The particular reading skill introduced in this unit is understanding figurative language. To make language clearer, more interesting, and more striking, all of us use expressions which are not literally true. We make comparisons in speaking and writing. Figurative language—language that compares—paints a picture for the reader. Figurative language can be confusing if it is understood literally. The ability to recognize and interpret (or: explain) figurative language may help us fully understand a writer’s point.

ⅠⅠ. . Reading Skills: Reading Skills: Understanding Figurative Language

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Look at the following examples taken from Reading Passage.    There are many different ways of using figurative language. Listed here are just a few of them:    a) Similes ( 明喻 , 直喻 ). These are figurative expressions which directly compare one thing to another by using the words as or like. Look at the following example taken from Reading Passage A:

    The tobacco industry, coupled with Hollywood movies in which both male and female heroes smoked like chimneys , ... (Para. 3, Reading Passage A, Unit 5)

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ⅠⅠ. . Reading Skills: Reading Skills: Understanding Figurative Language

In this sentence, “... smoked like chimne

ys” means “... smoked heavily and continuou

sly”, but the comparison between the two ma

kes the idea clearer and more imaginative.

b) Metaphors ( 暗喻 ), in which compariso

ns are only implied or suggested, without using

as, like and the like. Take another example fro

m Reading Passage A:

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The tobacco industry ... completely won over people like my father, who were hopelessly hooked by cigarettes. (Para. 3, Reading Passage A, Unit 5)    In this sentence, the idea of people relying on smoking is expressed as that of people being hooked by cigarettes. “Hook” is commonly used in relation to fishing and just as fish are hooked and cannot get away, so are cigarette smokers. This implied, parallel image makes the thought more striking and powerful.

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c) Personification ( 拟人 ), figurative expressions which compare non-human things to humans. For example:    My father died from “the poor man’s friend,” pneumonia, one hard winter when his lung illnesses had left him low. (Para. 5, Reading Passage A, Unit 5)    In this sentence, pneumonia, a disease often visited upon poor people, is compared to “the poor man’s friend” and we can feel the power of language easily.

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ⅠⅠ. . Reading Skills: Reading Skills: Practice

Each of the following sentences from Reading Passage B contains a figurative expression. Explain in your own words what the expression means. Write your explanation in the blank space provided below.

1. Parents ... may attempt to compensate by showering them with material possessions. (Para. 4, Reading Passage B, Unit 5)

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Explanation: giving them a huge number of

material possessions

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2. Such parents fluctuate between saying no and giving in — but neither response seems satisfactory to them. (Para. 6, Reading Passage B, Unit 5)

Explanation: change continually and frequently

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3. If they refuse a request, they immediately feel a wave of regret for having been so strict or ungenerous. (Para. 6, Reading Passage B, Unit 5)

Explanation: a sudden, uncontrollable feeling of regret

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4. This kind of variability not only loosens the parents’ ability to set limits, it also sours the parent-child relationship to some degree, robbing parents and their children of some of the happiness and mutual respect that is present in healthy families. (Para. 6, Reading Passage B, Unit 5)

Explanation: makes (the parent-child relationship) go wrong taking (some of the happiness and mutual respect) away from (parents and their children)

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5. Once you turn over a new leaf, you can’t

expect to change completely right away.

(Para. 11, Reading Passage B, Unit 5)

Explanation: start a new course of improved

behavior

ⅠⅠ. . Reading Skills: Reading Skills: Practice

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