Unit 3
Unit Three
I Teaching aims:
1. to learn the new words and expressions;
2. to improve reading skills
3. to analyze the structure of the text
II.Teaching focus:
1.key words:
Text A
character, tolerance, compromise, mutual, overlook, expectation, divorce, resistance, counsel, subsequent, reservation, prejudice, charm, confirm, suspect, hesitate, cancel, proceed, resolve
Text B
brilliant, arrange, ingredient, concerning, anticipate, compel, behalf, innocent, dialect, hopeful, somehow, miserable, modest
2.key phrases and expressions:
Text A:
ups and downs, work out, for a time, meet with, all along, have nothing to do with,
on the surface, at one's worst, take care of
Text B:
come up with, win over, from head to toe, think of, hold one's breath, proceed to do
even though, put sb. to bed
III.Teaching steps:
First period: Text A
~~ Marriage Across the Nations ~~
I.Introduction
Choosing a life-long partner can be one of the most challenging communication tasks for many people. Staying with that partner during sickness and health, in hard times and in good times, takes much skill and patience beyond the initial love that brings two people together. In this unit you will meet Gail and Mark who face the added problems that two different races bring to a marriage. You will observe how both cultures miss understanding each other’s customs when you read about Rich’s first meeting with his girlfriend’s Chinese family.
II.Structure:
Part 1.(Paras1-4) Gail and Mark think they understand each other very well and it’s time for them to ge married.
Part2.(Paras5-9) Gail’s mother protests their marriage and advises Gail to wait for another few years.
Part 3.(10-21) Gail’s father still doesn’t agree to their decision and Gail debates with him
III.Language points:
1. Gail and I imagined a quiet wedding. (Para. 1)
Meaning: Gail and I planned to have (or: thought about having) a wedding without many people or without much activity.
imagine: vt. (Here) plan to have, think about having ...
We imagine a quiet holiday at home for this summer after a busy year.
If “imagine” is followed directly by a verb or a “noun + verb” structure, the verb should be in the -ing form. Examples: It’s hard to imagine living in a place where there are no telephones or cars I can’t imagine George being unfair to anyone.
2. … we had experienced the usual ups and downs of a couple learning to know, understand, and respect each other. (Para. 1)
Meaning: Like any other couples who were learning to know, understand, and respect each other, we had had both happy and unhappy periods.
3.… the usual ups and downsof a couple…(Para. 1)
ups and downs: a mix of good experiences and bad experiences
Life is full of ups and downs.
He has seen the ups and downs in the history of the relations between the two countries.。
4.But through it all we had honestly confronted the weaknesses and strengths of each other’s characters. (Para. 1)
Meaning: But in experiencing all the ups and downs we had honestly faced and tried to deal with the weak sides and good sides of each other’s characters.
through: prep. from the beginning to the end of
5. … had honestly confronted the weaknesses and strengths of each other’s characters. (Para. 1)
weaknesses and strengths: weak points and strong points
It’s important to know your own weaknesses and strengths.
character: n. all the qualities that make a person or place different from other people or places
He has a strong but gentle character.
The twins look the same but have very different characters.
6. Our racial and cultural differences enhanced our relationship and taught us a great deal about tolerance, compromise, and being open with each other. (Para. 2)
Meaning: Our racial and cultural differences helped to better our relationship and taught us a great deal about how one recognizes and respects the beliefs or practices of the other (that is, tolerance), how one settles differences between us by sharing decision responsibilities (that is compromise) and being honest with each other.
7. Our racial and cultural differences enhanced our relationship and taught us a great deal about tolerance, compromise, and being open with each other. (Para. 2)
tolerance: n.1) [U] willingness or ability to accept sth., quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you do not agree or like it
Try and show some tolerance.
It’s a culture in which there is absolutely no tolerance of disagreement.
2) [U] the ability to bear sth. unpleasant, or to continue existing in spite of bad conditions
My tolerance of heat is greater after having lived in the Far East for a couple of years.
compromise: n.
A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want, because of situations or because they are considering the wishes of other people. Examples:
He asked $1,500 for his old car, but I thought it was only worth $1,000. We finally reached a compromise and I paid $1,250.
“Compromise” can be used as an intransitive verb with a related meaning.
He asked more than I was willing to pay, so we compromised on a price in between.
8. ... and being open with each other. (Para. 2)
open: a. willing to talk honestly, frank
Let’s be open with each other.
