experiencing english 1 college of foreign languages, nwu

Experiencing English 1

College of Foreign Languages, NWU



Unit Tasks

Lead in: listen and talk about our Earth;

Read and Explore: 2 passages about

environment and environment protection;

Reading skills

Translation skills

General Writing: useful sentence patterns 1-4.



Lead inLead in



Turn to p. 8, and let’s Turn to p. 8, and let’s

listen. listen.

Turn to p. 8, and let’s Turn to p. 8, and let’s

listen. listen.

Listen to the following passage about global warming and try to fill the missing words in the blanks.

You will hear the passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its original idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.

Listen to the following passage about global warming and try to fill the missing words in the blanks.

You will hear the passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its original idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.



Global warming may be the most harmful environmental

problem 1) _____________ have created, and the most difficult

to solve. Our society is largely 2) ________ by the fossil fuels

that cause global warming. Its growing consequences ―

ecological disruption, floods, droughts, disease ― are

convincing more and more people that we must cut down 3)

___________ pollution.

Many people view global warming as a problem too large and

too 4) ________ for anything they can do to 5)

________________. However, in reality, there are lots of things

we can do to stop, or at least to reduce it.

•Plant a tree. Trees “6) ________” carbon dioxide, but only as long as they’re living.

•Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. You’ll use less than half the water without 7) ___________________.

•Buy energy-efficient electronics and appliances. Then, turn them off when they’re not in use.

•Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! Recycling a stack of newspapers only 8) _____________ will save a good sized tree.

•Mount a local 9) _________ against global warming. Educate your community about how to cut greenhouse gas pollution. Support measures at the national and local levels that increase energy efficiency, and that 10) _________ the use of clean, renewable solar and wind technology.

First time

2nd time2nd time2nd time2nd time



















Second time

3rd time3rd time3rd time3rd time



















Third time

Check upCheck upCheck upCheck up














human beingspowered

greenhouse

far away make a difference




•Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. You’ll use less than half the water without 7) ____________________.




breathe in

decreasing performance

four inches highcampaign

encourage



Care for Our Mother Earth

Passage A

Read and ExploreRead and Explore



Contents

Think About It Text awareness Detailed study Language focus



1.1. Why should we treat the earth we live on as our Mother Why should we treat the earth we live on as our Mother Earth?Earth?

We are nurtured by the healthy condition of Mother Earth. We are nurtured by the healthy condition of Mother Earth. In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are the cause of the ailing planet and we are the victims.are the cause of the ailing planet and we are the victims.

Reference:Reference:

Think About It



2.2. What is the root of the environmental problems?What is the root of the environmental problems?

It is us human beings. We are sometimes ignorant of the It is us human beings. We are sometimes ignorant of the disastrous consequences we are causing and driven by disastrous consequences we are causing and driven by the greedy needs for more conveniences.the greedy needs for more conveniences.




3.3. What should we do to take care of our Mother Earth?What should we do to take care of our Mother Earth?

We should have a correct attitude towards environment. We should have a correct attitude towards environment. Besides, we should develop strategies and act Besides, we should develop strategies and act immediately to protect our Mother Earth.immediately to protect our Mother Earth.




An interview by a magazine editor

Structure Featured by questions and answers

Text Awareness



Dr. Mckinley (interviewer)

Aman Motware

Walter Semkiw

Leon Nacson

Amrit Desai



What do you think is the biggest threat to the environment today?

The way human beings see our environment;

interrelated not isolated;We may ignore the consequences of our

actions;



What environmental issues do you find most pressing?

(1) deforesting(2) global warmingreasons



What do you suggest the readers can do to help the environmental problem?

What is your specific area of concern?

Not to impact on the environment;Tread as lightly as you can; take as little as possible; put back as much as you can

Air and water pollution



Where is the environment crisis heading?

Human beings are not separate from the problem;Desai’s remark in his last sentence



Detailed Study



Care for Our Mother Earth

(Dr. McKinley of Awareness Magazine interviews a group of experts on environmental issues.)

Dr. McKinley: What do you think is the biggest threat to the environment today?

Aman Motwane: The biggest threat to our environment today is the way we, as human beings, see our environment. How we see our environment shapes our whole world.

Most of us see everything as independent from one another. But the reality is that everything is part of one interconnected, interrelated whole. For example, a tree may appear isolated, but in fact it affects and is affected by everything in its environment — sunshine, rain, wind, birds, minerals, other plants and trees, you, me. The tree shapes the wind that blows around it; it is also shaped by that wind. Look at the relationship between the tree and its environment and you will see the future of the tree.



Most of us are blind to this interconnectedness of everything. This is why we don’t see the consequences of our actions. It is time for each of us to open our eyes and see the world as it really is — one complete whole where every cause has an effect.

Dr. McKinley: Hello Dr. Semkiw. In your research, what environmental issues do you find most pressing?

Walter Semkiw: Two environmental issues that we find most pressing are deforesting and global warming. Mankind has now cut down half of the trees that existed 10 000 years ago. The loss of trees upsets the ecosystem as trees are necessary to build topsoil, maintain rainfall in dry climates, purify underground water and to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. Trees bring water up from the ground, allowing water to evaporate into the atmosphere. The evaporated water then returns as rain, which is vital to areas that are naturally dry. Areas downwind of deforested lands lose this source of rainfall and are transformed into deserts.



