Unit 6 Being Creative
Text A
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The Creative Personality
Unit Six Text A:
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1. Teaching Aims and Requirements
2. Teaching Focus
3.Cultual Background
4. Text organization
5. Abstract of the Text
6. Text A study
7. Summary of Text A
1.Teaching Aims and
Requirements
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A.Grasp the main idea and structure
of the text.
B. Master the key language points
and grammatical structure in the
text.
C. Conduct a series of reading,
listening, speaking and writing
activities related to the theme if the
unit.
2. Teaching Focus
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1. 介词+关系代词
简单介词+关系代词
知识归纳：用于此结构的关系代词指人时
只能用whom, 指物时只能用which；介词选择的
依据主要是根据从句中的动词、形容词、名词
与介词的固定搭配而定；或者以先行词与从句
中的动词关系及所表达的含义而定；或者以先
行词在定语从句中的作用和含义而定，并且含
有介词的短语动词不能拆开，介词仍然放在动
词之后。
简单介词+关系代词+名词
知识归纳：用于此结构的关系代词有which,
whose。介词的选择取决于关系代词后的名词及
整个句子的含义。
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复杂介词+关系代词
知识归纳： 用于此结构的关系代词有
which, whom, whose。常用于该结构的复杂介词有
：as a result of, at the back of, because of, by means
of, for want of, in front of, in case of, on account of等
。
知识归纳：用于此结构的关系代词只
有which。该结构表示所有关系, 口语中常
用“whose + 名词”代替。非正式文体中
可以用“of which the +名词”。
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the+ 名词+of+关系代词
知识归纳：此时，指人的关系代词只能是whom, 指物的关
系代词只能是which。表示部分的词语常见的有：不定代
词all, both, none, neither, either, some, any, 数词(含基
数词，序数词，分数和百分数)；数词+名词；the +最高级/
比较级，以及表示数目或数量的词语many, most, few,
several, enough, half a, a quarter。
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表示部分的词语＋of＋关系代词
3. Cultural Background
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Roger Von Oech: president of Creative Think, a
California-based consulting firm. He is author of
the best-selling books A Whack on the Side of the
Head: How You Can Be More Creative and A Kick
in the Seat of the Pants.
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IBM(international Business Machines): the
world's largest computer company, based in the
US, which produces both hardware and
software,especially for business users.
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Albert Szent-Gyorgyi(1893-1986): Hungarianborn American biochemist. He was the first to
isolate vitamin C. He won the 1937 Nobel Prize
for discoveries relationg to bioligical combuston.
4.Text organization
Paragraphs
Main idea
1
1
What makes the personalities of
creative people different from others
can be generalized with one word —
“complexity”.
2
2-15
The author tells us eight traits that
are often found in creative people.
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Part
5. Abstract of the Text
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In this passage, the author describes some
contradictory traits found in creative people, such
as smart yet naive at the same time, imaginative
but deep-rooted in reality, tend to be extroverted
and introvoted. From the description of these
dialectically integrated personalities, the author
shows that complexity is the feature of creative
people's personality.
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在这篇文章中，作者描述富有创意的
人身上具备极其矛盾的几对性格，如：
既聪明又天真，既有丰富的想象力又具
有根深蒂固的现实感，往往是既外向又
内向。通过对这些有机结合、辩证统一
的性格特征的描写，作者指出富有创意
的人的性格具有复杂性。
6. Text A study
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devote: v.
use all or most of your time, effort, etc. in order
to do sth. or help sb.
e.g.：He devoted his energies to writing films.
She devoted herself to her business.
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multitude: n. a very large number of people or
things
e.g.：I had never seen such a multitude of stars
before.
These systems are capable of performing a
multitude of different tasks.
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integrate: v. if two or more things integrate, or if
you integrate them, they combine or work
together in a way that makes sth. more effective
e.g.: Colorful illustrations are integrated into the
text.
Many schools are now integrating computer
science into the curriculum.
relating to the outside of sth. or of a person’s
body; relating to your environment or situation,
rather than to your own qualities, ideas, etc.
e.g.: They did it in response to external
pressures.
External causes become operative through
internal causes.
