Unit 8 Section A There's a lot more to life than a job I. Background Information 1.Humanities In the context of the reading passage, humanities refers to a broad academic discipline concerned with how people throughout history have expressed, confronted, and understood the complexities of the human condition. It includes such areas of study as Philosophy, Literature, Religion. Artetc 2. Education Education in the United States is usually divided into 4 levels. In general, these are kindergarten or pre-school, elementary, secondary, and higher education. The first level is early childhood education. Its purpose is to prepare children for school. The second level is elementary education. Education at this level is divided into 6 or 8 grades. And students can attend all kinds of courses. The third level is secondary education. It is for junior or senior high school students. Some students prepare themselves to go to college, while others take vocational or technical courses to prepare for jobs after graduation. There are many institutions of higher education in the u.s. students at technical institutes can receive an associate degree after they finish a 2-year program. Then they can continue their study at a 4-year college 3. Oscar wilde Oscar Wilde(1854-1900), the son of an eminent Dublin surgeon, was among the outstanding Victorian dramatists. He is renowned for a brilliant series of domestic comedies-Lady Windermere's Fan(1892), A Woman of No Importance(1893), and An Ideal Husband (1894) II. Text Analysis Main idea Should schools simply prepare students for a job, or is there more to life? This is the central issue being discussed in the passage. A survey revealing young peoples attitudes to life reminds the author of his regret, and makes him reflect upon the whole educational system. In fact, educators should not only satisfy students' desire for career success, but also help them form right outlook on life and see beyond their immediate needs III. Structure How is the text organized? The passage, which is a typical argumentation, consists of three parts: part one, serving as an introduction, poses the question of whether education can prepare students both for a job and for career success; part two, with facts and reasons, illustrates what is the most important thing in life thus clarifying the principle of education; part three, by quoting from Oscar wilde, suggests the right attitude Part I(Paras. 1-9) The long-standing mistaken idea on life( Paras. 10-17) The true meaning of lifeParas. 18-19)
Unit 8 Section A There’s a Lot More to Life than a Job I. Background Information 1.Humanities In the context of the reading passage, humanities refers to a broad academic discipline concerned with how people throughout history have expressed, confronted, and understood the complexities of the human condition. It includes such areas of study as Philosophy, Literature, Religion, Art, etc. 2. Education Education in the United States is usually divided into 4 levels. In general, these are kindergarten or pre-school, elementary, secondary, and higher education. The first level is early childhood education. Its purpose is to prepare children for school. The second level is elementary education. Education at this level is divided into 6 or 8 grades. And students can attend all kinds of courses. The third level is secondary education. It is for junior or senior high school students. Some students prepare themselves to go to college, while others take vocational or technical courses to prepare for jobs after graduation. There are many institutions of higher education in the U.S. Students at technical institutes can receive an associate degree after they finish a 2-year program. Then they can continue their study at a 4-year college. 3. Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), the son of an eminent Dublin surgeon, was among the outstanding Victorian dramatists. He is renowned for a brilliant series of domestic comedies—Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), A Woman of No Importance (1893), and An Ideal Husband (1894). II. Text Analysis Main idea Should schools simply prepare students for a job, or is there more to life? This is the central issue being discussed in the passage. A survey revealing young people’s attitudes to life reminds the author of his regret, and makes him reflect upon the whole educational system. In fact, educators should not only satisfy students’ desire for career success, but also help them form right outlook on life and see beyond their immediate needs. III. Structure How is the text organized? The passage, which is a typical argumentation, consists of three parts: part one, serving as an introduction, poses the question of whether education can prepare students both for a job and for career success; part two, with facts and reasons, illustrates what is the most important thing in life, thus clarifying the principle of education; part three, by quoting from Oscar Wilde, suggests the right attitude Part I (Paras. 1-9) The long-standing mistaken idea on life(Paras. 10-17) The true meaning of lifeParas. 18-19)
The educators' duty to their students By quoting from Oscar Wilde, the author points out the way our education should be conducted and then puts forward the solution: We should prepare the students both for a job and for career success, for there's lot more to life than a Main Idea and devices for Developing It PartI(Paras. 1-9) Todays young people have some mistaken ideas towards life: they just want to be financially well off instead of developing a meaningful philosophy of life Devices for developing it? Phenomenon- analyzing(现象分析法) By quoting a saying and introducing a survey, the author draws the readers' attention to the phenomenon concerning today's young people. Based on his analysis of students' false illusion on life, the author establishes his argument remark about young people--survey about young people--young people's mistaken idea--author's argument about life Part ll (Paras. 10-17) What is truly important in life? The quality of life is not determined by a balance sheet People need to have deep insight into life and to develop moral sense. Devices for developing it? Facts-listing(事实列举法) By listing adequate facts and reasons, the author aims at convincing the reader that there is a lot more to life than a jol I. We need to know what is important in life(Para. 10) 2. Age and maturity help us have better understanding of life. ( Para. Il) 3. What are the determinant factors of quality of life? (Para. 12) 4. Education helps us to see what is beyond our immediate needs. ( Paras. 13-17) The argument presented in para. 14 is supported in progressive way by facts and reasons in (paras. 15, 16& 17): Education helps us to see what is beyond our immediate needs Fact one: Weekly we read of unions. ,, only to drive their employer out of business. .. How shortsighted in the long run.(Para. 15) Fact two: in study ing the accumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which depicts..( Para. 16) Fact three: In the long run thats what education really ought to be about. My college roommate,..a business major But..(Para. 17) Part Ill (Paras. 18-19) According to Oscar Wilder, the principle of education is to give our ability to work and genius to life. Therefore, educators must prepare students both for a career and a meaningful life Devices for developing it? Suggestion- making(建议法 By quoting from Oscar Wilder, the author points out the principle of education and logically offers his suggestion Lets hope our educators answer students'cries for career education, but at the same time lets ensure that students are prepared for the day when they realize their shortsightedness Ill. Language points
The educators’ duty to their studentsBy quoting from Oscar Wilde, the author points out the way our education should be conducted and then puts forward the solution: We should prepare the students both for a job and for career success, for there’s lot more to life than a job. Main Idea and Devices for Developing It Part I (Paras. 1-9) Today’s young people have some mistaken ideas towards life: they just want to be financially well off instead of developing a meaningful philosophy of life. Devices for developing it? Phenomenon-analyzing (现象分析法) By quoting a saying and introducing a survey, the author draws the readers’ attention to the phenomenon concerning today’s young people. Based on his analysis of students’ false illusion on life, the author establishes his argument: remark about young people--survey about young people--young people’s mistaken idea--author’s argument about life Part II (Paras. 