Global warming results from the burning of fossil fuels, such as petroleum products, resulting in the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses then trap heat, resulting in warming of our atmosphere.

Dr. McKinley: Mr. Nacson, thanks for participating all the way from Australia! What do you suggest the readers of Awareness Magazine can do to help the environmental problem?

Leon Nacson: The simplest way to help the environment is not to impact on it. Tread as lightly as you can, take as little as possible, and put back as much as you can.

Dr. McKinley: What is your specific area of concern regarding the current and future state of the environment?Leon Nacson: Air and water pollution are our Number One priorities. It is hard to understand that we are polluting the air we breathe and the water we drink. These are two elements that are not inexhaustible, and we must realize that once we reach the point of no return, there will be nothing left for future generations.



Dr. McKinley: Mr. Desai, what an honor it is to have this opportunity to interview you. Can you please share your wisdom with our readers and tell us where you see the environmental crisis heading?

Amrit Desai: We are not separate from the problem. We are the problem. We live divided lives. On one hand, we ask industries to support our greed for more and more conveniences, comfort and possessions. We have become addicted consumers, which causes industrial waste. At the same time, we ignore the connection between our demands and the exploitation of Mother Earth. When we are greedy for more than what we need for our well-being, we always abuse the resources of our body and the earth.

We are nurtured by the healthy condition of Mother Earth. In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are the cause of the ailing planet and we are the victims.



Dr. McKinley: In closing, I thank all of the

participants. I have learned a great deal about

what I can do as an individual to help the

environment.

I hope these interviews encourage the

readers of Awareness Magazine to take action

and develop your own strategy. Too many of us just sit back and say

“I’ll let the experts deal with it.” Meanwhile, we are killing the planet.

My aim of this interview is to show how one person can make a

difference. Thanks to all for offering your wisdom.



Awareness MagazineAwareness Magazine

Awareness MagazineAwareness Magazine is a bimonthly magazine, which is a bimonthly magazine, which came into being in 1993, and claims to devote itself to mcame into being in 1993, and claims to devote itself to making our planet a better place to live in. For more inforaking our planet a better place to live in. For more information, please check: mation, please check:

http://www.awarenessmag.com/index.htmlhttp://www.awarenessmag.com/index.html



the Way, the time, the place

Function of relative adverb



... see everything as independent from one another... see everything as independent from one another

ParaphraseParaphrase

??

KeyKey

... regard everything as a single and isolated being... regard everything as a single and isolated being

dependent ondependent on

— — needing the support of sth. or sb. in order to continue needing the support of sth. or sb. in order to continue existing or operatingexisting or operating

ExampleExample

• She has become dependent on sleeping pills.She has become dependent on sleeping pills.



isolateisolate vv. .

—— to set apart or cut off from others to set apart or cut off from others

ExamplesExamples

• Presley’s early success Presley’s early success isolatedisolated him from his friends. him from his friends.

• This policy could This policy could isolateisolate the country from other the country from other members of the United Nations. members of the United Nations.

TranslateTranslate

洪水使这个村庄与外界隔离了两周。洪水使这个村庄与外界隔离了两周。

KeyKey

The flood has The flood has isolatedisolated the village from outside for two the village from outside for two weeks.weeks.



(be) blind to(be) blind to

—— to completely fail to notice or realize something to completely fail to notice or realize something

ExamplesExamples

• They seemed to They seemed to be blind tobe blind to the consequences of their the consequences of their decision. decision.

• David’s good looks and impeccable manners had David’s good looks and impeccable manners had always made Rebecca always made Rebecca blind toblind to his faults. his faults.



consequence consequence n.n.

—— something that happens as a result of a particular something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions action or set of conditions

ExamplesExamples

• The safety procedures had been ignored, with The safety procedures had been ignored, with potentially tragic potentially tragic consequencesconsequences. .

• Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the overcoming the consequencesconsequences of any misfortune. of any misfortune.



deforest deforest v.v.

—— to cut down or destroy trees to cut down or destroy trees

ExamplesExamples

• The 400,000 square kilometers of the Amazon basin The 400,000 square kilometers of the Amazon basin have already been have already been deforesteddeforested. .

• The decision to The decision to deforestdeforest the area for an airport is the area for an airport is strongly opposed by the local residents. strongly opposed by the local residents.

n. deforestation



purify purify v.v.

—— to remove the dirty or unwanted parts from something to remove the dirty or unwanted parts from something

ExamplesExamples

• PurifyPurify the water before drinking it. the water before drinking it.

• It is said that It is said that purifiedpurified water has removed minerals water has removed minerals useful to our health. useful to our health.



evaporate evaporate v.v.

—— to (make) change into vapor to (make) change into vapor

ExamplesExamples

• The water is The water is evaporatedevaporated by the sun. by the sun.

• The police failed to find any witness; it seemed that The police failed to find any witness; it seemed that they all they all evaporatedevaporated. .



result fromresult from

—— to happen or exist as a result of something to happen or exist as a result of something

ExamplesExamples

• Those problems Those problems resulted fromresulted from the poor management. the poor management.

• Many hair problems Many hair problems result fromresult from what one eats. what one eats. result inresult in

— — to make something happen; causeto make something happen; cause

ExamplesExamples

• Fifty percent of road accidents Fifty percent of road accidents result inresult in head injuries. head injuries.

