Unit 1 新视野大学英语第五册第一课

1、Unit 1 新视野大学英语第五册第一课Preview In todays rapidly changing world, education is the key to a successful future. Passages in this unit are related to education in some way. The first passage analyzes the conflict between inherently conservative education, and changes in our world brought about by modern t

2、echnology. In the second passage, a teacher provides his insight into educational reform through a dialog between a tailor and a customer. The last passage shows us around Cambridge University, through which we appreciate not only the scenery but also the true spirit of this world-renowned universit

3、y. A Technological Revolution in Education First Listening Please listen to a short passage carefully and prepare to answer some questions. Schools are inherently conservative institutions. What goes on in classrooms has changed little over the last century. But schools can no longer avoid change in

4、 a world experiencing momentous technological revolutions. The most important technological event of our time is the rise of the computer. In the future, education will be organized largely around computer-based technology. This technology enables individuals to educate themselves and adapt to a con

5、stantly changing job market. In addition to computer technology, other innovations like medical, genetic and bio-technology will also have impacts on education. The explosion of knowledge demands revolution in education, though in some respects a conservative approach may well be called for. (Words：

6、111)Second Listening Listen to the tape again. Then answer the following questions. 1. Why is there a need for a revolution in education?2. What is the most important technological event of our time?3. What do you imagine a university will be like in the future? A Technological Revolution in Educati

7、on A human being transported from the year 1900 to our time would recognize much of what goes on in todays classroomsthe prevalent lecturing, the emphasis on drill, and the materials and activities ranging from the basic reader to the weekly spelling tests. With the possible exception of the church,

8、 few institutions have changed as little as those charged with the formal education of the next generation. Contrast this continuity with childrens experiences outside the school walls. In modern society children have access to a range of media that would have seemed like a miracle in an earlier era

9、. The visitor from the past, who would readily recognize todays classroom, would have trouble relating to the out-of-school world of a 10-year-old today. Schools if not education generally are inherently conservative institutions. In large measure, I would defend this conservative tendency. But chan

10、ges in our world are so rapid and so decisive that it will not be possible for schools to remain as they are or to simply introduce a few superficial improvements. Indeed, if schools do not change rapidly and radically, they are likely to be replaced by other more flexible institutions. The Transfor

11、ming Power of Computers The most important technological event of our time is the rise of the computer. Computers already permeate many aspects of our lives, from transportation and telecommunications to entertainment. Scarcely ignorant of these trends, many schools now have computers and networking

12、 capacity. To some extent, these technological accessories have been absorbed into the life of the school, though often they simply deliver the old lessons in a more convenient and efficient format. In the future, however, education will be organized largely around the computer. Computers will permi

13、t a degree of individual instruction that in the past was available only to the rich. All students may receive a curriculum tailored to their needs, learning style, pace, and record of success with earlier materials and lessons. Computer technology puts all the information in the world at ones finge

14、rs, quite literally. This is both a blessing and a curse. No longer do we have to spend long periods of time hunting down a source or a person now, delivery of information is instantaneous. Soon we will not even have to type in an instruction; we will be able to simply ask a question out loud and th

15、e computer will print out or speak the answer. Thus people will achieve instant cultural literacy . Less happily, the Internet has no means of quality control; anyone can play. Information and disinformation mingle comfortably and, as of yet, there are no reliable ways to distinguish sense from the

16、distorted facts and downright nonsense common on the Net. Identifying the true, the beautiful, and the good and which of these truths, beauties, or goods are worth knowing constitutes a formidable challenge. It might be said, in response, that the world has always been filled with misinformation. Tr

17、ue enough, but in the past educational authorities could at least choose their favorite texts. Todays situation, with everyone having instantaneous access to millions of sources, is without precedent. Customizing Education In a change from previous trends, the acquisition of a diploma from certified

18、 institutions may become less important. Individuals will be able to educate themselves and exhibit their competence in a simulated setting. Why pay $120,000 to go to law school, if one can read law as in earlier times and then demonstrate ones repertoire of legal skills via a computer-simulated pra

19、ctical examination? Or learn to fly a plane or conduct surgery by similar means, for that matter? Much of education in the past was essentially vocational: designed to make sure that individuals could carry out a single job, reliably, throughout their productive adult years. Nowadays, this assumptio

20、n is flawed. Few people will remain in the same occupation for their whole lives; many will move frequently from one position, company, and sector of the economy to another. The explosion of new and rapidly changing roles in the economy makes education much more complicated. Most adult teachers and

21、parents will not have experiences on which they can draw to prepare youngsters for a world in which they can expect to change jobs regularly. In the absence of precedent, adolescents will have to prepare themselves for rapidly changing career paths and life situations. The Further Effects of Technol

22、ogy While computer-based teaching figures to be the dominant technological influence on education, other innovations will have impacts as well. Medical technologies will permit study of students brain activity and blood flow as they engage in various kinds of problem-solving or creative activities.

