Unit 14. Contents Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Background information Background information Background information

Unit 14Unit 14

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structure analysisStructure analysis Comprehension questionsComprehension questions Language points of Text ILanguage points of Text I Grammatical itemsGrammatical items ExercisesExercises Comprehension questions of Text IIComprehension questions of Text II Oral activitiesOral activities Writing practiceWriting practice

Text I The Jeaning of AmericaText I The Jeaning of America

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

• Do you like blue jeans? Why or why not ?

• What do you know about its origins?• List as many other American icons as you

can apart from Levis’s jeans?

Background information (1)Background information (1)

Jeans are trousers made from denim. Originally work clothes, they became popular among teenagers starting in the 1950s. Historic brands include Levi's and Wrangler. Today Jeans are a very popular form of casual dress around the world.


Levi Strauss


When Strauss heard about the Gold Rush he left for SWhen Strauss heard about the Gold Rush he left for San Francisco. He planned to manufacture tents for thoan Francisco. He planned to manufacture tents for those people arriving in California to work as miners. He se people arriving in California to work as miners. He discovered there was no demand for this product and idiscovered there was no demand for this product and instead used this canvas to make waist-high overalls. Lnstead used this canvas to make waist-high overalls. Later he switched from canvas to a tough cotton fabric fater he switched from canvas to a tough cotton fabric from France called Serge de Nimes. This material evenrom France called Serge de Nimes. This material eventually became known as denim. In 1860 Strauss strengtually became known as denim. In 1860 Strauss strengthen the pockets of his trousers with copper rivets. In then the pockets of his trousers with copper rivets. In 1873 he patented these blue denim trousers that were 1873 he patented these blue denim trousers that were now known as jeans.now known as jeans.


The company Levi Strauss founded remains one The company Levi Strauss founded remains one of the nation's leading apparel manufacturers, of the nation's leading apparel manufacturers, but even more impressively, the garment he but even more impressively, the garment he created, still known as "levis," has long since left created, still known as "levis," has long since left the diggings to become not only an emblem of the diggings to become not only an emblem of the American West but an emissary of the the American West but an emissary of the Western lifestyle -- egalitarian, utilitarian, Western lifestyle -- egalitarian, utilitarian, independent -- around the world.independent -- around the world.


Levi Strauss's jeans were popular with cowboys Levi Strauss's jeans were popular with cowboys and farmers and he made a great deal of money and farmers and he made a great deal of money from his business. Strauss was extremely from his business. Strauss was extremely generous and contributed to several San generous and contributed to several San Francisco orphanages. He also paid for students Francisco orphanages. He also paid for students to attend the University of California. to attend the University of California.

Levi Strauss never married and when he died in Levi Strauss never married and when he died in 1902 he left the company to four nephews. 1902 he left the company to four nephews.

Structure analysis of the text (1)Structure analysis of the text (1)

This is a piece of investigative writing which This is a piece of investigative writing which explores the history of the blue jeans , one of explores the history of the blue jeans , one of America’s symbols today. The author provides America’s symbols today. The author provides some important information concerning who the some important information concerning who the inventor was, when and how the pants came into inventor was, when and how the pants came into being, why they have become popular and what being, why they have become popular and what they symbolize. Around these factors the essay they symbolize. Around these factors the essay is structured with five clear-cut parts. is structured with five clear-cut parts.

Structure analysis of the text (2)Structure analysis of the text (2) Paragraph 1: Paragraph 1: In this paragraph the author mentions three In this paragraph the author mentions three

points about blue jeans:points about blue jeans: The pants, more suitable than the dollar and The pants, more suitable than the dollar and

coca-cola, have become an American symbol.coca-cola, have become an American symbol. They stand for “a manly and legitimate passion They stand for “a manly and legitimate passion

for equality”.for equality”. They have gained worldwide popularity.They have gained worldwide popularity.


Paragraphs 2-3: Paragraphs 2-3: These two Paragraphs introduce Levis Strauss These two Paragraphs introduce Levis Strauss

and his early experience in New York as an and his early experience in New York as an immigrant.immigrant.

Paragraph 4: Paragraph 4: The focal point of this paragraph is on how The focal point of this paragraph is on how

Levis Strauss came to invent the blue jeans.Levis Strauss came to invent the blue jeans.


Paragraph 5: Paragraph 5: This paragraph is closely related with the This paragraph is closely related with the

previous one ,making the invention of blue jeans previous one ,making the invention of blue jeans a completed legend. The author tells how the a completed legend. The author tells how the pants got their name, how rivets were added to pants got their name, how rivets were added to the jeans and, accidentally, became a company the jeans and, accidentally, became a company trademark.trademark.


