Unit Ten
Agriculture
Teaching Aims:
In this unit students are required to:
1) get to know some useful information concerning the topic of the reading passages in
this unit and to know more about agriculture
2) do some preparation activities such as discussion, group work, etc. to practice their
spoken skill and communicative skills;
3) grasp some new words and try to use these words which help them to enrich their
vocabulary;
4)read the in-class reading passage in a limited time and grasp some expressions and
grammatical points in the in-class reading passage to improve their reading
comprehension;
5) do some post-reading exercises and some after-class reading to practice what they
have got to know in class to improve their English comprehensive skills.;
6) translate some typical sentences into Chinese or English by using some expressions
learned in the reading passages to acquire some translating skills and better their
translating abilities.
I. Useful Information
Agriculture is so important to human societies that human being has never stopped
improving the techniques and technology of agriculture.
Agriculture is at the first place the extension of natural hunting and gathering
activities of man. Most archeologists and historians agree that plants were the first to
be planted. Possibly the first grain to be cultivated was a primitive type of wheat which
had probably been gathered from the wild grasses of the Middle East in Europe. By
about 12000 years ago the earliest cities began to appear and wheat was harvested in
the surrounding areas. Meanwhile man started to domesticate animals such as dogs,
cattle and goats. Then people found that wheat grow better in the in garbage dumps
along with waste food and animal waste. Over time, the most vigorous plants were
selected as crop food and the first crop plants were established. Soon after this, rice
became cultivated in south Asia and maize in north and South America.
The earliest tools for cultivation were crude sticks to loosen the earth and remove
第 1 页 共 8 页
weeds from grain plantings. Harvesting tools constructed with wood and sharp-edged
stones were common within all agriculture centers by about 8000years ago. Also, by
that time domesticated animals were being used as source of milk as well as meat. The
milk had to be used fresh or spoiled, but then people found that fermentation could be
controlled to produce dairy products as items which resembled yogurt and cheese. The
agriculture revolution began when an early type of plow was pulled by cattle and
horses.
Harvesting tools such as sickles, scythes, knives and wheeled carts were improved
during the Bronze Age and iron was used extensively by about 3000years ago to make
plow points, knives and so on. Steady improvements in farming methods and,
technology and use of irrigation and fertilization, as well as careful selection of
productive types of animals and plants, took place until the 18th century when there
was an explosive growth which utilized steel implements, more efficient plows and
larger tracts of cultivated lands.
By the 19th century, innovations such as gasoline-driven engines gave rise to tractors,
combines, cultivation, irrigation and fertilizer-spreading implements. However, more
important was the possibility that a single family or a group of neighbors could own
huge areas of lands for the intensive agriculture now known all around the world.
In the 20th century, applications of genetics and biology gave agriculture a new look.
Farmers could own and harvest crops from thousands of acres.
People just keep exploring in improving and innovating agricultural techniques and
technology, for agriculture takes a so important place in man's life.
II. Preparation
1. know sth about agriculture
farm animals: cattle, turkey, goose, goat, duck, cow, horse, pig, dog, sheep, hen, etc.
farming tools: sickle, tractor, fork, spade, axe, bucket, hoe, plow, combine, etc.
farming methods: processing, weeding, tilling, irrigation, plowing, planting, harvesting,
storage, fertilization, etc.
2. life on a farm
Sample 1
My grandparents lived in a small village in the north of China. People there used to
第 2 页 共 8 页
grow rice, wheat, corn, peanuts and soybeans as well as some vegetables. They raised
pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. I still remember how surprised when I first saw a
goose egg. It was so big. I remember people there worked all day long, all year round.
But most of them were still poor. They could depend only on what they got from the
field, which in return depended upon the weather and their luck. Many children
couldn’t afford to go to school and started to help with housework or farm work at a
very early age. I haven’t been back to the village for years. I hope their lives are better
now.
