4
UNIT
2 Secrets to beauty
Section B Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Objectives
To master the reading skill
To understand the text
To practice the phrases and patterns
To discover your own beauty
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Contents
Warming-up
Reading Skills
Text Study
Comparative Study
Unit Project
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Warming-up
Lead-in
Background Information
1. What are these women’s reaction?
Tips
2. What is the theme of this video clip?
Tips
Video Watching
Back
1. What are these women’s reaction?
Tips
• So surprised;
• Scared and angry;
• Unacceptable and unbelievable;
• Feel so humiliated;
• Just like the zoo animals;
• Can’t imagine that…
2. What is the theme of this video clip?
Tips
• Just a “beauty mirror test”;
• Definition of the true beauty;
• Judge others by appearance or
anything else;
• Test the people’s true reaction;
• The importance of women’s beauty;
• The importance of people’s inner beauty…
1. What is Botox injection?
Tips
2. Do you know plastic surgery?
Tips
3. What is the effect of prozac?
Tips
1. What is Botox injection?
Tips
Botox injection is a cosmetic procedure to inject
Botox into muscles to temporarily improve the
appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows.
Botox can block nerve impulses of the injected area
and reduce muscle activity that causes wrinkles,
and hence it is often used as a drug for cosmetic
purposes to remove wrinkles of the face. In addition,
it is used for medical procedures to treat problems
like severe underarm sweating, uncontrollable
blinking, and misaligned eyes.
2. Do you know plastic surgery?
Tips
Plastic surgery is a branch of surgery that
deals with the remodeling, repair, or restoration of
body parts, especially by the transfer of tissue.
There two major types of plastic surgery. One is
cosmetic surgery (美容手术), which is intended to
enhance the aesthetic level of a person’s
appearance. Another is reconstructive surgery (整形
手术), which is performed to improve the function of
a certain part of the body that bears serious injuries.
3. What is the effect of Prozac?
Tips
Prozac is an antidepressant drug developed
by the American company Eli Lily and Company. It
was first approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration in 1987. Now it is one of the most
commonly prescribed antidepressants in the United
States. The drug is used to treat major depression,
obsessive-compulsive disorders ( 强 迫 症 ), eating
disorders, panic disorders and pain disorders.
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Reading Skills
Presentation of the Skill
Reading Skill Practice
Identifying the topic sentence
A topic sentence states the main idea of a
paragraph. Knowing how to identify the topic
sentence is an important skill that helps you
understand the main point the author makes
in a paragraph.
Identifying the topic sentence
To determine whether a sentence is a topic
sentence or not, one important factor to
consider is its position. The possible positions
of a topic sentence include:
• The first sentence of a paragraph;
• The middle of the paragraph, especially
the second or the third sentence;
• The very end of a paragraph, functioning
as a summary or a conclusion.
Identifying the topic sentence
Another factor to consider is the type of idea
or information given in the sentence. The
topic sentence is a general statement that
can cover all other information in the
paragraph. For instance, if a sentence talks
about several things and looks at the big
picture, it is very likely the topic sentence. In
contrast, sentences that provide specific
details, e.g. explanation, reasons, examples,
statistics, or facts, are supporting sentences.
Identifying the topic sentence
Example 1:
But women grow up thinking they need to
look loke Barbie dolls or girls on magazine
Covers, which for most women is impossible.
Nonetheless, the multibillion-dollar beauty
industry, complete with its own aisle in the…
(Para. 7, Text A)
The topic sentence is the first sentence in the
paragraph. It states a general idea: women
are enthusiastic about pursuing a perfect look
under the influence of the beauty industry. All
the other sentences contain specific details
which explain and illustrate this idea.
Identifying the topic sentence
Example 2:
Women do not look at themselves this way. If I
had to guess what most women think about
their appearance, it would be: “Not good
enough.” no matter how attractive a woman
may be, her perception of herself is eclipsed by
the beauty industry… (Para. 5, Text A)
The topic sentence is the second sentence.
