21st Century College English: Book 3
Unit 5: Part A
The ABCs
of the USA
Unit 5: Part A
• Pre-Reading Activities
• Text A: Language Points
• Exercises
• Assignment
The ABCs of the USA
Pre-Reading Activities
Listening
As you listen to the passage, write down the idioms and expressions that
match each definition below.
____________a) a child who learns to survive by observing life on
city streets
____________b) competitive strategies used in business
____________c) 100% American
____________d) unhealthy food
____________e) a popular American dessert
____________f) an activity, decision, problem, etc., that concerns
only family members
Check-up
Pre-Reading Activities
As you listen to the passage, write down the idioms and expressions that
match each definition below.
street
kid
________________________a)
a child who learns to survive by
observing life on city streets
the power game
________________________b)
competitive strategies used in business
all-American
________________________
as American as apple pie 100% American
________________________c)
junk food
________________________d)
unhealthy food
apple pie
________________________e)
a popular American dessert
a family affair
________________________f)
an activity, decision, problem, etc.,
that concerns only family members
Pre-Reading Activities
Thinking
How would you answer Li's last question about “American
dream”?

The dream of having a good life is a just reward for
honest work.
Script
Pre-Reading Activities
Li:
can you help
me with
this reading
text?
Ah,Mick,
I see. Thanks.
So what’s
“a family
affair”?
Well,any
I can
try. What’s
the trouble?
Mick: That’s
kind
of situation
that you think should be
private,
just of
forphrases
members
of your
Li:
It’s full
that
don’tfamily.
make any sense. Like
“My“the
wife
is asgame”?
American as apple pie.” I don’t
I getthis:
it. And
power
understand!
Mick: That's
a business term. Some business people see
Mick: everything
Oh, that they
meansdo
all-American
— completely
American.
as competitive,
and that’s
called
Apple pie
a popular
dessert
in America.
It’s simple
“playing
the ispower
game”.
They
even wear
“power
and good
and“power
healthyfood”.
— like Americans.
clothes”
and eat
Li:
I see.
Is that
theThanks.
same asHere's
“junk another
food”? one: “street kid”. What’s
Mick: No, that?
no! Junk food is food that isn’t healthy. It’s full of
Mick: chemicals
Well, inand
thesugar
poor parts
of big
some
spend
and fat,
butcities
people
eatpeople
it all the
time
a lot of time out on the streets, just waiting for
anyway.
something to happen and learning how to survive. A
Li:
Hm,child
strange.
Andthat
here’s
last kid.
one: “the American
who lives
way isthe
a street
Dream“”. What’s that?
Li:
Language Points
Text A:
The ABCs of the USA
American Seen with European Eyes
By Michael Dobbs
Language Points
The ABCs of the USA
American Seen with European Eyes
By Michael Dobbs
1
America can be a strange experience for a foreigner. My wife
and I arrived in the United States in January after seven years
overseas — four in France, three in Poland. From the jumble of first
impressions, we compiled an A-to-Z explanation of why America
can be such a foreign country to those who arrive here from Europe.
Language Points
2
I should explain at the outset that I am from Britain, but my
Florida-born wife Lisa is as American as apple pie. In our list,
however, A doesn't stand for apple pie. It stands for:
3
Ambition. In the Old World, people are taught to hide it. Here it‘’s
quite proper to announce that you’re after the boss’s job or want to
make a million dollars by the age of 30.
4
Breakfast. The American habit of conducting business at
breakfast has reached Europe, but I doubt it will ever really catch on.
In France and Britain, breakfast is a family affair. Here, it’s become
part of the power game.
Language Points
5
Credit Cards. You really can’t leave home without them. It’s
interesting, and somewhat frustrating, to discover that bad credit is
better than no credit at all: I was refused a VISA card on the grounds
that I didn't have a credit profile.
6
Dreams. The American Dream is still very much alive. Dreaming
great dreams is what keeps American society going — from the
waitress who wants to become a car dealer to the street kid who wants
to become a basketball star. Europeans dream dreams too, but don't
seem to believe in them so much.
