New college

English

Unit Two

I Preparation II Reading Activities

III Further Development IV Translation & Writing

Part I Preparation

1. Group Discussion

2. Dialects & Mandarin

Activity 1 Group Discussion

The sentences that affected you. The sentence that moved you the most;

The sentence that encouraged you the most.

Take care of you.

I love you.

Go on.

I’m sure you will succeed.

Wherever you go, I’ll be right there supporting you.

Which is more useful? Why or why not? To me, dialects are important is many ways. People speaking the same dialect feel close to each other.

Usually they are from the same region and have more in common. When you talk about a particular event or custom in your hometown, very o you’ll find it hard to express yourself in Mandarin. At that time, you’ll find your dialect has more vivid expressions than Mandarin. Besides, dialects can help you recognize fellow townsmen or fellow provincials. You can identify them by the dialect they speak or the accent they have. Sometime when you are in difficulty, your dialect can help you find people who’ll give you a hand because you speak the same dialect.

Activity 2 Dialects & Mandarin

Part II Reading Activities

1. Pre-reading Questions

2. Text Organization

3. Sentence Study

4. Words & Phrases

1) Do you often send or receive letters or notes to or from your friends? How do you feel when you send or receive them?

Pre-reading Questions

I usually send or receive letters to or from my parents once a month. I have many friends and classmates and we also write each other letters, so almost every day I get a letter from one of them. I am very happy when I receive their letters, and can’t wait to read them.

Sometimes I can’t help laughing while reading because they tell me a joke or describe something interesting in the letter. After I send a letter, I will wait anxiously for a reply. I hope they enjoy my letters too, for I want to make them feel good.

2. Do you think people need encouragement and praise? Why or why not?

Pre-reading Questions

•There is no doubt that people need encouragement and praise. All of us would like to feel needed and admired. If we didn’t hear any words of encouragement or praise, how could we know that we were valued by people close to us? •Besides, when I fail to do something successfully, I’ll feel depressed. If someone can comfort or console me at this moment, and give me encouragement, he or she will make me feel good.

1. Do you send to or receive from your friends letters or notes? How do you feel when you send or receive them?

Pre-reading Questions

I don’t think people of my age often write letters. Instead, we send emails to each other almost every day. So the happiest time in a day is when I sit down and check my emailbox after a day’s work. When I read emails, I felt as if I were talking with the writers face-to-face. And at the same time, I can experience many things vicariously and share with them some happy moments in their lives.

2. Do you think people need encouragement and praise? Why or why not?

Pre-reading Questions

There is no doubt that people need encouragement and praise. All of us would like to feel needed and admired. If we didn’t hear any words of encouragement or praise, how could we know that we were valued by people close to us? Besides, when I fail to do something, I’ll feel depressed. If someone can comfort or console me at that moment, and give me encouraging suggestions, they will probably make a big difference in my life. On the other hand if I could encourage or cheer my friend, I’ll feel very good about myself. In this sense I can say encouragement actually benefit people on both sides.

Text OrganizationText Organization

The significance of Don Wolfe’s notes.

How to write notes that lift spirits and warm hearts.

We all need encouragement and upbeat notes can meet our needs.

Conclusion: An uplifting note makes both the receiver and the sender feel good.

Para.1-4

Para.5-7

Para.8-10

Para.11-18

Para.19

Some very busy people write notes and benefit from this practice.

1. Because I was a teenager (being paid the grand total of 15 cents a column inch), his words couldn’t have been more inspiring. (Line 6)

Sentence Study

【解析】利用否定结构进行强调是英语中经常使用的修辞手段。

【释义】 When I was in my tens I wrote articles for columns paid 15 cents a column inch, which was too much for me at that time, so I felt his words were very inspiring indeed.

