Unit Eight
Text A
Foreword
Background information
Structure
Language points
After-class activities
Background Information
Background Information
structure
I,(1—3)
II,(4—7)
III,(8—10)
IV,(11)
V,(12)
Part I (paragraph 1--3)
The development of pc
industry is the foundation for
the communication revolution.
Part II (paragraph 4--7)
The widespread
misunderstanding of the
information highway makes
it necessary for a broad set
of people to participate in
the debate on the
communications revolution.
Part III (paragraph 8--10)
Purpose and content,it’s a
travel guide for the coming
journey,rather than an
autobiography or a
technological treatise.
Part IV (paragraph 11)
Trouble,the process of
thinking about and writing
the book took longer than I
expected.
Part V (paragraph 12)
Hope,I hope it stimulates
understanding,debate,and
creative ideas,
Language Points
Incredible,unbelievable; extraordinary 难以置信的 ; 了不起的
Something that is incredible is hard to believe
or imagine how great or extraordinary it is.
Examples:
Brad Pitt is an incredible film star.
Bill Gates,the youngest multi-billionaire
in American history,earns an incredible
amount of money.
Language Points
sophomore a student in the second year of college or
high school
That was in January 1975,when Bill was about
to go back home for the winter vacation,When
his eyes fell upon the cover of Popular
Electronics magazine,however,he decided that
he should write programs for the computer
shown on the magazine cover,Soon he quit
college and together with Paul Allen founded
Microsoft,
It started on a day when,as a college
sophomore,I stood in Harvard Square with my
friend Paul Allen and pored over the description
of a kit computer in Popular Electronics
magazine.
Language Points
affect -- vt,influence
Examples
It is widely known that smoking negatively
affects health.
Weather affects our moods in many ways.
Language Points
Barely-- only just; hardly 仅仅 ; 几乎没有
Examples:
I can barely read Chinese and German.
I earn barely enough for myself,not to
say for my whole family,
Language Points
upcoming-- something that is about to happen 即将来的
Examples:
I have bought a ticket for the upcoming
concert.
Language Points
reliable-- that can be relied on 可靠的,确实的
If someone or something is reliable,you can
believe in them or trust them to work hard or well,
or always to act,behave,or happen in the way
that you want them to.
Examples:
She may forget her promise – she is not
very reliable.
This map is not reliable anymore since it
was published two years ago.
Language Points
territory-- an area of) land,esp,ruled by one
government 领土
territorial air (or sky) (领空 )
territorial sea (or waters) (领海 )
Language Points
evolution--
1,the gradual change and development 发展,演变
2,(the theory of) the development of the various types of
plants,animals,etc.,from earlier and simpler forms 进化
(论 ),演化
Examples:
Darwin’s evolution theory.
In the course of evolution,human being
picked up many abilities that other animals
couldn’t master.
Language Points
electronic电子的
Examples:
an electronic computer
electronic music
electronic mail
a in electronic dictionary (电子词典 )
Language Points
on-line (of equipment or a process)
connected to and controlled by a central
computer or the network 联机的,联线的
Examples:
an on-line ticket booking system (联机订票系统 )
We are on-line,(i.e,We have on-line
equipment.)
Language Points
foundation-- that on which a belief,
custom,way of life,etc.,is based; basis 基础
Examples:
For a new college graduate,it is
essential to lay a solid foundation for
one's career.
This rumor has no foundation.
Language Points
infancy-- 婴儿期；幼儿期；初期
If a person is in his infancy,he is a very
young child; if something is in its infancy,it
has only just started and in its early stage.
Examples:
People would experience many
emotional changes in his infancy,
The national housing industry was still
in its infancy when it was just set up.
Language Points
possibility
1,(often pl.) power of developing,or being used
or useful in the future (常用复数 ) 发展前途,潜在价值
2,the state of being possible; likelihood 可能 ; 可能性
Examples:
The house is very dilapidated,but it has
possibilities to restore,
I admit the possibility of your being right.
Is there any possibility that you will
attend the meeting?
Language Points
endless-- without end,or seeming to be
without end (似乎 )没完没了的,无穷尽的 ;
Examples:
They have carried endless
discussions over this issue.
We begin to be sleepy at this
endless meeting.
