Unit Six Travel around the world Learning Objectives 1. Listen and talk about travel 2. Read about what can be learnt from travell 3. Write an introduction to your home town 4. Practice reading skills: pragmatic meaning 5. Practice translating skills: synthesis 6. Learn and practice paragraph development by comparison and contrast 7. Learn to write a trip itinerary Passage a The Woman Taxi Driver in Cairo L. Pre-reading Tasks A Introductory Questions 1. What attracts you most when you visit a new place? 2. Do you think, consciously or unconsciously, that some cultures are superior or inferior to others? why 3. Can we understand a culture through the channels other than learning it in person? State your reasons in either case B Introductory Remarks Arriving alone in a new city late at night can be a difficult experience and even more so if it is in a foreign country with a strange culture. Here the writer, herself a woman, remembers her luck in meeting Nagat, one of the few woman taxi drivers in Cairo. During her stay in the city Nagat became her driver and guide, taking her to visit many of the impressive sights, such as mosques, museums and the pyramids. Along the way the writer was deeply impressed by Nagats friendliness, determination, effectiveness and independence Cairo, capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa, stands on the east coast of the Nile river Tourism is very important to the city I. While-reading activities A. Language points 1. for that matter: a phrase used to show that a statement is true in another situation or can also eg. 1)I'm going to quit smoking, and so should you for that matter 2) You oughtn't to have spoken like that to Bernards friends, or to any body for that matter 2. counterpart: I a person or thing which has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization eg. 1)The Prime Minister is to meet his European counterparts to discuss the war against
1 Unit Six Travel Around the World Learning Objectives 1. Listen and talk about travel 2. Read about what can be learnt from traveling 3. Write an introduction to your home town 4. Practice reading skills: pragmatic meaning 5. Practice translating skills: synthesis 6. Learn and practice paragraph development by comparison and contrast 7. Learn to write a trip itinerary Passage A The Woman Taxi Driver in Cairo I. Pre-reading Tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. What attracts you most when you visit a new place? 2. Do you think, consciously or unconsciously, that some cultures are superior or inferior to others? Why? 3. Can we understand a culture through the channels other than learning it in person? State your reasons in either case. B. Introductory Remarks Arriving alone in a new city late at night can be a difficult experience and even more so if it is in a foreign country with a strange culture. Here the writer, herself a woman, remembers her luck in meeting Nagat, one of the few woman taxi drivers in Cairo. During her stay in the city, Nagat became her driver and guide, taking her to visit many of the impressive sights, such as mosques, museums and the pyramids. Along the way the writer was deeply impressed by Nagat’s friendliness, determination, effectiveness and independence. Cairo, capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa, stands on the east coast of the Nile River. Tourism is very important to the city. II. While-reading Activities A. Language Points 1. for that matter: a phrase used to show that a statement is true in another situation or can also refer to another person eg. 1) I’m going to quit smoking, and so should you for that matter. 2) You oughtn’t to have spoken like that to Bernard’s friends, or to anybody for that matter. 2. counterpart: n. a person or thing which has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization eg. 1) The Prime Minister is to meet his European counterparts to discuss the war against
a lot of work should be done before the chairman holds talks with his 3. mill about/around: to move about in a disorderly or confused way eg. Crazy ideas milled around in his mind mill n. a machine to crush corn, grain, etc in to flour eg. The mills of God grind slowly 4. relief: n. a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended eg. 1 )She breathed a sigh of relief when she found out she had passed her exams 2)It was such a relief to hear that glen survived the acciden 5. relieve: v. to make something unpleasant less strong eg. The good news relieved my anxiety 6. nook(s)and cranny(ies): small spaces, sub-divisions in a location, building, etc eg. 1) The children searched every nook and cranny, that might harbor a frog 2)Every nook and cranny of this peaceful house held sweet memories of Rebecca 7. core: n. the central part of something eg. 1)The earth's core is a hot, molten mix of iron and nickel 2)The basic lack of government funding is the core of the probler core: v. to remove the core from eg. Peel and core the pears before serving them 8. punctually: ad. in a punctual manner eg. The meeting started punctually at 10.00 a.m punctual: a. arriving, doing something or happening at the expected, correct time g 1)The meeting was punctual but the attendants were not 2)Our manager is known as a very punctual person punctuality: n being punctual eg. The professor does expect punctuality from his student 9. economy: n. the intentional saving of money; or the saving of time, energy, words, etc eg 1)The new machines can work with more speed and economy 2)Hemingway is known for his economy of words 10. efficient: a. working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way eg. 1)The citys transport system is one of the most efficient in Europe 2)We need an efficient secretary who can organize the office and make it run I1 approach 1> to deal with(something) eg. The total amount raised so far is approaching $Img em eg. We need to find the best way of this pi 2> to come near(er) approach: n. the act of getting nearer; a way or method of doing something eg. The approach of Christmas has brought about a shopping boom 12. soften: V. to(cause to) become soft, gentle, less stiff, or less severe eg. You can soften the butter by warming it gently softener: n. a substance used to make something soft 2
