A Letter to a B StudentA Letter to a B Student

Unit 11Unit 11

Pre-reading QuestionsPre-reading Questions

What grades do you usually get for the What grades do you usually get for the courses you have been taking? Are you courses you have been taking? Are you satisfied?satisfied?

Imagine yourself to be a teacher and that Imagine yourself to be a teacher and that you are to write a letter to a student who is you are to write a letter to a student who is disappointed with the grade he gets. What disappointed with the grade he gets. What would say to him in the letter?would say to him in the letter?

What do you think the author will say to his What do you think the author will say to his student?student?

About the authorAbout the author

The author, Robert Oliphant is an The author, Robert Oliphant is an English professor at California State English professor at California State University at Northridge. The text is an University at Northridge. The text is an excerpt of a sensitive and thoughtful excerpt of a sensitive and thoughtful letter to a student on keeping a sense letter to a student on keeping a sense of perspective on grades. It appeared of perspective on grades. It appeared in in Liberal EducationLiberal Education in 1986. in 1986.

Structural AnalysisStructural Analysis

Four parts:Four parts:

Part1(1)The 1Part1(1)The 1stst paragraph serves as an paragraph serves as an introduction, which introduces the topic introduction, which introduces the topic of the letter.of the letter.

Part2(2-5)Part2(2-5) Key word: disappointmentKey word: disappointment What Grades mean and do not meanWhat Grades mean and do not mean

Part3 (6-8)Part3 (6-8) key words: The student as performer; key words: The student as performer;

the student as human being.the student as human being. Getting a B in class does not mean one Getting a B in class does not mean one

will always be a performer in life.will always be a performer in life.

Part4 (9-10)Part4 (9-10) Key word: PerspectiveKey word: Perspective In a complex society like ours, labels In a complex society like ours, labels

are necessary but they should be kept are necessary but they should be kept in perspective.in perspective.

Detailed AnalysisDetailed Analysis

Paragraph1 Paragraph1 What change about grades has the writer What change about grades has the writer

mentioned briefly?mentioned briefly? What, according to the writer, has caused What, according to the writer, has caused

the change?the change? Has the writer stated his purpose of writing Has the writer stated his purpose of writing

in this paragraph? in this paragraph?

respectablerespectable

fairly good; enough in amount or qualityfairly good; enough in amount or quality a respectable incomea respectable income a respectable gradea respectable grade This increase makes my salary fairly This increase makes my salary fairly

respectable at last.respectable at last. (result, distance, etc.)(result, distance, etc.) ! respectful, respective! respectful, respective

superiorsuperior

better in quality or valuebetter in quality or value Of the two books, I think this one is Of the two books, I think this one is superiorsuperior.. someone superior to you someone superior to you He is superior to all the other competitors.He is superior to all the other competitors. clearlyclearly superior; superior; definitelydefinitely superior; superior; farfar superior superior

normnorm

a standard (of behavior or ability) that is a standard (of behavior or ability) that is regarded as average or generally regarded as average or generally acceptableacceptable

the national normthe national norm the norms of civilized society the norms of civilized society aboveabove belowbelow

eligibilityeligibility

The qualifications or abilities required for doiThe qualifications or abilities required for doing sth.ng sth.

We must check the eligibility of all candidateWe must check the eligibility of all candidates.s.

eligibility eligibility forfor membership membership eligibilityeligibility toto become President become President eligibleeligible

Eligibility for American presidentEligibility for American president

be a natural born citizen of the United States;be a natural born citizen of the United States; be at least thirty-five years old; be at least thirty-five years old; have been a permanent resident in the Unitehave been a permanent resident in the Unite

d States for at least fourteen years.d States for at least fourteen years.

paragraph 2-5paragraph 2-5

disappointmentdisappointment In this part, the writer has made clear his In this part, the writer has made clear his

purpose purpose of writing. Can you find it ?of writing. Can you find it ? To put your disappointment in perspective To put your disappointment in perspective

by considering exactly what your grade by considering exactly what your grade means and doesn’t mean means and doesn’t mean

How does the writer explain the notion of How does the writer explain the notion of disappointment?disappointment?

inadequacyinadequacy

inadequate: (to, for) not good enough in inadequate: (to, for) not good enough in quality, ability, size, etc. for a particular quality, ability, size, etc. for a particular purposepurpose

The supply of water is inadequate for the The supply of water is inadequate for the trip.trip.