The first sentence functions as a transition from
the previous paragraph.
Identifying the topic sentence
Example 3:
To avoid sleep problems, alcoholic beverages
or drinks with caffeine should not be taken
before bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep
problems… These are some simple
guidelines that can help you avoid sleep
problems.
The topic sentence appears at the end,
summarizing what has been discussed before.
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Text Study
Text Comprehension
Language Focus
Critical Thinking
1. What does the author think of plastic surgery?
(Para. 1)
2. What is the real meaning of beauty? (Para. 2)
3. Which of the following statement is not true?
(Para. 3)
4. According to the text, what makes stars look
beautiful on the screen? (Para. 4)
5. In the author’s opinion, why do beauty
treatments such as applying face creams and
having workouts prevent people from attaining
happiness? (Para. 5)
6. What does the author consider as the right means
to develop the soul? (Para. 6)
7. What does the word “barren” mean when the
author says the human in her life are “not the
barren, self-absorbed beautiful people of the
screen”? (Para. 7)
8. How did we help the soul grow? (Para. 8)
9. Can outward beauty make people glow radiantly?
If not, what is it? (Para. 9)
10. What is the main idea of the text? (Paras. 10-12)
1. What does the author think of plastic surgery? (Para. 1)
Tips
A. Plastic surgery is risk in that it involves injection
of harmful drugs.
B. Although popular, plastic surgery is not a
guarantee of a happy life.
C. Although expensive, plastic surgery is effective
in creating happiness.
D. Plastic surgery can eliminate the need to take
supplements or diet.
2. What is the real meaning of beauty? (Para. 2)
Tips
(1) It’s not about looking good during _______________,
social interaction
physiological perfection ;
or _____________________
technology
(2) Get there via ____________;
(3) It’s a growth process, a transformation of self
awareness and _________;
learning
through __________
meaning and __________;
being real
(4) It’s about _________
(5) It’s an ____________
spiritual walk ;
emotional and _____________
(6) It requires _____
faith fueled with liberal does of loving
kindness.
3. Which of the following statement is not true? (Para. 3)
Tips
A. The author is satisfied with what her husband is.
B. The author likes the personality of her husband.
C. The author enjoys her life although it is not very
romantic.
D. The author would be happier if her husband
were older than her.
4. According to the text, what makes stars look beautiful
on the screen? (Para. 4)
Tips
A. Spending a lot of money on psychotherapy.
B. Working part-time and suffering little pressure.
C. Being more emotional and confident than ordinary
people.
D. Having many people working to create and maintain
their images.
5. Listen to Para. 5 and answer the following question.
Q: In the author’s opinion, why do beauty treatments
such as applying face creams and having workouts
prevent people from attaining happiness? (Para. 5)
Tips
Because they cause distractions from what
contributes to inner beauty.
原句：
In fact, they often hamper happiness by
distracting from the things that lead to real
inner beauty. (Para. 5, L3)
分散注意力
解释:
In fact these efforts often prevent people from
becoming happy because they lead their
attention away from things that contribute to the
real beauty of the inner beauty.
译文：
事实上，这些方法还常常阻碍人们获得幸福，因
为它们会使人分心，不去关注那些能带来真正内
在美的事物。
6. Read Para. 6 and answer the question.
Q: What does the author consider as the right
means to develop the soul? (Para. 6)
Tips
Topic
sentence
The only way I know to develop my soul is through feelings.
Witnessing natural phenomena – the star-lit galaxy, a
centuries-old redwood, the symphony of birds’ songs in
spring – stretches it, making me feel humble and majestic,
all at the same time. Human relationships bruise, collide
and comfort, teaching me maturity and passion. Love
urges my soul to blossom and glow, affection elicits
Ordinary
feelings of eternity, and so I learn to accept others
they
lifeas
events
are.