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external: adj.
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recharge one’s batteries:
(informal) rest or relax in order to get back your
energy
e.g.: I’m going to spend a week in the mountains
to recharge my batteries.
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trial: n. a process of testing to find out whether
sth. works effectively and is safe
e.g.: The new drug is undergoing clinical trials.
The security system will be reviewed after a
three-month trial period.
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(go) hand in hand:
if two things go hand in hand, they are closely
connected
e.g.: Wealth and power go hand in hand in most
societies.
They say that genius often goes hand in hand
with madness.
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insight: n. a sudden clear understanding of sth.
or part of sth., especially a complicated situation
or idea
e.g.: The article gives us a real insight into the
causes of the present economic crisis.
The research provides new insights into the way
we process language.
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superior: adj.
1) of very good quality
e.g.: This handbag is made of superior leather.
2) better, more powerful, more effective, etc. than
a similar person or thing, especially one that you
are competing against
e.g.: This western restaurant is superior to the
one we went to last week.
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correlate: v. if two or more facts, ideas, etc.
correlate or if you correlate them, they are closely
connected to each other or one causes the other
e.g.: Poverty and poor housing correlate with a
shorter life expectancy.
They are trying to find out if these behavior
patterns correlate with particular changes in
diet.
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alternate: v.
if two things alternate, or if you alternate them,
they happen one after the other in a repeated
pattern
e.g.: His moods alternated between happiness
and gloom.
Work alternated with sleep.
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distinguish: v.
recognize and understand the difference between
two or more things or people
e.g.: Small children can’t distinguish between
right and wrong.
Can you distinguish the different musical
instruments being played now?
distinguish: 普通用词，指有能力辨别或实际观察到的区 别，强
调辨别所需的技巧。
discriminate: 语气强，指从非常相似的事物中辨出差异，尤其强调
把好坏区分开来。
discriminate
1.Can you _______________
good books from bad ones?
2.I can ________________
distinguish my roommates by their footsteps.
3.The twins are so alike it’s difficult to ________________ one
from the other.
distinguish
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CF: distinguish, discriminate
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regard: n.
(formal) attention or consideration that is shown
towards sb. or sth.
e.g.: The present administration has
demonstrated little regard for environmental
issues.
She has no regard for other people’s feelings.
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nerve: n.
courage and confidence in a dangerous, difficult, or
frightening situation
e.g.: It must have taken a lot of nerve to risk so
much money on one product.
CF: nerve, bravery, & courage
nerve: 强调指在面临危险或在困难的情况下具有冷静
、清醒的头脑和坚定无畏的勇气。
bravery: 指在危险中表现出的勇气和信心或在逆境中仍
能坚持下去的毅力。
courage: 普通用词。指面对危险或困难时的勇气和敢于
奋斗的进取心。
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innovation: n.
the introduction of new ideas or methods
e.g.: We must encourage innovation if the
company is to remain competitive.
The innovation of air travel during this century
has made the world seem smaller.
Many people feel bewildered by the speed of
technological innovation.
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credibility: n.
the quality of deserving to be believed and
trusted
e.g.: There are serious questions about the
credibility of these reports.
The predictions of economic recovery have lost all
credibility.
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expose: v.
put sb. in a situation where they are not
protected from sth. dangerous or unpleasant
e.g.: The report revealed that workers had been
exposed to high levels of radiation.
They consider it almost a crime to expose
children to violence and sex on TV.
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threshold n.
the level at which sth. starts to happen or have
an effect
e.g.: Eighty percent of the vote was the threshold
for approval of the plan.
She has a very low threshold of pain.
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be at / in / to the forefront (of sth.):
be in a leading position in an important activity
that is trying to achieve sth. or develop new ideas
e.g.: The company has always been at the
forefront of science and technology.
Prison conditions have been pushed to the
forefront of public debate.
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vicious: adj.
very unkind in a way that is intended to hurt
sb.’s feelings or make their character seem bad
e.g.: He gave the dog a vicious blow with his
stick.
She was shocked by the vicious tone in his voice.
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devastating: adj.
badly damaging or destroying sth.
e.g.: It will be a devastating blow for the town if
the factory closes.