• Regular trips back to herRegular trips back to her motherland motherland have resulted inhave resulted in her first book, her first book, Tiger BalmTiger Balm. .



atmosphere atmosphere n.n.

—— the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth

ExamplesExamples

• The space shuttle will re-enter the Earth’s The space shuttle will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphereatmosphere tomorrow morning. tomorrow morning.

• The Partial Test-Ban Treaty bans nuclear testing in The Partial Test-Ban Treaty bans nuclear testing in the the atmosphereatmosphere. .



all the wayall the way

—— to emphasize how long a distance is to emphasize how long a distance is

ExamplesExamples

• Football fans came Football fans came all the wayall the way from every corner of from every corner of the world. the world.

• Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the wayall the way to the bone! to the bone!



impact onimpact on

—— to have an important or noticeable effect on someone to have an important or noticeable effect on someone or something or something

ExamplesExamples

• How will this program How will this program impact onimpact on the local the local community? community?

• Falling export rates Falling export rates have impacted onhave impacted on the country’s the country’s economy quite considerably. economy quite considerably.



specific specific adj.adj.

—— sspecial, distinctive, or unique pecial, distinctive, or unique

ExamplesExamples

• Massage may help to increase blood flow to Massage may help to increase blood flow to specificspecific areas of the body. areas of the body.

• This book gives This book gives specificspecific instructions on how to make instructions on how to make polish leather. polish leather.



priority priority n.n.

—— something that must be dealt with as soon as possible something that must be dealt with as soon as possible and before other less important things and before other less important things

ExamplesExamples• Agriculture is still a high Agriculture is still a high prioritypriority in most developing in most developing

countries. countries. • Banks normally give Banks normally give prioritypriority to large businesses when to large businesses when

deciding on loans. deciding on loans.

prior prior adj.adj. — — preceding in time, order, importance, or valuepreceding in time, order, importance, or value

ExampleExample• She couldn’t go to the party because of a She couldn’t go to the party because of a priorprior

engagement. engagement.



inexhaustible inexhaustible adj.adj.

—— existing in such large amounts that it can never be existing in such large amounts that it can never be finished or used up finished or used up

ExamplesExamples

• The terrorists seem to have an The terrorists seem to have an inexhaustibleinexhaustible supply of supply of ammunition. ammunition.

• His energy was unbounded and his patience His energy was unbounded and his patience inexhaustibleinexhaustible. .



the point of no returnthe point of no return

—— the point in a course of action beyond which reversal is the point in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible not possible

ExamplesExamples

• Something must be done before the situation reached Something must be done before the situation reached the point of no returnthe point of no return. .

• If he doesn’t have his heart operation very soon he’s in If he doesn’t have his heart operation very soon he’s in danger of reaching danger of reaching a point of no returna point of no return. .



convenience convenience n.n.

—— the quality of being suitable for a particular purpose, the quality of being suitable for a particular purpose, especially because it is easy to use or saves you energy especially because it is easy to use or saves you energy

ExamplesExamples• Many women prefer the Many women prefer the convenienceconvenience of working at of working at

home while their children are small. home while their children are small. • I decided to buy the house for the I decided to buy the house for the convenienceconvenience of living of living

near to my parents. near to my parents.

convenient convenient adjadj. . — — suited or favorable to one’s comfort, purpose, or needssuited or favorable to one’s comfort, purpose, or needs

ExampleExample• I find my bike a very I find my bike a very convenientconvenient way of getting way of getting

around. around.



addicted addicted adj.adj.

—— liking to do or have something so much you do not liking to do or have something so much you do not want to stop want to stop

ExamplesExamples

• Some students are so Some students are so addictedaddicted to computer games that to computer games that they neglect their studies. they neglect their studies.

• The girl is The girl is addictedaddicted to chocolate. to chocolate.



nurture nurture v.v.

—— to feed or take care of a child or a plant while it is to feed or take care of a child or a plant while it is growing growing

ExamplesExamples

• Parents want to know the best way to Parents want to know the best way to nurturenurture and rais and raise their children. e their children.

• NurtureNurture your mind with great thoughts. (Benjamin Di your mind with great thoughts. (Benjamin Disrael)srael)



taketake actionaction

—— to follow the process of doing in order to deal with a to follow the process of doing in order to deal with a problem or difficult situation problem or difficult situation

ExamplesExamples

• The police The police tooktook firm firm actionaction to deal with the riots. to deal with the riots.

• The government is The government is takingtaking emergency emergency actionaction to deal to deal with the power shortage. with the power shortage.



sitsit backback

—— to relax and make no effort to get involved in to relax and make no effort to get involved in something something

ExamplesExamples

• Can we just Can we just sit backsit back and do nothing when there are so and do nothing when there are so many homeless people on the streets. many homeless people on the streets.

• Don’t just Don’t just sit backsit back and wait for new business to come and wait for new business to come to you. to you.



• Vocabulary (Ex. 4)

• Phrases (Ex. 5)

• Read and Translate (Ex. 6)

• Read and Simulate (Ex. 7)

Language Focus



1. The company will spend $6 million on sales ______ as well as the development of new products. strategiesstrategies

isolate isolate consumer consumer specific specific consequenceconsequence elementelementtrap trap release (release (vv.) .) strategy strategy convenience convenience priority priority

2. We all agreed on our basic aims, but when we got down to _____ items it became more complicated.

specificspecific

Ex. 4Ex. 4 Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary.below. Change the form where necessary.