7. What does the word “barren” mean when the author
says the human in her life are “not the barren, selfabsorbed beautiful people of the screen”? (Para. 7)
Tips
A. Lack of hair.
B. Lack of interesting thoughts
C. Lack of beauty
D. Lack of strength
原句：
无趣的，平庸的
The humans in my life are not the barren,
self-absorbed “beautiful people” of the
screen. We’re ordinary, real, imperfect
people. (Para. 7, L1)
解释:
The people in my life are unlike those in the
media who have a beautiful appearance but
lack interesting thoughts in their minds and
care only about themselves. We’re people that
are common, real, and not perfect.
译文：
我生活中的人都不是屏幕上那种思想平庸、迷恋自
我的“美貌人士”。我们只是平凡的、实实在在的，
有缺点的人。
8. How did we help the soul grow? (Para. 8)
Tips
to be less self-indulgent, more
We struggle
__________
compassionate and understanding. We try to
_______________
survive through
resist the lure of novelty fads, we ________
______
social phenomena that we don’t agree with. We
learn , we ________,
stretch we sometimes ________,
fracture we
______
process the emotional outcome, and we
_________
_________.
__________,
move on We may _______and
groan
complain we
can feel the growth eventually.
9. Listen to Para. 9 and answer the following question.
Q: Can outward beauty make people glow radiantly? If
not, what is it? (Para. 9)
Tips
No, it can’t. it is the spirit that shines from
within the person.
10. What is the main idea of the text? (Paras. 10-12)
Tips
A. True beauty lies in the growth process of the soul
and spirit.
B. The media exerts great influence on the beauty
industry of the US.
C. Physical looks are as important as inner feelings in
creating happiness.
D. A beautiful appearance is a positive factor in
making a person happy.
原句：
As we move through life and grow through
each of its checkpoints, we should seek out
and build the kinds of experiences that reveal
and purify our divine inner beauty. (Para. 11, L1)
解释:
As our life progresses and passes through
each important stage, we should try to find and
develop experiences that show and improve
the holy beauty of our soul.
译文：
在人生的旅途中，每当我们经过一个节点，都应该
寻找那些能够展示和净化我们神圣的内在美的人生
体验，并且将它们积累下来。
all the rage these
Extreme makeovers are __________
addicted to Botox
days, with too many people __________.
injection parties and reality shows. Plastic
on the rise Even the people want
surgery is __________.
to create the biomedical happiness through the
several _________.
shortcuts But, beautiful people are
not automatically happy people. Beauty is a
growth process, a ______________
transformation of self
through __________
awareness and learning. It’s about
meaning and being _____.
real
_________,
spiritual walk, and it
It’s an emotional and ________
faith fueled with liberal does of
requires ______
loving
kindness I loved my husband so
______________.
much even he was not so perfect. As a
psychotherapist, I faced with so many clients
every day ___________
scarred with emotional pain. I want
to underscore that life is about ________
growing and
deepening
_________ your soul. The only way I know to
through feelings Such
develop my soul is _______________.
as the nature animals and plants, even the
human relationships teach me maturity
_______ and
_______.
passion
And I learn to accept others as they are.
imperfect people.
ordinary ____,
real _________
We are ________,
We need to strive to illuminate the world with
ethics and __________.
aspirations From all
our personal ______
life events, we learn, we ______.
stretch We sometimes
fracture, we can feel the growth eventually. The
visible to others,
secret is that this growth is ______
shines from within this person is
the spirit that ___________
true beauty, and it can’t be bought in a jar.
Even as our mortal bodies wear out
degenerate the miracle is that
and ___________,
each of us has the total capacity to
achieve this ___________.
perspective In other
words, true beauty is not about looks.
choices We must look at
It’s about _______.
our own lives and decisions from a
valuable perspective than the
more ________
media’s eye. Ultimately, each new
decision we make can be a new
resolution to build the beautiful future
we long to have.
