Unit 3 Life in E-era
1. Teaching Objectives
1) To know the meaning and usage of some important words, phrases and patterns 2) To to be familiar with the writing skills of the text and make use of it in writing
Writing skills: A paragraph of denial of some opinions followed by some other opinions. 3) To improve Ss reading skills by studying Section B and passages in the Extensive Reading. Reading skills: Recognizing differences between facts and opinions. 4) To stimulate Ss to think about the difficulties in interracial marriage. 5) To read extensively outside class.
2. Time Allotment
Section A (3 periods):
1st---2nd periods: Pre-reading activities ( theme-related questions for warming up;)
While-reading activities (cultural notes; useful words and expressions;
difficult sentences)
rd
3period: While-reading activities (text structure; main ideas)
Post-reading activities (comprehension questions; exercises) 4th period: Practice of the reading skill (recognizing differences between facts and opinions);
T checks on Ss? home reading by asking questions based on the passage. T explains some difficult sentences
Section B (1 period):
I. Section A: Marriage across Nations
Teaching Procedures
1. Pre-reading Activities
1) Introduction: Life in E-era 2) Questions for discussion:
How do you communicate with your parents when you are away from home? (Cues: Internet, chat online)
The web has provided us with devices that make it easy to stay in touch. Since my college is far away from home, it?s hard for me to go back home frequently. Thus, the Internet provides me with great convenience to communicate with my parents. I can chat online with them and tell them what?s happening at school. I can even make video phone calls through the Internet. It saves us much money because making long-distance phone calls will cost much while chatting online is free. Is the Internet cutting into family time?
(Cues: less time together, online communication)
These days, most children and teens use the Internet during their spare time. Due to the large amount of time kids spend on the Internet, it seems that family time is cut down and family communication is influenced to some extent. As children and teens spend long time online and they lack self-control, they tend to be addicted to the Internet. And as children always stay online, the family members spend less time together, thus face-to-face family communication is ignored. However, the Internet provides us with convenience and enables us to be connected to our family members or friends anywhere anytime. It has made it easy for family members who are separated from each other to stay in touch, which will strengthen their closeness. So the Internet can be a double-edged sword. It is determined by your use or misuse of it.
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2. Related Information of the Text
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls and chats over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant messaging and video conferencing.
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages when they update their profiles. Additionally, users may join common interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics.
Kinect is a “controller-free gaming and entertainment experience” by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project is one of seven projects that make up the Pew Research Center. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. The Project produces reports exploring the impact of the Internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.
Ss are required to look at the words and phrases on the screen and give a brief presentation in class.
1. compromise: an agreement made between two people or groups in which each side gives up some of the things they want so that both sides are happy at the end. 妥协，折中，互让，和解 After long talks the two sides finally reached a compromise. 双方经过长期的商谈终于达成了妥协。
In any relationship, you have to make compromises. 在任何关系中，人们都得做出让步。
compromise (v): give up some of your demands after a dispute with sb, in order to reach an agreement. （为达成协议而）妥协，折中，让步 compromise (with sb) (on sth)
They were unwilling to compromise with the military. 他们不愿与军方妥协。 We finally compromised on a price. 我们最终达成妥协，商定了一个价格。