9. Gail sometimes wondered why I and other blacks were so involved with the racial issue, ... (Para.2)
Meaning: Gail sometimes expressed a wish to know why I and other blacks gave so much time, energy and attention to the racial issue.
(be / get) involved with: give a lot of time, effort, or attention to ... He was involved with working out a plan.
10. … she seemed to forget the subtler forms of racial hatred in American society.(Para.2)
Meaning: She seemed to forget the forms of American racial hatred that are not so obvious.
subtle: a. slight, not obvious, not easy to notice, understand or explain
There are subtle differences in meaning between these two words.
hatred: n. a very strong feeling of not liking someone or something
11. Gail and I had no illusions about what the future held for us as a married, mixed couple in America. (Para.3)
Meaning: Gail and I were not idealistic about what the future would offer us in America as a married couple, one being black and the other being white.
illusion: n. [C] false idea, belief or impression
I have no illusions about his ability ; he is just no good.
This word is often used in the phrase: “be under an illusion”, which means : “believe wrongly”. This phrase is usually followed by a that-clause.
We are all under the illusion that the country is doing well economically, but in fact it is in serious difficulty.
12. our mutual trust and respect. (Para.3)
mutual: a.1) (of feeling or an action) felt or done by each to the other
Their working together was based on mutual respect, trust and understanding.
to give mutual support and encouragement
2) shared by two or more people
mutual interests
The plan was ended by mutual agreement.
13. … they overlooked serious personality conflicts in the expectation that marriage was an automatic way to make everything work out right. (Para. 4)
Meaning: They ignored serious personality conflicts. They hoped that everything would go right automatically when they lived their married life. overlook: vt.1) fail to notice or realize how important something is, miss
You have overlooked several of the mistakes in this work.
The secretary is very careful and never overlooks any little points.
2) pretend not to notice; forgive
We’ll overlook your bad behavior this time, but don’t do it again.
She overlooked his offensiveness and tried to pretend nothing had happened.
3) have or give a view of (a place) from above Her bedroom has large windows overlooking a lake.
14. … in the expectation that marriage was an automatic way to make everything work out right. (Para. 4)
expectation: n. firm belief or hope that something will happen
Notice that this word is very often used in some set phrases.
We thought Mary would pass, but contrary to (or: against) (all) expectation(s), she didn’t.
They closed the windows in expectation of rain. 他们预料天要下雨, 就关上了窗户。
15.work out:1) have as a result, turn out, happen or progress in a certain way.
In this sense, the verb phrase is intransitive.
How the situation will eventually work out only time can tell.
2) find by reasoning or figuring
Have you worked out the answer?
She had worked out that it would cost over 100 dollars.
The police couldn’t work out how the thieves had entered the building.
16. That point was emphasized by the fact that Gail’s parents, after thirty-five years of marriage, were going through a bitter and painful divorce, … (Para.4)
Meaning: That point was made particularly true when Gail’s parents, after thirty-five years of marriage, were experiencing a bitter and painful divorce.
go through: experience
The country has gone through too many wars.
go through hardships
17.divorce: n. formal ending of a marriage by law
She got a divorce from him last year.
It was such a shame when Martha and Jamie divorced！
She divorced her husband after so many years of unhappiness.
18. for a time: for a certain period; temporarily
The professor stayed in London for a time.
For a time the police thought she might be guilty.
19. When Gail spread the news of our wedding plans to her family she met with some resistance.
Meaning: When Gail told her family of our wedding plans, her family expressed their views opposed to the wedding.
meet with: experience
I met with some difficulties in suffering the net.。
In addition, if something such as an idea, plan, or new book meets with or is met with a particular reaction, it gets that reaction from people.
resistance: n. against or refusing to accept something
There has been a lot of resistance to this new law.
The idea met with some resistance.
19.all along: throughout a period of time
I suspected all along that she was lying.
I knew the truth all along.
20.be supportive of: a. giving encouragement, help, etc. especially to someone in difficulty
Mary was so supportive of me when I was fired last year.
21.Upon (or: On) hearing the news, she burst into tears.
He got a good job upon (or: on) graduation.
22. ... Deborah counseled Gail to be really sure she was doing the right thing. (Para.5)
counsel: vt.1) advise
counsel sb. to go at once
She counseled them not to accept his explanation.