Practical Phrases
Specific Meanings
1. be addicted to
对…痴迷的，沉迷于…的
2. be exempt from
被免除…,被豁免…
3. be accountable to
对…负责
4. stumble through / across /
into, etc.
蹒跚而行，踉跄
5. enquire about
询问，打听
6. wear out
7. seek out
用坏，（使）磨损
8. from a … perspective
从…角度
找出，找到
对…痴迷的，沉迷于… 短语逆译
be addicted to
短语应用
这个男孩对那本杂志很痴迷。每当杂志寄过来时，他不
从前到后读完是不会放下的。
意群提示
Be addicted to / put down / from cover to cover
The boy is addicted to that magazine. When it comes in
the mail, he cannot put it down until he has read it from
cover to cover.
被免除…，被豁免…
短语逆译
be exempt from
短语应用
学校和非盈利机构被免除了水电费。
意群提示
be exempt from / non-profit organizations
Schools and non-profit organizations were exempt
from paying their water and electric bills.
对…负责
短语逆译
be accountable to
短语应用
很显然，地方议会要对选举它的人民负责。
意群提示
(be accountable to / council / elect )
It is clear that the council is accountable to the people
who elected it.
蹒跚而行，踉跄
短语逆译
stumble through /
across / into, etc.
短语应用
突然停电了，我们跌跌撞撞地到卧室里找手电筒。
意群提示
(stumble into. / go out / serach for)
The power suddenly went out, and we stumbled into
the bedroom to search for the flashlight.
询问，打听
短语逆译
enquire about
短语应用
两百人打电话到广播电台打听这场音乐会的票价。
意群提示
(enquire about / call the radio station)
Two hundred people called the radio station to
enquire about the price of the concert tickets.
用坏，（使）磨损
短语逆译
wear out
短语应用
第一套书由于用的太多已经损坏了，我现在用的是第
二套。
意群提示
(wear out / first set of / heavy use )
The first set of books has worn out from heavy
use, so now I’m on my second set.
找出，找到
短语逆译
seek out
短语应用
我不想每天花几个小时开车，所以就决定在离学校近
的地方找个住处。
意群提示
(seek out / spend doing sth)
I didn’t want to spend hours driving every day, so I
decided to seek out a place to live near the school.
从…角度
短语逆译
from a … perspective
短语应用
本书作者引导读者从一个新的角度来审视气候变化。
意群提示
(from a new perspective / invite the readers)
In the book, the writer invites the readers to look at
climate change from a new perspective.
Functional Patterns
Functions & Usages
1. Sth. is not about… It is about…
表达某物（如工作、行为、
活动等）的真正意义或目
的不是表面上的那样，而
是另外某种情形。
2. The miracle / amazing /
surprise… is that sb. has the
capacity / responsibility /
obligation… to do sth… even
as…
尽管…，神奇/吃惊/惊
讶…的是某人还有能力/
责任/义务…完成某事。
强调某事最终能够实现。
3. Sb. must do sth. from a more…
than…
表示某人做某事应选择更
有利的方面。
原句译文
生活的意义不在于通过维持某种年轻时髦
的外表来掩盖自己，而在于精神的成长和
升华。
逆译练习
Life is not about maintaining some young
and stylish outward costume to hide behind.
It’s about growing and deepening your
soul. (Para. 5)
句型提炼
句型提炼
Sth. is not about… It is about…
应用提示
平行结构用于表达“某物（如工作、行为、
活动等）的真正意义或目的不是表面上的
那样，而是另外某种情形。”
句型应用
典型例句
我们旅程的真正目的不是观光，而是回忆我们在那儿
度过的昔日美好时光。
意群提示
(sight-seeing / good old days )
Our trip was not about sight-seeing. It was
about recalling the good old days we once had
there.
