Unit9 Quick Fix society 教学目的1.了解文中提到的 Pennsylvania Dutch town的独特风格 2.学习文中当代的一些表达方式和缩略语 3.学习说明性文体中显著的写作特征 4!.通过课文理解与主题辩论使学生了解现代社会的快节奏给人们 生活带来的利与弊。 教学内容1. Pennsylvania Dutch town的特色及其它相关知识 2.课文的理解与分析 3.表达方式的学习与强化 4.说明文的写作技巧 教学重点 课文的理解与分析 2.文中大量表达方式的学习与强化 3.说明文的写作技巧 教学方法讲授,问答,辩论,练习 Unit9 Quick Fix society Background information Fast roads in america Highways. co Interstate highways: connect cities in different states ys: roads within a city fast roads in or near cities Turnpike: pay money before you use it Ⅴ oca bulary I.e.g. He advocates build ing more schools Big cities have many amusements nique Before the meeting, the general secretary gave the representatives a briefing cabinet(n.)壁橱 cabinet can also mean a group of the most important government ministers, responsible for ad vising and deciding on government policy (内阁) e. g. the shadow Cabinet the most important members of the opposition party) a long story may be condensed into a few sentences the Confederate army <> the Federal army The department deferred the decision for six months 2. defer to: (formal) to agree(to accept because of respect 遵从;顺从 We'll defer to whatever the committee decides. d iet coke 3 digest:(w) to assimilate; to absorb消化;吸收 Humans cant digest plants such as grass
1 Unit9 Quick Fix society 教学目的 1.了解文中提到的 Pennsylvania Dutch town 的独特风格 2. 学习文中当代的一些表达方式和缩略语 3. 学习说明性文体中显著的写作特征 4. 通过课文理解与主题辩论使学生了解现代社会的快节奏给人们 生活带来的利与弊。 教学内容 1. Pennsylvania Dutch town 的特色及其它相关知识 2. 课文的理解与分析 3. 表达方式的学习与强化 4. 说明文的写作技巧 教学重点 1. 课文的理解与分析 2. 文中大量表达方式的学习与强化 3. 说明文的写作技巧 教学方法 讲授，问答，辩论，练习 Unit9 Quick Fix society Background information Fast roads in America •Highways: connect cities •Superhighways: a road with six or more lanes •Interstate highways: connect cities in different states •Freeways: roads within a city •Expressways: fast roads in or near cities •Turnpike: pay money before you use it. Vocabulary: 1.e.g. He advocates building more schools. Big cities have many amusements. antique car Before the meeting, the general secretary gave the representatives a briefing. cabinet (n.) 壁橱 cabinet can also mean a group of the most important government ministers, responsible for advising and deciding on government policy (内阁) e.g. the shadow Cabinet (the most important members of the opposition party) A long story may be condensed into a few sentences. the Confederate army → the Federal army The department deferred the decision for six months. 2.defer to: (formal) to agree (to accept) because of respect 遵从; 顺从 We’ll defer to whatever the committee decides. diet coke 3.digest: (v.) to assimilate; to absorb 消化; 吸收 Humans can’t digest plants such as grass
To digest what we have learnt in time is very important 4. go Dutch: to pay ones own expenses (the) Netherlands 4. a gorgeous girl; gorgeous view; gorgeous weather 5. I tried to tell her but she ignored me 6. One of the boys had a fever and he soon infected his classmates 7 pastor: a priest pastoral poetry田园诗 8. refresh ones memory: refresh a drink 9. slid past the door without being noticed Symbols of the USA: There are many symbols that represent the United States of America. Some of the most popular ones are the Stars and Stripes(the US flag), the bald eagle(the national bird), the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of liberty(a gift from France), Yankee Doodle, Uncle Sam(a cartoon figure designed by Thomas Nast),etc 0. quick fix n. (slang) a hastily contrived remedy that alleviates a problem only for the time being权宜之计:一个匆匆想出的、能暂时缓和问题的对策 Structure. Introduction(para. 1-3) The writer compares her ride on fast roads and her return trip of a country road The contrast mad her thinking whether there was sth wrong with American' quick fix lifestyle Body(para. 4-6 Now instead of later Faster instead of slower Superficially instead of thoroughly Conclusion(para. 7-8) Let's slow down and enjoy what nature offers us and what mankind has left us and red iscover life Fast roads in the u.s Highways: connect cities Superhighways: a road with six or more lanes Interstate highways: connect cities in different states Freeways: roads within a city Expressways: fast roads in or near cities Turnpike: pay money before yo ou use It 11.contract, condense, compress To contract is to draw together, especially by an internal force, with a resultant reduction in size, extent, or volume:通过收紧使…尺寸缩小;收缩 Condense refers to a reduction in volume and an increase in compactness: si 凝缩;缩短,摘要 2