They counseled patience (caution)
2) give advice and support to
The school is now providing a service to counsel students with drug problems.
23. subsequently: ad. afterwards
He escaped from prison but was subsequently recaptured.
Subsequently, they heard that he had left the country.
Please notice that this word is not to be confused with “consequently”, which means “as a result, therefore”. Compare:
The bank refused to help the company; consequently, it went out of business.
24. … I harbored reservations about a mixed marriage, prejudices you might even call them. (Para.7)
Meaning: I had doubts whether a marriage between a white and a black would work out well, which you might even call prejudices.
harbor: vt. have (feelings, thoughts, images, etc.) in one’s mind over a long period of time
He harbors a secret hatred against his father.
For years he harbored a secret wish to become a painter.
reservations: n. If you have reservations about something, you have doubts about it or you are not sure that it is entirely good or right.
I have some reservations about his story.
24. prejudice: n. unreasonable dislike or like of one group of people or thing over another
A judge must be free from prejudice.
v:
She is prejudiced against (= has a prejudice) French wine because she is Italian.
25. When we met I saw him as my beloved, intelligent, charming, and caring. (Para.7)
Meaning: When we met I regarded him as the one I loved because he was smart, attractive and caring.
see ... as: imagine, regard or perceive ... as
His father saw him as a man who could not make a living for himself.
I see it as my duty to find him a job.
Many girls have normal body weight, but they see themselves as being fat.
beloved: n. & a. (a person who is) dearly loved
It was a gift from my beloved
26..… ours was an ideal marriage with every indication that it would last forever. (Para.7)
Meaning: Our marriage was perfectly good and it was very likely that it would last forever.
In this sentence “every” has a very commonly used meaning: “as much as possible” or “total; entire”. Examples:
There is every chance that she will succeed.
There is every reason to believe that he is telling the truth.
indication: n. a sign that suggests or indicates something
There are various indications that another financial crisis is coming soon.
There are some indications that interest rates will soon fall.
27. We’ve been through so much together. (Para.8)
Meaning: We’ve experienced so many things together.
28.at one’s worst: when one is behaving as unpleasantly as possible
This was his mother at her worst: her voice was sharp and loud, and she was to be angry at anyone.
29 confirm: vt.1) show that something is definitely true
The recent airplane crash confirms my belief that stronger safety rules are needed.
X-rays have confirmed that he has not broken any bones.
2) make (a plan or meeting) certain, often by telephone or writing
a note asking us to confirm when we would be arriving
I'd like to confirm a reservation for a double room on the first of July.。
30. learn of: find out about something. Examples
I learned of the accident only yesterday.
It was only after his death that she learned of his affair with Betty.
31. suspect: vt. believe (esp. something bad) to be true or likely
He seems poor, but I suspect that he has quite a lot of money.
We suspect they’ll be a little late.
Compare:
doubt: believe that something is probably not true or possible.
I doubt that he’ll come.
I doubt what he said.
32.harsh: a.1) cruel, severe, showing a lack of sympathy
His family wouldn’t survive the harsh winter.
That is a very harsh punishment to give a young child.
2) unpleasantly rough or sharp, esp. to the senses
The noise is too harsh to the ear.
I don’t like the color of that dress; it’s too harsh..
33.hesitate: vi. pause slightly while someone is doing or saying something, or just before one does or says it, usually because one is uncertain, embarrassed, or worried about it
In case you need something, please don’t hesitate to ask me.
We do not hesitate to give our lives for our country, let alone suffer some hardships.
34.cancel: vt. stop something from happening
The Russian foreign minister yesterday cancelled his visit to Washington.
She cancelled her order.
35. proceed: vi.1) start to do something, often after doing something else first
As soon as he came in, he proceeded to tell us all his troubles.
2) advance, move in a particular direction, go on
The interview proceeded in a most friendly environment.
36.quote: vt. state something because it supports what one is saying.
The writer frequently quoted Shakespeare.
He quotes the Bible.
37.idealistic: a. trying to live according to high principles or perfect standards, often in a way that is not practical or shows a lack of understanding of the real world.
38.resolve: vt.1)find a solution to (a problem, crisis, etc.), end (a difficulty, etc.)
We need to resolve this difference quickly.
The couple resolved their differences and made an effort to get along.
2) decide; determine
The company resolved to take further actions against the thieves.
She resolved that she would never speak to him again.