Language Points
conference-- a meeting for discussion 会议,
讨论会
A conference is a meeting at which formal
discussions take place on a particular subject
among people assembled who have a common
interest,often lasting a few days.
Examples:
a conference on disarmament (裁军会 )
a World economy Conference
a press conference (新闻招待会 )
Language Points
confine (to)-- restrict or keep within certain
limits 限制,使局限
To confine someone or something means to keep
them in a certain space,area,situation,etc,
Examples:
She was confined to bed with a cold.
It was very difficult to confine the disease
to the village since it had no advanced
medical devices,
Please confine your oral presentation to 5
minutes.
Language Points
misunderstanding-- (of,about) fail in
understanding something correctly 误解,
曲解
Examples:
have a slight misunderstanding over
cultural attitudes
clear up a misunderstanding between
classmates by thorough discussion
Language Points
delivery--传送 ; 运载 ; 投递
Examples:
Internet makes long-distance
delivery of multimedia information
prompt and cheap.
Do they have the express flower
delivery service?
Language Points
simultaneous-- happening or being done at
the same time 同时发生或进行的
Examples:
This event was almost simultaneous
with that one.
simultaneous interpretations (同声传译 ).
Language Points
unforeseen-- unexpected 未预料到的,意料之外的
Examples:
unforeseen problem
unforeseen developments
unforeseen circumstances
Language Points
meet -- vt,satisfy (a need,requirement,
demand,etc.)
Examples:
Do they meet your requirements?
I can make both ends meet on my
economy.
Language Points
It is crucial that a broad set of people -- not
just technologists or those who happen to
be in the computer industry -- participate in
the debate about how this technology
should be shaped
This sentence is in the subjunctive mood,
The subjunctive mood can be used in the
following two types of construction:
a) That-clause after certain verbs (e.g,
propose,ask,command,demand,insist,
order,recommend,request,suggest,etc.).
Examples:
The doctor advised that he (should)
give up smoking.
I propose that the debate (should)
be delayed.
b) That-clause following certain adjectives
( e.g,necessary,vital absurd,amazing,
annoying,strange,surprising,essential,
desirable,ridiculous,important,etc.)
Examples:
It's important that you follow the
doctor's instructions closely.
It's only natural that the girl (should)
be upset; she has just lost her bike.
It's absolutely essential that you
continue with the experiment.
Language Points
shape -- vt,cause to develop in a given
way
Examples:
His attitudes toward life were partly
shaped by his early parents.
These efforts will help to shape my
future career.
Language Points
forthcoming-- happening or appearing in
the future 即将到来的,即将出现的
Examples:
The forthcoming Spring Festival
I can not imagine how the
forthcoming debate will go on.
Language Points
misgivings (pl.) doubt or anxiety about the
outcome or consequence of something (复数 ) 疑虑,担忧,害怕
If you have misgivings about something,you feel that it
is not quite right,and that it may have undesirable
consequences.
Examples:
He has serious misgivings about sitting
for the exam.
Mother expressed her misgivings that
the girl might work herself too hard.
Language Points
patent专利 ; 专利权
Examples:
He has obtained a patent for the
machine.
He has applied the new patent for
the new kind of water-saving device.
Language Points
implication-- a suggestion not expressed
but understood含意,暗示
Examples:
I just don’t understand his
implication.
Tom made a polite implication that it
was time for me to leave.
Language Points
equivalent-- something that is equal in meaning,
amount,value 相等物,等价物,等量物
(to) equal in meaning,value,amount 相等的；等量的
Examples:
Can you give me the Chinese equivalent of
the word geek?
Are these two expressions exactly
equivalent?
Her job is roughly equivalent to that of a
secretary.
Language Points
complicated-- very difficult to understand；难懂的；复杂的
Something complicated is something difficult to
understand or cope with.
Examples:
Unexpectedly their discussion
developed into a complicated issue.
He was involved in a complicated
financial issue.
After-class activities
Writing an essay
Some people believe that since Pc has changed
our lives totally,they maintain that in the future,
it will bring more benefits to human beings,But
some other people say that PC,on the contrary,
will control us,bring us more troubles than
benefits and even will slave its owners-human
beings,What is your opinion? Which side do you
stand? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your arguments,(At least 150 words)
Thanks for listening
Text A
Foreword
Background information
Structure
Language points
After-class activities
Background Information
Background Information
structure
I,(1—3)
II,(4—7)
III,(8—10)
IV,(11)
V,(12)
Part I (paragraph 1--3)
The development of pc
industry is the foundation for
the communication revolution.