2 To digest what we have learnt in time is very important. 4.go Dutch: to pay one's own expenses (the) Netherlands 4.a gorgeous girl; gorgeous view; gorgeous weather 5.I tried to tell her but she ignored me. 6.One of the boys had a fever and he soon infected his classmates. 7.pastor: a priest pastoral poetry 田园诗 8.refresh one's memory; refresh a drink 9.slid past the door without being noticed Symbols of the USA: There are many symbols that represent the United States of America. Some of the most popular ones are the Stars and Stripes (the US flag), the bald eagle (the national bird), the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty (a gift from France), Yankee Doodle, Uncle Sam (a cartoon figure designed by Thomas Nast), etc. 10.quick fix n. (slang) a hastily contrived remedy that alleviates a problem only for the time being 权宜之计:一个匆匆想出的、能暂时缓和问题的对策 Structure: Introduction (para.1-3) The writer compares her ride on fast roads and her return trip of a country road. The contrast mad her thinking whether there was sth. wrong with American’ quick fix lifestyle Body (para.4-6) Now instead of later Faster instead of slower Superficially instead of thoroughly Conclusion (para.7-8) Let’s slow down and enjoy what nature offers us and what mankind has left us and rediscover life. Fast roads in the U.S. Highways: connect cities Superhighways: a road with six or more lanes Interstate highways: connect cities in different states Freeways: roads within a city Expressways: fast roads in or near cities Turnpike: pay money before you use it. 11.contract, condense, compress To contract is to draw together, especially by an internal force, with a resultant reduction in size, extent, or volume: 通过收紧使…尺寸缩小；收缩 Condense refers to a reduction in volume and an increase in compactness: 浓缩， 凝缩；缩短，摘要
Compress applies to increased compactness brought about by pressing or squeezing; the term implies reduction in volume and change of form or shape 压缩(以便置于较小空间) The pupil(瞳孔) of the eye dilates(扩大) and contracts in response to light She sat on the lid of the suitcase to compress the clothes The chairman condensed all the suggestions put forward into a single plan of 12. slide, slip, glide Slide所表示的“滑动”含有这样几层意思:光滑的面接触,通常为加速运动。 用于比喻时,表示不自主地陷入某种习惯等 S所表示的“滑ˆ与 slide相比,接触面更滑,但不像 slide那样持续地滑动, 而是突然的或短暂的滑动,如滑倒 Glide可以像 slide那样持续地滑,但不一定像 slide那样以面接触进行滑动。 鸟在天空中翱翔,小船在水面荡漾,都可以用 glide表示,运动看似毫不费力 The ship slide down into the water a submarine glide silently through the water.一艘潜水艇无声地在水中滑行。 He slipped on a patch of ice and sprained his ankle.他在一块冰上滑了 跤,扭伤了脚踝。 Language points. 1. Of course, we couldn't wait to get there, so we took the Pennsylvania Turnpike and a couple of interstates (paral) Because we were eager to get there as soon as possible, we took the fast roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the interstates cant wait/ can hardly wait: used to indicate that sb. is very excited about sth.or keen to do sth e.g. When she received the letter of admission from Tsinghua University, she couldn't wait to tell her parents the good news 2. Look at those gorgeous farms! " my husband exclaimed as pastoral scenery slid by us at 55 mph. (paral) gorgeous: very beautiful exclaim: (written) to say sth suddenly and loudly, esp. out of emotion or slid by us moved past us quickly mph=miles per hour Look at those beautiful farms! my husband couldnt help shouting when the countryside scenery moved past us quickly at the speed of 55 miles per hour 3. rear-view mirror: a mirror in which a driver can see the traffic behind ear n usu. the rear: the back part of sth
3 Compress applies to increased compactness brought about by pressing or squeezing; the term implies reduction in volume and change of form or shape: 压缩（以便置于较小空间） The pupil（瞳孔）of the eye dilates（扩大） and contracts in response to light. She sat on the lid of the suitcase to compress the clothes. The chairman condensed all the suggestions put forward into a single plan of action. 12.slide, slip, glide Slide 所表示的“滑动”含有这样几层意思：光滑的面接触，通常为加速运动。 用于比喻时，表示不自主地陷入某种习惯等 Slip 所表示的“滑”与 slide 相比，接触面更滑，但不像 slide 那样持续地滑动， 而是突然的或短暂的滑动，如滑倒。 Glide 可以像 slide 那样持续地滑，但不一定像 slide 那样以面接触进行滑动。 鸟在天空中翱翔，小船在水面荡漾，都可以用 glide 表示, 运动看似毫不费力 The ship slide down into the water. A submarine glide silently through the water.一艘潜水艇无声地在水中滑行。 He slipped on a patch of ice and sprained his ankle. 他在一块冰上滑了一 跤，扭伤了脚踝。 Language Points: 1. Of course, we couldn’t wait to get there, so we took the Pennsylvania Turnpike and a couple of interstates. (para1) Because we were eager to get there as soon as possible, we took the fast roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the interstates. can’t wait/ can hardly wait: used to indicate that sb. is very excited about sth. or keen to do sth. e.g. When she received the letter of admission from Tsinghua University, she couldn’t wait to tell her parents the good news. 2. “Look at those gorgeous farms!” my husband exclaimed as pastoral scenery slid by us at 55 mph. (para1) gorgeous: very beautiful exclaim: (written) to say sth. suddenly and loudly, esp. out of emotion or pain slid by us: moved past us quickly mph=miles per hour “Look at those beautiful farms!” my husband couldn’t help shouting when the countryside scenery moved past us quickly at the speed of 55 miles per hour. 3. rear-view mirror: a mirror in which a driver can see the traffic behind rear n. usu. the rear: the back part of sth