Sample 2
I grew up in the countryside in the south China, in a small village. Villagers there
mainly grow rice and they could harvest twice a year. They also grow various of
vegetables usually in their small garden in front of their house, just for their daily
consumption. Pigs, ducks, chickens and other poultry are raised both for their own
consumption of meat and for selling. The work in the field is really painstaking and
extremely hard. Especially in the harvesting seasons people worked from dawn till
dusk. People are always occupied with the work in the field and almost have no
recreation. However the life in the countryside is pleasantly peaceful without the noise
everywhere in cities. You seem to be part of nature and could get a sense of innocent
and serenity. I love the idyllic life there.
III. In-Class Reading
Farming for the Future
1. Pre-reading on p.319
Directions: whether the world will be able to feed its growing population in the
future
Sample 1:
I think the world could be able to feed its population in the future since the science
and technology is keeping developing and they will enable higher yields from the same
pieces of land. China is the very example in the point. I’m positive that in the near
future, human beings will be able to find a solution to the problem of food shortage.
Sample 2:
I may sound a little pessimistic. I doubt about the possibility for the world to feed
第 3 页 共 8 页
its entire people in the future. Although modern science and technology may enable us
to increase the production of the land, it has its limits. Moreover, modern people are
very wasteful. The earth may e able to meet our needs, but it can never meet our greed.
So we should always keep in mind to use only what we need.
2. Language Points:
1) add to: make a feeling or quality stronger and more noticeable
e.g. Her colleagues’ laughter only added to her embarrassment.
This show will no doubt add to his reputation.
2). as well: in addition to something or someone else
e.g. The museum provides hours of fun and a few surprises as well.
We are going to the cinema tonight. Why don’t you come as well?
3).at present: at this time; now
e.g. Mr. William is busy at present. Can you ring him later?
He is at present serving a life sentence.
4). bring about: cause something to happen
e.g. What brought about the change in his attitude?
*syn.: give rise to
e.g. The novel’s success gave rise to his worldwide fame.
5). instead of: in place of
e.g. Will you go to the meeting in stead of me?
We should do something to solve the problem instead of just talking about it.
6). make use of: use
e.g. Try to make use of different types of history books.
Make best use of: you should make best use of your talent.
7). throw away: get rid of something
e.g. Just throw away what you don’t need.
*throwaway: adj. produced cheaply and intended to throw away after use
e.g. throwaway products
*throwaway remark:
e.g. She was upset at what to him was just a throwaway remark.
第 4 页 共 8 页
*throw sb.(off): to make sb. feel upset, confused, or surprised
e.g. The news of her death really threw me.
I was completely thrown off by the interruption.
8). be linked to/with: be connected with
e.g. Police are still saying the mafia may be linked with the shooting.
We should not conclude that her death was necessarily linked with the reported
outbreak of smallpox.
9). give way to: become replaced by something
e.g. The stormy weather gave way to a period of sunshine.
In some areas, modern farming is giving way to traditional methods.
10).make up: compose or constitute
e.g. Women make up 56% of the student body of that university.
11) put in: devote time or effort to something
e.g. She put in a hour a day reading.
He puts in the hours but the quality o his work is sill not as good as it should be.
12). aim: the purpose of doing sth., what sb.is trying to achieve
e.g. She went London with the aim of finding a job.
*take aim at sb./sth.: to direct your criticism at sb.or sth.
e.g. How could you all take aim at me? It’s not my fault.
*aim at: to try to plan to achieve sth.
e.g. The government is aiming at a 50%reduction in unemployment.
13) be engaged in/on: busy doing sth.
e.g. They were engaged in talks with Irish government.
He is engaged on his second book.
*engaged: using
e.g. I can’t get through----the line is engaged.
The toilet is engaged.
14) make a living: make money to buy things needed in life
e.g. She makes a living by writing volumes for a newspaper.
第 5 页 共 8 页
15) throughout the year: in all the time of the year
e.g The museum is open daily throughout the year..