23、Enhanced understanding of the genetic basis of learning is also likely to invade the classroom. It may be possible to determine which youngsters are likely to advance quickly and which ones seem doomed to difficult school experiences. Some authorities will insist that these findings be applied in sp

24、ecific cases, while others will vigorously object to any decisions made on the basis of genetic information. Drugs that claim to improve learning, memory, or enthusiasm will become readily available. Teachers and parents may face moral dilemmas that would in earlier times have been restricted to sci

25、ence fiction. Finally, recent breakthroughs in biology and medicine may change education in the most radical ways. If individuals seek to design offspring through genetic engineering, or to alter the genetic structure of an already existing person, or if it becomes possible to clone humans, then our

26、 definitions of what it means to be a human being, and to be a part of a human society, will be changed forever. Conservatism Is Not Necessarily Evil I have noted that education is conservative, and that this conservative tendency is not necessarily an evil. Indeed, with respect to the transmission

27、of values and the teaching of certain subjects, a conservative approach may well be called for. Yet the explosion of knowledge calls for close and fresh attention to the curriculum. New and imaginative approaches will have to be developed if young people are to be prepared for the rapidly changing r

28、oles they can expect to assume. Words: 1,009 A Technological Revolution in Education New Wordsprevalenta. (正式)（在某地或某时）流行的，盛行的；普遍的 continuityn. 连续性，连贯性 inherenta. 固有的，内在的，天生的 inherentlyad. 固有地，本质上，内在地 decisivea. 1.无疑的，明确的 2.坚决的，果断的 3.决定性的，关键性的 permeatevt. 渗透，渗入，充满 telecommunicationsn. 电信 accessoryn.

29、1.附件，附属品 2.(怂恿、帮助罪犯进行犯罪活动，但犯罪时不在现场的)同谋，从犯 literallyad. 1.确切地，真正地 2.逐字地 3.按字面地 4.(用于加强语气)简直 blessvt. （祈求上帝）祝福，赐福于 blessingn. 1.上帝的恩赐；幸事 2.批准，鼓励 instantaneousa. 即刻的；瞬间发生的 literacyn. 识字，能读能写，有文化 minglev. 相混合,（与另一物或人）混在一起 distortvt. 1.曲解；歪曲 2.使变形，弄歪 formidablea. 1.困难的，难以克服的 2.可怕的，令人生畏的 precedentn. (用来处理

30、同类问题时行之有效的）先例 diploman. 毕业文凭，学位证书 certifyvt. 1.授予合格证书 2.证明，证实 competencen. 能力，技巧 simulatevt. （正式）模拟，模仿；假装 repertoiren. 1.全套，全部本领/功能 2.（演员或剧团的）全部节目; 保留节目 vocationala. 职业上的，业务上的 productivea. 1.多产的；丰饶的 2.生产 . 的，生产性的 flawvt. 使有瑕疵 n. 缺点，瑕疵 adolescentn.&a. 青少年（的），处于青春期的孩子（的）（约13-16岁） innovationn. 革新，创新，改革

31、 geneticadj. 遗传的，起源的 doomvt. 使 . 遭厄运，注定，判决 n. 厄运，毁灭，死亡 dilemman. 困境，两难境地，进退维谷 breakthroughn. 突破,发现 offspringn. 子孙，后代；幼兽 clonevt. 克隆，复制 imaginativea. 富于想像的，有想像力的 Phrases and Expressionsrange from.to（在一定幅度或范围内）变动，变化 with the exception of除外，除 . 之外 have access to有接近（或使用）. 的机会 in large measure在很大程度上，多半 t

