Unit 3

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Share your idea of positive influence from Father or Mother.

2. Learn to make life better for others.

3. Develop your vocabulary.

4. Read for the key ideas in sentences.

5. Write a paragraph of a general point supported by examples.

Warming-up Exercises:

1. Are people who are not able well-treated in your community? Yes, they are being given more and more understanding, respect, concern and assistance, living an environment of love and harmony.

2. What is their position in society? Not regarded as "the disabled and useless", they are recognized as equal creators of material and spiritual wealth.

3. What do you think “a good heart” is? A “good heart” refers to the good nature of a person, which involves the aspects as follows: kindness, honesty, a strong sense of right and wrong, readiness to help those in trouble and in need.

Cultural Notes:

1. Manhattan is a suburb of New York .

2. Brooklyn is a suburb of New York.

3. Ebbets Field is the stadium built by and named after Charlie Ebbets, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. The first game played in this former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers took place in 1938.

4. Dodgers: The Dodgers, the name of a baseball team; the team originally played for Brooklyn but now it no longer plays for Brooklyn.

Global Reading:

In this story, a son describes how ashamed he felt as a youth when he walked down the street with his crippled father. The son did not like how people stared at him. His father never let on that he saw any of this. He was very active and enjoyed life. He often took part in activities through his son. Over time, the son learned that his father had a good heart. His father has been gone many years and the son is sorry he did not tell him how much he admired him. Now, he often remembers his father’s example.

1. Division of the text:

Part I (Para.1-5) The son was embarrassed to be seen walking with his crippled father, but the father subjected himself to the shame and stress without bitterness and complaint.

Part II(Para.6-7) The son now realizes that his father treated others with a good heart.

Part III(Para.8-11) The father’s attempt to experience things directly and indirectly

Part IV(Para.12-13) The father has gone many years, but the son feels regret for his reluctance and relies much more on his father for his balance of mind.

2. Structure Analysis: A paragraph of a general point supported by examples

The story includes some paragraphs in which the writer starts with a general point and then presents a number of examples to support his point. Look at one of the paragraphs.

Para. 11

I now know he participated in some things through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he "played" too. When I joined the Navy, he "joined" too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, "This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different." Those words were never said aloud.

3. Parallelism(平行结构):

I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it.(L.46)

I think of him when I complain about trifles, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”(L. 47)

4. Repetition :

“You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you. ”(L51) (The repetition here gives the reader a sense of contrast )

5. Euphemism(委婉):

My father has been gone for many years now (line 45). ( “has been gone” is used here to replace “has been dead”)

Detailed Reading

1. Language Study:

1) New words:

Halt:

stop; interrupt

暂停;中断;中止

Work was halted when the machine broke down.

机器出故障时，工作停了下来。

a stop or pause

暂停;中断;中止

The car came to a halt in time to prevent an accident.

汽车及时刹住, 避免了一场事故。

Production was brought to a halt by a strike.

由于罢工, 生产停顿了。

Pace:

n. 1. speed, esp. of walking or running

(尤指走或跑的)速度

quicken one's pace

加快步伐

She slowed down her pace so I could keep up with her.

她放慢了速度，以便我能跟上她。

2. speed of progress or development, esp. of an activity

进步或发展的速度(尤指某项活动的速度)

The pace of change in the computer industry is very fast.

计算机工业发展变化速度很快。

The book lacks pace.

这部小说情节发展太慢。

vi. walk with slow, regular, even steps

踱步, 慢步走

The policeman paced up and down the street.

警察在街上踱来踱去。

Adjust:

1. (to) become or make suited (to new conditions); to change

使适应(新环境);适应

The former soldiers had difficulty in adjusting to ordinary life.

退役军人难以适应平民的生活。

The body quickly adjusts itself to changes in temperature.

人体很快自行调节以适应气温变化。

2. (to) change (sth.) by a small bit so that it will fit or be right for use; make regular

调整;校准;调准

adjust the focus of a camera

调整照相机的焦距

My eye glasses need adjusting.

