Table of Contents
Tips for Reading: How to Use a Dictionary (I) ………………………………..…….1
1 Education ....................................................................................................................2
Text: Exams........................................................................................................................2
Text: Universities ..............................................................................................................10
2 Sports ………… .........................................................................................................18
Text: Falling for ZAMBIA………………...…………………………………………………...18
Text: Physical Benefits of Sports…….………………………………………………………...21
Tips for Reading: How to Use a Dictionary (II)……………………………………………..28
3 Entertainment……………………………………………………………………..29
Text: Me, Me, Media…...………………………………………………………...……………..29
Text: Movie Business Now Marketing-Driven…………………….………………………….33
4 Business…………………………………………………………………………………………41
Text: Supermarket Squeeze……………………….……..…………………………………….41
Text: In Case of Emergency………………………………………………..…………………..44
Tips for Reading: Recognizing Signal Words (I)………………………………….54
5 Marriage………………………………………...…………………………………55
Text: Roses for Rose…………………………………………………………………………….55
Text: Will You Marry Me? …………………………………………………………………….57
6 Festivals……………………………………………………………………………64
Text: The Ghosts of Christmas Past………..………………………………………………….64
Text: Easter…………………………………………………………………………………..........67
Tips for Reading: Recognizing Signal Words (II)………………………………...76
7 Science …………………………………………………………………………….77
Text: Why Our Intuitions about How the World Works Are Often Wrong…….…………77
Text: Galileo End of Mission Status…..……………………………………………………….80
8 Terrorism.….….….….…….…..….….….….….….….….….….….….….…...…..88
Text: Target: America….…...……………………………………………………………….…88
Text: The Information Wars.…...………………………………...……….…...……...92
i
Summary of Tips for Reading – Recognize the Signal Words (I& II) …...……...98
Tips for Reading: Decoding Word Meaning in the Context (I) .…...….….….…100
9 Disasters….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….……...102
Text: About SARS……..……………………………………………………………………….102
Text: Tangshan: The Deadliest Earthquake…………..……………………………………….105
10 Emotional Story.….….….….….….….…. .….….….…..….….….…. .….….…..112
Text: The Road to Happiness……………...……………………………………………………112
Text: A Good Heart to Lean on……………………...………………………...………………114
Decoding Word Meaning in the Context (Ⅱ) . .….…. …. .………. . .….…. …. ...121
11 City Life…. .….…. …. .….…. …. .………. …. .….…. ……….. .….…. …. .…..122
Text: Don’t Cry, Just Pay………….……..…………………………………………………...122
Text: The New York City Life…………….…………………………………………………..125
12Tourism …. .……. . …. . …. . …. …. .….…. . . …. . …. . …. ……….....…. .......132
Text: Walk like an Australian…….……………………….…………..………………………132
Text: Ecotourism….…………….………………………………………….…………..............138
Tips for Reading: Prefixes (I). . …. …. .….…. . . . …. …... .….…. . . . …. …. .…..147
13 Real Estate…. .….…. …. .….…. …. .………. …. .….…. ……….. .….…. ……149
Text: Real Estate Hazards….………………………………………….………………………149
Text: An Income Plan That's Built to Last……………………………………………...……152
14 Automobile Industry. …. .………. ……………….…. ……….. .….…. …. .…..161
Text: Tire Pressure………………………………………………………………………………161
Text: The Automobile Syndrome……….………………………………………………………163
Tips for reading: Prefix (II) . ……………. ……………. ……………. …………..170
15 Finance…. .….…. …. .….…. …. .………. …. .….…. ……….. .….…. …. .…...171
Text: Why America's Restaurant Chains Are on the Menu for Investors…………………171
Text: Fed Holds Rates Steady………………………………………………………..………...174
16 Health…. .….…. …. .….…. …. .………. …. .….……………………………….183
Text: Meditation and Yoga………..…………………………………………………………….183
Text: Low Calorie Count Key in Bone Injury Risk for Athletes……………………………189
Keys for Reference …………………………………………….……………………196
ii
Tips for reading
How to use a dictionary (I)
Sometimes you may find it hard to understand an expression though there are no new words in
it. You work out the literal meaning, which is usually quite straightforward, but it just doesn’t
make sense in the context. Then probably you have come across an idiom, one of the common
pitfalls to English learners. An idiom is an expression of a special meaning which can’t be
deduced literally. To find out what it means, a dictionary is most useful when there’s no native
speaker around. To find an idiom in a dictionary, usually you go to the entry of the first important
word, i.e. words other than the, to, something, be, etc. For example, the definition of “drop a
bomb” is listed under the entry of “drop” rather than “bomb”. But a dictionary often offers
redirection to the right entry if you somehow pick other words in the idiom, that’s why you may
also see words like “----see also drop a bomb (Drop1 (25)) under the entry of “bomb”.
Examples in reading one:
1. ….and then somehow manage to sail through the exam with flying colours.
flying colours: complete success.
2. But none of that matters anymore because you’re on fire.
on fire: filled with enthusiasm or excitement.
3. I’m touching lots of wood as I write this.
touching lots of wood: used a charm to bring good luck.
Please find out the meaning of the following idioms with the help of a dictionary.
1.
If I do not get a job soon, I will be up a creek.
2.
You are the bomb
3.
My boss is a snake in the grass.
4.
It's just your cup of tea.
5.
He also has a finger in the pie.
6.
He is a chip off the old block.
7.
His comments threw a wet blanket on the discussion.
8.
He is thick in the head.
9.
When I told my mom I would be home around 2 am, she had a cow!
10.
When the telephone salesman told me I could buy some concert tickets for only $10.00 if I
gave him my credit card number, it seemed a little fishy to me, so I hung up the phone.
1
UNIT ONE EDUCATION
Reading one
Warming-up discussion
1.
How do you usually feel before and after an exam?
2.
What’s the biggest exam you’ve ever taken?
3.
What would happen when you failed an exam?
Exams
By Jo Bertrand
Do you remember that nasty feeling of sweaty palms? A wave of nausea coming over you?
The sudden inability to talk your mouth is so dry? No, it’s not the first meeting with the dreaded
in-laws, although some parallels could easily be made. I’m talking about waiting at the door of an
exam room, convinced that you know nothing and that there’s no way you will get through this
experience alive.
We’ve all been there at some point of our lives, whether it be for the 11+1, the G.C.S.E2
French oral exam, university finals, the FCE 3exam… the list is endless. Somehow though we get
through it. We survive to see another day. But what has always baffled me is how people react so
differently when faced with the prospect of taking an exam.
I don’t know about you but I’ve always been insanely jealous of those people who party all
year round, then the night before the exam flick through my course book, (theirs is empty because
they didn’t go to any lectures), and then somehow manage to sail through the exam with flying
colours4. In the meantime I’m there, present and correct at most of my lectures, panicking for
weeks before my finals, and the night before, not only am I trying to cram like mad everything my
clever friend points out is missing from my file as he flicks through my text books and observes
that I’ve missed out a whole chapter of essential work that is bound to come up in the exam, (draw
for breath!), but I’m also panicking about packing my school bag.
Once you’re in the exam room there is the obligatory ritual of snacks and refreshments to be
organised. It’s essential that you line them up in edible order so as not to have to think too much
whilst writing. The idea is also not to make too much noise during the exam. There’s nothing
worse than popcorn rustling in a cinema. The exam room is no exception. So it’s vitally important
that the aforementioned sweets are opened and ready to go. Your packet of Polos5 should be
completely opened. These should be sucked and not crunched at the time of consumption
otherwise it defeats the whole object of trying to avoid noise pollution. Finally, no cans or cartons
2
should be taken into the exams as both are far too noisy.
Next up is the bulging pencil case. You should of course have at least 2 pencils and 6 pens. 2
black, 2 blue, 2 red. If you want to go for the novelty points then choose a purple, or green scented
pen. Any attempt to make the examiner smile can’t be wrong, can it? Don’t forget your highlighter
pens, one of each colour, tippex6, blu tack7, glue. You never know what might happen. You need a
personal clock, although the space on the table is becoming relatively limited at this point, so a
watch is an acceptable option.
As you turn your paper over, your mind inevitably goes blank for at least the first ten minutes
and you start thinking back to the days when you had a life, in the pre-revision era. Suddenly
though, fear takes over. You jab your forehead incessantly with a pen in the hope that this will
encourage some sort of intelligent thought to flow from your brain to the paper via your biro8. And
miracles of miracles, it does. For the next three hours you write constantly, not even pausing for
breath, let alone pausing to pick up a polo. In any case their destiny is to get sticky at the bottom
of your bag because you stupidly opened the whole packet. But none of that matters anymore
because you’re on fire. Nothing can stop you now. And three hours later you’re mentally
exhausted and your arm wants to drop off. But you’ve got through it, or at least you think you
have…
The post-exam ritual involves everyone saying; ‘Ok lets talk about anything other than the
exam because that was absolutely awful.’, and then you all proceed to talk about nothing else but
the exam for the next hour. Where you thought you’d done well, now after having listened to what
everyone else put, well there’s just no way you could have passed. I wouldn’t even pass myself if I
were marking it; the answers I put were so irrelevant. Quality not quantity is what we’ve always
been told and I forgot that golden rule. I have an aching arm for nothing.
Now comes the wait. Why can’t examining boards devise a wonderful marking system that
can put you out of your misery within the next couple of days. Two months is an obscene amount
of time if you ask me. Eventually the envelope arrives. A hot tip: when asked for your address you
should always give your parents’ address to avoid having to rush to the door for a week around the
results day and then actually having to open the dreaded envelope once it eventually arrives two
days late, a sadistic delay intended so that you sweat it out some more. In any case your mum is
scared enough as it is and is only too happy to pass on the good news when it arrives on her
doorstep. Lo and behold9 the day when I fail an exam! I’m touching lots of wood 10as I write this.
Anyway, the upshot of all the stress and anxiety is that the hard work has paid off and even
though you don’t quite get the A++ that your jammy friend got, you’re ecstatic with your
well-earned B+.
Though one thing I haven’t quite worked out yet is what the attraction of exams is. There
3
must be something addictive about the stress related to them. I spent last summer doing a teaching
course followed by a horribly stress-inducing exam in December. Nobody forced me to do it. I
actually volunteered and handed over a scary amount of money for the privilege. That’s stressful
in itself! Neither have I learnt from my school exam days as I still went through the same old
emotions, and the same old rituals and I’m very pleased to say it worked. Although I’m still
convinced that it’s not so much what I wrote in my exam that did it but how I wrote it. The
infallible mint-scented biro strikes again! (1070 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 10 Minutes)
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-magazine-exams.htm)
Notes:
1.
11+: The Eleven Plus is an examination which was given to students in their last year of
primary education in the United Kingdom under the Tripartite System. The name derives
from the age group of the students: 11+. The exam is still used in a number of counties and
boroughs in England, and more widely in Northern Ireland. It examines the student's ability
to solve problems using verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Contrary to its designers’ intentions,
the exam came to be seen as determining whether a student went to a grammar school or to a
secondary modern.
2.
G.C.S.E.: The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the name of a set of
British qualifications, taken by secondary school students at age 14-16 in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland (in Scotland, the equivalent is the Standard Grade).
3.
FCE: First Certificate in English. FCE is an intermediate level Cambridge ESOL exam.
FCE is ideal if you want to work or study abroad or to develop a career which requires
language skills (e.g. business, medicine, engineering). FCE indicates sufficient proficiency in
English to be of practical use in clerical, secretarial and managerial jobs in many industries,
in particular tourism, where contact with English speakers is required. Successful candidates
have the ability to deal with routine letters and telephone enquiries, and to cope with some
non-academic training courses and simple textbooks and articles.
4.
Flying colors: complete success.
5.
Polo: a pressed ring-shaped mint.
6.
Tippex: Tipp-Ex is a brand of correction fluid and other related products that is popular
throughout Europe. It was also the name of the German company (Tipp-Ex GmbH & Co. KG)
that produced the products in the Tipp-Ex line. Tipp-Ex is a trademark for correction products.
It has become so popular that it has become a genericised trademark because the verb to
tippex means to erase.
7.
Blu tack: Blu-Tack is a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive often used for
4
attaching posters to walls. The original version was blue, but a myriad of colours are now
available. It is based on a formulation consisting of synthetic rubber, polymers, oil, and
inorganic fillers.
8.
Biro: Biro is a common term for a ballpoint pen, (though not in American English). The
name comes from the pen's inventor, Hungarian László Bíró.
9.
Lo and behold: used to make someone pay attention when you are going to mention
something surprising that has happened.
10.
Touching lots of wood: Knocking on wood, and the spoken expression "knock on wood" or
"touch wood" are used as a charm to bring good luck or to avoid "tempting fate" after making
some boast or similar statement. The expression is usually used in the hope that a good thing
will continue to occur after it has been acknowledged. So, for example, one might say: "The
rain looks like holding off, touch wood", or "Touch wood, I'm much better now."
Exercises:
I. Arrange the following phases in the order the author experience them.
A.
to prepare the right stationery and a clock
B.
to pack the school bag with snacks and some
C.
mind going blank, thinking back to the old, happy days
D.
fear setting in
E.
ideas popping out and writing started
II. True or false
1.
_____ My clever friends would borrow my course book before the exam because they don’t
have one.
2.
_____They would ask me for advice on how to prepare for the exam.
3.
_____Students are not allowed to take food into the exam room.
4.
_____The mint-scented biro can help you calm down in an exam.
5.
_____I remember the happy days in the exam because I am so relaxed.
6.
_____I don’t eat any of the food I’ve prepared because I’m not hungry.
7.
_____We don’t talk about the exam after it’s over.
8.
_____It is only a couple of days before you know the exam results.
9.
_____You’d better give your parents’ address because they’re not as nervous as you are.
10. _____ Somehow I am addicted to taking exams.
III.
1.
Questions.
How come preparing the pencils becomes a bulging case to the author?
5
2.
What does “the pre-revision era” refer to?
3.
Why does the author advise you to let your parents get the test results?
4.
What does the author think helped him pass the test of the teaching course?
IV. Fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the form of them
where necessary.
line up /jealous / prospect / be bound to / flick through / pay off / take over / jab let
alone / crunch
1.
Business School students get gloomy view of ________ for venture capital funding.
2.
My wife is insanely ________, and there's no basis for it. She constantly worries that I might
be unfaithful someday.
3.
You may need to _______ the pages to find the environmental consultancy you are after.
4.
The Rome-based International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) warned Monday
that a global commitment to cut poverty by 50 percent by the year 2015 ________ fail
because it has marginalised the world's rural poor.
5.
People _________ at the new Virgin Megastore on Hollywood Blvd for the midnight release
of Revenge of the Sith.
6.
We start with the most robust potatoes around then cook them the old-fashioned way,
batch-by-batch, for classic kettle crisp flavor. They're thicker, heartier and tastier than any
chip you________ ever ________.
7.
It is great to know that all your hard work ________.
8.
I can’t remember the title of the book we were supposed to read, _______ the details of the
story.
9.
10.
The firm has gone to the dogs since you ________.
He _______ the piece of meat with his pocket knife.
V. Understand the underlined parts.
1.
The only infallible rule we know is, that the man who is always talking about being a
gentleman never is one.
A.
never wrong
B.
never right
6
2.
3.
C.
will never fall
D.
will never work
The way he writes about the disease that killed her is simply obscene
A.
unknown
B.
unbelievable
C.
rude, shocking
D.
objective
The partying went on all night for thousands of the ecstatic fans after their team won the
championship.
4.
A.
extremely worried
B.
extremely upset
C.
satisfied and content
D.
happy and excited
Take a look at our round-up of giggle-inducing books and give them a try. You'll have a laugh
riot memorizing the jokes and riddles here.
5.
A.
preventing something from happening
B.
causing something to happen
C.
persuading somebody to do something
D.
relieving somebody from pain
The ball point pen was an interesting novelty, but there was a technical problem with the ball
picking up lint from the paper or not functioning at all.
6.
7.
A.
a story book
B.
a toy
C.
something strange
D.
something new and interesting
His incessant questions only served to slow up the meeting.
A.
unnecessary
B.
continuous
C.
repeated
D.
silly
Scented Pens offer the newest and most innovative feature in writing instruments.
A.
having a pleasant smell
B.
having a foul smell
C.
having a nice color
D.
having an attractive shape
7
8.
Market forces will bring about competition in any case.
A.
to some extent
B.
as much as possible
C.
sooner or later
D.
whatever happens
You’ll save time and money by reading our Hot Tips.
9.
10.
A.
a big amount of money
B.
very useful advice
C.
popular books
D.
an extra amount of money
These e-mails baffle me. I can’t stop thinking about them.
A.
annoy
B.
amuse
C.
shock
D.
puzzle
VI. Pros and cons.
1. Exams help study. Vs. Exams hamper study.
A: competitive atmosphere / motivated / to measure the progress of study / to overcome
personal weakness / to achieve a sense of accomplishment
B: Preparation for exams wastes a lot of time. / Competition gets so stressful. / to take the fun
out of study / discourage students from challenging authority / discourage extra-curricular
activities
2. A pass is enough in the exam. Vs. You should strive for as good a score as you can.
A: Students’ study and life shouldn’t be enslaved to exams. / allow more time to do things he or
she is interested in / not to be a bookworm / To develop other skills, e.g. interpersonal skills
is more important than to get higher score.
B: Doing well in exams is the priority to a student. / A better grade means progress. /
encouraging / more motivation for study / to make the student more interested in the subject /
to win a scholarship / to have a nice-looking resume / to win recognition and respect from
teachers and fellow students
3. The university entrance examination is a good way to judge the candidates.
Vs.
The
university entrance examination is not a good way to judge the candidates.
A: objective measurement / fair competition for everybody / to avoid corruption in admission /
8
B: not a comprehensive measurement of one’s capabilities / stressful / rigid admission standard /
unable to recognize some students who are talented in one specific field but doing poorly in
other aspects / to encourage the practice of doing lots of exercises and guessing on the exam
questions
VII. In-depth discussion.
1.
Do you think teachers should change their attitudes towards exams?
2.
Do you think exams should take a new and different form?
3.
What’s your opinion about plagiarism in exams?
Reading two
Universities
By Richard Sidaway
More than a quarter of the working population of the USA has one. Cairo, Bologna, and Paris
have been offering them the longest. And you can now supposedly get them by sitting at home at a
computer. What am I talking about? A university education, of course. So who goes to university
and what do they get out of their experience?
Admission Most universities don’t let just anyone in. Grades in the subjects you take in the final
years of secondary education are what usually count and in many countries people also have to do
an entry test. While most participants in higher education are in the 18-25 age-group, some people
choose to take a break from work later on in life and opt for the role of mature student, bringing
experience of work and the real world to their studies.
Which one to go to In many countries there is a pecking order to the universities, with a few high
status institutions at the top turning out an intellectual elite and attracting the best minds in
teaching and research. Take a quick name check of the leading writers, politicians or scientists in
the UK or the USA and you should find the majority chose to spend their student years sitting in
the dining halls and libraries of Oxford and Cambridge or Harvard, Princeton and Yale. The
training grounds for medicine, law or engineering in Britain tend to be the metropolitan ‘redbrick’
universities1 slightly lower down the list.
Money When entrance was restricted to a lucky few in Britain, the state actually paid the sons and
daughters of the middle classes not only their tuition fees but also a yearly grant towards living
expenses as well. These days most European and North American students are given a loan which
they have to pay back to the government once they are in full-time employment, or they finance
themselves by working their way through college with part- time jobs in the evenings or at
9
weekends.
Where to live For the majority of students, attending a university in a town or city near to where
they live is the only financially viable option, but in Britain for many years going to university
meant leaving home, with all the freedom and independence that implied. Universities
traditionally offer cheap and clean accommodation in halls of residence or student houses. After a
year or so, many students opt to share private rented accommodation outside the university, which
often pushes their culinary and hygiene skills to the limit.
Year out These days if you haven’t taken time off between finishing school and embarking on
higher education, you haven’t really lived. The gap year can be devoted to working for charities in
different parts of the world, or simply to travelling, but it can at least concentrate the mind and
perhaps give you a few more ideas about what you should do with the rest of your life. If you want
to study abroad, you can often get a year out as part of a language course, or enter a scholarship
programme such as Erasmus2 to support you while studying at a foreign university. Business or
management students often devote time away from university in the form of a work placement, to
help them gain practical experience in a professional environment.
Teaching & learning A common feature of any university is attending lectures, which involves
taking notes while a lecturer, a university teacher, is speaking to large group of students. In Britain,
you are also expected to present a subject perhaps once a term and comment on it in tutorials.
These are small group discussions led by a lecturer at which closer analysis of a particular area is
undertaken. Science-oriented courses also involve practical lessons and field trips which enable
students to get to grips with their chosen course of study in the laboratory or beyond the university
walls.
How you are doing As at school, progress is measured by examinations, either divided into Parts
I & II, or taken at the end of the course, and known as Finals. Alternatively, it can be based on
continuous assessment and coursework. An important component of most systems is the extended
dissertation, a piece of writing measured by the number of words a student has to produce, say
10,000. This must be based on some original research from primary as well as secondary sources
and on some sort of gathering and interpretation of data.
Social life There is an old saying that ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, and
prospective students expect a rich and varied social life. Friendships forged in the student union
bar or in the many and varied clubs & societies that exist at most universities may last a lifetime.
In the USA fraternities & sororities encourage a similar bond.
10
Life after university Well before the graduation ceremony, when students queue up to receive
their degrees from the Chancellor of the university at a special ceremony, the careers office3 has
been busy assessing future graduates for the kind of employment paths they should take by giving
them an aptitude test, arranging interviews, company presentations and recruitment fairs. For
those attracted by the academic life, there are further opportunities for study on Masters and
Doctorate (PhD) programmes and on into further research and teaching.
And what does university education all add up to? This was the opinion of Theodore
Roosevelt4, a formcan journalist, Sydney Harris5, said? er US American President - A man who
has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education he may
steal the whole railroad.
Or is it as an American - The primary purpose of a liberal education is to make one's mind a
pleasant place in which to spend one's time. (972 words)
（TIME ALLOWED: 9 Minutes）
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-magazine-universities.htm)
Notes:
1. Redbrick universities: Red Brick originally referred to the six civic British universities that
were founded in the industrial cities of England in the Victorian era and achieved university
status before World War II.
The six civic universities are:
1)
University of Birmingham
2)
University of Bristol
3)
University of Leeds
4)
University of Liverpool
5)
University of Manchester
6)
University of Sheffield
The term 'red brick' was first coined by a professor of music at the University of Liverpool to
describe these civic universities. His reference was inspired by the fact that The Victoria Building
at the University of Liverpool (which was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1892)
is built from a distinctive red pressed brick, with terracotta decorative dressings. However, the
term in modern usage has become more nebulous and may refer to colleges from the 19th and
early 20th centuries which later achieved university status prior to 1963
2.
Erasmus: Erasmus programme is the higher education part of the European Union's
Socrates programme for student exchange.
Erasmus is an abbreviation of "European
Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students". To participate in the
ERASMUS programme students must be studying for a degree or diploma and must have
completed their first year. They also have to be a citizen of one of the countries in the wider
11
Socrates programme.
Students who join the ERASMUS programme study for a period of 3 months to a year in
another European country. The ERASMUS programme guarantees that the period spent
abroad is recognised by their university when they come back as long as they abide by terms
previously agreed.
3.
Careers office: The mission of University Career Services (UCS) is to provide guidance and
resources to a diverse student body for the attainment of students' career-related goals. UCS
achieves this mission by:
1)
partnering with students and alumni to facilitate lifelong career development through
self-awareness, experiential learning, and career decision-making;
2)
advising University faculty and staff by providing information and programs to help them
better understand the career-related needs of students;
3)
involving alumni, parents, and employers as key resources in the development of
informational and experiential career exploration networks;
4)
nurturing and growing relationships with organizations interested in the recruitment and
employment of students and alumni.
4.
Theodore Roosevelt: 26th President of the United States; hero of the Spanish-American War;
Panama Canal was built during his administration; said `Speak softly but carry a big stick'
(1858-1919)
5.
Sydney Harris: Sydney J. Harris (14 September 1917—8 December 1986) was an
American journalist for the Chicago Daily News and later the Chicago Sun-Times. His
column, “Strictly Personal,” was syndicated in many newspapers throughout the United
States and Canada.
Exercises:
I. Draw a comparison between the following aspects of British universities and U.S.
universities.
1. top institutions
2. source of students’ expenses
3. students’ social life
II. True or false.
1.
_____In all the countries, people have to take an entry test if they want to go to university.
2.
_____People may choose to go to college when they are in their middle age or older.
3.
_____The majority of the elite in the UK went to Oxford and Harvard.
4.
_____In Britain, students’ tuition may be covered by the state, but they have to pay the living
12
expenses themselves.
5.
_____In Britain, students live outside as well as inside school.
6.
_____Many students don’t go to university right after they leave high school because they
want more time to prepare for the entry examination.
7.
_____Students often take field trips for relaxation.
8.
_____The dissertation of a university student must involve some original work.
9.
_____The careers office starts work after the graduation ceremony.
10. _____ The value of higher education is mostly spiritual according to Sydney Harris.
III. Questions.
1.
Why do so many young people take a year out these days?
2.
What’s the difference between a lecture and a tutorial?
3.
How does a university measure the students’ progress?
4.
What do you think of Theodore Roosevelt’s and Sydney Harris’ words about university
education?
IV. Topics for discussion
1.
Do you know anything more about higher education in the UK and the US?
2.
If you know any students in a US or UK university, ask them about their life and study there,
and share the stories in class.
3.
Compare the higher education in China and in the aforementioned countries.
4.
What would you have done if you had taken a year out before you went to college?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 4′50″
Time You Used: ________
The Myth about Homework
By Claudia Wallis
Sachem was the last straw. Or was it Kiva? My 12-year-old daughter and I had been drilling
13
social-studies key words for more than an hour. It was 11 p.m. Our entire evening had, as usual,
consisted of homework and conversations (a.k.a. nagging) about homework. She was tired and fed
up. I was tired and fed up. The words wouldn't stick. They meant nothing to her. They didn't mean
much to me either. After all, when have I ever used sachem in a sentence--until just now?
As the summer winds down, I'm dreading scenes like that one from seventh grade. Already
the carefree August nights have given way to meaningful conversations (a.k.a. nagging) about the
summer reading that didn't get done. So what could be more welcome than two new books
assailing this bane of modern family life: The Homework Myth, by Alfie Kohn, the prolific,
perpetual critic of today's test-driven schools, and The Case Against Homework, a cri de coeur by
two moms, lawyer Sara Bennett and journalist Nancy Kalish.
Both books cite studies, surveys, statistics, along with some hair-raising anecdotes, on how a
rising tide of dull, useless assignments is oppressing families and making kids hate learning. A
few highlights from the books and my own investigation:
• According to a 2004 national survey of 2,900 American children conducted by the University of
Michigan, the amount of time spent on homework is up 51% since 1981.
• Most of that increase reflects bigger loads for little kids. An academic study found that whereas
students ages 6 to 8 did an average of 52 min. of homework a week in 1981, they were toiling 128
min. weekly by 1997.
• The onslaught comes despite the fact that an exhaustive review by the nation's top homework
scholar, Duke University's Harris Cooper, concluded that homework does not measurably improve
academic achievement for kids in grade school. That's right: all the sweat and tears do not make
Johnny a better reader or mathematician.
Educators, including Cooper, tend to defend homework by saying it builds study habits,
self-discipline and time-management skills. But there's also evidence that homework sours kids'
attitudes toward school. "It's one thing to say we are wasting kids' time and straining parent-kid
relationships," Kohn told me, "but what's unforgivable is if homework is damaging our kids'
interest in learning, undermining their curiosity."
Kohn's solution is radical: he wants a no-homework policy to become the default, with
exceptions for tasks like interviewing parents on family history, kitchen chemistry and family
reading.
Or, in a nation in which 71% of mothers of kids under 18 are in the workforce, how about
extending the school day or year beyond its agrarian-era calendar? Let students do more work at
school and save evenings for family and serendipity.
Bennett and Kalish have a more modest proposal. Parents should demand a sensible
homework policy, perhaps one based on Cooper's rule of thumb: 10 min. a night per grade level.
14
They offer lessons from their own battle to rein in the workload at their kids' private middle school
in Brooklyn, N.Y. Among their victories: a nightly time limit, a policy of no homework over
vacations, no more than two major tests a week, fewer weekend assignments and no Monday tests.
Why don't more parents in homework-heavy districts take such actions? Do too many of us
think it's just our child who is struggling, so who are we to lead a revolt? Yup, when it comes to
the battle of homework mountain, we've got too many Indians and not enough sachems. (597
words) (Sep. 4 issue of Time Magazine)
I. Reading Comprehension: choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished
statements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sachem is ________.
A.
a kind of straw
B.
a rarely used word
C.
the name of a sociologist
D.
a very hard task
The Homework Myth and The Case Against Homework are twp books that _______.
A.
advocate more homework for kids
B.
defend the value of homework
C.
reveal the truth that homework does harm to kids and parents
D.
were written by some well-known educators
The worst about homework, according to Kohn, is _______.
A.
it doesn’t build study habits, self-discipline and time management
B.
it wastes kids’ time
C.
it strains parent-kid relationship
D.
it damages kids’ interest in learning
The following are suggestions put forward in the article EXCEPT ________.
A.
extending the school day or year
B.
a no-homework policy except tasks like interviews, kitchen chemistry and family
reading
5.
C.
10 minutes’ homework a night per grade level
D.
More parent-kid cooperation in doing homework
The Indians and sachems in the last sentence refer to _______.
A.
students and teachers
B.
teachers and critics
C.
kids and parents
15
D.
homework and kids
Passage two
Supposed Time: 4′30″
Time You Used: ________
The Ivy League's X Factor
By Walter Kirn
I went to Princeton. There: my résumé. Usually I slip it in more casually. I wait for an
opening, a cue, a question. I rarely wait very long, though. As every Ivy League graduate
discovers, the greatest benefit of that education is social, not intellectual. I went to Princeton. That
statement opens a lot of doors. But should it?
The first time I asked myself that question was in the fall of 1980, a month or so after
arriving on a campus that struck me as a version of heaven on earth. The buildings cast elaborate,
Gothic shadows that I had never seen in the Midwest, where I had attended public high school and
dreamed of someday going east to glory. My fellow classmates wore natty outfits that put my dull
provincial threads to shame. They also spoke more impressively than I did, dropping the names of
ancient Greek philosophers and contemporary French deconstructionists. What was a
deconstructionist, exactly? I wasn't sure. But I was dying to learn.
I learned instead--and in only a few weeks--that Princeton wasn't heavenly at all but a flawed,
all-too-human institution whose reputation seemed exaggerated compared with the quality of the
education it offered. Because I had transferred there from a smaller school--Macalester College in
St. Paul, Minn.--I had a basis for comparison. Although Princeton had far more money and
mystique, its reading lists were composed of the same books, and its students were filled with the
same questions. But the students carried those books with more aplomb, and they asked their
questions with more confidence.
That was the Ivy League's X factor. It bred confidence. I remember taking an exam once next
to the heir to a legendary fortune who kept peeking at my test sheet. I knew a few things that he
didn't, it turned out. Me, the striving, uncertain country boy who had aced the SATs as though by
accident, only to end up surrounded by aristocrats who stole my answers when they felt stumped.
Later, many years after I graduated, as I watched my former classmates climb to the top of
enormous corporations, publish prizewinning books and dream up hit TV shows, I felt I was rising
with them. I knew deep down, of course, that they, and I, were no better than anyone else, but the
16
world seemed to think we were, and that was thrilling. Even though we learned nothing at
Princeton that we couldn't have learned elsewhere, the place gave us a calling card whose impact
and power were undeniable. I assume it has opened doors for me, but none of the gatekeepers
have said as much.
I went to Princeton. A winning ticket in the social lottery. And although I might not have
deserved it, I cashed it anyway. Advancement is partly a game, I learned in college, and while
games are not always fair, they're still worth playing. So say the victors, anyway. (497 words)
(The Aug. 21, 2006 Issue of Time Magazine)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
2.
3.
When I first went to Princeton, ________.
A.
I felt enthralled and fascinated
B.
I found fellow students quite unfriendly
C.
I found fellow students very hard working
D.
I felt disillusioned
The following are the realities I found out about Princeton later on EXCEPT ________.
A.
strong racial discrimination
B.
the same reading list
C.
students with the same questions
D.
plagiarism in exams
The biggest benefit of going to Princeton seems to be _______.
A.
it enables you to learn more of the contemporary artistic trends
B.
it enables you to learn more of the classical philosophy
C.
it gives you a social advantage in advancement
D.
it enables you to play fair in the game of advancement
17
UNIT TWO SPORTS
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. What are your favorite sports?
2. What effects do sports have on human beings?
3. Have you ever taken part in an adventure? Do you think that a kind of sports?
Falling for ZAMBIA
For those who love the great outdoors, Zambia is the perfect holiday destination. There is so
much to do in this beautiful country, from leisurely walks to elephant safaris1, and the scenery is
simply breathtaking. Among the country’s many tourist attractions are the world-famous Victoria
Falls, but don’t just stick to the scenery, Zambia is also a heaven for adventure sports lovers with
plenty to get the adrenalin2 flowing.
We traveled to Zambia in June which is winter over there and, although cool by night, it was
warm by day and the land was incredibly dry. The winter is an excellent time for safaris as, with
vegetation scarce, the animals are forced out to the watering holes. We even caught a glimpse of a
lion under some trees. The animals may seem docile, and you can get quite close to them, but we
were warned to be careful as they are wild, dangerous creature — hippos, in particular, can be
very vicious.
I loved the elephant safari. This took place in the Zambezi Forestry Reserve, an elephant
sanctuary about 20km from both the Victoria Falls and Livingstone. Wild Horizons runs the safaris
and all the elephants involved have been found abandoned or rescued from poachers. Rastus, a
baby elephant who had been found when he was just two weeks old, was my favorite. He grew up
around people and consequently is extremely tame. He even enjoyed rolling around on the ground
like a puppy and playing games with his devoted trainer, Gavin.
An experience I would not be keen to repeat is a bungee3 jump — I was absolutely petrified!
I did it from the Victoria Falls Bridge, which at 111 meters up, is one of the highest commercial
bungee jump locations in the world. You jump with the Victoria Falls behind you and the Zambezi
River below and you can opt for a single or a tandem jump. I went solo and at first I was free
falling, praying that the elastic would kick in. For a split second I wondered if it was actually
attached to my ankles. It was stomach-churning but I’m really glad I did it.
Sited right on the Zambezi River, the hotels we stayed at are just a few minutes’ walk away
from the mighty Victoria Falls. The Falls throw up so much spray that the locals call it ‘the smoke
that thunders’ — the thunder being the incredible noise the water makes as it plummets4 to the
18
depths below.
The Victoria Falls are a truly awesome sight — we took a helicopter ride to take in their full
beauty. We spent a leisurely evening on a three-and-a-half hour cruise aboard the African Queen,
moseying up and down the river and watching the incredible sunset. If you’re not fond of boats
you can also take in the sunset from the hotel’s terrace where you can sip iced tea or try one of the
local beers, a Mosi or a Rhino, as darkness falls.
One evening we also attended a ‘Boma’, a traditional African event with log fires, food and
dancing. We also made a day-trip to Mukuni Village, just over 10km north of Victoria Falls. This
400-year-old village is the seat of the area’s paramount African chief, Mukuni, and its simply-built
huts and lack of electricity made me fully appreciate all the mod-cons we take for granted over
here in the UK. The villagers make their living from ornaments crafted out of wood and soapstone
and we came away laden with ornate walking sticks, door stoppers and beautifully painted ostrich5
eggs.
One word of warning, however — when you leave your hotel room make sure you keep your
windows and patio doors closed, as in Zambia monkeys are as common as squirrels or foxes in the
UK and they think nothing of popping in to see what they can pinch. Thankfully the hotels are
well aware of this and have a dedicated monkey-watch patrol!
My overall memory of the trip was how incredibly restful it was — thanks to so much fresh
air, good food and sleep. I simply didn’t want to come home… (687 words)
（TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes）
(Daily Express Saturday Magazine Adapted from 英语文摘 2003.8)
Notes
1． safari: a trip to see or hunt wild animals, especially in Africa
2． adrenalin: a chemical produced by your body when you are afraid, angry, or excited, which
makes your heart beat faster
3． bungee: a sport in which you jump off something very high with a long length of special rope
that stretches tied to your legs, so that you go up again without touching the ground(蹦极)
4． plummet: to fall suddenly and quickly from a very high place
5． ostrich: a large African bird with long legs, that runs very quickly but cannot fly (鸵鸟)
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. For those who love the great outdoors, Zambia is the perfect holiday destination.
2. The animals may seem docile, and you can get quite close to them,
3. The Falls throw up so much spray that the locals call it ‘the smoke that thunders’
4. The Victoria Falls are a truly awesome sight.
5. We spent a leisurely evening on a three-and-a-half hour cruise aboard the African Queen
19
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put
a T for true and F for false.
1. _____Zambia is a heaven for adventure lovers because of its scenery.
2. _____The animals in Zambia are all docile and we can get close to them.
3. _____It could be expected that elephant growing around people would be tame.
4. _____The author was frightened when he took the bungee jump.
5. _____The hotels the author stayed are just a few minutes drive to the Zambia River.
6. _____The author took a helicopter to see the Victoria Falls probably it is very wide.
7. _____It was comfortable to live in Mukuni Village.
8. _____There are monkey-watch patrols so you don’t have to close the windows when you
leave.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
destination/ stick to/ absolutely/ opt for/ kick in/ wonder/ incredible/ appreciate/ be aware
of/ dedicated
1. What are they going to do now, I _______?
2. I have _______ confidence in her.
3. I find it almost _______ that no-one noticed these errors.
4. The actress now _______ herself to children's charity work.
5. He did not fully _______ the significance of signing the contract..
6. Most people _______ buying their own homes rather than renting them.
7. Most people _______ the dangers of drinking and driving.
8. We don't want to hear your opinions; _______ the facts!
9. By the time he reached his _______, seven days later, he was half-starved and broke.
10. The painkillers _______ and he became sleepy.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon
the following topics.
1. Many sports are a form of disciplined warfare. VS. Sports can make people from different
cultures closer to each other.
A: fierce competition/ cruel/ hurt the opponents/ for money and fame
B: popularize some local sports/ share the different culture/ improve the friendship and
communication among countries
2. Modern life VS. traditional life
A: convenient/ more efficient/ save natural sources/ more colorful life/ comfortable/ free
people from a lot of heavy work
B: more close social relations/ less pollution/ enjoy the harmony with other creatures/
3. Adventure VS. Ordinary travel
A: exciting/ challenge your courage and competence/ know more about the world we live in/
more to share with others
B: well-arranged/ safe/ go with your family/ get good service/ relaxed
20
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. The popular sports on campus
2. One adventure you’ve experienced
3. Sports and health
Reading Two
Physical Benefits of Sports
So they say "Sports can keep you physically healthy". But, do you know why? In this section,
we bring you the bolts and nuts of the physical benefits that sports bring about.
Fitness Improvement
'Fitness' can be defined as the ability to carry out effectively and efficiently some particular
physical activity. 'Getting fitter' means advancing to a higher standard of fitness and being 'very fit'
means possessing a standard of fitness better than most people. A sound standard of fitness is
conductive to a productive life and enhances the possibility of reaching your full potential. You do
not have to be trained to the level of a champion athlete to appreciate the benefits of fitness. To
students, like all of us, fitness could mean an energetic state that helps us to archive. More
technically speaking, 'fitness ' consists of five components, namely: stamina1, strength, speed, skill
and suppleness.
Calories Burning
Whether people gain or lose weight depends on the balance between energy consumed in
food and the energy used in living. This is measured in 'calories'. A calorie is defined as a unit of
work or energy equating to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of
water one degree centigrade. When the body is in calorie balance the energy intake and output are
equal and the body weight remains constant. Eat more calories than you use and weight will be
gained; use more than you eat and weight will be lost. Being active is not only good for the heart
and circulation; it can use up many calories, which results in weight being controlled.
People vary in the amount of energy they use when doing similar activities. The figures on
the following table give a general outline as to the amount of energy used daily and may help you
calculate a personal daily diet/exercise program.
How to Lose Weight
If you need to lose weight it is best to obtain expert advice from a dietician2 and the guidance
of your doctor. The easiest way can be to reduce your intake of high-fat foods, as each gram of fat
supplies nine calories, which is twice the amount supplied by one gram of protein or sugar or
starch. Low-fat foods that can assist weight reduction are fruit, vegetables (cooked without fat),
rice, pasta3, whole meal bread, oat products, poultry, fish, lean meat and low-fat milk.