【译文】当时我只是一个十几岁的小伙子（为专栏写一英寸文字总计得稿酬15美分），因此他的话非常令人鼓舞。

2. Over the years, I’ve tried to copy the example of Don and other friends who care enough to write uplifting comments, because I

think they are on to something important. (Line 16 )

Sentence Study

【解析】句中有一个 who 引导的定语从句，修饰 Don and other friends 。 to be on to something 意为“从事某事”。 【释义】 Over the years, I’ve tried to follow the example of Don and other friends who are willing to keep writing inspiring words to others, because I think they are doing something important to people.【译文】多年来，我努力仿效唐以及我的其他朋友，他们关心别人，常写一些鼓舞人心的话语。因为我觉得，他们这样做是很有意义的。

3. The drawback with phone calls, of course, is that they don't last. A note attaches more importance to our well wishing. (Line 25. )

Sentence Study

【解析】 attach vt. 缚上 , 系上 , 贴上 v. 配属 , 隶属于

【释义】 Of course, the shortage of phone calls is that they can’t be preserved. Written on the note, our best wishes seem more important and valuable.

【译文】当然打电话的缺点是：说过的话留不住。而一张便笺能使我们的良好意愿显得更加珍贵。

【常用句型】 attach importance to: 使显得重要，强调。

4. It is a matter of record, and our words can be read more than once, savored and treasured. (Line 26)

Sentence Study

【解析】 to be a matter of something ：是……的问题。句子的后半部分是被动语态。其中 read, savored, treasured 为并列的动词分词。【释义】 It is a kind of record, on which our words can be reread 、 preserved and cherished.【译文】便笺是一种记载，而且我们写下的字可以反复阅读，细细品味，并珍藏起来。【例句】 It’s a matter of honor.

事关荣誉。

5. Even top corporate managers, who have mostly affected styles of leadership that can be characterized only as tough, cold and aloof, have begun to learn the lesson, and earn the benefits, of writing notes that lift people up. (Line 35.)

Sentence Study

【释义】 Even top corporate managers characterized as callous, unfriendly and isolated have begun learning to write some inspiring words to encourage people and got benefit from that.

【译文】那些通常古板做作的公司高层经理们，其作风可被形容为粗暴，冷漠，脱离群众。甚至这些人也开始学习写便笺去鼓舞人心，且获益匪浅。

6. Former Ford chairman Donald Peterson, who is largely credited for turning the company round in the 1980s, made it a practice to write positive messages to associates every day. (Line 37 )

Sentence Study

【释义】 Donald Peterson, former Ford chairman respected for saving the company from the great difficulty in 1980, made it a habit of writing positive messages to partners everyday.【译文】唐纳德 ·彼得森，福特公司的前主席，把每天写便笺鼓励同事当作一件日常工作。该公司在 80年代时走出低谷取得成功主要是他的功劳。【例句】 Nightingale is credited for establishing the first nurse school in the world.南丁格尔被认为创建了世界上第一所护士学校。

7. Fancy stationery isn’t necessary; it’s the thought that counts. (Line 65 )

Sentence Study

【解析】关键在于对动词 count 的理解，count 算数。【释义】 Elaborate stationery isn’t necessary, and the most important thing is thought.【译文】信封不需要很花哨，重要的是要表达的思想。【例句】It isn’t what you say, but what you do, that really counts. 你怎么说并不重要；重要的是你怎么做。

8. Acknowledging some success or good fortune that has happened during the year seems particularly appropriate considering the spirit of the Christmas season. (Line 71)

Sentence Study

【解析】 considering 此处的功能相当于一个介词。【释义】 With the spirit of the Christmas season, recalling some success or good fortune that has happened during the year seems particularly appropriate.【译文】鉴于圣诞节的情况，对一年来所取得的成功与得到的好运特意表示一下赞美和高兴似乎是最恰到好处的。

characterize （ 1 ）将 ······ 描述为 【例句】 The hero of the book is characterized as a person of very strong

principles. 书中的男主人公被描述成是一个具有很强的原则性的人。 (2) 是 ······ 的特征 【例句】 An interest in people’s deepest feelings characterizes all her

writings. 对人类内心深处的感情的兴趣是她作品的主要特征。

Words & Phrases

complimentary 同根词： compliment v./n. 称赞，夸奖 compliments n. 祝愿 反义词： uncomplimentary complimentary remarks 夸奖的话 His boss is very complimentary about his work. 他的老板对他的工作评价很好。 免费的： a complimentary ticket 赠券 注意区别形近词 complementary “ 补充的”。

Words & Phrases

drawback 和动词词组 draw back 一起记忆： （ 1 ） 躲开，闪开 The crowd drew back in terror as the building crashed to the ground.