3. Nowadays, ______ not only demand the high quality of the products but also their after-sale services. consumers consumers


4. He was caught in the act of shoplifting but was ______ after he left his ID to the supermarket.

released released




5. The soldiers pretended to run away and the enemy, in pursuing them, were finally ______. trapped trapped


6. As a ______ of being in hospital, Shelly decided to become a nurse.

consequence consequence




7. The village ______ from the outside for three days because of the flood. was isolated was isolated


8. After the Second World War, millions of people were left homeless; so the government decided to give ______ to housing. priority priority




9. In many shops, shopping bags are provided for the customers’ ______. convenience convenience


10. With a tearful love story and two famous stars, the movie has all the ______ for a success.

elementelementss




1. A few mirrors can instantly ______ this room ______ a much larger and lighter one. transform ... intotransform ... into

sit back result from all the wayshare ... with transform ... into

2. Because of a flat tire, he had to walk ______ to the gas station for help.

all the wayall the way

Ex. 5Ex. 5 Complete the following sentences with phrases or Complete the following sentences with phrases or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary. expressions given below. Change the form where necessary.



3. Don’t worry about it, just ______ and let the machine do the work for you. sit back sit back


4. Any damage to the books ______ carelessness must be paid for by the borrower.

resulting from resulting from

Ex. 5Ex. 5 Complete the following sentences with phases or expressions Complete the following sentences with phases or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary. given below. Change the form where necessary.



5. He hated having to ______ the hotel room ______ a stranger.

share ... with share ... with


Ex. 5Ex. 5 Complete the following sentences with phases or expressions Complete the following sentences with phases or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary. given below. Change the form where necessary.



Ex. 6Ex. 6 Translate the following sentences into English.Translate the following sentences into English.

1. 这场给人类带来巨大灾难的战争对这样一个诗人产生了什么影响呢？（ impact on ）

brought terrible disasters to mankind

impact on such a poet

How did the war, which brought terrible disasters to mankind, impact on such a poet?




2. 做母亲的有时候不能察觉她们所宠爱的孩子们的过错，这样做的结果会使孩子们再次犯同样的过错。（ be blind t

o ） blind to the faults their beloved children

Mothers are sometimes blind to the faults of their beloved children, which will cause the children to make the same mistake again.

make the same mistake again




3. 作为一个新移民 (immigrant) ，在这个完全陌生的国度里，她总是感觉到孤立无援。 (isolate)

in this completely strange countryfeel isolated

As a new immigrant in this completely strange country, she always felt isolated.




4. 做事不先考虑周全常会导致失败，因此我们应该三思而后行。 (result in, act before thinking)

acting before thinkingresult in failure

Acting before thinking often results in failure, so we should think before we leap.




5. 奢谈的时候已经过去了，我们必须积极行动起来保护我们的环境。 (take ... action)

the time for talking take a positive action to protect our environment

The time for talking is past; we must take a positive action to protect our environment.



Ex. 7Ex. 7 Read the following sentences carefully, and then make your Read the following sentences carefully, and then make your own sentences using the patterns in red.own sentences using the patterns in red.

1.1. Air and water pollution are our Air and water pollution are our Number One prioritiesNumber One priorities..

__________________________ __________________________ Number One prioritiesNumber One priorities..

Quality and cost of our products areQuality and cost of our products are Number One Number One priorities.priorities.





2.2. ... ... once we reach the point of no returnonce we reach the point of no return, there will be , there will be nothing left for future generations.nothing left for future generations.

... ... once we reach the point of no returnonce we reach the point of no return, ___________ , ___________ _________________________________._________________________________.

Once we reach the point of no returnOnce we reach the point of no return,, a crisis in the a crisis in the near future is inevitablenear future is inevitable..





3.3. What an honor it is to have this rare opportunity toWhat an honor it is to have this rare opportunity to interview interview you!you!

What an honor it is to have this rare opportunity toWhat an honor it is to have this rare opportunity to ___________ ___________ ______.______.

What an honor it is to have this opportunity toWhat an honor it is to have this opportunity to have have you as our guestyou as our guest!!





4.4. Can you please shareCan you please share your wisdom your wisdom withwith our readers our readers andand tell us where you see the environmental crisis heading?tell us where you see the environmental crisis heading?

Can you please shareCan you please share __________ __________ withwith _________ _________ andand ___________________________?___________________________?

Can you please shareCan you please share your opinionyour opinion withwith otherother studentsstudents andand also learn something from the also learn something from the discussiondiscussion??





5.5. Too many of us Too many of us just sit back andjust sit back and say “I’ll let the experts say “I’ll let the experts deal with it.”deal with it.”

_____________ _____________ just sit back andjust sit back and ______________________ ______________________ __________.__________.

We can’tWe can’t just sit back andjust sit back and pretend it’s none of our pretend it’s none of our businessbusiness..




PandaPanda

Write a short paragraph (100Write a short paragraph (100 ～～ 120 words) to introduce the 120 words) to introduce the urgent situation of an endangered species and call for help.urgent situation of an endangered species and call for help.