10-17) What is truly important in life? The quality of life is not determined by a balance sheet. People need to have deep insight into life and to develop moral sense.Devices for developing it? Facts-listing (事实列举法) By listing adequate facts and reasons, the author aims at convincing the reader that there is a lot more to life than a job. Specific aspects: 1. We need to know what is important in life (Para. 10) 2. Age and maturity help us have better understanding of life.(Para. 11) 3. What are the determinant factors of quality of life? (Para. 12) 4. Education helps us to see what is beyond our immediate needs.(Paras. 13-17) The argument presented in para.14 is supported in progressive way by facts and reasons in (paras. 15, 16 & 17): Education helps us to see what is beyond our immediate needs. Fact one: Weekly we read of unions…, only to drive their employer out of business. ... How shortsighted in the long run. (Para. 15) Fact two: in studying the accumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which depicts… (Para. 16) Fact three: In the long run that’s what education really ought to be about. My college roommate,… a business major. But… (Para. 17) Part III (Paras. 18-19) According to Oscar Wilder, the principle of education is to give our ability to work and genius to life. Therefore, educators must prepare students both for a career and a meaningful life. Devices for developing it? Suggestion-making (建议法) By quoting from Oscar Wilder, the author points out the principle of education and logically offers his suggestion. Let’s hope our educators answer students’ cries for career education, but at the same time let’s ensure that students are prepared for the day when they realize their shortsightedness. III. Language points
A. Expressions 1.回忆想起惋惜之情 to recall the regret (L. 3) 毎当她在脑海里重温那件相隔已久的往事时,都情不自禁地想起惋惜之情:“早知今日, 悔不当初 Every time she relives that distant event in mind, she could not refrain from recalling the regret, "If only I knew then what I know today.' 2.毫无价值 to hold little value(L. 7) 如果一个人总是想着自己,为自己活着,那么他的人生就毫无价值。 If a person always thinks of and lives for himself, then his life holds little value 3.富有 to be well off(L.11) 在当今社会,一些人干方百计在经济上富裕,而他们的精神世界却是贫穷的。 present society, some people have tried every means to get financially well off, but they are spiritually 3.处于低潮 to be at a low (L. 15) 尽管研究工作处于低谷,但大家都没有放弃,因为他们坚信通过共同的努力,他们定会 取得成功。 Although the research work is at a low, they have never given it up, for they firmly believe that through joint efforts they are sure to succeed 在当今社会,一些人干方百计在经济上富裕,而他们的精神世界却是贫穷的。 In the present society, some people have tried every means to get financially well off, but they are spiritually poor. 4.处于低潮 a) to be at a low(L.15)尽管研究工作处于低谷,但大家都没有放弃,因为他们坚信 通过共同的努力,他们一定会取得成功。 Although the research work is at a low, they have never given it up, for they firmly believe that through joint efforts they are sure to b)迅速上升增加
A. Expressions 1. 回忆/想起惋惜之情 to recall the regret (L. 3) 每当她在脑海里重温那件相隔已久的往事时，都情不自禁地想起惋惜之情：“早知今日， 悔不当初。” Every time she relives that distant event in mind, she could not refrain from recalling the regret, “If only I knew then what I know today.” 2. 毫无价值 to hold little value (L. 7) 如果一个人总是想着自己，为自己活着，那么他的人生就毫无价值。 If a person always thinks of and lives for himself, then his life holds little value. 3. 富有 to be well off (L. 11) 在当今社会，一些人千方百计在经济上富裕，而他们的精神世界却是贫穷的。 In the present society, some people have tried every means to get financially well off, but they are spiritually poor. 3. 处于低潮 to be at a low (L. 15) 尽管研究工作处于低谷，但大家都没有放弃，因为他们坚信通过共同的努力，他们一定会 取得成功。 Although the research work is at a low, they have never given it up, for they firmly believe that through joint efforts they are sure to succeed. 在当今社会，一些人千方百计在经济上富裕，而他们的精神世界却是贫穷的。 In the present society, some people have tried every means to get financially well off, but they are spiritually poor. 4. 处于低潮 a) to be at a low (L. 15)尽管研究工作处于低谷，但大家都没有放弃，因为他们坚信 通过共同的努力，他们一定会取得成功。 Although the research work is at a low, they have never given it up, for they firmly believe that through joint efforts they are sure to succeed. b) 迅速上升/增加