2. illusion: a false idea, belief or impression 幻觉，错觉
I have no illusion about his honesty. 我对他的诚实不抱幻想。
She?s under the illusion that she?ll get the job. 她存有幻想，认为会得到那份工作。
3. compatible: (of people, ideas, differences, etc.) suitable; able to exist together; (of equipment) able to be used together 合得来的，情投意合的；兼容的，配套的
incompatible: not able to live or work with sb or sth 合不来的；不兼容的
I have never seen two people who were more compatible. 我从未见过两个人能如此般配。 I would like to buy a printer that is compatible with my computer. 我想买台能和我的计算机兼容的打印机。 Water is incompatible with fire. 水火不相容。
4. overlook: fail to see or notice 没注意到，忽略
You have overlooked several mistakes in his work. 你忽略了这项工作中的几个错误。 The secretary is very careful and never overlooks any little points. 秘书很细心，从不放过任何细小问题。
5. congratulation: (～s) words that show pleasure about one?s good fortune or success （用以向人祝贺）祝贺，恭喜，道喜
Congratulations on your exam results! 祝贺你考出了好成绩！
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Congratulations on your marriage! 恭喜你们喜结良缘！
offer one?s congratulations on her success 对她的成功表示祝贺
6. counsel: give advice to sb 建议，劝告，忠告；为（某人）提供帮助（或专业咨询） He counseled us to give up the plan. 他建议我们放弃此项计划。
Most experts counsel caution in such cases. 大多数专家建议在这样的情况下要谨慎从事。 She counseled a lot of couples on their marriage problems. 她为许多夫妇就婚姻问题提供咨询服务。
7. reservation: a feeling of doubt about a plan or an idea 保留意见，疑惑 I have some reservations about his story. 我不大相信他说的话。 The shopkeeper had a few reservations about hiring a former convict. 店主对聘用刑满释放人员有些疑虑。
I have serious reservations about his ability to do the job. 我非常怀疑他有没有能力胜任这项工作。
They support the measures without reservation (= completely). 他们毫无保留地支持这些措施。
8. at one?s worst: showing the most unpleasant side of sb 最差的时候，最糟糕的时候 He is at his worst today. 他今天状态很差。
If this is him at his best, I?m curious to see him at his worst.
如果这是他最好的一面，我很好奇他最差的一面会是什么样的。
9. suspect: think that sth is probably true or likely to happen, esp sth bad, but without having definite proof 疑有，觉得（尤指坏事可能属实或发生）
He seems poor, but I suspect that he has quite a lot of money. 他看上去很穷，可是我怀疑他很有钱。
We suspect they?ll be a little late. 我们猜想他们会晚来一会儿。
I began to suspect that they were trying to get rid of me. 我开始觉察出，他们试图摆脱掉我。 If you suspect a gas leak, do not strike a match or even turn on an electric light. 假如你怀疑有煤气泄漏，不要划火柴，甚至连电灯都不要开。
10. cancel: say that sth already planned will not happen 取消，撤销 The foreign minister yesterday canceled his visit to Washington. 外长昨天取消了他对华盛顿的访问。
All flights have been canceled because of bad weather. 因天气恶劣，所有航班均被取消。 Is it too late to cancel my order? 我现在取消订单是不是太晚了？
2) Language Points:
1. Shove: v. to put sth. somewhere roughly or carelessly
E.g. He came over and shoved a piece of paper into my hand.
他走过来往我手里塞了一张纸条。 2. …, society is collapsing around us.
Collapse v. 1. to fail suddenly or completely
2. to fall down or fall in suddenly, often after breaking apart E.g.:Talks between management and unions have collapsed.
资方与工会的谈判已告破裂。
The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。
3. Weaken v. 1. to make sb./sth. less strong or powerful; to become less strong or powerful
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2. to become or make sb. become less determined or certain about sth.
E.g. His authority is steadily weakening.
他的权威日趋减弱。
Nothing could weaken his resolve to continue. 什么也不能削弱他继续下去的决心。
4. Researchers who?ve been studying the family from the days before the web had already described how family life was weakening because of the rise of individualism. Paraphrase:
Researchers who?ve been studying the family from the days before the Internet noted that family members had fewer meals and other family activities together because of the rise of individualism, which stresses independence and self-reliance, while opposing most external interference whether from society, family or any group or institution.
5. divorce:n. the legal ending of a marriage
v. to end one?s marriage to sb. legally E.g. The marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
这桩婚姻在1996年以离婚而告终。
6. blamev. to think or say that sb./sth. is responsible for sth. bad
n. responsibility for doing sth. badly or wrongly; saying that sb. is responsible for sth.