21
Exercise and Appetite
When we take exercise, it causes an increase in our metabolic4 rate — that is the complex
chemical changes whereby the body converts food into energy. Exercise can take away the
appetite, for it is suppressed by the appetite depressant effects of a chemical substance produced in
the body for 60-90 minutes after vigorous physical exercise. This is accompanied by a rise in body
temperature, plus other chemical changes. A reduced food requirement and intake, combined with
a higher metabolic rate brought about by exercise, can result in the body weight dropping to a
lower level. Further exercise undertaken combined with a calorie-controlled intake can result in
the breakdown of fat stores, thus maintaining the lower body weight.
Exercise has an ongoing reaction. For the next two hours after a two-hour brisk walk you will
continue to burn double the amount of the calorie normally burnt by the body. More demanding
exercise, such as running for half an hour, can result in the increase in calorie consumption
continuing for five to six hours after the exercise has finished. Sustained exercise even of a modest
intensity, if maintained over a period, will burn calories. If the intensity of the exercise is
increased, so will the number of calories burnt. The following gives a broad example of the
approximate number of calories burnt while walking for 30 minutes at 2 mph5 (slow pace) then for
two hours, in comparison with those burnt when walking at an increased speed of 4 mph (fast pace)
over the same time spans.
CALORIES BURNT
Speed
(APPROXIMATE)
30 mins
2 hours
Slow pace (2 mph)
120-145
480-580
Fast pace (4 mph)
180-215
720-800
The safest way of losing weight is to do so gradually, aiming perhaps to lose no more than two
pounds a week. A combination of dieting and exercise could achieve this, as a reduction of 500
calories per day could shed a pound of fat in a week (approximately 3,500 calories), plus 500
calories burnt per day through exercise. (744 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 MINUTES)
(http://library.thinkquest.org/C0124861/health/sports/physical_benefits.html)
Notes
1. Stamina: physical or mental strength that lets you continue doing something for a long time
without getting tired
2. Dietician: someone who is trained to give people advice about what it is healthy for them to
22
eat and drink
3. Pasta: an Italian food made from flour, eggs, and water and cut into various shapes, usually
eaten with a sauce
4. Metabolic: the adjective form of “metabolism” — the chemical processes by which food is
changed into energy in your body
5. Mph: miles per hour
Exercises
I.
Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put
a T for true and F for false.
1. _____ One being very fit can do some physical activities well.
2. _____ Only the champion athlete can appreciate the benefits of fitness.
3. _____ Fitness is a sound state of a productive life.
4. _____ A calorie equals the amount of heat released by one gram of water when the
temperature decreases one degree centigrade.
5. _____ Burning more calories than you take everyday can loose weight.
6. _____ People doing similar activities will burn similar amount of calories.
7. _____ Each gram of high-fat foods supplies nine calories.
8. _____ After doing exercises, one will be much hungrier.
9. _____ After doing exercises, one will be burning more calories than usual.
10. _____ The safest way of losing weight is a combination of diet and exercises.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. How do you keep fit?
2. The safest and best way to lose weight.
3. Sports and health
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 5′30″
Time You Used: ________
23
Psychological Benefits of Sports
Have you ever felt energetic all day long after doing some moderate sports in the morning?
Have you ever felt lack of energy for not doing sports for one week only? This may be the click of
sports in our brain.
In this section, we will briefly explain what is going on in our mind when we do sports.
Hopefully, it can give you some thoughtful ideas.
Exercise converts adrenaline1 into energy
It is known that when we are under stress –perhaps due to personal problems, general work
pressures, deadlines –our brain signals for the production of catecholamine2, of adrenaline.
Adrenaline causes a heightened stimulation, usually increasing the sense of anxiety, certainly
provoking higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate. During regular exercise this
adrenaline can be converted into energy; it is used as a fuel and burned up along the way.
Therefore regular exercise can be said to release the pressure valve, allowing some of our tension
out in a healthy and controlled way.
Exercise causes the brain to secrete endorphins3
Exercise provokes a natural 'high' caused by the brain's secretion of endorphins morphine-like chemicals that help combat pain and stress. It is this chemical that many fitness
fanatics become addicted to, but as long as your reaction to it does not become obsessive,
endorphins give you a healthy sense of wellbeing.
Exercise promotes self-confidence
Perhaps our perception of quality of life is closely linked with the knowledge that we are
making the best of our available hereditary characteristics. Certainly there is something deeply
satisfying about realizing our potential, doing our best, making the most of what we have when we
are exercising. This in turn increases our feelings of self-worth and self-confidence because we
feel good about ourselves.
Exercise makes you feel alive
The centers of the brain that manage and co-ordinate our muscular actions are anatomically
very close to the centers that manage feeling and thinking. The possibility that one brain center
could positively affect another is large, and a sense of being alive might very well be our feeling
brain center's response to the muscular brain center's activity. (548 Words)
(http://library.thinkquest.org/C0124861/health/sports/psychological_benefits.html)
Notes:
1. adrenaline: a chemical produced by your body when you are afraid, angry, or excited, which
makes your heart beat faster
24
2. catecholamine: [生化]儿茶酚胺
3. endorphin: a chemical produced by your body that reduces pain and can make you feel
happier
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. It can be inferred that one will feel _______ after doing some moderate sports.
A. tired
B. bored
C. full of strength
D. out of breath
2. Exercise can release pressure because _______.
A. the production of adrenaline
B. regular exercise can let tension out in a healthy way
C. our self-confidence increases
D. higher blood pressure and an increased heart rate
3. Adrenaline causes _______.
A. stress
B. the sense of anxiety
C. higher pressure
D. energy
4. With _______, we can know that exercise promotes self-confidence?
A. the knowledge of our available hereditary characteristics.
B. perception of quality of life.
C. what we are exercising.
D. increasing feelings of self-worth.
5. According to the passage, which process is mentioned in promoting self-confidence?
A. Exercise releases pressure.
B. Exercise converts adrenaline into energy.
C. The feelings of self-worth are increased.
D. The centers of the brain manage and co-ordinate our muscular actions.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used: ________
25
The Team Money Built
By Stryker Mcguire & Ronna Kelly
It just might be the sexiest courtship in the history of European football: day after day the
sports pages from Edinburgh to Istanbul are filled with stories about the vast sums Real Madrid,
the hottest brand in world football, is offering for David Beckham of Manchester United. Real
Madrid has spent more money than any other football club in the world to build what Steve
McManaman, a British player for the team, says is “arguably the best side of all time.” But it has
bled euros to get there — by some estimates as much as €500 million since 2000. Three of
Europe’s 10 highest-paid footballers play for Real, earning a total of nearly €20 million a year. In
fiscal year 2002, Real spent €117.2 million on salaries — a whopping 77 percent of its total
operating revenue. By contrast, Man U, which pays Beckham the highest footballing salary of all
€6.6 million, limited wages to 48 percent of turnover. The spending spree has brought two
Champions League titles since 2000. Real celebrated its centenary last year, but as a modern
business it reminds a football economist of a recent phenomenon: the dot-com bubble.
Rivals tell another story. They argue that Real’s success rests on a foundation of government
protectionism. Back in 2000, construction mogul and former Madrid politician Florentino Perez
was elected club president by Real’s 80,000 members. He won by promising to lure Portuguese
forwad Figo from rival Barcelona, and fulfilled his pledge at a cost of almost €62 million before
chasing after other stars. Zidane arrived from Juventus of Turin for about €75 million, making him
the most expensive player in football history. Ronaldo of Brazil arrived for €45 million. By then
some Real supporters were waxing nostalgic for the days when football was more sport than
business, but the deals were done.
In 2001, the city rezoned Real’s training ground, allowing the club to sell it. This brought in
€374 million in fiscal year 2002 alone. (Real is one of just four Spanish clubs that remain private
associations rather than public companies, so its bookkeeping is not as transparent as it might be
otherwise.) “It’s hard to keep up with Real Madrid,” Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson told reporters in April after losing to Real in Champions League competition. He added,
acidly: “They don’t worry about debt, for a start.” They do now. After all, selling your training
ground is “a trick you can pull off once.” As player salaried rise, TV revenues are threatening to
decline.
With Beckham, Perez has created the most powerful global brand among foot ball teams. But
Man U has the greatest number of supporters: 50 million worldwide, including 20 million in the
Asia-Pacific region. Real would love to steal some of those customers away, and “the battering
26
ram is Beckham.” Let the richest team win. (467 Words)
(Newweek May 19,2003, adapted from 英语文摘 2003.8)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. Beckham _______.
A. is the most expensive football player.
B. is the best football player.
C. is the hottest football player.
D. is the sexiest football player.
2. Real _______.
A. has 10 highest paid football players in Europe.
B. pays the highest salary for football players.
C. spent €117.2 million on salaries since 2000.
D. spent €6.6 million on Beckham.
3. Manchester United _______.
A. paid €6.6 million on Beckham.
B. spent 48 percent of turnover on Beckham.
C. has a foundation of government protectionism.
D. do not worry about debts.
4. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Manchester has won two Champions League titles since 2000.
B. Real has celebrated its centenary.
C. Figo was a member of Real before.
D. Roaldo of Brazil is the most expensive player in football history.
5. The author’s attitude towards Real is _______.
A. positive
B. negative
C. subjective
D. objective
27
Tips for Reading
How to Use a Dictionary (II)
Every dictionary contains a “How to Use This Dictionary” or “Short Forms and Labels” section
in its preface, which serves as a guide for the user to use it effectively. When looking for an
unfamiliar word in a dictionary, study the “Abbreviations & Symbols Used” section in it so that
mistakes can be avoided Besides, DO NOT just use the first definition you see! Double-check the
meaning and make sure you understand the contextual meaning. For example: COO is the
abbreviation of Chief Operating Officer.
Deli
The abbreviation of “delicatessen”
With reference to the dictionary, we get to know that “deli” can be used to modify a noun.
Examples: a deli restaurant, deli food
DVR
This abbreviation can refer to several different terms. Only by consulting an English-to-English
dictionary and taking the context into consideration can you figure out what it really stands for.
1. In physics, “discharge voltage regulator” is abbreviated to DVR.
Example: A good DVR can provide basic power conditioning.
2. In the digital era, it is commonly known as the abbreviation of Digital Video recorder and it
is also called “personal video recorder (PVR).”
Examples: Dish Player-DVR, Mobile DVR
Bubble
1. The first definition given in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English is: a ball of air in
liquid:
Examples: soap bubbles, economic bubbles
2. But it has a derived meaning used in this article: someone’s beliefs or hopes about something.
Examples:
The fervent arguments centered upon his plan burst his bubble completely.
The coming second in the final round really pricked the bubble that he would beat his rival.
Seal Off
1. Meaning known to most students: to stop people entering an area or building, because it is
dangerous:
Examples:
The police have sealed off London Underground immediately after the bombing.
The ringside area has been sealed off for the sake of security.
2. Meaning in the context which needs more consideration and double check: to isolate
oneself from the outside and live in one’s own world.
Examples:
Stephanie has sealed herself off in her own depression after failing to go to Harvard Law
School.
Addicted to the Internet games, he has completely sealed himself off the real world.
28
UNIT THREE ENTERTAINMENT
Reading One
Warming-up Discussion
1. What do you usually do for Entertainment in your spare time?
2. Do you have an MP3 or MP4 of your own? If you have one, what does it bring to you except
your favorite music? Do you think it has changed your lifestyle?
3. Do you have your own blog? What do you usually write about on your blog? Some people
like writing something very personal and even reveal their true identity. What do you think of
this phenomenon?
4. Nowadays, more and more young people who are interested in music are originally popular
on the Internet by imitating some pop singers’ songs or creating their music, and then are
made out of super stars by some entertainment companies. Wu Ke Qun and Pang Long are the
typical of this case. Do you believe the original creativity of these online singers can refresh
the music commercially oriented style and make our music more personalized?
Me, Me, Media
By Warren Berger
The "Pod People"
Terry Wolfisch Cole may seem like an ordinary 40-year-old mom and Girl Scout troop leader,
but her small-town Connecticut neighbors know the truth: She's one of the "Pod People." At the
supermarket she wanders the aisles in a self-contained bubble, thanks to her iPod digital music
player. Through those little white ear buds, Wolfisch Cole listens to a playlist mixed by her
favorite disc jockey -- herself. "Deejay Terry" knows precisely which upbeat songs can keep her
feet shuffling ahead during the dreary experience of shopping. "I try not to sing out loud, and I
take the earphones off when I get to the deli counter or cash register," Wolfisch Cole says, but
otherwise, she's sealed off in her own listening booth, signaling "do not disturb" to the outside
world.
At home, when the kids are tucked away, Wolfisch Cole often escapes to another solo media
pod -- but in this one, she's transmitting instead of just receiving. On her computer web log, or
"blog," she types an online journal chronicling daily news of her life (recipes, family updates, or
"whatever floats my boat"), then shares it all with the Web. She has attracted a faithful audience
who, she says, "seem to actually want to read that my kids threw up on the floor today. Who'd
29
have thunk it?"
Wolfisch Cole -- who also gets her daily news customized off the Internet and whose digital
video recorder (DVR) scans through the television wasteland to find and record shows that suit
her tastes -- is part of a new breed of people who are filtering, shaping and even creating media for
themselves. They are increasingly turning their backs on the established system of mass media
that has provided news and entertainment for the past half-century. They've joined the exploding
"iMedia" revolution, putting the power of media in the hands of ordinary people.
The tools of the movement consist of a bubbling stew of new technologies that include iPods,
blogs, podcasts, DVRs, customized online newspapers, and satellite radio. All are being embraced
by a public increasingly hungry for media control. A new study by Arbitron has found that 27
million Americans now own one or more on-demand media devices such as an iPod or a DVR.
And it's not just techies or teenage nerds joining the fray: Arbitron's senior vice president Bill
Rose says the study shows that the appeal of do-it-yourself media is already crossing demographic
lines and will continue to spread.
Devotees of iMedia run the gamut from the 89-year-old New York grandmother, known as
Bubby, who has taken up blogging to share her worldly advice (her motto: "Everything you are
going through, I already did"), to 11-year-old Dylan Verdi of Texas, who has started broadcasting
her own homemade TV show or "v-log," for video web log, covering topics that include breaking
news on her braces. In between are countless iMedia enthusiasts like Rogier van Bakel, 44, of
Maine, who blogs at night, reads a Web-customized news page in the morning, travels with his
fully loaded iPod and comes home to watch whatever the DVR has chosen for him. Everything is
filtered according to his interests, which include libertarianism, songs by the art-rock band Kaiser
Chiefs, and anything involving the Belgian cartoon character Tintin.
If the old media model was broadcasting, this new phenomenon might be called ego-casting,
says Christine Rosen, a fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a research institute. The
term fits, she says, because the trend is all about me-me-media -- "the idea is to get exactly what
you want, when and where you want it."
Rosen and others trace the beginnings of the iMedia revolution to the invention of the TV
remote, which marked the first subtle shift of media control away from broadcasters and into the
hands of the average couch potato. It enabled viewers to vote with their thumbs -- making it easier
to abandon dull programs and avoid commercials. With the proliferation of cable TV channels in
the late 1980s followed by the mid-1990s arrival of the Internet, controlling media input wasn't
just a luxury. "Control has become a necessity," says Bill Rose. "Without it, there's no way to sort
through all the options that are becoming available."
Media Free-for-All
30
Television and radio have also been transformed by technology. DVRs provide more control
to viewers, as does video-on-demand. And the fastest-growing segment of radio is satellite,
offering choices that appeal to even the narrowest tastes. All of these new developments
notwithstanding, there's more to the iMedia craze than gadgets, gizmos and additional channels.
Observers say the trend has been fueled by restless creativity among those people formerly known
as the audience -- who will no longer sit still for mass-produced, one-size-fits-all media.
Moreover, the iMedia generation isn't content to be on the receiving end; they want to have a
voice in the new media. "Consumers now have more power, access and choice," says Robert A.
Iger, president and COO of Disney. Echoes Brian Collins, an executive creative director at the
Ogilvy & Mather ad agency: "The new technology is unleashing all of this pent-up creativity. In
the past, only people with vast resources could create media. Now those barriers are coming
down."
When that happens, the iMedia age will be fully upon us, and it will be Utopia -- to some
people. Grass-roots media activists like Dan Gillmor, author of We the Media, envisions a world
in which citizen journalists will be able to report on their local communities in a way that the
mass-market media does not. (936 words)
（TIME ALLOWED: 9 Minutes）
(Adapted from Reader's Digest, August 2005
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=28456&pageIndex=0)
Notes
1. IPod: a portable device for storing and playing audio files encoded by MP3 or AAC
compression algorithms. Designed by Apple Computer, iPods have distinctive styling and can
hold anywhere from a few hundred to ten thousand songs.
2. Girl Scout Troup: an organization of young women and girls, founded in the United States in
1912 on the plan of the Girl Guides, for character development and citizenship training.
3. Arbitron: an international media and marketing research firm serving radio broadcasters, radio
networks, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies, out-of-home advertising
companies and the online radio industry in the United States, Mexico and Europe.
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to check out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. "Deejay Terry" knows precisely which upbeat songs can keep her feet shuffling ahead during
the dreary experience of shopping.
2. I take the earphones off when I get to the deli counter or cash register.
3. But in this one, she's transmitting instead of just receiving.
4. They've joined the exploding "iMedia" revolution, putting the power of media in the hands of
ordinary people.
5. And it's not just techies or teenage nerds joining the fray.
31
6. It enabled viewers to vote with their thumbs -- making it easier to abandon dull programs and
avoid commercials.
7. With the proliferation of cable TV channels in the late 1980s followed by the mid-1990s
arrival of the Internet, controlling media input wasn't just a luxury.
II. Fill the blanks in the following diagram according to the text.
Name
Wolfisch
Cole
Rogier
van Bakel
Christine
Rosen
Bill
Rose
Robert
A. Iger
Brian
Collins
Dan
Gillmor
Age/Gender
Occupation
Comment
i-Media
on
Influence
of
IPod, DVR etc.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
wander/ shuffle/ self-contained/ bubble/ envision/ notwithstanding/ appeal/ pent-up/
unleash/load
1. I cannot ______ him as President.
2. The upbeat music kept me enlivened with my feet ______ automatically.
3. ______ the heavy rain, the army marched on.
4. His______ outrage shocked all at present to complete numbness for a few minutes.
5. The boy ______ his imaginative power and wrote such a wonderful sonnet!
6. William’s success in the election took the _____ off my mind.
7. Don’t be always _____! You should hang out with friends more.
8. All the students began to _____ over with excitement after hearing the surprising news.
9. Shanghai is a metropolis with ______ for adventurers.
10. The young man was suspected as a thief just because he was _____ aimlessly in the streets.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Personal blog, the space for individuality VS Personal blog, the space for egotism
A: fans/ socialize oneself with the outside world/transmit/share/ Web-customized/
one-size-fits-all media/creativity etc
B: self-contained/seal oneself off in one’s own world/fans/overstate/ turn one’s backs on etc.
32
2. Mass Media: entertain the masses VS Mass Media: mislead the masses
A: broadcast/ego-casting/ mass-produced/one-size-fits-all media/ pent-up/creativity/food for
thought etc
B: influence/stance/perspective/subjective/relentless/first-hand information/form/values and
morals/ release etc.
3. Internet: progressive revolution VS. Internet: technological fetters imposed upon human
beings
A:
shorten/distance/escape/instant
information/challenge
the
traditional
media/creativity/individuality/diversity/customize etc.
B: radiation/seal oneself off/self-contained/bubble/self-centered/Internet addiction/diseases
involved computers/isolate etc.
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. How has Internet changed our campus life?
2. Blog – Personal Privacy in the Digital Era
3. To Control Media or Be Controlled by Media?
Reading Two
Movie Business Now Marketing-Driven
By Martin A. Grove
Movie marketing: Although the movie business is frequently described as being product-driven,
the fact is it's becoming increasingly marketing-driven.
Recent management changes at Disney and Universal putting seasoned marketing executives
in charge of production are only the latest indication that marketers are Hollywood's new power
brokers. Their influence has pyramided over the last few years as production costs have soared
and studios have started turning to their marketing teams to help determine what films to make.
Only a few years ago studio marketing executives were being handed films to market that
had been developed and produced with little or no thought being given to how they would be sold
to moviegoers. When marketers finally got a look at them, they'd frequently throw up their hands
in dismay. And when marketing campaigns failed to produce box office success, the studio
executives who green lit these movies and the filmmakers who made them would typically blame
the marketers for not having achieved better results.
The past few years have seen changes as marketers have increasingly been brought into the
decision making loop regarding production. Deciding whether or not to make a project is no
longer only a creative decision. It's now a marketing decision, as well, because there's so much at
stake financially. It's no longer enough for a production head to fall in love with a project and
commit the resources to getting it made. Marketing has become a valuable tool to use in deciding
33
about going ahead with a film because it can provide research indicating how people say they feel
about a project and whether they think they'd want to see it. Moreover, marketers know if a project
has the elements that are necessary for them to build a campaign around.
It wasn't until ad-pub and production executives started working side by side in L.A. in the
early and mid-'70s that marketing began evolving in Hollywood. Having marketing down the hall
from production allowed for real communication between the two departments. For the first time
the people who had to sell movies to the public were involved early on in the production process.
One of the big changes the industry encountered in the '70s was that people were no longer
going "to the movies." What they were doing now was going to see "a movie" -- a film they
wanted to see because something about it had caught their interest. That interest catching
"something" increasingly was movie marketing and it led to the rise of marketing as a Hollywood
power base.
Today marketing is the name of the game in Hollywood because so much now depends on
creating awareness of product in an increasingly more crowded marketplace. And, of course, the
more crowded the marketplace is the louder one has to shout to be heard -- meaning the more
money one has to spend to get the job done. As the cost of marketing has soared, so has the
importance of the marketing function.
Thirty years ago ad-pub executives didn't have a lot of media outlets on which to focus their
attention. They produced trailers to promote movies in theaters and they created newspaper and
magazine ads to tell the public about those movies. They also supervised large publicity
departments that made the most of the big circulation newspapers and syndicated columns of the
day. It wasn't until wide national releases became popular in Hollywood after Universal's
blockbuster success with "Jaws" in June 1975 that expensive network TV buys became part of the
movie marketing equation. Until there were wide release patterns, it didn't make sense to market a
movie nationally using network TV because not everyone seeing those commercials would be able
to see the film in their local theaters.
Today, needless to say, there's a wide assortment of arrows in any movie marketer's quiver.
Network TV with its shrinking audience still gets more Hollywood buys than it merits.
Newspapers are feeling the pinch as Hollywood slashes what it spends on print ads because
younger moviegoers don't read papers. The Internet, on the other hand, has become an enormously
valuable interactive platform for movie marketing because it reaches a huge audience of young
people. Understandably, an increasing share of movie marketing dollars are now being spent to
spread the word in cyberspace. At the same time, out of home media are continuing to grow,
offering movie marketers new ways to reach people through screens in public places because these
days people are home a lot less than they were 30 years ago.
34
With executives whose backgrounds are in marketing now holding top production jobs at
several studios we can expect to see the marketing function elevated around town. In the past
when deal making was seen as the most important part of running a studio those top jobs went to
people whose training had been as agents and lawyers. Today marketing is perceived as the best
background to have to decide what projects to make and how best to sell them to moviegoers.
While not every studio may wind up naming a marketer to run the place, it's a safe bet that in the
months to come we'll be seeing more movie marketers prowling Hollywood's corridors of power.
(878 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 8 Minutes)
(http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002914168,
July 28, 2006)
Notes:
1.
Universal: a famous American entertainment corporation founded in 1906 by the 39-year-old
Bavarian immigrant Carl Laemmle (pronounced LEM-LEE).
2.
Green light: informal, permission to proceed. This phrase is used as a verb here.
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: answer the following questions briefly.
1. Who has become Hollywood’s new power broker? What has directly made it happen?
2. Has marketing been playing an important role in the movie-making industry? Why or why not?
What changes have happened to Hollywood movie makers?
3. Is movie-producing still merely a creative decision? Why is marketing important now?
4. When did expensive network TV buys become part of movie marketing equation? Why?
5. What changes have happened to Network TVs and newspapers respectively? What’s their
response?
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Do you often go to the cinema? Do you think the tickets are expensive or affordable?
2. As the audience becomes increasingly critical, the movie producers now lavish enormous
sums of money and energy to publicize a movie. What do you think of these gorgeous
gestures before the premiere （首映式）of the films like HERO and THE PROMISE （无极）?
35
3. What do you think of the market-driven movie-making?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 4′30″
Time You Used: ________
Rediscovering Music's Value
By Karl T. Bruhn and Barry Bittman, MD
While a world devoid of music is almost unimaginable, rarely do we ever stop to consider the
many ways music touches our lives. It isn’t surprising that listening to music is among the world’s
favorite pastimes. Practically every meaningful lifetime event is marked by musical
accompaniment. From birthdays to graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and funerals, music sets
the tone. Music sets the charge in pep rallies, and it soothes our souls in contemplation or prayer.
From driving to work to catching the latest news, music is ubiquitously present in our lives.
Yet, in this era of countless video games and hundreds of cable channels, families don’t often get
together to make music and share their stories with successive generations. Undoubtedly
something important has been lost.
Music making was far more than just a diversion or a source of entertainment. As an
effective communication tool for connecting people and building bridges through a deep sense of
meaningful support, music making served as a catalyst for societal change.
Thousands of years have passed and our basic needs have not changed. We still experience
the drive to belong, to be part of a community of individuals who share interests and come
together for a common purpose. The medical community is coming to realize that the inherent
need to connect with each other in meaningful ways may very well be the most important
contributing factor to sustained quality of life.
That is precisely where Recreational Music Making shines as an enjoyable, effective,
enabling opportunity for people (regardless of age, ability, or prior musical experience) to come
together and support each other in a nurturing manner that builds bridges and improves quality of
life. For deep within the essence of who we are, there is a sound that resonates in harmony with all
living creatures, an inner voice ready to emerge.
When we connect with each other and extend ourselves to one another, we share our gift. For
music gets through where words do not pass, when barriers separate us, and when the odds are
against us. It uplifts us when hopelessness darkens each day, when communication breaks down,
36
when we yearn for common ground and when we need each other the most.
Recreational Music Making opens doors, enhances self-esteem, ensures a healthy workout,
stimulates our minds, boosts our creative potential, makes us laugh, and connects us on many
levels. It also builds bridges, heightens awareness, and strengthens bonds. Our participation shows
the world who we are, affirms that we can make a difference, and adds our unique sound to the
celebration of life.
The opportunity to express yourself musically is certain to be transformed into numerous
personal benefits that will extend to your family and your community. The sense of joy and
fulfillment is no less than contagious. There is never been a better time to play! (475 Words)
(This article appeared in Making Music Magazine March/April 2005
http://www.rolandus.com/community/musicforlife/articles/musics_value.asp)
Reading Comprehension
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. The passage is mainly about __________.
A. The importance of music;
B. The importance of getting together;
C. The opportunity to get people together through music offered by Recreational Music
Making;
D. The importance of belonging to a community of individuals.
2. What function of music is NOT mentioned in this passage?
A. Setting the tone of some occasions;
B. Soothing our souls in contemplation or prayer;
C. Refreshing our mental status;
D. Touching the listeners to tears.
3. What has caused something important to be lost?
A. Video games;
B. Hundreds of cable channels;
C. Family members do not often communicate with each other;
D. All of the above.
4. What are NOT our basic needs, according to the author?
A. The drive to belong;
B. Alienation.
C. To be part of a community;
D. To enjoy the sharing moments with people who share interests and come together for a
common purpose;
37
5. What are the aims of Recreational Music Making?
A. To offer opportunity for people to come together and support each other in a nurturing
manner that builds bridges and improves quality of life;
B. To open doors to people and make them share their own experience together through music
so that the bonds between people can be strengthened;
C. To enhance self-esteem, ensure a healthy workout, stimulate people’s minds, boost their
creative potential, and connect them on many levels.
D. All of the above.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′50″
Time You Used: ________
Interpretation of Baroque Music
Despite being in an era which the classical music community shifts their focus to the
historically informed performances, it isn't very rare for one to come across a recording or
performance which romanticizes Bach. Recall about the number of times when you hear a
traditionalist, probably yourself, remark in disgust that the performance is overly romanticized.
Common, aren't they? Recently, I've been thinking if such remarks and criticisms are justified. Of
course, I do admit that I'm a traditionalist and the period and style which I have the most number
of interpretation books on is the baroque era. And with the information I have received from these
books alone, it wouldn't be too difficult to assess if a performance or recording is within those
traditional baroque performance guidelines. But from a perspective of a performer, are things
really that simple?
In my discussions with several friends who are musicians involving performances of baroque
pieces which we have gone to, I would often approach their criticisms of romanticism of the music
with caution. I have experienced that some of these comments are uttered whenever the performer
had expressed or rather, intensified, a certain emotion in the passage through the use of more
modern devices such as excessive ritardando or accelerando, or wide dynamic contrasts which
are often associated with romantic works etc. Somehow, such reason doesn’t quite register as a
convincing argument to dismiss certain performance.
The more legitimate approach, it seems, would be to assess the intention of the performer
when he used that expressive device. If those devices are simply used without much consideration
to entire texture of the work and don’t blend into the whole picture, the insincerity of the
performance can be easily felt and that is definitely unacceptable. Of course, on the other hand,
38
despite me being a traditionalist, there're romanticized performances of baroque pieces which I'm
totally agreeable with. The non-conventional expressive devices used are just what the music can
tolerate with, or even require. The performance, despite a non-conventional one, is widely
accepted, even by traditionalists as listeners can connect with the artiste because of his/her
sincerity and sensitivity to the music.
Basically, I just think that music listeners ought to approach this age old issue with more
sensitivity and depth for most of the performers out there have put in so much effort to interpret a
piece of music they respect and shouldn't be criticized simply because of the usage of
non-conventional expressive devices which intensifies the emotions which the composer had
intended centuries ago. (427 Words)
(http://solitudeinmusic.blogspot.com/2006/07/interpretation-of-baroque-music.html)
Reading Comprehension
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. According to the author, what has happened to the classical music community?
A. They are only interested in Bach.
B. They rarely romanticize Bach.
C. They switch its attention to historically informed performances.
D. They always romanticize Bach.
2. What does the author think of the overly romanticized baroque performance?
A. He does not like it.
B. He holds a critical and cautious attitude towards it.
C. As a traditionist, he likes it very much.
D. He thinks that the baroque performance is very simple and dull.
3. According to the author, what makes the application of some modern devices NOT convincing
argument to dismiss a certain form of performance?
A. The listeners have to take the performer’s intention into account.
B. Some devices do blend in the traditional pieces.
C. The application of these devices do not affect the insincerity of the performance.
D. All of the above.
4. What kind of attitude should the modern music listeners hold to this type of performance from
the author’s viewpoint?
A.
More sensitivity.
B.
More in-depth understanding.
C.
No impartial opinions against the application of non-conventional devices.
39
D.
All of the above.
5. Which of the following statements is NOT correct, according to this passage?
A. The author does not agree with his friends’ comment on some performances they
attended.
B. The author has based his judgment not only on his books on baroque music but also on
his comprehensive horizon.
C. The author argues that the performer’s intention should be taken into consideration when
we make judgment on the performance.
D. Despite being a traditionist, the author does think some romanticized performance
agreeable.
40
UNIT FOUR BUSINESS
Reading one
Warming-up discussion
1. Describe separately a supermarket (hypermarket) and a local convenient store that you know.
2. Which kind of store do you prefer between the above two? Why?
3. Can you tell others the name of a domestic supermarket chain?
4. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of a domestic supermarket chain
when it is facing the fierce competition from the foreign-funded ones and the ultra-convenient
suburban micro-marts?
Supermarket Squeeze
By Mary South
Diversification, specialization and good old-fashioned price slashing are being taken up by
home-grown supermarket chains as they struggle to survive amid increasingly ferocious
competition.
Domestic companies used to being the main players in China's supermarket industry are now
not only feeling the heat from multinational superstores, but smaller, nimbler convenience stores
which are taking bites out of their market share.
"The domestic chains desperately need to reassess their business models and sales tactics if
they want to remain competitive," says Ying Wangjiang, director of the research office at the
Shanghai University of Finance and Economy.
"At the moment the pressing question is not about how they can expand in the market, it is
simply about whether or not they can survive," he says.
In 2005, China lifted all restrictions on the location, ownership structure and number of stores
a foreign firm can operate. Since then, the sector has rapidly evolved.
The growth of huge foreign-owned stores selling everything from sofas to sliced bread, where
customers can stock up weekly or even monthly, is squeezing the market at one end, while the
spread of ultra-convenient suburban micro-marts focused on everyday necessities is creating
pressure at the other.
At the end of last year, nine large supermarket chains predominantly Carrefour SA1 and
Wal-Mart Stores Inc2 accounted for 76 per cent of the city's retail market, taking 16.3 billion yuan
(US$2 billion) between them, according to the Shanghai Chain Store and Franchise Institute
(SCSFI).
As of October last year, of Shanghai's 114 hypermarkets, 60 were foreign owned, 20 were joint
ventures, 16 were owned by Chinese enterprises which have raised foreign capital, and only 18
41
were wholly domestic enterprises, SCSFI figures show.
In Guangzhou, it's a similar story. The 1990's were a golden era for domestic owned
supermarkets with companies like Sunny, Jintian, Yuexiu, Guangnan KK and Homecity all leading
the way.
In 1995, the Thai-invested Chia Tai Makro warehouse store moved into town, offering bulk
buying at low prices, and Taiwan-invested Trust Mart, France-invested Carrefour, and Hong
Kong-invested Park 'n Shop and Vanguard were not far behind.
Today, Sunny, Jintian, Yuexiu and Guangnan KK have all either closed down or been sold to
foreign retailers. Only Homecity survives.
But according to Sun Xiong, chairman of the Guangdong Chain Operation Association, there
is still market potential for locals in the city's groceries' sector, which was worth 190 billion yuan
(US$23.43 billion) last year, up 13 per cent from 2004.
"Homecity has witnessed steady expansion in the past few years," he says. "Although local
supermarket chain stores currently account for just 10 per cent of Guangzhou's retail sector, there
is realistic potential for them to claim up to 25 per cent of the market."
The key for local stores such as Sun is adapting to customers changing needs, says SCSFI's Gu
Guojian and Homecity's general manager Hong Cutian.
"Local brands should concentrate on their local neighbourhood customers," Gu says.
"Competing head-to-head with large retailers is unrealistic, but locally owned stores can flourish if
they play to their strengths."
A local focus is something Hong has taken on board with Homecity's successful strategy.
"We make sure shopping at our local supermarkets is more convenient than at the superstores
or hypermarkets, while at the same time offering extra services and products not available at the
convenience stores," Hong explains.
"Foreign-funded shopping malls have their advantages and we have ours," he says. "Foreign
owned stores may be able to buy stock in larger quantities and bargain for better prices, but we
have much lower operation costs and a better understanding of the local market."
The chain has also made agreements with several of Guangzhou's leading developers to ensure
its shops are conveniently placed for new communities with selected stores offering photocopying,
laundry and even travel agency services. (635 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(Wang Lan in Shanghai and Zhan Lisheng in Guangzhou contributed to the story.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2006-09/11/content_685650.htm)
Notes:
1. Carrefour SA：法国 Carrefour 公司 http://www.carrefour.fr, subject to approval （商）须
42
经认可
2. Wal-Mart Stores Inc：Inc, incorporated
Exercises:
Ⅰ Comprehension of the Text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. _____In order to face the fierce competition, home-grown supermarket chains have adopted
three methods including: diversification, specialization and drastic price cuts.
2. _____The single biggest rival of domestic supermarket chains is multinational superstore.
3. _____The situation of domestic supermarket chains is not as bad as to go bankrupt, the major
problem for them is how to expand.
4. _____Chinese government moved all the restrictions on the location, ownership structure but
not on the number of stores a foreign firm can operate.
5. _____The word “Squeezing” in the article means take up the profit of the set market.
6. _____At the end of last year, Carrefour SA and Wal-Mart Stores Inc together with other seven
large supermarket chains accounted for 76 percent of the retail market of Shanghai.
7. _____The situation of domestic supermarket chains is much better in Guangzhou.
8. _____Hong Kong-invested Park 'n Shop came to Guangzhou earlier than Thai-invested Chia
Tai Makro warehouse store.
9. _____Though the competition is ferocious, there is still potential market for domestic
supermarket chains.
10. _____According to the article, local supermarket chain stores currently account for just 13
percent of Guangzhou’s retail sector.
II. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
diversification/slashing/ferocious/nimble/suburban/predominantly/potential/bargain/
claim up to/play to their strengths
1. The girl whose name is Daisy can sew with very ______ fingers.
2. Which country is the ______ member of the alliance?
3. Wealthy people now prefer to live in the _______ because they are far from the hustle and
bustle of the downtown area.
4. The government of this country has promised that it will drastically ______ the tax.
5. Economic crisis started to invade Asia like a _______ beast.
6. Things turned out to be exactly as he had foreseen, the share of his company will soon _____
over 10 percent of the total.
7. Some publishers are now _______ into software.
8. The product has even more _______ in export markets.
9. The _______ they reached with their employers was to reduce their wage claim in return for a
shorter working week.
10. The future of this young man will be very promising if he has his feet on the ground and
_______.
Ⅲ. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
43
following topics
1. Diversification is most important for business VS. Specialization is most important for
business
A. Information explosive era/communication/cooperation/different commodities with a
same brand
B. High-tech/proficiency comes from specialization/save time and energy/easy to organize
and operate
2. It is sensible to lift all restrictions for the entering of the foreign stores now. / It’s is not
sensible to lift all the restrictions for the entering of the foreign stores now.
A. Globalization/introduce resources and advanced technology and management
skills/fierce competition can stimulate development
B. Immature/need protection/not fully prepared/solid the base for national business
3. Hypermarket is more useful for the public/small convenient store is more useful for the
public.
A. Varieties/an abundance of goods/standard management/cheap prices
B. Local dotted/familiar with the shop owner and the sales person/offering extra services
and products
Ⅳ In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. Competition and cooperation
2. Nowadays, it is not rare for university students to start their own business. What’s your
opinion towards this phenomenon?
Reading Two
In Case of Emergency
James Surowiecki
In the early nineteen-eighties, American businesses discovered that they could manage crises,
rather than merely stumble through them. The gold standard was Johnson & Johnson, whose deft
maneuvering, after seven people died from ingesting cyanide-laced Extra Strength Tylenol, helped
create a new and lucrative subset of public relations known as crisis management, which was
poised, as Time put it in 1986, to become “the new corporate discipline.”
Practice—and lately there’s been plenty of it—has not made perfect. Companies may now
have packs of super-flacks on hand, but in the glare of bad publicity they can still appear as
helpless as possums in the road. In the past few years, stalwarts like Firestone, CBS News, Tyco,
and Marsh & McLennan have seen their reputations demolished, mainly because they did such a
lousy job of dealing with bad news. Most recently, Wendy’s took a month to discredit a woman
who claimed that she’d found a human finger in her chili. (She’s since been arrested for putting it
44
there.) The delay cost millions of dollars in sales and did incalculable harm to the brand.
The term “crisis management” may seem like little more than a euphemism for “snow job,”
but there is an art to it. Spin alone won’t do the trick. Without going overboard, the offending
company needs to acknowledge that it has a problem, demonstrate that it has control over that
problem, and then make a real attempt to fix it. This holds true whether or not the company is at
fault. Johnson & Johnson defused the Tylenol crisis in large part because it recalled every Tylenol
capsule in America, and then quickly introduced tamper-proof bottles. In the end, the company
was seen as the victim. By contrast, when news broke, in 2000, that more than a hundred people
had died in accidents involving defective Firestone tires, Firestone initially reacted by blaming
drivers (for underinflating their tires) and Ford (whose S.U.V.s were involved in most of the
accidents). Dispirited by this strategy, Firestone’s P.R. firm quit. Eventually, Firestone recalled 6.5
million tires, but it was too late. Sales plummeted, and claims mounted into the hundreds of
millions.
Many companies have basic assumptions about public relations that can hurt them during a
crisis. They tend, as people do, to stonewall and deny. But, as Ian Mitroff, a crisis-management
specialist at U.S.C., has said, “There are no secrets in today’s world.” And if the truth is on your
side you have to insure that it emerges quickly. In1993, when syringes ended up in Pepsi soda cans,
allegedly as a result of a flawed canning process, the company, within a few days, produced
videos of its entire canning process and denounced its accusers as frauds. Wendy’s, on the other
hand, wasted a month investigating its entire supply chain, made little of the fact that the accuser
had a long history of suing companies on dubious grounds, and, bizarrely, spent more than a week
figuring out if the finger had been cooked. In the meantime, parents took the kids to Roy Rogers.