我的眼镜需要校准。

Amaze:

I was amazed at / by her calmness. 她的镇静自若令我吃惊。

But "be amazed" can also be followed by to-infinitive or that-clause. In these two cases we can not use any preposition:

We were amazed to hear that she passed the test without much difficulty. 听说她轻而易举地通过了考试, 我们都很惊奇。

I was amazed that you were leaving. 你要离开, 我很吃惊。

If "be amazed" is complemented by a how-clause, use of the preposition "at" or "by" is a choice:

You would be amazed (at / by) how difficult the job was. 你要是知道那件任务有多难, 你会大吃一惊的。

In the above sentence, the preposition "at" or "by" can be left out in written English.

Stress:

n. 1. demands or worry (resulting from mental or body problems, difficult situations, etc.)

(由于精神、体力不适或困境等造成的)压力;忧虑;紧张

He suffered from great stress.

他受到很大压力。

the stresses and strains of modern life

现代生活的紧张和压力

2. special pushing or importance

强调;重视

He feels that there is not enough stress on drawing at the school.

他认为学校对绘画重视不够。

vt. 1. give particular importance to; push

强调, 重视

He stressed the need of careful planning.

他强调要精心计划。

2. give force to (a word or word-part) when speaking

重读, 读重音

The word "machine" is stressed on its second syllable. "machine"

这个词第二个音节读重音。

Urge:

vt. 1. try hard or repeatedly to persuade (sb.)

力劝

He urged us to go.

他力劝我们去。

"Don't give in now,"she urged.

"不要现在就让步，"她竭力劝道。

2. encourage or excite sb. to do sth.

鼓励;催促;鞭策

The manager urged his staff on to greater efforts.

经理督促全体职员更加努力。

Urged on by his work friends, he stood for office.

在同僚们的鼓励下，他参加了竞选。

n. a strong wish or need

强烈愿望, 迫切需求

I had a sudden urge to tell the boss the whole truth.

我突然产生一种强烈愿望, 想把全部真相告诉老板。

Reluctant

a. unwilling and therefore slow to work with sb., agree, etc.

不愿意的;迟迟不合作的;不同意的

a reluctant student

一个不愿上学的学生

She was very reluctant to admit the truth.

她很勉强地承认了事实真相。

reluctance n. [U] not willing to do sth.

不愿;勉强

She made a great show of reluctance, but finally accepted our offer.

她极力表示不愿意，但最后还是接受了我们的帮助。

He left us with some reluctance.

他很不情愿地离开了我们。

Occasion

n. 1. [C] particular time (at which an event takes place)

(事件发生的)特定时刻;时机

on one occasion曾经;有一次

I've met him on several occasions.

我曾经见过他几次。

2. [C] suitable or right time (for sth.); opportunity

(适当的)时机;机会

This is not an occasion for fun and games.

这可不是寻开心的时候。

I'll buy one if the occasion arises.

如果有机会我就会买一个。

worthy

a. 1. having respect or careful thought

值得尊敬的;值得考虑的

a worthy cause

正义的事业

a worthy record of deeds

有价值的成就记录

2. (of) owning sth. or to do sth.

值得......的;应......的;足以......的

Their efforts are worthy of your support.

他们的努力值得你们的支持。

She said that she was not worthy to accept the honor they had offered her.

她说她不配接受他们所给予的荣誉。

unworthy

a. 1. not owning

不值得的;不配的

cheap things unworthy of your attention

不值得你劳神的琐事

I am unworthy of such an honor.

我不配获这样的荣誉。

2. not suited to the nature of sb./sth.

(与......的身份、资格、性质)不适合的;不相称的

an act unworthy of a good citizen

正派公民不应有的行为

despite

I went out despite (or in spite of) the rain. 虽然下着雨, 我还是出了门。

Despite (or In spite of) mistakes and weaknesses, it is a good composition. 尽管有错误和不足, 这还是一篇好作文。

2.) Phrases:

Now that:

Now (that) John has arrived, we can begin. 既然约翰来了, 我们可以开始了。

Now (that) she's found him, she'll never let him go. 既然她找到了他, 就决不会放他走了。

I like him a lot now (that) he's older. 他现在老了, 我倒十分喜欢他。

subject to cause to experience or suffer 使 ......遭受

No one would willingly subject himself to such shame.