d i at or near the back of sth e.g. the rear entrance or the build ing v. to raise, to bring up, to tend g. to rear a family 4. For four hours, our only real amusement consisted of counting exit signs and wondering what it would feel like to hold still again.(paral The 4-hour drive on fast roads was ted ious the only fun we had was to count the exit signs we were passing and to figure out how wed feel if we stopped again 5. Getting there certainly didn't seem like half the fun; in fact, getting there wasnt fun at all. (paral) We had expected that our ride to West Virginia would be fun, and that half of the fun we'd get from the trip would come from it. But we were wrong. It wasnt fun at all 6. The two days it took us to make the return trip were filled with new experiences sleepy: quiet; inactive slow vi to become slow or slower rowd: to cause to move together. here it means to cause the horses and horse carriages to move close together to make way forus This time instead of driving past towns at 55 mph, we would enter quiet Pennsylvania Dutch towns and drive slowly through the main streets, at 20 mph in order not to disturb the horses and horse cattiages on their way to market 9. We stuffed ourselves with spicy salads and homemade bread in an"all-you-can-eat'" farmhouse restaurant, and then wandered outside to enjoy the sunshine and the herds of cows-no little dots this time- lying in it. (para2) stuff. with. to fill with sth e.g. His wallet is always stuffed with coins We had a meal in a farmhouse restaurant where for a certain amount of money you could eat as much as you wanted, and we fed ourselves with lots of spicy salads and homemade bread. After the meal, we walked leisurely outdoors to admire the sunshine and watch the herds of cows-this time they did not seem like little dots-lying in the sunshine 10. And we returned home refreshed. revitalized. and reeducated. This time getting there had been the fun (para2) When we got home, we not only felt fresh and energetic, but also felt that we had experienced a new way of life and have learnt a lot. This time, the trip back home itself was not just half the fun, but the fun-the real pleasure we got out of our week
4 e.g. the rear of the truck. adj. at or near the back of sth. e.g. the rear entrance or the building v. to raise, to bring up, to tend e.g. to rear a family to rear sheep 4. For four hours, our only real amusement consisted of counting exit signs and wondering what it would feel like to hold still again. (para1) The 4-hour drive on fast roads was tedious; the only fun we had was to count the exit signs we were passing and to figure out how we’d feel if we stopped again. 5. Getting there certainly didn’t seem like half the fun; in fact, getting there wasn’t fun at all. (para1) We had expected that our ride to West Virginia would be fun, and that half of the fun we’d get from the trip would come from it. But we were wrong. It wasn’t fun at all. 6. The two days it took us to make the return trip were filled with new experiences. (para2) sleepy: quiet; inactive slow vi. to become slow or slower crowd: to cause to move together, here it means to cause the horses and horse carriages to move close together to make way for us This time instead of driving past towns at 55 mph, we would enter quiet Pennsylvania Dutch towns and drive slowly through the main streets, at 20 mph, in order not to disturb the horses and horse cattiages on their way to market. 9. We stuffed ourselves with spicy salads and homemade bread in an“all-you-can-eat” farmhouse restaurant, and then wandered outside to enjoy the sunshine and the herds of cows-no little dots this time-lying in it. (para2) stuff… with… to fill with sth. e.g. His wallet is always stuffed with coins. We had a meal in a farmhouse restaurant where for a certain amount of money you could eat as much as you wanted, and we fed ourselves with lots of spicy salads and homemade bread. After the meal, we walked leisurely outdoors to admire the sunshine and watch the herds of cows-this time they did not seem like little dots-lying in the sunshine. 10. And we returned home refreshed, revitalized, and reeducated. This time, getting there had been the fun. (para2) When we got home, we not only felt fresh and energetic, but also felt that we had experienced a new way of life and have learnt a lot. This time, the trip back home itself was not just half the fun, but the fun-the real pleasure we got out of our week