16 in demand: wanted by a lot of people
e.g. Good secretaries are always in demand.
17).keep sth. down: ①to make sth at a low level; to avoid increasing sth.
e.g. to keep down wages/the cost of living
②be not vomit
e.g. She can’t keep anything down.
*keep sb. down: to prevent a person from expressing themselves freely
e.g. The people have been kept down for years by a brutal regime.
18) fight off: succeed in getting rid of something
e.g. I managed to fight off the soar throat.
We had to fight off the reporters as we went into the house.
19) up until: until
e.g. Up until the fourth night we experienced no bad weather.
She continued to care for her father up until the time of his death.
3. Questions for discussion:
Directions: Work in groups to discuss the following questions.
1).The author of the passage suggests that people in industrialized countries eat less
meat so that more food could be saved for hungry people in the world. What else do
you think they should do to help people living in poverty?
Sample
In my opinion, it’s not so easy to make people in industrialized countries change
their diet. Their eating habits are part of their culture. However, something could be
done to reduce the waste of food and other resources. The government of these
countries should have policies to help poor countries produce enough food for
themselves.
2).As a person living in a less-developed country, what can you do to help reduce
poverty, hunger and destruction of the earth’s resources?
Sample
We should develop out science and technology so that we can grow more food with
第 6 页 共 8 页
fewer chemical fertilizers or insecticides. We should also balance economic
development and environmental protection and make people more environmentally
aware.
V. Further Development
1. Do the exercises on page345-346 to review the grammar and vocabulary learnt in
the text.
2. Group discussion
Section A
Fighting off poverty and hunger
1) The environment may be an important factor to poverty and hunger. Some places in
the world are either too hot or too cold, too dry or too wet. Politics and education could
also count for it.
2) The first thing government and international agencies could do is to help prevent
wars because wars is the most destructive to economic development. And they could
advance proper policies for example policies to control the world population and to
encourage industrialized countries to donate food and money to people living in
poverty.
3) We should stop to be wasteful. If possible, we can volunteer to work in some poor
countries or regions
4) They should learn more about modern science and technology and try new methods
of farming. Furthermore, they should assure their children’s education. Education is the
essential means to fight off poverty and hunger.
Section B
Being a farmer: what you would like to grow or raise if you had a farm.
Sample
I wish to grow some fruits such as apples, oranges and bananas because they could
be very profitable. And when it is autumn, is must be an exceedingly beautiful scenery
with all the fruits ripe in bright and vivid colors. I also like to raise dogs because they
are loyal. They can protect me and be trained to do things for me.
3. Translation on p.350
第 7 页 共 8 页
A: Figure out what the English version of the Chinese poem is in Chinese. It is a
well-known poem.
锄禾
（唐）李坤
锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土。 谁知盘中餐， 粒粒皆辛苦。
B: Translate the Chinese in brackets into English
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
thrown away
.
polluting the environment
Rules must be made
Government agencies
food culture, a healthy and balanced diet
4. Writing
We have leant about the hardships that the farmers have to experience to produce food.
However, many people today are very wasteful with food. Write a composition with
the title “stop wasting food” in no less than 120 words.
Sample
With the rapid development in recent years, starvation is no longer a real threat to
Chinese people. However, a new problem has risen: food wastefulness. Everyday, tons
of food is thrown away by restaurants, canteens, supermarkets and households. We are
not only wasting our precious food resources but also polluting the environment with
waste.
It is time that we did something to stop wasting food. First, rules should be made
that everyone pays for his/her own meals. Government agencies and business should
no longer allow their employees to have expensive meals at restaurants at public
expense. Second, prices for such items as rice should bi raised to discourage people
from wasting them. Third, young people should be educated to respect the hard work of
farmers. Finally, the general food culture should be changed so that people will have a
healthy and balanced diet.
第 8 页 共 8 页