32、ailor to ones need使适应特定需要 hunt down找寻，搜寻 . 直至找到 draw on (experiences)凭借，动用，利用（经验） in the absence of缺乏，没有 with respect to关于，就 . 而言，在 . 方面 call for需要 prevalenta. (fml.)existing commonly, generally, or widely (in some place or at some time ); predominant (正式)（在某地或某时）流行的，盛行的；普遍的The habit of traveling by

33、 aircraft is becoming more prevalent each year.坐飞机旅行一年比一年普遍了。One simple injection can help to protect you right through the cold months when flu is most prevalent.只要打上一针预防针就能帮助你度过流感盛行的寒冷月份。continuityn. Uuninterrupted connection or union (through time or space)连续性，连贯性There is no continuity of subject

34、 in a dictionary.词典的主题没有连续性。This paper lacks continuity. 这篇论文缺乏连贯性。 inherent a. existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; intrinsic固有的，内在的，天生的The communication skills that belong to each species of animal, including people, are not inherent.包括人在内的动物所具有的交际技能并不是天生的。With his inherent love

35、 of life, he started meeting people socially again, although he abstained from alcohol and cigarettes. 由于天生热爱生活，他又开始了社交生活，但戒绝了烟酒。 inherently ad. in itself or oneself; by its or ones nature ;as such ;intrinsically 固有地，本质上，内在地It is most difficult to carry out reforms in inherently conservative institu

36、tions like schools.在像学校这样本质上保守的机构中进行改革是极其困难的。 decisive a. 1. unquestionable 无疑的，明确的Although the new chairman had his critics, it was clear that his method of management had produced decisive changes. 尽管这位新主席受到过批判，但他的管理方法显然带来了不容置疑的变化。2. showing determination or firmness坚决的，果断的Top managers need to be

37、decisive and should not push issues under the rug in the hope that they will solve themselves. 最高经理层要果断，而不应该把问题掩盖起来，指望它们自行解决。3. leading to a result ; deciding an issue决定性的，关键性的Sadly, the guru died before passing on any decisive conclusion.可悲的是，这位大师还没来得及传授关键性结论就离世了。 permeate vt. pass through or into

38、every part of (sth.) 渗透，渗入，充满The fragrance of flowers permeates every room. 每个房间都弥漫着花香。 telecommunications n. the receiving or sending of messages by telephone, television, telegraph, or radio 电信 accessory n. 1. (usu. pl.)sth. which is not a necessary part of sth. larger, but which makes it more use

39、ful ,effective, etc.附件，附属品He needs to buy a few accessories for his broken bicycle. 他需要为他的破自行车购买一些附件。2. C one who incites, aids, or abets a lawbreaker in the commission of a crime, but is not present at the time of the crime (怂恿、帮助罪犯进行犯罪活动，但犯罪时不在现场的)同谋，从犯He was accused of being the accessory of thos

40、e murderers. 他被指控为那些谋杀者的同谋。 literally ad. 1. exactly, without exaggeration 确切地，真正地There are people in the world who literally do not know how to boil water. 世界上确实有不知道怎么烧水的人。2. word by word 逐字地It is difficult to understand his work when it is literally translated into Chinese. 如果将他的作品逐字翻译成汉语是很难理解的。 3

41、. according to the words and not the intention 按字面地 Dont take my remarks literally. 别按字面理解我的话。4. (used loosely to intensify meaning) (用于加强语气)简直He was literally blue with cold. 他真是冷得全身青紫。 bless vt. ask Gods favor or protection for（祈求上帝）祝福，赐福于 Bless this house!愿上帝保佑这个家。 blessing n. 1.Ca gift from God

42、or anything that brings happiness or good fortune 上帝的恩赐；幸事Blessings cannot simply be expected to come along in disguise. 不能总是指望祸事中隐藏着好事。2.U approval; encouragement 批准，鼓励This plan has my blessing. 这计划由我批准。The panel has to give its blessing to the ending of the contract. 专门小组不得不批准结束合约。 instantaneous a

43、. happening at once, instantly, without delay即刻的；瞬间发生的The students can almost give instantaneous responses to questions raised by their teacher. 学生们几乎能立即回答老师提出的问题。This photo studio applies new technology to make an instantaneous photograph possible. 这家照相馆应用新技术使快照成为可能。 literacy n. U the ability to re