It’s easy to make intelligent decisions after the fact. The real challenge is making them in
moments of anxiety and panic, so, while crisis-management gurus don’t always agree on what the
strategy should be, they do agree that everyone should at least have one, before crisis hits. Their
clients tend not to listen. Mitroff estimates that less than a fifth of big corporations have formal
crisis-management plans. The crisis plans that do exist vary in detail and scope—Dow Chemical
had one that included the names of the people who would be responsible for running the copy
machines—but, basically, they suggest vulnerabilities (and potential remedies), identify a
crisis-management team, and lay out a general script.
Even a simple plan is valuable; though crises are, by definition, rare, they should not be
unthinkable. A study released last week by the Institute for Crisis Management found that just a
quarter of business crises come out of the blue. Most are “smoldering” rather than sudden, and are
the result of mistakes that management has made. Signs of trouble exist but are ignored or
overlooked. Many of the most famous crises are examples of what the sociologist Charles Perrow
45
has called “normal accidents.” As technologies and organizations get more complicated, Perrow
argued, they are more likely to break down, even in the absence of malice or intentional neglect.
Firestone, the Challenger explosion, Intel’s flawed Pentium chip: you could argue that these were
all, in one way or another, normal accidents.
Why are companies so often caught unaware? It turns out that the events that create crises are
usually those which most people have trouble taking seriously—that is, events with a low
probability but a high cost. We tend to treat low-probability events as if they were impossible.
Instead of preparing for them, we ignore them. In the phrase of the sociologist Neil Weinstein, we
are “unrealistic optimists.” This tendency is exacerbated when we think we’re in control; we
worry less about the dangers of driving than about those of flying because we think we determine
what happens to us on the road.
Of course, unrealistic optimism, insofar as it’s a byproduct of self-assurance, assertiveness,
and conviction, may be a handy trait for those seeking success in business. It will come as a
surprise to no one that in most surveys executives are found to be consistently optimistic and
overconfident. Entrepreneurs are the cockiest of all. It may be that the very qualities that help
people get ahead are the ones that make them ill-suited for managing crises. It’s hard to prepare
for the worst when you think you’re the best. (947 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 9 Minutes)
(China Daily, Updated: 2006-09-11,
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/articles/050613ta_talk_surowiecki)
Notes:
1. Johnson & Johnson: New Jersey-based multi-national manufacturers of pharmaceutical,
diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, and biotechnology products, as well as personal hygiene and
healthcare items.
2. Time: News Magazine - The official home of TIME Magazine online, presenting the top news
stories of the day and current events from around the globe.
3. S.U.V: Sports Utility Vehicle 多功能箱式跑车
4. U.S.C: The University of Southern California, it is one of the world's leading private research
universities, located in the heart of Los Angeles.
5. Institute for Crisis Management: ICM is an international public relations company that
provides crisis communication planning, training and consulting and executive/media training
and coaching.
Exercises:
ⅠComprehension of the Text:
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. What should the offending company do when crisis occurs?
A. It should acknowledge that it has a problem and determine to solve that problem when it is
at fault.
46
B.
A company should hide the problem and try to solve it by itself so as not to decrease their
customers’ faith in their products.
C. It should take the blame at first and make a real attempt to fix that problem no matter it is
at fault or not.
D. It needs to admit that they have a problem whether it is at fault or not but do not take action
because time will speak in the end.
2. It mentions in the text that stalwarts like Firestone, CBS News, Tyco, and Marsh & McLennan
have seen their reputations demolished, why?]
A. Their management is not good in dealing with bad news.
B. They do not have enough super-flacks on hand.
C. They are totally helpless when facing bad publicity
D. There are people who did incalculable harm to the brand on purpose.
3. What does the author mean by saying “In the end, the company was seen as the victim.”
(Line6,para3)
A. Johnson & Johnson was drowned in the negative news and could do nothing about it.
B. Johnson & Johnson defused the Tylenol crisis in large part
C. Their quick and effective actions won the faith and the sympathy of the public
D. The public showed their sympathy towards Johnson & Johnson because it is so unlucky.
4. What is the meaning of the underlined word “plummet” according to the text?
A. do not increase
B. increase drastically
C. decrease by only a small percentage
D. decrease sharply
5. Judging from the context, you will make out that Roy Rogers is probably _________ .
A. An luxurious Hotel
B. An amusement park with lots of fast-food vendors
C. A country-side inn
D. An fast-food chain similar with Wendy’s
6.
Business crises come out ________ .
A.
all of a sudden so it is quite necessary for companies to have a plan in advance.
B.
as the result of mistakes that management has made and not all of a sudden
C.
D.
with all kinds of possibilities so it is not possible for companies to have a plan in advance.
as the result of mistakes that management has made and all of a sudden
7. According to the text, among the following choices, what is not the fundamental reason for the
outcome of a business crisis?
A.
technologies get more complicated
B.
malice or intentional neglect
C.
organizations get more complicated
D.
Signs of trouble exist but are overlooked or ignored
8. At the end of the passage, a(an) ______ attitude of the author towards entrepreneurs on crises
management is implied.
A.
Complimentary
47
B.
Critic
C.
Indifferent
D.
Objective
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1.
What kind of measures should be adopted to avoid panic when crisis occurs in business? And
in life? Or when crises are not avoidable, what should be done?
2.
“We worry less about the dangers of driving than about those of flying because we think we
determine what happens to us on the road.” What’s the author’s purpose of saying this
sentence? Do you agree? Or what’s your opinion?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 3′20″
Time You Used: ________
I Came, IPod, Iphone
Why Apple is taking its time in launching a mobile phone
EVERY Apple product-launch is preceded by feverish speculation about what, exactly, Steve
Jobs will have up his sleeve. This week's unveiling of a movie-download service was correctly
predicted by many of the websites devoted to Apple-related trivia. Oddly, however, the most
talked-about product among Apple-watchers is one that the company has yet to admit even exists:
an Apple mobile phone, or iPhone. It is an obvious product for Apple, given the power of its brand,
and the threat to the iPod posed by mobile phones with built-in music players. So where is it?
The problem for Apple is that mobile phones are not like iPods, but are sold in a completely
different way. People do not generally buy them in shops, but from mobile operators. And they do
not pay the full price of the handset, but get a subsidy from the operator in return for signing a
service contract. So if Apple sells iPhones as though they were iPods, they will be far more
expensive than competing handsets. The alternative is for Apple to sell iPhones through operators,
as other handset-makers do. But being reliant on operators, with their poor reputation for customer
service, could damage Apple's iconic brand.
A third option would be for Apple to deepen its partnership with Motorola, the second-largest
handset-maker. The two firms have already worked together to add Apple's iTunes software to
some of Motorola's phones. But it seems unlikely that Mr. Jobs, a legendary perfectionist, would
want to co-brand a handset with Motorola. And any such phone would still have to be sold via
operators, as Motorola's are today.
48
There is another option: for Apple to set up as a mobile operator itself, by leasing network
capacity from an existing operator. This is known in the industry as a “mobile virtual network
operator”, or MVNO. It would give Apple complete control over sales, service, support and billing.
But it would be expensive and risky. The MVNO launched this year by ESPN, a sports channel
owned by Disney, has been a flop. Yet perhaps Apple's powerful brand would see it through. For
Apple's fans, it could be a case of iPhone, therefore I am. (377 words)
(From The Economist print edition,
Sep 14th 2006 http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7921934)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. According to the passage, one can conclude that Steve Job is _______ .
a manager of Apple company
a famous magician
an engineer in R&D department of Apple Company
the CEO of Apple Company
2. The underlined word “unveiling”(Line2,para1) means _______ .
A. Coming out
B. Covering
C.
Removal
D.
Preparation
3. According to the author, the reason for Apple not launching iPhone yet is _______.
A. The power of its brand is not strong enough.
B. Mobile phones are sold by mobile operators.
C. The quality of mobile phones with built-in music players is not good.
D. Apple wants to concentrate on iPod.
4.
5.
Altogether there are _______ options for Apple Company to launch a mobile phone.
A.
Three
B.
Four
C.
Five
D.
Two
Why Mr. Jobs would not want to co-brand a handset with Motorola?
A.
The previous cooperation of the two companies has already proved to be a failure.
B.
Motorola do not want to cooperate with Apple because it has already got a mature market
C.
Mr. Job is a perfectionist and do not want to sell its handset via operators
49
D.
It will be too difficult to organize such cooperate network.
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F (for False)
if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; N (for NOT GIVEN) if the
information is not given in the passage.
6.
________ After solving all those obstacles, Mr. Job will start to co-brand with Motorola.
7.
________ If they do not buy handset from operators, people don’t need to pay the full price
of the handset, but get a subsidy from the seller in return for signing a service contract.
8.
________ If an operator is authorized by Apple to sell iPhone, maybe its poor reputation for
customer service could damage Apple's iconic brand.
9.
________ A “mobile virtual network operator” would give Apple complete control over sales,
service, support and billing, though a little expensive but not risky.
10. ________ The MVNO launched this year by ESPN has not succeeded..
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used:
___
The Ad Doctor Is In
Advertising guru Tom Doctoroff explains successful China youth marketing
Even as Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning embraces U.S. basketball great Shaquille
O’Neal to bolster its image, at least one of its competitors has begun to look at the opposites of
superstars to help sell its products.
In an Internet advertising campaign that began in March, Nike Inc. promoted the heroic tales
of ordinary Chinese kids on its Website, although a company spokeswoman said the campaign has
since ended. The Internet movies can still be viewed.
“We are witnessing a generation who are daring to find their own path,” according to the
campaign. “A generation who are pushing their boundaries, being brave, taking risks and using
sport as part of a creative lifestyle.”
Nike’s advertising, therefore, featured “Cain,” a 20-year old Shanghai woman who likes to
challenge guys to basketball games, and “Nike’s advertising Wesley,” a 25-year-old Beijing man
who became a skateboard fanatic against his parents’ wishes.
A journalist recently caught up with advertising guru Tom Doctoroff, Greater China CEO of J.
Walter Thompson, to speak about different marketing approaches in China, and what works best
50
for China’s youth.
J: Is marketing to China’s youth different than marketing to youth in the West?
Basically youth are youth everywhere. But there are two differences. Youth in China are not at
all cynical about brands. People are excited about brands. The freest form of expression in China
today is advertising. Second, there is a different definition of individualism in China. Saying “no,”
defining yourself independent of society—in China this has to be handled more artfully. China is a
very Confucian society. A lot of people think Chinese people are becoming more Western. I totally
disagree. In China individualism is either a release from convention or reinterpretation of
convention but it never departs from convention. That’s why celebrity advertising works. It’s
endorsement by society.
What are some companies that have developed successful marketing campaigns targeting
young people and why?
Adidas is based on performance, that extra edge, that nothing is impossible. What Nike is
doing is about true individualism. “I’m a girl that plays basketball with boys and I don’t care.”
Nike is going in now as it gears for 2008 with guns fully blazing. This is extremely ambitious.
“We are going to change Chinese youth.” It will be interesting to see how quickly this spreads to
mass audience.
What do you notice that is most interesting about targeting China’s youth?
Marketing is about trying to understand human nature. It is all the more important in China. In
China they boast a fundamentally different worldview. When Western companies come to China,
they don’t have to abandon their brand, but they do have to bring it into alignment with the
Chinese worldview.
Any final thoughts?
As someone in marketing, you have to understand China. You have to understand what
motivates people. You don’t have to go reading Daoism and Confucianism. But you have to be
intellectually engaged in market.
Editors’ note: Doctoroff previously worked on Nike’s advertising with J. Walter Thompson
before Nike moved its ad business to Wieden+Kennedy. (520 words)
(http://www.bjreview.com.cn/06-35-e/bus-7.htm)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
When the author refers to “look at the opposites of superstars”, he (or she) means________ .
A.
Trying to find the ordinary side of superstars in ads. to shorten the distance between
them and the common people
B.
Some companies start to believe that the advertising effect of superstars do not meet
51
their expectation
C.
Some companies start to feature ordinary people as the hero or heroine in their
advertisement
D.
Trying to find out if it is also useful to feature ordinary people as the hero or heroine in
the advertisement
2.
3.
The underlined word “guru”(Line1, para5) means _______.
A.
Consultant
B.
Employee
C.
Business
D.
Authority
What is not the difference between marketing to China’s youth and marketing to youth in the
West?
A.
Usually China’s youth pay special attention to brands while many westerners are cynical
about brands
B.
Though China’s youth is influenced by western “individualism”, they are still bound by
conventions
4.
C.
Celebrity advertising works out better in China.
D.
In western society, usually people do not believe in advertisement
What is most interesting about targeting China’s youth?
A.
Foreign companies should build a new brand according to Chinese culture
B.
Foreign companies should understand the China’s worldview when launching a brand
C.
China’s youth change very fast, so foreign companies should get to know what they are
thinking about
D.
5.
Their purchasing power is even higher than western youth
Among the following choices, what is not correct according to the passage?
A.
If one wants to do business in China, it is better for him (her) to read Daoism and
Confucianism
B.
If one wants to do business in China, firstly he (she) has to understand China.
C.
If one wants to do business in China, one has to be intellectually engaged in market.
D.
If one wants to do business in China, one has to understand what motivates people.
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F (for false) if
the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; N (for NOT GIVEN) if the
information is not given in the passage.
52
________ The Internet movies of the advertising campaign couldn’t be viewed soon.
________ Nike’s advertising features a 25-year-old Shanghai woman named “Cain” who likes to
challenge guys to basketball games.
________ Usually, the Chinese tend to be more conservative and wouldn’t say “no” directly.
________ Nike is heading for Chinese market now as it is busily and confidently preparing for
2008.
________ It is implied in the passage that Nike will soon change the China’s youth.
53
Tips for Reading
Recognizing Signal Words (I)
While writing, one will always follow a certain logic or order to develop the article. Signal
Words can help us understand the development of the writer’s logic, the relationship between
sentences, and the relationship between paragraphs. With the help of the Signal Words, we can
have a better understanding of the text, and improve our reading speed.
The following words are Signal Words indicating 递进关系：and, also, first, second, next,
besides, similarly, further, moreover, in addition, in addition to, again, likewise, what is more,
etc.
For example: Red roses were her favorite, her name was also Rose. She brought the roses in, and
then just looked at them in shock.
The following words are Signal Words indicating transition: but, however, on the contrary,
otherwise, yet, although, nevertheless, etc. For example: I know it’s only been a year, but please
try not to grieve. I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways.
54
UNIT FIVE MARRIAGE
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. What is true love?
2. What kind of life does one usually live if his /her spouse passes away?
3. What does marriage mean to people?
Roses for Rose
Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose. And every year her husband sent them,
tied with pretty bows. The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door. The card said, "Be
my Valentine, "like all the years before.
Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say, "I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day. ""My love for you will always grow, with every passing year. "She
knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses in advance
before this day. Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away. He always liked to do
things early. Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine. She trimmed the stems, and
placed them in a very special vase. Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face. She
would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair. While staring at his picture, and the roses
sitting there.
A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude, that had
become her fate. Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before, the door-bell rang, and there were
roses, sitting by her door. She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock. Then,
went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he
would explain, why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain？
"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago," The owner said, "I knew you'd call,
and you would want to know. " "The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance." "Your
husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."
"There is a standing order that I have on file down here. And he has paid, well in advance,
you'll get them every year. There also is another thing that I think you should know. He wrote a
special little card. . . he did this years ago. "
"Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here. That's the card. . . that should be sent, to
you the following year. "
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as
55
she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. Then, as
she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote: "Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've
been gone, I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome. " "I know it must be lonely, and the
pain is very real. For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made
everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife. "
"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need. I know it's only been a year, but
please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. That is why the
roses will be sent to you for years. "
"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness that we had together, and how both of us
were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on,
you have some living still. "
"Please. . . try to find happiness, while living out your days. I know it is not easy, but I hope
you find some ways. The roses will come every year, and they will only stop when your door's not
answered, when the florist stops to knock. "
"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. But after his last visit, he will
know without a doubt. To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him, and place the rose
where we are, together once again. " (693 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(http://www.oxford.com.cn/study/practice/reading/2006-09-03/yingyu-yuedu15981.html)
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. The game ended in a tie.
2. I raised my hat to her and she bowed in return.
3. A postman is a man employed to deliver letters and parcels.
4. Tom lives in solitude.
5. I chanced to be out when he telephoned.
6. The meeting was over and the man filed out.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. _____It was the last time for Rose to receive roses when her husband died.
2. _____Rose’s husband had the habit of doing things early.
3. _____Rose lived in solitude after her husband died.
4. _____Rose was very happy after she received the roses the following year.
5. _____In the second year, Rose got a card from her late husband.
6. _____Rose telephoned the florist shop to say thank--you.
7. _____It was his husband who sent her the roses.
8. _____Rose will receive roses every year.
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9. _____Roses will not be sent to Rose if she doesn’t answer the door.
10. _____Rose will be buried with her husband after her death.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
in advance/ trim/ in shock/ pass away/ in silence/ overcome/ fulfill/ grieve/ in
case/without a doubt
1. ______ I forget, please remind me of my promise.
2. Galileo’s ideas were well ______ of the age in which he lived .
3. It’s difficult to______ one’s bad habit.
4. When the teacher came into the classroom, everyone was ______.
5. Boris will come back country______.
6. The man______ peacefully.
7. Mary wears a hat ______ with fur.
8. Everyone should ______ one’s duties.
9. Mike looked at the stranger______.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Money makes the world go VS. Love makes the world go.
A: material life/wealth/realistic/necessities
B: spiritual life /relationship/emotion/happy
2. Age is a problem in marriage VS. age is not a problem in marriage
A: true love/understanding/same interest
B: gap/different habit/transient
3. Distance is a problem for love VS distance is not a problem for love.
A: realistic/change/not convenient/ contact
B: technology/shorten the distance /see/hear
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. My ideal husband/husband
2. What’s your attitude towards students getting married in university?
3. Do you like to live with your wife’s/husband’s parents after getting married?
Reading Two
Will You Marry Me?
Which four little words will change a man's life forever? ("I'll have a Bud" doesn't count.) Try,
"Will you marry me?" Not merely a question, a marriage proposal is the climax of a totally (and
hopefully perfectly) choreographed surprise. Here's how five men popped the question -- and
made their beloved pop a gasket.
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Romeo #1:
Jennifer and I are big fans of BR5-49, a Southern rockabilly band, so I decided to propose at
one of their gigs. Between sets, I found two of the musicians outside the club. I told them I
planned to propose to my girlfriend that night and asked them to read a fake song-request note I'd
written before they played her favorite song. The note said: "I've got a gal here from South
Carolina who loves the song 'Hickory Wind.' I was hoping you could play that for her and help me
ask her to be my wife. Her name is Jennifer, my name is Will." While they were reading it, the
whole club went dead quiet. After a couple of seconds, Jennifer looked over at me, and I raised my
hand. The spotlight came up on me; everyone on the dance floor moved back. I got down on my
knee, took the ring out of my pocket, and said, "Jennifer, will you be my wife?" She started crying.
Then she got down on one knee, held my face in her hands, and said, "Of course." Then she kissed
me. One of the guys onstage yelled, "Get a room!"
Romeo #2:
I proposed to Jessica on the beach in Miami at 1 a.m., after a wedding. She was cranky and
tired, but I convinced her to take a walk with me. She didn't think anything was up -- she thought I
was just being annoying. Once we got to the beach, I waited for Jessica's mood to improve, and
then I started talking about all our good times and how much I loved her -- and why. I guess I
overdid it, because she said, "What's going on?" I reached into my pocket, pulled out the diamond
ring, and said, "Jessica, will you marry me?" Her reply was, "Are you kidding?" I told her to just
answer the question. She said yes. And cried. Then we sat on the beach and watched the sun come
up.
Romeo #3:
Jackie knew I had the ring -- we picked it out together -- but I still wanted the proposal to be
a complete surprise. The only place I didn't think she'd expect it was at her office, so I asked her
boss to help me arrange it. He agreed to schedule a fake meeting with her so she'd be in her office
when I arrived. As I walked in, Jackie turned red and said, "What are you doing here?" Apparently,
she thought her boss was going to be mad. Instead, he left the office. I closed the door and said,
"What do you think I'm doing here?" Jackie started shaking uncontrollably. I hugged her, but it
didn't help. She continued to shake -- to the point where I thought she'd collapse -- so I got down
on my knee, pulled out the ring, and launched into my proposal. Her hand shook as I slid the ring
onto her finger, and her eyes filled with tears. She was speechless.
Romeo #4:
I wanted Amanda to be totally surprised when I proposed, so I started with a movie and a
casual dinner at one of our favorite little spots in Virginia Beach. As we ordered dessert, I knew
she didn't have a clue what I was planning. After dinner we went miniature golfing -- one of her
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favorite summertime activities. Conveniently, the miniature golf course was very close to the
beach. I suggested a stroll. We went to a secluded spot on the beach and began walking. Amanda
didn't realize it, but I was carrying a towel and had tucked a card into my shorts. Somehow, I
extricated the card, slowed my pace to let her get just slightly ahead of me, put the towel on the
sand, dropped to my knee, and called her name. When she spun around, I was holding the card out
to her. At that moment, she probably sensed that this was it. Inside the card was a poem I had
written -- six verses about us and love. The last line was, "Will you marry me?" When she looked
up from the card -- with tears streaming down her face -- I presented the ring. By now it was pitch
black on the beach, so, with Amanda still crying, we ran up the beach toward a porch light for a
better look. Apparently, she liked what she saw. We were married ten months later.
Romeo #5:
I took Donna to New Orleans for her 29th birthday. She knew I planned to propose there, so
my challenge was to do it in an unexpected way. I made dinner reservations at Galatoire's, one of
the most famous restaurants in the city, and before we left the hotel room I gave Donna a book of
sonnets. On the front of the book, I posted a note that directed her to specific pages, until she
reached a sonnet by Christopher Marlowe that begins, "Live with me and be my love." That one
said it all. I put a note there that directed her to the nightstand, where I'd left a small box. Donna
started crying as she opened it and saw the diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring. In fact, she
cried all through dinner. I wanted to tell the waiter that we just got engaged, but Donna was so
excited and overwhelmed that she refused to talk about it. (965 words)
(http://www.icansay.com/new/index.php?ArticleID=4277)
(TIME ALLOWED: 9 Minutes)
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: match the persons in Column 1 with the ways of proposing in
Column 2
Column 1
1.Romeo ﹟1
Column 2
A.I proposed to my girl friend on the beach and
then we sat on the beach and watched the sun.
2. Romeo ﹟2
B. I proposed to my girl friend on the beach and
gave her a card which contained my poem.
3. Romeo ﹟3
C. I proposed at the performance of a Southern
rockabilly band.
4. Romeo ﹟4
D.I proposed to my girl friend in her office.
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5. Romeo ﹟5
E. I gave my girl friend a book of sonnets in
which there was a note directing her the place of
the engagement ring.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. What should be the bases of a successful marriage?
2. Talk about the marriage customs of your city.
Reading III
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 2′45″
Time You Used: _______
This is America--- Weddings
By Jerilyn Watson
More than four-million Americans get married each year. Some of these people will have a
traditional wedding ceremony in a religious center, a hotel or a social club. These couples may
invite hundreds of people to their celebrations. Other couples will have a simple ceremony
performed by a judge in a public building. They will invite only close family members and friends.
They may not have the money to spend on a big wedding. Or they may want to save money for a
wedding trip to a faraway place or to help them buy a house.
Americans get married in different ways. But the meaning of all these weddings is the same.
The bride and groom promise to spend the rest of their lives together.
Big weddings have created a huge business in the United States. A big wedding requires special
clothing, flowers, food preparation, photographs and music. Experts say the average American
wedding costs about twenty-thousand dollars. Some estimates say Americans spend as much as
seventy-thousand-million dollars a year for everything connected with weddings.
Traditionally, the bride's parents plan and pay for the wedding. Sometimes the groom's parents
share this responsibility. Today many Americans are older when they get married. So they often
organize and pay for their own weddings. For example, a businessman and a nurse in Boston,
Massachusetts will marry later this month. They will have a traditional American church wedding.
The bride will wear a long white dress and a white head covering called a veil. She also will wear
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four other traditional things: Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. And
something blue. These four things are supposed to bring her good luck.
During the ceremony she and her groom will accept each other as husband and wife. They will
promise to love and honor each other always. The groom will place a gold wedding ring on the
third finger of the bride's left hand. The bride will place a gold wedding ring on the third finger of
the groom's left hand. The clergy member performing the ceremony will declare that they are
husband and wife. Then the bride and groom will kiss.
(364 words)
(http://www.calm-sea.com/Mark/VOAAnnual/200601/Mark_10206.html)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
What is the meaning of American weddings?
A.
It is a religious ceremony
B.
It’s an occasion for the bride and groom to promise to love and honor each other.
C.
It’s a chance to announce the news to their relatives and friends.
D.
It’s a chance for the bride and the groom to make the promise that they will spend the
rest of their lives together.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What’s the result of having big weddings?.
A.
Usually the bride and the groom won’t have enough money.
B.
They create a huge business.
C.
They won’t have enough money to buy a house.
D.
They will have to work hard after getting married.
______pay (pays) for the wedding traditionally..
A.
The bride’s parents
B.
The groom’s parents
C.
The bride’s parents and the groom’s parents
D.
The bride and the groom
What will the bride wear on the wedding ceremony?.
A.
A long white dress and a white veil.
B.
A long white dress, a white veil and something blue.
C.
Everything she wears must be new.
D.
A long white dress, a white veil and four other traditional things.
The bride wears four traditional things on weddings ceremony because _______.
A.
They symbolize “being forever”
B.
They symbolize “beginning a new life, but not forgetting the old”
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C.
They symbolize “good luck”
D.
They symbolize “being rich”
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′40″
Time You Used:
___
Quickie Marriages: What They Really Mean
Nicky Hilton and Todd Meister. Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman. Britney Spears and that
guy she was married to for 55 hours. Sure, we all laugh at these blink-and-you'll-miss-'em
marriages and chalk them up to celebrity flakiness.
After all, who gets divorced that quickly? Actually, more "regular" people than you think. The
most common time for marriages to fall apart is within the first two years, according to Diane
Sollee, director of SmartMarriages.com. And while there are no hard numbers, anecdotal data
suggests that we're whipping through matrimony faster than ever. This means that you might find
yourself dating a twentysomething with a divorce under his or her proverbial belt.
Does that mean the person is a poor judge of character, or impossibly impulsive? Should you
steer clear? The answer isn't so simple. I should know. At 28, I got divorced three weeks shy of my
first anniversary. Were I on the other side, discovering over dinner that my date had been married
briefly, I might judge him as immature and irresponsible. But now, after my own experience and
after talking to the experts, I know not all high-speed divorces are the same. If you're dating
someone who swiftly separated, consider the following:
Quickie question #1: Who broke up with whom?
Remember: For every heartbreaker out there, there's someone who's had his or her heart
broken. The fact is, not everyone who is divorced wanted to be divorced. Studies show that three
out of four divorces are unilateral—meaning that only onespouse decided to end it—and that
women are more likely to end marriages than men. In laymen's terms, the seemingly irresponsible
cad may not be so bad. That's why it's important to gently tease out the circumstances surrounding
the divorce before passing judgment, stresses Jay Lebow, senior therapist at the Family Institute at
Northwestern University. "Often, one partner hasn't really thought through the full range of things
it means to be married," he explains. "Or the person who left could have commitment issues."
Quickie question #2: Did age play a role?
Ah, young lovers—impulsive, romantic, headstrong, foolish. Those qualities that make you
go weak in the knees so easily are often also the same ones that cause problems later on. The
62
younger you are when you marry, the more likely your marriage will end, but that doesn't
necessarily brand you as non-marriage material for life. Adrian, 31, who works in advertising sales
in Dallas, knew that Bree had been married at 19 and divorced by 20 before they got involved, but
he wasn't deterred. "She got married too young," Adrian says. "There were options to get out
before the wedding, but she went through with it out of guilt." Two years since her split, Adrian
says, "This crisis made her more mature than most people her age. I honestly don't think we
would've gotten together if she hadn't gone through this." (490 words)
(http://www.icansay.com/new/index.php?ArticleID=4260)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
If you date someone who had been married briefly, you should consider ______.
A. If he/she is mature
B. If he/she is responsible
C. Who broke up with whom and if age played a role
D. Stop dating with him/her
2. ______are more likely to end marriages.
A.
Men
B.
Young men
C.
Women
D.
Young women
3. What makes a young man get married quickly?
A.
They believe love at the first sight.
B.
Young people don’t care much.
C.
They think it’s important to grasp the opportunity.
D.
The qualities of being impulsive, romantic, headstrong, and foolish.
4. _______cause (causes) young people to get divorced.
A.
The qualities of being impulsive, romantic, headstrong, and foolish
B.
Lacking the understanding of each other
C.
Being immature
D.
Lacking of responsibility
5. What’s Adrian’s opinion towards Bree?.
A.
It isn’t Bree’s fault to marry at an early age
B.
Early marriage and divorce made Bree more mature.
C.
He could perceive that Bree felt guilty.
D.
One shouldn’t get married at an early age.
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UNIT SIX FESTIVALS
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Do you believe that there are ghosts in the world? If yes, share with the rest of the class your
evidence; if no, what are the “ghosts” appearing in the text?
2. Have you ever deserted something that you don’t feel like any more immediately while you
cherished it as the apple of your eye shortly before?
3. Can you imagine that you are one member of the street men or street women collecting rubbish
while others are enjoying the New Year’s Eve?
The Ghosts of Christmas Past
They are the undead of the festive season, guilt-inducing remnants of our excess. It doesn't have to
be this way, says Oliver Burkeman.
From a self-esteem point of view, being a Christmas tree must be terrible. People welcome
you into their homes, buy you beautiful things to wear and make you the centre of attention, and
then, just when you are starting to enjoy it all, they kick you out and leave you on the pavement.
Now that Twelfth Night1 has passed, the UK's rough-sleeping tree problem is once again acute: on
corners and traffic islands across the country they sprawl forlornly, guilt-inducing remnants of
prior hedonism2. British people buy more than seven million trees each Christmas, but make
arrangements to recycle barely a third of them; they leave most of the others, it seems, on my
street.
At this point, they become the responsibility of a small army of men and women for whom
Christmas 2004 still has yet to end. "Of course, we'd far rather it didn't happen," says Ann Baker,
assistant head of street environment services for the London borough3 of Camden, lamenting the
mass abandonment of trees. Camden has invested heavily this year in advertisements that urge its
residents to take their trees to one of 23 drop-off sites where they will be collected, then taken to
Ongar in Essex and turned into compost4. (The especially eager can then buy the compost for £2 a
bag.) If you just leave your Christmas tree out with your regular rubbish, it won't be recycled. "But
the bin men will probably pick it up," Baker concedes. "We don't advertise that fact."
Technically, if you don't live in an area offering a garden-waste disposal services as part of the
refuse collection, abandoning your tree to the elements counts as fly-tipping, which is illegal.
"You're not allowed to just drag your tree a few hundred yards up the street," warns a
spokeswoman for Barnet council, in London, where the recycling of several kinds of ordinary
household rubbish became compulsory this month. "But it's a bit hard to trace the culprit. When
64
somebody does that with a bag of litter, there's sometimes evidence [of where it came from]. With
a tree, it can be rather difficult."
Part of the problem is surely psychological. Leaving something as wholesomely
biodegradable5 as a dead tree out in the open air simply doesn't feel as wrong as dumping a fridge
down beside your local stretch of railway track. (This, of course, is because it isn't - but it's still
not good.)
Having to pay somebody to take a tree away feels slightly strange, too, though plenty of
nurseries and garden centres will oblige if you are willing. Three years ago, the DIY chain Focus
offered a free return-and-recycle service for customers who had bought trees from them, but some
people missed the point, and started fly-tipping their other rubbish at the stores. Meanwhile, many
of the councils who had promised to remove the collected trees failed to do so. "They let us down
in so many cases that we started to get tree mountains," says Anthea Fosti, a Focus DIY6
spokeswoman. "Logistically, with the best will in the world, it just didn't work out."
The answer, of course, is to buy a tree complete with roots, tend it through the year, and then
bring it inside again next December. But there's a selfish, binge-and-purge dynamic to Christmas
in general that militates against this approach. The festivities are over and behind us; the new year
is about getting down to work and looking forward; thinking about next Christmas now takes an
iron will.
And so, for the most part, the evergreen undead are condemned to wither by the roadside,
forgotten but not gone. Honestly, it must make them feel so used. (645 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(From The Guardian Monday January 10, 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmas2004/story/0,,1386680,00.html)
Notes
Twelfth Night: January 5, the eve of Epiphany and the beginning of Carnival, celebrated as a
holiday in parts of Europe and the United States and marked by feasting, merrymaking, and the
lighting of bonfires.
2 Hedonism: pursuit of or devotion to pleasure.
3 Borough: a town having a municipal corporation and certain rights, such as self-government.
4 Compost: A mixture of decaying organic matter, as from leaves and manure, used to improve
soil structure and provide nutrients.
5 Biodegradable: capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria.
6DIY: abbr. Do It Yourself.
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
7. There are some untidy tenements sprawling toward the river.
8. The man lamented his thoughtless acts.
65
9.
10.
11.
12.
We store compost for the next spring.
They have conceded us the right to cross their land.
The bad weather militated against the Sports Meeting.
He has a will of iron.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. _____People kick Christmas trees out and leave them on the pavement without buying anything
to decorate them.
2. _____British people make arrangements to recycle barely a third of the trees and they leave
most of the others on my street.
3. _____A small army of men and women have to deal with the mass abandonment of trees.
4. _____The local government has advertised a lot to urge its residents to take their trees to one
of 23 drop-off sites where they will be collected.
5. _____According to the law, dragging one’s tree a few hundred yards up the street and leaving
it there is legal.
6. _____It can be quite easy to trace the culprit, when somebody does the fly-tipping with a tree.
7. _____The psychological factor is also responsible for the problem of dumping a dead tree out
in the open air.
8. _____Even with the best will in the world, sometimes you still can’t have people accept your
instructions.
9. _____It’s wise to buy a tree complete with roots, tend it through the year, and then bring it
inside again next December.
10. _____People leave trees withering by the roadside shortly after the Christmas, because the
trees are condemned.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
kick out / responsibility / lament / concede / culprit / abandon / compulsory / fly-tip
/ festivity/ wither
1. With great power, comes great ________.
2. John was________ of the company for his carelessness while doing his business. kicked out
3. The royal members ________the passing of aristocratic society which would never come back
again.
4. After the First World War Germany ________ its neighbors much valuable land.
5. The main ________ was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in jail for disclosing
classified information.
6. One shall________, if he abandoned a friend in trouble.
7. Those subjects are ________in our school, each of us has to take them.
8. ________ those rubbish here is illegal.
9. The wedding ________were very gay, we enjoyed ourselves very much.
10. The headmaster________ him with a look.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
66
following topics
1. School Uniforms
A: build character /eliminate class differences /concentrate on their studies/ popular with
parents and administrators /inexpensive /attractive and neat /many countries have them
B: lead to conformity /disliked by students (students like to primp)/ create a military mentality/
infringement on freedom (different strokes for different folks)/childish/losing popularity
2. Legalized Gambling
A: reduce taxes/government revenue/gaining popularity in the world/an old practice/pleasurable
/voluntary
B: banned in most countries/ condemned by most religions/ addictive/throw away their
hard-earned savings/destroy happy families/lead to suicide
3. City Life
A: exciting/ attract people from the countryside/offer the best schools, hospitals, and
stores/offer many amenities/ chances of employment/ create a good living environment
B: unhealthy (e.g., water and air pollution)/devoid of Nature and distinct seasons/noisy and
dangerous/make people nervous and even neurotic/awful slums/overcrowded and expensive/
housing projects unpopular
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
4. An unpleasant experience
5. How to construct a harmonious society
6. Law Governing and morality Governing
Reading Two
Easter1
As with almost all "Christian" holidays, Easter has been secularized and commercialized. The
dichotomous nature of Easter and its symbols, however, is not necessarily a modern fabrication.
Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century, Easter has had its
non-religious side. In fact, Easter was originally a pagan2 festival.
The ancient Saxons3 celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival
commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Easter. When the second-century
Christian missionaries4 encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they
attempted to convert them to Christianity. They did so, however, in a clandestine manner.
It would have been suicide for the very early Christian converts to celebrate their holy days
67
with observances that did not coincide with celebrations that already existed. To save lives, the
missionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations
by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.
As it happened, the pagan festival of Easter occurred at the same time of year as the Christian
observance of the Resurrection5 of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to
make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. The early name, Easters, was
eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.
The Date of Easter
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor
Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first
Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox6. However, a caveat
must be introduced here. The "full moon" in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is
defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical
New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The
ecclesiastical "vernal equinox" is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a
Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.
The Lenten7 Season
Lent is the forty-six day period just prior to Easter Sunday. It begins on Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is a celebration, sometimes called "Carnival," practiced
around the world, on the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. It was designed as a way to "get it all
out" before the sacrifices of Lent began. New Orleans is the focal point of Mardi Gras celebrations
in the U.S. Read about the religious meanings of the Lenten Season.
The Cross
The Cross is the symbol of the Crucifixion8, as opposed to the Resurrection. However, at the
Council of Nicaea, in A.D. 325, Constantine decreed that the Cross was the official symbol of
Christianity. The Cross is not only a symbol of Easter, but it is more widely used, especially by the
Catholic Church, as a year-round symbol of their faith.
The Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival
of Easter. The goddess, Easter, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol,
the rabbit.
The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by
other Christians until shortly after the Civil War9. In fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in
America until after that time.
68
The Easter Egg
As with the Easter Bunny and the holiday itself, the Easter Egg predates the Christian holiday
of Easter. The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter
was first celebrated by Christians.
From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often
wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or
petals of certain flowers.
Today, children hunt colored eggs and place them in Easter baskets along with the modern
version of real Easter eggs -- those made of plastic or chocolate candy. (688 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(http://wilstar.com/holidays/easter.htm)
Notes
1. Easter: A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus.
2. pagan: One who is not a Christian, Moslem, or Jew; a heathen.
3. Saxon: A member of a West Germanic tribal group that inhabited northern Germany and
invaded Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries a.d. with the Angles and Jutes.
4. missionary: One who is sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable
work in a territory or foreign country.
5. Resurrection: The rising again of Jesus on the third day after the Crucifixion.
6. equinox: Either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and
when the length of day and night are approximately equal; the vernal equinox or the autumnal
equinox.
7. Lenten: Of or relating to Lent.
8. Crucifixion: The act of crucifying; execution on a cross.
9. The Civil War: The war in the United States between the Union and the Confederacy from
1861 to 1865.
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text:
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. The passage is mainly about __________.
A.
the origin and tradition of the Easter
B.
how the Cross became the symbol of Crucifixion
C.
the Easter Bunny
D.
what people usually do during the Lent
69
2. According to the passage, the author believes that __________.
A.
Easter was a Christian festival at its very beginning
B.
The American brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America themselves
C.
Easter has been secularized and commercialized.
D.
The Easter Bunny is a modern invention.
3. The ancient Saxons took the Eastre in order to celebrate the __________.
4.
A.
Resurrection of Christ
B.
the New Year
C.
their goddess of offspring and of springtime
D.
the harvest
Easter had once been variously celebrated on different days of the week, with an exception of
__________.
5.
A.
Sunday
B.
Saturday
C.
Friday
D.
Wednesday
Which of the following is not the symble of the Easter__________.
A.
the turkey
B.
the Easter Bunny
C.
the Easter eggs
D. the Cross
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. The traditions of Chinese Spring Festival.
2. The introduction of Christmas to China has reduced the popularity of the New Year’s Eve.
3. Culture shock.
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 2′45″
Time You Used:
___
Hispanic Heritage Month Events
70
Compiled by Tina Toll
Here are some events planned in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, the American Film Institute in Silver Spring is hosting
the 17th Washington Latin American Film Festival, with more than 30 films made in Latin
America, Spain and Portugal. Films are shown seven days a week, with matinees on weekends.
Most are in Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles. 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring.
$9.25; $6.75, matinees. 301-495-6700 or http://www.afi.com/silver.
Saturday
LATINO HEALTH FAIR, Ama tu Vida, county agencies and nonprofit organizations provide
information about services for the Latino community, along with health screenings. Also relay
races, folk dancing, music, face painting and games. Noon-5 p.m., Wheaton Regional Park, 2000
Shorefield Rd., Wheaton. Free. 240-777-0024.
Monday
EVENING OF LATIN AMERICA, bring stories of Latin America to share. Exchange
experiences, make travel recommendations, get advice, relive adventures and share photos. With
music and refreshments. Hosted by the Spanish Conversation Club and the Bilingual Book Group.