11. In fact, most Americans are constantly in a hurry-and not just to get from Point A to Point B. Our country has become a nation in search of the quick fix -in more ways than one. (para3 In fact, most Americans are always in a rush-not just to get place, but also in many other aspects of life In our country, people are looking for ways of getting things done quickly-in various aspects of life fix: (informal)solution to a problem, esp. an easy and temporary one e.g. Don't expect a quick fix for the financial crisis 12. Once upon a time, Americans understood the principle of deferred gratification. (para4) once upon a time: used esp at the beginning of stories to mean"a long time in the past. Here the writer uses the expression humorously and ironically, meaning actually not long ago Americans were not so anxious that everything should get done quickl deferred gratification: delayed satisfaction In the past, Americans were patient to have their desires satisfied We knew it took time for our dreams to come true 13. We put a little of each paycheck away for a rainy day".(para 4) put away: to put back; to save to spend later; to eat or drink large quantities of sth e.g. Put away all your books on the desk. The guest might come any time Please put all negative thoughts away The boy put away the d inner in just a few minutes for a rainy day: for a(future )time when money may be needed We saved a little money each time we got paid in case we might need it in the future 14. If we wanted a new sofa or a week at a lakeside cab in, we saved up for it. and the banks helped us out by providing special Christmas Club and Vacation Club accounts.(para) lakeside cabin: a small house of simple design and construction at the lakeside where people, esp. a family, go during holidays or at weekends save(up)(for) to keep and add to an amount of money for a particula urpose/later use help out: help: help sb. in a difficult situation e.g. Who is helping out in the garden this afternoon? I've often helped Bob out when he has been a bit short of money. If we wanted to buy some new furniture or spend a week at a lakeside house, we could open special accounts at the banks to save(money) for it
5 of holidays 11. In fact, most Americans are constantly in a hurry-and not just to get from Point A to Point B. Our country has become a nation in search of the quick fix- in more ways than one. (para3) In fact, most Americans are always in a rush-not just to get around from place to place, but also in many other aspects of life. In our country, people are looking for ways of getting things done quickly-in various aspects of life. fix: (informal) solution to a problem, esp. an easy and temporary one e.g. Don’t expect a quick fix for the financial crisis 12. Once upon a time, Americans understood the principle of deferred gratification. (para4) once upon a time: used esp. at the beginning of stories to mean “a long time in the past”. Here the writer uses the expression humorously and ironically, meaning “actually not long ago Americans were not so anxious that everything should get done quickly”. deferred gratification: delayed satisfaction In the past, Americans were patient to have their desires satisfied. We knew it took time for our dreams to come true. 13. We put a little of each paycheck away “for a rainy day”. (para4) put away: to put back; to save to spend later; to eat or drink large quantities of sth. e.g. Put away all your books on the desk. The guest might come any time. Please put all negative thoughts away. The boy put away the dinner in just a few minutes. for a rainy day: for a (future) time when money may be needed We saved a little money each time we got paid in case we might need it in the future 14. If we wanted a new sofa or a week at a lakeside cabin, we saved up for it, and the banks helped us out by providing special Christmas Club and Vacation Club accounts. (para4) lakeside cabin: a small house of simple design and construction at the lakeside where people, esp. a family, go during holidays or at weekends. save (up) (for): to keep and add to an amount of money for a particular purpose/later use help out: help; help sb. in a difficult situation. e.g. Who is helping out in the garden this afternoon? I’ve often helped Bob out when he has been a bit short of money. If we wanted to buy some new furniture or spend a week at a lakeside house, we could open special accounts at the banks to save (money) for it