I feel inadequate to the occasion.I feel inadequate to the occasion. The supply is inadequate to meet the The supply is inadequate to meet the

demands.demands.

a feeling of personal inadequacya feeling of personal inadequacy the shocking the shocking inadequacyinadequacy of school system of school system

reputerepute reputationreputation formal useformal use be held in high repute be held in high repute 很有名望很有名望 (be) of high/good/bad/evil repute (be) of high/good/bad/evil repute 名誉好名誉好

（坏）（坏） This is a district of bad repute on account This is a district of bad repute on account

of many robberies.of many robberies. (be) of some repute(be) of some repute I knew him only by repute.I knew him only by repute.

a zero-sum gamea zero-sum game

zero-sum gamezero-sum game 就是指“零和博弈”，指参就是指“零和博弈”，指参与博弈的各方，在严格竞争下，一方的收益与博弈的各方，在严格竞争下，一方的收益必然意味着另一方的损失，博弈各方的收益必然意味着另一方的损失，博弈各方的收益和损失相加总和永远为“零”，双方不存在和损失相加总和永远为“零”，双方不存在合作的可能。例如：合作的可能。例如： In the long run, participIn the long run, participation in the information age may not be a zeation in the information age may not be a zero-sum game.ro-sum game. （从长远看，信息时代的分享（从长远看，信息时代的分享与参与不再是零和博弈）。与参与不再是零和博弈）。

"The China-US relationship is a mutually beneficial "The China-US relationship is a mutually beneficial and win-win relationship rather than a zero-sum gaand win-win relationship rather than a zero-sum game," Zhou told the conference, which was held to me," Zhou told the conference, which was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. commemorate the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations.diplomatic relations.

（中国前驻美大使）周文重在纪念中美建交（中国前驻美大使）周文重在纪念中美建交 3030 周周年大会上说：“中美关系是互利和双赢的，而不是年大会上说：“中美关系是互利和双赢的，而不是一场零和博弈。”一场零和博弈。”

To lose, to fail, to go under, to go broke---…To lose, to fail, to go under, to go broke---… 失利失败，倾家荡产失利失败，倾家荡产 prosperity: the state of being prosperity: the state of being successfulsuccessful and and

richrich

"Sin" is often used to mean an action that is "Sin" is often used to mean an action that is prohibited or considered wrong. In some prohibited or considered wrong. In some religions (notably in Christianity), sin can religions (notably in Christianity), sin can refer not only to physical actions taken, but refer not only to physical actions taken, but also to thoughts and feelings.also to thoughts and feelings.

Seven deadly sinsSeven deadly sins

Common ideas surrounding sin in various Common ideas surrounding sin in various religions include:religions include:

PunishmentPunishment from other people or from God from other people or from God The possibility of The possibility of forgivenessforgiveness of sins, often of sins, often

through communication with a deity or through communication with a deity or intermediary; in Christianity often referred to intermediary; in Christianity often referred to as as salvationsalvation. .

shrug awayshrug away

shrug offshrug off: ignore sth. or act as if it is not : ignore sth. or act as if it is not important important

It is difficult to shrug off that kind of critiIt is difficult to shrug off that kind of criticism.cism.

She can shrug off her troubles and keep smiShe can shrug off her troubles and keep smiling. ling.

她能够把烦恼置之度外而依旧保持笑容。 她能够把烦恼置之度外而依旧保持笑容。

put…in perspectiveput…in perspective

get/keep… in perspectiveget/keep… in perspective We must put the problem in We must put the problem in

perspective; it is serious.perspective; it is serious.

take…at face valuetake…at face value

Believe something without thinking that Believe something without thinking that there may be another meaningthere may be another meaning

Unfortunately, I Unfortunately, I tooktook what he said what he said at face at face value.value.

She She tooktook the story the story at face valueat face value and did not and did not know he was joking.know he was joking.

an English an English proficiencyproficiency test test 英语能力测验 英语能力测验 Do you think the TOEFL score is a good yarDo you think the TOEFL score is a good yar

dstick for English dstick for English proficiencyproficiency?? 你认为托福成绩是一种衡量英语流利程度的你认为托福成绩是一种衡量英语流利程度的

好标准吗好标准吗 ? ?

correspondcorrespond

(to) match; to be in agreement; equivalent(to) match; to be in agreement; equivalent 符合符合 ; ; 相当相当 ; ; 相一致；相一致； The wing of a bird corresponds to the arm The wing of a bird corresponds to the arm

of a man.of a man. Her expenses do not Her expenses do not correspondcorrespond to her i to her i

ncome.ncome. 她的收入与支出不相称。她的收入与支出不相称。

retainretain

To keep possession of; avoid losingTo keep possession of; avoid losing She tried to retain her balance.She tried to retain her balance. This village still retains its old-world characteThis village still retains its old-world characte

r.r. She retains a clear memory of her school daShe retains a clear memory of her school da

ys. ys. 她对自己的学生时代有着清晰的记忆。她对自己的学生时代有着清晰的记忆。

!!! !!! holdhold    keepkeep    maintainmaintain    preservepreserve    savesave

Paragraph6-8Paragraph6-8

the writer’s personal experiencethe writer’s personal experience There is a distinction between ____and There is a distinction between ____and