7 p.m., Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg. Free. 240-777-0200.
Sept. 30
HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION, Fabian Reyes, "El Trovador," presents Mexican
and Latin American music. 11 a.m., Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville. Free.
240-773-9410.
ARGENTINE CULTURAL PROGRAM, for ages 6 and older; folk dancers, tango
demonstrations, art exhibits; presented by the Embassy of Argentina. 1 p.m., Bethesda Library,
7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda. Free. 240-777-0970.
Oct. 7
MEXICAN FIESTA , Mariachi "El Paso" performs music and dance. 11 a.m., Long Branch
Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Free. 240-777-0910.
COLOMBIAN CULTURE, El Tayrona performs Colombian dance and music; the
Colombian folkloric group also shares cultural traditions, including a dialogue about the country's
history. 2 p.m., Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave., Kensington. Free. 240-773-9515.
Oct. 14
PANAMANIAN DANCE, Grufolpawa, a dance ensemble, performs to musical rhythms from
Africa, Spain and indigenous styles, for ages 6 and older. 11:30 a.m., Fairland Library, 14910 Old
Columbia Pike, Burtonsville; 240-773-9460. Also at 2 p.m., Damascus Library, 9701 Main St.,
Damascus; 240-773-9444. Free.
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Oct. 21
HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL , "Los Amigos" mariachi band performs music. 11 a.m.,
Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Wheaton. Free. 240-777-0678. (364 words)
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001021.html)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
2.
The passage is mainly about __________.
A.
the EVENING OF LATIN AMERICA
B.
the PANAMANIAN DANCE
C.
the ARGENTINE CULTURAL PROGRAM
D.
the Hispanic Heritage Month Events
According to the passage, people can enjoy the films made in Latin America, Spain and
Portugal during __________.
3.
4.
A.
COLOMBIAN CULTURE
B.
HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL
C.
LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
D.
ARGENTINE CULTURAL PROGRAM
During the EVENING OF LATIN AMERICA, you can have all these except __________.
A.
exchange experiences
B.
make travel recommendations
C.
watch a football game
D.
get advice
How much shall a 6-year-old girl pay for the ticket during ARGENTINE CULTURAL
PROGRAM __________.
5.
A.
$9.25
B.
$6.75
C.
$8.25
D.
free
During HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL, one can listen to music performed by mariachi
band at __________.
A.
11 a.m.
B.
10 a.m.
C.
3 p.m.
D. 11 p.m.
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
72
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F
(for False) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for
NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.
6.______PANAMANIAN DANCE is held on Oct. 14.
7.______One can have his face painted during LATINO HEALTH FAIR.
8.______Dance will be performed during HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION.
9.______One cam learn to play guitar during MEXICAN FIESTA.
10.______HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL will be held in Aspen Hill Library.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′45″
Time You Used:
___
The Carnival of Venice is the most important and magnificent of Venetian celebrations, a much
appreciated cocktail of tradition, spectacle, history and transgression set in a unique city, a festival
that attracts thousands of people each year to the city from around the world.
The carnival has ancient origins, a celebration that greets the passing of winter into spring, a
period in which everything is apparently connected, including the illusion of the more humble
classes becoming similar to the powerful, since everyone is disguised behind a mask. The Carnival
of Venice officially began in 1296, when the Senate of the Republic authorized the carnival with
an edict declaring the day before Lent as a day of celebration. After a break of almost two
centuries, the traditions of the carnival were recovered by the Municipality in 1980 and since then
the event has been held with great success each year.
Each year has a different, underlying theme for the carnival, which is developed under
various points of view, from one of culture to that of pure spectacle. For two weeks St. Marks'
Square, the theaters, streets, squares and public buildings become the protagonists of numerous
initiatives and shows: actors, acrobats, dancers and musicians bring a celebration atmosphere to
the city for a few days, which is similar to that of the XVII century.
The 2006 edition of Venice Carnival is dedicated to China. In Saint Mark's there will be
constructed a large covered stage which will host a great festival of music and dance. Meanwhile,
on the Grand Canal there will be a catwalk of people with Venetian masks on board of Gondolas.
Various Venetian squares in rotation will see live music, dancing and competitions for the most
73
beautiful mask. The cruise passenger terminal San Basilio will be the venue for "Carnival Nights",
where party animals can dance the night away until dawn.
The new edition of Carnival at the Theatre, titled "The dragon and the lion" is solely
dedicated to China. The Venice Biennale brings to the forefront theatre shows namely from La
Fenice, Teatro Malibran, Teatro Goldoni and the brand-new theatre venues at the Arsenale.
Anyone wishing to sample aristocracy during the carnival can go to the Venetian palaces
which host masked balls and gala feasts in costume. The city is home to various fashion houses
where you can hire splendid period costumes, wigs and masks. As well as Venice, carnivals are
also held inland, for example in Mestre, Treviso and on the Brenta Riviera, where you can take
part in the beautiful allegoric carriage parades, which only take place during the last weekend of
the carnival. (438 words) (http://www.venicecarnival.com/)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
According to the passage, Carnival, as a magnificent celebration, was firstly held to
greet__________.
2.
A.
the passing of winter into spring
B.
the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
C.
the New Year
D.
the harvest
The Carnival of Venice officially began in________, when the Senate of the Republic
authorized the carnival with an edict declaring the day before Lent as a day of celebration.
A.
two centuries ago
B.
1980
C.
1296
D.
2006
3. Carnival, as a magnificent celebration, was held in the following places except__________.
A.
Venice
B.
Mestre
C.
Treviso
D.
New York
4. According to the passage, which of the following is not right? __________.
A.
The Carnival attracts thousands of people each year to the city from around the world.
B.
The carnival were recovered by the Municipality in 1980.
C.
Party animals are forbidden to dance the whole night during "Carnival Nights".
74
D.
The Carnival of Venice is the most important and magnificent of Venetian celebrations.
5. What’s the author’s attitude towards the Carnival celebration__________.
A.
Negative
B.
Supportive
C.
Careless
D. Not mentioned
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if
the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the
information is not given in the passage.
6.
______ The celebration of Carnival has never been broken in the history.
7.
______ Each year has a unique theme for the Carnival.
8.
______ Carnival, as a magnificent celebration, was only celebrated in Venice.
9.
______ Children can see their acrobats during the celebration of the Carnival.
10. ______ China is going to celebrate the Carnival.
75
Tips for Reading
Recognizing Signal Words (II)
Signal words such as “because”, “since”, “as”, “because of”, “thanks to”, etc are used to express
the causal relation.
Signal words such as “in conclusion”, “to sum up”, “to summarize”, “to conclude”, “in short”, “in
a word”, etc are used to express a conclusion.
1. They dug up all the weeds and picked out all the stones, not because they liked weeding and
cleaning, but because it was all part of the hunt for the buried treasure.
2. The children could play as long as they liked, they had no work to do, and nobody scolded
them; in short, they were happy.
76
UNIT SEVEN SCIENCE
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Do you usually explain things according to your experience?
2. What is scientific study?
3. Tell others some of your experience which help you in new situation.
Why Our Intuitions about How the World Works Are Often Wrong
By Michael Shermer
Thirteen years after the legendary confrontation over the theory of evolution between Bishop
Samuel Wilberforce ("Soapy Sam") and Thomas Henry Huxley ("Darwin's bulldog"), Wilberforce
died in 1873 in an equestrian1 fall. Huxley quipped to physicist John Tyndall, "For once, reality
and his brain came into contact and the result was fatal."
When it comes to such basic forces as gravity and such fundamental phenomena as falling,
our intuitive sense of how the physical world works — our folk physics — is reasonably sound.
Thus, we appreciate Huxley's wry comment and note that even children get the humor of cartoon
physics, where, for example, a character running off a cliff does not fall until he realizes that he
has left terra firma2.
But much of physics is counterintuitive, as is the case in many other disciplines, and before
the rise of modern science we had only our folk intuitions to guide us. Folk astronomy, for
example, told us that the world is flat, celestial3 bodies revolve around the earth, and the planets
are wandering gods who determine our future. Folk biology intuited a vital flowing through all
living things, which in their functional design were believed to have been created ex nihilo4 by an
intelligent designer. Folk psychology compelled us to search for the homunculus5 in the brain — a
ghost in the machine--a mind somehow disconnected from the brain. Folk economics caused us to
disdain excessive wealth, label usury a sin and mistrust the invisible hand of the market.
The reason folk science so often gets it wrong is that we evolved in an environment radically
different from the one in which we now live. Our senses are geared for perceiving objects of
middling size — between, say, ants and mountains — not bacteria, molecules and atoms on one
end of the scale and stars and galaxies on the other end. We live a scant three score and 10 years,
far too short a time to witness evolution, continental drift or long-term environmental changes.
Causal inference in folk science is equally untrustworthy. We correctly surmise designed
objects, such as stone tools, to be the product of an intelligent designer and thus naturally assume
that all functional objects, such as eyes, must have also been intelligently designed. Lacking a
77
cogent theory of how neural activity gives rise to consciousness, we imagine mental spirits
floating within our heads. We lived in small bands of roaming hunter-gatherers that accumulated
little wealth and had no experience of free markets and economic growth.
Folk science leads us to trust anecdotes as data, such as illnesses being cured by assorted
nostrums6 based solely on single-case examples. Equally powerful are anecdotes involving
preternatural beings, compelling us to make causal inferences linking these nonmaterial entities to
all manner of material events, illness being the most personal. Because people often recover from
sickness naturally, whatever was done just before recovery receives the credit, prayer being the
most common.
In this latter case, we have a recent scientific analysis of this ancient folk science supposition.
The April issue of the American Heart Journal published a comprehensive study directed by
Harvard Medical School cardiologist Herbert Benson on the effects of intercessory prayer on the
health and recovery of patients undergoing coronary7 bypass surgery. The 1,802 patients were
divided into three groups, two of which were prayed for by members of three religious
congregations. Prayers began the night before the surgery and continued daily for two weeks after.
Half the prayer recipients were told that they were being prayed for, whereas the other half were
told that they might or might not receive prayers. Results showed that prayer itself had no
statistically significant effect on recovery. Case closed.
Of course, people will continue praying for their ailing loved ones, and by chance some of
them will recover, and our folk science brains will find meaning in these random patterns. But for
us to discriminate true causal inferences from false, real science trumps folk science. (671 words)
（TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes）
(http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000A760C-14A5-14C1-94A583414B7F0181&page
Number=1&catID=2)
Notes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Equestrian: relating to horse-riding
Terra firma: land, rather than sea or air - used humorously
Celestial: relating to the sky or heaven; celestial bodies (=the sun, moon, stars etc)
Ex nihilo: (Latin) from or out of nothing
Homunculus: plural form of homunculi, a miniature, fully formed individual which adherents
of the early biological theory of preformation believed to be present in the sperm cell.
6. nostrum: an idea that someone thinks will solve a problem easily, but will probably not help
at all
7. coronary: relating to the heart
78
Exercises:
I. Read the following paragraphs. Identify the signal words and decide what
does the writer intends to express.
1. The reason folk science so often gets it wrong is that we evolved in an environment radically
different from the one in which we now live.
2. …Thus, we appreciate Huxley's wry comment and note that even children get the humor of
cartoon physics, where, for example, a character running off a cliff does not fall until he
realizes that he has left terra firma2.
3. Because people often recover from sickness naturally, whatever was done just before recovery
receives the credit, prayer being the most common.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or
false. Put a T for true and F for false.
1. _____Bishop Samuel Wilberforce died because of the confrontation over the theory of
evolution.
2. _____Our intuitive sense of how the physical world works is reasonably sound.
3. _____Children think the cartoon physics as humorous but they know it is not the truth.
4. _____Folk science includes folk physics, folk astronomy, folk biology, folk psychology and
folk economics according to the author.
5. _____We know nothing about the environment we evolved in.
6. _____It’s easy for people to describe and remember objects of middling size.
7. _____We should trust anecdotes as data.
8. _____People should not pray for their sick relatives.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below.
Change the form where necessary.
vital/ compel/ excessive/ gear/ give rise to / solely/ all manner of/ comprehensive/ ailing
1. The President's absence has ______ speculation about his health.
2. I shall hold you ______ responsible for anything that goes wrong.
3. He's taking care of his ______ mother.
4. The typical career pattern was ______ to men whose wives didn't work.
5. These measures are ______ to national security.
6. We offer our customers a ______ range of financial products.
7. As usual, the opposition claims the government is guilty of ______ spending.
8. We would discuss ______ subjects.
9. The law will ______ employers to provide health insurance.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and
debate upon the following topics.
1. Folk science is useless. VS. Folk science is helpful.
A: always not the truth/ without scientific observation/ too subjective/ lead to wrong
79
conclusion
B: experience/ intuition/ shorten the distance between the truth and the hypothesis
2. Experience VS. Observation
A: rich sources/ easy to collect/ from different aspects
B: objective/ facts/ scientific data
3. Theoretical science VS. Applied science
A: basis/ require hard work/ determine the applied science
B: closely related to technology/ improve the world/ a direct stimulus to the development of
pure science
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and
targeting the specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. Science and Evolution
2. Science and Technology
3. Attitude in scientific research
Reading Two
Galileo End of Mission Status
The Galileo spacecraft's 14-year odyssey1 came to an end on Sunday, Sept. 21, when the
spacecraft passed into Jupiter's2 shadow then disintegrated in the planet's dense atmosphere at
11:57 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The Deep Space Network tracking station in Goldstone, Calif.,
received the last signal at 12:43:14 PDT. The delay is due to the time it takes for the signal to
travel to Earth.
Hundreds of former Galileo project members and their families were present at NASA's3 Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., for a celebration to bid the spacecraft goodbye.
"We learned mind-boggling things. This mission was worth its weight in gold," said Dr.
Claudia Alexander, Galileo project manager.
Having traveled approximately 4.6 billion kilometers (about 2.8 billion miles), the hardy
spacecraft endured more than four times the cumulative dose of harmful Jovian radiation it was
designed to withstand. During a previous flyby of the moon Amalthea in November 2002, flashes
of light were seen by the star scanner that indicated the presence of rocky debris circling Jupiter in
the vicinity of the small moon. Another measurement of this area was taken today during Galileo's
final pass. Further analysis may help confirm or constrain the existence of a ring at Amalthea's
orbit.
80
"We haven't lost a spacecraft, we've gained a steppingstone into the future of space
exploration," said Dr. Torrance Johnson, Galileo project scientist.
The spacecraft was purposely put on a collision course with Jupiter because the onboard
propellant4 was nearly depleted and to eliminate any chance of an unwanted impact between the
spacecraft and Jupiter's moon Europa, which Galileo discovered is likely to have a subsurface
ocean. Without propellant, the spacecraft would not be able to point its antenna5 toward Earth or
adjust its trajectory6, so controlling the spacecraft would no longer be possible. The possibility of
life existing on Europa is so compelling and has raised so many unanswered questions that it is
prompting plans for future spacecraft to return to the icy moon.
Galileo was launched from the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1989. The exciting list
of discoveries started even before Galileo got a glimpse of Jupiter. As it crossed the asteroid7 belt
in October 1991, Galileo snapped images of Gaspra, returning the first ever close-up image of an
asteroid. Less then a year later, the spacecraft got up close to yet another asteroid, Ida, revealing it
had its own little "moon," Dactyl, the first known moon of an asteroid. In 1994 the spacecraft
made the only direct observation of a comet impacting a planet — comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's
collision with Jupiter.
The descent probe made the first in-place studies of the planet's clouds and winds, and it
furthered scientists' understanding of how Jupiter evolved. The probe also made composition
measurements designed to assess the degree of evolution of Jupiter compared to the Sun.
Galileo made the first observation of ammonia8 clouds in another planet's atmosphere. It also
observed numerous large thunderstorms on Jupiter many times larger than those on Earth, with
lightning strikes up to 1,000 times more powerful than on Earth. It was the first spacecraft to dwell
in a giant planet's magnetosphere9 long enough to identify its global structure and to investigate
the dynamics of Jupiter's magnetic field. Galileo determined that Jupiter's ring system is formed
by dust kicked up as interplanetary meteoroids10 smash into the planet's four small inner moons.
Galileo data showed that Jupiter's outermost ring is actually two rings, one embedded within the
other.
Galileo extensively investigated the geologic diversity of Jupiter's four largest moons:
Ganymede, Callisto, Io and Europa. Galileo found that Io's extensive volcanic activity is 100 times
greater than that found on Earth. The moon Europa, Galileo unveiled, could be hiding a salty
ocean up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) deep underneath its frozen surface, containing about twice
as much water as all the Earth's oceans. Data also showed Ganymede and Callisto may have a
liquid-saltwater layer. The biggest discovery surrounding Ganymede was the presence of a
magnetic field. No other moon of any planet is known to have one.
The prime mission ended six years ago, after two years of orbiting Jupiter. NASA extended
81
the mission three times to continue taking advantage of Galileo's unique capabilities for
accomplishing valuable science. The mission was possible because it drew its power from two
long-lasting radioisotope11 thermoelectric generators provided by the Department of Energy.
"The mission was a testimonial to the persistence of NASA even through tremendous
challenges. It was a phenomenal mission," said Sean O'Keefe, NASA administrator. From launch
to impact, the spacecraft has traveled 4,631,778,000 kilometers (about 2.8 billion miles). “This is a
very exciting time for us as we draw to a close on this historic mission and look back at its science
discoveries. Galileo taught us so much about Jupiter but there is still much to be learned, and for
that we look with promise to future missions,” said Dr. Charles, director of JPL.
Now, scientists are already at work on the next project headed to Jupiter, the Jupiter Icy Moons
Orbiter, known as JIMO. Human’s exploring of the universe will be endless. (856 words)
（TIME ALLOWED:9 Minutes）
(adapted from 英语文摘 2003.11)
Notes:
1. Odyssey: a long journey with a lot of adventures or difficulties
2. Jupiter: the planet that is fifth in order from the sun and is the largest in the solar system 木星
3. NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration a US government organization that
controls space travel and the scientific study of space
4. Propellant: gas which is used in an aerosol to spray out a liquid 火箭燃料
5. Antenna: a wire rod etc used for receiving radio and television signals
6. Trajectory: the curved path of an object that has been fired or thrown through the air 发射轨
道
7. Asteroid: one of the many small planets that move around the sun, especially between Mars
and Jupiter 小行星
8. Ammonia: 氨
9. Magnetosphere: 磁气圈
10. Meteoroid: 流星体
11. Radioisotope: 放射性元素
Exercises
III. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true
or false. Put a T for true and F for false.
1. Galileo spacecraft send the last signal at 12:43:14 PDT.
2. The mission is a great success.
3. Galileo has taken measurement of a certain area of the moon Amaltheo twice.
4. Jupiter seems to have a subsurface ocean.
82
5. According to the passage, there wouldn’t be any life on Europa.
6. Galileo discovered the first known asteroid with a moon in October, 1991.
7. Europa is covered by ice.
8. Galileo provide useful data for the scientists in studying the evolution on Jupiter.
9. Jupiter has four moons named Ganmede, Callisto, lo and Europa.
10. The geographic characters of the moons are similar to those of the earth.
IV. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and
targeting the specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Why do we explore the universe?
2. Your knowledge of the space
3. China’s achievements in this field.
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 3′45″
Time You Used: ________
Folk Science
By Sophia Sereno
In the US, folk science, or, as some people call it, "scientific tall tales", is science based on
claims without any concrete evidence. Most of the time, it is associated with scientific hoaxes that
have very little in the way of true scientific evidence to back them up. The term "folk science" is
most often applied to the creationist and/or evolutionist science, perhaps because of the many
assertions by scientists in these fields that were based on flimsy evidence.
One of these examples is the discovery of the "Piltdown Man" skull, which was later proven
false. Another example was the claim of Ernest Haeckel and Thomas Huxley that some
strange-looking mud from the ocean bottom might represent the "first life" on earth. However, the
mud was lifeless, and failed to grow.
Some more examples are those in the case of Rony Wyatt, who claimed he had found, despite
flimsy and contrary evidence: a) the remains of Noah's ark, b) the Ark of the Covenant, c) the true
site of the Israelite's Red Sea crossing, d) chariot wheels from Pharaoh's drowned army, e) the
actual rock Moses struck to release water for the Israelites in the desert, f) The true site of the
crucifixion, g) Noah's grave, h) Noah's house, and, i) the grave of Noah's wife.
In the Philippines, folk science has a different meaning. It is basically beliefs and practices of
83
our ancestors with, ironically, scientific basis.
Some samples are:
In Agriculture
Thunderstorms in August and September causes mushroom to sprout - this is true because
sudden rains like thunderstorms cause spores of mushrooms that have fallen to the ground to
germinate.
Placing ginger on plots of rice fields is good for plants during harvest, which should also be
done during high tide - another 'primitive practice' with scientific basis. Ginger is an insect
repellant, and harvesting is easier when it's high tide, because the soil is wet.
A good burning before planting is good - "kaingin", or burning leaves minerals on the soil.
Aside from fertilizing the soil, it also helps in repelling insects.
In food and nutrition
Salty foods are bad for the health - salt contains sodium and chloride, which when taken
excessively, contributes to hypertension.
Colds can be cured by drinking lemon juice and egg - lemon juice increases the body's ability
to resist infections and eggs help build and repair cells.
Wrapping fruits with newspapers can help ripen fruits - Wrapping fruits with newspapers
increases the production of ethylene, which in turn accelerates ripening of fruits.
These are just some of our own brand of science. Primitive, but hey, it's a genius' work!
(438words)
(Philippine Science High School, Diliman Campus
http://agham.asti.dost.gov.ph/1998/8th/extras/sophia/article.htm)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. Folk science is _______.
A. useless
B. based on research
C. scientific
D. based on experience
2. _______ was proven true according to the passage.
A. “Piltdown Man”
B. the claim of Ernest Haeckel and Thomas Huxley
C. thunderstorms cause spores of mushrooms
D. salty foods are good for health
84
3. In Philippine, folk science is associated with_______.
A. scientific hoaxes
B. scientific basis
C. flimsy evidence
D. flimsy research
4. Which of the following is true about Ginger? _______
A. It should be used during harvest.
B. It can keep the soil wet.
C. It can kill the insect.
D. It is good for plants during high tide.
5. What’s the author’s attitude towards folk science? _______
A. critical
B. ironic
C. biased
D. positive
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′45″
Time You Used:
___
"10th Planet" Proves Bigger than Pluto
By David Biello
When astronomers announced the discovery of UB313, the so-called tenth planet, a little
more than a year ago, they had a hunch it might be bigger than Pluto because of its brightness. But
despite several attempts to observe more closely the mysterious object orbiting the sun at a
distance of more than 14 billion kilometers, accurate estimates of its size remained elusive. Now
German astronomers working in Spain have determined that UB313 has a diameter of roughly
3,000 kilometers — roughly 700 kilometers larger than Pluto's.
Frank Bertoldi of the University of Bonn in Germany and his colleagues used the IRAM
30-meter telescope in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of southern Spain to observe UB313 in the
infrared range. Because visual brightness alone is not an accurate indicator of size — it could
result from the body's surface being either actually large or mirror like — the researchers made
observations in wavelengths longer than those of visible light. Outside the range of visible light,
the scientists could measure the amount of light the object absorbs and then radiates back as heat.
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By combining the infrared and visible measurements, they could then determine the object's size
and its overall reflectivity, or albedo. Based on observations made over nine nights in August 2005,
the team reports, UB313 appears to have a diameter of between 3,094 and 2,859 kilometers. Even
the smallest size in that range would make the candidate planet's diameter more than 500
kilometers larger than Pluto's.
These calculations rely on several assumptions, however, such as UB313 lacking an
atmosphere that would either reflect more light or trap more heat even though Pluto has such a
covering. The astronomers estimate that the planet reflects roughly the same amount of light as
Pluto, perhaps thanks to an icy methane surface. Their research appears in today's issue of Nature.
The finding adds impetus to the debate surrounding what constitutes a planet. The International
Astronomical Union is currently working on a definition based on minimum size so as to keep
Pluto a planet, but this could open the possibility of even more planets in the outer reaches of the
solar system. After all, UB313 is one of more than 1,000 objects discovered beyond the orbit of
Neptune since 1992. In an accompanying commentary, Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution
of Washington suggests it might be time for a new term for such trans-Neptunian objects, much
like "asteroid" was coined to refer to the many inner solar system objects discovered in the
mid-19th century. If it is size that matters, however, it will be difficult to keep UB313 out of the
exclusive planetary club. Says Bertoldi: "Since UB313 is decidedly larger than Pluto, it is now
increasingly hard to justify calling Pluto a planet if UB313 is not also given this status." (462
words)
(February 02, 2006
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=0005634C-336B-13E1-B36B83414
B7F0000)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. UB33 is larger than Pluto because _______.
A. its brightness
B. distance to the sun
C. intuition of the scientists
D. it has a diameter larger than Pluto’s
2. According to the observation, UB313 is brighter than Pluto because of _______.
A. its large size
B. large surface
C. mirror like surface
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D. atmosphere similar to Pluto’s
3. What’s the diameter of UB313?
_______
A. 3000
B. less than 2859
C. between 2859 and 3094
D. larger than 3094
4. The present definition of the planet _______
A. decides that UB313 is not a planet.
B. raises a debate.
C. will be modified in a few months.
D. will not be modified.
5. Which statement is true?
_______
A. The scientists are Spanish.
B. Visual brightness is enough for calculation of the diameter
C. The scientists worked for the whole August in 2005.
D. The result is based on some assumptions.
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UNIT EIGHT TERRORISM
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Have you heard of 9-11? Have you seen the live broadcast of the tragic scene of the twin
tower and the victims? What do you think of this terrorist attack?
2. Have you heard of Osama bin Laden? He is regarded as the symbol of terrorism and the major
threat to the American people. Do you think the catch of bin Laden will ensure Americans’
security? Why or why not?
3. The FBI was under great pressure after 9-11. Do you think the poor performance of FBI is the
main reason for this attack?
Target: America
By Bill Powell
The headquarters of Prudential Financial Inc. in Newark, N.J., would not seem like an obvious
target for terrorists. It is neither a venerated symbol of American capitalism like the New York
Stock Exchange building nor an iconic piece of modern architecture like the Citigroup building in
midtown Manhattan, which houses America's biggest bank. It looms over a city that was once the
very symbol of urban blight in America. On a clear day the more famous spires of Manhattan are
visible from Newark, and so too is the empty space in the skyline on the island's southern tip,
where once the city's two tallest buildings stood side by side.
As unspectacular as it might seem to most Americans, the Prudential Plaza building is a site of
intense interest to Osama bin Laden and his operatives. Beginning in 2000, al-Qaeda operatives
inside the U.S. conducted detailed surveillance of the Prudential building, with the apparent intent
of destroying it and killing the civilians who work there. They took multiple photographs of the
building and observed the parking garage underneath. One report outlined possible methods for
carrying out an attack. It then provided details on the New Jersey Transit rail system and nearby
PATH trains and maps of the network and train timetables--suggesting that instead of deploying a
suicide-bomb squad, al-Qaeda may have been exploring ways to escape after pulling off the
attack.
Most chilling, the al-Qaeda operatives managed to keep their attack plans a secret from the
U.S. government--until July 24 of this year, when a raid begun on the house of an al-Qaeda leader
in Pakistan uncovered three laptop computers and 51 data-rich discs. Stored on the computers
were 500 photographs of potential targets inside the U.S., minutely detailed analyses of the
vulnerabilities to a terrorist attack of several of them and communications among some of the
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most wanted terrorists in the world. In their volume and specificity, the discs amounted to what a
senior U.S. intelligence official calls an unprecedented "treasure trove" of information about
al-Qaeda's determination to pull off more catastrophic acts on U.S. soil. The catalog of targets
found on the discs is part of what led to a heightened security alert last week at financial
institutions in New York City and Washington and induced the latest episode of anxiety among
residents of those cities--fear that for some subsided when Bush Administration officials
acknowledged that most of the surveillance data on the hard drives were at least three years old.
That frightening prospect has thrust law-enforcement and intelligence agencies into a race
against time to find and roll up the al-Qaeda sleeper cells around the world that may be planning
to strike. The scramble began in mid-June, when a CIA tip to Pakistani paramilitary forces led to
the arrest of a suspected al-Qaeda operative. That catch, in turn, helped U.S. and Pakistani
investigators untangle a network of high-ranking al-Qaeda operatives across Pakistan.
At the same time, the intelligence windfall was a bracing reminder that bin Laden not only
remains at large but also may already have ordered up another major attack. Although bin Laden is
thought to be on the move in the rugged terrain along the Pakistani-Afghan border, his desire to
inflict damage on the U.S. is unabated.
At the sites identified by the terrorists, the security measures served as unmistakable signs that
despite terrorism-alert fatigue among many Americans, the government feels it has little choice
but to brace the public for another big attack. Bomb-sniffing dogs and explosives-detection teams
reappeared in subways and outside public landmarks. In Washington, police set up barricades and
checkpoints around the Capitol that could remain in place through Inauguration Day in January.
Inside the secure war room at the Department of Homeland Security, officials from various
agencies marked dozens of potential targets, ranging from the IMF and the World Bank to New
York City's Federal Hall National Memorial, where George Washington was inaugurated as the
first U.S. President.
The unspoken reality, though, is that all the current scrambling may still not be enough to keep
the U.S. safe. While intelligence experts believe the busts in Pakistan have helped provide new
insights into bin Laden's network and the deadly activities it evidently had planned, the scope of
the terrorist threat has only widened as officials learn more. Which plots might still be going
forward and which have been foiled is frustratingly unclear. For all the progress against a deadly
and elusive target--and progress it was--that is the nature of the war against al-Qaeda. (761 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 Minutes)
(Adapted from Times Magazine Online
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994863-1,00.html)
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Notes:
1. Prudential Financial Inc: the first company in the U.S. to make life insurance available to
the working-class and founded by insurance agent John Fairfield Dryden in a basement office
at 812 Broad Street in downtown Newark, N.J. The company sold Industrial Insurance, which
provided funeral and burial expenses for low-income families, with some weekly premiums as
low as three cents.
2. Osama bin Laden: son of a billionaire Saudi businessman and the founder of al-Qaeda
organization.
3. Al-Qaeda: founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden to consolidate the international network he
established during the Afghan war. Its goals were the advancement of Islamic revolutions
throughout the Muslim world and repelling foreign intervention in the Middle East.
4. CIA: Central Intelligence Agency 中央情报局
5. IMF: International Monetary Fund 国际货币基金组织
6. Federal Hall National Memorial: a museum and memorial to the first president and the
beginnings of the United States of America. 联邦大厅历史纪念馆
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. The municipal library houses more than a million up-to-date books.
2. The terrorist attacks loomed but the FBI failed to pay sufficient heed.
3. The police managed to prevent the attack because they had got tips about the terrorists’ plan.
4. We pulled off the road to get some food and water.
5. The foreigners were astonished at the local people’s scrambling for the seats.
6. They have braced themselves for a confrontation with the management.
7. We had to thrust ourselves through the crowd.
8. It is of great difficulty yet necessity to untangle this riddle, otherwise, we can’t find out what
has happened to him before his murder.
9. The vulnerability of airports makes them the prior targets of the terrorist activities.
10. The noises gradually subsided and all was the disturbing silence.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. ______ The Americans had never thought that the Prudential Financial Inc. in Newark, N.J.,
would have been attacked by the terrorists.
2. ______Osama bin Laden and his operatives were interested in the Prudential Financial Inc. in
Newark, N.J. because it was as important as the New York Stock Exchange building.
3. ______Osama bin Laden’s operatives only intended to destroy the building.
4. ______Al-Qaeda may have been exploring ways to escape after pulling off the attack instead
of deploying a suicide-bomb.
5. ______The US Government had detected the attacks as promptly as they could.
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6. ______The US Intelligence agents have found a treasure at the terrorists’ house.
7. ______The US government had been fully prepared for any terrorist attacks either from the
perspective of law-enforcement or from the angle of intelligence agencies.
8. ______The American people have been exhausted by the possible terrorist attacks while the
government has but to keep them alert.
9. ______The subways, airports and other public transports are the most possible targets of the
terrorists.
10. ______The intelligence experts as well as the officials now have known more about the scope
of the terrorist threat.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
venerate/ blight/ unspectacular/underneath/outline/ volume/ unprecedented/
episode/windfall/ inaugurate
1. All cultures ______ their historic legacy without exception.
2. The Bush Administration has _______ a new immigration policy since September-11.
3. His ______ appearance serves as a good disguise for his true identity
4. Sudden ______ of his bankruptcy resulted in the collapse of his health and his marriage.
5. His speech has won _______ of praise and admiration.
6. _______ his unnatural hospitality was his desire for his uncle’s heritage.
7. This book _______ the origin of the American nation.
8. Lion King directed by Disney has won a (n) _______ success in Shanghai.
9. Williams had never expected to gain such a ______ overnight.
10. The Civil War remains one of the most important _______ in American history.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Public Security VS Personal Privacy
A: obvious/ target/ terrorism/ visible/ intent/ destroy/ surveillance/ pull off/ suspect/scramble
etc.
B: intrude/ secure/ right/ unprecedented/ brace/fatigue/ public landmarks/ define/ scope/ threat
etc.
2. Terrorism is a result of American hegemony VS Terrorism is a religious issue
A: hostility/ intervention/ hegemony/ interest/ political/ revenge/ occupation/ uproot/ covet etc.
B: religious/ ideology/ nationalism/ patriotism/ counteract/tyranny/ humanity/ brutal etc.
3. Osama bin Laden is the Afghan hero against the American hegemony VS Osama bin Laden is
the threat to peace and humanity
A: nationalism/ suicide-bomb/abuse/ craze/ antihero/racism/ interference/ invasion etc.
B: threat/humanity/ peace/ terrorism/impose/ disguise/international community etc.
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. The importance of building up a harmonious society
2. Ways to outwit the pick-pockets
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Reading Two
The Information Wars
Terrorism has become a pretext for a new culture of secrecy
By Mary Graham
Within twenty-four hours of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center the federal
Department of Transportation had removed maps of the nation's 2.2 million miles of pipe lines
from its Web site. The government had created the maps only recently, to identify places where
ruptures in pipes that carry oil, natural gas, or hazardous chemicals could endanger lives, property,
or drinking water. In the 1990s an average of four accidents a week caused property damage of
more than $50,000, injury, or death.
The removal of the maps was hardly an isolated incident. Since September federal and state
officials have stricken from Web sites and public reports thousands of pages of information about
health and safety risks to Americans—information, officials say, that might somehow aid terrorists.
The Environmental Protection Agency withdrew from its Web site information about accidents,
risks, and emergency plans at factories that handle dangerous chemicals. Energy regulators
removed reports on power plants, transmission lines, and the transportation of radioactive
materials. The Federal Aviation Administration stopped posting enforcement information about
security breaches at airports and incidents that threatened airline safety. The U.S. Geological
Survey removed reports on water resources and asked libraries to destroy all copies of a CD-ROM
that described the characteristics of reservoirs.
Some state governments went further. Florida not only restricted access to security plans for
hospitals and state facilities but also gave the president of the state senate authority to close
formerly public meetings. In a directive that was itself intended to be secret, New York State's
directors of public security and state operations ordered agency heads to curb public access to all
"sensitive information." What, exactly, was "sensitive"? "Information related to systems,
structures, individuals and services essential to the security, government or economy of the State,
including telecommunications ... electrical power, gas and oil storage and transportation, banking
and finance, transportation, water supply, emergency services ... and the continuity of government
operations." Just about everything, that is.
These were extraordinary measures for extraordinary times. But a year after the terrorist
attacks temporary emergency actions have evolved into fundamental changes in the public's right
to know, and the restrictions have been driven as much by familiar politics and bureaucratic
instincts as by national security. The problem comes because a new and uncertain threat has
provided cover for legitimate and opportunistic measures alike.
Even before September 11 the Bush Administration had taken unprecedented steps to expand
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official secrecy. Early last year Vice President Dick Cheney refused to provide to Congress the
names of energy-industry executives who had advised the energy-policy task force he headed.
That action provoked the first lawsuit ever by the General Accounting Office against the executive
branch. Also before September 11 the Justice Department initiated work on a new policy to
support agency actions to keep secret any government information, as long as agency heads had a
"sound legal basis" for withholding it. This reversed a presumption in favor of disclosure unless
the government could show "foreseeable harm."
Typically, these new rules have been put into effect by memorandum, without public
explanation. Missing has been any forum for weighing the risks of shutting off public access.
Recent congressional debate about restricting access to critical infrastructure information under
the Freedom of Information Act provided one limited step in the right direction, producing
constructive ideas about how to narrow the definition of what is critical while still satisfying the
concerns of national-security agencies.
The wholesale censorship of information on Web sites and in government reports carries
insidious costs. Current government proposals to bar foreign nationals from working on scientific
projects and to restrict publication of government-funded research could actually decrease national
security. Relying on partial truths and official conclusions can create needless scares, increase
risks, and ultimately change the political process.
An administration that prides itself on conducting business like a well-run corporation
naturally thinks that sensitive information can and should remain proprietary. But national security
is everyone's concern, and the idea that openness can be more effective than secrecy in reducing
risks has received too little attention. (692 words)
(Time Allowed: 6 Minutes)
(Adapted from The Atlantic Monthly, September 2002
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200209/graham)
Notes:
1. The Environmental Protection Agency: abbreviated to USEPA, established in 1970 with the
aim to protect human health and the environment. Its administrator is directly appointed by
the President of the United States. (Source: http://www.epa.gov )
2. The U.S. Geological Survey: abbreviated to USGS, which serves the United States “by
providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss
of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral
resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.”
(Source: http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs )
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3. Memorandum: a short legal document recording the conditions of an agreement.
4. Freedom of Information Act: abbreviated to FOIA, signed into law July 4, 1966, by
President Lyndon B. Johnson, and went into effect the following year.
Exercises:
I. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. ______Many governmental offices and organizations have withdrawn their online information
after the attack at the World Trade Center.
2. ______In the 1990s four accidents occurred every week in the United States.
3. ______It is assumed that the online information may aid terrorists.
4. ______Since the unclear definition of “sensitive information”, it almost covers everything.
5. ______These extraordinary measures for extraordinary times have produced fundamental
changes in the public’s right to know.
6. ______Vice President Dick Cheney’s refusal to provide to Congress the names of the
intelligence agents provoked the first lawsuit ever by the General Accounting Office against
the executive branch.
7. ______Before September 11, the government had to show “foreseeable harm” if it wanted to
wrap any government information.
8. ______These new rules had been taken without public explanation, so the risks of shutting off
public access could not be evaluated.
9. ______Aiming to change the political process, these new rules actually could create more
sense of security than harms in the public.
10. ______The author was worried about the potential harms of these new rules because the
public security was everyone’s concern and they should have the right to know what was
going on.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. What’s your opinion about “the public security is everyone’s concern”? What we should do to
achieve the sense of security?
2. The students should have the right to know the universities’ measures and policies. Do you
have any access to this information? What’s your response?
3. What do you think of this idea “Openness can be more effective than secrecy in reducing
risks”?
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Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 2′45″
Time You Used: ________
Dawn of the Daddy State
By Paul Starobin
If terrorism has made a global trend toward greater state power inevitable, then it's important
to get authoritarianism right.
Last fall, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the National Endowment for
Democracy, a federally funded agency chartered to spread liberty around the world, President
George W. Bush delivered a speech holding out some "essential principles" as "common to every
successful society in every culture." The first of these, the President declared, is that "successful
societies limit the power of the state and the power of the military so that governments respond to
the will of the people and not the will of the elite." That was what America had learned in its
200-year "journey" on the road to perfecting its democracy, Bush observed, by way of
encouraging less mature works in progress—namely, post-Taliban Afghanistan and post-Saddam
Iraq—to follow this tried and true path.
The rhetoric may seem unexceptionable. But in the context of our age—an age in which
certain dark forces, most prominently terrorism, confront the state with the elemental task of
maintaining security and civic order—the principles Bush named are not just irrelevant but almost
precisely the opposite of the ones we should be dedicating ourselves to. Leaving aside the question
of military power, the necessary response to terrorism is not to limit the power of the state but,
rather, to bolster it, so as to preserve the basic order without which the defenseless citizen has no
prospect of enjoying the splendors of liberty. In the wake of Madrid, in the wake of 9/11, in the
wake of suicide bombings in Moscow subway stations and Jerusalem cafés, the state is impelled to
become even more intrusive and muscular than it already is. How well today's leaders meet this
obligation to construct more-vigilant states is very likely to stand as one of history's most
important criteria for assessing their stewardship. (321 words)
(http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200406/starobin)
Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth):
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
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1. What is NOT implied in the first sentence?
A. Terrorism has a great impact on the global trend.
B. It is necessary to strengthen the state power in the age of anti-terrorism.
C. It is justifiable to get authoritarianism right.
D. It is important to get authoritarianism right if the government aims to bolster greater state
power.