2 drugs. 2) A lot of work should be done before the chairman holds talks with his counterpart. 3. mill about/around: to move about in a disorderly or confused way eg. Crazy ideas milled around in his mind. mill n. a machine to crush corn, grain, etc. in to flour. eg.The mills of God grind slowly. 4. relief: n. a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended eg. 1)She breathed a sigh of relief when she found out she had passed her exams. 2) It was such a relief to hear that Glen survived the accident. 5. relieve: v. to make something unpleasant less strong eg. The good news relieved my anxiety. 6. nook(s) and cranny(ies): small spaces, sub-divisions in a location, building, etc. eg. 1) The children searched every nook and cranny that might harbor a frog. 2) Every nook and cranny of this peaceful house held sweet memories of Rebecca. 7. core: n. the central part of something eg. 1) The earth’s core is a hot, molten mix of iron and nickel. 2) The basic lack of government funding is the core of the problem. core: v. to remove the core from eg. Peel and core the pears before serving them. 8. punctually: ad. in a punctual manner eg. The meeting started punctually at 10.00 a.m. punctual: a. arriving, doing something or happening at the expected, correct time eg. 1) The meeting was punctual but the attendants were not. 2) Our manager is known as a very punctual person. punctuality: n .being punctual eg. The professor does expect punctuality from his students. 9. economy: n. the intentional saving of money; or the saving of time, energy, words, etc. eg. 1) The new machines can work with more speed and economy. 2) Hemingway is known for his economy of words. 10. efficient: a. working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way eg. 1) The city’s transport system is one of the most efficient in Europe. 2) We need an efficient secretary who can organize the office and make it run smoothly. 11. approach: v. 1> to deal with (something) eg. We need to find the best way of approaching this problem. 2> to come near(er) eg. The total amount raised so far is approaching $1000. approach: n. the act of getting nearer; a way or method of doing something eg. The approach of Christmas has brought about a shopping boom. 12. soften: v. to (cause to) become soft, gentle, less stiff, or less severe eg. You can soften the butter by warming it gently. softener: n. a substance used to make something soft
eg. Put a spoonful of fabric softener into the washing machine before you rinse the softness. n eg. Our fabrics are carefully selected for their softness, to ensure they wont imitate a 13. spare: a not being used, or extra to what is usually needed eg. 1)He didnt have a spare tire when he had a flat yesterday. 2) Fortunately she had a spare key hidden over the door to let her in 14. deliberate: a 1>(often of something bad) intentional or planned eg. The car crash wasnt an accident; it was a deliberate attempt to kill th 2> slowly and usually carefully qo. eg. From her slow, deliberate speech I guessed she must be drunk iberately: ad. in an intentional way eg. I'm sure he says these things deliberately to annoy me deliberation: in an intentional way eg. Slowly and with deliberation she turned to Jack and told him to get out B Sentence Explanation 1. It has seen a better day, .(para. 4) It is no longer in goo 2. Her determined approach seems to have grown on a bed of economy, on the necessity to get as much done as she possibly can.(para. 7) Her determined manner seems to have resulted from economic needs and the necessity to accomplish as much as possible 3. I get the sense that she invites good will from the people she meets. (para. 8) I realize that she makes a friendly relation with the people she meets IIL After-reading tasks: 1. Do some exercises after the text 2. Dictation 3. Practice making sentences with the important words or expressions Passageb A Russian Experience L. Pre-reading tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. People travel for various reasons. Please choose some and explai 2. What is your favorite way of traveling and why?
3 eg. Put a spoonful of fabric softener into the washing machine before you rinse the clothes. softness: n. being soft eg. Our fabrics are carefully selected for their softness, to ensure they won’t irritate a baby’s skin. 13. spare: a. not being used, or extra to what is usually needed eg. 1) He didn’t have a spare tire when he had a flat yesterday. 2) Fortunately she had a spare key hidden over the door to let her in. 14. deliberate: a. 1> (often of something bad) intentional or planned eg. The car crash wasn’t an accident; it was a deliberate attempt to kill the witness. 2> slowly and usually carefully eg. From her slow, deliberate speech I guessed she must be drunk. deliberately: ad. in an intentional way eg. I’m sure he says these things deliberately to annoy me. deliberation: n. in an intentional way eg. Slowly and with deliberation she turned to Jack and told him to get out. B. Sentence Explanation 1. It has seen a better day, … (para.4) It is no longer in good condition, … 2. Her determined approach seems to have grown on a bed of economy, on the necessity to get as much done as she possibly can. (para.7) Her determined manner seems to have resulted from economic needs and the necessity to accomplish as much as possible. 3. I get the sense that she invites goodwill from the people she meets. (para.8) I realize that she makes a friendly relation with the people she meets. III. After-reading Tasks: 1. Do some exercises after the text. 2. Dictation. 3. Practice making sentences with the important words or expressions. Passage B A Russian Experience I. Pre-reading Tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. People travel for various reasons. Please choose some and explain. 2. What is your favorite way of traveling and why?