Language Points
7
Exercise. A couple of years ago I came to Washington with some
French journalists. As our bus passed a health club on the way to the
hotel, the French visitors cheered at the sight of body-conscious
Americans bending, stretching and leaping around. America's
obsession with physical fitness really amuses — and puzzles —
Europeans.
8
First names. In Europe, people progress in a natural and orderly
way from the use of last names to the use of first names. Here, it’s first
names at first sight. This can cause confusion for Europeans. With
everyone on a first-name basis, how can you tell your acquaintances
from your friends?
Language Points
9
Gadgets. These can be addictive. It’s difficult to imagine now
how we survived for so long without automatic ice machines and
microwave ovens.
10
Hardware Stores. If I were in charge of arranging the programs
of visiting delegations from less-developed countries, I’d include a
compulsory visit to a hardware store. These temples of American
capitalism reveal a whole range of American values, from the do-ityourself pioneer spirit through a love of comfort that absolutely
astonishes most foreigners.
Language Points
11 Insurance. Americans have policies to cover every possible risk,
no matter how remote. So far, we’ve refused supplementary insurance
for our car radio, death insurance for our mortgage and accident
insurance for our cat. It gives us a feeling of living dangerously.
12 Junk food. Anyone who wants to understand why Americans
suffer from higher rates of cancer and heart disease only has to look
at what they eat.
13 Ketchup. I had to come to America to discover that it can be eaten
with anything — from French fries to French cheese.
Language Points
14 Lines. American lines — beginning with the yellow line at
immigration control — are the most orderly in the world. The British
queue, once internationally renowned, has begun to decay in recent
years. The French queue was never very impressive, and the Italian
line is simply a mob.
15 Money. In Europe, everybody likes money, but no one shows it off.
Unless it’s been in the family for several generations, there’s often an
assumption that it was acquired dishonestly. In America, no one cares
how you got it.
Language Points
16 No smoking. No longer just a polite request in America, this
phrase has become the law. Nobody would dare ask a Frenchman to
put out his Galoise in a restaurant.
17 Oliver North. What other major Western democracy lets army
officers take over foreign policy? A hero for some, a traitor for others,
Ollie (see First Names) is an example of an American recklessness
that awes and alarms Europeans.
18 Patriots. They exist everywhere, of course, but the American
version is louder and more self-conscious than the European. In
Britain, it's taken for granted that politicians love their country. Here,
they're expected to prove it.
Language Points
19 Quiet. American cities are quieter than European cities — thanks
to noise controls on automobiles and to recent environmental
legislation. This was a major surprise for someone brought up to
assume that America was a noisy place.
20 Religion. The idea of putting preachers on TV is alarming to
Europeans. It’s even more alarming to see them in action.
21 Sales. Ever since arriving in Washington, we’ve been hurrying to
take advantage of this week’s unrepeatable offer, only to discover that
it’s usually repeated next week. We’re just catching on that there’s
always an excuse for a sale.
Language Points
22 Television. That grown-ups can watch game shows and sitcoms
at 11 AM amazes me — but the national habit, day or night, is
contagious. I recently found myself nodding in agreement with a
professor who was saying that American kids watch too much
television. Then I realized that I was watching him say this on
television.
23 Ulcers. See Work.
Language Points
24 Visas. Americans don’t need visas to visit Britain (or most
European countries, for that matter). To enter the United States, I had
to sign a document promising that I would not overthrow the
government by force and had no criminal record. One wonders if
many terrorists and criminals answer “yes” on these questionnaires.
25 Work. People in less developed countries often imagine that they
can become rich simply by emigrating to America. But America
became a wealthy society through work, work and more work. It’s still
true.
Language Points
26 X-rated movies. We have them in Europe too, but not on motelroom TVs.
27 Yuppies. The European counterpart remains a pale shadow of the
all-American original. The animal seems more ambitious, and more
common, on this side of the Atlantic.
28 Zillion. What other nation would invent a number that’s infinitely
more than a billion? America may not always be the best, but it
certainly thinks big.
jumble
— n. a confused or untidy group of things
e.g.