Acid rain has a devastating effect on the forest.
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expertise: n.
special skills or knowledge in a particular subject
that you learn by experience or training
e . g . : She displayed considerable expertise in
keeping the horse under control.
His business expertise will be of great help to us.
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for the sake of sb. / sth., for sb.’s / sth.’s sake:
in order to help, improve, or please sb. or sth.
e.g.: He moved to the seaside for the sake of his
health.
I hope he’s told the truth for his own sake.
strive: 和endeavor一样，表示付出巨大努力，但strive强调过
程的劳累与紧张，而不强调努力的结果。
attempt:较正式用词，强调已经开始，且希望完成，但不一
定能达到预期的结果。
try:普通用词，可与attempt换用，但强调努力或尝试，后跟
不定式表示努力或争取；后跟动名词表示尝试。
endeavor:正式用词，指尽最大努力、认真地克服困难去做某
事。
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strive: v.
make a great effort to achieve sth.
e . g . : We must continue to strive for greater
efficiency.
CF: strive, attempt, try & endeavor
7. Summary of the text
Paraphrase the sentence:
Creative
people
have
many
different
personalities.
Instead
of
possessing
the
personality traits that are normally found only in
different people, they possess these different
traits all in themselves, as if each of them were
made up of many individuals.
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They contain contradictory extremes; instead of
being an “individual”, each of them is a
“multitude”.
Paraphrase the sentence:
Creative people have the extraordinary ability to
concentrate their energy on their work if
necessary; however, when such concentration is
unnecessary, they will stop working and relax,
refreshing themselves for future tasks.
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When necessary, they can focus it like a laser
beam; when not, creative types immediately
recharge their batteries.
Translate the sentence into Chinese:
这不是得自遗传基因的生物节奏；而是为达到目标
而通过反复尝试掌握的一种策略。
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This is not a biorhythm inherited with their
genes; it was learned by trial and error as a
strategy for achieving their goals.
Paraphrase this part of the sentence “…a certain
immaturity, both emotional and mental, can go
hand in hand with deepest insights.”
Creative people can be very intelligent and
insightful; meanwhile they may be immature
both emotionally and mentally in a certain way.
That is to say, they may be very intelligent and
yet at the same time be childish and naive
sometimes.
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As Howard Gardner reveals in his study of the
major creative geniuses of the 20th century, a
certain immaturity, both emotional and mental,
can go hand in hand with deepest insights.
Paraphrase this part of the sentence.
Creative people either choose to be in the
company of many people or to stand outside the
crowd and watch what others do.
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…either preferring to be in the thick of crowds or
sitting on the sidelines and observing the passing
show.
Where does the phrase stand “on the shoulders of
giants” come from?
It quotes from Newton’s words “If I have seen
further, it is by standing on the shoulders of
giants.”
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These individuals stand “on the shoulders of
giants”.
What does a low threshold of pain mean?
It means the inability to suffer a lot of pain.
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Inventors have a low threshold of pain.
1. What does invite mean here?
It means “encourage something bad to happen,
especially without intending to”.
2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.
卓越会招致批评，甚至往往是恶毒的攻击。
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Eminence invites criticism and often vicious
attacks.
1. How do you understand “open doors” in this
sentence?
“Open doors” refer to opportunities in the
author’s life.
2. What can be inferred from this sentence?
With the publication of Roots, the author
achieved great success and became well-known.
He was no longer the poor young man he used to
be.
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For the first time I had money and open doors
everywhere.
Why did the author say the things in this bag
were part of his roots, too?
Because the things reminded him of his past
before he achieved success. Although he became a
famous writer, he thought he should remember
the time when he was striving for success.
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And I said to myself, The things in this bag are
part of my roots, too. I can’t ever forget that.
1. What does the “one” refer to in this sentence?
It refers to the clear plastic case in which the two
sardine cans and 18 cents were kept.
2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.
但只有一样东西会提醒我，在梦想的阴影里坚持自
己的方向需要怎样的勇气和毅力。
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But only one reminds me of the courage and
persistence it takes to stay the course in the
Shadowland.
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