没人会心甘情愿受这种羞辱。

He had been subjected to punishment, but he didn't tell the secret.

他受到严刑拷打, 但没泄露秘密。

see to take care; make sure

照料; 务必做到, 务须

You ought to have your eyes seen to by a doctor.

你应该让医生看一下你的眼睛。

Will you see to it that everyone gets a ticket for the concert?

请务必安排让每个人拿到一张音乐会的票，好吗?

Even if : even though, in spite of the fact that 虽说, 即使

Even if it's hard work, I enjoy it.

虽然工作辛苦, 我却喜欢这工作。

Even if he is hardworking, there is never enough money to pay the bills.

尽管工作努力, 他总是入不敷出。

We'll go tomorrow even if it rains.

即使下雨, 我们明天也去。

Even if she's poor, at least she is honest.

虽说她穷, 至少她是诚实的。

on leave :spending time away from work or duty 休假

I'm in charge of the department when the manager is on leave.

经理休假时, 由我主管本部门工作。

2. typical sentence patterns

1)When sb. thinks of sth. / sb. else now ( someday in the future), he / she (will) feels amazed at … 现在(将来有朝一日)回想起某事/某人来， 某人会对……感到惊叹。

a. When they think of what they have undergone in the past 50 years, the old couple feel delighted at how lucky they were to be united in marriage and how faithful they have remained to each other.

b. When you think of the battle against SARS someday in the future, you will feel shamed at how you backed away from the critical post to save your own skin.

2)Sb. thinks of / remembers / calls to mind sth. / sb. when… (从句) when… (从句), and when … (从句)每当……的时候，每当……的时候，……，某人就会想到某事/某人

a. This honest official thinks of the people’s great trust when he uses his power, when he makes a choice between personal interest and larger interests, when he faces various attractions.

b. SARS will serve as a reminder of what lifestyle we should develop. We will think of it when we spit anywhere, when we help ourselves to wild game, when we are careless of our personal hygiene.

3) Sb. doesn’t do / does sth. until … 直到……某人才……。

a. I had puzzled over this difficult problem until yesterday I found a solution to it.

b. We tend to realize the value of what we have had until there is no more of it in our life.

4) Once /When/While/Until (sb. is )…, sb. / sth. does … 一旦……/当……时，某人就……

a. Once you integrate yourself into the new campus life, you will feel its strong impact upon your fixed ideas.

b. Once bathed in the warmth of such families, you will feel the great power of love.

5)Adjectival phrase, sb. still does…虽说是……, 某人还是……

a. Unwilling to accept the job, he still nodded his agreement.

b. Well aware of the danger of rock-climbing, he still loved and indulged in it as before.

6)Sth./Sb. does/is…even if (even though) … (从句) 即使/尽管……, 某事 / 某人还是……

a. Their perseverance in the pursuit of truth was well worth our praise even if they didn’t make it to their goal.

b. You mustn’t be conceited even though you’ve achieved great success.

After Reading Activities

1. Summary

My father was ________crippled and short. When I was _________up, I felt ___________ and ashamed to be ______walking with him. He would lean ___me with his hand on my arm for _______, but it was difficult to ___________ our steps---his_______, mine_________. People would stare. But my father had never been ________by all this. He never __________about anything and took an active and optimistic _______towards life and work. He never invited _____for himself, nor _____he show envy of the more _________ or able.

Now I am older, I come to _______how unworthy I am. Father’s courage, _________ and open-mindedness moved me deeply. Though my father has been_______, I think of him often. It is my father ____has helped me keep my balance. “You set the _____. I will try to adjust ____you.”

(keys : severely, growing, embarrassed, seen, on, balance, coordinate, halting, impatient, bothered, complained, attitude, pity, did, fortunate, realize, kindness, gone, who, pace, to )

2. Discussion

Work in pairs, and make up a long conversation about your personal opinions on the subject “Physically not able, but mentally healthy”.

3. Writing

Try to write a paragraph, which starts with a general point with some examples to support it.

A general point: Sandy has a good ear for beautiful music.

Examples: 1) the music with a clear rhythm

2) the music has a message

3) the words in the music/ beautiful