2. What are the “essential principles” as "common to every successful society in every
culture"？
A. Successful societies limit the power of the state.
B. Successful societies limit the power of the military.
C. Governments should only respond to the will of the elite.
D. Governments respond to the will of the people.
3. Which of the following places were NOT attacked by the terrorists, according to the
information provided in this article?
A.
Madrid
B.
Iraq
C.
New York
D.
Moscow
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if
the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the
information is not given in the passage.
4. ______According to the author, President Bush’s rhetoric was just opposite to these “essential
principles” because we are in the extraordinary times.
5. ______The author agrees that the US government should get authoritarianism right and the
state power should be increased rather than limited.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′05″
Time You Used: ________
From Piracy to Premiums
The three littoral states which have charge of secure passage in the Strait of Malacca are rather
restrained in proclaiming the success of their coordinated patrols in reducing pirate attacks on
merchant shipping.
96
Data kept by the Piracy Reporting Centre in Kuala Lumpur, an arm of the global shipping
industry, show that the incidence was down by a third last year compared with the year before. It
has been relatively plain sailing this year. In contrast, the region's governments frequently
broadcast warnings of the potential for terrorist strikes on container ships and tankers, to amplify a
threat perception painted by the United States.
There has been no such catastrophic event. Underplaying success in thwarting piracy is as
ill-advised as repeating terror warnings in the belief that keeping the vigilance message alive
might persuade shippers to invest in better shipboard security than they already have.
Terrorism specialist Rohan Gunaratna advised in an interview last year that hyping the threat
could invite attacks. "Governments must be more intelligent and not give ideas to terrorists," he
said.
This is no academic musing, as perception is relied upon almost as much as hard attack data
when London insurers set the risk premiums for merchant shipping. Remarkably the Lloyds
syndicate places the Malacca Strait in the same war-risk category as Iraq and Somalia. This defies
comprehension.
Ships carrying cargo are charged higher for insurance cover. Who pays in the end? The
consumer, but of course. Regional governments, shipping companies and the world's largest
tanker industry group have tried with little success to get the syndicates to remove the Malacca
Strait from the offensive listing. As shippers have pointed out, this is a misperception by
underwriters and reinsurers of a direct link between piracy and terrorism. Insurers have maintained
their position that anti-piracy measures must be shown to be effective and sustained over a period
of time.
This is reasonable, as the London market does call the shots in maritime insurance. So let the
facts be amplified. This lends credence to a move by about a dozen governments in Asia to set up
a dedicated counter-piracy nerve centre in Singapore. It will complement industry efforts.
Although nations' security is the motivation, it is anticipated the London numbers-movers will
consider it appropriate to review the strait's risk rating. (381 words)
(The Straits Times/ANN, http://e.sinchew-i.com/search/disart.phtml?aid=200606240000)
Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth):
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. What may be of some help to reduce the incidence in the shipping industry of the littoral
states?
A. the repeated terror warnings;
B. the United States’ threat perception;
C. thwarting piracy;
97
D. insurers’ participation.
2. What are the repeated terror warnings likely to produce?
A. To persuade shippers to invest in better shipboard security than they already have;
B. To invite terrorist attacks;
C. The insurers places the Malacca Strait in the same war-risk category as Iraq and Somalia
D. To reduce pirate attacks.
3. Who will pay the higher charge for insurance in the end?
A. the government;
B. the insurance companies;
C. the shipping companies;
D. the customers.
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F (for False)
if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage.
4. ______Regional governments, shipping companies and the world's largest tanker industry
group have managed to get the syndicates to remove the Malacca Strait from the offensive
listing.
5. ______The London market does point out the deadly shortcomings in maritime insurance.
Summary of Tips for Reading – Recognize the Signal Words (I& II)
Many signal words indicate the author’s stance or attitude toward the subject matter or
simply show how the author develops his or her argument. Some of the most frequently used
phrases and expressions are illustrated below:
Example Words
- Here comes an example; specifically, to illustrate, for example, for instance, that is
Cause-and-Effect Words
-consequently, therefore, as a result, if…then, accordingly, thus, so, hence etc.
Enumeration Words
- That's a lot of steps; the four steps, first, second, third, next, finally
Addition Words
-There's something else to be added; furthermore, it must be worth remembering, as well as, along
with, in addition, also, not only…but also, moreover etc.
Contrast Words
-Here comes the other side of the coin; on the other hand; let’s see how it differs from what's been;
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in contrast, conversely, although, however, despite, whereas etc.
Comparison Words
-Lots of similar things, another example of, similarly, comparatively, identical etc.
Swivel Words
- However, nevertheless, but, still etc.
Concession Words
-Okay; indeed, though, although, granted, of course etc.
Emphasis Words
- More important, above all, remember, in other words, finally etc.
Repeat Words
-Here comes another explanation; in other words; it simply means; that is, briefly, in essence, as
we've seen etc.
Time Words
- Before, after, formerly, soon, subsequently, prior, during, meanwhile
Place Words
- Above, below, beyond, adjacent to etc.
Summary Words
-Good. Now I'll get a wrap-up of the points; for these reasons that have been made; in conclusion,
in a nutshell, to sum up, in short, finally etc.
Test Words (from lectures)
- This is important; be sure to pay close attention to it; remember this; you'll see this again; here's
a pitfall.
When you come across these words, immediately think what the author is going to say, how the
author’s attitude is implied, or some key points will be illustrated. Keep track of all of them and
get them in their proper order and work out their relationship.
Try to dig out the answers to the following questions with the help of the signal words.
1. Is the author satisfied with the US government response to the potential al-Qaeda attacks
before the September-11?
2. According to the author, does the US government relax its precautious measures against any
other terrorist attacks?
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3. Does the author believe all the measures can secure America?
4. Have the intelligence experts and senior officials delved out all the plots?
5. Despite all the progress, what does the author think of the nature of the war?
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Tips for Reading
Decoding Word Meaning in the Context (I)
We often meet new words while reading. If there was not a dictionary, we can still find out the
word meaning. According to the information and the background, the language and logical
structure of the text, we can decode the meaning of a new word by studying the context.
The definition and explanation provided in the text can help us to find the meaning.
Ventilation
1. Ventilation, as you know, is a system or means of providing fresh air. It plays a very important
part in the field of engineering.
After “is” we can find the definition of “ventilation” — it provides fresh air. Then the
meaning of “ventilation” can be found out — “通风”
Subvocalization
2. Another habit which can slow your reading is called "subvocalization". In this case your lips
do not move, but you still "hear" each word in your head as you read silently.
The second sentence is the explanation of “subvocalization”. From the definition, we can find
out the meaning of “subvocalization” — “默读”.
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UNIT NINE DISASTERS
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Where were you when the SARS break out? Are you scared?
2. What would you do if you know someone might have got SARS?
3. What should be done to prevent such disease?
About SARS
The mystery pneumonia1
By Wilson da Silva
It was on a farm somewhere in southern China where the mystery pneumonia we know as
SARS probably began. Once in the cities, the virus spread and — thanks to air travel — is now a
flaring epidemic in more than a dozen countries. What is SARS? How did it originate? What are
the symptoms? And is it treatable?
SARS, which stands for Severe Acute Respiratory2 Syndrome3, is the name of a potentially
fatal new respiratory disease only recently recognized by scientists. It is not the name of the
micro-organism that causes the disease — this is suspected to be a virus, although exactly which
one is still uncertain.
Where did SARS come from?
The disease was first identified by Dr Carlo Urbani, an infectious diseases specialist for the
World Health Organization who directed public health programs in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Based in Hanoi, the 46-year-old Italian epidemiologist was called in after a visiting
Chinese-American businessman, Johnny Cheng, became gravely ill and Vietnamese doctors were
mystified by the disease.
Urbani visited the man at the French Hospital in Hanoi on 26 February 2003 and, over the
next week, took many samples. The disease looked like pneumonia — an acute disease marked by
inflammation of the lungs and usually caused by bacteria, viruses or occasionally by chemical
irritants. But the 48-year-old patient also had a high fever, cough, shortness of breath and other
symptoms that suggested something else. Despite intensive care, Cheng eventually died — but not
before he had infected 33 hospital staff and Urbani himself, who finally succumbed to the
respiratory disease a month later. All of Vietnam’s 62 cases can be traced to the businessman, who
had arrived from Hong Kong only three days before being admitted to the hospital.
Soon, other cases emerged in Hong Kong, and World Health Organization (WHO) officials
began to suspect the disease might be linked to sporadic4 reports from the Guangdong province of
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southern China in early February that hundreds of people were falling ill with a strange form of
pneumonia. It turned out they were right: an outbreak had begun there in November 2002, and had
now spread to Hong Kong. It was in the former British colony that the worldwide outbreak really
got its wings: thanks to the international nature of this bustling Asian city, and its role as a trade
and transport hub for Asia, the putative disease had soon spread to 19 countries. As of 10 April
2003, there were 2,781 known cases and 111 deaths from the new disease.
What causes it?
On March 19, German and Hong Kong scientists isolated in infected patients a completely
new virus from the Paramyxoviridae5 family — known to cause mumps6 and measles7 — which
they blamed for the disease. Hailing from a sub-group known as a metapneumovirus, the bug was
also found in the respiratory tract of patients in Canada — home to the fourth largest number of
cases. Metapneumoviruses were themselves very new, having only recently been discovered by
Dutch researchers to cause respiratory ailments in children, and later identified as being the cause
of respiratory ailments in about 5% of children at one hospital in Brisbane, Australia.
But a week later, U.S. scientists said they had isolated another previously unknown virus
from the Coronaviridae family — known to cause the common cold and some intestinal ailments
— which they believed was the real culprit. Canadian microbiologists also isolated the
coronavirus in five of nine patients tested. There are 13 species of the virus known, not all of them
infecting humans; they also affect cattle, pigs, rodents, cats, dogs and birds — especially chickens.
It is possible that a combination of both viruses is needed to generate SARS, or that some other
as yet unclear interaction between one of them and other micro-organisms cause the syndrome.
(638 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 Minutes)
(http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/sars/default.htm)
Notes
1. pneumonia: a serious illness that affects your lungs and makes it difficult for you to breathe
2. respiratory: relating to breathing or your lungs
3. syndrome: an illness which consists of a set of physical or mental problems - often used in
the name of illnesses
4. sporadic: happening fairly often, but not regularly
5. Paramyxoviridae: a family of RNA-containing viruses similar in morphology to the
influenza viruses 副粘病毒科
6. mumps: an infectious illness which makes your neck swell and become painful 腮腺炎
7. measles: an infectious illness in which you have a fever and small red spots on your face and
body. People often have measles when they are children. 麻疹
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Exercises:
I. Explain the meaning of the italicized words by studying the contexts.
1. The disease looked like pneumonia - an acute disease marked by inflammation of the lungs
and usually caused by bacteria, viruses or occasionally by chemical irritants.
2. Hailing from a sub-group known as a metapneumovirus, the bug was also found in the
respiratory tract of patients in Canada — home to the fourth largest number of cases.
Metapneumoviruses were themselves very new, having only recently been discovered by
Dutch researchers to cause respiratory ailments in children, and later identified as being the
cause of respiratory ailments in about 5% of children at one hospital in Brisbane, Australia.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. ______SARS spreads only by air.
2. ______The virus causing SARS is still uncertain.
3. ______The disease was first identified in Cambodia.
4. ______High fever, cough and shortness of breath are symptoms of pneumonia.
5. ______Among the Vietnam’s 62 cases, 33 are hospital staffs who were directly infected by
Cheng.
6. ______The disease spread worldwide because HK is an international city.
7. ______Metapneumoviruses were found first in researches on SARS.
8. ______Probably there are more than two viruses.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
probably/thanks to/ flaring/ stand for/ fatal/identify/despite/ bustling / combination/
interaction
1. The fire ______ up again.
2. 'What does "NAC" ______?' — 'National Aerobics Championships'.
3. Price is determined through the ______ of demand and supply.
4. She went to Spain ______ the fact that her doctor had told her to rest.
5. Servants and porters ______ about.
6. He was too far away to be able to ______ faces.
7. A ______ of factors may be responsible for the increase in cancer.
8. His presidential hopes suffered a ______ blow in New Hampshire.
9. It's ______ the best movie I have ever seen.
10. Some ski resorts opened early, ______ a late-October snowstorm.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics.
1. Physical exercise VS. Frequently seeing the doctor
A: happy/ build one up/ keep one energetic/ cheerful mood
B: know about what you need/ suggestions/ diet/ timely treatment
2. Diseases like SARS can be prevented. VS. Diseases like SARS can not be prevented.
A: public health system/ knowledge/ vaccine/ press
B: sudden/ unpredictable/ destructive/ easy to spread
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3. Physical health is more important. VS. Mental health is more important.
A: strong body/ energy/ pain/ keep away from diseases
B: emotion/ efficient/ positive attitude/ cooperate with others
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. What we should do to prevent the spreading of diseases like SARS.
2. The reason of the spread of SARS
3. Reporting system of disasters
Reading Two
Tangshan: The Deadliest Earthquake
By Jennifer Rosenberg
At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan,
in northeastern China. The very large earthquake, striking an area where it was totally unexpected,
obliterated the city of Tangshan and killed over 240,000 people — making it the deadliest
earthquake of the twentieth century.
Fireballs and Animals Give Warning
Though scientific earthquake prediction is in its nascent stages, nature often gives some
advance warning of an impending earthquake.
In a village outside of Tangshan, well water reportedly rose and fell three times the day
before the earthquake. In another village, gas began to spout out the water well on July 12 and
then increased on July 25th and 26th. Other wells throughout the area showed signs of cracking.
Animals also gave a warning that something was about to happen. One thousand chickens in
Baiguantuan refused to eat and ran around excitedly chirping. Mice and yellow weasels1 were
seen running around looking for a place to hide. In one household in the city of Tangshan, a
goldfish began jumping wildly in its bowl. At 2 a.m. on July 28, shortly before the earthquake
struck, the goldfish jumped out of its bowl. Once its owner had returned him to his bowl, the
goldfish continued to jump out of its bowl until the earthquake hit.
Strange? Indeed. These were isolated incidents, spread across a city of a million people and
countryside scattered with villages. But nature gave additional warnings.
The night preceding the earthquake, July 27-28, many people reported seeing strange lights
as well as loud sounds. The lights were seen in a multitude of hues. Some people saw flashes of
light; others witnessed fireballs flying across the sky. Loud, roaring noises followed the lights and
fireballs. Workers at the Tangshan airport described the noises as louder than that of an airplane.2
The Earthquake Strikes
105
When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tangshan at 3:42 a.m. on July 28, over a million
people lay sleeping, unaware of the disaster that was to befall them. As the earth began to shake, a
few people who were awake had the forethought to dive under a table or other heavy piece of
furniture, but most were asleep and did not have time. The entire earthquake lasted approximately
14 to 16 seconds.
Once the quake was over, the people who could, scrambled out into the open, only to see the
entire city leveled. After an initial period of shock, the survivors began to dig through debris to
answer the muffled calls for help as well as find loved ones still under rubble. As injured people
were saved from under the rubble, they were laid on the side of the road. Many of the medical
personnel were also trapped under debris or killed by the earthquake. The medical centers were
destroyed as well as the roads to get there.
Survivors were faced with no water, no food, and no electricity.
All but one of the roads into Tangshan was undrivable. Unfortunately, relief workers
accidentally clogged the one remaining road, leaving them and their supplies stuck for hours in the
traffic jam.
People needed help immediately; survivors could not wait for help to arrive. Survivors
formed groups to dig for others. They set up medical areas where emergency procedures were
conducted with the minimum of supplies. They searched for food and set up temporary shelters.
Though 80 percent of the people trapped under rubble were saved, a 7.1 magnitude
aftershock that hit in the afternoon of July 28 sealed the fate for many who had been waiting under
the rubble for help.
After the earthquake hit, 242,419 people lay dead or dying, along with another 164,581
people who were severely injured. In 7,218 households, all members of the family were killed by
the earthquake.
Corpses were buried quickly, usually close to the residences in which they perished. This
later caused health problems, especially after it rained and the bodies were again exposed. Workers
had to find these impromptu graves, dig up the bodies and then move and rebury the corpses
outside of the city.
Damage and Recovery
Before the 1976 earthquake, scientists didn't think Tangshan was susceptible to a large
earthquake; thus, the area was zoned an intensity level of VI2 on the Chinese intensity scale
(similar to the Mercalli3 scale). The 7.8 earthquake that hit Tangshan was given an intensity level
of XI (out of XII). The buildings in Tangshan were not built to withstand such a large earthquake.
Ninety-three percent of residential buildings and 78 percent of industrial buildings were
completely destroyed. Eighty percent of the water pumping stations were seriously damaged and
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the water pipes were damaged throughout the city. Fourteen percent of the sewage pipes were
severely damaged.
The foundations of bridges gave way, causing the bridges to collapse.
With so much damage, recovery was not easy. Food was a high priority. Some food was
parachuted in, but the distribution was uneven. Water, even just for drinking, was extremely scarce.
Many people drank out of pools or other locations that had become contaminated during the
earthquake. Relief workers eventually got water trucks and others to transport clean drinking
water into the affected areas.
After the emergency care was given, the rebuilding of Tangshan began almost immediately.
Though it took time, the entire city was rebuilt and is again home to over a million people, earning
Tangshan the name "Brave City of China." (908 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 9 MINUTES)
(http://history1900s.about.com/od/horribledisasters/a/tangshan.htm)
Notes
1. weasel: a small thin furry animal that kills and eats rats and birds 鼬鼠
2. VI: vertical Interval 垂直距离
3. Mercalli: [地]麦加利震级, 麦氏震级
Exercises
V.
Comprehension of the text: There are several figures in the passage, match the figures
in Column 1 with what they represent in Column 2
Column 1
Column 2
242,419
people in Tangshan that night
A million
the percentage of the industrial buildings which were destroyed
164,581
magnitude(震级) of the earthquake
14-16
people killed in the earthquake
93%
people severely injured in the earthquake
78%
the percentage of the sewage pipes damaged in the earthquake
7.8
the time the earthquake lasted
14%
the percentage of the residential buildings which were destroyed
VI. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Reaction in an earthquake
2. Animal’s warning before a disaster
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3. Recovery after a disaster
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 2′55″
Time You Used: ______
Improved SARS Treatment
A SARS pathogenesis study team of the Institute of Infectious Diseases attached to the No.
302 Army Hospital has recently discovered that the special lung-attacking self-antibodies
produced in patients who are infected with SARS viruses is closely related to the damage caused
by their own immune pathology. The new findings have explained why hormone therapy has
proved effective in treating SARS patients and has laid a base for further understanding the SARS
pathogenesis and improving associated clinical treatment effects.
Researchers on this team screened 55 blood specimens collected from 32 SARS patients and
found that the personal antibodies that attack SARS in the patients' own lungs is one of the major
killers that causes immune damage to the patients' lung and other organs. It is explained that under
normal conditions, the antibodies in the human body protect the human body itself rather than
launching an attack against it. However, when being infected with the SARS viruses, a healthy
person will produce such self-antibodies to attack his or her own organs. This causes abnormally
excessive immune reactions within the body. This unusual behavior will result in damage to lungs
or other organs, and makes itself a key element causing the death of SARS patients. Preliminary
animal testing has also confirmed the finding.
To understand the technical lines of the self-antibody behavior, researchers have, on the basis
of applications of molecular biology and immune techniques, discovered that SARS viruses and
cells of the human lungs and other organs share certain similar elements in their antigens. It is
these similar antigens that have produced the self-antibodies to attack the patients' own lungs. This
triggers a series of abnormal immune reactions and causes immune damage to the lungs and other
organs.
Experts stated that the above mentioned findings have created a certain theoretical base for
understanding the pathogenesis of SARS and associated clinical treatment. As hormones have
strong immunity suppressing functions, the application of hormones and other immunity
suppressing drugs in adequate amounts has proved one of the most effective approaches to treating
SARS patients who have suffered immune damage caused by abnormal and excessive immune
reactions in their early stage. (Words: 361)
108
(http://bg.china-embassy.org/eng/zgzt/fdxfy/t132150.htm)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. The team mentioned in the passage ______.
A. belongs to a private organization
B. belongs to a public charity organization
C. is attached to the army
D. is attached to the department of health.
2. The research ______.
A. proves that SARS has been controlled by hormone therapy
B. proves that hormone therapy works in treating SARS
C. proves that personal antibodies can protect the lung.
D. were based on 55 SARS patients.
3. When people were infected with the SARS viruses, ______.
A. antibodies would protect SARS viruses
B. antibodies would protect human body
C. antibodies would attack SARS
D. antibodies would attack human body
4. Immune reactions ______.
A. is caused by SARS
B. attack only the lungs
C. is triggered by similar elements in their antigens
D. happen in all human body
5. What is the new finding mentioned in the passage? ______
A. Hormone therapy is effective in treating SARS patients.
B. The special lung-attacking self-antibodies produced in patients of SARS is closely related
to the damage caused by their own immune pathology.
C. Associated clinical treatment effects have been improved
D. Hormones have strong immunity suppressing functions
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 2′55″
Time You Used:
Tidal Wave of Despair
109
About 125,000 dead as of December 30, and still counting; millions rendered homeless.
Nations across South and Southeast Asia are grappling with the devastation caused by an undersea
earthquake on December 26, which measured 9 on the Richter scale, off the coast of Aceh
province on the northern Indonesian island of Sumatra. It unleashed tidal waves, or tsunami, of
such of terrifying proportions that whole villages, swathes of coastline and concrete buildings, not
to speak of human beings, were devoured by the 14-meter-high waves.
Mass graves are the order of the day as countries such as Sri Lanka and India race to dispose
of bodies and prevent large-scale contamination that can lead to an epidemic of water-borne
diseases. What should have been an idyllic holiday for droves of Western tourists flocking to
Thailand’s popular beach resorts, turned into a living nightmare as the tsunami washed thousands
on the beaches out to sea. In the Maldives, many islands are reported to have disappeared, while
India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands remain cut off for the most part and fatality reports are only
just trickling in. Sri Lanka took a broadside swipe of the tsunami with more than 25,000 deaths,
prompting its government to declare a state of emergency. But in Indonesia’s Aceh, which is
closest to the epicenter of the quake that jolted the floor of the Indian Ocean, the casualty rate is
steadily rising and, has topped 80,000.
International aid agencies have swung into action and donors are being urged to dig deep into
pockets to tackle what the United Nations has called “the costliest natural disaster in recent
history,’’ and warned that it may be weeks before the full effects are known. Already, the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has appealed for $44 million in
immediate aid for victims. The World Heath Organization has warned of a looming health crisis as
rotting bodies awaited body bags, prompting authorities to proceed with mass burials.
While experts ponder the economic costs of the disaster, as evidenced by the fall in the
Indonesian and Thai currencies, can the psychological costs of the fifth-largest quake in a century
ever be chalked up? (362 words)
(BJ review 2005.1)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. The tsunami ______.
A. was on December 30.
B. killed millions of people.
C. bought sorrow to nations across South and Southeast Asia.
D. was measured 9 on the Richter scale.
2. A tsunami ______.
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A. is an undersea earthquake.
B. can destroy a whole village.
C. is usually above 9 on the Richter scale.
D. often comes without warning.
3. What does “mass graves are the order of the day” in the second paragraph means?
A. The day is organized according to the mass graves.
B. The order of the day is mass graves
C. There are orders of mass graves
D. There are a lot of deaths.
4. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Thailand’s islands were reported to have disappeared.
B. India’s Andaman and Nicobar Island had been devoured.
C. 25,000 western tourists died in Sri Lanka.
D. Indonesia suffered the largest grave.
5. What does “swung into action” in the third paragraph means?
A. act quickly
B. swung quickly
C. began to swing
D. began to act
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UNIT TEN EMOTIONAL STORIES
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. What is happiness?
2. Can happiness be pursed? Why or why not?
The Road to Happiness
It is a commonplace among moralists that you cannot get happiness by pursuing it. This is
only true if you pursue it unwisely. Gamblers at Monte Carlo are pursuing money, and most of
them lose it instead, but there are other ways of pursuing money, which often succeed. So it is
with happiness. If you pursue it by means of drink, you are forgetting the hang-over. Epicurus
pursued it by living only in congenial society and eating only dry bread, supplemented by a little
cheese on feast days. His method proved successful in his case, but he was a valetudinarian, and
most people would need something more vigorous. For most people, the pursuit of happiness,
unless supplemented in various ways, is too abstract and theoretical to be adequate as a personal
rule of life. But I think that whatever personal rule of life you may choose it should not, except in
rare and heroic cases, be incompatible with happiness.
There are a great many people who have all the material conditions of happiness, i.e. health
and a sufficient income, and who, nevertheless, are profoundly unhappy. In such cases it would
seem as if the fault must lie with a wrong theory as to how to live. In one sense, we may say that
any theory as to how to live is wrong. We imagine ourselves more different from the animals than
we are. Animals live on impulse, and are happy as long as external conditions are favorable. If you
have a cat it will enjoy life if it has food and warmth and opportunities for an occasional night on
the tiles. Your needs are more complex than those of your cat, but they still have their basis in
instinct. In civilized societies, especially in English-speaking societies, this is too apt to be
forgotten. People propose to themselves some one paramount objective, and restrain all impulses
that do not minister to it. A businessman may be so anxious to grow rich that to this end he
sacrifices health and private affections. When at last he has become rich, no pleasure remains to
him except harrying other people by exhortations to imitate his noble example. Many rich ladies,
although nature has not endowed them with any spontaneous pleasure in literature or art, decide to
be thought cultured, and spend boring hours learning the right thing to say about fashionable new
books that are written to give delight, not to afford opportunities for dusty snobbism.
If you look around at the men and women whom you can call happy, you will see that they all
have certain things in common. The most important of these things is an activity which at most
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gradually builds up something that you are glad to see coming into existence. Women who take an
instinctive pleasure in their children can get this kind of satisfaction out of bringing up a family.
Artists and authors and men of science get happiness in this way if their own work seems good to
them. But there are many humbler forms of the same kind of pleasure. Many men who spend their
working life in the city devote their weekends to voluntary and unremunerated toil in their gardens,
and when the spring comes, they experience all the joys of having created beauty.
The whole subject of happiness has, in my opinion, been treated too solemnly. It had been
thought that man cannot be happy without a theory of life or a religion.
Perhaps those who have been rendered unhappy by a bad theory may need a better theory to
help them to recovery, just as you may need a tonic when you have been ill. But when things are
normal a man should be healthy without a tonic and happy without a theory. It is the simple things
that really matter. If a man delights in his wife and children, has success in work, and finds
pleasure in the alternation of day and night, spring and autumn, he will be happy whatever his
philosophy may be. If, on the other hand, he finds his wife fateful, his children's noise
unendurable, and the office a nightmare; if in the daytime he longs for night, and at night sighs for
the light of day, then what he needs is not a new philosophy but a new regimen----a different diet,
or more exercise, or what not.
Man is an animal, and his happiness depends on his physiology more than he likes to think.
This is a humble conclusion, but I cannot make myself disbelieve it. Unhappy businessmen, I am
convinced, would increase their happiness more by walking six miles every day than by any
conceivable change of philosophy. (784words)
(http://education.163.com/05/1202/13/23VJKLRP00290164.html)
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. They were very rich, and it was commonplace for them to travel abroad.
2. Cats and dogs are incompatible.
3. Mike’s paramount goal was to run a company of his own.
4. Tim was too excited to restrain himself.
5. You shouldn’t have harried her by so many phone calls..
6. The poem was conceivable only in tandem with music.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. _____According to moralists, happiness cannot be got by pursuing..
2. _____The author holds the opinion that human beings overestimate their difference from
animals.
3. _____Animals are usually happy if external conditions are favorable.
4. _____Many rich ladies spent hours learning the right thing to say about fashionable new
books because they have talent for literature or art.
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5. _____The author thinks that a man cannot be happy without a theory of life or a religion.
6. _____The author thinks that when you are happy, you don’t need a theory.
7. _____If a man finds his wife fateful, his children’s noise unendurable, the office a nightmare,
he needs a theory to guide his life.
8. _____If a man always feels unhappy, probably he needs a new regimen.
9. _____The author draws the conclusion that man’s happiness depends on his physiology.
10. _____Unhappy business would increase their happiness more by doing exercise.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
profoundly/ external/ be apt to/ endow...with/ spontaneous/ bring up/ devote…to/ long
for/ depend on/convince
1. Children ______their parents for food and clothing.
2. She______ behave impulsively.
3. I was ______relieved to hear the news.
4. The air has become dense with moisture so ardently ______ by the trees in the parks.
5. He finally ______ us of his innocence.
6. She was ______ by her grandparents.
7. Stories and poems were springing into ______ creation in his brain.
8. The ______ wall needs painting.
9. Nature ______ her ______beauty and wit.
10. She decided to ______ herself ______helping poor children.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Material happiness is real happiness VS. spiritual happiness is real happiness.
A: human beings are like animals/necessity/poor/wealthy
B: pleasure /materials/external
2. Being satisfied is happy VS. being unsatisfied is happy
A: enjoy/be in good mood/have a regular life
B: challenge/success/feeling/struggle
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. Are you satisfied with your life now?
2. What kind of life do you want to live?
3. What’s your plan for the future?
Reading Two
A Good Heart to Lean on
When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was severely
crippled and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance,
people would stare. I would inwardly squirm at the unwanted attention. If he ever noticed or was
114
bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to coordinate our steps -- his halting, mine impatient -- and because of that,
we didn't say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, "You set the pace. I
will try to adjust to you. "
Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work
sick, and despite nasty weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office
even if others could not. A matter of pride.
When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At
such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, NY, on a child's sleigh
to the subway entrance. Once there, he would cling to the handrail until he reached the lower steps
that the warmer tunnel air kept ice-free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his
office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn' on his
way home.
When I think of it now, I marvel at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to
subject himself to such indignity and stress. And at how he did it -- without bitterness or
complaint.
He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more
fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a "good heart", and if he found one, the owner
was good enough for him.
Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even
though I still don' t know precisely what a "good heart" is. But I know the times I don't have one
myself.
Unable to engage in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. When a
local sandlot baseball team found itself |without a manager, he kept it going. He was a
knowledgeable baseball fan and often took me to Ebbets Field to see the Brooklyn Dodgers play.
He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching.
On one memorable occasion a fight broke out at a beach party, with everyone punching and
shoving. He wasn't content to sit and watch, but he couldn't stand unaided on the soft sand. In
frustration he began to shout, "I' ll fight anyone who will tit down with me!"
Nobody did. But the next day people kidded him by saying it was the first time any fighter
was urged to take a dive even before the bout began.
I now know he participated in some things vicariously 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
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words were never said aloud.
He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my
reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I
was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. 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".
At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, "You set the pace, I
will try to adjust to you. (699 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(http://edu.qq.com/a/20050819/000188.htm)
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: answer the following questions
1. How did the author feel when he walked with his father? And why?
2. What did the father say to the son when they started out?
3. How did the father go to work on a snowy day?
4. What was the father’s attitude towards life?
5. What kind of feeling does the writer have towards his father?
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Whose love is greater, mother’s or father’s? And why
2. What are essential character for a man?.
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 5′30″
Time You Used: ________
Beautiful Smile and Love
The poor are very wonderful people. One evening we went out and we picked up four people
from the street. And one of them was in a most terrible condition，and I told the sisters: You take
care of the other three. I take care of this one who looked worse. So I did for her all that my love
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can do. I put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my
hand as she said just the words "thank you” and she died. I could not help but examine my
conscience[良心]before her and I asked what would I say if I was in her place. And my answer
was very simple. I would have tried to draw a little attention to myself. I would have said I am
hungry, that I am dying, I am cold, I am in pain, or something, but she gave me much more-she
gave me her grateful love. And she died with a smile on her face. As did that man whom we
picked up from the drain[阴沟、下水道], half eaten with worms, and we brought him to the home.
"I have lived like an animal in the street, but I am going to die like an angel, loved and cared for."
And it was so wonderful to see the greatness of that man who could speak like that, who could die
like that without blaming anybody, without cursing anybody, without comparing anything. Like an
angel-this is the greatness of our people. And that is why we believe what Jesus had said: I was
hungry, I was naked, I was homeless, I was unwanted, unloved, uncared for, and you did it to me.
I believe that we are not real social workers. We may be doing social work in the eyes of the
people, but we are really contemplatives in the heart of the world. For we are touching the body of
Christ twenty-four hours…And I think that in our family we don't need bombs and guns, to
destroy, to bring peace, just get together, love one another, bring that peace, that joy, that strength
of presence of each other in the home. And we will be able to overcome all the evil that is in the
world.
And with this prize that I have received as a Prize of Peace, I am going to try to make the
home for many people who have no home. Because I believe that love begins at home, and if we
can create a home for the poor I think that more and more love will spread. And we will be able
through this understanding love to bring peace be the good news to the poor. The poor in our own
family first, in our country and in the world. To be able to do this, our Sisters, our lives have to be
wove with prayer. They have to be woven with Christ to be able to understand, to be able to share.
Because to be woven with Christ is to be able to understand, to be able to share. Because today
there is so much suffering…When I pick up a person from the street, hungry, I give him a plate of
rice, a piece of bread, I have satisfied. I have removed that hunger. But a person who is shut out,
who feels unwanted, unloved, terrified, the person who has been thrown out from society-that
poverty is so full of hurt and so unbearable…And so let us always meet each other with a smile,
for the smile is the beginning of love, and once we begin to love each other naturally we want to
do something. (634 words)
(http://www.hao360.com/page/details_articles.asp?id=6257)
1.
Mother Teresa said “The poor are very wonderful people” because__________.
A.
some poor men could show great gratitude instead of asking for more care or blaming
B.
usually the poor are very kind
C.
they could endure even if half eaten with worms
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D.
2.
they blamed nobody, cursed nobody, and compared nothing
In Mother Teresa’s opinion, we will be able to overcome all the evil in the world by
__________.
A.
using weapons
B.
being real social workers
C.
touching the body of Christ twenty—four hours
D.
getting together, loving one another, bringing peace, joy, and strength of presence of
each other in the home
3.
4.
What did Mother Teresa compare the poor to?
A.
love
B.
worms
C.
angel
D.
Jesus
How do they treat the person who has been thrown out from society?
A.
To give him a plate of rice and a piece of bread.
B.
To help him get rid of poverty.
C.
To smile to him first.
D.
To comfort him and make him realize that today there is so much suffering and he is not
alone.
5.
Which one is the best title for the passage?.
A.
Being a Peace Lover
B.
Beautiful Smile and Love
C.
Helping the Poor
D.
Social Workers
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 2′45″
Time You Used:
___
Another Type of Love
Inside the Russian Embassy in London a KGB colonel puffed a cigarette as he read the
handwritten note for the third time. There was no need for the writer to express regret, he though.
Correcting this problem would be easy. He would do that in a moment. The thought of it caused a
grim smile to appear and joy to his heart. But he pushed away those thoughts and turned his
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attention to a framed photograph on his desk. His wife was beautiful, he told himself as he
remembered the day they were married. That was forty-three years ago, and it had been the
proudest and happiest day of his life.
What had happened to all that time? Why had it passed so quickly, and why hadn't he spent
more of it with her? Why hadn't he held her close and told her more often that he loved her? He
cursed himself as a tear came from the corner of his eye, ran down his cheek, then dropped onto
the note. He stiffened and wiped his face with the back of his hand. There was no need for remorse
or regret, he told himself. In a few moments he would join her and at that time would express his
undying love and devotion.
After setting the note ablaze he dropped it into an ashtray and watched it burn. For a time the
names cast moving shadows on the walls of the darkened room, then they nickered and died out.
The colonel dropped the cigarette to the floor and ground it out with his heel, then clutched the
photograph to his breast, removed a pistol from his pocket, placed the barrel in his mouth and
pulled the trigger. In the ashtray a small portion of the note remained. Where it had been wetted by
his tear it had failed to bum, and on that scrap of paper were the words "died yesterday."
(325words)
(http://www.hao360.com/page/details_articles.asp?id=5598)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Who was the writer of the handwritten note?
A.
the KGB colonel
B.
the KGB colonel’s friend
C.
the KGB colonel’s wife
D.
we don’t know
What happened to the note?
A.
He hid it under an ashtray.
B.
He put it into his pocket.
C.
He put it into his mouth..
D.
He burned it
By asking three questions in paragraph 2, the KGB colonel __________.
A.
expressed his regret
B.
tried to find the answer eagerly
C.
was puzzled
D.
couldn’t believe the news
The KGB decided to stop remorse or regretting, because __________.
A.
he had more important things to do
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5.
B.
he was going to write back to express his love and devotion
C.
he wanted to die to accompany her
D.
he wanted to forget her and start a new life
__________died yesterday.
A.
The KGB colonel
B.
The KGB colonel’s wife
C.
The KGB colonel’s dear friend
D. The friend of the KGB colonel’s wife
Tips for reading
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Decoding Word Meaning in the Context (Ⅱ)
The author would use words containing the same meaning to further explain. Or to
make a comparison, he would use words or phrases of the opposite meaning to
express his ideas.
Supersede
1. The new tax law supersedes, or replaces, the law that was in effect last year.
The word “replaces” is the synonym of the word “supersedes”.
Turmoil
2. In the past the world seemed to run in an orderly way. Now, however, everything
seems to be in a state of turmoil.
The word “however” indicates that the first sentence express the opposite
meaning of “turmoil”.
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UNIT ELEVEN CITY LIFE
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. What do you know about tax?
2. Did you ever pay tax for something?
3. Will you pay tax in the future?
Don’t Cry, Just Pay
By Francisco Little
The Chinese nation woke up on April 1 to a list of new items earmarked for consumption tax
and another list increasing existing taxes on other items.
One of the more interesting items on this new tax list that caught my eye was disposable
wooden chopsticks. I did a double take when I first heard this and decided it must have been an
April Fool’s joke, right? Chopsticks, why on earth would anyone tax chopsticks, when they are as
essential to Chinese life as rice, tea and firecrackers? But there it was in the news bulletins: China
will collect a 5 percent consumption tax on disposable wooden chopsticks.
It was only when I started looking at the statistics that the penny dropped. According to the
Ministry of Finance, China produces 15 billion pairs of these throwaways a year, with over a third
of that amount exported. Are there really billions of chopsticks being used outside China?
The production of disposable chopsticks is chewing up China’s forests at the electrifying rate
of 1.3 million cubic1 meters of timber each year. The ministry says the tax is a bid to discourage
the use of these chopsticks, as they are a waste of timber resources. But that much forest
disappearing annually is a wake up call that deserves more than just an added tax. Ban the
disposables outright, I say! Never did I like them anyway, far too flimsy to control.
Interestingly, in an online poll conducted by sina.com, 73 percent of the 25,000 respondents
reckoned their throwaway wooden chopsticks days were over after the tax came into force. That
was it for them. No more. This led me to wondering what alternatives there were for anyone not
wanting to rip open the plastic packet, scrape the splinters off the side, and tuck in with their
disposable kuaizi?
Are Chinese restaurants now going to use cutlery2 in the form of knives and forks (I hear a
loud chorus from the expat community) or is every diner going to bring their own chopsticks?
When preparing to go out, the checklist will now include keys, cellphone, wallet and chopsticks.
Perhaps eating-houses will offer stainless steel chopsticks as they do in Korea or allow eating
with hands as they do in India and parts of Africa. And then again, plastic is probably the way to
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go. Whatever happens, it’s going to lead to some creative ideas on how to get that piece of mutton
bubbling away in the hotpot into your mouth.
On a different track, something bound to bring smiles to the faces of all those who like
looking good, is the scrapping of the 8 percent consumption tax on skin and hair-care products
originally imposed in 1994. Twelve years ago, it seems, these now affordable necessities were still
thought of as luxury products, something that has changed with the rising level of prosperity in the
country.
Boys who hanker after their big toys are going to feel the pinch in a big way. The SUV lovers
will be shelling out up to 20 percent additional tax on these big engine cars in a bid to reduce the
number of gas-guzzlers and address energy needs, while levies on small engine cars will have a
small reduction.
The new tax regulations also take a swipe at those with a love for yachting on the Yangtze
River, squeezing out an extra 10 percent on yachts, and at golfing enthusiasts, who will be paying
more for golf clubs and golf balls. Building upmarket golf courses has in the past come under fire
in China for allegedly taking up rural arable land without adequate compensation. I suppose this
makes it a good reason to tax anything golfable. And if you’re tired of being offered a Rolex for
dirt-cheap prices outside a shopping market, the real thing along with other luxury watches now
carries an additional 20 percent tax. It’s probably going to be cheaper to get these items overseas
rather than in China.