FlamingoFlamingo

KoalaKoala

EagleEagle

TigerTiger

ReferenceReferenceReferenceReference




The Panda’s Weeping CryThe Panda’s Weeping Cry

I’m one of the endangered species. I do notI’m one of the endangered species. I do nothave many relatives left in this world, and that’shave many relatives left in this world, and that’swhy people usually can only see us in the zoos. why people usually can only see us in the zoos. Although we are taken good care of and live Although we are taken good care of and live comfortably there, we long for bushes in the comfortably there, we long for bushes in the mountains. As you know, we pandas are very critical about food. mountains. As you know, we pandas are very critical about food. Young and fresh bamboo branches are our favorite. But Young and fresh bamboo branches are our favorite. But sometimes bamboos would bloom and die. When this happens, sometimes bamboos would bloom and die. When this happens, many of us would have a hard time surviving and some may many of us would have a hard time surviving and some may even die of hunger. Most people love us for what we are, but even die of hunger. Most people love us for what we are, but some still risk to hunt us for money and make us even fewer in some still risk to hunt us for money and make us even fewer in the world. Please help us. We count on you!the world. Please help us. We count on you!



Frog Story

Passage B



Contents

Think About It Text awareness Detailed study Language focus



Think About It



Discuss what has happened to the environment with the help of these pictures.



Story --- featured by narration Organization of the story --- 3 steps What is the story supposed to

inform?

Text Awareness



Frog Story

Part 1 (line 1-29)

Part 2 (line 30-45)

Part 3 (line 46-end)



Part 1 (line 1-29)

What happened in the author’s log cabinEnvironment:My log cabin; added greenhouse; studio, computerEvents:Last November; last week



Part 2 (line 30-45)

About frogsA fax from a friend

(worsening environment)The story of frogs heard last year

(frogs in danger)



Part 3 (line 46-end)

What is implied by the frog story?

Under stand:Adults for the planet;No boundaries, no more time



1.1. What happened to the author and the frog?What happened to the author and the frog?

The frog was endangered by the worsening environment The frog was endangered by the worsening environment and came to “inform” the author of the severe situations. and came to “inform” the author of the severe situations.




2.2. What does the story imply to you?What does the story imply to you?

Man and animals are related as they live in the same Man and animals are related as they live in the same environment.environment.




Detailed Study



Frog StoryFrog Story

Part 1 A couple of odd things have happened lately.

I have a log cabin in those woods of Northern Wisconsin. I built it by hand and also added a greenhouse to the front of it. It is a joy to live in. In fact, I work out of my home doing audio production and environmental work. As a tool of that trade I have a computer and a studio.

I also have a tree frog that has taken up residence in my studio.

How odd, I thought, last November when I first noticed him sitting atop my sound-board over my computer. I figured that he (and I say he, though I really don’t have a clue if she is a he or vice versa) would be more comfortable in the greenhouse. So I put him in the greenhouse. Back he came. And stayed. After a while I got quite used to the fact that as I would check my morning email and on-line news, he would be there with me surveying the world.



Then, last week, as he was climbing around

looking like a small gray/green human, I started to

wonder about him.

So, there I was, working in my studio and my

computer was humming along. I had to stop when

Tree Frog went across my view. He stopped and turned around and

just sat there looking at me. Well, I sat back and looked at him. For five

months now he had been riding there with me and I was suddenly

overtaken by an urge to know why he was there and not in the

greenhouse, where I figured he’d live a happier frog life.

“Why are you here,” I found myself asking him.



As I looked at him, dead on, his eyes looked directly at me and I heard a tone. The tone seemed to hit me right in the center of my mind. It sounded very nearly like the same one as my computer. In that tone I could hear him “say” to me, “Because I want you to understand”. Yo. That was weird. “Understand what?” my mind jumped in. Then, after a moment of feeling this communication, I felt I understood why he was there. I came to understand that frogs simply want to hear other frogs and to communicate. Possibly the tone of my computer sounded to him like other tree frogs.

Part 2 Interesting.

I kept working. I was working on a story about global climate change and had just received a fax from a friend. The fax said that the earth is warming at 1.9 degrees each decade. At that rate I knew that the maple trees that I love to tap each spring for syrup would not survive for my children. My beautiful Wisconsin would become a prairie by the next generation.



At that moment Tree Frog leaped across my foot and sat on the floor in front of my computer. He then reached up his hand to his left ear and cupped it there. He sat before the computer and reached up his right hand to his other ear. He turned his head this way and that listening to that tone. Very focused. He then began to turn a very subtle, but brilliant shade of green and leaped full force onto the computer.

And then I remembered the story about the frogs that I had heard last year on public radio. It said frogs were dying around the world. It said that because frog’s skin is like a lung turned inside out, their skin was being affected by pollution and global climate change. It said that frogs were being found whose skin was like paper. All dried up. It said that frogs are an “indicator species”. That frogs will die first because of the sensitivity.

Then, I understood.

descriptiodescriptionn

transitiontransition



The frogs have a message for us and it is the same message that

some sober folks have had for us. “There are no more choices.” We

have reached the time when we must be the adults for the planet,

for the sake of the future generations of human and for frogs.

Because we are related.

Then I understood that there are no boundaries, that there is no

more time.

That we, for the sake of our relatives, must act now.

And then I understood, not only why frog was there, but, also why

I am here.



atopatop prep. prep.

— — on top of something on top of something

ExamplesExamples

• Under the newspaper, Under the newspaper, atopatop a sheet of paper, lay an a sheet of paper, lay an envelope. envelope.