• the jumble which covers the surface of the desk
• He found an untidy jumble of things in the drawer.
at the outset
— at the beginning
e.g.
• You should explain this to him at the outset.
• At the outset of his career, he didn't earn very much
money.
as American as apple pie
— typically American
Since apple pie is a common dessert in the U.S.A, this
comparison emphasizes that Lisa, the writer's wife, is a
typical American.
stand for
— represent; mean
e.g.
• The olive branch stands for peace.
• The abbreviation NSPCC stands for National Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
ambition
— n. strong desire for success, power, money, etc.
Ambition also means the desire eventually to become or
e.g.
do something special.
Examples:
• That politician is full of ambition.
• Too
muchambition
ambitionwas
caused
to act selfishly.
Her
lifelong
to beJohn
a teacher.
He has always had an ambition to go to New York.
after
— prep. in search of; with a desire for
e.g.
• I'm after a tie to go with this shirt.
• I'm sure she's after my husband.
catch on
— 1. become popular 流行起来
2. understand 懂得, 理解
Translation:
e.g.
那首新歌很快流行了起来.
• Will helicopters ever catch on as a common mode of
transport?
Key:
•• The
thingcaught
about on
this
new worker is that he
That best
new song
quickly.
catches on very fast.
• The second time the teacher explained the problem,
the boy caught on.
catch on
— 1. become popular 流行起来
2. understand 懂得, 理解
Translation:
那首新歌很快流行了起来.
Key:
• That new song caught on quickly.
Here, it's become part of the power game.
power game
— a situation in which different people or groups are
competing for power
Paraphrase
?
Key
• Here in America, breakfast has become one of the
activities in the competition for power.
I was refused a VISA card on the grounds that I didn't
have a credit profile.
VISA 威世信用卡（美国的一种购物信用卡）
Visa International is a credit card and payment system
company based in Foster City, near San Francisco,
California, U.S.A. Visa is the world's largest consumer
payment company, with more than 500 million cards
issued and more than half of the world's market in
transactions. Visa is collectively owned by more than
20,000 member financial institutions around the world.
These institutions issue Visa cards, and each establishes
the terms that it will offer to consumers, such as rates
and fees.
More to learn
I was refused a VISA card on the grounds that I didn't
have a credit profile.
credit profile
— a short description of a person's reputation in
money matters
More to learn
I was refused a VISA card on the grounds that I didn't
have a credit profile.
on the grounds that
— because 根据, 以…为理由
e.g.
Paraphrase
• ?
His request was disallowed on the grounds that he
was not a full member of the club.
Key
I failed
get a VISA
card because
I didn't have
•• He
was to
always
declining
their invitations
on the
anything
written form to prove my credit.
grounds
ofin
illthe
health.
dealer
— n. a person whose business involves buying and selling
商人；证券经纪人
Compare: dealer and businessman
Examples:
a dealerdealer
and a businessman are people doing
•Both
a used-car
business, but a dealer is a trader who handles a certain
•type
a dealer
in antique（古董）furniture
of goods
and has a specialized knowledge of these
while
a businessman
is a person
not only
•goods,
He was
a successful
businessman
beforewho
becoming
a
works
in business, but also is the manager of a company.
writer.
the French visitors cheered at the sight of body-conscious
Americans bending, stretching and leaping around
at the sight of
— as soon as seeing (sth. or sb.) 一见之下; 立即
e.g.
• Jane fainted at the sight of blood.
• The child laughed at the sight of the clockwork toy.
More to learn
the French visitors cheered at the sight of body-conscious
Americans bending, stretching and leaping around
The combining form — conscious is used to combine with
words such as “safety”, “energy”, “weight”, “figure”,
“health”, etc. to form compounds which indicate that a
person thinks this particular aspect of a situation is
important, and is aware of or worried about it.
e.g.
• We have to be very safety-conscious with this sort of
machine.
• He is so weight-conscious — I've never seen anyone so
careful about what they eat.
obsession
— n. a fixed idea from which the mind cannot be freed
e.g.
• Taylor's fascination with bees developed into an
obsession.