to be way up (L. 18) 经过长时间的徘徊之后,这家股票的开盘价现在迅速攀升。 Having been fluctuating for a long time, the opening price of this stock is way up now 6.一想到…就不寒而栗 to tremble to think(L. 25) 一想到个接受高等教育的人如此残暴竟然杀害了数名无辜的同学,我们就不寒而栗 We tremble to think that a person with higher education was so cruel as to kill several innocent classmates of his 7.得出结论 to arrive at a conclusion (L. 34) 在没有深入地调查和分析之前,干万不要匆忙地得出结论。 Never arrive at a conclusion in haste until you have made further investigation and deeper 8.应该做某事 to be meant to do sth. (L. 34) 学校教育不应该只是帮助学生学习书本知识,还应该培养他们的综合能力 School education is not just meant to help students acquire knowledge from textbooks but to develop their all-around abilities as well 9.深刻领悟到 to have the insight that..(L. 36) 只有当大学生走出象牙塔才会悟出,他们的知识根本不能满足社会的需求 Only when the college students go out of the ivory tower will they have the insight that their knowledge is far from adequate to the needs of society 对……有透彻的理解 to have a perspective on sth. (L. 38) 只有经历了困难和挫折之后,一个人才能对人生的真正含义有透彻的理解 Only after experiencing hardships and setbacks can one have a perspective on the true meaning of life 11.在……的限制之外 beyond the confines of (L. 38) 把任何超越人类知识范畴的事物统统界定为伪科学是没有道理的
to be way up (L. 18) 经过长时间的徘徊之后，这家股票的开盘价现在迅速攀升。 Having been fluctuating for a long time, the opening price of this stock is way up now. 6. 一想到······就不寒而栗 to tremble to think (L. 25) 一想到一个接受高等教育的人如此残暴竟然杀害了数名无辜的同学，我们就不寒而栗 We tremble to think that a person with higher education was so cruel as to kill several innocent classmates of his. 7. 得出结论 to arrive at a conclusion (L. 34) 在没有深入地调查和分析之前，千万不要匆忙地得出结论。 Never arrive at a conclusion in haste until you have made further investigation and deeper analysis. 8. 应该做某事 to be meant to do sth. (L. 34) 学校教育不应该只是帮助学生学习书本知识，还应该培养他们的综合能力 School education is not just meant to help students acquire knowledge from textbooks but to develop their all-around abilities as well. 9. 深刻领悟到······ to have the insight that… (L. 36) 只有当大学生走出象牙塔才会悟出，他们的知识根本不能满足社会的需求。 Only when the college students go out of the ivory tower will they have the insight that their knowledge is far from adequate to the needs of society. 10. 对······有透彻的理解 to have a perspective on sth. (L. 38) 只有经历了困难和挫折之后，一个人才能对人生的真正含义有透彻的理解。 Only after experiencing hardships and setbacks can one have a perspective on the true meaning of life. 11. 在 ······ 的限制之外 beyond the confines of (L. 38) 把任何超越人类知识范畴的事物统统界定为伪科学是没有道理的
It is against reason to define as pseudo-science whatever is beyond the confines of human 12.为…服务败劳 to render service to sb. (L. 39) 对军人而言,能够为国家的安全和经济建设服务是他们极大的荣耀。 It is a great honor for the army-men to be able to render service to the national security and economic construction 13.为…扫清障碍 to prepare the way for (L. 41) 和平共处的五项基本原则为国家间建立友好关系扫清了障碍。 The five principles of peaceful co-existence have prepared the way for the establishment of friendly relationship among countries 14.超越…,远离 far removed from (L 45) 在青少年中已经开展了大规模的宣传活动以确保他们远离毒品。 A large- scale publicity program has been conducted among teenagers to ensure that they will be far removed from 15.看到事物之间的联系 to see the connections between things(L, 49) 目光短浅的人往往固步自封,从而看不到事物之间的联系。 A short-sighted person tends to be conservative, thereby failing to see the connections between things 6.超越眼前的需求 to see beyond one's immediate needs (L 49) 现代高等教育应该具有前瞻性,超越眼前的社会需求。 Modern college education should be far-sighted and able to see beyond the immediate needs 17.使某人破产/倒闭 to drive sb. out of business(L. 50) 经营不善和落后的管理理念最终使这个公司走上了破产的绝路。 Poor operation and old-fashioned concept of management eventually drove the company out of busines
It is against reason to define as pseudo-science whatever is beyond the confines of human knowledge. 12. 为······服务/效劳 to render service to sb. (L. 39) 对军人而言，能够为国家的安全和经济建设服务是他们极大的荣耀。 It is a great honor for the army-men to be able to render service to the national security and economic construction. 13. 为······扫清障碍 to prepare the way for (L. 41) 和平共处的五项基本原则为国家间建立友好关系扫清了障碍。 The five principles of peaceful co-existence have prepared the way for the establishment of friendly relationship among countries. 14. 超越······ ，远离······ far removed from (L. 45) 在青少年中已经开展了大规模的宣传活动以确保他们远离毒品。A large-scale publicity program has been conducted among teenagers to ensure that they will be far removed from drugs. 15. 看到事物之间的联系 to see the connections between things (L. 49) 目光短浅的人往往固步自封，从而看不到事物之间的联系。 A short-sighted person tends to be conservative, thereby failing to see the connections between things. 16. 超越眼前的需求 to see beyond one’s immediate needs (L. 49) 现代高等教育应该具有前瞻性，超越眼前的社会需求。 Modern college education should be far-sighted and able to see beyond the immediate needs of the society. 17. 使某人破产/倒闭 to drive sb. out of business (L. 50) 经营不善和落后的管理理念最终使这个公司走上了破产的绝路。 Poor operation and old-fashioned concept of management eventually drove the company out of business