B Introductory Remarks The writer recalled a trip with her husband to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. She gave an account of the city, which combined practical design with great beauty. She remembered one particular evening when they were invited to the home of a Russian artist, Yuri Petrochenkov hose apartment was in a building which had once been a palace. Although the writer was fascinated by Russia, its art, literature and people, she had never learned to speak the language and felt rather ashamed for that, but fortunately their host spoke English. They were served the famous Russian vodka, made many toasts and soon her husband and Yuri became great friends. Later walking back to their hotel along the Nevsky Prospect in the soft light of a long summer evening, the couple agreed that the visit had been the best part of their holiday I. While-reading Activities A. Language points l. give way to: to yield to collapse, break; to become loosened eg. 1)Traditional farming is giving way to modern methods 2)Dont give way to 2. stretch: v eg. The market stretches all the way along the street 2> to( cause to)become longer or wider s when you p 3. absorb: v 1> to make someone greatly interested in eg. I was completely absorbed by this novel 2> to take or suck(something)in, esp. gradually eg. Have you absorbed all the details of our plan? 3> to reduce the effect of a shock force. change. etc eg. The barrier absorbed the impact of the crash 4. thanks to: on account of owning to because of eg. 1) Thanks to the advanced technologies, we can easily communicate with anyone in the world now 2) The baby is getting better thanks to the careful treatment 5. shelter: v. to protect from harm eg. 1)Local people risked their own lives to shelter Jews from the German army 2)We were caught in a thunderstorm, and could find nowhere to shelter from the rain shelter: n. protection from bad weather, danger or attack eg. The basement served as an air-raid shelter for the neighborhood 6. fierce: a. stro eg. I)The prices of electronic products have come down sharply because of fierce 2) Fierce winds prevented the race from taking place on schedule 7. beloved: a. dearly loved eg. 1) She was forced to leave her beloved Paris and return to Lyon
4 B. Introductory Remarks The writer recalled a trip with her husband to the Russian city of St. Petersburg. She gave an account of the city, which combined practical design with great beauty. She remembered one particular evening when they were invited to the home of a Russian artist, Yuri Petrochenkov, whose apartment was in a building which had once been a palace. Although the writer was fascinated by Russia, its art, literature and people, she had never learned to speak the language and felt rather ashamed for that, but fortunately their host spoke English. They were served the famous Russian vodka, made many toasts and soon her husband and Yuri became great friends. Later on, walking back to their hotel along the Nevsky Prospect in the soft light of a long summer evening, the couple agreed that the visit had been the best part of their holiday. II. While-reading Activities A. Language Points 1. give way to: to yield; to collapse, break; to become loosened eg. 1) Traditional farming is giving way to modern methods. 2) Don’t give way to your fears. 2. stretch: v. 1> to spread over a large area or distance eg. The market stretches all the way along the street. 2> to (cause to) become longer or wider eg. Rubber stretches when you pull it. 3. absorb: v. 1> to make someone greatly interested in eg. I was completely absorbed by this novel. 2> to take or suck (something) in, esp. gradually eg. Have you absorbed all the details of our plan? 3> to reduce the effect of a shock, force, change, etc. eg. The barrier absorbed the impact of the crash. 4. thanks to: on account of; owning to, because of eg. 1) Thanks to the advanced technologies, we can easily communicate with anyone in the world now. 2) The baby is getting better thanks to the careful treatment. 5. shelter: v. to protect from harm eg. 1) Local people risked their own lives to shelter Jews from the German army. 2) We were caught in a thunderstorm, and could find nowhere to shelter from the rain. shelter: n. protection from bad weather, danger or attack eg. The basement served as an air-raid shelter for the neighborhood. 6. fierce: a. strong and powerful, violent eg. 1)The prices of electronic products have come down sharply because of fierce competition. 2) Fierce winds prevented the race from taking place on schedule. 7. beloved: a. dearly loved eg. 1) She was forced to leave her beloved Paris and return to Lyon