15. If we wanted to be thinner, we simply ate less of our favorite foods and waited patiently for the scale to drop, a pound at a time. (para 4) scale: marks for measure for the scale to drop: to find the marks on the weighing instrument move towards e.g. How much does it read on the scale? 刻度显示的是多少? pound: n a unIt of weight f we wanted to be slimmer, we just cut down on our favorite foods, and waited atiently for our weight to be reduced bit by bit size e.g. on a global scale range of levels e.g. to evaluate performance on a scale from 1 to 10 weighing instrument(pl scales AmE also scale) e. g. weighing scales秤 the scales of justice正义的天平 scale can also mean比例尺;鱼鳞;音阶,etc n. the unit of money in Britain英镑 e.g. the strength/ weakness of the pound英镑坚挺)软 V. to hit repeatedly: e.g. Heavy rain pounded on the roof She pounded him with her fists (of heart/blood ) to beat quickly and loudly e.g. Her heart was pounding with excitement The blood was pounding(= making a beat ing noise) in his ears.他听到血液 在耳中怦怦搏动的声音 thin is a general word to describe people who have little or no fat on their bodies If someone is thin in a pleasant way, we say they are slim or(less slender. We could also use lean(=thin in a strong and healthy way ) If they are too hin, they are skinny (informal)or underweight 16. We take out loans instead of making deposits, or we use our cred it card to get that furniture or vacation trip-relax now, pay later.(para4) take out to obtain an official document or service e.g. to take out a loan取得贷款 to take out an insurance policy(保险单) to take out a mortgage(按揭,抵押贷款) relax now, pay later: to do/buy what we want now, and pay later Today, instead of saving up, we borrow from the banks of use our credit card to
6 15. If we wanted to be thinner, we simply ate less of our favorite foods and waited patiently for the scale to drop, a pound at a time. (para4) scale: marks for measure for the scale to drop: to find the marks on the weighing instrument move towards the zero side e.g. How much does it read on the scale? 刻度显示的是多少? pound: n. a unit of weight If we wanted to be slimmer, we just cut down on our favorite foods, and waited patiently for our weight to be reduced bit by bit. scale n. size e.g. on a global scale range of levels e.g. to evaluate performance on a scale from 1 to 10 weighing instrument (pl. scales AmE also scale) e.g. weighing scales 秤 the scales of justice 正义的天平 scale can also mean 比例尺; 鱼鳞; 音阶, etc. pound n. the unit of money in Britain 英镑 e.g. the strength/weakness of the pound 英镑坚挺/疲软 v. to hit repeatedly: e.g. Heavy rain pounded on the roof She pounded him with her fists. (of heart/blood) to beat quickly and loudly e.g. Her heart was pounding with excitement. The blood was pounding (=making a beating noise) in his ears. 他听到血液 在耳中怦怦搏动的声音. thin; slim; lean; skinny thin is a general word to describe people who have little or no fat on their bodies. If someone is thin in a pleasant way, we say they are slim or (less common) slender. We could also use lean (=thin in a strong and healthy way). If they are too thin, they are skinny (informal) or underweight. 16. We take out loans instead of making deposits, or we use our credit card to get that furniture or vacation trip--relax now, pay later. (para4) take out: to obtain an official document or service e.g. to take out a loan 取得贷款 to take out an insurance policy (保险单) to take out a mortgage (按揭,抵押贷款) relax now, pay later: to do/buy what we want now, and pay later Today, instead of saving up, we borrow from the banks of use our credit card to
buy the furniture or make the trip our motto has become"relax now, pay later 17. We buy our food, like our clothing, ready-made and off the rack (para4) read y-made already mad red. or available off the rack(AmE)/off the peg(BrE): ready made on the rack: under great pI a rack is a frame from which clothes are hung; similarly a peg is a knob from which clothes are hung 18. And if we are in a hurry to lose weight, we try the latest miracle diet guaranteed to take away ten pounds in ten days. unless we're rich enough to afford liposuction. (para) diet here means regulated selection of foods, especially as prescribed for medical If we want to lose weight quickly, we try the most recent miracle diet which is said to be effective and is sure to make us lose a pound per day. If we are rich enough to pay for the operation, we can have our unneeded fat removed from our bod 19. This general impatience, the"I-hate-to-wait"attitude, has infected every level of our lives. (para5) "I-hate-to-wait" is used as an adjective modifying attitude C.f. DIY(do-it-yourself) has infected every level of our lives: we have become impatient in every aspect of our lives, for instance, we want to get a job done quickly, to lose weight quickly, infect: to pass on a disease; to make sb share a particular feeling affect to have a influence on sb /sth e.g. She infected the children with her enthusiasm for music 她对音乐的热爱感染了孩子们 How will these changes affect us?这些变化会对我们有什么影响? 20.... we withdraw twenty dollars in as many seconds from an automatic teller machine(para5) in as many seconds(as possible/ as we can): in a very short time. here it means that we tend to withdraw money as fast as we can ATM( automatic teller machine)自动提款机 teller: n a person whose job is to receive and pay out money in a bank; a machine that does automatically出纳;提款机 21. And if our fast meal doesn't agree with us, we hurry to the medicine cabinet ed it -some fast relief (para5) not agree with sb. to be not suitable, not appropriate