Paragraph 6: Paragraph 6: This paragraph tells the readers that Strauss’s local This paragraph tells the readers that Strauss’s local

company developed into a national business and the company developed into a national business and the blue jeans not only had become popular among Western blue jeans not only had become popular among Western labors, but also had won the favor of people from the labors, but also had won the favor of people from the east.east.

Paragraph 7: Paragraph 7: As a conclusion, this paragraph reiterates the primary As a conclusion, this paragraph reiterates the primary

quality of the blue jeans --- its roughness and reliability.quality of the blue jeans --- its roughness and reliability.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

WhaWhat according to the text, has made the blue t according to the text, has made the blue jeans an American symbol?jeans an American symbol?

Blue jeans are an American symbol, because Blue jeans are an American symbol, because they are “ a manly and legitimate passion for they are “ a manly and legitimate passion for equality”; they draw no distinctions and equality”; they draw no distinctions and recognize no classes, so they are favored by recognize no classes, so they are favored by people from all walks of life.people from all walks of life.


How How did Levis Strauss find his opportunity in the did Levis Strauss find his opportunity in the West?West?

Levis Strauss invented his blue jeans largely by Levis Strauss invented his blue jeans largely by chance. He brought some canvas which he hoped chance. He brought some canvas which he hoped to sell for tenting in the West, but it was the wrong to sell for tenting in the West, but it was the wrong kind, After learning that the Western miners kind, After learning that the Western miners needed tough and sturdy pants in their work, he needed tough and sturdy pants in their work, he had the canvas tailored into a pair of stiff but had the canvas tailored into a pair of stiff but rugged pants, which was an immediate success.rugged pants, which was an immediate success.


How did How did Levis rugged pants get the name “blue Levis rugged pants get the name “blue jeans”?jeans”?

The word “jeans” derives from Genes, the The word “jeans” derives from Genes, the French word for Genoa, where a similar tough French word for Genoa, where a similar tough cotton cloth was produced; Levis Strauss had his cotton cloth was produced; Levis Strauss had his cloth dyed indigo, hence , “blue jeans”.cloth dyed indigo, hence , “blue jeans”.


When dWhen did the blue jeans obtain their nationwide id the blue jeans obtain their nationwide popularity in America?popularity in America?

Blue jeans gained more popularity in the Second Blue jeans gained more popularity in the Second World War when they became an essential World War when they became an essential commodity and were only used by those in commodity and were only used by those in military service.military service.


What is the main reason that makes the blue What is the main reason that makes the blue jeans favored by men and women alike?jeans favored by men and women alike?

The main reason is that the blue jeans, besides The main reason is that the blue jeans, besides their proletarian look, are adaptable to “ any sort their proletarian look, are adaptable to “ any sort of idiosyncratic use” and suitable for various of idiosyncratic use” and suitable for various decorations and ornaments.decorations and ornaments.


How do you understand the title of the essay “ thHow do you understand the title of the essay “ the Jeaning of America”?e Jeaning of America”?

The title suggests how an American symbol, naThe title suggests how an American symbol, namely the jeans, came into being. Call the studentmely the jeans, came into being. Call the students’ attention to the basic meaning of structure “the s’ attention to the basic meaning of structure “the +ing +of + noun”. In the text, the title literally m+ing +of + noun”. In the text, the title literally means “how America came to be symbolized by jeeans “how America came to be symbolized by jeans” or “how that American symbol was inventeans” or “how that American symbol was invented”d”

Language points of Text I (1)Language points of Text I (1)

symbolize: to be a symbol of symbolize: to be a symbol of The lion symbolizes strength; the lamb The lion symbolizes strength; the lamb

symbolizes gentleness.symbolizes gentleness. A wedding ring symbolizes the union of husband A wedding ring symbolizes the union of husband

and wife.and wife.


draw a distinction: to indicate the differences draw a distinction: to indicate the differences (between) (between)

Many societies draw a distinction between the Many societies draw a distinction between the status of an unmarried woman and a married status of an unmarried woman and a married one.one.

Can you draw a distinction between a gerund Can you draw a distinction between a gerund and a present participle?and a present participle?


favor: to like better than othersfavor: to like better than others Most students favor this proposal.Most students favor this proposal. Fortune favors the brave.Fortune favors the brave.


seek after: to try to getseek after: to try to get She is always doing favors for us. We’d better She is always doing favors for us. We’d better

buy her a present.buy her a present. I was able to do him a favor by recommending I was able to do him a favor by recommending

him for the job.him for the job.


break up : to stop from continuing , especially break up : to stop from continuing , especially by using force.by using force.