• There is a seagull There is a seagull atopatop the mast. the mast.



vicevice versaversa

—— used when the opposite of a situation that has been used when the opposite of a situation that has been just described is also true just described is also true

ExamplesExamples

• He doesn’t trust her, and He doesn’t trust her, and vice versavice versa. .



overtakeovertake v.v.

—— to come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise to come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise

ExamplesExamples

• Something like panic Something like panic overtookovertook me in a flood. me in a flood.

• The people all over the world were The people all over the world were overtakenovertaken by the 9- by the 9-11 attack in New York. 11 attack in New York.



urgeurge n.n.

—— a strong wish or need a strong wish or need

ExamplesExamples

• The people with a powerful The people with a powerful urgeurge to compete and to compete and succeed are more likely to have heart attacks. succeed are more likely to have heart attacks.

• When I was young, I often felt an When I was young, I often felt an urgeurge for chocolate. for chocolate.



dead absolutely;altogether

eg. He was dead asleep.



weird weird adj.adj.

—— unusual and different from anything you have seen or unusual and different from anything you have seen or heard before heard before

ExamplesExamples

• Mike’s got a really Mike’s got a really weirdweird sense of humor. sense of humor.

• Drugs can make one do all kinds of Drugs can make one do all kinds of weirdweird things. things.



communicatecommunicate v.v.

—— to exchange information or conversation with other to exchange information or conversation with other people people

ExamplesExamples

• They They communicatecommunicate in sign language with ease. in sign language with ease.

• It’s cheap and efficient to use e-mail to It’s cheap and efficient to use e-mail to communicatecommunicate with your friends wherever they may be. with your friends wherever they may be.



at this/that rateat this/that rate

—— if things continue to happen in the same way as now if things continue to happen in the same way as now

ExamplesExamples

• At this rateAt this rate, we shall soon be bankrupt. , we shall soon be bankrupt.

• At this rateAt this rate, we’ll never be home by midnight. , we’ll never be home by midnight.



survivesurvive v.v.

—— to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and dangers dangers

ExamplesExamples

• When the market economy is introduced, many When the market economy is introduced, many factories will have difficulties to factories will have difficulties to survivesurvive. .

• The chance of The chance of survivingsurviving an air crash always is slim if an air crash always is slim if not nil. not nil.



focusfocus v.v.

—— to pay special attention to a particular person or thing to pay special attention to a particular person or thing instead of others instead of others

ExamplesExamples

• I cannot I cannot focusfocus my attention on my study with such a my attention on my study with such a noise. noise.

• The TV program The TV program focusesfocuses on the cause why people take on the cause why people take drugs. drugs.



subtlesubtle adj.adj.

—— not easy to notice or understand unless you pay not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention careful attention

ExamplesExamples

• The two pictures are similar, but there are The two pictures are similar, but there are subtlesubtle differences between them. differences between them.

• The slow and The slow and subtlesubtle changes are taking place in all changes are taking place in all living things. living things.



brilliantbrilliant adj.adj.

—— bright, shining bright, shining

ExamplesExamples

• The woman had brilliant green eyes. The woman had brilliant green eyes.

• The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue. The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue.



speciesspecies n.n.

—— to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and a to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and a group of animals or plants which are all similar and group of animals or plants which are all similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants can breed together to produce young animals or plants of the same kind as them of the same kind as them

ExamplesExamples

• Panda has been declared an endangered Panda has been declared an endangered speciesspecies. .

• Some people believe that the Internet is the greatest Some people believe that the Internet is the greatest tool our tool our speciesspecies has invented. has invented.



sobersober adj.adj.

—— serious and thoughtful; not affected by drug or serious and thoughtful; not affected by drug or alcoholic liquors alcoholic liquors

ExamplesExamples

• Halloween is never a day to be sober. Halloween is never a day to be sober.

• The party was in a sober mood, people just standing The party was in a sober mood, people just standing there chatting politely. there chatting politely.



boundary boundary n.n.

—— the official line that marks the edge of town, country the official line that marks the edge of town, country etc. etc.

ExamplesExamples

• Terrorists operate across national Terrorists operate across national boundariesboundaries. .

• Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a joy, for it means pushing back a boundaryboundary-line and -line and adding to one’s liberty. adding to one’s liberty.



for the sake offor the sake of

—— because of, or for the purpose of because of, or for the purpose of

ExamplesExamples

• Let’s not disagree Let’s not disagree for the sake offor the sake of some small details. some small details.

• For the sake ofFor the sake of historical accuracy, please permit me historical accuracy, please permit me to state the true facts. to state the true facts.



• Vocabulary (Ex. 11)

• Phrases (Ex. 12)

• Translation (Ex. 13)

Language Focus



1. The essayist’s language expresses rich and ______ meanings. subtle

audio boundary cup (v.) decade directlyfocus overtake species subtle tone

2. The stockbrokers ______ by the sharp drop in the stock market last Tuesday.

were overtaken

Ex. 11 Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Make changes where necessary.



3. Biologists have estimated that there are around one million animal and plant ______ living in the rainforests.

species

4. In the United States the cost of living has been steadily rising in the past few ______.

decades



5. The quickly growing company has ambitious plans to expand beyond national ______.

boundaries

6. That computer store is having a sale of ______ software; let’s go and have a look.

audio



7. To be safe, you may put on your dark glasses to avoid the sun shining ______ in your eyes.

directly

8. When the kitchen is finished, I’m going to ______ my attention on the garden shed.

focus



9. In a serious ______ of voice, the doctor warned him to keep off sugar.

tone

10. She ______ her hands around the mug of hot coffee to warm them.

cupped



1. I didn’t expect you to be so efficient; ______, the task will be finished ahead of schedule. at that rate

2. ______ safety, you must keep all medicines away from children.

