LETTER TO A B
STUDENT
Unit 11 Letter to a B Student
--Made by: Amanda
Contents:
1.A brief introduction to the author.
2.Background information about the text.
3.Some glossaries of the text.
4.Some extracurricular knowledge.
Who is Robert Oliphant?
?
Robert Oliphant
An American
professor,
writer,
columnist(专栏作家)
and even executive
director(常务董事).
In 1938, he graduated from Washington and
Jefferson College.
Later, he became an English professor at California State
University at Northridge, it’s one of the nation’s largest public
universities.
Moreover , he was also a visiting professor(客座教授) of
English and Linguistics(语言学) at Stanford University where
he had studied medieval lexicography(中世纪词典学) and got
a Ph.D.(博士学位).
His main works:
A Piano for Mrs. Cimino
“Oscar Wilde’s Earnest: A Chamber Opera for Eight Voices and
Chorus.”
“Keynesian Pedagogy: An orthodoxy in Search of a Dustbin (1986)” ；
“Stalking the Soft Option: Some Notes on Overinflated Grading
Standards (1980)”；
“Toward a Theory of Reading Sequence (1973)” and so on.
If you want to read more his articles, click on the
link below...
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=tru
e&_pageLabel=ERICSearchResult&_urlType=action&newSea
rch=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=au&ERICExtSearc
h_SearchValue_0=%22Oliphant+Robert%22
Background information of the text:
“Letter to a B Student” is an excerpt of a sensitive
and thoughtful letter to a student on keeping a sense of
perspective on grades. It appeared in Liberal Education
in 1986.
The purpose of this article, as the author put forward,
is to enlighten B students on keeping an appropriate
perspective
on
grades.
(1)”Gentleman’s C”-----P1L2
A decent(得体的，正派的) grade(in the past).
It’s considered that “Gentleman’s C” as an average
grade(平均等级) is seriously behind the times(过时，落伍),
today’s “average” grade is a “B”. A few years ago, the
“Gentleman’s C” prevailed(流行，盛行) in universities.
Gentleman’s agreement
Gentlemanship
n.君子协定
n.绅士的身份、品格
(2)”A zero-sum game”-----P2L3
Zero sum game（零和游戏/博弈）：A situation in which if one
person gains an advantage form it, someone else involved
in it must suffer an equivalent disadvantage.
博弈论的英文名为game theory，直译就是“游戏理论”。游戏者有输有赢
，一方所赢正是另一方所输，游戏的总成绩永远是零。“零和游戏”之所以广受关
注，主要是因为人们发现，在社会的方方面面都有与“零和游戏”类似的局面，胜
利者的光荣后面往往隐藏着失败者的辛酸和苦涩。
Positive sum game
正和游戏(“双赢”或“多赢”)
Negative sum game 负和游戏(没有赢家)
(3)”The services”-----P6L3
Usually the plural form(复数形式)
“services” is used to refer to the
three armed forced, i.e. the army, the
navy, and the air force.
(4)”GI-Bill students”-----P7L3
GI (pl. GIs or GI‘s) is an American soldier , especially
an enlisted one(现役军人). GI-Bill or the GI-Bill of Rights is
the popular name for the Servicemen's Readjustment
Act of 1944, which provided US World War II veterans
with special assistance.