The police were instructed to break up the The police were instructed to break up the demonstration against the government.demonstration against the government.

The protest was perfectly peaceful until The protest was perfectly peaceful until government troops came and tried to break it up.government troops came and tried to break it up.


emigrate: to permanently leave one’s own emigrate: to permanently leave one’s own countrycountry

My parents emigrated from Britain to New My parents emigrated from Britain to New Zealand when Dad got a once-in-a-lifetime job Zealand when Dad got a once-in-a-lifetime job offer. offer.


exaggerate: to say more than the truth about exaggerate: to say more than the truth about Darren says that he’s seen “the great escape” at Darren says that he’s seen “the great escape” at

least twenty-five times but I think he is least twenty-five times but I think he is exaggerating.exaggerating.

The seriousness of the situation has been much The seriousness of the situation has been much exaggerated.exaggerated.


eke out : to cause (a small supply) to last longer eke out : to cause (a small supply) to last longer by adding something elseby adding something else

She eked out her small income by cleaning other She eked out her small income by cleaning other people’s houses.people’s houses.

It was difficult but he managed to eke out his It was difficult but he managed to eke out his money until the end of the month.money until the end of the month.


stand up to : to last well under certain hard stand up to : to last well under certain hard conditionsconditions

The material can stand up to high temperature.The material can stand up to high temperature.


get around : to spreadget around : to spread It’s amazing how quickly stories of people’s It’s amazing how quickly stories of people’s

misfortune get around, isn’t it ?misfortune get around, isn’t it ? Word soon got around that George was going to Word soon got around that George was going to

England.England.


run out of : to use up supplyrun out of : to use up supply By the time they got to the camp they’d run out By the time they got to the camp they’d run out

of water.of water. I’ve run out of cigarettes. Do you think you I’ve run out of cigarettes. Do you think you

could go down to the store and get somecould go down to the store and get some ？？

Language points of Text I (12)Language points of Text I (12) pacify: to bring or restore to a state of peace and pacify: to bring or restore to a state of peace and

calmness.calmness. The government sent a representative to try and The government sent a representative to try and

pacify the angry miners.pacify the angry miners.


work work ：： to succeedto succeed It seems a strange way of treating a cold but it It seems a strange way of treating a cold but it

works, believe me.works, believe me. Finally, Paul tried adjusting the fuel pump and Finally, Paul tried adjusting the fuel pump and

that worked.that worked.


ensuing: following, subsequentensuing: following, subsequent They met each other several times over the They met each other several times over the

ensuing months.ensuing months. Thousands were killed in the ensuing battles.Thousands were killed in the ensuing battles.


prosper: to become successfulprosper: to become successful In India the hand-loom industry prosper because In India the hand-loom industry prosper because

it is subsidized by the government.it is subsidized by the government. We appointed a new financial advisor and the We appointed a new financial advisor and the

business prospered under his guidance.business prospered under his guidance.


confine: to keep within limits; to limit or restrictconfine: to keep within limits; to limit or restrict Please confine yourself to the subject under the Please confine yourself to the subject under the

discussion.discussion. I wish you would confine your attention to the I wish you would confine your attention to the

facts and ignore anything that can be described facts and ignore anything that can be described as hearsay.as hearsay.


craze: a very popular fashion that usually only craze: a very popular fashion that usually only last for a very short period of time.last for a very short period of time.

Rollerblades are the latest craze, and are sure to Rollerblades are the latest craze, and are sure to bring their own joys and hazards.bring their own joys and hazards.


be engaged: to be involved in , to be committed be engaged: to be involved in , to be committed to , as to a causeto , as to a cause

The Nationalists have been engaged in a bitter The Nationalists have been engaged in a bitter fifteen-year armed struggle for independence.fifteen-year armed struggle for independence.

During dinner I found myself engaged in a long During dinner I found myself engaged in a long and complicated conversation with the doctor’s and complicated conversation with the doctor’s wife.wife.


reliability: dependabilityreliability: dependability There is some uncertainty about the reliability of There is some uncertainty about the reliability of

the data used in the research.the data used in the research. The advantage if this system is its reliability and The advantage if this system is its reliability and

speed.speed.


purchase: to buypurchase: to buy MBI has agreed to purchase additional 7 million MBI has agreed to purchase additional 7 million

shares of Boxon stock.shares of Boxon stock.


adapt to : to become used to somethingadapt to : to become used to something It is not easy, but we are slowly adapting to the It is not easy, but we are slowly adapting to the

new style of management.new style of management. He soon adapted himself to the cold weather in He soon adapted himself to the cold weather in

Heilongjiang.Heilongjiang. After the family moved to America, the children After the family moved to America, the children

adapted to the change very well.adapted to the change very well.


