Unit 1. Contents Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Background...

Unit 1Unit 1

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structure analysisStructure analysis Comprehension questionsComprehension questions Language points of Text ILanguage points of Text I Grammatical itemsGrammatical items ExercisesExercises Comprehension questions of Text IIComprehension questions of Text II Oral activitiesOral activities Writing practiceWriting practice

Text I Fresh StartText I Fresh Start

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

1. Do you remember your first days at college? Did anything special happen then?

2. Are you afraid of making mistakes that cause embarrassment?

3. What are the major differences between between college and high school lives?college and high school lives?

Background information (1)Background information (1)

About the text and the authorAbout the text and the author

The text, written by Evelyn Herald (contemporarThe text, written by Evelyn Herald (contemporary), appeared in y), appeared in NutshellNutshell magazine in 1989. magazine in 1989.


Nutshell Magazine Nutshell Magazine Nutshell is a project, a brainchild, a repository of imponderables. In fact, as a wise man said, it's "An Anthology of Miscellany". It's a special connection between the internet and the feverish imaginations that act as a medium between this waking world and the land where little creatures run about waiting to be caught and labeled 'Creative Ideas'.


Nutshell Magazine Nutshell Magazine Well, "actually", it's a monthly, web-based Well, "actually", it's a monthly, web-based

magazine with an email newsletter component. magazine with an email newsletter component. Interested people sign up for the newsletter and Interested people sign up for the newsletter and thus they get a digest of the current month's thus they get a digest of the current month's content mailed to them. The newsletter contains content mailed to them. The newsletter contains short, interesting stories while the website short, interesting stories while the website contains greater detail for you to dive into.contains greater detail for you to dive into.


1. Let's start from very beginning again.1. Let's start from very beginning again. 我们再从头开始吧。我们再从头开始吧。 2. Let's go back to square one.2. Let's go back to square one. 我们重新开始吧。我们重新开始吧。 3. Let's go back to the drawing board.3. Let's go back to the drawing board. 我们重新开始吧。我们重新开始吧。 4. Let's start from scratch again.4. Let's start from scratch again. 我们重新开始吧。我们重新开始吧。 5. Let's do it all over again.5. Let's do it all over again. 我们重新来过吧。我们重新来过吧。


6. Let's make a fresh start.6. Let's make a fresh start. 我们重新开始吧。我们重新开始吧。 7. Let's start from zero again.7. Let's start from zero again. 我们再从零开始吧。我们再从零开始吧。 8. Let's get back to the starting point.8. Let's get back to the starting point. 我们回到起点吧。我们回到起点吧。 9. I'm afraid we'll have to scrap the plan and redo it completely.9. I'm afraid we'll have to scrap the plan and redo it completely. 我们恐怕得放弃这个计划然后全部重来。我们恐怕得放弃这个计划然后全部重来。 10.Let's roll it back to the beginning10.Let's roll it back to the beginning.. 我们回到起点吧我们回到起点吧。。

Structure analysis of the text (1)Structure analysis of the text (1)

In this autobiographical essay, Evelyn Herald recounts In this autobiographical essay, Evelyn Herald recounts her embarrassing moments during her first days of colleher embarrassing moments during her first days of college. With a chronologically balanced pattern of narration,ge. With a chronologically balanced pattern of narration, the author focuses on three incidents– sitting in the wro the author focuses on three incidents– sitting in the wrong class, falling down in the cafeteria and witnessing thng class, falling down in the cafeteria and witnessing the upper-class football player having the same experience upper-class football player having the same experience. Coupling narration with description, she gives us a dee. Coupling narration with description, she gives us a detailed account of the process, the after-effect and the sigtailed account of the process, the after-effect and the significant insight into herself. nificant insight into herself.

Structure analysis of the text (2)Structure analysis of the text (2) Paragraph 1Paragraph 1 This is an introductory paragraph. This is an introductory paragraph.


Paragraphs 2-9Paragraphs 2-9 In this part, the author recalls a few incidents In this part, the author recalls a few incidents

during her first days of college. during her first days of college.


Paragraphs 10-14Paragraphs 10-14 This is the concluding part. This is the concluding part.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

How did Evelyn feel on her first arrival at the coHow did Evelyn feel on her first arrival at the college campus?llege campus?

Refer to Paragraphs 1 and 2. She felt “first-gradiRefer to Paragraphs 1 and 2. She felt “first-gradish” on her arrival at the campus. The “first gradish” on her arrival at the campus. The “first gradish” feeling is a mixture of helpless, disorientatiosh” feeling is a mixture of helpless, disorientation, self-consciousness and a lack of confidence. n, self-consciousness and a lack of confidence.