当大楼坍塌的时候人群惊恐地往后躲。 （ 2 ） 躲避，逃避

The firm drew back from making an immediate decision. 公司躲躲闪闪，不肯立即作出决定。

The only drawback of the plan is that it costs too much. The high cost is a major drawback of the plan.

这个方案惟一的缺点就是花费太大。

Words & Phrases

enterprise （ 1 ）组织，企业 It is time for small and medium enterprises to band together and break

monopolies of the “giants”. “ ”中小型企业应该联合起来打破 企业巨头 的垄断 （ 2）困难的任务，冒险性的计划 They have just embarked on their latest enterprise, which is to sail

round the world in a very small boat. 他们刚刚开始他们最新的惊人之举：在一条小船里环游世界 。 （ 3 ）实干精神，胆识，进取心 I admire their enterprise in trying to start up a new business. 我很欣赏他们的实干精神：他们打算开办一家新的企业。

Words & Phrases

overdue over 是一个常见的前缀，表示“过于 ······ 的” overcharge 向 ······ 索要高价 oversleep 睡过头 overeat 吃得过 overestimate 过高估计 overdose 药物过量 overreact 反应过激

Words & Phrases

precise adj. exactly or sharply defined or stated 精确的 precision (or preciseness) n. 精确，准确 Scientific instruments have to be made with great

precision. 科学仪器必须要有严格的精确性。 precisely adv. 精确地；恰好；没错 They arrived precisely at seven o’clock. 他们恰好 7 点到的。 反义词： imprecise

Words & Phrases

accurate, exact, precise辨析 accurate 强调的是“因为细心，谨慎而实现的准确”。 ［反］ inaccurate He gave an accurate description of the situation. 他对局势进行了精准的分析。 Accurate prediction is difficult because of the complication of the

factors. 因为情况复杂，因此很难做出准确的预测。 exact 指的是严格遵守事实的，严格按照标准的。 a chart showing the star’s exact position in the galaxy 一张显示了星星在银河中的确切位置的图表 precise尤指定义上的和界定上的“精确 " ，“明确 " 。［反］ loose Industrial robots are getting smaller and are more precise and sensitive

enough to work with soft substances, doufu, for example. 工业机器人体积越来越小，精确性更高，并且灵敏度 也很好，可以处

理非常软的物质，例如，豆腐。

Words & Phrases

feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion 辨析： feeling 是指愉悦，爱慕，痛苦，厌恶等等人类的感情。 Whatever feelings she had for him is gone. 她对他的感情已经消失地无影无踪。 emotion 和 feeling 在很多时候都可以互通使用。但是前 者有“强烈的感情”的含

义。同时，这两个词都既可以 表示褒义，又可以表示贬义。 affection侧重于表示“亲切，偏好，喜欢，依恋”等感情。 North Americans often pat on arm in reassurance or stroke a child’s head in

affection. 北美的人经常拍拍别人的胳膊表示让他放心，或者亲切地摸摸小孩子的头。 sentiment 一般是指“感伤，善感”等含义，侧重于“优雅的气质，知识分子的愁

绪”有时候含有“做作的”等贬义。 passion 是指强烈的，迫切的感情。 Revenge became his ruling passion. 他被复仇的念头所支配。

Words & Phrases

1. Writing VS Calling

Part III Further Development

Step 1

Divide the class into two big groups. One group lists all the advantages and disadvantages of letter writing, while the other group of calling.

Step 2

The members of each group are encouraged to list as many advantages and disadvantages as possible on the blackboard.

Writing VS Calling

Writing VS Calling

advantages disadvantages advantages disadvantages

1) It saves money. 1) It takes much time to send a letter to the receiver.