Part II (paragraph 4--7)
The widespread
misunderstanding of the
information highway makes
it necessary for a broad set
of people to participate in
the debate on the
communications revolution.
Part III (paragraph 8--10)
Purpose and content,it’s a
travel guide for the coming
journey,rather than an
autobiography or a
technological treatise.
Part IV (paragraph 11)
Trouble,the process of
thinking about and writing
the book took longer than I
expected.
Part V (paragraph 12)
Hope,I hope it stimulates
understanding,debate,and
creative ideas,
Language Points
Incredible,unbelievable; extraordinary 难以置信的 ; 了不起的
Something that is incredible is hard to believe
or imagine how great or extraordinary it is.
Examples:
Brad Pitt is an incredible film star.
Bill Gates,the youngest multi-billionaire
in American history,earns an incredible
amount of money.
Language Points
sophomore a student in the second year of college or
high school
That was in January 1975,when Bill was about
to go back home for the winter vacation,When
his eyes fell upon the cover of Popular
Electronics magazine,however,he decided that
he should write programs for the computer
shown on the magazine cover,Soon he quit
college and together with Paul Allen founded
Microsoft,
It started on a day when,as a college
sophomore,I stood in Harvard Square with my
friend Paul Allen and pored over the description
of a kit computer in Popular Electronics
magazine.
Language Points
affect -- vt,influence
Examples
It is widely known that smoking negatively
affects health.
Weather affects our moods in many ways.
Language Points
Barely-- only just; hardly 仅仅 ; 几乎没有
Examples:
I can barely read Chinese and German.
I earn barely enough for myself,not to
say for my whole family,
Language Points
upcoming-- something that is about to happen 即将来的
Examples:
I have bought a ticket for the upcoming
concert.
Language Points
reliable-- that can be relied on 可靠的,确实的
If someone or something is reliable,you can
believe in them or trust them to work hard or well,
or always to act,behave,or happen in the way
that you want them to.
Examples:
She may forget her promise – she is not
very reliable.
This map is not reliable anymore since it
was published two years ago.
Language Points
territory-- an area of) land,esp,ruled by one
government 领土
territorial air (or sky) (领空 )
territorial sea (or waters) (领海 )
Language Points
evolution--
1,the gradual change and development 发展,演变
2,(the theory of) the development of the various types of
plants,animals,etc.,from earlier and simpler forms 进化
(论 ),演化
Examples:
Darwin’s evolution theory.
In the course of evolution,human being
picked up many abilities that other animals
couldn’t master.
Language Points
electronic电子的
Examples:
an electronic computer
electronic music
electronic mail
a in electronic dictionary (电子词典 )
Language Points
on-line (of equipment or a process)
connected to and controlled by a central
computer or the network 联机的,联线的
Examples:
an on-line ticket booking system (联机订票系统 )
We are on-line,(i.e,We have on-line
equipment.)
Language Points
foundation-- that on which a belief,
custom,way of life,etc.,is based; basis 基础
Examples:
For a new college graduate,it is
essential to lay a solid foundation for
one's career.
This rumor has no foundation.
Language Points
infancy-- 婴儿期；幼儿期；初期
If a person is in his infancy,he is a very
young child; if something is in its infancy,it
has only just started and in its early stage.
Examples:
People would experience many
emotional changes in his infancy,
The national housing industry was still
in its infancy when it was just set up.
Language Points
possibility
1,(often pl.) power of developing,or being used
or useful in the future (常用复数 ) 发展前途,潜在价值
2,the state of being possible; likelihood 可能 ; 可能性
Examples:
The house is very dilapidated,but it has
possibilities to restore,
I admit the possibility of your being right.
Is there any possibility that you will
attend the meeting?
Language Points
endless-- without end,or seeming to be
without end (似乎 )没完没了的,无穷尽的 ;
Examples:
They have carried endless
discussions over this issue.
We begin to be sleepy at this
endless meeting.