Where did Evelyn choose to sit in her first class?Where did Evelyn choose to sit in her first class? Why?Why? Refer to paragraph 3. She chose to sit in the front Refer to paragraph 3. She chose to sit in the front

row, a side seat because the freshmen manual surow, a side seat because the freshmen manual suggested sitting near the front to show that one wggested sitting near the front to show that one was an intelligent and enthusiastic student. Since sas an intelligent and enthusiastic student. Since she was not confident enough to sit in the professhe was not confident enough to sit in the professor’s direct line of vision, she chose a side seat in or’s direct line of vision, she chose a side seat in the front row. the front row.


What was the footballer’s response to the What was the footballer’s response to the students’ cheers and claps when he fell on the students’ cheers and claps when he fell on the cafeteria floor? And why?cafeteria floor? And why?

Refer to paragraph 9. He did not take the Refer to paragraph 9. He did not take the accident seriously. On the contrary, he took it accident seriously. On the contrary, he took it light-hearted and just laughed it off. It shows light-hearted and just laughed it off. It shows that accidents like that are quite common on that accidents like that are quite common on campus and one should learn to take them easy. campus and one should learn to take them easy.


What according to Evelyn, is one of the major differencWhat according to Evelyn, is one of the major differences between college and high school lives?es between college and high school lives?

Refer to Paragraph 11. One of the major differences betRefer to Paragraph 11. One of the major differences between college and high school lives is that in high schooween college and high school lives is that in high school one strives for popularity and has to avoid at any cost l one strives for popularity and has to avoid at any cost making himself/herself a laughing stock among his/her making himself/herself a laughing stock among his/her peers. When a person is in college, he /she should be hispeers. When a person is in college, he /she should be his/her own person and do his/her own thing and avoid tak/her own person and do his/her own thing and avoid taking other’s opinion too much to heart. ing other’s opinion too much to heart.


How should a person take his/her college life acHow should a person take his/her college life according to Evelyn? Do you agree?cording to Evelyn? Do you agree?

A person, according to Evelyn, should take his/hA person, according to Evelyn, should take his/her college life for an experiment. He/ she should er college life for an experiment. He/ she should not be afraid of making mistakes because it is onnot be afraid of making mistakes because it is only through trial and error that one can find his/hely through trial and error that one can find his/her real self and finding his/her real self is the ultir real self and finding his/her real self is the ultimate purpose of college education. College allomate purpose of college education. College allows one to make massive mistakes. ws one to make massive mistakes.


What did the author think a public worker What did the author think a public worker should do about the costly gifts? Why?should do about the costly gifts? Why?

In the author’s opinion, a public worker should In the author’s opinion, a public worker should accept no costly gifts. He thought that to a accept no costly gifts. He thought that to a public servant service to the people was its own public servant service to the people was its own reward. reward.

Language points of Text I (1)Language points of Text I (1)

distinct: clearly seen, heard, felt, understood, etc, distinct: clearly seen, heard, felt, understood, etc, noticeable noticeable

Now that the boss was no longer present, there Now that the boss was no longer present, there was a was a distinctdistinct change in her attitude. change in her attitude.

The children have The children have distinctdistinct memories of their memories of their grandfather in his last days. grandfather in his last days.


distinctivedistinctive

Anything clearly noticed is distinct: there is a Anything clearly noticed is distinct: there is a distinctdistinct smell of beer in this room. A thing or smell of beer in this room. A thing or quality that is clearly different from others of its quality that is clearly different from others of its kind is kind is distinctivedistinctive or or distinctdistinct fromfrom: Beer has a : Beer has a very distinctive smell; it’s quite distinctive from very distinctive smell; it’s quite distinctive from the smell of wine. the smell of wine.


clutch: to hold or grasp tightly; vi. to try to grasp clutch: to hold or grasp tightly; vi. to try to grasp or seizeor seize

The frightened woman The frightened woman clutchedclutched her bags to her her bags to her breast. breast.

He He clutchedclutched at the rope we had thrown to him at the rope we had thrown to him but could not reach it. but could not reach it.


reserve: self-restraint in expression; the habit of not shoreserve: self-restraint in expression; the habit of not showing one’s feelings or thoughtswing one’s feelings or thoughts

Being a man of Being a man of reservereserve, Mr. York was never popular wi, Mr. York was never popular with his colleague.th his colleague.