1944年，《退伍军人权利法案》(Servicemen’s
Readjustment Act ，或GI Bill“大兵法案”) 出台。根据这一法案，政府
资助二次大战的退伍军人接受大学教育，旨在帮助退伍军人更好地适
应平民生活。此外，政府还为退伍军人提供医疗,卫生,住房等方面的
优惠政策。这些军人学生就称为GI-Bill
students。
(1)How to Calculate Grades
Grade
Description
4-point
Equivalent
100-point
A
Superior
4.0
96-100
A-
Superior
3.7
90-95
B+
Good
3.3
87-89
B
Good
3.0
83-86
B-
Good
2.7
80-82
Grade
Description
4-point
Equivalent
100-point
C+
Satisfactory
2.3
77-79
C
Satisfactory
2.0
73-76
C-
Satisfactory
1.7
70-72
D
Poor
1.0
65-69
F
Failure
0.0
0-64
(2)Military Rank(军衔) in the Army
Captain 上尉
A 1st lieutenant 中尉
General 上将
Lieutenant/Major/ Brigadier
general 中将、少将、准将
A 2nd lieutenant 少尉
A 1st sergeant 上士
Sergeant 中士
Corporal 下士
Colonel 上校
Lieutenant colonel 中校
Major 少校
Private
列兵
美军上将军衔一般授予兵
种中的最高军事长官。这是美
国美军上将约翰.克拉多克
(John Craddock)。
(3)Some Words Related to Education
Educational system 学制
Academic year 学年
Term/ semester 学期
Diploma 文凭
Tuition 学费
University 大学
College 学院
Academy 高等专科院校
Normal school 师范院校
Major 主修课
Minor 辅修课
Specialized course 专业课
Compulsory course 必修课
Optional course 选修课
Dean of studies 教务处长
Dean of students 教导主任
Department chairman 系主任
Professor 教授
Associate professor 副教授
Guest/Visiting professor 客座教授
Lecturer 讲师
References:
http://sfs.scnu.edu.cn/tblogs/zhanghh/article.asp?id=631
http://www.docin.com/p-13036104.html
http://www.docin.com/p-43954439.html
http://www.educationnews.org/commentaries/21599.html
http://www.eric.ed.gov/
http://www.ioffer.com/i/98311405
http://zhidao.baidu.com/question/7116223.html
http://money.163.com/05/0907/16/1T2FID8J0025http://www.putcl
ub.com/article.php?articleid=761K7B_2.html
structural analysis of the text 1:
Part 1
(Para 1.)
the author introduces the topoc of the letter directly.
Part 2
the writer makes clear that his purpose of writing: to put your
disappiontment in perspective by considering exactly what your grade
meansand doesn't mean.
(Para 2-5)
Part 3
(Para 6-8)
Part 4
(Para 9-10)
the writer shows that there is a distinction between the student as a
performer in the classroom and the student as a human being.
the writer wxplains that in a complex society like ours, labels are necessary
which should be kept in perspective.
Language points:
1.academic [,ækə‘demik] adj.
1）学业的，教学的，学术的（指与学校教育有关）
eg: an academic career 学术生涯
high/low academic standards 高/低学术水平
eg:(P6L5)There were a lot of us then: older than the
norm, in a hurry to get our degrees and move on,
impatient with the tests and rituals of academic life.
在我们之中有这样一群人：他们较为年长，急于得到文
凭并离开校园，对大学生活中的考试及各种规定感到很
不耐烦。
2）学术的 （与实践性、技术性相对）
eg: academic subjects/qualifications 学科；学术资
历
3）学习良好的
eg: She wasn’t very academic and hated school.
4）纯理论的 ;空谈的；学究式的
eg: It’s a purly academic questions .这是一个纯理论问题
The whole things academic now—we can’t win anyway.
现在这一切都是纸上谈兵——反正我们赢不了。
n.[C] 1）大学教师,教授;大学生
2）学者;学究
academician 院士；学会会员
academicism 学院主义，学院派风格
academy 研究院，学会，专科院校，私立学校
2.assumption [ə'sʌmpʃən] n.
1）假定；假设
eg: an underlying/implicit assumption 设想
eg:(P4L6)But this assumption , as we both know , is questionable.但
正如我们众所周知的那样，这一 假定显然不尽合理。
eg: We are working on the assumption that everyone invited will
turn up.我们假定每个人都会应邀出席并正对此作出安排。
eg: It was impossible to make assumptions about people’s reactions.
臆断人们的反应是不可能的。
2）（责任的）承担；担任；（权力的）获得
eg: assumption of power/control取得权力/控制
3.character [ 'kærəktə ] n.
1）品质，性格
eg:(P5L1) Your grade does not represent a judgment of your basic
ability or of your character.
你的成绩并不能对你的基本能力或人格作出较为合理的评判。
eg: character defects 性格弱点
2）特点，特征，特色
eg: a face with a lot of character 与众不同的面孔
3）勇气，毅力
4）（古怪的或有趣的）人
eg: She is a character!她真是个有趣的人！
5）名誉，声望
6）人物，角色
eg: a major/minor character 主要/次要人物
7）字符
in/out of character 符合（不符合）某人的性格
in character (with sth) （与…）风格相同
characterful 有趣且富有特色的
characterless 无个性的，平凡的
characterize 以……为典型；使……具有特点；刻画，描述
表现（……的特征）
4.characteristic
n.特征，特点，品质
eg:(P5L2) Courage , kindness , wisdom ,good humor-these are the
important characteristics of our species. 勇敢、善良、睿智、气质——对
于我们人类而言，这些都是极为重要的品质。
adj. 典型的，独特的，特有的
eg: She spoke with characteristic enthusiasm.她说话带着特有的热情。
characteristically adv.