For the sake of

Ex. 12 Complete the following sentences with phrases or expressions from the passage. Make changes where necessary.



3. When we ______ know these new employees better, we will assign more suitable tasks to each of them. come to

4. This evening dress is rather expensive since it is made ______.

by hand



5. In the World Cup, England tried to beat long-term rival Argentina and qualify from the “Group of Death” and ______.

vice versa




1. 年轻人有时会抱怨无法和父母沟通。 (to communicate with)

complain of communicate with their parents

Young people sometimes complain of not being able to communicate with their parents.




2. 玛丽从小就盼望着能在中国云南的一个村庄住上几年，现在她终于梦想成真了。 (to take up residence)

long to take up residence in a village

Ever since childhood, Mary has been longing to take up residence in a Chinese village in Yunnan for a few years. Now her dream has come true.

Her dream has come true.




3. 家养的动物习惯于依赖人，因此很难在野外继续生存。 (to s

urvive) be used to depending on humans

survive in the wild

Domestic animals are used to depending on humans, so it is difficult for them to survive in the wild.




4. 他突然有种恐惧感，觉得自己会因为经济不景气而被公司裁员。 (to overtake)

be suddenly overtaken by a fear

because of bad economy

He was suddenly overtaken by a fear that he would be laid off by the company because of bad economy.

lay off




5. 我想他很快就会回来，因为他答应和我一起吃晚饭。 (to fig

ure) I figure he’ll be back soon.

I figure he’ll be back soon since he promised to have dinner with me.



Reading SkillsReading SkillsReading SkillsReading Skills

Word Attack StrategiesWord Attack Strategies



Word Attack StrategiesWord Attack Strategies

Words with opposite meaning Words with opposite meaning Words with opposite meaning Words with opposite meaning

ExamplesExamples ExamplesExamples

Definition and restatement Definition and restatement Definition and restatement Definition and restatement

Words with same or similar meaningsWords with same or similar meaningsWords with same or similar meaningsWords with same or similar meanings

GeneralGeneral knowledgeknowledgeGeneralGeneral knowledgeknowledge

Five ways to figure out the meaning of a new wordFive ways to figure out the meaning of a new wordFive ways to figure out the meaning of a new wordFive ways to figure out the meaning of a new word

Exercises



ExampleExampleModern medicine and new methods of food production allow adults to live longer and babies to survive, not die soon after birth.

(Here “not die” helps us to know what survive means.)

The definition or restatement of a new word may be in parentheses ( ), after a dash (—), after a comma (,), or after a phrase like that is or i.e.

Definition and restatementDefinition and restatementDefinition and restatementDefinition and restatement



ExampleExampleMost of us see everything as independent from one another. But the reality is that everything is part of one interconnected, interrelated whole.

(With the help of “But”, we can guess that interconnected and interrelated have the opposite meaning of independent.)

Words with opposite meaningWords with opposite meaningWords with opposite meaningWords with opposite meaning



ExampleExampleThe simplest way to help the environment is not to impact on it. Tread as lightly as you can, take as little as possible, and put back as much as you can.

(Impact can be understood through the examples of treading lightly, taking little and putting back much.)

Examples Examples Examples Examples



ExampleExample... if the mother is ailing, the child suffers.

(It is evident that the meaning of ail is similar to that of suffer. )

Words with same or similar meanings Words with same or similar meanings Words with same or similar meanings Words with same or similar meanings



ExampleExampleTrees bring water up from the ground, allowing water to evaporate into the atmosphere.

(From our common sense we can get the meaning of evaporate as “to change from a liquid state to a gas.”)

General knowledge General knowledge General knowledge General knowledge



Ex. 14 Read the following sentences carefully and guess the meaning of the words in red.

1. These problems are worsening, not getting better.

from bad to worsefrom bad to worse

2. It was the spring of hope; and it was the winter of despair.

loss of hopeloss of hope



词义的引申 (Translating Skills: Extension) 词义的引申 (Translating Skills: Extension)

具体化引申具体化引申具体化引申具体化引申

抽象化引申抽象化引申

在翻译过程中词义的引申主要有以下两种方法：在翻译过程中词义的引申主要有以下两种方法：在翻译过程中词义的引申主要有以下两种方法：在翻译过程中词义的引申主要有以下两种方法：

Exercises



ExampleExampleDo you think this dictionary of English is the Do you think this dictionary of English is the supreme courtsupreme court in all matters concerning Engli in all matters concerning English words?sh words?

你认为这本英语词典是英语词汇的你认为这本英语词典是英语词汇的权威权威词词典吗？典吗？

（把（把 supreme court——supreme court—— 最高法院——这个最高法院——这个具体形象引申为它所代表的属性：权威。）具体形象引申为它所代表的属性：权威。）

抽象化引申抽象化引申



ExampleExampleThe car in front of me stalled and I missed The car in front of me stalled and I missed ththe greene green..