1) It is quick to place a phone call and contact each other.

1) It is expensive

2) Letters can be kept and read again and again.

2) Mail may get lost. 2) It enables us to hear each other’s voice.

2) Calls usually can’t be kept or listened again.

3) Letter can express our deep feelings.

3) It takes more time to write.

3) We can get our friends’ response quickly.

3) It is difficult to express deep feelings over the phone.

4) it’s a pleasure to write.

4) Sometimes the sound is not clear.

1. Translation Skills

2. Writing Practice

Part IV Translation & Writing

Translation Skills

顺译分段法

Translation Skills

顺译分段法，故名思义，即基本上按照英语句子的语序把英语长句化整为零。根据对原文分析的结果，在语句的连接处，如关联词语处，并列或转折处，后续成份与主体连接处等地方，按意群将长句断开后译成若干汉语分句。

1. We sincerely hope that your congratulations will be matched by your collective effort to seek a just and practical solution to the problem which has challenged the United Nations for so many years.

【译文】我们诚恳地希望，你们在表示祝贺之后，能采取与之呼应的共同行动，以寻求一个公正合理又切实可行的方案，来解决这个多年来一直困扰着联合国的难题。

Translation Skills

2. The global economy that boomed in the 1960s, growing at an average of 5.5 percent a year, and pushed ahead at a 4.5 percent-a-year rate in the mid-1970s, simply stopped growing from 1981 to 1982.

【译文】世界经济在 60 年代迅速繁荣，以年均 5.5% 的速度增长；到了 70 年代中期仍以年均 4.5% 的速度向前推进；但是从 1981 年到 1982 年增长就完全停滞。

Translation Skills

Direction: Write a composition on either of the following topics. Use at least 6 of the following words and phrases from the box.

1) Is Writing Better than Calling?2) Words I Will Never Forget

Writing Practice

inspiring confident encouraging comment treasure response conscious expressive escape get over pick up meditate

Sample Writing

1) Is Writing Better than Calling?

The conventional way of sending messages is writing a letter. Though it takes a lot of time, it is one of the most commonly used ways of communication. With the development of science and technology, the telephone emerged and it becomes so popular that it is indispensable in our daily life.

Writing Practice

It is difficult to say which is better. Every means of communication has its advantages and disadvantages. Writing a letter is not only a means of communication, but also a kind of pleasure. What is more, the letters can be kept and read again and again. Sometimes they are inspiring, and sometimes they are encouraging. You can write a lot of things in a letter and it does not cost you much to mail it. But it is slow, and you have to wait a long time to get a response from your friends. On the other hand, making telephone calls is much faster, so they are more appropriate when you need a quick reply. They also enable you to hear your friends' voice, which gives you a wonderful feeling. It is so easy just to pick up the phone and call whereas writing takes more energy. But telephoning is expensive, and sometimes you cannot remember all the comments that are made because calls are transient, and cannot be kept for reading later like treasured letters.

Writing Practice

Writing Practice

So it is very hard to say which is better. The only thing we can do is to make a wise choice between writing and calling according to the situation.

Words I Will Never Forget

I was raised in the countryside by my grandmother. She was a very courageous and inspiring woman and was very beautiful, too. In comparison with her and some of my classmates, I always felt that I was not pretty. In fact, when I was in middle school, I thought I was ugly and because of these negative feelings I was not very confident. I often felt self-conscious.

Writing Practice

Writing Practice

One day when I was walking with my grandmother, we met one of her friends. We talked for a few minutes. Just as my grandmother's friend was about to leave, she turned to me and said, "Xiaowen, you look very beautiful today in that green dress."        

Writing Practice

No one had ever made a comment like that to me before. It was so encouraging. Suddenly I felt confident and happy. I couldn't believe that some one would describe me as beautiful. It's true that those words turned my life around. And I admit that I treasured that green dress for a long time.

Writing Practice

So it is very hard to say which is better. The only thing we can do is to make a wise choice between writing and calling according to the situation.

Thanks for Your Attention!Thanks for Your Attention!