Judy has tried every means to break through the Judy has tried every means to break through the reserve reserve of her stepson.of her stepson.

Reserved aReserved a The English have a reputation for being reserved.The English have a reputation for being reserved.


whereabouts: approximate locations: ad. about whereabouts: approximate locations: ad. about where; in, at or near what locationwhere; in, at or near what location

The orphan’s The orphan’s whereaboutswhereabouts is/are still unknown. is/are still unknown. WhereaboutsWhereabouts do you live? do you live?


tip off: to give an advance warning or hint totip off: to give an advance warning or hint to

Somebody must haveSomebody must have tipped tipped the burglars the burglars offoff that that the would would be empty. the would would be empty.

The police was The police was tipped offtipped off about the robbery. about the robbery.


flail : to (cause something to) wave or swing flail : to (cause something to) wave or swing about wildly about wildly

I I flailedflailed her arms to get her attention. her arms to get her attention. The baby’s feet The baby’s feet flailedflailed under the quilt. under the quilt.


Somebody’s heart goes out to somebody: used to Somebody’s heart goes out to somebody: used to say that someone feels a lot of sympathy say that someone feels a lot of sympathy towards another person.towards another person.

His heart went out toHis heart went out to Mrs. Bradshaw and her Mrs. Bradshaw and her fatherless child. fatherless child.


slink: to go or move in a quiet, stealthy way; to slink: to go or move in a quiet, stealthy way; to move as if one feels guilty or ashamed, or does move as if one feels guilty or ashamed, or does not want to be seen. not want to be seen.

She tried to slink(=sneak) out of the office so She tried to slink(=sneak) out of the office so that nobody would see her. that nobody would see her.

The cat slunk (=sneak) through grass toward its The cat slunk (=sneak) through grass toward its prey. prey.


topple: unsteady or unstable and fall overtopple: unsteady or unstable and fall over

He just released his hold and He just released his hold and toppledtoppled slowly slowly backwardsbackwards

Wind and rains Wind and rains toppledtoppled trees and electricity trees and electricity lines. lines.


malicious: having the nature or wish to hurt malicious: having the nature or wish to hurt othersothers

a a maliciousmalicious remark remark maliciousmalicious gossip gossip

Language points of Text I (12)Language points of Text I (12) malice. Desire to harm others or to see others malice. Desire to harm others or to see others

suffer; extreme ill will or spitesuffer; extreme ill will or spite

He did it through He did it through malicemalice.. I am quite certain that his wife bearsI am quite certain that his wife bears malice malice to to

/towards/ against(= feels continuing dislike /towards/ against(= feels continuing dislike for )me.for )me.


shackle: a metal fastening, usually one of a pair, shackle: a metal fastening, usually one of a pair, for enriching and confining the ankle or wrist of for enriching and confining the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or captive; (figurative) a restrain or a prisoner or captive; (figurative) a restrain or check to action or progress, often used in the check to action or progress, often used in the plural form.plural form.

The policeman placed The policeman placed shacklesshackles on the suspect’s on the suspect’s hands.hands.

It is hard to break through the It is hard to break through the shacklesshackles of habit. of habit.


dumb: dumb: (1) (inf) stupid or silly or foolish, e.g. (1) (inf) stupid or silly or foolish, e.g. I’ve met a lot of I’ve met a lot of dumb dumb people.people. (2) silly or annoying (AmE), e.g.(2) silly or annoying (AmE), e.g. I came up with this I came up with this dumbdumb idea. idea.


demeanor: the way you behave, which gives demeanor: the way you behave, which gives people an impression of your character and people an impression of your character and feelingsfeelings

her calm and cheerful her calm and cheerful demeanordemeanor


assortment: a group of similar things that are of assortment: a group of similar things that are of different size or colors or have different qualitiesdifferent size or colors or have different qualities

an assortment of cheesean assortment of cheese


composed: calm and able to control their feelingcomposed: calm and able to control their feelingss

It wasn’t the peaceful, It wasn’t the peaceful, composedcomposed experience I ha experience I had expected. d expected.


fall away: break off.fall away: break off. Officials say that one or two engines Officials say that one or two engines fell awayfell away

from the plane shortly after the take off. from the plane shortly after the take off.


first gradish: having the qualities or characteristifirst gradish: having the qualities or characteristics of a first-grade student cs of a first-grade student


I only hoped his attention was drawn to I only hoped his attention was drawn to mymy airs airs of assuranceof assurance rather than to my shaking knees: rather than to my shaking knees: my apparent confidence my apparent confidence