原句译文
神奇的是，尽管我们的肉体会老去并且衰退，
我们每个人都完全有能力达到这个境界，即
最大程度地展现最崇高的精神内涵。
逆译练习
The miracle is that each of us has the
total capacity to achieve this perspective,
this fullest embodiment of the highest
expression of soul, even as our mortal
bodies wear out and degenerate. (Para. 10)
句型提炼
句型提炼
The miracle / amazing / surprise… is that sb
has the capacity / responsibility / obligation…
to do sth… even as…
应用提示
尽管…，神奇/吃惊/惊讶…的是某人还有
能力/责任/义务…完成某事。 “强调某事
最终能够实现”。
句型应用
典型例句
令人惊喜的是，尽管这次中国北京在2022年冬奥会申办
过程中经历重重困难，我们所有中国人都相信北京完全
有能力取得成功。
意群提示
(undergo numerous difficulties / in the process of)
The surprise is that all the Chinese people believe
Beijing has the total capacity to win this competition,
even as Beijing undergoes numerous difficulties in the
process of the host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.
原句译文
我们必须从一个更有价值的角度而非以媒体
肤浅的眼光来看待自己的人生和决定。
逆译练习
We must look at our own lives and
decisions from a more valuable
perspective than the media’s shallow eye.
(Para.11)
句型提炼
句型提炼
Sb. must do sth. from a more… than…
应用提示
表示“某人做某事应选择更有利的方面”。
句型应用
典型例句
经营者必须从企业可持续发展的战略角度而并非从
追求短期效益方面来规划企业未来发展的方向。
意群提示
(the perspective of sustainable development/
pursue the short-term profits)
Enterprise operator must plan the development
direction of enterprise in the future from the
perspective of sustainable development than the
aspect of pursuing the short-term profits.
1.最大限度的实现自己的美
attain the highest degree of one’s beauty
2.远超肌肤之表
go far deeper than the surface of our skin
3.所谓“审美标准上的完美”
the so-called “esthetic perfection”
4.精神的成长和升华
grow and deepen one’s soul
5.爱情促使我精神成长并换发
光彩
love urges my soul to blossom and glow
6.努力去照亮世界
strive to illuminate the world
7.努力消除自己的任性
struggle to be less self-indulgent
8.老者内心所散发出的精神
the spirit that shines from within this person
9.展示和净化我们神圣内在美
reveal and purify our divine inner beauty
10.创造美好未来的决心
a new resolution to build the beautiful future
1. Some people think that beauty is essential
for success. What do you think of the
relationship between the two?
Tips
2. How may culture influence the
understanding of beauty? Give some
examples to explain your view.
Tips
3. What is your definition of true beauty?
Explain your view with one or more
examples.
Tips
1. Some people think that beauty is essential for success.
What do you think of the relationship between the two?
Tips
• I agree that beauty is essential for success. If a
person looks beautiful or handsome, it is more
likely that he or she will find a good job and have a
happy marriage.
• I don’t think there is any relationship between
beauty and success. What makes a person
successful is not his physical appearance, but
rather other factors such as education, diligence
and perseverance.
2. How many culture influence the understanding of beauty?
Give some examples to explain your view.
Tips
• Culture influences people’s understanding of beauty
significantly. Some physical traits are considered
beautiful in one culture, but may not be so in another.
For example, Chinese people think fair skin is one
feature of beautiful women, whereas Americans
consider tan skin attractive.
• Culture has little influence on people’s understanding
of beauty. There are more similarities than differences
in human perception of beauty. For instance, honesty,
friendliness and warm-heartedness are considered as
elements of inner beauty in many cultures.
3. What is your definition of true beauty? Explain your
view with one or more examples.
Tips
In my opinion, true beauty has little to do with
physical appearance. It mainly involves character and
life attitudes. If I am going to give a definition, I would
put it this way: True beauty is righteousness, optimism,
and willingness to take responsibilities. In other words,
a truly beautiful person is one who has high moral
standards, who holds an optimistic attitude toward life,
and who has a strong sense of responsibility, both for
his family and for society.