slit: to make a narrow cut in slit: to make a narrow cut in When the zipper on my jeans broke, I have to When the zipper on my jeans broke, I have to

slit them up the side to get them off.slit them up the side to get them off.


convert into : to change into convert into : to change into We’ve converted the basement into a club to We’ve converted the basement into a club to

give the children more room to play.give the children more room to play. The children converted the backyard into a The children converted the backyard into a

peanut lot.peanut lot. Electricity is converted into heat.Electricity is converted into heat.


chop off: to cut something off by hitting it with chop off: to cut something off by hitting it with repeated strokes, using a sharp toolrepeated strokes, using a sharp tool

We had to chop off the legs of the table to get it We had to chop off the legs of the table to get it through the door.through the door.


tributetribute 1.a gift, payment, speech, or other acknowledgement 1.a gift, payment, speech, or other acknowledgement

of gratitude, respect, or admirationof gratitude, respect, or admiration [count] They give the retiring president a tribute.[count] They give the retiring president a tribute. [Non-count] They paid tribute to her understanding [Non-count] They paid tribute to her understanding

talents.talents. 2. evidence attesting to some praiseworthy quality or 2. evidence attesting to some praiseworthy quality or

characteristiccharacteristic Her home is a tribute to her good taste.Her home is a tribute to her good taste. It was a tribute to her teaching methods that most of It was a tribute to her teaching methods that most of

the children passed the tests.the children passed the tests.


dangle: to hang looselydangle: to hang loosely Dangling from her ears were large gold earrings.Dangling from her ears were large gold earrings. He dangled helplessly from the cliff, trying not He dangled helplessly from the cliff, trying not

to look down.to look down.


sole: only sole: only Shell was the sole supplier of gasoline in the Shell was the sole supplier of gasoline in the

whole town .whole town . My mother is the sole beneficiary of my fathers My mother is the sole beneficiary of my fathers

$ 10,000 insurance policy.$ 10,000 insurance policy.

Grammatical items (1)Grammatical items (1)

Note the use of the past perfect in the following Note the use of the past perfect in the following sentences.sentences.

……during the European political turmoil of 1848 during the European political turmoil of 1848 decided to take his chances in New York, to decided to take his chances in New York, to which his two brothers already which his two brothers already had emigrated.had emigrated.

Upon arrival, Levi soon found that his two Upon arrival, Levi soon found that his two brothers brothers had exaggeratedhad exaggerated their tales of an easy their tales of an easy life in the land of the main chance.life in the land of the main chance.

Grammatical items (2)Grammatical items (2)

• They were land owners, they They were land owners, they had toldhad told him… him…

• Bye this time, Strauss Bye this time, Strauss had takenhad taken both his both his brothers and two brothers-in-law into the brothers and two brothers-in-law into the company.company.

• ……by the time of his death in 1902, Strauss by the time of his death in 1902, Strauss had had becomebecome a man of prominence in California. a man of prominence in California.

Exercises (1)Exercises (1)Translation exercisesTranslation exercises 把领导人的政策与他们支持者的想法区分开来把领导人的政策与他们支持者的想法区分开来

是很重要的。（是很重要的。（ draw a distinction)draw a distinction) It’s important to draw a distinction between the pIt’s important to draw a distinction between the p

olicies of the leaders and the views of their suppoolicies of the leaders and the views of their supporters. rters.

在欧洲白色象征纯洁，但在亚洲却常常是悲在欧洲白色象征纯洁，但在亚洲却常常是悲悼的象征悼的象征 .(symbolize).(symbolize)

In Europe , the color white symbolize purity but iIn Europe , the color white symbolize purity but in Asia it is often the symbol of mourning. n Asia it is often the symbol of mourning.

Exercises (2)Exercises (2)

旅游团只能进行计划内活动旅游团只能进行计划内活动 .(confine to).(confine to) The tutor group is confined to the planned activitThe tutor group is confined to the planned activit

ies. ies. 一旦谣言传开，他再也不会在这个镇上工作一旦谣言传开，他再也不会在这个镇上工作

了。了。 (get around)(get around) Once the rumor gets around, he’ll never work in Once the rumor gets around, he’ll never work in

this town again. this town again.


他总是没等到发薪水的日子就把钱花完了。他总是没等到发薪水的日子就把钱花完了。 He’s always running out of money before paydaHe’s always running out of money before payda

y.y. 他一生致力于促进世界和平，因此获得了诺他一生致力于促进世界和平，因此获得了诺

贝尔和平奖。贝尔和平奖。 He got the Nobel Prize for peace because he was He got the Nobel Prize for peace because he was

engaged in the promotion of world peace all his lengaged in the promotion of world peace all his life. ife.