7 buy the furniture or make the trip; our motto has become “relax now, pay later”. 17. We buy our food, like our clothing, ready-made and off the rack. (para4) ready-made: already made, prepared, or available off the rack (AmE) /off the peg (BrE): ready made on the rack: under great press a rack is a frame from which clothes are hung; similarly a peg is a knob from which clothes are hung 18. And if we are in a hurry to lose weight, we try the latest miracle diet, guaranteed to take away ten pounds in ten days… unless we’re rich enough to afford liposuction. (para4) diet here means regulated selection of foods, especially as prescribed for medical reasons If we want to lose weight quickly, we try the most recent miracle diet which is said to be effective and is sure to make us lose a pound per day. If we are rich enough to pay for the operation, we can have our unneeded fat removed from our bodies. 19. This general impatience, the “I-hate-to-wait” attitude, has infected every level of our lives. (para5) “I-hate-to-wait” is used as an adjective modifying “attitude” C.f. DIY (do-it-yourself) has infected every level of our lives: we have become impatient in every aspect of our lives, for instance, we want to get a job done quickly, to lose weight quickly, to be served quickly, etc. infect: to pass on a disease; to make sb. share a particular feeling affect: to have a influence on sb./ sth. e.g. She infected the children with her enthusiasm for music. 她对音乐的热爱感染了孩子们. How will these changes affect us? 这些变化会对我们有什么影响? 20. …we withdraw twenty dollars in as many seconds from an automatic teller machine. (para5) in as many seconds (as possible/ as we can): in a very short time. Here it means that we tend to withdraw money as fast as we can ATM (automatic teller machine) 自动提款机 teller: n. a person whose job is to receive and pay out money in a bank; a machine that does automatically 出纳; 提款机 21. And if our fast meal doesn't agree with us, we hurry to the medicine cabinet for- you guessed it- some fast relief. (para5) not agree with sb.: to be not suitable, not appropriate
e.g. Spicy food de oes not agree with me you guessed it: a parenthesis (i Ain)inserted in the middle of the sentence to suggest that readers already know that the writer mean before they come to the end of the sentence relief the easing of a burden or distress, such as pain, anxiety, or oppression If our fast dinner upsets our stomachs, we get some medicine form a cupboard that can relieve our disorder instantly. 22. We like our information fast, too: messages flashed on a computer screen documents faxed from your telephone to mine, current events in 90-second bursts on Eyewitness News, history reduced to "Bicentennial Minutes".(para5) For information, we no longer read newspapers, magazines, books, etc. patiently We want to get it fast by skimming through what is offered on the web Documents are faxed to one person from another. We are informed of what is happening at home and abroad through TV programs such as Eyewitness News, through which we get very brief accounts of current events. We learn the history of the past 200 years quickly from"Bicentennial Minutes minute:(usu. the minutes) a summary of what is said or decided at a formal meeting会议记录,会议纪要 e.g. We read through the minutes of the last meeting 3. What's more, we don' t even want all of it. (para) what's more: used to add a point that is more important The more important thing is that we not only want to get information fast, but also just want to get a general idea-we no longer want to learn anything thoroughly 24. Once, we linger over every word of a classic novel or the latest best seller linger(over/on to continue to look at sth. /sb. or think about sth. for a long time e.g. Her eyes lingered on the girls purse; it looked exactly like the one she had best seller: a product, usually a book, which is bought by large number of people e.g. Harry Porter was on the best seller list for several weeks C.f. best-selling adj.sth. that sells best; the most famous最畅销的;最红的 25. Once, we listened to every note of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Today, we don't have the time; instead, we can enjoy 26 seconds of that famous da-da-da-DUM theme-and 99 other musical excerpts almost as famous- on our Greatest Moments of the Classics"CD. (para) excerpt: a short piece of writhing, music, film, etc. taken from a longer one It's the same with classic musical compositions. We no longer listen from