The luxury goods tax is aimed broadside at China’s emerging affluent society, who when all
is said and done are probably still in a position to overlook any attempts to “inconvenience” their
shopping sprees. Let’s face it; there is nothing new in taxing the rich, whatever country you look
at.
There’s no doubting the sincerity of the motive behind these tax increases. Protecting the
environment from the senseless wave of forest depletion, trying to conserve energy and looking
for ways to close the gap between rich and poor are all reasons that are good to go and I’m all for
them. And as far as the chopsticks are concerned, I guess boycotting the disposables and bringing
your own won’t be that much of a hassle. If you can’t plant a tree, you can at least save some of
them. (803 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 8 Minutes)
(http://www.bjreview.com.cn/06-14-e/expatseye.htm)
Notes
1. Cubic: relating to a measurement of space which is calculated by multiplying the length of
something by its width and height
2. Cutlery: knives, forks, and spoons that you use for eating and serving food
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Exercises:
I. Explain the meaning of the italicized words by studying the contexts.
1. One of the more interesting items on this new tax list that caught my eye was disposable
wooden chopsticks. ……According to the Ministry of Finance, China produces 15 billion
pairs of these throwaways a year, with over a third of that amount exported.
2. On a different track, something bound to bring smiles to the faces of all those who like
looking good, is the scrapping of the 8 percent consumption tax on skin and hair-care
products originally imposed in 1994. Twelve years ago, it seems, these now affordable
necessities were still thought of as luxury products, something that has changed with the
rising level of prosperity in the country.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true
or false. Put a T for true and F for false.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
______The tax for disposable wooden chopsticks is increased.
______The author stands for the tax and thinks it as the best way to save the timber.
______Billions of disposable chopsticks are exported each year.
______25,000 respondents of the poll conducted by sina.com have stopped using disposable
chopsticks.
______Probably stainless steel chopsticks will be offered in the restaurants.
______In India, people can eat with hands.
______The tax on skin and hair care products is also increased.
______The government cut levies on small engine cars to encourage people using smaller
cars.
______According to the author, luxury goods should not be taxed so heavily.
______The author agrees that the gap between rich and poor should be delimited.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below.
Change the form where necessary.
disposable/ chewing up/ deserve/ reckon/ alternative/ bubble away/ impose/ adequate/
affluent/ broadside
1. People who are sent to prison for drunk-driving get what they ______ .
2. I set down my grocery bags and put on my ______ gloves.
3. The company has yet to provide a/an ______ explanation for its actions.
4. We drove through ______ suburbs with large houses and tree-lined streets.
5. The dog's ______ my slippers again.
6. His van was hit ______ by a speeding car.
7. I had no ______ but to report him to the police.
8. They are parents who ______ their own moral values on their children.
9. The water was ______ on the stove.
10. The police ______ that whoever killed Dad was with him earlier that day.
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IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and
debate upon the following topics.
1. ban the use of disposable chopsticks V.S. heavy tax on disposable chopsticks
A: save the timber / obligatory/ healthy
B: gradually/ reduce/ national treasury
2. taxing the private expenses V.S. taxing the business expenses
A: help developing the habit of paying tax/ part of the law/ different tax
B: important part of the national treasury/ reasonable/ law
3. stainless chopsticks V.S. knife and fork
A: traditional custom/ convenient for Chinese/ health
B: quiet/ graceful and clean/ easy to handle
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and
targeting the specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. What should be taxed?
2. The aim of taxing the rich.
3. How to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor?
Reading Two
The New York City Life
Like clay, New York City has molded me into the man I am now. It is the place of my birth
and, over time, it has become the core of my life, like a nucleus1 to an atom. It has edified my
knowledge about the world, served as a haven and taught me how to live in our modern unruly
society. I adore each and every miniscule part of it from opulent Manhattan, to ethnic Brooklyn.
Each aspect of New York City contributes something and serves as a piece of a puzzle forming
“The Big Apple.”
New York City is filled with important landmarks and florid artistry, such as the
world-renowned Empire State Building and the Museum of Modern Art. These places have not
only given me insight into life but by witnessing all the astounding arts and music, I have obtained
a fondness for fine artwork. This has led me to become a musician and an arts and music
connoisseur.
Another thing the city has taught me is how to be determined and passionate. This aspect is
demonstrated by the ardent fans of the New York teams and it really represents the effervescence
of the city. It is especially seen in the Yankees — the most prestigious, well-known sports team in
the world — blessed with many achievements and revered legends, such as Babe Ruth and
Mickey Mantle. Living in New York, I am able to take a train and watch a game in the celebrated
“House that Ruth Built”, enabling me to become a part of history, acquiring a feeling of unity and
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buoyancy.
This city has also made me a universal person because traveling around New York City is
like going to different countries. I have gone to Chinatown, and it’s like a little Hong Kong. I also
went to Brighton2 Beach where you feel like you are traveled to Odessa3. As a child in New York
City I have been exposed to people of many different heritages as well. I have friends from all
sorts of different countries, from China to South Africa, and continue to follow my Jewish culture
without being disparaged.
Not only is New York City the center of all economic business, with a stock market that fuels
America’s economy, but it is also vibrant and free. Living in the City, I am able to live a liberal
life, follow my own choices and go from rags to riches. In India, for example, one is set in a caste
system at birth. In my life I have changed what I desired to do many times — from being a
celebrity musician to an affluent banker. This is possible in a City that is the ideal place to seek the
American Dream.
A child that lives in a rural area is not able to experience the same things as a child in New
York City can. They can only dream of going to vibrant Time Square —
brilliant with different
kinds of fluorescent lights that dazzle your eyes in amazement. These people are not able to
indulge in a wide spectrum of savory food with the convenience that New York City brings. Many
people who live in small towns spend their entire life in one place. I have traveled to three
“towns” in one day using the subway. In suburban America, one is most likely not able to walk to
their desired destination. I either walk or travel on a speeding train that glides across the rails
beneath the City. Not to mention the buses on every corner.
Living in the city has changed me as a person. Not only have I been exposed to many
cultures and open to other beliefs but I have become very independent. I also noticed the true
significance of the City after 9/11. Since the World Trade Center is not too far from my home, the
incident really affected me. I was able to not only fathom how serious the occurrence was, but also
how pivotal the City is and learned not to take it for granted. After observing this devastating
occurrence, I realized how a City could be gone from the world just from one ghastly blow.
Most of all, living in the City has taught me how to take care of myself. Since everything
here is so busy, children are forced to do a lot of things for themselves — including travel, taking
care of money, and learning to be wary and street smart. This is advantageous for my future as it
provides an introduction to going to college, where I will be forced to take care of myself.
And thanks to New York City, I can. (779 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 9 MINUTES)
(http://www.harlemlive.org/writing-art/essays/nyc/index.html)
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Notes:
1. Nucleus: the central part of an atom
2. Brighton: a city on the south coast of England, which has been a popular place for holidays
since the 18th century.
3. Odessa: a port city of south central Ukraine on an arm of the Black Sea
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: answer the following questions in your own words
according to the text.
1. New York to the author is nucleus to an atom.
2. The author has a favor in music
3. Yankee is the name of the team leader.
4. The author has been to Hong Kong.
5. The author is a Chinese-American.
6. The author was a musician and he is a banker now.
7. New York is a best place to trace the American Dream.
8. People take subways frequently in New York.
9. The author is a survivor of the devastating occurrence happened on Sep.11.
10. The author is probably a high school student now.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and
targeting the specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Shanghai is a city where you can trace your dream.
2. How to be an independent person.
3. What kind of city do you like?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 5′30″
Time You Used: ________
Super Girl in Taiwan
Li Yuchun, winner of the 2005 Super Girl singing contest, an American Idol-like competition
for young women, finally saw her super powers, which had captured hearts of millions of teenage
girls across China, reach their limit.
During a recent five-day trip to perform in Taiwan, Li, who enjoys great popularity among
Taiwan’s young people with her notably boyish appearance, masculine stage presence and bold
127
personality, was permitted to sing, but not talk, in public. In response to applause, roses and
screaming fans who had followed her all along, the 22-year-old super girl could do nothing more
than wave and smile.
According to a report in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, Taiwan authorities
ban visitors from the mainland from doing anything beyond the stated purpose of their visits,
which means Li had to shun publicity during her stay.
One day before she left, when local news media pushing for interviews with the rising singer
finally caught her in front of the camera at a joint interview, they had to remove the logos from
their microphones in order to avoid probable punishment imposed by the island’s government.
On the previous night, at a concert in Taipei featuring nearly a dozen famous pop singers
from both the mainland and Taiwan, Li’s signature voice and stage presence won her hearty
applause from the audience.
The overnight success of Li, a third-year student at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music one
year ago, marked an important turning point in the meaning of stardom in China. Defying pop star
formulas, Li steadily gained fame as she constantly cruised forward in the nationally broadcast
singing contest for women with the slogan “Singing Whenever You Want.”
Last August, more than 400 million viewers, nearly one third of China’s population and the
largest television audience in the country’s history, tuned in to watch the season finale of Super
Girl. Li won the competition with an astonishing 3.53 million votes through cellphone text
messages.
Li went on to grace the cover of Time Asia last October as one of the magazine’s pick of 25
Asian Heroes of the Year.
While Li’s tomboy image and natural stage performance, in which she exudes enormous
confidence, challenge the traditional gender norms for women, she is admired by her peers in
China as a role model for being herself, daring to sing and to win. (392 words)
(http://www.bjreview.com.cn/06-09-e/people-09.htm)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. Li is not permitted to speak in public because ______.
A. she could not speak Taiwan dialect
B. she was not welcomed by the Taiwan authority
C. she is not happy with the arrangement
D. she is a star from the mainland
2. The author’s attitude toward the Taiwan authority is ______.
128
A. ironic
B. subjective
C. objective
D. negative
3. The Taiwan press ______.
A. showed little interest in Li
B. finally get an interview with Li
C. got the punishment from the government
D. ban visitors from the mainland from doing anything beyond the stated purpose of their
visits.
4. The Super Girl Singing Contest ______.
A. broke the record of China’s television history
B. changed the traditional gender norms for women
C. is for all females
D. has supporters all over the world.
5. According to the passage, which of the following statement is true? ______.
A. Li won the 2005 Super Girl singing contest because of her appearance.
B. Li is the idol of millions of teenages.
C. Li is not good at public speech.
D. Li has few supporters in Taiwan.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used:
Fall from University Grace
Just as Adam was cast out of university; but while his transgression was eating the fruit from
the tree of knowledge, my sin was ignoring the tree. After my dismal performance in my first year
of university, I contemplated the reasons for my failure. Now, I understand the two factors that
contributed to my downfall: the lack of a career goal and the premature independence.
Without a career goal, I lacked direction and motivation. About halfway through my final
year of high school, I was bounded by my parents to enroll in university. To silence their nagging,
I told them I wanted to be an engineer. Though I got high marks in math, physics, and chemistry, I
was bored with them, and my dislike of the sciences became apparent in the first four months of
university. I failed all my science courses.
129
Had I been more motivated, I might have passed those courses, but I just wasn’t ready for
university. In fact, I wasn’t ready for any career.
Why didn’t I transfer to another program? Why didn’t I just drop out? First, my parents had
paid for my tuition and I feared they would pull out their financial support and leave me destitute.
Second, my aspiration was still cloudy, so if I transferred out of the engineering faculty I would
still lack direction. I remained in the program until Christmas, hopeful that my marks would
improve as my disposition towards engineering.
Snow fell in mid-December, final exam time, but I didn’t notice either event, because I had
become a creature of the night preying on full beer mugs in smoke-filled bars. My exams had been
returned and I had failed all my courses. I didn’t care; neither did my friends, whose marks were
equally bad. We bragged of our freedom from our parents, not realizing that their influence was
more beneficial than the influence we had on each other. When my friends and I were not in the
bar, we were playing cards in somebody’s room or inviting ourselves to parties held by other
students in the residence hall. At the time, my independence was exhilarating; freedom, having
denied me for eighteen years, was mine to experience and abuse. I got drunk with impunity. No
angry mother awaited my return home at five in the morning. No enraged father tongue-lashed me
for lousy grades. But freedom had its price: nobody told me to study harder; no one said that if I
didn’t get and eighty on my next three exams, I would fail; no one told me to take responsibility
for my actions.
When Christmas Day arrived, I found a “withdrawal from university” notice in my stocking.
Unearned independence was the fruit from the tree of knowledge that tempted me and caused
my downfall. Because I was not mature enough to accept the responsibility for my own future and
because I abused my privileges of independence, I failed my first year of university. The causes of
my downfall have taught me maturity and responsibility, and in the future I will not ignore the tree
of knowledge again. Falling from Eden was enough to teach Adam; the same is true for me. (531
words)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. In what way the author is same as Adam? ______.
A. Eating the fruit from the tree.
B. Ignoring the tree.
C. Falling from university grace
D. Breaking the rules.
2. The author has ______.
A. career goal
130
B. direction and motivation
C. premature independence
D. freedom
3. He failed in university because ______.
A. he is not good at science lessons
B. he wanted to be an engineer
C. he was not ready for university
D. his parent pull out financial support
4. The author often ______.
A. stayed late in the bars
B. told his friends to study hard
C. played cards at home
D. invited others to his dormitory for party
5. Probably, he will ______.
A. get married very soon
B. go on the second year in the university
C. be in prison
D. study harder
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UNIT TWELVE TOURISM
Reading one
Warming up discussion
1.
What do you know about Australia?
2.
Do you like hiking?
3.
What are you most interested in when you go to see a new place?
Walk like an Australian
Our guide, Simon Young, meets us at our first night's destination, the Cape Otway Centre for
Conservation Ecology, where we'll begin our hike the next morning. Simon looks a bit like Colin
Farrell -- at least to me -- but he's far mellower; he's an acupuncturist on the side, and to say that
he's quiet would be an understatement. The other couple who signed on to do the walk with us
bowed out at the last minute, so Michael and I have Simon all to ourselves.
It's cold outside -- but we fall asleep under the softest wool blanket known to man. There are
no shades covering the windows, and a sky full of stars I've never seen in the northern hemisphere
serves as our eco-friendly night-light.
At 7 A.M., we wake up to muesli and fresh farm-raised eggs. All this pampering and we
haven't even worked up a sweat yet, so I'm eager to get started. Our first day is by far the hardest.
We begin at what must be one of the steepest parts of the trail, about 19 miles in. After a quick,
sharp ascent, we see the ocean stretching out in front of us, one long mass of crashing waves and
coves underneath high, green cliffs. We're hundreds of feet up, and yet the waves are so loud we
have to raise our voices to be heard.
Over six hours of hiking, we see waves, hills and coves; waves, hills and coves. We become
blasé about even the most dramatic view. We grill Simon about all the local plants, and his answer
tends to be, "That's a good question...." The Great Ocean Walk is still new, so we cut him some
slack about not being the world's greatest expert on the flora. Instead we ask him about other
things, such as the huge first-aid kit he's hauling -- he has an arsenal of stories about the harrowing
rescues he's made -- as well as how likely it is we'll see a snake (very) and how likely it is we'll be
bitten by a snake (not at all).
At a certain point on any vacation, a person can grow a little weary of talking only to her
spouse -- and Simon's quiet demeanor isn't much of a distraction. I'm hopeful we'll run into some
grizzled Australian walkers, but we don't come across a single person the entire day. The view
does remind me of the California coast, but there's no chance you could pass a day there without
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seeing another person, car or even a building. It's a remarkable thing to have a place like this all to
yourself.
(The second day) On our way to Johanna Beach, a sometime site for the World
Championship Tour of surfing, a thuggish-looking alpha-male kangaroo blocks our path and stares
us down. We stop and look around. There must be at least 20 of them -- a 'roo colony on the ridge.
Lizzie told us that a group of kangaroos is called a "mob," and now I understand why. Simon takes
the lead, assuring us that the mob boss isn't looking for trouble: "If harassed, a kangaroo will give
you a bit of a box, but otherwise, they'll leave you alone." Sure enough, we come away
unpummeled, with plenty of photographs. There's nothing like seeing a kangaroo to remind you
just how far away from home you are.
Australia is fun because it's familiar enough to be easily navigated, but different enough to
keep things interesting. Take the plants, for instance: The strangest is the grass tree (the "bastard
bush," as Simon calls some other plant, doesn't live up to its nickname). The top of a grass tree
looks like sea grass, and the bottom resembles the prickly outside of a pineapple. The plant thrives
in the Otways region, and at one point along the trail, we're up to our necks in the soft bristles. It
feels as if we're walking through a car wash.
A lot of people treat the Great Ocean Road like it's simply a highway to the Twelve Apostles,
limestone formations off the coast. In fact, Marianne and Bryan get a lot of late-night, last-minute
guests who pull over when they realize exactly how far the Apostles are from Melbourne (the
169-mile drive takes about five hours, because the road is very twisty).
The Apostles -- there are actually 13, but not all are visible from the outlook -- are the result
of the erosion of the cliffs. The erosion continues: The "ninth Apostle" crumbled last year. On our
last morning, following a short loop hike, we drive 30 minutes past the end of the Great Ocean
Walk to see the formations.
The Apostles are stunning, like statuesque jigsaw-puzzle pieces that have drifted away from
the puzzle. And they're definitely worth a visit. But to be honest, I'm a little bit underwhelmed.
The viewpoint parking lot is full, and for the first time in days, Michael and I are surrounded by a
mob of another kind: tourists. (845 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 8 Minutes)
(http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/09/26/great.ocean.walk/index.html,
abridged)
Notes:
1.
muesli: A mixture of usually untoasted rolled oats and dried fruit, often used as a breakfast
cereal.
2.
World Championship Tour of Surfing: World Championship Tour (WCT). It is the
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embodiment the top tier of the ASP's two-tier system. The WCT has both Men's and Women's
Divisions. The Men's Division is comprised of the top 45 competitive surfers in the world,
and the women's division is made up of the top 17. Surfers qualify for both the Men's and
Women's WCTs via the WQS. Every season, WCT surfers compete with one another for
prize money and the highly coveted ASP World Title. WCT events are held in exotic
locations around the world with the support of the event licensees. Enjoying twelve events
per season, prime locales, and attractive prize purses, the WCT is the most sought after tour
in competitive surfing.
3.
alpha-male: In social animals, the alpha male or alpha female is the individual in the
community whom the others follow and defer to. Where one male and one female fulfill this
role, they are referred to as the alpha pair.
4.
a’roo colony: a kangaroo colony
5.
Marianne and Bryan: the couple who run Castle Cove B&B, where the author and her
husband spend their second and third nights.
Exercises:
I. Match what we see (listed in the left column) with how we feel (listed in the right column)
on our tour.
1.
a myriad of stars
2.
waves, hills and coves
3.
kangaroos
4.
grass trees
5.
Apostles
a.
It reminds us how far from home we are..
b. It’s our beautiful night light.
c.
We grow blasé.
d. We don’t think it lives up to its nickname.
e.
We think they are stunning and definitely worth a visit.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. ______Simon is very quiet.
2. ______We travel with another couple.
3. ______I am eager to get started because I get bored staying indoors.
4. ______We become blasé during the first day of the trip because of the monotony of the scenes.
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5. ______Simon is an expert of the local plants.
6. ______We are attacked by a mob of kangaroos.
7. ______The grass tree resembles the pineapple on the top.
8. ______The Great Ocean Road is simply a highway to the Twelve Apostles.
9.______One of the Apostles broke down last year.
10. ______ We are mugged by mobs at the end of out trip.
III. Questions:
1. What’s the author’s comparison between the Australian coast and California coast?
2. Why are a group of kangaroos called a mob?
3. What’s the word the author uses in correspondence with Simon’s words “a kangaroo will give
you a bit of a box”?
4. Why does the author say “Australia is familiar enough to be navigated”?
5. Why does the author compare the Twelve Apostles to “jigsaw-puzzle pieces that have drifted
away from the puzzle”?
IV. Fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the form of them
where necessary.
bow out / pamper / on the side / weary / distraction / stunning / navigate / twisty /
understatement / harrowing /
1.
To say that traffic on the expressway is intolerable is an _______. Morning, noon and night,
drivers get Squeezed.
2.
He _______ when he realized he could no longer handle the demands of the chairmanship
3.
He drives a bus, but he's a tour guide________.
4.
Grandparents often _______ the children
5.
As serials are packed with sub-standard content, watching them has become a ________
experience.
6.
A recent analysis of American commuting habits confirms what many ________ workers
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already know: Commutes are getting longer. More Americans than ever are leaving home at 5
am to 6:30 am to beat the traffic.
7.
44.7% of the more than 10000 people polled cited web surfing as their #1 _______ at work.
8.
These days, folks can ________ via GPS or online driving directions, scour the Internet for a
wealth of travel ideas, and use online message boards to make travel friends before they ever
leave home.
9.
On the trip, he took some _______ pictures of Niagara Falls.
10. This is a very _______ road, so be very careful and pay attention to the signs warning of
corners, because they do not lie.
V. Understand the underlined parts.
1.
2.
3.
These books sizzle and you'll need to draw the shades and get comfortable.
A.
partial darkness
B.
protective covering that protects something from direct sunlight
C.
a slight amount or degree of difference
D.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
Don't grill your kid every time you talk----- live your lives separate, but intertwined.
A.
to cook something by direct heat, especially under a very hot surface in a cooker
B.
a frame of metal bars over a fire on which food can be put to be cooked
C.
to ask someone a lot of questions for a long time
D.
to torture
The fact of the matter is some of the guys playing poorly are veteran players and you have to
cut them some slack.
A.
to not judge someone as severely as you usually would because they are having
problems at the present time
4.
5.
B.
to do the work which someone else has stopped doing but which still needs to be done
C.
to (cause to) loosen
D.
to work slower and with less effort than usual, or to go slower
Police advise motorists to immediately pull over when signaled to do so.
A.
to start moving onto a road or onto a different part of the road
B.
to move to the side of the road and stop
C.
to move to the police car and stop
D.
to move along with the police car
Perhaps they'll change my mind, but so far I'm underwhelmed.
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6.
7.
8.
A.
feeling excitement
B.
feeling annoyance
C.
feeling no belief
D.
feeling no excitement or admiration
The blase traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as `the pond'"
A.
sarcastic and cynical
B.
happy and excited
C.
bored and not excited
D.
humorous and friendly
Johnny Horton was the ultimate balladeer, with a rich, mellow voice that clearly tells a story.
A.
low and barely heard
B.
rich and soft in quality
C.
high-pitched
D.
loud
Mayor Bloomberg yesterday confirmed that he stood by every word of his televised outburst
against the Transport Workers Union's leadership at the height of this week's strike. He called
them "thuggish," "selfish," "frauds" and the like.
9.
A.
coward
B.
unfaithful
C.
deceptive
D.
violent
There has seen little indication that Microsoft intends to live up to the promises it made last
week.
A.
be as good as
B.
carry out: fulfill
C.
modify
D.
withdraw
10. I guess it kind of reminds me of those earnest white people who have a special sort of
“extra-nice” demeanor they save for people of color, which is really a mix of nervous
laughter, anxiety, and condescension.
A.
The way people solve problems
B.
The way people dress themselves up
C.
The way people judge others
D.
The way people behave
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VI. Pros and cons.
1. Hiking is fun. Vs. Hiking is no fun.
A: good exercise / fresh air / the beautiful country / to travel at one’s own pace / the spirit of
adventure / to take a close look at the surroundings
B: tiring / monotonous / unable to see a lot of places / possibility of losing one’s way /
unexpected danger
2. Tourism has a negative impact on Nature. Vs. Tourism doesn’t have a negative impact on
Nature.
A: burden of human waste and sewage / construction of new roads, restaurants and hotels / litter
/ noise / graffiti
B: valuable financial resources / improved awareness of environment protection / limited
number of tourists / enforcement of environment protection legislation
3. Living close to Nature vs. living in a city
A: healthful / fresh water and air / away from pollution / slower pace of life / beautiful scenery /
soothing of one’s heart and soul
B: modern conveniences / good medical service and education / cinemas and theatres /
wonderful exhibitions / paradise for shopping / centre of social, political and artistic life
VII. In-depth discussion.
1.
Beauty of Nature
2.
The best place I’ve ever been to
Reading two
Ecotourism
Imagine the scene. You're sitting in the hot sunshine beside the swimming pool of your
international luxury hotel, drinking your imported gin and tonic1. In front of you is the beach,
reserved for hotel guests with motor boats for hire. Behind you is an 18-hole golf course, which
was cleared from the native forest and is kept green by hundreds of water sprinklers. Around the
hotel are familiar international restaurant chains and the same shops that you have at home.
You've seen some local people - some of them sell local handicrafts outside the hotel. You bought
a small wooden statue and after arguing for half an hour you only paid a quarter of what the man
138
was asking. Really cheap!
Is this your idea of heaven or would you prefer something different?
Nowadays, many of us try to live in a way that will damage the environment as little as
possible. We recycle our newspapers and bottles, we take public transport to get to work, we try to
buy locally produced fruit and vegetables and we stopped using aerosol sprays2 years ago. And we
want to take these attitudes on holiday with us. This is why alternative forms of tourism are
becoming more popular all over the world.
But what is ecotourism?
There are lots of names for these new forms of tourism: responsible tourism, alternative
tourism, sustainable tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, educational tourism and more.
Ecotourism probably involves a little of all of them. Everyone has a different definition but most
people agree that ecotourism must:
1 conserve the wildlife and culture of the area.
2 benefit the local people and involve the local community
3 be sustainable, that is make a profit without destroying natural resources
4 provide an experience that tourists want to pay for.
So for example, in a true ecotourism project, a nature reserve allows a small number of
tourists to visit its rare animals and uses the money that is generated to continue with important
conservation work. The local people have jobs in the nature reserve as guides and wardens, but
also have a voice in how the project develops. Tourists stay in local houses with local people, not
in specially built hotels. So they experience the local culture and do not take precious energy and
water away from the local population. They travel on foot, by boat, bicycle or elephant so that
there is no pollution. And they have a special experience that they will remember all of their lives.
This type of tourism can only involve small numbers of people so it can be expensive. But
you can apply the principles of ecotourism wherever you go for your holiday. Just remember these
basic rules.
Be prepared. Learn about the place that you're going to visit. Find out about its culture and
history. Learn a little of the native language, at least basics like 'Please', 'Thank you', and 'Good
Morning'. Think of your holiday as an opportunity to learn something.
Have respect for local culture. Wear clothes that will not offend people. Always ask
permission before you take a photograph. Remember that you are a visitor.
Don't waste resources. If the area doesn't have much water, don't take two showers every
day.
Remember the phrase "Leave nothing behind you except footprints and take nothing away
except photographs." Take as much care of the places that you visit as you take of your own home.
139
Don't buy souvenirs made from endangered animals or plants.
Walk or use other non-polluting forms of transport whenever you can.
Be flexible and keep a sense of humour when things go wrong.
Stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants. Buy local products whenever possible and
pay a fair price for what you buy.
Choose your holiday carefully. Don't be afraid to ask the holiday company about what they
do that is 'eco'. Remember that 'eco' is very fashionable today and a lot of holidays that are
advertised as ecotourism are not much better than traditional tourism.
But before you get too enthusiastic, think about how you are going to get to your dream 'eco'
paradise. Flying is one of the biggest man-made sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Friends of the Earth say that one return flight from London to Miami puts as much carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere as the average British car driver produces in a year. So don't forget that you
don't have to fly to exotic locations for your 'eco' holiday. There are probably places of natural
beauty and interest in your own country that you've never visited. (769 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 Minutes)
(http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-magazine-ecotourism.htm)
Notes:
1. Gin and tonic: A gin and tonic is a cocktail made with gin and tonic water, usually garnished
with a slice of lime or lemon and served over ice. Gin is a strong colorless alcoholic beverage
made by distilling or redistilling rye or other grain spirits and adding juniper berries or aromatics
such as anise, caraway seeds, or angelica root as flavoring.
Tonic water is a carbonated
beverage flavored with quinine
2．aerosol spray: Aerosol spray is the name given to a type of canister containing liquid under
pressure from pressurized vapor in equilibrium with another liquid, which often also dissolves the
payload (see propellant below). When the can's valve is opened, the liquid is forced out of a small
hole and emerges as an aerosol, or mist. As gas expands to drive out the payload, some propellant
evaporates inside the can to maintain an even pressure. Outside the can, the droplets of propellant
evaporate rapidly, leaving the payload suspended as very fine particles or droplets. Typical liquids
dispensed in this way are insecticides, deodorants and paints. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were
once often used but since the Montreal Protocol came into force in 1989 they have been replaced,
in nearly every country, due to the negative effects CFCs have on Earth's ozone layer. The most
common replacements are mixtures of volatile hydrocarbons, typically propane, n-butane and
isobutane. Dimethyl ether (DME) and methylethyl ether are also used.
Exercises:
140
I. Divide the following facilities and activities into two categories.
1.
especially built hotels and restaurants of an international brand
2.
stay in local houses
3.
travel on foot, by boat or elephant
4.
imported drinks
5.
interaction with local people on an equal foot
6.
motor boats
7.
clearing of the native forests
8.
building of a golf course with water sprinkles
9.
buying local products whenever possible
10.
stay in local hotels
11.
hard bargain with local vendors
12.
conservation of wild life
13.
eating in local restaurants
Category A: traditional tourism
Category B: ecotourism
II.
Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false.
Put a T for true and F for false.
1.
_____The article starts with a picture of ecotourism.
2.
_____People take public transport because they can’t afford private cars.
3.
_____In an ecotourism project, only a small number of tourists are allowed to visit a nature
reserve.
4.
_____Ecotourism tends to be cheaper than the traditional type.
5.
_____In ecotourism, one is supposed to learn a bit of the local language before he goes there.
6.
_____Don’t act as superior to local people.
7.
_____In ecotourism, one is supposed to take more showers to keep clean.
8.
_____Take it easy when you are in trouble.
9.
_____Never buy any souvenirs if you want to be eco-friendly.
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10. _____ Actually a lot of so-called ecotourism projects offered by travel agencies are fake ones.
III. Questions.
1.
How does ecotourism involve and benefit the local community?
2.
Can ecotourism offer more fun than traditional tourism?
3.
Why does the author encourage people to travel in their own countries?
IV. Topics for discussion
1.
Imagine you going somewhere (name a place) for holiday, what would you do to be an
eco-friendly tourist?
2.
Do you think ecotourism is to gain traction in China or is still a bit far away from us?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used:
Spirit and Adventure
By Sally S. Stich
For Mary-Rose Fisher, 51, an avid scrapbooker from Austin, Texas, the original appeal of the
three-day Girl's Get-A-Way cruise, promoted as a tour for Christians who want to be "the women
God wanted them to be," was the chance to create a spiritual memory book. "The scrapbooking
session was described as commemorating the important events of your spiritual life, with all
necessary art supplies provided," says the IBM software architect and devoted Protestant. But as it
turned out, Fisher never once set foot in that workshop. She ended up by the pool with her
daughter Christy, 27, where both enjoyed meeting other women--Episcopalians, Catholics,
Methodists --whose similar values made for easy friendships.
Mother and daughter also enjoyed Bible study in the mornings, and Christian comedians
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(clean jokes only) and singers at night. In fact, Fisher had such a great time last November that she
has already persuaded many of her girlfriends from church to sign up for a similar cruise this
November. "My friends keep asking for our itinerary," she says, "but I tell them it's just so much
fun being together--sunning in the afternoon and listening to Christian entertainment at night--that
it doesn't matter what ports we stop at."
Religion and travel are hardly new partners, but Fisher is part of a growing group of tourists
seeking to enrich their spiritual lives while enjoying a big dose of good old, secular fun, whether
in the Holy Land, on a Christian cruise or touring the missions of California--wine-tasting
reception included. "Religious tourism accounts for one of the fastest growing sectors of the
tourism market," says Kevin Wright, religious-travel manager at Globus, an international tour
company that offers 20 faith-based itineraries, up from eight in 2004. "We're talking about a $1
billion industry."
Why the explosion of religious-oriented travel? Three factors, says Wright, who is the author
of three travel guides for the faithful. The first, he says, is simple demographics: "In the last
census, there were 8 million more people identified as Christians than a decade ago." Second, is
the broader boom in international travel. According to Wright, 45% more Americans are traveling
overseas today than 10 years ago. Third, says Wright, "people of faith increasingly want a
personal experience of their faith."
And that may be why yesteryear's dry lectures in a dusty church don't quite cut it with this
generation of travelers. "Boomers don't want to be told about faith, they want to experience it for
themselves," says Cindi Brodhecker of MTS Travel in Ephrata, Pa., which focuses on the religious
and nonprofit market. "They want to explore where their ancestors might have worshipped. Or
better understand their religious background." And, like Fisher, they often want to take the family,
making it a multigenerational experience. "Today faith-based travel is no longer targeted to a
niche market--church groups who want to go on a mission or pilgrimage," says Brodhecker. "It's
for the mainstream customer who wants an exciting vacation that also makes the Bible come
alive." (506 words)
(Aug 21 issue of Time Magazine, abridged)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
The scrapbooking session for Mary-Rose Fisher means _______.
A.
clipping articles and pictures from newspapers and magazines and paste them in a book
B.
collecting religious articles and paste them in a book
C.
remembering the important and wonderful events in her life
D.
meeting other women of similar values
143
2.
Which of the following statements of religious tourism is NOT true?
A.
Religious tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism market.
B.
Religious tourism is exclusive of secular fun and devoted to religious ceremonies.
C.
One factor that contributes to the boom of religious tourism is the rapid increase of the
Christian population.
D.
3.
You may also taste wine on a religious tour.
Religious tours may offer a chance for all the following EXCEPT ________.
A.
communication between generations in a family
B.
a personal experience of one’s faith
C.
a better understanding of their religious background
D.
dialogues between different religions
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′50″
Time You Used:
Taking the Slow Road
By Elizabeth Pope
Vacations were short and simple for Mary Kay Conlon and Chip Plumb in their fast-track
corporate days. "One phone call, no planning, never more than a week," says Conlon. "We'd just
plop on the beach somewhere." But to celebrate their early retirement last year, the Evanston, Ill.,
couple rented a spacious Paris apartment for six months. "We always regretted that neither of us
had done a junior year abroad," says Conlon, 48, a former health-care-industry executive who was
eager to immerse herself in another language and culture.
Shopping in local markets, picnicking in the Luxembourg Gardens and jogging around the
nearby botanical park, they soon felt at home in the Left Bank apartment they rented for $4,500 a
month. As Conlon became a familiar face, butchers shared culinary tips and cheesemongers gave
her extra samples. Plumb, 49, became a habitué of a hole-in-the-wall café frequented by local
tradesmen and accompanied Conlon on explorations around the city. "Chip discovered walks
through Paris were even better than walks around a golf course," says Conlon.
Homesickness wasn't a problem either. The three-bedroom, two-bath flat overlooking a
Roman amphitheater was a powerful draw for visitors. A high-speed Internet connection
simplified paying bills, e-mailing friends and maintaining the monthly investment e-newsletter
Plumb had started writing after retiring as a managing director of a financial-advisory firm. "It
was like living a dream," says Plumb. "We finally got our semester abroad."
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Settling down in a short-term rental--rather than dashing around from hotel to hotel--is
gaining ground as a style of travel, says Pauline Kenny, who trademarked the term Slow Travel
and runs slowtrav com a website of classified listings and rental reviews. Midlife and older adults
don't want to race through six countries in two weeks, checking off a list of must-see sites, says
Kenny, 51, who is based in Santa Fe, N.M. Experiencing a country as its residents do offers an
attractive alternative.
That more relaxed approach to travel grew out of Italy's slow food movement, which
emphasizes home-cooked, authentic cuisine to counter the proliferation of fast-food restaurants.
Slow travelers, says Kenny, prefer a "concentric circle" approach to tourism: go out the front door
and explore the neighborhood and nearby towns, get to know the locals instead of slavishly
following guidebook itineraries. Kenny and her husband Steve Cohen, 59, were in a Munich art
gallery filled with Rubenses when it struck her that seeing all the standard tourist highlights was
exhausting and there must be a better way to get to know a foreign city. "I hit the wall--I couldn't
look at one more painting," she says. To make their travels more manageable and enjoyable,
Kenny and Cohen now focus their vacations on one subject--say, French tapestries or Renaissance
church frescoes in small Italian towns.
Slow Travel is also gaining traction in other countries. "The global affliction of the hurry
virus has afflicted every corner of the planet," says Carl Honoré, the London-based author of In
Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed. The Germans, he says, recently coined the
term Freizeitstress, or free-time stress, to describe the tendency to race around with packed
agendas, and are now even taking evening courses to learn how to relax when they go on vacation.
The worldwide popularity of spa and yoga retreats and slow-poke barge cruises is also part of the
trend, Honoré says. But the ultimate method of breaking away is to live in another country for a
few weeks or months. (584 words)
(Oct. 2, 2006 issue of Time Magazine, abridged)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
Mary Kay Conlon and Chip Plumb rented a big apartment in Paris for six months instead of
taking a short-term tour because _______.
2.
A.
they wanted to get a full experience of another culture and language
B.
they wanted to do as much shopping as they want in France
C.
they had to study a semester abroad
D.
Plumb was a habitue of a café nearby
Slow travel mostly caters for _______.
A.
youth
B.
retired executives
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3.
4.
C.
middle-aged and older people
D.
university juniors
All the followings are activities in the same trend as slow travel EXCEPT _______.
A.
spa and yoga
B.
slow-poke barge cruises
C.
slow food movements
D.
early retirement
The hurry virus refers to _______
A.
a kind of computer virus
B.
a virus that affects the nervous system
C.
a concentric circle
D.
a kind of way of living that you rush through every aspect of your life.
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Tips for Reading – Prefixes (I)
Using context clues is one way to discover the meaning of a strange word. Another way is to
analyze the formation of a word since many English words are made up of several parts, which
have come from older English, Greek, Latin words etc. If you know the meanings of some of
these word parts, you can often figure out the meaning of a strange word, particularly with the
help of the context clues.
For example, foresee is formed by “fore”, which means “before, ahead of, the front part”, and
“see”, which means “to perceive with the eye”. Inflation is derived from “inflate”, which means
“decrease the value of the currency” in economic sense while “-tion” means the action of
something.
Below is a brief list of some commonly occurring affixes. Study their meanings. And then do
the exercise that follow.
Prefixes
com-, con-, col-, cor-, co-
together, with
in-, im-, il-, ir-
cooperate, connect, combine, coordinate
in, into, on
invade, insert, intrude, impose
micr-, micro-
small
pre-, fore-
before, ahead of
preview, precondition, prerequisite, forecast
re-, retro-
back, again
return, repeat, retrorocket
anti-, counter-
micro-economy, microcircuit, microampere
contrary, opposite antihero, counterpart, counteract, counterattack
a-
opposite, absent
bi-
double, twice, two bilingual, bilateral, bisect
semi-
amoral, atypically
half, partial, incomplete semicircle, semiofficial, semiconscious
de-
oppose, reverse; remove decriminalize, depopulate, debase, degrade
ex-
not, without; outside; former exclude, exception, ex-premier
Exercise
Select the best definition of the italicized word.
1. He lost his predictive ability.
A. the quality of seeing something to happen beforehand
B. the quality of telling about something in advance
C. the quality of seeing or telling about something in advance, especially on the basis of
special knowledge
2. The government has taken countermeasures after the attack.
A. a measure or action taken to counter or offset another one
B. a measure or action taken to reduce the possible damages
C. a measure or action taken to avenge
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3. She has withdrawn her application for immigration.
A. submitted
B. turned in
C. taken back
4. They’ve forearmed all their troops.
A. equipped with armed forces
B. prepared with armed forces in advance of a conflict or battle
C. equipped with arms
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UNIT THIRTEEN REAL ESTATE
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Do you know anything about real estate? Have you ever heard of the economic bubble? What
do you think makes the housing price soar in many Chinese cities?
2. Ice cream and chocolate are many kids’ favorite. How much did you pay one ice cream or a
bar of chocolate when you were a small child? How much do you have to pay nowadays?
What’s the effect of inflation upon your daily life?
3. Do you know some people around you have invested in real estate? How have they made this
investment? By themselves? Or with the help of some agents? If you were a billionaire, what
would you do to make your wealth proliferate?
Real Estate Hazards
By A. Gary Shilling
The Federal Reserve and many others fear a return of inflation, but I still foresee deflation.
This is the good deflation driven by excess supply and high-tech productivity, not the
demand-deficient deflation of the 1930s. That means real estate values will drop, which poses big
challenges for successful property investing. A deflationary climate will start soon and last for
years--until the next war spikes demand.
Real estate is the classic hedge against inflation, but property prices fall in deflation, even
though class-A, well-located buildings with prime tenants may be the exception. Property was
obviously a dog in the 1930s deflation but also in the good deflation of the late 1800s and the
Roaring Twenties. This time will be no different.