44、ad and write 识字，能读能写，有文化The king encouraged and demanded higher standards of literacy from his subjects. 这位国王鼓励并且要求他的臣民们有更高的文化水平。a literacy campaign 扫盲运动the literacy rate 文化普及率 mingle v. mix (with another thing or with people )so as to be an undivided whole，or to be indistinguishable 相混合,（与另一物或人）混在一

45、起The president delivered a speech that contained praise mingled with blame. 总统发表了一篇有赞扬也有责难的演说。The king mingled with the people in the streets. 国王与街上的人混在一起了。 distort vt. 1. give a false account of ; twist the true meaning曲解；歪曲Comparisons are essential, isolated numbers merely distort the story. 对比极其重

46、要，孤立的数字只能歪曲真相。That newspapers accounts of international affairs are sometimes distorted. 那家报纸对国际事件的报道有时是歪曲事实的。2. twist out of a natural, usual, original shape or condition使变形，弄歪Her voice, distorted with tension, sounded so unnatural that at first no one recognized it. 她的声音由于紧张而扭曲了，听起来极不自然，刚开始大家都没有听出

47、是她的声音来。 formidable a. 1. difficult; hard to defeat 困难的，难以克服的Chinese translators face formidable problems in tackling the translation of Shakespeares sonnets. 中国翻译家们在翻译莎士比亚十四行诗的过程中面临难以解决的困难。2. causing fear, doubt, anxiety, etc. 可怕的，令人生畏的The head of the research section was a formidable old professor.

48、 研究室主任是个令人生畏的老教授。We cannot refuse, because we are in awe of the formidable woman running the PTA. 我们不能拒绝，因为我们畏惧家长教师协会的那位可怕的女主任。 precedent n. C, U an act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances(用来处理同类问题时行之有效的）先例The President followed historical preceden

49、t in forming the Cabinet. 总统按照历史惯例组成内阁。The trial could set an important precedent for dealing with large numbers of similar cases. 那次审讯可以为处理大量类似诉讼提供先例。without precedent in history 史无前例 diploma n. C an official paper showing that a person has successfully finished a course of study 毕业文凭，学位证书a college

50、 diploma 大学文凭The secretary had diplomas in both education and linguistics. 该秘书取得了教育学和语言学两个毕业文凭。 certify vt. 1. give a certificate to (sb.) declaring official / professional recognition 授予合格证书Under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, there is no requirement for fire authorities to re-inspect a certified b

51、uilding. 在1971年防火法案中，没有要求消防机构对审定合格的建筑重新检查。 a certified teacher 持有证书的教师 2.declare that sth. is correct or true 证明，证实He had to certify that restoration was both practicable and in the public interest. 他必须证实修复既可行又符合公众利益。 competence n. U the ability to do what is needed; skill能力，技巧His remarkable handlin

52、g of this difficult case demonstrated his competence as a lawyer. 他对这件难断的案子的出色处理显示了他当律师的能力。To be a good teacher requires both competence and patience. 做一个好老师既要有能力也要有耐心。 simulate vt. (fml.) give the effect or appearance of ; imitate; closely imitate the conditions of a particular situation （正式）模拟，模仿；

53、假装 Eyewitnesses stated that they saw soldiers simulating a leg injury. 目击者称他们看到士兵们假装腿部受伤。The case studies simulate a variety of international business situations in which English would be the likely language of communication. 这些个案研究模拟以英语为可能交际语言的国际商务情景。a computer-simulated explosion 计算机模拟的爆炸 repertoi

54、re n. 1.C (fig.) a whole set of (functions, talents, etc.) 全套，全部本领/功能He had a large repertoire of jokes. 他会讲很多的笑话。2.C the collection of plays, pieces of music, etc. that a performance or theatre group can perform（演员或剧团的）全部节目; 保留节目That song is not in my repertoire. 我演出的节目中没有这首歌。 vocational a. relatin

55、g to a particular type of job职业上的，业务上的 The new company got valuable vocational counseling from the experienced counselors. 这家新公司从经验丰富的顾问那里获得了可贵的业务建议。Big companies, such as IBM, spend millions of dollars annually on vocational training for their employees. 像IBM这样的大公司每年都花费几百万美元来给雇员进行职业培训。 productive a. 1. that produces well or much多产的；丰饶的He is a very productive writer, who wrote a lot of well-known novels. 他是一位多产作家，写了大量为人熟知的小说。The talented composer reached his most productive years of creation in his twenties. 这位才华横溢的作曲家在二十几岁