8 e.g. Spicy food does not agree with me. you guessed it: a parenthesis (插入语) inserted in the middle of the sentence to suggest that readers already know that the writer mean before they come to the end of the sentence relief: the easing of a burden or distress, such as pain, anxiety, or oppression If our fast dinner upsets our stomachs, we get some medicine form a cupboard that can relieve our disorder instantly. 22. We like our information fast, too: messages flashed on a computer screen, documents faxed from your telephone to mine, current events in 90-second bursts on Eyewitness News, history reduced to “Bicentennial Minutes”. (para5) For information, we no longer read newspapers, magazines, books, etc. patiently. We want to get it fast by skimming through what is offered on the web. Documents are faxed to one person from another. We are informed of what is happening at home and abroad through TV programs such as Eyewitness News, through which we get very brief accounts of current events. We learn the history of the past 200 years quickly from “Bicentennial Minutes”. minute: (usu. the minutes) a summary of what is said or decided at a formal meeting 会议记录; 会议纪要 e.g. We read through the minutes of the last meeting. 23. What’s more, we don’t even want all of it. (para6) what’s more: used to add a point that is more important The more important thing is that we not only want to get information fast, but also just want to get a general idea-we no longer want to learn anything thoroughly. 24. Once, we linger over every word of a classic novel or the latest best seller. (para6) linger (over/on); to continue to look at sth. /sb. or think about sth. for a long time e.g. Her eyes lingered on the girl’s purse; it looked exactly like the one she had lost. best seller: a product, usually a book, which is bought by large number of people e.g. Harry Porter was on the best seller list for several weeks. C.f. best-selling adj. sth. that sells best; the most famous 最畅销的; 最红的 25. Once, we listened to every note of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Today, we don’t have the time; instead, we can enjoy 26 seconds of that famous “da-da-da-DUM” theme-and 99 other musical excerpts almost as famous-on our “Greatest Moments of the Classics” CD. (para6) excerpt: a short piece of writhing, music, film, etc. taken from a longer one It’s the same with classic musical compositions. We no longer listen from
beginning to end. Instead, we buy a Cd called"Greatest Moments of the Classics and enjoy 100 musical classics, in excerpts, including the 26 seconds for the famous"da-da-da- DUM opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony Ludwig Van Beethoven(1770-1872)is one of the greatest composers in the world who composed nine symphonies and numerous other famous works during his lifetime. His Fifth Symphony(命运交响助 was produced at the height of hi creative career provably around 1816 .6. Our magazine articles come to us pre-digested in Reader s Digest. Our news briefings, thanks to USA Today, are more brief than ever.(para) pre-digest: this coined word is used ironically here to indicate that what Is presented to us is, to a certain extent, the condensers view) Reader's Digest: a popular magazine containing short articles and stories USA Today: a newspaper that gathers daily news from America's best-selling newspaper hanks to: (here used ironically) used to say that sth happened because of sb /sth We read magazine articles that have been condensed by editors. So what we read is not the writers view but actually the condensers understand ing of what is said in the original articles. 27. Even our personal relationships have become compressed. Instead of devoting large parts of our days to our loved ones, we replace them with something called quality time", which, more often than not, is no time at all. (para) devote sth. to: to give an amount of time, attention, etcto e.g. No matter how busy he is, he devotes an hour a day to read ing juality time: time spent with sb. (e.g. one's children) when one is relaxed and has got nothing to do. This is supposed to be good for parents and children Even our personal relationships are affected. Instead of spend ing much of our time with our loved ones, we now talk about giving them full attention in the limited time after work but usually we have no time to do that at all 28. As we rush from book to music to news item to relationship, we do not realize that we are living our lives by the iceberg principle pay ing attention only to the top and ignoring the 8/9 that lies just below the surface.(para) When we rush through books, music, news items and relationship, we are paying attention to the surface to everything and will never get into the heart of anything 29. When did it all begin, this urge to do it now, to get it over with, to skim the surface of life?(para7) lse; strong desire get it over with: (spoken)to get it done