My stomach needed My stomach needed a little nourishmenta little nourishment and I and I hurried to the cafeteria: some food to appease hurried to the cafeteria: some food to appease my hungermy hunger


running with the crowd was no longer a law of running with the crowd was no longer a law of survival : survival : going with the tide of the majority was going with the tide of the majority was no longer crucial to your success in collegeno longer crucial to your success in college


I would be completely forgiven for I would be completely forgiven for massive massive mistakesmistakes( including stepping in puddles of ( including stepping in puddles of ketchup and dropping food trays): foolish and ketchup and dropping food trays): foolish and glaring mistake glaring mistake

Grammatical items (1)Grammatical items (1)

名词性名词性 THAT- THAT- 分句分句名词性名词性 THAT- THAT- 分句基本能起名词词组的作分句基本能起名词词组的作

用，这种分句不同于关系代词用，这种分句不同于关系代词 that that 引导的关引导的关系分句，也不同于由（系分句，也不同于由（ soso ）） that that 引导的状引导的状语分句。语分句。

Everyone could see that he did not want to comEveryone could see that he did not want to commit himself on the controversy.(mit himself on the controversy.( 名词性分句名词性分句 ))

There is the car that overtook us five minutes agThere is the car that overtook us five minutes ago. o.

(( 关系分句关系分句 ))

Grammatical items (2)Grammatical items (2)

名词性名词性 THAT- THAT- 分句作主语：分句作主语：That the driver could not control his carThat the driver could not control his car was obvio was obvio

us.us.That he is still aliveThat he is still alive is sheer luck. is sheer luck.That the crime was done deliberatelyThat the crime was done deliberately is quite clear. is quite clear.That he was in errorThat he was in error will scarcely be disputed by h will scarcely be disputed by h

is warmest friends.is warmest friends.That she will refuse the offerThat she will refuse the offer seems unlikely. seems unlikely.

Exercises (1)Exercises (1)Translation exercisesTranslation exercises 听到他屡遭失败的消息，我感到很难过。听到他屡遭失败的消息，我感到很难过。

（（ distressdistress ）） It distressed me a great deal to hear the news thaIt distressed me a great deal to hear the news tha

t he had suffered repeated failures.t he had suffered repeated failures. 他虽然失去了老板的欢心，但仍然装出一副他虽然失去了老板的欢心，但仍然装出一副

高兴的样子。（高兴的样子。（ assumeassume ）） He assumed an air of cheerfulness, even though He assumed an air of cheerfulness, even though

he lost favor with his boss.he lost favor with his boss.

Exercises (2)Exercises (2)

格利佛经历了冒险奇遇，见到了一群光怪陆格利佛经历了冒险奇遇，见到了一群光怪陆离的人物。（离的人物。（ assortmentassortment ））

Gulliver met with extraordinary adventures and Gulliver met with extraordinary adventures and saw a strange assortment of people.saw a strange assortment of people.

如果你再犯同样的错误，他会对你非常生气如果你再犯同样的错误，他会对你非常生气的。（的。（ furiousfurious ））

He will be furious with you if you repeat the saHe will be furious with you if you repeat the same mistake.me mistake.


我们被他坦率的观点、幽默的语言和亲切的我们被他坦率的观点、幽默的语言和亲切的态度所深深地吸引。（态度所深深地吸引。（ drawdraw ））

We were all greatly drawn by his frank views, hWe were all greatly drawn by his frank views, humorous words and genial manner.umorous words and genial manner.

等到雷鸣般的掌声平息下去，那位诺贝尔获等到雷鸣般的掌声平息下去，那位诺贝尔获得者开始演讲。（得者开始演讲。（ die downdie down ））

After the thunderous applause died down, the NAfter the thunderous applause died down, the Nobel Prize winner began his speech. obel Prize winner began his speech.

Exercises (4)Exercises (4) Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the

box in its appropriate form.box in its appropriate form.

pose discreet curse clutch sneak shackle composed preoccupationdistress


Her knowledge of the truth of the matter caused Her knowledge of the truth of the matter caused her more __________ than pleasureher more __________ than pleasure

She _________ her purse tightly, threading her She _________ her purse tightly, threading her way through the throng. way through the throng.

I like the photo very much as it is the only photo I like the photo very much as it is the only photo that shows me in a natural, relaxed ______. that shows me in a natural, relaxed ______.

distress

clutched

pose


The special agent ____________ past the guard The special agent ____________ past the guard and entered the building through the back door. and entered the building through the back door.