孩子们觉得很难适应住在公寓里－他们想要孩子们觉得很难适应住在公寓里－他们想要在院子里玩。在院子里玩。

The children have found it difficult to adapt to liThe children have found it difficult to adapt to living in an apartment----they want a garden to plving in an apartment----they want a garden to play in. ay in.

一家瑞士公司发现一种将动物排泄物变成燃一家瑞士公司发现一种将动物排泄物变成燃料的方法。料的方法。

A Swiss company has found a way to convert aA Swiss company has found a way to convert animal waste into fuel. nimal waste into fuel.

Exercises (6)Exercises (6) Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the

box in its appropriate form.box in its appropriate form.

favor chop off get around break up seek afterbe engaged in convert into stand up to confine to run out of


1. In the 1930s the Bauhaus school tended to 1. In the 1930s the Bauhaus school tended to ______________ the scientific and ______________ the scientific and technological approach to art.technological approach to art.

He was much ____________on account of his He was much ____________on account of his wide reading and brilliant conversational wide reading and brilliant conversational powers.powers.

favor

sought after


The police were instructed to ________the The police were instructed to ________the demonstration against the government.demonstration against the government.

It is a robust little car that will _________ a lot It is a robust little car that will _________ a lot of rough handling.of rough handling.

We had to eat instant noodles for supper because We had to eat instant noodles for supper because we _____________ rice.we _____________ rice.

break up

stand up to

had run out of

Comprehension questions of Text II (1)Comprehension questions of Text II (1)

1. Why, according to the author, does the 1. Why, according to the author, does the American pop culture have its appeal in the world?American pop culture have its appeal in the world?

According to the author, there are three theories According to the author, there are three theories about the popularity of American pop culture in about the popularity of American pop culture in the world, which are explained in the first three the world, which are explained in the first three paragraphs respectively: first, “it has been “ paragraphs respectively: first, “it has been “ advertised” and marketed through American films, advertised” and marketed through American films, popular music, and more recently, television”popular music, and more recently, television”


Second, “American is a nation of nations, its Second, “American is a nation of nations, its popular art and culture find it easier to return popular art and culture find it easier to return home, to appeal to the traditions and tastes of home, to appeal to the traditions and tastes of other countries.”other countries.”

And third, “American popular culture is And third, “American popular culture is internationally associated with something internationally associated with something called the spirit of America ”.called the spirit of America ”.


Give examples of your own to explain the Give examples of your own to explain the spirits of America.spirits of America.

How, in your opinion, is American popular How, in your opinion, is American popular culture adapted in China? culture adapted in China?

Oral activities(1)Oral activities(1)

Discuss with one of your classmates on the Discuss with one of your classmates on the following topics.following topics.

You know how people grumble about poverty as You know how people grumble about poverty as a great evil, and it seems to be accepted that if a great evil, and it seems to be accepted that if people have plenty of money, they will be happy people have plenty of money, they will be happy and more useful, and get more out of life. Do and more useful, and get more out of life. Do you agree? you agree?

Oral activities(2)Oral activities(2)

A millionaire who sprang from the ranks of the poor A millionaire who sprang from the ranks of the poor once said: “I think a poor boy has a richer, more once said: “I think a poor boy has a richer, more precious fortune in life than any rich man’s son. It is precious fortune in life than any rich man’s son. It is because I know how sweet and happy and pure the because I know how sweet and happy and pure the home of honest poverty is, how free it is from home of honest poverty is, how free it is from perplexing care, how loving and united its members perplexing care, how loving and united its members may be in the common interest of supporting the may be in the common interest of supporting the family. I sympathize with the rich man’s boy who family. I sympathize with the rich man’s boy who does not know what he has missed.” What’s your does not know what he has missed.” What’s your opinion about it ? opinion about it ?

Writing practice (1)Writing practice (1) Write a 250-word essay to explain your opinion Write a 250-word essay to explain your opinion

about the following quotation:about the following quotation: ““When people succeed, it is because of hard When people succeed, it is because of hard

work.. luck has nothing to do with success”.work.. luck has nothing to do with success”. In the first paragraph, state in brief what you In the first paragraph, state in brief what you

think about this statement.think about this statement.

Writing practice (2)Writing practice (2) In body paragraphs, explain in detail why you In body paragraphs, explain in detail why you

think so .think so . In the last paragraph, draw a conclusion based In the last paragraph, draw a conclusion based

on your discussion.on your discussion.

Good bye!Good bye!

Documents

Unit 14. Contents Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Pre-reading questions Background information Background information Background information