eg: Characteristically , she paid for everyone.按照她一贯的做法，她为每
个人都付了帐。
5.coercive
adj. 强制的，胁迫的，用武力的
eg: (P8L2)Nor did they resent him for shifting suddenly from a friendly gear
to a coercive one.正如他们对他突然间的角色转换并不感到厌恶
eg: coercive measures/powers 强制的措施/力量
coerce v. 强迫，胁迫，迫使
eg: coerce sb into sth/into doing sth
coercion n. 强迫，胁迫
6.complex
adj. 复杂的
eg: (P9L6)It is true that these labels are necessary in the functioning of a
complex society as a way of letting us know who should be trusted to do
what , with the result that we need to make distinctions on the basis of
grades , degrees ,ranks , and responsibility.
诚然，这些标签在这个复杂的社会体系的运转中是一种不可或缺
的考核方式，但同时也导致了我们不得不在成绩，文凭，等级和责任
的基础上进行区分这一现状。
n. 建筑群；相关联的一组事物；情结；不正常的忧虑
complexity n. 复杂性 complexities 难题
7.conventional
1）传统的，习惯的
eg: (P4L4)The level of your proficiency has been
determined by your performance of rather conventional
tasks : taking tests , writing papers and reports, and so forth.
而你的能力水平则取决于你在，如考试，论文，报
告等，那些传统意义上的工作上的表现。
2）依照惯例的，墨守成规的，普通平凡的
eg: conventional morality 传统道德规范
She’s very conventional in her views.她的观点很守旧。
3）（武器）非核的，常规的
convention n.习俗，常规，惯例；（政党等）大会；公
约，协定；（文学，艺术）传统风格、手法
8.coordinate
n.1）坐标
eg: (P9L4)Warfare, sickness, disasters public and private—
these are the larger coordinates of life.
战争，疾病，或大或小的灾难——这些都是我们生活
中更为浩大的背景。
2）(pl.)套装 coordinates
v.1）使协调，使相配合
2）使动作协调
3）（衣服，家具等）搭配
coordinator n.协调人
coordination n.协作，协调，配合
9.curriculum [kə'rikjuləm]
n.全部课程
eg: Unfortunately they are not part of our curriculum.
但不幸之处正在于这些品质并未在我们的课程之列。
eg: Spanish is on the curriculum.
西班牙语已纳入课程内容。
curricular adj. 课程的
curriculum vitae n. 简历，履历
10.define [di'fain] v.
1）解释（词语）的含义
2）阐明，明确，界定
eg: (P10L2)Even in achievement terms, your B label does not mean
that you are permanently defined as a B achievement person.
即使单就成绩而言，你们的B也并不意味着你们永远都被划
为差生。
3）画出……的线条；描出……的外形
eg: The mountain was sharply defined against the sky.
那座山在天空的衬托下显得轮廓分明。
4）为...的特性,是...的特色[(+as)]
eg: Reason defines man. 理性是人的特点
11.eligibility [,elidʒə'biliti] n.
1）被选举资格
2）合格
eg: (P1L6)I’m certain that nothing I can say will remove that feeling of
disappointment, particularly in a climate where determine eligibility for
graduate school and special programs.
我可以确信的是无论我说什么都无法安慰那深深的失落之情，尤
其是在像毕业考试这种重要的考试中失利后的情况下。
eligible adj. 有资格的，合格的
12. essence [‘esns]
1）本质，实质，精髓
eg:(P2L2)The essence of success is that there’s never enough of it to go
round in a zero-sum game where one person’s winning must be offset by
another’s losing ,one person’s joy offset by another’s disappointment.
成功的精髓正在于永远不会对身处诸如成功与失败相对而悲伤映
衬着喜悦这种得失相抵的局面感到满足。
eg: in essence 从本质上讲
2）香精，精油
eg: In this situation, time is of the essence.时间是至关重要的
essential adj. 必不可少的，重要的，基本的
13.flunk [flʌŋk]
1）失败，不及格
2）令（某人）不及格
eg:(P7L8) A test on which he usually flunked about half of them.