Language Points
conference-- a meeting for discussion 会议,
讨论会
A conference is a meeting at which formal
discussions take place on a particular subject
among people assembled who have a common
interest,often lasting a few days.
Examples:
a conference on disarmament (裁军会 )
a World economy Conference
a press conference (新闻招待会 )
Language Points
confine (to)-- restrict or keep within certain
limits 限制,使局限
To confine someone or something means to keep
them in a certain space,area,situation,etc,
Examples:
She was confined to bed with a cold.
It was very difficult to confine the disease
to the village since it had no advanced
medical devices,
Please confine your oral presentation to 5
minutes.
Language Points
misunderstanding-- (of,about) fail in
understanding something correctly 误解,
曲解
Examples:
have a slight misunderstanding over
cultural attitudes
clear up a misunderstanding between
classmates by thorough discussion
Language Points
delivery--传送 ; 运载 ; 投递
Examples:
Internet makes long-distance
delivery of multimedia information
prompt and cheap.
Do they have the express flower
delivery service?
Language Points
simultaneous-- happening or being done at
the same time 同时发生或进行的
Examples:
This event was almost simultaneous
with that one.
simultaneous interpretations (同声传译 ).
Language Points
unforeseen-- unexpected 未预料到的,意料之外的
Examples:
unforeseen problem
unforeseen developments
unforeseen circumstances
Language Points
meet -- vt,satisfy (a need,requirement,
demand,etc.)
Examples:
Do they meet your requirements?
I can make both ends meet on my
economy.
Language Points
It is crucial that a broad set of people -- not
just technologists or those who happen to
be in the computer industry -- participate in
the debate about how this technology
should be shaped
This sentence is in the subjunctive mood,
The subjunctive mood can be used in the
following two types of construction:
a) That-clause after certain verbs (e.g,
propose,ask,command,demand,insist,
order,recommend,request,suggest,etc.).
Examples:
The doctor advised that he (should)
give up smoking.
I propose that the debate (should)
be delayed.
b) That-clause following certain adjectives
( e.g,necessary,vital absurd,amazing,
annoying,strange,surprising,essential,
desirable,ridiculous,important,etc.)
Examples:
It's important that you follow the
doctor's instructions closely.
It's only natural that the girl (should)
be upset; she has just lost her bike.
It's absolutely essential that you
continue with the experiment.
Language Points
shape -- vt,cause to develop in a given
way
Examples:
His attitudes toward life were partly
shaped by his early parents.
These efforts will help to shape my
future career.
Language Points
forthcoming-- happening or appearing in
the future 即将到来的,即将出现的
Examples:
The forthcoming Spring Festival
I can not imagine how the
forthcoming debate will go on.
Language Points
misgivings (pl.) doubt or anxiety about the
outcome or consequence of something (复数 ) 疑虑,担忧,害怕
If you have misgivings about something,you feel that it
is not quite right,and that it may have undesirable
consequences.
Examples:
He has serious misgivings about sitting
for the exam.
Mother expressed her misgivings that
the girl might work herself too hard.
Language Points
patent专利 ; 专利权
Examples:
He has obtained a patent for the
machine.
He has applied the new patent for
the new kind of water-saving device.
Language Points
implication-- a suggestion not expressed
but understood含意,暗示
Examples:
I just don’t understand his
implication.
Tom made a polite implication that it
was time for me to leave.
Language Points
equivalent-- something that is equal in meaning,
amount,value 相等物,等价物,等量物
(to) equal in meaning,value,amount 相等的；等量的
Examples:
Can you give me the Chinese equivalent of
the word geek?
Are these two expressions exactly
equivalent?
Her job is roughly equivalent to that of a
secretary.
Language Points
complicated-- very difficult to understand；难懂的；复杂的
Something complicated is something difficult to
understand or cope with.
Examples:
Unexpectedly their discussion
developed into a complicated issue.
He was involved in a complicated
financial issue.
After-class activities
Writing an essay
Some people believe that since Pc has changed
our lives totally,they maintain that in the future,
it will bring more benefits to human beings,But
some other people say that PC,on the contrary,
will control us,bring us more troubles than
benefits and even will slave its owners-human
beings,What is your opinion? Which side do you
stand? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your arguments,(At least 150 words)
Thanks for listening