39. … it’s never too late to change your mind. (Para.21)
Meaning: You can change your mind any time, however soon or late.
Other examples with the pattern “never too… to (do)”: One is never too old to learn. (= No one is so old that he cannot learn.)
It is never too late to mend. (proverb)
IV.Summary:
V.Homework: translation on Page70
Second period: Finish Exercises of Text A
Third period: Text B
~~Rich First Meeting His Future Mother-in-law~~
1.Introduction
The story tells of Rich’s first meeting with his girl friend’s Chinese family.At the first sight of him, his future mother-in-law made a bad comment on his appearance. What was worse, as a result of different cultural backgrounds, he misunderstood Chinese customs and finally messed up everything. Obviously he failed miserably to please his future mother-in-law, but he himself evev could not realize this point.
II.Language points:
1.come up with: think of and suggest (an idea, plan, etc.)
He couldn’t come up with an answer.
The airline has come up with a novel solution to the problem of jet lag.
2.brilliant: a 1) very good, very clever or skilful
The piano player gave a brilliant performance.
It was in many ways a brilliant plan.
2) full of light, shining or bright in color
The rooms were all painted brilliant white.
He flashed me a brilliant smile.
3.win ... over: persuade somebody to support or agree with you
We failed in winning him over to our side.
The lawyer won over the jury by his moving defense.
4.arrange: vt 1) make plans for something to happen, plan the details of (a future event); organize
We have arranged a party.
A special show was arranged to admit free the family members of the miners.
5.My instructions are in my fingers. (Para.4)
Meaning: (Unlike Auntie Suyuan who can only cook while looking at directions,) I am so skilled that I can prepare and cook without much thinking as if my fingers did it by themselves.
6. ingredient: n. [C] any of foods that are combined to make a particular dish
There is a list of ingredients on the side of the packet.
Flour and fat are the most important ingredients when making this cake.
7.chop: vt. cut something into pieces with strong downward movements of a knife or an axe
8. …I was afraid the tips of her fingers would become one of the ingredients of the purple vegetable and pork dish. (Para.4)
Meaning: I was afraid that her finger tips would get cut off and became one of the ingredients in the dish.
purple: a. of a reddish-blue color
9.concerning: prep. with regard to, about
I spoke to him concerning his behavior.
Concerning your letter, I am pleased to inform you that you are to receive the order by the end of this week.
10. from head to toe: over the whole length of one’s body
She was dressed in black from head to toe.
They looked him over from head to toe.
11.check ... against: (measure or value something) by comparing it with the other thing
We should check the factory’s productivity against the agreed target.
Our policies have to be checked against one clear test: will they improve the people’s living standard?
12.anticipate: vt. guess or imagine in advance (what will happen) and take the necessary action in order to be ready
In business, you’ve got to anticipate how your competitors will act.
He tried to anticipate all my needs.
13. … he was also my junior…(Para.6)
Meaning: …he was also younger than me, ...
junior: n. 1) someone younger
He is three years my junior.
She is my junior by three years.
2)(someone) of low or lower status
a junior officer
a junior partner in a law firm
14.on the … side: rather, a little too …
I like the house but I think the price is a bit on the high side.
The weather is on the cold side.
Those shoes are on the large side.
15.built: If you say that someone is built in a particular way, you are describing the kind of body they have.
He is a huge man, built like an oak tree. a well-built man
16.hold one’s breath: If you say that someone is holding his breath, you mean that he is waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen.
The whole hall held its breath waiting for the announcement of the winner of the first prize.
All Europe held its breath to see who would win the election.
17.bubble 1) vi. (of a liquid) contain thin balls of air or gas rising to the top or make a sound like this
Is the water bubbling yet?
We could hear the soup beginning to bubble.
2) n.[C] a ball of air
As water begins to boil, bubbles rise ever faster to the surface.
18.spot: n 1)[C] small thick or hard raised area, or marks on the skin
She had spots on her face when she was ill.
In this disease spots appear on the legs.
2)[C] a particular place or point
This looks like a nice spot for a picnic. I’ll show you the exact spot where I fell off my bike. v. 1) mark with spots material that easily a table spotted with ink 2) see, notice or recognize something or somebody that is difficult to notice or that one is looking for If you spot any mistakes in the article, just mark them with a pencil. They were spotted by the police as they were entering the bank.