Several special factors are also going to push real estate prices down. Cost-cutting businesses
will curtail demand by shrinking office space and encouraging telecommuting. The hotel industry
will suffer with the rise of teleconferencing and e-mail. Consumers will ease off their
borrowing-and-spending binge and switch to saving. One result: They'll visit malls and resort
hotels less often. Since the huge baby boom generation already has its homes and there are few in
the next age cohort, housing demand will soften.
In addition, building costs will fall. Houses built in highly efficient factories are only half as
expensive per square foot as site-built houses. Factory-assembled shelter now accounts for
one-third of new single-family homes, big enough to pressure site-built housing contractors to
improve efficiency and slash prices. Also contributing to the downward pressure: falling
building-material prices, which will pull the cost of new commercial structures below those of
older buildings.
149
The era of tenant supremacy is drawing near. Sinking rents and higher vacancy rates will give
them the luxury of picking and choosing. Landlords will try to get longer leases on old office
buildings, warehouses and malls--with scant success. Tenants will demand shorter commitments;
that will allow them, once the lease is up, to renew at lower rents or move to less expensive, newer
quarters.
Making money in real estate looks very dicey. In the inflation days of 10% mortgages, even
when rent just covered costs, a landlord could put down one-fifth on a property that rose 15% a
year in value and make a 35% annual return on capital. In a deflationary era, nominal mortgage
rates may be 4%, but you'd lose 26% annually if the property price fell 2% per year. Leverage
works both ways. If you want to make money on a building, make sure your rents will cover all
costs, plus the decline in property value, and still leave you with an acceptable profit.
Time will no longer be on an owner's side. It used to be that a landlord could wait out a dip,
confident that inflation would revive and push the building's return above mortgage costs again.
There was no need to sell the place to get out from under. During a prolonged deflation, though, a
cyclical rescue won't be imminent. Hence, selling--and cutting losses--might make more sense.
In the future, lenders won't be a friendly bunch. They'll want wider spreads between their
borrowing and lending rates to offset the risks of declines in building collateral values.
Unfortunately, spreads will be under pressure from low nominal interest rates and borrowing costs
that won't go below zero, regardless of how much deflation depresses lending interest rates.
Financial institutions won't be able to improve spreads by borrowing short and lending long
because the yield curve will be flat on average, as explained in my Sept. 7, 1998 column.
Property insurers will also be under fire. Falling real estate prices will reduce insured values
and premiums. Plus, high vacancies and depressed rents in older buildings may result in
inadequate maintenance, and even arson.
Also, watch out for real estate investment trusts, especially the ones with leverage. Real
interest rates were artificially depressed by the Fed in most of the postwar years, first for fear of a
return of the Great Depression and then, in the early Nineties, to help the banks recover from bad
loan losses. But with 1% to 2% deflation ahead, real mortgage rates will run 5% to 6% compared
with 4% earlier.
No, real estate won't be an utter disaster in times of good deflation. Economic growth will
maintain enough demand to keep the industry viable. Nevertheless, investors will certainly need to
sharpen their pencils and change their strategies to make owning property a worthwhile exercise.
(753 words) (11.29.1999, http://www.forbes.com/archive/forbes/1999/1129/6413250a.html)
(TIME ALLOWED: 8 Minutes)
Notes:
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1. The Federal Reserve: the central bank of the United States. Its unique structure includes a
federal government agency, the Board of Governors, in Washington, D.C., and 12 regional
Reserve Banks.
2. Deflation: a situation in which the prices of most goods and services are falling over time so
that inflation is negative 通货紧缩
3. Low nominal interest rate:名目利率, 约等於实质利率加上预期通货膨胀
4. Fed: informal, The Federal Reserve System 联邦后备系统; The Federal Reserve Board 联邦
储备委员会; Often fed A federal agent or official 联邦代理人或官员. Here it refers to the
Federal Reserve Board
5. The Great Depression: the economic depression from 1929 to 1940 in the western countries.
Exercises:
II. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1. Many economists have foreseen the rapid increase in unemployment.
2. The country’s economic growth has met up with a bottleneck because it is deficient in
domestic demand.
3. The precautious measures have successfully spiked their opponents’ attack.
4. With the housing price soaring up, the tenants have raised the rental for moderately-equipped
rooms.
5. Because of the economic recession, the employers curtailed the employees’ pay.
6. The gambling binge has caused the police attention.
7. Many shopping malls are slashing prices for a clearance sale.
8. His lifestyle was greatly leveraged by his business responsibilities.
9. Doing exercises is one of the most efficient ways to prolong the life span.
10. He paid premiums on his life insurance last September.
III. Fill in the blanks with the information provided in the text.
Situation
In the inflation
days
In a deflationary
era
In the early
1990s
Condition
1
Rent just covered costs
Mortgage
Investment
Rise/Fall
in Value
Return
/Loss
Nominal mortgage rates
may at 4%
1% to 2% deflation
IV. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the
form where necessary.
Pose/ hedge/ prime/ exception/ shrink/ assemble/ shelter/ revive/ imminent/ vacancy
1. Agriculture, rural areas and peasants are a matter of ______ importance to the Chinese nation.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
His savings ______ quickly because of the rising inflation.
The spring rains ______ lawns and flowers.
The hurricane is ______, please inform all the residents to stay at home without going outside.
Practice and communication as well as cooperation will help fill the _____ in our knowledge.
The President _____ the Congress to hold an urgent meeting.
They rushed to the cottage to _____ from the rain.
Mr. Roland______ a thought-provoking question to his audience.
The speaker_____ the question with dexterity.
They’ve found their professor is very broad-minded and he always welcomes opinions open
to ______.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Investment is the better way to increase one’s wealth. VS. Saving up is the better way to
increase one’s wealth
A: inflation/risk/deflation/devalue/ regardless of/pressure/profit etc.
B: increment/ value/sense of security/safe/speculate/support/stable etc.
2. Government should participate in the economic activities. VS. Government should take laissezfaire stance in the economic activities.
A: leverage/ inflation/deflation/chaos/ soft landing/ growth point/macro-economy etc.
B: market-oriented/independent legal representative/corruption/micro-economy etc.
3. Making investment in real estate is more profitable than in the stock market. VS. Making
investment in real estate is less profitable than in the stock market.
A: house/ property/visible/ fixed assets/make a fortune/steady/regulatory/speculation/bubble etc.
B: invisible/ fluid assets/overnight/windfall/rapid/risky/stock-holders/influence/promising etc.
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. The factors influence the rental of a house
2. How to manage your pocket money?
Reading Two
An Income Plan That's Built to Last
By Walter Updegrave
You saved diligently throughout your career, plowing as much as you could into your 401(k)
and other retirement accounts. Now you're looking forward to kicking back and relaxing, secure in
the knowledge that your nice plump portfolio will carry you comfortably through retirement.
But are you really set for life? Or do you suffer from what Olivia Mitchell, University of
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Pennsylvania insurance professor and executive director of the Pension Research Council calls the
lump-sum illusion?
"People see that they have a hundred thousand dollars in their 401(k) and say, 'I'm rich,'" says
Mitchell. But what you may be ignoring is that your savings, whether it's $100,000 or $2 million,
will have to support you for 20, 25, even 30 or more years.
Therein lies what may be the biggest challenge of retirement planning: How do you take the
money you've amassed in your 401(k)s, IRAs and other accounts and turn it into a reliable income
to support a postwork life that could last almost as long as your career did?
Fortunately, creating a steady income that, along with Social Security and a pension, will fund
a long retirement is well within your power.
Essentially, you have three choices. You can manage your retirement portfolio entirely on
your own, investing it as you see fit and drawing income as needed. Or you can put it all into an
immediate annuity, which will give you a guaranteed monthly income for the rest of your life. But
both of those strategies have flaws. So your best move may be to mix the two in a way that gives
you security and flexibility. Here's how to create a winning combination.
The best of both worlds The concept is simple. Put part of your retirement savings in an income
annuity and then invest the rest in a diversified portfolio of stock and bond funds (or individual
stocks and bonds, for that matter).
The annuity payments give you a steady month-to-month income that won't run out. The
investment portfolio provides whatever additional income you need and a kitty for unanticipated
expenses, plus the long-term growth that can help you keep up with inflation.
This combination has another advantage: It can improve the odds that you'll be able to live off
your money for 30 or more years. The annuity payments, by reducing the amount you have to pull
from your savings, limit the damage to your investment portfolio during market downturns.
What's more, even if your assets were to run dry, the annuity checks would keep rolling in.
That's not to say this combination approach is free of the problems that plague the other methods you still lose access to a chunk of your money, for instance. But if your goal is to assure that you'll
have income you can count on, it's a good way to go.
How to build your income plan Once you have the blueprint for your retirement income plan putting, say, 25% to 50% of your money in an immediate annuity and leaving the rest in a
diversified stock and bond portfolio - you have to come to grips with some practical issues.
How to shop for an annuity First you'll have to settle on how much you're devoting to an annuity
- the exact amount depends on how much guaranteed income you want beyond Social Security
and a pension. After you do, buying one is fairly simple.
Aside from the different payment options, immediate annuities all work pretty much the same
153
way. (You could buy a variable immediate annuity, but stick with fixed. Payments on a variable
one can rise over time, but you're already getting growth potential from the rest of your portfolio.)
Insurers base your monthly payment on your age and prevailing interest rates. However, they
also factor in commissions and other costs, not to mention a nice profit, which is why it's
important to compare payments from several companies before buying.
How to invest the rest As you enter retirement, you need to strike a balance with the portion
of your money that's not in an annuity. You want to invest aggressively enough to generate
long-term growth, yet not so aggressively that your money could be decimated by a stock market
meltdown.
To achieve that, you'll probably want to start with anywhere from 50% to 60% of your assets
in stocks and gradually scale back until you're down to 20% to 30% in equities by age 85 or so.
Plan your income stream Living off your investments isn't as simple as selling a stock every
time a bill comes due. You need a cash-flow strategy. When you rebalance your portfolio once a
year, estimate how much spending money you'll need over the next 12 to 18 months at the same
time.
Set aside that amount in a money-market fund that you can tap throughout the year. So if a
run-up in the price of large-company growth stocks has made them too great a percentage of your
portfolio, sell off some shares and plow the proceeds into your reserve account.
You'll get both the income you need and the portfolio mix you want.
Be tax smart Another consideration is which accounts you tap and in what order. The general
rule is to leave tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs alone as long as possible to
take advantage of tax-free compounding.
That means you should dip into taxable brokerage and fund accounts first, spending dividend
and interest payments before selling shares of stocks and funds, because you'll owe tax on that
money even if you reinvest it.
The main point: However you do it, it's crucial that you enter retirement with some sort of plan
for estimating how much income you'll need from your savings and how you intend to get it. After
all, while building a big lump sum may make you feel rich, living securely on that money is what
proves you really are. (1001 words)
(TIME ALLOWED 10 MINUTES)
(http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/07/pf/retirement/retire0610_updegrave_sv.moneymag/index.htm)
Notes:
1. 401(k): a type of retirement plan that allows employees to save and invest for their own
retirement. (Source: http://wps.fidelity.com/401k )
2. lump-sum: a single payment for the total amount due, as opposed to a series of periodic
154
payments 一次付清
3. IRA: Individual Retirement Account 个人退休账户
4. The tax-deferred account: also TDA, a way to save for retirement and postpone paying
federal income tax on one’s savings. The accounts like 401(k), a Simplified Employee
Pension (SEP) plan, Individual Retirement Account (IRA) all belong to this type of accounts.
5. Option: a contract to buy or sell a specific financial product 期权. Nowadays many
companies offer their employees the employee stock option 职工股票先购权.
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. ______If you pay your retirement pension on the lump-sum basis, you will surely have a
comfortable postwork life.
2. ______ Because of the long life span after retirement, the savings we have plowed for years
may still seem insufficient.
3. ______It is not advisable to manage your retirement portfolio entirely on your own or to put it
all into an immediate annuity because both of those strategies have flaws.
4. ______The combination of the annuity payments and the investment portfolio increases the
possibility that you can live off your retirement comfortably, reduces the amount you have to
pull from your savings and limits the damage to your investment portfolio during market
downturns. So it’s a perfect way to manage your retirement pension.
5. ______If one’s goal is to have access to a chunk of money at any time, it is advisable to
follow the combination of the annuity payments and the investment portfolio.
6. ______Building up your income plan needs some expertise knowledge as well as the
knowledge about the practical issues.
7. ______It is wise to make a careful comparison between the same options offered by different
companies and buy the fixed instead of the variable ones while you make investments into
other portfolio.
8. ______The insurers base your monthly payment on your age, income and prevailing interest
rates without consideration over other factors.
9. ______When you make such investments, you need a cash-flow strategy to rebalance your
portfolio once a year with estimating how much spending money you’ll need over the next
two years and you also need to take taxation into account.
10. ______ Buying and selling options, bonds and other portfolios can not be always simple, so
you have to ponder over many factors to ensure the increase of your savings so that you can
155
live off retirement as securely as your lump saving accounts can possibly provide.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. Tips for saving enough money for a tourist trip to Disneyland or any other places you want to
go most.
2. Observe your grandparents’ retirement life and report how they live off on their pension.
3. Learning can be regarded as a life-time investment. How to make this investment profitable
for a whole life?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 3′50″
Time You Used: ________
Affordable Housing Rises via Developer -- sans Subsidy
By Katherine Conrad
Several run-down San Jose apartment buildings are getting a boost from a new owner, KDF
Communities of Newport Beach. And the city is getting almost 700 units of affordable housing.
With its two most recent acquisitions -- the 140-unit Regency on Eden Avenue and 80-unit
Lexington on Lexington Drive purchased in July -- plus the 290-unit Orchard Glenn and 180-unit
Casa Real acquired earlier in the year, KDF has become one of the city's largest owners of
apartments affordable to those making below the median income level.
The developer spent $74 million to buy the four properties and plans to spend more than $13
million to fix them up. When the extensive renovations are done, all 700 units will remain
affordable for residents making 60 percent or less of the area's median income.
KDF, a for-profit company in business since 1996, specializes in buying properties that have
been neglected and then spending a lot of money -- sometimes as much as $24,000 a unit.
"We invest what it takes to bring the property up to a safe, comfortable, affordable place to
live," said Ray Harper, a partner with the 10-year-old company.
Mike Meyer, the city's assistant director of housing, called what KDF does "invaluable."
"They do it without city subsidy," Meyer said. "KDF comes in, takes properties that were eyesores
and have crime. They tackle these problems and create assets."
It hasn't been easy. It's a seller's market -- even for run-down properties.
156
"It's because we were able to identify opportunities in the marketplace and act quickly,"
Harper said. "Speed is very important in this business."
The market has been so tilted in favor of the seller that properties change hands that have
never hit the market or even posted a for-sale sign. Harper said he knows of deals that happened
only because a broker knocked on the right door.
The fractional ownership is the newest trend. In other words, owners can buy 1/12th interest in
a condo for $285,000 for a one-bedroom unit and starting at $435,000 for three bedrooms. In a
subtle twist on a time share, the developers call it ownership with no responsibility and all the
amenities of an upscale hotel. Also, they believe it's the only housing project built on top of a
gondola -- literally, the gondola that transports people up the mountain is parked below the
housing units. (406 words)
(San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
http://www.reis.com/subscriptions/national_news_archive.cfm?&nnews=1&l_url=http%3A%2F%
2Fwww6%2Elexisnexis%2Ecom%2Fpublisher%2FEndUser%3FAction%3DUserDisplayFullDoc
ument%26orgId%3D537%26docId%3Dl%3A508780114%26topicId%3D4297&id=508780114&
arc=1)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. KDF has invested so much money into these run-down properties because______.
A. It wants to make them affordable.
B. It aims to boost the local economy.
C. It has identified the market opportunities and seized them to make profits.
D. It is much easy to make this kind of investment.
2. Under the circumstances of the seller-market, the buys have to _______.
A. make great efforts to find a second-hand property
B. accept the reality that they will never hit the market
C. wait the broker to knock at their door
D. bring the property up to a safe, comfortable, affordable place to live
3. The newest trend is ______.
A. the full ownership
B. the mortgage
C. the fractional ownership
D. 1/12th interest premium payment
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Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F(for false) if
the statement contradicts the information given in the passage.
4. ______KDF has purchased several run-down properties of San Jose apartments to make it the
city’s largest owners of apartments affordable to those making below the median income
level.
5. ______74 million dollars have been spent on the four properties, including $13 million in
fixing them up.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′50″
Time You Used: ________
Housing Market Shift
By Broderick Perkins
The housing market is a cornerstone of the nation's economy and when it begins to crumble it
only makes sense to shore it up with some fresh plaster.
When the Federal Open Market Committee decided not to raise the federal funds rate it was, in
part, a reaction to conditions chipping away at the very foundation of the economy. "The
moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing, partly reflecting a cooling of the
housing market," said the Fed in a prepared release. The Fed also said inflation remains, albeit at a
slower pace, thanks also to easing energy prices and effective monetary policy, but the message
was clear.
As goes housing, so goes the economy. For years, the housing market was a bastion of
double-digit inflation fueling a soft but humming economy with real estate cash from home buys,
home improvements, equity tapping and growth in the number of home owners. Even as the stock
market stumbled with fits, starts and stops, housing buoyed the economy.
Unfortunately, record levels of housing demand and spending boosted home prices beyond the
affordability of more and more consumers. Consumers balked and sales this year have been falling
like a rock. At the current pace of change, what's now single-digit price appreciation will become
price depreciation in many markets before the end of the year, according to forecasts. Meanwhile,
the rise in mortgage interest rates offset early, slight pricing differentials that otherwise could have
158
allowed more buyers into the market.
Existing home owners, especially newer home owners with adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs)
and or home equity loans (which typically are even more adjustable) are now watching their home
equity languish and wilt as their ARMs and other high-leverage loans tick like time bombs.
If monetary policy doesn't give home buyers a chance to take advantage of lower home prices
and pulls the rug out from under home owners who'd like to tap their equity, consumers could
leave the economy to the energy, manufacturing and service industries and take their trillions with
them.
Mortgage lenders have already adjusted staffs to serve a shrinking demand and they are feeling
the pressure to keep mortgage interest rates affordable.
An investment in a home is rarely a sole financial consideration but part of a more holistic
approach to your personal financial planning and goals.
Don't buy a home because the time is right. Buy a home because you've learned the time is
right for you. (414 words)
(Published: September 22, 2006 http://realtytimes.com/rtcpages/20060922_profadvice.htm)
Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. According to the Fed, which of the following is NOT implied by or related to the current
economic growth rate?
A. the Federal Open Market Committee’s decision not to raise the federal funds rate
B. easing energy prices
C. the cooling of the housing market
D. the effective monetary policy
2. What makes housing market so important to America’s economic growth?
A. The housing market is a cornerstone of the nation's economy and when it begins to
crumble the economy will also crumble.
B. The housing market and the related real estate investments did boost the economy for
years.
C. The high prices for houses can make huge profits.
D. Both A and B.
3. The prices beyond affordability have resulted or may result in _______.
A. consumers’ withdrawal from the housing market
B. price depreciation in many markets
C. the existing home owners, especially the new home owners’ equity languishing
D. All of the above.
159
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F (for False)
if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage.
4. ______The rise in mortgage interest rates offset the side effect of the housing prices beyond
affordability so that more buyers are expected to enter the market.
5. ______Buying a home is a sole financial consideration because as long as the buyers have
enough money and buy it at the right time, they can manage their financial issues
successfully.
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UNIT FOURTEEN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. What are the causes of traffic accidents?
2. What kind of measures should be taken to avoid traffic accidents?
Tire Pressure
The government says it has found defects in Firestone tires, and wants the company to recall
many them. But Bridgestone/Firestone says its tires are safe and will not take them off the road.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration said it has finished a yearlong
investigation into the company's tires, and will issue an "initial defect decision" — the first step in
forcing a new recall.
"Firestone was asked to recall some of the tires and they refused to do so. Therefore,
NHTSA will issue an initial defect decision, the next step toward a forced recall," the U.S.
Department of Transportation said in a statement. "NHTSA's responsibility is the safety of the
American people, and we will adhere to a process that will ensure the recall of unsafe tires."
Bridgestone/Firestone said it will not expand its earlier recall beyond the 6.5 million ATX,
ATX II and Wilderness AT tires recalled last August when the deaths and injuries associated with
the products first surfaced.
The company said that another, expanded recall of its tires would be unnecessary and
counterproductive, and insisted its products are safe.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of the driving public,"
Bridgestone/Firestone Chairman John Lampe said in a statement. "If one of our tires might
jeopardize that safety, then we'll take it off the road. We've done it before and, if it becomes
necessary, we'll do it again. But again, that is simply not the case here."
At least 203 deaths and more than 700 injuries have been linked to Firestone tire failures in
the United States. Many of the mishaps involved rollovers of the highly popular Ford Explorer
SUV, which used the tires as standard equipment.
Since the first reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been
examining millions of other Firestone tires to see if they are safe.
Bridgestone/Firestone said NHTSA has failed to make its analysis available for company
officials to review. Company officials insisted their own analysis found the tires are safe and will
"use every available step in the process to prove the safety of its tires, including public hearings,
and if necessary pursuing this issue in the courts."
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Bridgestone Blames Explorers. Lampe suggested the tires are not the cause of the accidents
cited by NHTSA, saying, as the tiremaker has before, that the problem may lie with the Ford
Explorers.
"If the real issue at hand is the safety of the driving public — and we believe it is — then
taking more of our tires off the road is not the solution," he said. "We now know this to be a fact:
you can take every Firestone tire off every Explorer and the rollovers and fatal accidents will
continue. We've seen it in Venezuela, and we are now seeing it in the U.S."
Bridgestone/Firestone's claims against the Explorer's design were rejected by Ford officials,
who announced in late May they were replacing some 13 million Firestone tires beyond the 6.5
million that Firestone was willing to recall. It was unclear whether the 13 million are the same
tires that NHTSA would like Firestone to recall.
Ford announced the $2 billion tire replacement the day after the tiremaker announced it was
ending a centurylong relationship of doing business with automaker.
There are also concerns about the tires Ford has been using as replacements. At a hearing
last month, Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,
raised questions about the safety of some of the tires. He said his staff analyzed confidential data
turned over by Firestone competitors and found some of the replacement tires had more property
damage claims than the Firestone tires. He refused to name the brands.
Sources told The Associated Press that NHTSA is prepared to tell Tauzin the replacement tires are
safe. (635 words) (http://www.icansay.com/new/index.php?ArticleID=2853)
Exercises:
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the
italicized words with the help of a dictionary.
1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The manager tried to find the defects in the system of their management.
The company was still at the initial stage.
The punishment was so severe that it proved to be counterproductive.
To make as exception would jeopardize our relations with other customs.
His death in 1940 was due to a trivial mishap..
The cushioning devices can insure the survival of the driver in case of a rollover.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or
false. Put a T for true and F for false.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
_____It took NHTSA half a year to investigate the Firestone’s tires.
_____NHTSA plans to force the Firestone to recall the Firestone tires.
_____The U.S. Department of Transportation disagreed with NHTSA on the tire issue.
_____John Lampe thought it was unnecessary to recall the tires.
_____Firestone Company had never recalled any tires.
_____Probably, Firestone tires were responsible for at least 203deaths and more than 700
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injuries.
7. _____Firestone tires are still being examined.
8. _____Since NHTSA failed to make the analysis, Firestone wanted to make it by itself.
9. _____It turned out that the Firestone tires were all safe.
10. _____The court asked NHTSA to cancel the decision.
III. Language work: fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below.
Change the form where necessary.
recall/ take off/ issue/ ensure/ adhere to/ surface/ involve/ insist/ available/ pursue
1. The plane will _____ at 11:30.
2. The woman was also_____ in carrying out the murder.
3. Once dispatched, fleets were hard to ______or direct.
4. All the old arguments______ again in the discussion.
5. The game ______in a tie.
6. They will ______efforts to enlarge the turnover.
7. We ______ to our plan in spite of the storm.
8. More information becomes ______through the use of computers.
9. I cannot ______ his being there in time
10. They ______ that the meeting be held tomorrow.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. public transportation VS. cars.
A: cheap/protecting the environment/less crowded
B: convenient/status/be in good mood
2. Pedestrians should be more responsible for traffic accidents VS. drivers should be more
responsible for traffic accidents.
A: law-abiding/jaywalking/traffic lights
B: drinking/tired/speed/
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. My favorite transportation vehicle
2. What are essential characteristics to be considered if you buy a car?
Reading Two
The Automobile Syndrome
The automobile is the greatest consumer of public and personal space yet created by man. In
Los Angeles, the automobile town par excellence, Barbara Ward found that 60 to 70 per cent of
the space is devoted to cars （streets, parking, and freeways）. The car gobbles up spaces in which
163
people might meet. Parks, sidewalks, everything goes to the automobile.
There are additional consequences of this syndrome that are worth considering. Not only do
people no longer wish to walk, but it is not possible for those who do wish to, to find a place to
walk. This not only makes people flabby but cuts them off from each other. When people walk,
they get to know each other if only by sight. With automobiles the opposite is true. The dirt, noise,
exhaust, parked cars, and smog have made the urban outdoors too unpleasant. In addition, most
experts agree that the flabby muscles and reduced circulation of the blood that come from lack of
regular exercise make man much more prone to heart attacks.
Yet there is no inherent incompatibility between man in an urban setting and the automobile.
It’s all a matter of proper planning which separates cars from people, a point stressed by the
architect Victor Gruen in The Heart of Our Cities. There are already numerous examples of how
this can be done by imaginative planning.
Paris is known as a city in which the outdoors has been made attractive to people and where
it is not only possible but pleasurable to stretch one’s legs, breathe, sniff the air, and “take in”the
people and the city. The sidewalks along the Champs-Elysees engender a wonderful expansive
feeling associated with a hundred-foot separation of one’s self from the traffic. It is noteworthy
that the little streets and alleys too narrow to accept most vehicles not only provide variety but are
a constant reminder that Paris is for people. Venice is without doubt one of the most wonderfully
satisfying cities in the world, with an almost universal appeal. The most striking features of Venice
are the absence of Vehicular traffic, the variety of spaces, and the wonderful shops. San Marco’s
Square with automobiles parked in the middle would be a disaster and totally unthinkable.
Florence, while different from Paris or Venice, is a stimulating city for the pedestrian. The
sidewalks in the central portion of town are narrow so that walking from the Ponte Vecchio to
Piazza della Signoria one meets people face to face and has to step aside or go around them. The
automobile does not fit in with the design of Florence and if the townspeople were to ban
vehicular traffic from the center of town, the transformation could be extraordinary.
The automobile not only seals its occupants in a metal and glass cocoon, cutting them off
from the outside world, but it has a way of actually decreasing the sense of movement through
space. Loss of the sense of movement comes not only from insulation from road surfaces and
noise but its visual as well. The driver on the freeway moves in a stream of traffic while visual
detail at close distance is blurred by speed.
Man’s entire organism was designed to move through the environment at less than five miles
per gour. How many an remember what it is like to be able to see everything nearby quite sharply
as one walks through the countryside for a week, a fortnight, or a month? (587 words)
(《英语学习》2006 年 5 月)
164
Notes:
Par excellence, French, excellent
2
Ponte Vecchio: 旧桥，1345 年建， 为佛罗伦萨最古老的桥梁， 因而称为“旧桥”。
3
Piazza della Signoria: 市政厅广场， 因陈列了精美的雕塑群而被誉为意大利最美丽的广场
之一。
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: answer the following questions
1. How much space do the cars occupy in Los Angeles, according to Barbara Ward?
2. What consequences does the automobile syndrome bring?
3. Is there any method to avoid the automobile syndrome?
4. What are the most striking features of Venice?
5. Why does the author say Florence is a stimulating city for the pedestrian?
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully
1. The traffic of our city.
2. If I were the mayor of the city.
3. Where do you prefer to live, in the city or in the suburb?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 5′30″
Time You Used: ________
A Taxi for the Next Hundred Years
The year 2007 will mark the 100th anniversary of the New York City taxi. Last spring, a
group of designers, urban planners, and city officials took the upcoming centennial as an excuse to
rethink the cab for the next century. In a series of workshops organized by the Design Trust for
Public Space, a group dedicated to improving private and public space in New York City, in
cooperation with the Parsons School of Design, the group tackled the problems with today’s taxis
and proposed a range of solutions.
The Trust’s ultimate goal is to produce a new taxi design in time for the centennial. In the
165
meantime, the group’s proposals from the basis of a book-Designing the Taxi- and a corresponding
exhibition, which opens on Nov. 2 at Parsons.
More than just an emblematic symbol of Manhattan, the taxi serves as a crucial form of
transportation. Some 12,487 of these yellow medallion vehicles make an estimated 240 billion
trips a year--- constituting a $ 1.4 billion industry, according to Bruce Schaller, transportation
consultant and author of The New York City Taxicab Fact Book.
But for years, the taxi has consisted of little more than a reconfigured Ford Crown Victoria
passenger sedan. It’s a one-size-fits-all offering that presumes able-bodied and disabled, parents
and businesspeople, long trips and short trips can all be accommodated with a single vehicle. And
improvements—like the additional legroom and passenger-side air-conditioning—have been
incremental and slow in coming.
“The taxi is not just a vehicle but a system,” says Deborah Marton, the Design Trust’s
executive director.” A system is a public-space issue. It profoundly influences the way the city
moves.”
Taking this larger view, the group asked how technology could improve the existing
“cruising” system, where customers scan the streets looking for a cab to hail, and how taxis could
be a more integral part of the city’s transportation network. As writer Phil Patton notes in an essay
in Designing the Taxi, innovations like cell-phone hailing, smart taxi stands, taxi lanes, a more
energy-efficient fleet, and better traffic management would help maximize vehicle efficiency and
minimize overhead costs, benefiting owners and users alike.
The Designing the Taxi project brought together some 60 participants—from architects to
fleet owners—to offer their input on every aspect of the taxi experience. The only variable that
was off-limits: the color yellow.
“The taxi that we have now is just a car painted yellow and given a meter,” says Paul
Goldberger, dean of Parsons and architecture critic at The New Yorker. “The taxi is not a car. It
has a different set of needs and functions in a very different way.” (448words) (《科技英语学习》
2006 年第 4 期)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
What did the professionals take the opportunity of 100th anniversary for?
A.
To rethink the taxi for the next century.
B.
To deal with the problems of today’s taxis
C.
To rethink the public transportation problems
D.
To call for the attention to taxi problems
166
2.
3.
4.
5.
How much do the yellow medallion taxis make every year?
A.
About 1．4billion.
B.
About 12 billion.
C.
About 124 billion.
D.
About 240 billion.
What is the characteristic for one-size-fits-all?
A.
It seems that everybody is satisfied with it.
B.
It seems that it’s OK for everybody but in fact it is not satisfactory.
C.
It has the additional legroom and passenger air-conditioning.
D.
It is rare in Manhattan now.
What are the functions of taxis in Manhattan?.
A.
They are an important form of transportation.
B.
They are the emblematic symbol of Manhattan.
C.
They are an important form of transportation as well as a symbol of Manhattan.
D.
They are a symbol of Manhattan as well as a form of transportation.
__________was the writer of Designing the Taxi.
A.
Bruce Schaller
B.
Deborah Marton
C.
Phil Patton
D.
Paul Goldberger
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used:
___
Chery Automobile (adapted)
Chery Automobile is an automobile manufacturer in People's Republic of China. In Pinyin it
is "Qirui" and its English translation should have been "Cheery" but there was a mistake in the
translation process and it was decided by the company to not correct the error. It is owned by the
local government of Wuhu (but is scheduled to be privatized), and sold about 188,000 vehicles in
2005.
Chery was founded in 1997 to prop up the economy in remote Wuhu, a region of China that
received little industrial develoment. Its first factory used machines purchased from Ford Europe,
and engine technology for $25 Million. It did not begin auto production until 1999 using a
167
licenced chassis from SEAT's Toledo. The company was an illegitimate company under Chinese
law and had to be registered as a "Car Parts Supplier." Thus, the company was not able to obtain a
license to sell their cars in all of China. In 2001, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation
(SAIC) bought a 20% stake in the company, allowing Chery to use SAIC's national retail sales
license. In 2001 Chery began exporting its cars to Syria, becoming China's first car exporter.
Chery also received its ISO/9001 certification. In September 2002, Chery received its ISO/TS
16949 certification.
In 2003, Chery founded a research and development organization, and began working with
foreign manufactures to improve its technology.
In 2005, Chery was upgraded to ISO/TS 16949:2002 production quality, the highest and
strictest quality control system in the global auto industry.
By 2006, Chery was exporting to 29 countries. It is expected that the Chery QQ will hit the
markets in Europe in late 2006, the introduction price is expected at €5000, making it the cheapest
car in Europe together with the Dacia Logan. On May 4th 2006, it was announced that Chery
would form an alliance with China Automotive Systems. The joint venture company, under the
name of Wuhu Henglong Auto Steering Systems WHAS, will be based in Wuhu, Anhui, near
Chery Auto's headquarters. Under the terms of the agreement, the total investment in the joint
venture is 50 million RMB (approximately USD 6 million). China Automotive Systems and Chery
Auto will have 77.3% and 22.7% shares respectively in the joint venture. Upon the completion of
facility construction in 2007, WHAS is expected to reach a total production capacity of 300,000
sets of power steering systems and components annually. Most products of the joint venture will
be supplied to Chery Auto. Once this new facility is operational, Chery Auto will also invest in a
second factory in Pakistan to increase the exports to other parts of the world. However, with the
new facility in Wuhu, China Automotive Systems will also commence developing sales to China's
eastern market. Chery engines began export to North America in early 2006 with plans to begin
export to Europe in 2007. It is also rumored that Chery is planning an IPO either in 2006 or 2007.
(493 words) (http://www.answers.com/topic/chery-automobile)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
What made it possible for Chery to sell their cars?
A.
SAIC bought a 20% stake in the company, allowing Chery to use SAIC’s national retail
sales licence.
B.
Chery received its ISO/9001 certification.
C.
Chery received its ISO/TS 16949 certification.
D.
The Chinese law.
168
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chery started working with foreign manufactures__________.
A.
in 1997
B.
in 1999
C.
in2003
D.
in 2004
How much did Chery receive from the China Development Bank?
A.
$200 million
B.
$290 million
C.
$605 million
D.
￥50 million
How many countries was Chery exporting by 2006?
A.
16
B.
26
C.
15
D.
50
Chery engines begin export to North America __________.
A.
in early 2003
B.
in late 2003
C.
in early 2006
D. in late 2006
169
Tips for reading: Prefix (II)
A prefix is an affix attached to the beginning of a word, base, or phrase and serving to produce a
derivative word or an inflectional form. Prefix has helped to enlarge and enrich vocabulary. A
prefix has its own meaning. Generally speaking, prefix only changes the meaning of a word but
not influence word class. Therefore when we run into a derivative we can not only presume its
meaning but also its word class. This will give us clues to the meaning, even if we can not figure
out the exact meaning.
1. “de-”means: opposite or negative of
Examples: Meanwhile, some argue that a 12,000 fall-away in applicants for university places
this year has happened because students from low-income families have been deterred from
applying by the financial liabilities higher education entails.
2. “re-” means: again
Examples: Consumers tend to be more apt to respond and redeem during periods of economic
decline.
3. “post-” means : after
Examples: while coupon use remains high across all education levels, with 73% of high school
graduates, 80% of college graduates and 80% of postgraduates reported as users.
5. “in” means: in; on; not
Examples: And with the housing market slowing and inflation showing signs of cooling, some
economists say the Fed could start cutting rates as early as next year.
6. “pre” means: before
Examples: It's premature for the Fed to be talking about lowering rates.
7. “fore” means: before; in advance of
Examples: But it's not premature for us in the forecasting game to start talking about the
consequences of current monetary policy
170
UNIT FIFTEEN FINANCE
Reading One
Warming-up discussion
1. Have you ever had dinner in fast-food restaurants? How often do you go there?
2. What’s your point of view about fast-food business? Is it prosperous or slumping?
3. What is your opinion about the future of fast-food business?
Why America's Restaurant Chains Are on the Menu for Investors
LOVE it or loathe it, even middle America's smallest cities have a Strip: a blaze of neon signs
leading towards the centre of town. There are petrol stations and motels, but mostly there is food.
And the variety is staggering. Twenty years ago the usual suspects—McDonald's, Burger King,
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a few others—dominated the field. Burgers and tacos are still staples,
but today's hungry drivers have many more choices, from Whataburger and Taco Cabana to
Quizno's Subs.
Americans now spend 48% of their food money on eating out, up from 25% in 1955,
according to industry figures. Investors are also hungry for fast food, judging by the rate at which
the chains are changing hands. Mark Saltzgaber, an industry analyst based in San Francisco, says
that 2005 and 2006 have been “without a doubt the most active restaurant M&A ienvironment
that we've ever seen”. Private-equity groups have been buying up fast-food chains and several
have been flipped back on to the public markets.
Chipotle, a burrito chain spun off from McDonald's, went public in January; Wendy's floated a
stakeii in Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee-and-doughnut chain, in March (it will complete the
spin-off next week); and Goldman Sachs, Bain Capital and Texas Pacific Group took Burger King
(BK) public in May, four years after a leveraged buy-out. This spring three private-equity groups
completed their purchase of Dunkin' Brands, the firm behind Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.
More is to come. El Pollo Loco, a Southern California chicken chain, filed for an initial public
offering (IPO)
iii
in May, less than a year after being bought by Trimaran Capital Partners, a New
York-based private-equity group. Wendy's is exploring “strategic alternatives” for Baja Fresh, a
Mexican-food chain it bought in 2002. And this month Krystal, a chain with over 400 stores which
claims to be the “oldest fast-food chain in the South”, said it was up for sale. “The last couple of
years in the restaurant space has been as good a time as ever to sell,” says Mr Saltzgaber.
Private-equity firms are greedily buying, their appetites whetted by this year's lucrative
stockmarket listings. They like fast-food chains' solid cashflows, relative immunity from business
cycles and reliance on franchisesiv, which means they require less capital. BK's private-equity
171
firms, which paid $1.5 billion for the chain in 2002, took a $367m dividend a few months before
the flotation, plus stakes worth $1.8 billion in the listed company.
Why are the chains selling? Many have decided to focus on their core brands. Wendy's chose
to spin off fast-growing Tim Hortons after realising that “Tim's was beginning to compete directly
with Wendy's,” says John Barker of Wendy's. Others are selling to exploit high prices and pay
down debt, or because restaurants do not fit into their strategies. BK was sold by Diageo, a
European drinks firm.
BK provides a cautionary tale for market investors, since the huge sums extracted by
private-equity firms left it heavy with debt. They bought the chain at a bargain price—about
$800m less than Diageo wanted to sell it for. Its management was in chaos—the firm has now had
11 chief executives since 1989. The new owners boosted sales, launched new products and
improved franchise relationships. But announcing its first results as a public company last month,
BK reported a fourth-quarter loss, which it blamed in part on yet another payout to its
private-equity masters of $30m. Its shares fell 13%, and are now trading well below the listing
price.
Analysts believe the deals will carry on while fast-food chains continue to prosper. They are
growing at the expense of higher-priced, sit-down “casual dining” chains: last month sales were
up 4.7% at Wendy's and 3.5% at McDonald's, helping to propel its share price to a six-year high.
Fast-food chains are also broadening their range; breakfast is seen as having lots of growth
potential, and BK and Dunkin' Donuts have both introduced omelettes. Even America's obsession
with organic food is catered to. McDonald's serves organic coffee in New England and Chipotle
offers burritos with organic beans and “sustainably raised” pork. With its mixture of cut-throat
competition, frantic dealmaking and instant gratification, fast food, it seems, is more American
than apple pie. (714 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 Minutes)
(From The Economist, http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7945830)
Notes:
1. M&A:the initial letters of merger and acquisition; refers to absorption or combination by a
corporation of one or more others
2. Stake: money, etc invested by somebody in an enterprise so that he has an interest or share in
it
3. Iinitial public offering (IPO): a corporation's first offer to sell stock to the public
4. Franchise:the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or
services in a particular territory
Exercises:
172
I. Study the following sentences carefully. Try to make out the meaning of the italicized
words with the help of a dictionary.
1.
LOVE it or loathe it, even middle America's smallest cities have a Strip:
2.
And the variety is staggering.
3.
Chipotle, a burrito chain spun off from McDonald's, went public in January; Wendy's
floated a stake in Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee-and-doughnut chain, in March (it will
complete the spin-off next week);
4.
Their appetites whetted by this year's lucrative stockmarket listings.
5.
Even America's obsession with organic food is catered to.
6.
El Pollo Loco, a Southern California chicken chain, filed for an initial public offering
(IPO) in May,
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1.