2) Eric was a gifted and beloved teacher over the years 8. positi 1> hopeful and confident, or giving cause for hope and confidence eg Life doesn t always run smoothly but you ve got to be positive and make the best of it without any doubt; certain eg. It is suspected that he committed the crime, but there isn't any positive 9. twinkle: v.(of light or a shiny surface)to shine repeatedly strongly then weakly, as if flashing on and off very quickly eg. 1)The stars twinkled in the clear sky 2)Womens eyes are easily caught by the twinkling of diamonds. 10. accent: n. the way in which people in a particular area, country, social class, etc pronounce woras eg. Her strong French accent appeals to many of the movie-watchers accented: a. with an accent eg. The Indian foreign minister spoke in heavily accented English 11. entertain: V. to keep(esp. a group of people)interested or amused eg. 1)We hired a magician to entertain the children at the party 2)The childrens Tv program aims to both educate and entertain entertainer: n. someone who entertains professionally eg. Although he is a popular entertainer in his shows, his personal life is a sad story entertaining: a. amusing and interesting eg. His books arent particularly well-written, but theyre always entertaining entertainment: n. the act to entertain eg. There's not much in the way of entertainment in this town just the cinema and a couple of pubs 12. intimacy: n. a close personal relationshi eg. Intimacy between males and females in the company is not encourage intimate: a. having, or being likely to cause, a very close friendship or Ionship eg. The restaurant has a very intimate atmosphere and is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner intimate: n. a close friend eg. The intimates of the president hint that he may resign from office because of his poor health 13. take for granted: 1> to believe without even thinking about it 2> to accept a fact, action, etc. without question or appreciatio Vt for granted eg. I didn t realize that Melanie hadn't been to college -I just took eg. Many young people take central heating for granted because theyve never lived without 14. enroll: v. to accept as or cause to be a member eg. 1)She has just enrolled in the golf club 2)The college will enroll international students for the first time this September 15 in fine/great/good form: doing something well
5 2) Eric was a gifted and beloved teacher over the years. 8. positive: a. 1> hopeful and confident, or giving cause for hope and confidence eg. Life doesn’t always run smoothly but you’ve got to be positive and make the best of it. 2> without any doubt; certain eg. It is suspected that he committed the crime, but there isn’t any positive proof. 9. twinkle: v. (of light or a shiny surface) to shine repeatedly strongly then weakly, as if flashing on and off very quickly eg. 1) The stars twinkled in the clear sky. 2) Women’s eyes are easily caught by the twinkling of diamonds. 10. accent: n. the way in which people in a particular area, country, social class, etc. pronounce words eg. Her strong French accent appeals to many of the movie-watchers. accented: a. with an accent eg. The Indian foreign minister spoke in heavily accented English. 11. entertain: v. to keep (esp. a group of people) interested or amused eg. 1) We hired a magician to entertain the children at the party. 2) The children’s TV program aims to both educate and entertain. entertainer: n. someone who entertains professionally eg. Although he is a popular entertainer in his shows, his personal life is a sad story. entertaining: a. amusing and interesting eg. His books aren’t particularly well-written, but they’re always entertaining. entertainment: n. the act to entertain eg. There’s not much in the way of entertainment in this town ― just the cinema and a couple of pubs. 12. intimacy: n. a close personal relationship eg. Intimacy between males and females in the company is not encouraged. intimate: a. having, or being likely to cause, a very close friendship or personal relationship eg. The restaurant has a very intimate atmosphere and is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. intimate: n. a close friend eg. The intimates of the president hint that he may resign from office because of his poor health. 13. take for granted: 1> to believe without even thinking about it eg. I didn’t realize that Melanie hadn’t been to college ―I just took it for granted. 2> to accept a fact, action, etc. without question or appreciation eg. Many young people take central heating for granted because they’ve never lived without it. 14. enroll: v. to accept as or cause to be a member eg. 1)She has just enrolled in the golf club. 2)The college will enroll international students for the first time this September. 15. in fine/great/good form: doing something well
eg. 1)Paul was in good form at the wedding and kept everyone entertai 2)Keep d form or you will lose the B Sentence Explanation 1. Our meal was a feast in itself. (para. 8) Our meal was a delicious and splendid one, much better than what we had expecte 2. This is what travel is all about to get to the heart and soul of the people and to try to understand and experience a little of what makes others tick.(para. 9) This is the sole purpose of travel -to get to know how local people feel and think, and to understand and experience a little about their way of life IIL After-reading tasks I. Do some exercises after the text 2. Dictation
6 eg. 1)Paul was in good form at the wedding and kept everyone entertained. 2)Keep in good form or you will lose the opportunity. B. Sentence Explanation 1. Our meal was a feast in itself. (para.8) Our meal was a delicious and splendid one, much better than what we had expected. 2. This is what travel is all about — to get to the heart and soul of the people and to try to understand and experience a little of what makes others tick. (para.9) This is the sole purpose of travel — to get to know how local people feel and think, and to understand and experience a little about their way of life. III. After-reading Tasks 1. Do some exercises after the text. 2. Dictation