• His obsession with motorbikes infuriates（激怒）his
wife.
In Europe, people progress in a natural and orderly way
from the use of last names to the use of first names. Here,
it's first names at first sight.
In
Europe, people use last names in talking to each other
Translation
when they
? first meet and don't yet know each other well,
and then, unconsciously and step by step, they begin to
Key:
use first names as they get to know each other better.
here in America, people use first names even when
•But在欧洲，人们从用姓到用名，有一个自然有序发展
they
meet for the first time.
的过程，在这儿,第一次见面就直呼其名。
addictive
— a. causing a person to be so used to sth. that the person
cannot stop using it
e.g.
•
Cocaine（可卡因）and nicotine（尼古丁）are addictive
substances.
•
The problem with PC games is that they are addictive.
be in charge of
— be responsible for
e.g.
•
Mr. Smith is in charge of this project.
•
Who will be in charge of the department when David
leaves?
do-it-yourself
— the activity of making or repairing things oneself,
instead of paying workmen
e.g.
• The popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) has put a lot of
decorators out of business.
• A new DIY store has just opened.
Americans have policies to cover every possible risk, no
matter how remote.
policy
Translate into Chinese
— n. a document which shows the agreement one has
? an insurance company
made with
remote
Key
— a. (of a possibility, etc) very unlikely to happen;
美国人对每一种可能的风险都买保险，无论那种风险多
slight
么微小。
•
mortgage
— n. 抵押；抵押贷款
— vt. use (one's land or house) as a guarantee to the lending
institution in order to borrow money from it 抵押
e.g.
• We had a party when we made the last payment on
our home mortgage.
• I mortgaged the house so my children could go to
college.
the yellow line at immigration control
the line marked in yellow at international airports in
the U.S.A. for people to stand along and have their
passports checked by immigration officers
Note that the word line in the sentence is used in two
different meanings. Here it is a long, thin mark drawn
or painted on a surface, but in “American lines” it
means a queue, or a number of people standing one
behind another forming a continuous row.
More to learn
the yellow line at immigration control
e.g.
immigration
•— The
studied
of the
birds'
n. thebiologist
coming of
people the
into route
a country
in order
to
migration.
work
or settle there
migration,
emigration
and immigration
•Compare:
The researcher
examined
the effects
of migration on
refugees.refers to the movement of numbers of people
Migration
creatures
from (受迫害的
place to) family
place，emigration
means
•or The
persecuted
looked forward
to
leaving
one's country to live in another, while
emigration.
immigration is the process of coming into a new
•country
Theretoare
live.strict limits on immigration into the
country.
queue
— n. a line of people waiting (for a bus, to be served, to enter a
place, etc.)
— vi. form or join a line 排队(等候)
e.g.
• A queue of customers waited for the bank to open.
• The tourists queued up in front of the palace.
no one shows it off
show off
— try to impress people and make them admire your ability,
achievements, or possessions
show sth. off
— show sth. to a lot of people because you are very proud of
it
e.g.
• Pay no attention to Susan — she’s just showing off.
• Peter was keen to show off his new car.
assumption
— n. 1. sth. that is taken as true without proof 假定；臆断
2. the taking (of power or responsibility) 夺取；篡夺
e.g.
• People often make assumptions that turn out to be
false.
• My assumption was that you would remember the
appointment, so I didn't remind you.
• The rebel's sudden assumption of power shocked the
whole nation.
Oliver North
— 奥利弗·诺斯
Oliver North was former military aide to the US National Security
Council, whose name became a household word over the course
of the Iran-Contra Affair, American political scandal of 1985 and
1986, in which high-ranking members in the administration of
President Ronald Reagan arranged for the secret sales of arms to
Iran in direct violation of existing United States laws. The dual
goal was to better American relations with Iran and obtain release
of American hostages held in Lebanon by pro-Iranian terrorists.
Profits from the $30 million in arms sales went to the Nicaraguan
right wing “contra” guerrillas to supply arms. North was
instrumental in setting up a covered network for providing
support to the contras with ship, airplanes, airfield, and secret
bank accounts.
bring up
— nurture and educate (a child) 养育; 教育
e.g.