My greatest ____________ was to accumulate My greatest ____________ was to accumulate a sufficient amount of money to travel to a sufficient amount of money to travel to Europe. Europe.

It is extremely hard to break the _________ of It is extremely hard to break the _________ of convention.convention.

sneaked

preoccupation

shackle

Comprehension questions of Text II (1)Comprehension questions of Text II (1)

How do you understand the idea that a How do you understand the idea that a University is even more enduring than University is even more enduring than religions and dynasties?religions and dynasties?

A university is even more enduring than A university is even more enduring than religions and dynasties in that it is a place religions and dynasties in that it is a place where the undying cause of bringing thought where the undying cause of bringing thought into the world is carried out. into the world is carried out.


The author maintains that “ the thinker and the The author maintains that “ the thinker and the seeker will be found together in the undying seeker will be found together in the undying cause of bringing thought into the world” cause of bringing thought into the world” (Paragraph 3). Cite a modern instance or two (Paragraph 3). Cite a modern instance or two of thought brought into the world. of thought brought into the world.

Charles Darwin; theory of evolution; Albert Charles Darwin; theory of evolution; Albert Einstein; theory of relativity; Sigmund Einstein; theory of relativity; Sigmund


What is Humanist? What do you think are the major What is Humanist? What do you think are the major marks of the Humanist?marks of the Humanist?

The Humanist is the man who believes in human The Humanist is the man who believes in human intelligence and reason rather than depending on a god intelligence and reason rather than depending on a god or religion. Some of the major marks are stress on or religion. Some of the major marks are stress on intellectual side, emphasizing the dignity of human intellectual side, emphasizing the dignity of human beings and sufficient attention being given to the beings and sufficient attention being given to the importance of the present life and the improving of importance of the present life and the improving of one’s ability and pursuit of the beauty of life. one’s ability and pursuit of the beauty of life.


What is “this great distinction” the author What is “this great distinction” the author mentions in the last but one line of the selection?mentions in the last but one line of the selection?

It may mean that it is an honor to be part of a It may mean that it is an honor to be part of a University.University.


Make an analysis of these few paragraphs and Make an analysis of these few paragraphs and show four main points of the selection.show four main points of the selection.

Four main points of the selection could be that it Four main points of the selection could be that it is splendid, it is beautiful, it is enduring, and it is is splendid, it is beautiful, it is enduring, and it is an honor to be part of it .an honor to be part of it .

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue.and discuss the following issue.

If I were a fresh man again.If I were a fresh man again.

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issuediscuss the following issue

What should a college student do in China? ShoWhat should a college student do in China? Should he/she do as Evelyn suggests, that is, allow huld he/she do as Evelyn suggests, that is, allow him/herself to make mistakes in college? Comparim/herself to make mistakes in college? Compare college life in America and China. e college life in America and China.

Writing practice (1)Writing practice (1)

Write a composition of about 200 words on the Write a composition of about 200 words on the following topic:following topic:

My First Year at College My First Year at College

..

Writing practice (2)Writing practice (2) MY FIRST YEAR AT COLLEGEMY FIRST YEAR AT COLLEGE Sample writing : Sample writing : My first year at college opened a new chapter in my My first year at college opened a new chapter in my

life. It was a year of great changes. At the beginning I life. It was a year of great changes. At the beginning I found it difficult to adapt to things which were strange found it difficult to adapt to things which were strange to me. From the very first day, I had to take care of my to me. From the very first day, I had to take care of my self. I must not leave my things about as I had done at self. I must not leave my things about as I had done at home. Fortunately, soon I found a place for everything home. Fortunately, soon I found a place for everything and a time for every task. I wrote to tell my parents that and a time for every task. I wrote to tell my parents that they did not have to worry themselves to deaththey did not have to worry themselves to death . .

Writing practice (3)Writing practice (3)

Classes were conducted quite differently from those at Classes were conducted quite differently from those at high school. There were plenty of discussions. The high school. There were plenty of discussions. The lectures were designed mainly to usher us to new lectures were designed mainly to usher us to new worlds of knowledge. I worked very hard after class so worlds of knowledge. I worked very hard after class so as to catch up with reading and writing assignments. as to catch up with reading and writing assignments. Later as I learned to plan my time, I did even better.Later as I learned to plan my time, I did even better.

I think my most important attainment during the first I think my most important attainment during the first year was that I discovered new worlds of wonders and year was that I discovered new worlds of wonders and developed a passion for learning, learning for a rich, developed a passion for learning, learning for a rich, useful life both for me and for society. useful life both for me and for society.

Good bye!Good bye!

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