______Today’s hungry drivers choose Burgers and tacos very few.
2.
______Both The customers and the investors are hungry for fast-food.
3.
______Compared with 1955, Americans almost have doubled the ratio of the spending on
fast food to their income.
4.
______Fast-food business attracts investors for solid cash flows, relative immunity from
business cycles and reliance on franchises.
5.
______The chains are usually sold for money shortage.
6.
______Although the products sell good, the new owner of BK still suffers a loss.
7.
______Last month, the stocks of McDonald's and Wendy's have reached its historic high
point.
8.
______Fast food chains will provide more food catering for the tastes of people in different
countries.
IV. Pros and cons: study the recommended key words/phrases, pair up, and debate upon the
following topics
1. Fast food benefits our life Vs Fast food harms our life
A easily-found/ combining local and exotic favor well/a broad range of choice/time-saving
B high blood pressure/heart attack/obesity/cultural intrusion/
2. West fast food VS Chinese fast food
A. the frequent update of food variety/comfortable restaurant room/good professional ethics /
efficient management
B. nutritious/the food is more suitable to Chinese stomach /inexpensive price
3. The entry of west fast food is good to Chinese traditional culture VS the entry of west fast food
is bad to Chinese traditional cultural
173
A. make Chinese traditional culture to innovate/bring competition/promote the exchange
between Chinese culture and western culture
B. bring culture colony/young people abandon the valuable part of Chinese traditional
culture/the heritage of Chinese traditional cultural can not be passed down
V. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1. The impact of Fast food culture on the young
2. What the Chinese fast food should do to face the challenge brought by west fast food?
3. The difference between Chinese fast food restaurant and western fast food restaurant
Reading Two
Fed Holds Rates Steady
By Paul R. La Monica
Central bank keeps key interest rate at 5.25% for 2nd straight meeting, cites slowing
economy. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday and acknowledged the
economy was slowing, a sign the central bank may not need to raise rates further anytime soon.
Fed policy-makers held their federal funds rate, an overnight bank lending rate that affects
rates on credit cards, auto loans and home equity lines of credit, at 5.25 percent. It was the second
straight meeting where the Fed decided to leave rates alone after raising them 17 straight times
starting back in June 2004.
The decision was widely expected on Wall Street. And with the housing market slowing and
inflation showing signs of cooling, some economists say the Fed could start cutting rates as early
as next year.
But other analysts said calls for Ben Bernanke & Co. to start cutting rates soon are probably
premature.
Stocks, which were trading broadly higher before the meeting, held most of their gains after
the Fed's announcement. Bonds gave up most of their gains, leaving the yield on the 10-year
Treasury at 4.73 percent.
A cut in 2007...
Investors are now betting on more than a 90 percent chance that the Fed would keep rates at
5.25 percent at its next two meetings in October and December, according to futures contracts on
the Chicago Board of Trade. And traders were pricing in a little less than a 10 percent chance that
the Fed would cut rates at its meeting in January 2007.
After the meeting, several market observers said they still expected rate cuts next year, but
maybe not as soon as January.
174
"The market is betting on the economy slowing enough for the Fed to cut rates but we don't
see anything in the immediate future to indicate that," said Steve Van Order, chief fixed income
strategist with Calvert Funds in Bethesda, Md.
But the Fed did appear to admit in its widely watched statement that it's now more concerned
with a slowing economy than inflation.
"The moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing, partly reflecting a cooling of
the housing market," the Fed said, adding that "inflation pressures seem likely to moderate over
time, reflecting reduced impetus from energy prices, contained inflation expectations, and the
cumulative effects of monetary policy actions." (Read the statement).
One economist said it's more important to focus on economic data than the language of the
Fed statement. And based on that, the logic for a rate cut next year still stands.
"It's not so much what the Fed says but how the numbers are coming in. Housing is weaker
than anticipated," said David Wyss, chief economist with Standard & Poor's. Wyss said he
thinks the Fed will start cutting rates, but not until the middle of next year.
The Fed's had a tough job trying to try to slow the economy enough to keep inflation at bay
without killing off growth. But some analysts say the Fed may already have raised rates too far,
setting the stage for much slower growth, or even a recession, especially with the housing market
slowing.
Still, the recent drop in oil prices could make things a bit easier for the central bankers. It will
probably lessen the risk of a pickup in inflation as well as reduce the risk of consumers cutting
back on spending due to high energy prices.
"The Fed is always going to sound very vigilant on inflation. Their bark is always going to be
worse than their bite," said Brian Stine, investment strategist with Allegiant Asset Management in
Cleveland. "They'll talk about inflation again at the next meeting but they'll do nothing. They are
probably finished with this tightening cycle."
...or a long pause?
But at least one board member is still more worried about inflation. Richmond Federal
Reserve president Jeffrey Lacker voted for a quarter-point rate hike at Wednesday's meeting.
Lacker also voted for a rate increase at the Fed's last meeting in August.
And the Fed did not rule out more rate hikes in the future. In its statement, the Fed noted that
"readings on core inflation have been elevated" and that "some inflation risks remain." That
wording is identical to what the Fed said about inflation in its August statement and may spark
concerns that the Fed is not done raising rates even though the economy is slowing.
"When you look at what's happened since August, clearly the economy has taken a turn for
the worse. But the Fed had little choice but to indicate that it's still concerned about inflation risks
175
and that they are willing to do something about it if the risks persist," said David Resler, chief
economist with Nomura Securities International.
But Resler added that he did not think inflation would remain a major concern for much
longer and that the Fed could soon lower rates. But he said it was too soon for the Fed to signal
that its next move is a rate cut since it needs to keep its options open.
"It's premature for the Fed to be talking about lowering rates but it's not premature for us in
the forecasting game to start talking about the consequences of current monetary policy," he said.
Subodh Kumar, chief investment strategist with CIBC World Markets, said the Fed could
maintain what he called a "plateau policy" of leaving rates alone for an extended period of time
since neither higher inflation nor the threat of a housing-led recession is that big of a worry. (928
words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 9Minutes)
(CNNMoney.com editor at large September 20 2006: 4:34 PM EDT
http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/20/news/economy/fed_rates/index.htm?postversion=2006092016)
Notes:
1.
Fed: abbreviation of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States.
2.
Ben Bernanke: successor of Alan Greenspan as head of the Federal Reserve.
3.
Standard & Poor's: is a foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including
independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data.
4.
CIBC World Markets: a full service investment bank, active throughout North America and
key financial centers around the world.
Exercises
I. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
1. _____Federal funds rate is different from overnight lending rate.
2. _____Wall Street had expected the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady.
3. _____Economists agreed that the Fed could start cutting the rates as early as next year.
4. _____Investors believed that most probably the Fed would keep rates at 5.25 percent at its
next two meetings.
5. _____The Fed stated that the moderation in economic growth was the result of a cooling of
the housing market.
6. _____In the opinion of David Wyss, the Fed will not start cutting rates until the middle of
next year.
7. _____The recent drop in oil prices made situation better for the central bankers.
176
8. _____According to the Fed, there were chances that the rates might be raised further in the
future.
II. In-depth discussion: based on the information contained in the text and targeting the
specific conditions in real life, discuss the following topics fully.
1.
What influence do interest rates have on the growth of economy?
2.
Do you think the Fed will start cutting rates soon?
3.
What do you think of China’s current interest rates?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 3′10″
Time You Used:
___
When Debt Can Be a Virtue
The British are among the most personally indebted people in the world. In just 30 years, the
proportion of debt to income has increased by four times. Even in a low-inflation, low-interest rate
economy, there are ominous signs of distress. Personal bankruptcies are rising, as are house
repossessions.
The numbers of indebted will be swollen further this week by the new crop of undergraduates
at English universities. They are the first to pay the new annual fees, of up to £3,000, for attending
university, introduced by the 2004 Higher Education Act. After borrowing for living costs, most
will leave university with an average debt of around £20,000.
Nearly every British university has introduced fees but, unfairly for English students, the
Scottish and Welsh assemblies have excused their undergraduates from the increase. The
government must ensure that the Scots and Welsh pay for their own generosity rather than English
taxpayers.
Meanwhile, some argue that a 12,000 fall-away in applicants for university places this year has
happened because students from low-income families have been deterred from applying by the
financial liabilities higher education entails. Fear of debt certainly accounts for an increase in
numbers of students studying from home to save living costs.
That is a problem to be addressed through well-targeted support for the poorest students. But it
is not a case against all fees. They are a vital source of income for British universities. In the
international league tables, the British come second only to the Americans in the quality of our
universities. Fees will sustain and strengthen our advantage.
177
Besides, the drop in applicants is exaggerated by comparison with last year's exceptional
intake, swollen by those hoping to escape the new fees. It may not represent a new downward
trend.
In any case, debt to finance university education is more worthwhile than the more widespread
borrowing for lifestyle accoutrements - new cars and kitchens. This consumer debt is the real
economic and social problem.
Most undergraduates will find their fees to be a worthwhile investment. What we must do,
however, is to guarantee that the extra cash is ring-fenced for universities. The temptation is for
the government to siphon off the new revenue stream for other purposes. There could be no
greater betrayal - both of our young people and of our universities. (390 words)
(The Observer, http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1885088,00.html)
Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
6. Personal bankruptcies are rising, because of__________.
A. Less-income
B. low-inflation
C. low-interest
D. heavy-debt
7. We learn from the passage that the introduction of new fee is aimed to__________.
A. defer students from low-income families from applying
B. help to improve or sustain the quality of British university
C. keep more students study at home
D. raise fund for expansion
8. The Scottish and Welsh assemblies have excused their undergraduates from the increase,
because__________.
A. the government have provided enough fund for the universities
B. the government want to avoid the increase in number of indebted
C. the government do not want the Scots and Welsh to pay for English taxpayers.
D. the government intend to encourage the poor students to attend universities
4. The attitude of the author toward the new fee is__________.
A.neutral
B. approving
C. disapproving
D.indifferent
5. The temptation is for the government to siphon off the new revenue stream for other purposes.
178
The italicized phrase can be best replaced by__________.
A.Increase
B. make use of
C. transfer
D.change
Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;F (for False)
if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the
information is not given in the passage.
1.
______Someone’s house is taken back, because he or she is in debt.
2.
______The policy of new fee is stipulated by law.
3.
______Debt to finance university education will cause social problem.
4.
______The drop in applicants is just a temporary phenomenon.
5.
______Considering the fees, students should be cautious about attending universities.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 4′40″
Time You Used:
___
Calling All Coupon Clippers
Clever coupon tips for savvy shoppers.
Who Uses Coupons?
September is National Coupon Month, and if you're a fan of coupons and the savings they
yield, now is the time to use them smartly. "Marketers have historically distributed more coupons
when the economy slows in an effort to motivate consumer purchases," says Charles Brown, vice
president for worldwide coupon processor NCH, "and consumers tend to be more apt to respond
and redeem during periods of economic decline."
In 2000, American shoppers redeemed 4.5 billion coupons and saved an estimated $3.6 billion.
The Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council's coupon statistics for 2000 indicate
that women continue to use coupons more than men (85.3% to 68.6%), while coupon use remains
high across all education levels, with 73% of high school graduates, 80% of college graduates and
80% of postgraduates reported as users.
179
Age
% Using Coupons
18-24
70%
25-34
78%
35-44
82%
45-54
79%
55-64
81%
65+
72%
%
Using
Income
Coupons
under $25,000
$25,000
72%
79%
$50,000
$50,000
82%
75,000
$75,000+
78%
Clipping Tips
To get the most out of your coupons, keep the following tips in mind:

Look for coupons in the Sunday newspaper, in magazines, in your mailbox, at the grocery
store shelf, on the Internet and with your cash register receipts.

Call manufacturers' 800 numbers (often found on the packages of your favorite products)
to request coupons. Up to 35% of manufacturers only send coupons to consumers upon request.

Use a coupon organizer to sort coupons and keep it with you at all times (for those
"unplanned" shopping trips).

Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store for quicker savings trips.

Receive coupon savings back in cash, and put the cash away for something special. This
process makes coupon savings seem more tangible.

If you can't use a particular coupon yourself, share it with a friend or co-worker.

Have your children, nieces and nephews, or grandchildren participate in coupon clipping
with you. It can help them learn math skills, and matching the pictures on the coupons with
products on the shelf can be fun.

Coupons can help teach children the value of money: Use coupon savings to pay
allowances.

Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first to stock up on necessary items.

Use double or triple coupons along with the manufacturers' rebates to realize additional
savings.
180

Plan your family's menu using coupons.

Use coupons in conjunction with sale items.
Clipping tips provided courtesy of the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council.
(422 words) (http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=10842)
I. Reading Comprehension I (Reading in Depth)
Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1. Marketers usually distribute more coupons when the economy slows because__________.
A.
consumers tend to be more apt to respond
B.
consumers tend to be more willing to redeem
C.
consumers are more interested in purchase by coupons
D.
consumers are expected to buy more things
2. The consumers in __________ age range use coupons most.
A. 25-34
B. 35-44
C. 45-54
D. 55-64
3. According to the passage, we can not get coupons __________.
A. in newspaper
B. at the grocery store shelf
C. by calling manufacturers
D. by emailing store
4. This passage is __________.
A.exposition
B. prose
C. novel
D.comment
5. According to the passage, if you get coupons with shorter expiration, you can__________.
A. redeem it at once
B. share it with friends
C. use it with the manufacturers' rebates to realize additional saving
D. buy some necessary items
II. Reading Comprehension II (Skimming and Scanning)
Mark T (for True) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; F (forFalse)
if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the
181
information is not given in the passage.
6.
______All manufacturers will send coupons to consumers upon request
7.
______Women use coupons much more than men.
8.
______Parents can use coupons to teach children to paint.
9.
______By using coupon savings to pay allowances, children can learn the value of money
10. ______Coupon can not be shared with others.
182
UNIT SIXTEEN HEALTH
Reading one
Warming up discussion
1. Where does most of the stress come from in your life?
2. What’s your favorite way to relax yourself?
3. Do you know anyone you would consider to be at peace with themselves?
Meditation and Yoga
By Richard Carlson
Pascal1 said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room
alone.” I’m not sure I would go quite this far, but I am certain that a quiet mind is the foundation
of inner peace. And inner peace translates into outer peace.
Although there are many techniques for quieting the mind, such as reflection, deep breathing,
contemplation, and visualization, the most universally accepted and regularly used technique is
meditation. In as little as five to ten minutes a day, you can train your mind to be still and quiet.
This stillness can be incorporated into your daily life, making you less reactive and irritable, and
giving you greater perspective to see things as small stuff rather than as emergencies. Meditation
teaches you to be calm by giving you the experience of absolute relaxation. It teaches you to be
at peace.
There are many different forms and variations of meditation.
Essentially, however,
meditation involves emptying your mind. Usually, meditation is done alone in a quiet environment.
You close your eyes and focus your attention on your breath ---in and out, in and out. As
thoughts enter your mind, you gently let them go and bring your attention back to your breath. Do
this over and over again. Over time, you’ll train yourself to keep your attention on your breath as
you gently dismiss any stray thoughts.
You’ll quickly discover that meditation isn’t easy. You will notice that your mind fill with
thoughts the moment you attempt to keep it still. It’s rare for a beginner to be able to focus
attention for more than a few seconds. The trick to becoming an effective meditator is to be gentle
on yourself and to be consistent. Don’t be discouraged. A few minutes each day will reap
tremendous benefits, over time. You can probably find a meditation class in your community. Or,
if you prefer, you can learn from a book or, better yet, an audiotape. (It’s hard to read with your
183
eyes closed.) My favorite resource is Larry Le Shan’s How to Meditate, available in both book
and audio format. I don’t know many people I would consider to be at peace with themselves who
haven’t spent at least a little time experimenting with meditation.
Like meditation, yoga is an extremely popular and effective method for becoming a more
relaxed, easygoing person. For centuries, yoga has been used to clear and free the mind, giving
people feelings of ease and equanimity. It’s easy to do and takes only a few minutes a day.
What’s more, people of virtually any age and fitness level can participate. I once took a class at the
health club2 that included both a ten-year-old boy and an eighty-seven-year-old man. Yoga is
noncompetitive in nature. You work and progress at your own speed and comfort level.
Although yoga is physical in nature, its benefits are both physical and emotional. On the
physical side, yoga strengthens the muscles and spine, creating flexibility and ease of motion.
On the emotional side, yoga is a tremendous stress reducer. It balances the body-mind-spirit
connection, giving you a feeling of ease and peace.
Yoga is practiced by engaging in a series of stretches, both gentle and challenging. The
stretches are designed to open the body and lengthen the spine. The stretches focus on very
specific, usually tight and constricted places ---the neck, back, hips, legs, and spine. While you are
stretching, you are also concentrating, focusing your attention on what you are doing.
The effects of yoga are truly amazing. After only a few minutes, you feel more alive and open,
peaceful and relaxed. Your mind is clear. The rest of your day is easier and more focused. I used to
believe that I was too busy to practice yoga. I felt I didn’t have time. I’m now certain that the
opposite is true – I don’t have time not to practice yoga. It’s too important not to do. It keeps me
feeling young and energized. It’s also a wonderful and peaceful way to spend time with family
and/or friends. Rather than watching television together, my two daughters and I often flip on a
yoga video and spend a few minutes stretching together.
Like meditation, it’s easy to find a local class at a community centre3, the YMCA4, or health
club. If you prefer to learn from a book, my favorite is Richard Hittleman’s Yoga
Twenty-Eight-Day Exercise Plan. There are also many fine videos you can learn from as well as a
magazine dedicated solely to yoga called Yoga Journal. (765 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 7 Minutes)
(“Don’t sweat the small stuff and it’s all small stuff”, abridged)
Notes:
1.
Pascal: Blaise Pascal 1623-1662. French mathematician, philosopher and inventor. His
early work included the invention of the adding machine and syringe, and the
co-development with Fermat of the mathematical theory of probability. Later he became a
Jansenist and wrote on philosophy and theology, notably as collected in the posthumous
Pensées
184
2.
health club: a place of business with equipment and facilities for exercising and improving
physical fitness
3.
community centre: a center where the members of a community can gather for social or
cultural activities
4.
YMCA; The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is an ecumenical service
organization based on Christian values.
Exercises:
I. Do some research and complete the form in column B,
A: Techniques for quieting the mind:
1. meditation
2. reflection
3. deep breathing
4. contemplation
5. visualization
B: What one does:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
II. Comprehension of the text: decide whether the following sentences are true or false. Put a
T for true and F for false.
11. ______I totally agree with Pascal’s statement.
12. ______Dong yoga takes much longer than meditation.
13. ______Meditation helps us to realize the emergency of life.
14. ______In meditation, you suppress the thoughts when they pop out.
15. ______Meditation would benefit you in a couple of days.
16. ______Fro people who are already at peace with themselves, there is no need to meditate any
more.
17. ______People in one yoga class generally work at the same speed.
18. ______The neck, back, hips, legs and spine are usually tight and need relaxation.
19. ______The author holds that nobody could be too busy to practice yoga.
20. ______ You normally close your eyes when you practice yoga.
185
III. Questions:
1.
How do you understand the beginning sentence of the article?
2.
What do inner peace and outer peace refer to?
3.
What’s the hardest handicap to overcome in meditation?
4.
What’re the physical and emotional benefits of yoga?
IV. Fill in the blanks with the words and phrases listed below. Change the form of them
where necessary.
stray / flexibility / competitive / stem from / consistent /reap / easygoing / focus on / the
moment / emergency
1.
The problem ______ the days that children are in grade school.
2.
Don't feed_____ animals. Instead call animal control.
3.
From _____ you stop smoking, the risk of heart attack starts to reduce and is halved after one
year of stopping smoking.
4.
China extends_____ support for peace efforts.
5.
US pharmaceutical companies _____ huge profits from AIDS drugs.
6.
Stretching is an important part of any workout routine. It helps increase your _____ and
reduce your chances of injury.
7.
The conference ______ the issue of global warming.
8.
An_____ teacher who allowed extra time for assignments.
9.
Movies and TV shows depict _____rooms as insanely intense places.
10. _______sports are governed by codified rules agreed upon by the participants.
V. Understand the underlined parts.
1. A customized business case for a specific organization will have different content and style, and
incorporate different aspects with different emphasis, focused on that particular organization.
186
A. to set up a corporation
B. cooperate with
C. to include something as part of something larger
D. to consider
2. Just yesterday, we two irritable girls had a quarrel over who loved whom more.
A. anxious
B. easily becoming depressed
C. excited
D. easily becoming annoyed
3. The article gives you a slightly different perspective.
A. a particular way of behavior
B. a particular way of considering
C. a version of a story
D. an interpretation of an incident
4. She took this very incident for a subject of meditation,.
A. serious thought
B. intensive research
C. heated debate
D. mathematical analysis
5. Some might be tempted to dismiss these goals as fanatical or extreme.
A. to decide something is worth considering
B. to decide something is not worth considering
C. to decide something is immoral
D. to decide something is normal
6. One of the first tricks to becoming a successful bidder is learning where to look.
A. acts of cheating
B. things done as if by magic
C. effective ways of doing something
D. jokes
7. When modern man feels socially constricted his first impulse is to move.
A. Wronged
B. Hurt
C. Despised
D. limited
8. One of the ways to achieve equanimity, perfect balance of mind, nirvana, he says, is to practice
187
patience.
A. Equality
B. Emancipation
C. Calmness
D. intelligence
9. Do you plan to produce or sell wide-format or full-color digital printing services in the future?
A. Size
B. Print
C. Price
D. range
10. The Sondheim Review is a quarterly magazine dedicated to the composer and lyricist.
A.designed to cater for
B. published in someone’s honor
C. designed to be used for one particular purpose
D. giving a lot of time and energy to
VI. Pros and cons.
1. Everything in life is small stuff. Vs. Life is an emergency and you should push yourself.
A: Don’t sweat the small stuff. / to keep the little things from taking over one’s life / not to
overact and blow things out of proportion / not to hold on too tightly / not to focus on the
negative aspects of life / not to lose sight of the bigger picture / not to be a workaholic / to go
with the flow
B: Time is money. / fierce competition / Slow runners would be eliminated. / to grab the chance
when it comes / A full schedule gives one a sense of fulfillment. Life is limited, one should
strive for perfection.
2. slow pace of life vs. fast pace of life
A: more relaxed and graceful / less stress / better health / People are more friendly and
compatible. / more time with family / more time to read books and reflect on life
B: more excitement and challenges / continuous stimuli to ones capabilities / to compete to
achieve more in life / Doing multiple tasks at the same time fully exploits one’s potentials. /
faster advancement of human society and civilization
3. Surrender to the fact life is not fair. Vs. Strive to change the fact life is not fair.
A: to stop wallowing, complaining / not to commiserate with each other / keeps us from feeling
sorry for ourselves / impossible to make everything perfect / to wake oneself to reality and put
him back on track
188
B: to eliminate the injustice of life /The fact life is not fair is a challenge rather an excuse. / to
speak for yourself / stand out for those victimized / fight the evils of society / We should do
everything in our power to improve our own lives or the world as a whole.
VII. In-depth discussion.
1. Try meditation, and see what’s the first thing that comes in your mind?
2. Do you care to achieve inner peace? What do you think is the greatest hamper to achieve it?
3. Ask your parents, and try find out if people are happier today now that material wealth has
multiplied than they were back in the 1950’s.
Reading Two
Low Calorie Count Key in Bone Injury Risk for Athletes
Women athletes watching their waistlines could be more susceptible to leg pain and stress
fractures, according to a small study.
A Saint Louis University study looked at 76 women college athletes playing NCAA Division
I1sports and found that abnormal and low-calorie eating habits could put them at greater risk for
injury.
"It causes people to miss practices and competitions, and I wanted to understand if two people
were undergoing the same exercise regime, why only one of them would have leg pain," said Dr.
Mark Reinking, a physical therapy expert who led the study.
"We don't really know a lot about this in college and high school athletes," he said. The
research was published in this month's American Journal of Sports Medicine.
The old-school prescription for sore legs -- running less or wearing different shoes -- doesn't
really help alleviate the pain, Reinking said. Diet appears to be the single most important factor,
he said.
The study found that women with "disordered eating," including bulimia2 and anorexia3, or
those who take in too few calories because of dieting, experienced decreased estrogen production,
a key factor in bone development, Reinking said.
When people burn more calories than they consume, he explained, they release fewer
hormones5, which slows down menstrual cycles and decreases estrogen4 in the body.
"This research is well understood in the medical community," said John O'Kane, a sports
medicine physician and associate professor at the University of Washington in Seattle. "I think
that there's been a lot of work by the NCAA and others to make people more aware of this, it used
189
to be coaches would tell their female athletes, 'You know you are training hard enough when you
stop having your period.' Today, we understand that (no menstrual cycle) means a calorie
deficiency and it can be dangerous."
Reinking collected survey data on eating behaviors from female soccer, field hockey and
volleyball players, as well as cross-country runners. The data included years in school sports,
menstrual history, bone mineral density, body-mass index, incidence of prior leg pain and flat feet.
Three-quarters of those athletes in the study had leg pain in the past, especially the cross-country
runners, according to the research. Twenty-six percent experienced leg pain during the season, and
all of them had had leg pain previously.
The women who developed stress fractures also had more abnormal eating habits.
Reinking said the so-called "Female Athlete Triad" is what led him to do the research.
Well-known in sports medicine, the triad is three interrelated health problems seen in female
athletes that include low energy, menstrual disorders and weak bones. At its worst, it involves
eating disorders, absence of periods and osteoporosis6.
His study comes after the American College of Sports Medicine this summer urged coaches
and women athletes to better understand the health challenges they face, especially the Female
Athlete Triad.
Reinking called the study one of only a few of its kind to quantify the condition and the risk
factors in college students. He said a similar study in 1994 tracked stress fractures in college
athletes and found they were more common in women than men.
"From my experiences, this makes perfect sense. All the talk used to be (only) about eating
disorders," said Amy Tush, coach for Northwestern University's women's cross-country team in
Evanston, Ill.
Tush said many athletes get bad advice on the Internet or elsewhere about how many calories
to consume and what to eat.
"It's really common in our sport," she said. "Our kids just don't always know the best way to
fuel their bodies." (603 words)
(TIME ALLOWED: 6 Minutes)
(http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/09/25/stress.fractures.ap/index.html)
Notes:
1.
NCAA Division I: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA, often pronounced
"N-C-Double-A" or "N-C-Two-A") is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions,
conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletics programs of many
colleges and universities in the United States. In 1973, the NCAA split its membership into
190
three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III. Under NCAA rules, Division I and
Division II schools can offer scholarships to athletes for playing a sport. Division III schools
may not offer any athletic scholarships. Generally, larger schools compete in Division I and
smaller schools in II and III.
2.
Bulimia: An eating disorder, common especially among young women of normal or nearly
normal weight, that is characterized by episodic binge eating and followed by feelings of
guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. It is often associated with measures taken to
prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, dieting, or fasting.
Also called bulimarexia, bulimia nervosa.
3.
Anorexia: Loss of appetite, especially as a result of disease.
4.
Estrogen: Any of several steroid hormones produced chiefly by the ovaries and responsible
for promoting estrus and the development and maintenance of female secondary sex
characteristics.
5.
Hormone: A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and conveyed by
the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth or metabolism.
6.
Osteoporosis: A disease in which the bones become extremely porous, are subject to fracture,
and heal slowly, occurring especially in women following menopause and often leading to
curvature of the spine from vertebral collapse.
Exercises:
I. Complete the following form about the research.
A. research subjects
1.
75%
2.
26%
3.
all of the aforementioned 26%
B: injury
1.
2.
3.
II. True or false
1. _____The result was based on a research on college athletes.
2. _____The research was led by a retired coach.
3. _____So far diet seems to be the most important cause of sports injury in women.
4. _____The medical community remains skeptical about the study results.
191
5. _____In the past, coaches somewhat encouraged women athletes to stop having periods.
6. _____The research compared data between male and female athletes.
7. _____Cross-country runners are most susceptible to leg pains.
8. _____Stress fractures are more common in women than in men.
9. _____Women athletes were advised to get advice from the Internet.
10. _____As a woman coach, Amy Tush understood the understood the research findings very
well.
III. Questions.
1. What were women athletes traditionally advised to do about sore legs?
2. How does diet affect women athletes?
3. What is Female Athlete Triad?
4. What’s the overall purpose of Dr. Reinking’s and other similar studies?
IV. Topics for discussion
1.
Should women go on diets to make them more attractive?
2.
What’s the existing situation of women’s sports in your college?
3.
What’s your opinion on participating in college sports to win a scholarship?
Reading Three
Passage 1
Supposed Time: 3′35″
Time You Used:
___
Too much testosterone kills brain cells
Too much testosterone can kill brain cells, researchers say, in a finding that may help explain
why steroid abuse can cause behavior changes such as aggressiveness and suicidal tendencies.
Tests on brain cells in lab dishes showed that while a little of the male hormone is good, too
much of it causes cells to self-destruct in a process similar to that seen in brain illnesses such as
Alzheimer's.
"Too little testosterone is bad, too much is bad but the right amount is perfect," said Barbara
Ehrlich of Yale University in Connecticut, who led the study.
192
Testosterone is key to the development, differentiation and growth of cells and is produced by
both men and women, although men produce about 20 times more of the hormone.
It can also be abused, and recent scandals have involved athletes who use the hormone, or
steroids that turn into testosterone in the body, for an unfair advantage.
"Other people have shown that high levels of steroid can cause behavioral changes," Ehrlich
said in a telephone interview.
"We can show that when you have high levels of steroids, you have high testosterone and that
can destroy the nerve cells. We know that when you lose brain cells you lose function."
Ehrlich's team tried the same thing with the "female" hormone estrogen, just to be fair.
"We were surprised, but it actually looks like estrogen is neuroprotective. If anything, there is
less cell death in the presence of estrogen," she said.
Writing in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Ehrlich and colleagues said their findings
meant people should think twice about supplementing with testosterone, even if it does build
muscle mass and aid recovery after exercise.
"These effects of testosterone on neurons will have long-term effects on brain function," they
wrote.
"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad -just take a deep breath and realize that it might not be his fault," Ehrlich said in a statement.
The cells die via a process called apoptosis, also known as cell suicide or programmed cell
death.
"Apoptosis is an important thing for the brain -- the brain needs to weed out some of the cells.
But when it happens too frequently, you lose too many cells and causes problems."
A similar process is seen in Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in the
United States, affecting an estimated 4.5 million Americans, and Huntington's disease, another
fatal brain illness.
"Our results suggest that the responses to elevated testosterone can be compared with these
pathophysiological conditions," the researchers wrote. (437 words)
(Reuters, http://health.netscape.com/story/2006/09/27/too-much-testosterone-kills-brain-cells/)
I. Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.Testosterone is a hormone that ________.
A. hampers the development of the human body
B. is produced by men only
C. is produced by the human body itself
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D. causes Alzheimer’s
2.People may take in too much testosterone for all the following EXCEPT ________.
A.
to aid recovery after exercise
B.
to build muscle mass
C.
to gain additional advantage in games
D.
to be more aggressive
3.Too much testosterone kills cells because _______.
A.
it speeds up the apoptosis process
B.
it slows down the apoptosis process
C.
it aggravates Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease
D.
it overpowers estrogen, which is neuroprotective.
Passage 2
Supposed Time: 3′30″
Time You Used: _________
Your Overworked Brain
By Jeffrey Kluger
Want to learn a new task well? Then pay attention to what you're doing. That bit of dictum
may not come as much of a surprise, but new research published in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences reveals just how flummoxed the brain can get when you try to do
two things at once.
Multitasking has fast become not just the occasional result of too much to do in too little time,
but the way most of us go about our work every day. While that may help you check more boxes
on your to-do list, some researchers are worried that turning the brain's attention to too many
jobs at once adversely affects the way all those things get done. Psychologist Russell Poldrack of
UCLA may have proven it.
Poldrack and his research team recruited a group of volunteers, all in their 20s, and set them to
work on a simple categorization task, asking them to sort a stack of cards into different piles
depending on the shapes printed on them. The volunteers then repeated the experiment with a
second set of cards, this time while also listening to a set of high- and low-pitched beeps through a
headphone and counting up all the high-pitched ones. As they worked, the subjects also underwent
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which tracked blood flow in their brains.
In both versions of the test, the subjects did equally well on the categorization task, making
about the same amount of errors. But when the investigators later posed them more-analytical
questions—asking them details about the patterns of the cards and ways they could be
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categorized—the subjects showed a far more flexible understanding of those cards they had sorted
without the distraction of the beeps.
What it means: While the findings themselves were interesting, it was the fMRI that truly
told the tale. When the subjects sorted cards without distractions, the brain's hippocampus—a
seahorse-shaped structure used in storing and recalling information—was actively engaged. When
the beeps were sounding, the hippocampus was quiet and the less-sophisticated striatum—the part
of the brain used to master unthinking, repetitive skills like riding a bicycle—took over. That's a
perfectly fine way to learn certain tasks, but not creative, analytical ones.
So is all multi-tasking bad? Not at all; indeed, for most people it's impossible to avoid. But for
information you truly need to absorb or skills you truly need to learn, one thing at a time is still
best. (422 words) (July 27 issue of Time Magazine)
I. Choose the best answer for each of the questions or unfinished statements.
1.
2.
As for the saying “pay attention to what you're doing”, it seems _______.
A.
we have never heard it before
B.
scientists have found new proof for it now
C.
we’re faithfully following the dictum in our daily life
D.
it’s no longer because we are used to doing multiple tasks at the same time
In Poldrack’s test, a group of volunteers _______.
A.
categorized a stack of cards according to the shapes printed on them the first time, then
categorized them according to the beeps they heard the second time
B.
categorized a stack of cards according to the shapes printed on them the first time, then
counted the cards according to the beeps they heard the second time
C.
categorized a stack of cards according to the shapes printed on them the first time, then
repeated the task while they listened to a set of beeps
D.
categorized a stack of cards according to the shapes printed on them the first time, then
counted up the cards with high-pitched beeps as well as repeated the first task
3.
FMRI data in the test showed ________.
A.
the brain’s hippocampus was active when the subjects were working without the beeps
B.
the brain’s hippocampus was active when the subjects were working with the beeps
C.
the brain’s hippocampus was disturbed when the subjects were working with the beeps
D.
the brain’s hippocampus was degraded for unthinking repetitive tasks when the subjects
were working with the beeps
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Keys for Reference
Unit One
Reading One
I.
1-5 B A C D E
II.
1-5 F F F
V.
1-5 A C D
Reading Two
IV.
1-5 F T F
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 B C D
Passage 2
1-3 A A C
F F
6-10 F F F F T
B D 6-10 B A D B D
F T
6-10 F F T F T
D C
Unit Two
Passage One
I.
1-5 F F T T F
II.
1. wonder
6. opt for
Passage 2
6-8
T F F
2.absolutely
7.are aware of
1-5 T F T T T
Passage Three
6-10
3.incredible
8.stick to
4.dedicated
9.destination
5.appreciated
10.kick in
F F F T T
1-5 A B C D C
Passage Four
1-5
C B A B D
Unit Three
Reading One
III.
1. envision
2. shuffling
3. Notwithstanding
196
4.pent-up
5. unleashed
6. load
7. self-contained
8. bubble
9. appeal
10. wandering
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 C D
D
B
D
Passage 2
1-5 C B
D
D
A
Unit Four
Reading One
I.
1-5 T F F F T
6-10
T F F T F
II.
1. nimble
2.predominant 3.suburbs
6. claim up to 7.diversifying
4.slash
5.ferocious
8.potential 9.bargain 10.play to his strength.
Reading Two
1-5 C A C D
D
6-8
B B D
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 D A B B C 6-10 NG
F T F T
Passage 2
1-5 C D D B A 6-10
NG
F T T
NG
Unit Five
Reading One
II.
1-5
F
T
T
F
T
6-10
F T T
F T
III.
1. In case
2. in advance
3. overcome
4. in silence
6. passed away
7. trimmed
8. fulfill
9. in shock
Reading Two
I.
1-5 C A D
B
E
D
C
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 D B
A
Passage 2
1-5 C C D
A
B
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5. without a doubt
Unit Six
Reading One
II.
1-5
F
F T
T F
6-10
F
T T T F
III.
1. responsibility
2. kicked out 3. lamented
4. conceded 5. culprit
6. be condemned 7. compulsory 8. Fly-tipping 9. festivities 10. withered
Reading 2
1-5 D C C D A
Reading Three
Passage One
1-5 D C
C
D
A
D
C B
6-10
T T F
NG F
Passage 2
1-5 A C
6-10 F
T F
T
NG
Unit Seven
Reading One
II.
1-5 F F T T F
6-8 T
F F
III.
1.given rise to
2.solely
3.ailing
4.vital
6.comprehensive
7.excessive
8.all manners of
Reading Two
1-5
F T T F F
6-10
F T T F F
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 D C B A D
Passage 2
1-5 D A C B D
Unit Eight
Reading One
II.
1-5 T
F F T F
6-10 F F T T T
Reading Two
198
9.compel
5.geared
I.
1-5
F F T T T
6-10
F T T F T
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 C D B T F
Passage 2
1-5
A C D F T
Unit Nine
Reading One
II.
1-5 F T F F T
6-8 T F T
III.
1.flared
2.stand for
3.interaction
6.identify
7.combination
8.fatal
Reading III
Passage 1
1-5 C B D C
4.despite
9.probably
5.bustled
10.thanks to
B
Passage 2
1-5 C B D D A
Unit Ten
Reading One
II.
1-5 T
T
T
F F
6-10
T
F
T T T
III.
1. depend on
2. is apt to
3. profoundly
6. brought up
7. spontaneous 8.external
4. longed for
5.convinced
9. endowed…with 10.devote…to
Reading Two
I.
1. He felt embarrassed. Because his father was severely crippled and very short, and when they
walked together, the father put his hand on the author’s arm for balance, and people would
stare.
2. The father always said, “You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you.”
3. On such a day, the author or his sisters would pull their father through the streets on a child’s
sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would cling to the handrail until he reached the
lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice—free.
199
4. He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more
fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”.
5.He feels he was unworthy and he regretted being reluctant to be seen with his father while
walking. He thinks his father’s value was right. For example, the father never complained about
trifles, never envied other’s good fortune, and looked for“good heart”in others.
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 A
D
C C
B
D
A
B
Passage 2
1-5 D
C
Unit Eleven
Reading One
II.
1-5 F F T F T
6-10 T F T F T
III.
1. deserve 2. disposable
3. adequate 4. affluent
5. chewed up
6. broadside 7. alternative
8. impose 9. bubbling away 10. reckon
Reading Two
1-5
F
T
F
T
F
6-10
FT
T
F
T
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 D C B A B
Passage 2
1-5 D D C A D
Unit Twelve
Reading One
I.
1- b 2-c 3-a 4-d
II.
1-5 T F F T F
V.
1-5 B C A B D
5-e
6-10 F F F T F
6-10 C B D B D
Reading Two
I.
A: 1,4,6,7,8,11
200
B: 2,3,5,9,10,12,13
II.
1-5 F F T F T
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-3 C B D
Passage 2
1-4 A C D D
6-10 T F T F T
Unit Thirteen
Reading One
III.
1. prime
6. assembled
2. shrunk
7. shelter
3. revived
8. posed
4. imminent
9. hedged
5. vacancy
10. exception
Exercise for Tips for Reading
1-4
C A
C
B
Reading Two
1-5
F T T
F F
6-10
T T F F T
Reading Three
Passage 1
1- 5
C A C F F
Passage 2
1-5
B D D T
F
Unit Fourteen
II.
1-5
F T F T F
6-10 T T F F F
III.
1. take off
6.pursue
2. involved
7.adhered
3. recall
4. surfaced
8.available 9.ensure
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 A A
B C
C
B
C
Passage 2
1-5 A C
B
Unit Fifteen
Reading One
201
5. issued
10. insist
II.
1-5
F T
F
T
F
6-8 T
F T
T
F
6-8 T
T T
Reading Two
1-5
F T F
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-5 D
B
C
B
C
6-10 F T
F
T NG
D
6-10 F T
F
T
F
6-10 F F T T F
Passage 2
1-5 D B
D
A
F
Unit Sixteen
Reading One
II.
1-5
IV.
F
F
F
F
1. stems from 2.stray
6.flexibility
3.the moment
7.focused on 8. easygoing
4.consistent
9.emergency
V.
1-5 C D B A B
6-10 C D C A C
Reading Two
I.
1. HAD LEG PAINS IN THE PAST
2. HAD LEG PAINS IN THE SEASON
3. HAD LEG PAINS IN THE PAST
V.
1-5 T F T F T
6-10 T T T F T
Reading Three
Passage 1
1-3 C D A
Passage 2
1-3 B D A
202
5.reap
10. competitive
203