• When their parents died, an aunt brought them up.
• David was brought up to respect teachers.
see them in action
If you see someone or something in action, you see
them doing the job or activity that they are trained or
designed to do.
e.g.
• exciting photos of ski jumpers in action
• I’d like to see the new computer system in action.
Translate into Chinese
?
Key
•
看到他们真的上了电视
Ever since arriving in Washington, we’ve been hurrying to take
advantage of this week's unrepeatable offer, only to discover
that it's usually repeated next week
take advantage of
— make use of; profit from 利用
e.g.
• You should take advantage of the low prices and buy.
• The government's complicated tax rules take
advantage of the people who don't understand them.
More to learn
Ever since arriving in Washington, we’ve been hurrying to take
advantage of this week's unrepeatable offer, only to discover
that it's usually repeated next week
only to do sth.
— to do sth. as a disappointing or surprising result
e.g.
• Scott arrived at the South Pole only to find that
Amundsen had got there before him.
Key
Translate into Chinese
?
• 自从到达华盛顿以后，我们总是急匆匆地赶去享受本
周的一次性削价优惠，结果却发现下周又会出现这种
优惠。
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
1. After driving all night we got to Amy's place, and
then we unexpectedly discovered that she was away
for the weekend.

We drove all night [to get] to Amy’s place, only to
discover that she was away for the weekend.
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
2. He spent ages negotiating for a pay increase, and
then he unexpectedly resigned from his job soon after
he'd received it.

He spent ages negotiating for a pay increase, only
to resign from his job soon after he’d received it.
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
3. He spent four years getting a degree, and then he was
surprised to learn that there were no jobs for
graduates.

He spent for years getting a degree, only to learn
that there were no jobs for graduates.
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
4. I hurried to the shop, and then was surprised to find
it was closed.

I hurried to the shop only to find it was closed.
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
5. Scott arrived at the South Pole on January 18th, and
then unexpectedly found that Amudsen had got there
before him.

Scott arrived at the South Pole on January 18th,
only to find that Amudsen had got there before
him.
More to do
only to do sth.
Rewrite each of the following sentences, using an “only + to
infinitive” clause. (Ex. X)
6. I raced home to tell my family the good news, and
then unexpectedly fell down the stairs and broke my
leg.

I raced home to tell my family the good news, only
to fall down the stairs and break my leg.
contagious
— a. 1. (of a feeling or attitude) spreading quickly from
person to person (情绪等)感染性的
2. (of a disease) that can spread from person to
person (疾病)传染的
e.g.
• Laughter is often contagious.
• The flu is a highly contagious disease.
in agreement with
— 同意，赞同
e.g.
• The business partners were never in agreement with
each other about marketing strategies.
• As to this matter, I'm in complete agreement with you.
for that matter
— (used to show that a statement is true in another
situation or that it can also refer to another person)
e.g.
• I'm going to bed early, and so for that matter should
you (= you should also).
• Don't talk like that to your mother — or to anyone else
for that matter (= nor to anyone else either).
by force
— by fierce or violent means 用武力或强迫手段
e.g.
• The soldiers took the castle by force.
• The police had to scatter the crowd by force.
X-rated movies
— movies having a rating of X, movies that are relating to
or characterized by explicit sexual material or activity,
produced for exhibition or viewing by adult audiences
Today the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rates films to
provide guidance to viewers about what kind of material the movie is
likely to contain. There are five ratings. “G” (General) indicates that the
film is suitable for all ages. “PG” (Parental Guidance) means that some
material may be inappropriate for children. “PG-13” means that some
material may be unsuitable for children under age 13. “R” (Restricted)
means that anyone under age 17 must be accompanied by a parent or
adult guardian. “NC-17” (No Children under 17) means that no one
under age 17 is admitted.
Yuppies
— n. 雅皮士 (Young Urban Professional的缩写， 即城
市 职业阶层中的年轻人士)
Yuppies usually have a derogative meaning of a young
middle-class professional person working in a city. It is
an acronym（首字母缩合词）and derivation（派生词）
of “young urban professionals”.