在一次考试中他会令大概一半的人不及格。
3） (因畏缩而)撒手不做;放弃
eg: flunk out (of sth)（因不及格而）开除，退学
flunkey 马屁精，男仆
14.frequent ['fri:kwənt]
vt.常到,常去,时常出入于
eg: (P7L1)On Sunday evenings in particular, he would make a point of
stopping in at a local bar frequented by many of the GI-Bill students.
特别是在周日的晚上，他经常会特地路过当地的酒吧同许多问
题学生呆在一起。
adj. 1）时常发生的,频繁的;屡次的
eg: The crops suffered from frequent blights.
农作物经常遭受病虫害。
2）惯常的;习以为常的
frequency n. 频率，发生率
15.fuzzy ['fʌzi]
1）模糊不清的
eg: (P4L9)Lacking more precise measurement tools, we must interpret
your B as a rather fuzzy symbol at best, representing questionable
judgment of your mastery of the subject.
2）覆有绒毛的，毛茸茸的
3）紧鬈的，卷曲的（毛发）
4）糊涂的，含糊不清的
eg: fuzzy ideas/thinking 糊涂的想法/思想
16.garment
n. 一件衣服
eg: (P5L6) Your B is a price tag on a garment that is quite separate
from the living, breathing human being underneath.
你们的B与生存，呼吸等人类潜藏着的必需之物不同，不过是
外套上的价格标签一类的东西罢了。
eg: outer garments 外衣
17.gear [giə]
n.1）排挡，齿轮，转动装置
eg: (P8L2)Nor did they resent him for shifting suddenly from a friendly
gear to a coercive one.而他们对他突然间的角色转换也并不感到厌恶
eg: shift gear 换挡
2）设备，用具，衣服
3）所有物，财物
4）（做事的）速度，努力
eg: move into high gear 进入高速发展
5）毒品
slip/be thrown out of gear 情绪或形势失去控制
v.使与……相适应，使适合
gear up (for/to) sth. （使）为……作好准备
18.hamper ['hæmpə]
v. 妨碍，阻止，阻碍
eg: (P10L7)What you have learned may help you find your way about at
first; later on you will have to shift to yourself, locating goals and
opportunities in the same fog that hampers us all as we move toward the
future.
你们所学可能在开始时会帮你们找到方向，但之后，你们需要在
通向未来的途中不断进取，寻找目标，抓住机遇 ，粉碎一切障碍。
n.1）大篮子 eg: a picnic hamper 野餐篮
2）（作为礼品的）盒装，袋装食物
19.hew[hju:]
1）砍，劈
2）砍成，劈出（某种形状）
eg: (P9L2)It is important to recognize that human beings, despite
differences in class and educational labeling, are fundamentally hewn from
the same material and knit together by common bonds of fear and joy ,
suffering and achievement.
即使不论社会阶层和教育程度的差异如何，我们应认识到人类在
根本上都是相同的，并且都由恐惧，喜悦，经历和成就紧紧联系在一
起，这一点是十分重要的。
eg: The statues were hewn out of solid rock.
这些雕像是在实心岩石上雕刻出来的
20.humor['hju:mə]
1）性情，气质
eg:(P5L2) Courage , kindness , wisdom ,good humor-these are the
important characteristics of our species. 勇敢、善良、睿智、气质——
对于我们人类而言，这些都是极为重要的品质。
2）幽默
eg: Humor is often more than a laughing matter.
幽默常常不只是一笑了之的事。
3）心情,情绪 in no humor 没有心情……
out of humor心情不好
vt.迎合;迁就
eg: It's not always wise to humor a small child.
迁就小孩子不总是明智的
21.inadequacy[in'ædikwəsi]
1）不充分，不足，不够
2）不胜任，缺乏信心
eg: (P2L1)It’s the stuff bad dreams are made of: dreams of failure,
inadequacy, loss of position and good repute.
害怕失败，不自信，对可能失去名誉或地位的恐惧——这正是构成噩
梦的基本要素。
eg: a sense of inadequacy 不称职之感
3）弱点，缺陷
eg: He has to face up his own inadequacies as a father.
他不得不正视自身作为父亲的缺陷。
inadequate adj. 不充分的，不足的，不胜任的
22.colonel [‘kə:nəl] 上校
23.corporal['kɔ:pərəl]
n. 下士
adj. 1）肉体的;身体的
eg: corporal punishment体罚
2）个人的;私人的
eg: corporal possession 私有财产
3）（古）物质的
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