19.goose bumps: a condition in which the skin is temporarily raised into little lumps You get goose bumps when you are cold, frightened, or excited, etc. She would get goose bumps whenever he walked into the room. I’m goose bumps all over when I see a snake.
20.compel: vt. If you feel compelled to do something, you feel that you must do it or you are forced to do it.
I felt morally compelled to help.
The rain compelled us to stop our game.
21.on one’s behalf: in the interests of someone
The legal guardian must act on behalf of the child.
I thank you for all the trouble you have taken on my behalf.
22.innocently: ad 1)pretending to be naive or know nothing about a situation
My nodding was the cue for us to begin. But she only smiled back at me innocently.
“Where are you heading?” I asked innocently.
2)without being guilty, blamelessly
He said he had got this television innocently, not knowing it had been stolen.
23.dialect: n. [C, U] a special form of language which is peculiar to a certain region or social group
Chaozhou dialect
Shanghai dialect
A rich variety of dialects still exist throughout the country.
24. My parents did not even own appropriate glasses for wine. (Para.14)
Meaning: My parents did not even have the right glasses for wine (because they did not like wine and never drank it).
25.clue : n. [C] a fact or idea as a guide or aid in a task or problem
I haven’t a clue what I’ll give Carl for his birthday next year.
Police are still looking for clues in their search for the missing girl.
26. As is the Chinese cook’s custom, my mother always made negative remarks about her own cooking. (Para.15)
as (is) ...: Here“as”is used as a relative pronoun, introducing a relative clause whose antecedent is not just a noun phrase, but a whole clause, or sentence.
As is common knowledge, she is very popular among her students.
In this sentence, “as” refers to (or has as its antecedent) the whole following clause:
“she is very popular among her students”. The as-clause can also be placed at the end of the sentence:
She is very popular among her students, as is common knowledge.
When a sentential relative clause appears at the end of the whole sentence, “as” can be replaced by “which”.
She is very popular among her students, which is common knowledge.
More examples:
As was expected, she has married again.
Things then improved, as / which was unexpected.
27. It is too bad to eat. (Para.16)
Meaning: This dish is so bad that it is not good for eating. By saying so the mother again wanted to show her politeness in the usual traditional Chinese way.
Notice that in English the structure “too + to + verb” usually contains a negative element, just like the above sentence in the passage. More examples:
It is too cold to go swimming. (= It is so cold that we cannot / should not go swimming.)
It is too good an opportunity to miss. (= It is such a good opportunity that we should not / must not miss.)
But when the structure has an added “only”, the meaning becomes positive. Examples:
We were only too pleased to be able to help you. (= We were very pleased to be able to help you.)
I am only too delighted to accept your invitation. (= I am very delighted to accept your invitation.) 28. cue: n.1) [C] a signal for someone to do something
The fall in interest rates may be a cue for an increase in consumer spending.
They started washing up, so that was a cue focus to leave the party.
2) [C] example of how to behave, what to do, etc.
Follow her cue, and one day you’ll be a great man.
29.proclaim: vt.1) make something known publicly
He proclaimed his intention of attending the business meeting, despite their being against it.
A national holiday was proclaimed.
2)show or make it clear
His accent proclaimed that he was a North American.
He still proclaims himself a believer in that theory.
30.diplomatic: a.1)skillful in or artful in dealing with people
Try to be diplomatic when you refuse her invitation, so as not to cause bad feeling.
Ask him nicely; be diplomatic.
2) of or about the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations
The two leaders have been involved in lengthy diplomatic discussions. Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations.
31.hopeful: a. fairly confident (that something that you want to happen will happen)
I am hopeful that she will come tomorrow. I’m hopeful that they’ll fulfill the task on time.
He is very hopeful of success. Surgeons were hopeful of saving the sight in Sarah’s left eye.
32.somehow: ad.1)in some way, by some means
We must stop him from seeing her somehow. It won’t be easy, but we’ll get across the river somehow.
2) for a reason that is unknown Somehow the man had lost his job. 33.miserably: ad. If one fails miserably, he fails disappointingly. She failed miserably in her latest business.
34.modestly: ad.1) not showing too high an opinion of one’s abilities, qualities, etc.
“I’d never have won the prize without the help of my two assistants,” she said modestly.
2)not too highly
At just $9, the radio is modestly priced.
35.hit it off: enjoy good relations or get along very well
Fortunately Jones and his new employer hit it off from the very beginning.
III.Exercises
IV.Homework