E.g. A dropped cigarette is being blamed for the fire.
一根乱扔的烟被指为引起这场火灾的罪魁祸首。
Why do I always get the blame for everything that goes wrong? 为什么出了事总是让我背黑锅？
7. protest v. to say or do sth. to show that you disagree with or disapprove of sth., especially publicly
n. the expression of strong disagreement with or opposition to sth.; a statement or an action that shows this E.g. It?s no use protesting, I won?t change my mind.
抗议是没有用的，我决不改变主意。 The announcement raised a storm of protest. 这个声明引起了一场抗议风潮。
8. Now that we?re so scared of one another in real-life that we won?t pop next door for a cup of sugar in case the man has a gun, the web is our way out of our cages.
in case: as a way of being safe from sth. that might happen or might be true E.g. Be quiet in case you wake the baby.
轻点儿，别吵醒婴儿。
In case she comes back, let me know immediately. 假使她回来了，立刻告诉我。
9. Now that we?re so scared of one another in real-life that we won?t pop next door for a cup of sugar in case the man has a gun, the web is our way out of our cages. Paraphrase:
We don?t feel safe in real life, but in our inner heart we still have the need to communicate with people. So many of us turn to the Internet where we can hide our identity and feel the sense of security.
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10.if anything: used to express an opinion about sth., or after a negative statement to suggest that the opposite is true
E.g. She?s not thin — if anything, she?s on the plump side.
她并不瘦，其实她还有点胖呢。
11. We live in an increasingly transient world, where the need to make a living has given rise to mass migration to urban centres in every country. Paraphrase:
We live in an increasingly changing world. In this world, people need to make a living to support their families, thus it is common to see in every country the move of population from less developed areas to developed ones, such as the urban centers.
12.enablev. to make it possible for sth. to happen or exist by creating the necessary conditions
E.g. Insulin enables the body to use and store sugar.
胰岛素使人体能够利用和贮存糖分。
The software enables you to access the Internet in seconds. 这种软件使你在几秒钟内便可访问互联网。
1. … we had experienced the usual ups and downs of a couple learning to know, understand, and respect each other. (Para. 1)
Meaning: … like any other couples who were learning to know, understand, and respect each other, we had had both happy and unhappy times.
ups and downs: the mixture of good and bad experiences 盛衰，沉浮 Every business has its ups and downs. 每一种生意均有其荣枯兴衰。 Life is full of ups and downs. 人生充满了欢乐与痛苦。
He has seen the ups and downs in the relations between the two countries. 他目睹了两国关系的起起落落。
2. But through it all we had honestly confronted the weakness and strengths of each other?s characters. (Para. 1)
Meaning: But in experiencing all the ups and downs we had honestly faced and tried to deal with the weak points and strong points of each other?s characters.
3. Gail sometimes wondered why I and other blacks were so involved with the racial issue … (Para. 2) Meaning: Gail sometimes did not understand why I and other blacks gave so much time, energy and attention to the racial issues …
Here “involved” means taking part in sth or giving a lot of time, energy or attention to sth.
4. … she seemed to forget the subtler forms of racial hatred in American society. (Para. 2) Meaning: … she seemed to forget the forms of American racial hatred that are not so obvious. subtle: not easy to notice or understand 微妙的，细微的
There are subtle differences in meaning between these two words. 这两个词的词义有细微差别。 Prejudice can take subtler forms than this. 偏见可能表现得比这更隐晦。
5. … they overlooked serious personality conflicts in the expectation that marriage was an automatic way to make everything work out right. (Para. 4)
Meaning: … they ignored serious personality conflicts. They hoped that everything would go right automatically when they lived their married life.
work out: develop in a certain way; turn out 产生结果，（成功地）发展
Things will work out well if you will just be patient. 如果你耐心点儿，事情会有圆满的结果。 Things have worked out quite well for us. 事情的结果对我们很不错。 How the situation will eventually work out only time can tell. 情况最后将会是怎样，只有以后才知道。
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