n64. improve on/upon sth: to achieve or produce sth that is of a better quality than sth else 改进；做出比更好的成绩nWeve certainly improved on last years figures.我们的业绩的确超过了去年的数字。n65. strike: (of a thought

44、 or an idea想法或念头）to come into sbs mind suddenly突然想到；一下子想起；猛地意识到nAn awful thought has just struck me.nIt suddenly struck me how we could improve the situation. 我一下子明白我们如何能改善局面了。Vocabulary 1-1n1. annoying/annoyedn2. astonished/astonishingn3. desolaten4. destinedn5. stagnantn6. securen7. simple/simplis

45、ticn8. commercialn9. devotedn10. educationaln11. decorativen12. marvelousn13. jealousn14. systematicn15. favorablen16. fashionablen17. momentaryn18. evidentn19. appallingn20. dreadfulVocabulary 1-2nWe use the prefix “ir-” because all these words begin with the letter “r”. All rules, however, have ex

46、ceptions. The opposite of “reasonable” for example is “unreasonable”.Vocabulary 2 Synonymsn1. obviously/clearly/doubtlesslyn2. mankindn3. sure/certain ton4. destruction/emptiness/barenessn5. houseworkn6. continue/endure/live/exist/stayn7. rebellionn8. think over/consider/reflect onVocabulary 2 Synon

47、ymsn9. take up/fill upn10. stopping/ceasing/endingn11. begin/startn12. thanks ton13. changen14. wipe outn15. ear/age/time/periodn16. make/cause to becomeVocabulary 2 Antonymsn1. finiten2. increasingn3. insanen4. economicaln5. ordinaryn6. forbidn7. dissentn8. end/discontinuen9. denyn10. livelyn11. co

48、medyn12. disconnectn13. innern14. insecurityn15. fruitfulVocabulary 4n1. what became of her in the end; I havent the faintest idean2. My brain was reelingn3. came to life; first question that sprang to his lipsn4. The simplicity of itn5. evidently entered a new epoch; shift our emphasisVocabulary 4n

49、6. reflect onn7. It rendered me speechlessn8. I stood riveted in astonishment; pull my senses togethern9. humanity was destined ton10. Our country side has changed. In place of huts and straw cottages, we have now fashionable buildings of glass and steel. But thats not the whole story. In place of f

50、lowers, trees, singing birds, and clean streams we now have a world of stillness, silence, monotony, and stagnation.Vocabulary 5n1. by; downn2. out; on; for; ton3. for; onn4. at; withn5. In; about; by; in place ofn6. of; ofn7. down; backn8. of; inton9. in; upn10. forward; onthe more., the more.句型的用法

51、n1.the more., the more.句型常表示越就越,是一个复合句,其中前面的句子是状语从句,后面的句子是主句。the用在形容词或副词的比较级前,more代表形容词或副词的比较级。例如: The more he gets, the more he wants. 他越来越贪。 The more she learns, the more she wants to learn. 她越学越想学。n2.the more., the more.句型,主从句的时态常用一般现在时或一般过去时。例如:The higher the ground is, the thinner air becomes.

52、离地面越高,空气就越稀薄。 The harder he worked, the more he got. 他工作越努力,得到的就越多。n3. 若主句的谓语动词用一般将来时,从句的谓语动词要用一般现在时表示将来。例如: The harder you work, the greater progress you will make. 你越用功,进步就越大。 The longer the war lasts, the more the people there will suffer. 战争持续得越久,那里的人们受难就越多。Grammar 1n4. 若比较级作表语且不位于句首时,可以不用the。例如

53、: When we are more in danger, we should be braver. 越是危险,我们越应勇敢。n5. 在这种句型中,主句在程度上随着从句变化而变化,常把被强调部分提前。例如:The faster you run, the better it will be. 你跑得越快越好。n6. 这种句型的特点是前后都可以有所省略。特别是谚语、俗语,只要意义明确,越简练越好。例如: The more , the better.多多益善。 The sooner, the better. 越早越好。 Grammar 1n7. 这种句型中的比较部分通常是状语、宾语、表语,也可以是主

54、语。例如: The more English you practice, the better your English is.你练习英语越多,你的英语就越好。 The busier he is, the happier he feels. 他越忙越高兴。 The more air there is inside the tyre, the greater pressure there is in it. 轮胎里空气越多,承受的压力就越大。 n8. 若表示越越不时,常用the more., the less.句型。例如:The more she flatters me, the less I

55、like her. 她越逢迎我,我越不喜欢她。n9. 若表示越不就越时,常用the less., the more.句型。例如:The less he worried, the better he worked. 他越不烦恼,工作就干得越好。Grammar 1n1. the better you writen2. the wiser they becomen3. the sooner you will be able to solve itn4. the harder you falln5. The sooner he faces realityGrammar 1n6. The more you succeedn7. the less dependent you will be on other peoplen8. drove faster and fastern9. he became more and more conceitedn10. life in this countr