The European counterpart remains a pale shadow of
the all-American original.
be a (pale) shadow of
— be less powerful or influential or effective than
e.g.
• The new minister is a pale shadow of his predecessor.
• She used to be a great player, but now she's only a
shadow of her former self.
More to learn
The European counterpart remains a pale shadow of
the all-American original.
original
— a. a thing from which another is copied, imitated or
translated
e.g.
Paraprase
• The?original of this painting is in Rome.
• I shall keep the original of this report. You can have
Key
a photocopy if you want.
• The European yuppies are much less impressive than
the typical yuppies of America where they originated.
think big
— have ambitious ideas
e.g.
• He certainly thinks big, but rarely takes any action.
• Traditionally, one is expected to be modest rather than
think big.
Unit 5 • Exercises
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Listening
The ABCs of the USA
Exercises • Comprehension
《读写教程 III》: Ex. II, p. 119
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
1. What was the author's aim in compiling this list?
To offer an entertaining look at why America can seem so
strange to visitors from abroad.
2. Why does he feel he “should explain at the outset” where he and
his wife are from (Paragraph 2)?
So that the reader understands the point of view from which the
article was written.
So that people will realize that many of the things listed are just
strange for Americans as they are for others.
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
3. Does the author admire any of the American phenomena that he
mentions in his list?
He seems to admire what he lists under dreams, gadgets, lines,
and quiet — perhaps hardware stores as well.
4. Which of the American attitudes and habits on the list does the
author say (or imply) that he's adopted himself?
Owning credit cards and gadgets, using first names, taking
advantage of sales, watching too much TV.
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
5. How does the author define the American Dream?
He defines it as a vision that people can become anything they
want to become.
6. Why did the French journalists “cheer at the sight of bodyconscious Americans” (Paragraph 7)?
Because they’d heard/read about this strange phenomenon and
were pleased to see it in person.
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
7. According to the author, how does the American use of first names
confuse Europeans?
He jokes that the American us of first names leaves Europeans
unable to distinguish friends from acquaintances.
8. How does the author explain the European attitude towards money?
He says that unless a family has been wealthy for many
generations, people suspect that the money was acquired
dishonestly.
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
9. Judging from the other descriptions of European attitudes in the
text, why does the idea of having religion on TV alarm
Europeans?
The writer emphasizes the European view that many things
should be kept private, not shown off in public, and this might
well be their view of religious beliefs as well.
10. What does the author mean by “Ulcers: See Work”?
He means that the American emphasis on work leads to
excessive stress, which causes ulcers.
Exercises • Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
11. Why does he wonder about the questionnaires foreigners must fill
out in order to enter the United States?
Because the questions are silly: No terrorist or criminal would
confess on a questionnaire like this.
12. What does the last sentence of the text mean?
There are doubtless many possible interpretations of this, but I
would say: No matter what you may like or dislike about
America, it’s undeniable that Americans have — for better or
worse — high ambitions.
Exercises • Vocabulary
•
Vocabulary
 Ex. III
 Ex. IV
The ABCs of the USA
Exercises • Vocabulary
《读写教程 III》: Ex. III, p. 120
Exercises • Vocabulary
III. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the
form where necessary.
compile
ambition
orderly
confusion acquaintance supplement
renowned impressive assumption amuse
legislation
emigrate
1. Politicians are always promising to introduce __________
legislation to
raise salaries and lower taxes.
compiled from a wide
2. The new poetry collection was __________
variety of sources and includes poems from twelve countries
and seven centuries.
Exercises • Vocabulary
III. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the
form where necessary.
compile
ambition
orderly
confusion acquaintance supplement
renowned impressive assumption amuse
legislation
emigrate
3. Every culture is full of beliefs and assumptions
__________ that most
people never question until they come into contact with
another culture.
4. Many people who __________
emigrate to America in hopes of
becoming rich are surprised at how hard they have to work.
Exercises • Vocabulary
III. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the
form where necessary.
compile
ambition
orderly
confusion acquaintance supplement
renowned impressive assumption amuse
legislation
emigrate
acquaintances but very few close
5. He has a wide circle of ______________
friends.