我前头的那辆车停住了，我错过了我前头的那辆车停住了，我错过了绿灯绿灯。。

具体化引申具体化引申具体化引申具体化引申



Ex. 15Ex. 15 Translate the following sentences into Chinese, paying special Translate the following sentences into Chinese, paying special attention to the underlined parts.attention to the underlined parts.

1.1. Too many of us just Too many of us just sit backsit back and say “I’ll let the experts and say “I’ll let the experts deal with it.” deal with it.”

我们大多数人只是袖手旁观，还会说：“让专家去处理吧。

2.2. In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are In humans, if the mother is ailing, the child suffers. We are the cause of the cause of the ailing planetthe ailing planet and we are the victims. and we are the victims.

就人类而言，母亲生病，孩子就会受苦；既然我们造成了地球上的生态失衡，就得自作自受。




3.3. The invention of machinery had brought into the world a The invention of machinery had brought into the world a new era new era —— the Industrial Age. Money had become the Industrial Age. Money had become kingking. .

机器的发明使世界进入了一个新纪元——工业时代，金钱主宰一切。

4.4. Every life has its Every life has its roses and thornsroses and thorns..

每个人的生活都有甜有苦。




5.5. Dr. McKinley Dr. McKinley broke his neckbroke his neck to make the public aware of to make the public aware of the grave environmental problems.the grave environmental problems.

麦肯立博士竭尽全力唤起公众对严峻的环保问题的关注。

6.6. I I was extremely terrifiedwas extremely terrified by that news. by that news.

那条消息让我惊出了一身冷汗。




7.7. She used so many technical terms in her speech that the She used so many technical terms in her speech that the audience could audience could make neither head nor tailmake neither head nor tail of it. of it.

她在演讲中用了许多术语，使听众听得莫名其妙。

8.8. These problems are These problems are too complicatedtoo complicated to be explained clearly to be explained clearly in a few words.in a few words.

这些问题盘根错节，三言两语说不清楚。

Useful Sentence Patterns 1

1.There is no denying the fact that… ( 强调事实 )

2. Today an increasing number of people are realizing the importance of … ( 上升趋势 )

3. From what I have mentioned above we can see clearly that… ( 强调事实 )

4. It is important (necessary, urgent, difficult, easy, expensive, desirable, advisable, convenient, comfortable) for sb. to do sth. （发表意见）

General Writing

5. It is generally believed /accepted /thought/held that … （引证观点）

6. …causes (produces, brings about, leads to, results in …) （因果关系）

7. According to a recent survey （ conducted by WHO/CCTV ） ,… ( 消息来源 )

8. The latest survey shows that… ( 消息来源 )

9. No invention has received more praise and abuse than… ( 有争议的主题 )

10. People seem to fail to take into account the fact that… ( 指出不足 )

11. Effective measures should be taken… ( 采取措施 )

12. When it comes to …, the majority of people believe that … ( 强调主题 )

Useful Sentence Patterns-2

13. 表达相似性（ similarity ）1) A is to B what /as is C is to D （ A 之于 B犹如 C之于 D ）2) Just as……, so…… (正如……，则…… )3) A and B have sth. in common ( A和 B 有共同之处 )4) A is similar to B. (A 与 B 相似 )5) The same is true of…/The same can be

said of… (…也是如此 )

14．相异性（ difference ）1) A is just the opposite (to B)

(A 与 B 正相反 )

2) A differs from B in that …

(A 不同于 B 在于… )

3) …is not the same

(…… 既有优点也有不足 )

15. 权衡（ weighing ）1) The advantages outweigh the disadvantages

( 利大于弊 )

Example:

It seems safe to say that the advantages of marriage outweigh the disadvantages of divorce.

Useful Sentence Patterns-3

2) Nothing can rival …(… 是无与伦比的 )

Example:

Perhaps noting can rival the pleasure from reading.

3) …have drawbacks as well as merits (… 既有优点又有不足 )

Example:

There could be no doubt that job –hopping has its drawbacks as well as merits.

4) A is superior to B (A 优于 B)

Example:

Men may be superior to women in physical affairs, yet there is no difference in intelligence.

5) …varies from person to person (…… 是因人而异的 )

Example:

People’s attitude towards drugs varies from person to person.

16 ．分类（ classification ） classified into

A may be… divided into a number of …

put into several…

categorized into

17 ．举例（ example ）There are many examples to show that…

One example is…; another example is...

Take… for example/ as an example.

For example,

Such as

And so on

Assignments

hand in one passage (out of ten)

preview Passage B and finish language focus part

Useful sentence patterns-4

18. 空间顺序（ space order ）

To the left (right) stands…

When you arrive at /in…, you can see…

A is situated /located at /in…

19. 原因（ cause ）1) Among the most convincing reasons given by people for…, one should be mentioned.

2) One may think of the trend as a result of…

3) The change in… largely results from the fact that…

4) There are several causes for this significant growth in… First… ， Second… ， Finally…

5) A number of factors could account for the development in…

6) Why are /do…? For one thing…, for another… and the primary reason is…

7) B is chiefly responsible for…

8) The reasons for…are complicated. And probably they are found in the fact…

9) We may look into every possible reason for this complicated phenomenon, which involves many factors.

20. 结果（ effect ）

It follows that…

This explains why…

The result /effect /consequence of… is…

experiencing english 1 college of foreign languages, nwu

Documents

nwu global warming

nwu slide

time slide

college of foreign languages

nwu lead

nwu unit tasks lead

following passage

harmful environmental