Unit 11 Language structures: 1. It seemed that everything went wrong this morning. : The nominal clause used as the subject, introduced by It seems that. It just happened that he was out of town. : The nominal clause used as the subject, introduced by It happens that It doesn’t matter how he did it. : The nominal clause used as the subject, introduced by It doesn’t matter + wh-word It all depends on whether it will be fine or not. : The nominal clause used as the object, in the It all depends on + wh-word pattern I find it odd that you should set the clock one hour ahead in summer.: The nominal clause used as the postponed object in the introductory it construction Dialogues: beyond recognition: I can hardly recognize you. e.g.: beyond words beyond control beyond all hope Understanding this article is beyond my capacity. I don’t suppose people here will let that happen: In my opinion, people there will not let that happen. e.g.: I don’t think it is good. I don’t expect he will come tomorrow. 3. It was just outrageous that his children should have refused to take care of him: should + have done, should + do, subjunctive mood used here to show that it is surprising, disappointing, etc. e.g.: It’s surprising that Fred should be able to win first place. It’s a shame that he should have done such a thing. contribute to: give or supply in common with others e.g.: Her work has contributed enormously to our understanding of this difficult subject. Everyone should contribute itself to the society. tailor: make, alter, or adapt for a particular end or purpose e.g.: The speech was tailored to an audience of business leaders. The homes are being building tailored to the needs of the elderly. She certainly doesn’t deserve to have failed: She shouldn’t have failed. e.g.: These people deserve our help. If you do wrong, you deserve punishment. Reading Pre-reading questions: Why can the writer’s family hardly put up with the writer’s grandmother? What did the writer’s mother decide to do when Grandma could not live on her own? Why are old people unhappy in a nursing home? Language points: At times she is so childishly demanding that---: Sometimes she requires too much, just like a child. Demanding: requiring much effort or attention a demanding job a demanding boss 2. Mother flatly stated that Grandma would not end up in a nursing home: end up: die e.g.: If he carries on driving like that, he’ll end up one day. flatly: directly, completely e.g.: I flatly refused to attend their reception. 3. at the hands of sb./ at one’s hand: be controlled, tortured by sb. e.g.: Formerly we had our distressed, our injuries and our insults at the hands of England. at hand: being near, coming soon e.g.: I haven’t my book at hand. Christmas is at hand. the point of/in: the meaning, the use of e.g.: What’s the point of arguing with him? What’s the point in doing that? take priority over: be prior to, be more important that e.g.: The badly wounded took priority over those only slightly hurt for medical attention. Existing takes priority over anything else. give priority to: e.g.: Police directing traffic give highest priority to fire engines. Additional activities: Discuss about the concept of family in China Dictation Quiz Part 1. Translate the following into English: 1. 为---做贡献 2. 逃避责任 3. 比---优先，重要 4. 容忍，忍受 5. 家庭观念 6. 又老又吝啬 7. 醒悟 8. 在---手中受折磨 Part 2. Translate the following into English: 1. 没有父母的陪伴独自一人住在这么宽敞的房子里有什么意义呢？ 2. 许多年轻人竟然星期日也在用功读书他觉得非常令人受鼓舞。 3. 似乎长途旅行之后她仍然精力充沛。 4. 我相信这里的人不会让这样的悲剧再发生。 5. 对于美国人来说将年老的父母送进养老院是很平常的事。 Paraphrase the following sentences: I think it incredible that the well-groomed young man before me should have been the number one mischief-maker in the class. 2. About two out of three marriages that begin this year will not survive as long as both spouses live.