6. She's a __________
ambition is
renowned tennis player, but her real __________
to become a writer.
Exercises • Vocabulary
III. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the
form where necessary.
compile
ambition
orderly
confusion acquaintance supplement
renowned impressive assumption amuse
legislation
emigrate
7. To avoid __________,
confusion you'd better start by explaining the
whole idea from beginning to end in an __________
orderly way.
8. When you take a small child on a long trip, you need to
bring lots of books and toys to keep him or her __________.
amused
Exercises • Vocabulary
III. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the
form where necessary.
compile
ambition
orderly
confusion acquaintance supplement
renowned impressive assumption amuse
legislation
emigrate
impressive/amusing
9. Most visitors to Shanghai find it a very __________________
city.
supplement their income,
10. They teach at night school to __________
which otherwise wouldn't be sufficient to live on.
Exercises • Vocabulary
《读写教程 III》: Ex. IV, p. 120
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences. Make sure each of your new sentences has the same
meaning as the original—and that you make all the changes that
are necessary.
overthrow document profile
preach
reckless
queue
visa
questionnaire delegation mob
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences.
overthrow document profile
queue
visa
preach
reckless questionnaire delegation mob
1. The students sent a twelve-member group to represent them
to the conference.
 delegation
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences.
overthrow document profile
queue
visa
preach
reckless questionnaire delegation mob
2. Three army officers were charged with conspiracy to
remove the government.
 overthrow
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences.
overthrow document profile
queue
visa
preach
reckless questionnaire delegation mob
3. The first step in applying for an entry permit to Great
Britain is filling out this form .
 visa
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences.
overthrow document profile
queue
visa
preach
reckless questionnaire delegation mob
4. I consider religion a private matter and don't like it when
people try to persuade others to share their beliefs.
 preach
Exercises • Vocabulary
IV.
Use the appropriate form of one of the words below to replace
the italicized words or phrases in each of the following
sentences.
overthrow document profile
queue
visa
preach
reckless questionnaire delegation mob
5. If William is driving, I'll take the bus. He's too wild and
careless and I just don't feel safe with him behind the wheel.
 reckless
Exercises • Vocabulary
《读写教程 III》: Ex. V, p. 121
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
1. The practice of taking a cold shower every morning is
becoming popular in some parts of the country. (catch)
 The practice of taking a cold shower every morning is
catching on in some parts of the country.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
2. It isn't always wise to assume that foreigners understand no
Chinese. (granted)
 It isn't always wise to take it for granted that foreigners
understand no Chinese.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
3. The workers refused to sign the contract because it didn't
satisfy their demands. (grounds)
 The workers refused to sign the contract on the grounds that
it didn't satisfy their demands.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
4. I'd better hurry. I've only rewritten three sentences up to
this point and I have to finish before midnight. (far)
 I'd better hurry. I've only rewritten three sentences so far
and I have to finish before midnight.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
5. I agree with the author's opinion of Oliver North.
(agreement)
 I am in (full) agreement with the author's opinion of Oliver
North.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
6. If you're smart, you'll make use of this opportunity.
(advantage)
 If you're smart, you'll take advantage of this opportunity.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
7. Some teachers take pride in being friendly enough with all
their students to use their first names. (basis)
 Some teachers take pride in being on a first-name basis with
all their students to use their first names.
Exercises • Vocabulary
V.
Rewrite the sentences below so that they use the words given
in the parentheses but keep the original meaning. Be sure to
make any other necessary changes well.
8. What do the stars in the American flag represent ? (stand)
 What do the stars in the American flag stand for?
Listening Practice: Conversations
《听说教程 III》
Part 2.2, p.59
Listening Practice: Spot Dictation
Spot Dictation
Listen to the following passage once and fill in the missing lines while
listening.
Start listening
Listening Practice: Spot Dictation
of them
have ____________.
Mr. and Mrs.