9 beginning to end. Instead, we buy a CD called “Greatest Moments of the Classics” and enjoy 100 musical classics, in excerpts, including the 26 seconds for the famous “da-da-da-DUM” opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Beethoven Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1872) is one of the greatest composers in the world who composed nine symphonies and numerous other famous works during his lifetime. His Fifth Symphony (命运交响曲) was produced at the height of his creative career provably around 1816. 26. Our magazine articles come to us pre-digested in Reader’s Digest. Our news briefings, thanks to USA Today, are more brief than ever. (para6) pre-digest: this coined word is used ironically here to indicate that what is presented to us is, to a certain extent, the condenser’s view) Reader’s Digest: a popular magazine containing short articles and stories USA Today: a newspaper that gathers daily news from America's best-selling newspaper thanks to: (here used ironically) used to say that sth. happened because of sb./ sth. We read magazine articles that have been condensed by editors. (So what we read is not the writer’s view but actually the condenser’s understanding of what is said in the original articles.) 27. Even our personal relationships have become compressed. Instead of devoting large parts of our days to our loved ones, we replace them with something called “quality time”, which, more often than not, is no time at all. (para6) devote sth. to: to give an amount of time, attention, etc. to e.g. No matter how busy he is, he devotes an hour a day to reading. quality time: time spent with sb. (e.g. one’s children) when one is relaxed and has got nothing to do. This is supposed to be good for parents and children. Even our personal relationships are affected. Instead of spending much of our time with our loved ones, we now talk about giving them full attention in the limited time after work. But usually we have no time to do that at all. 28. As we rush from book to music to news item to relationship, we do not realize that we are living our lives by the iceberg principle-paying attention only to the top and ignoring the 8/9 that lies just below the surface. (para6) When we rush through books, music, news items and relationship, we are paying attention to the surface to everything and will never get into the heart of anything. 29. When did it all begin, this urge to do it now, to get it over with, to skim the surface of life? (para7) urge: impulse; strong desire get it over with: (spoken) to get it done
skim the surface:(figuratively) to deal with sth. superficially, not going When did this quick-fix attitude toward life begin? 30. But I am say ing that all of us need to think more seriously about putting the brakes on our"we-want-it-all-and-we -want-it-now'" lifestyle before we speed completely out of control (para8) brake n a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle e. g. to put/ slam on the brakes踩刹车 brake can also mean a thing that stops sth. or makes it difficult阻力;障碍 g. High interest rates is a brake on the economy put the brakes on: (figuratively) used to say that we should not hurry to everything we should think seriously about them speed out of control: (figuratively) to get out of control to think seriously about changing our lifestyle of seeking a quick fix in our liver a But what i do want to say is this: befo ore we go too far/it's too late, all of us ne riting skills This is a piece of explanatory writing. Its purpose is to explain or clarity a point Comparison-contr Rhetorical Questions Repetition of structure and words Language style Informal Assignment Finish the exercises after the text in the textbook
10 skim the surface: (figuratively) to deal with sth. superficially, not going deeper When did this quick-fix attitude toward life begin? 30. But I am saying that all of us need to think more seriously about putting the brakes on our “we-want-it-all-and–we –want-it-now” lifestyle before we speed completely out of control. (para8) brake n. a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle e.g. to put/slam on the brakes 踩刹车 brake can also mean a thing that stops sth. or makes it difficult 阻力;障碍 e.g. High interest rates is a brake on the economy. put the brakes on: (figuratively) used to say that we should not hurry to everything; we should think seriously about them speed out of control: (figuratively) to get out of control But what I do want to say is this: before we go too far/it’s too late, all of us need to think seriously about changing our lifestyle of seeking a quick fix in our lives. Writing skills This is a piece of explanatory writing. Its purpose is to explain or clarity a point. Comparison-contrast Examples Rhetorical Questions Repetition of structure and words Language style Informal Assignment Finish the exercises after the text in the textbook