__________ What’s the revelation of his story ?What’s the revelation of his story ?

make a point ofmake a point of

To do sth. deliberately and carefully, esp. so To do sth. deliberately and carefully, esp. so that somebody else noticesthat somebody else notices

特别注意做； 有意做某事特别注意做； 有意做某事 She made a point of coming over to speak tShe made a point of coming over to speak t

o us.o us. 她有意走过来和我们说话。她有意走过来和我们说话。

GI-Bill studentsGI-Bill students

GI-Bill or the GI-Bill of RightsGI-Bill or the GI-Bill of Rights The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 194The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 194

44 President Franklin RoosevoltPresident Franklin Roosevolt It provided economic and educational assistIt provided economic and educational assist

ance to veterans. The major impact was on ance to veterans. The major impact was on education, employment, housing, etc.education, employment, housing, etc.

就是《退伍军人权利法案》。该法案最先于就是《退伍军人权利法案》。该法案最先于二战末期起草生效，给退伍美军军人提供免二战末期起草生效，给退伍美军军人提供免费的大学或者技校教育，以及一年的失业补费的大学或者技校教育，以及一年的失业补助。 之后该法案历经大小修改，被沿用至今。助。 之后该法案历经大小修改，被沿用至今。韩战、越战等战争的退伍军人，以及和平时韩战、越战等战争的退伍军人，以及和平时期的退伍军人，都得到这个法案所提供的保期的退伍军人，都得到这个法案所提供的保障。 障。

$ 500 per year$ 500 per year allowance of $ 50 per monthallowance of $ 50 per month In 1967, a single veteran’s benefits were In 1967, a single veteran’s benefits were

raised to $130 a month; in 1970 they rose to raised to $130 a month; in 1970 they rose to $175; under the monthly allowance rose to $175; under the monthly allowance rose to $220; in 1974 it rose to $270, $292 in 1976, $220; in 1974 it rose to $270, $292 in 1976, and then $311 a month in 1977. and then $311 a month in 1977.

flunkflunk

The professor flunked Hunter. The professor flunked Hunter. 教授给亨特打了不及格分数。 教授给亨特打了不及格分数。 She flunked the physics examination. She flunked the physics examination. 她物理考试不及格。 她物理考试不及格。

Paragraph9-10Paragraph9-10

Perspective: the way we should regard Perspective: the way we should regard gradesgrades

What is the writer’s view concerning social What is the writer’s view concerning social labels?labels?

How does the writer relate a student’s How does the writer relate a student’s academic performance with his future life?academic performance with his future life?

termsterms

in international terms in international terms 考虑到国际情况考虑到国际情况 in real terms in real terms 考虑到实际情况考虑到实际情况 on good terms on good terms 关系融洽关系融洽 In terms of…In terms of… 关于，谈到关于，谈到

hamperhamper

to cause difficulty in movement or activityto cause difficulty in movement or activity 阻碍；妨碍；牵制阻碍；妨碍；牵制 We hoped in this way to We hoped in this way to hamperhamper its movem its movem

ents and reduce its speed.ents and reduce its speed. 我们希望那样会阻滞它的行动我们希望那样会阻滞它的行动 ,, 降低它的速降低它的速

度。度。 The search was hampered by appalling weaThe search was hampered by appalling wea

ther condition. ther condition.

Translation ExercisesTranslation Exercises

1. He was hospitalized with acute 1. He was hospitalized with acute appendicitis, with the result that he missed appendicitis, with the result that he missed the final examination.the final examination.

2. As many more people came to the lecture 2. As many more people came to the lecture than expected, there were not enough than expected, there were not enough handouts to go round.handouts to go round.

3. No matter what a long day he may have, 3. No matter what a long day he may have, he makes a point of checking his e-mail box he makes a point of checking his e-mail box before going to bed.before going to bed.

4. Unemployment is found in all countries in 4. Unemployment is found in all countries in the world, but the governments vary in their the world, but the governments vary in their way to handle the problem.way to handle the problem.

5.Anyone who has come to a foreign 5.Anyone who has come to a foreign country for the first time is apt to find country for the first time is apt to find everything around him both strange and everything around him both strange and interesting.interesting.

6.The football fans were very disappointed 6.The football fans were very disappointed at the performance of the players of both at the performance of the players of both teams.teams.

7.Never take what he says at face value. 7.Never take what he says at face value. Think it over yourself.Think it over yourself.

8.The doctor’s words removed his fears 8.The doctor’s words removed his fears about the operation.about the operation.