Average American
live in a
Good
evening
ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome
to Just Numbers,
home
that collection
they’re stillofpaying
for. Our
Theyquestion
own ____
____
our
weekly
odd facts.
for televisions,
tonight is: What
radiosthe
and
___ computer,
and American”
they go to really
the movies
does
phrase
“the average
mean?____________.
Who is “the
They eat
about ________________
they wash
average
American”,
and how does he orannually,
she live? and
The authors
of a
________________
week._________________
Mrs. Average have
American
does
fascinating
new booka called
researched
____________________,
Average
courageously
almost
every detail you but
can Mr.
imagine
aboutAmerican
Mr. and Mrs.
Average
takes out The
the research
garbage shows
____________.
When Mr.
and Mrs.
Average
American.
that the average
American
male
is 30
American
worry, it’s usually
about
____________________:
the
years
old, ______________
tall, and
weighs
__________. His female
average American
couple is younger,
_______ inshe
debt.
But in
general, they find
counterpart
is ___________
stands
_____________
tall
life ________
and the average
American
and
weighs __________.
They’re
married,___________________.
with __________, and both
Check-up
Listening Practice: Spot Dictation
Listen to the following passage once and fill in the missing lines while
listening.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Just Numbers,
our weekly collection of odd facts. Our question for tonight is: What
does the phrase “the average American” really mean? Who is “the
average American”, and how does he or she live? The authors of a
fascinating new book called _________________
American Averages have researched
almost every detail you can imagine about Mr. and Mrs. Average
American. The research shows that the average American male is 30
years old, ______________
172 pounds His female
5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs __________.
counterpart is ___________
5 feet 4.5 inches tall
a few months younger, she stands _____________
and weighs __________.
143 pounds They’re married, with __________,
one child and both
Listening Practice: Spot Dictation
of them have ____________.
full-time jobs Mr. and Mrs. Average American live in a
home that they’re still paying for. They own ____
two televisions, ____
six
one computer, and they go to the movies ____________.
5 times a year
radios and ___
They eat about ________________
annually, and they wash
94 pounds of beef
________________
a week. Mrs. Average American does
8 loads of laundry
____________________,
most of the housework but Mr. Average American courageously
twice a week When Mr. and Mrs. Average
takes out the garbage ____________.
how to make ends meet the
American worry, it’s usually about ____________________:
average American couple is _______
$20,000 in debt. But in general, they find
life ________
satisfying and the average American ___________________.
laughs 15 times a day
Listen again?
Yes
No
Listening Practice: Spot Dictation
them have
Good
evening
full-time
ladiesjobs.
and gentlemen,
Mr. and Mrs.
andAverage
welcome
American
to Just Numbers,
live in a
home
our
weekly
that collection
they’re stillof paying
odd facts.
for.Our
They
question
own two
for televisions,
tonight is: What
six
radiosthe
does
andphrase
one computer,
“the average
and they
American”
go to the
really
movies.
mean?
They
Who
eat isabout
“the
94 pounds
average
American”,
of beef annually,
and how
anddoes
theyhe
wash
or she
8 loads
live?ofThe
laundry
authors
a week.
of a
Mrs. Averagenew
fascinating
American
book does
calledmost
American
of the housework,
Averages have
but Mr.
researched
Average
American
almost
every
courageously
detail youtakes
can imagine
out the garbage
about Mr.
twice
anda Mrs.
week.Average
When
Mr. and Mrs.
American.
The
Average
research
American
shows worry,
that theit’saverage
usuallyAmerican
about howmale
to make
is 30
ends meet:
years
old, 5 the
feetaverage
10 inches
American
tall, andcouple
weighs
is 172
$20,000
pounds.
in debt.
His But
female
in
general, theyisfind
counterpart
a few
lifemonths
satisfying
younger,
and the
sheaverage
standsAmerican
5 feet 4.5 laughs
inches tall
15
timesweighs
and
a day. 143 pounds. They’re married, with one child, and both of
Assignment
1. Review Text A
2. Do exercises:
• Cloze
(Ex. XI, p. 123)
• Translation
(Ex. XII& XIII, p. 124)
3. Structured Writing
(p. 126)