Talk about the different
attitudes of plastic surgery.
Video Watching
Back
1. Why do people support plastic surgery?
Tips
2. Why do people disagree with that opinion?
Tips
1. Why do people support plastic surgery?
Tips
• Plastic surgery is a good way for women
to improve their appearance.
•It can help women attain ideal beauty and
hence improve their self-esteem as well as
enhance their chances for success.
2. Why do people disagree with that opinion?
Tips
• I feel plastic surgery should be banned because it is a
sheer waste of money and medical resources.
• Natural beauty and inner beauty are true beauty.
• Plastic surgery cannot make a woman a better person.
• It would be more meaningful to use the medical
resources taken up by plastic surgery for something
else, for example, to treat diseases.
• The inner beauty is much more important than
appearance.
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Comparative Study
Thematic Study
Language Features Analysis
1. Compare the definition and understanding of
beauty in Text A and Text B.
Tips
2. According to your own experiences, how should
people define “beauty”?
Tips
1. Compare the definition and understanding of
beauty in Text A and Text B.
Outward beauty
1. Always “Not good
enough”;
2. Magnify their smallest
imperfections;
3. Chronic insecurity(e.g.
absurd standard of doll);
4. Warfare on female self
esteem;
5. Obsess with appearance;
6. Extreme conformity.
Inner beauty
1. A transformation of self;
2. Emotional and spiritual
walk;
3. Growing and deepening
your soul;
4. True beauty is about
choices;
5. Accept others as they
are.
2. According to your own experiences, how
should people define “beauty”?
Tips
• It should be inartificial;
• Inner beauty is much more important;
• Outward beauty is not equal to happiness;
• It’s about growing and deepening your soul;
• It is the spirit that shines from within the
people;
• To accept others as they are…
Based on your study of
the two texts, compare
the writing styles of the
two texts in terms of their
typical language features.
1. What are the typical language features of the two texts?
Tips
2. List more examples from the text to support your ideas.
Tips
1. What are the typical language features of the two texts?
Tips
Text A is a contrast essay developed in a
point-by-point pattern, with the differences
between women and men presented one at a
time and discussions of females and males
alternating.
Text B is featured by the use of personal
experience to support the main argument. It
is written in the first person, which creates a
vivid personal tone for the discussion.
2. List more examples from the text to support your ideas.
Tips
Text A organizes the supporting details by
using the point-by-point method. The specific
“points” of contrast are how the two sexes
perceive their own looks, what factors cause
this difference, as well as how much care they
pay to the details of appearance.
2. List more examples from the text to support your ideas.
Tips
For example:
The specific
points of
Supporting view 1:
contrast
Men do not think of their looks in the same
way as women do. (Paras. 3-5)
Men stick to an opinion and like to think of
themselves as average-looking. (Paras. 3-4)
Women tend to think their appearance is “not
good enough”. (Para. 5)
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
Unit Project
Discovering your own beauty
A profile article
Discovering
your own beauty
A profile article
1 Read the following questions and think
about your answers:
• Which part of your physical appearance(e.g. a certain
part of your body, or a posture) do you consider the
best-looking in you and why do you think so?
• What personality traits of yours(e.g. honesty, or
generosity) do you consider as the most important
part of your “inner beauty”?
• Is there anything you would like to do to make
yourself even more beautiful, either physically or
spiritually? And if yes, what would it be?
2 Write down your key points on a piece of paper.
A profile article
3 Work in groups of four or five, and talk about
each other’s beauty. Use the following table
to take notes during the discussion.
Group
members
Physical
beauty
Inner
beauty
Thing to
change / do
A profile article
4 Vote to choose one member as the
most beautiful person in your group.
5 The student who is chosen as the
most beautiful person will represent
your group to give a presentation on his
or her beauty.
Section
B
Making the choice to be truly beautiful
The End