2)About the text: In this essay the author challenges what are taken for granted as "American vales". She starts it by pointing out a number of often-ignored facts that run counter to the common supposition about the mainstream American society.She suggests that it is probably due to the problem of "changing things". These facts give rise to the question as to what are the real American values. The answer,however,is for the readers to find:The author's intention is just to provoke our thought. When reading this essay,the reader's special attention should be paid to the way she enumerates the contradictions between what is still largely considered American values and the reality
2) About the text: In this essay the author challenges what are taken for granted as "American vales". She starts it by pointing out a number of often-ignored facts that run counter to the common supposition about the mainstream American society. She suggests that it is probably due to the problem of "changing things". These facts give rise to the question as to what are the real American values. The answer, however, is for the readers to find: The author's intention is just to provoke our thought. When reading this essay, the reader's special attention should be paid to the way she enumerates the contradictions between what is still largely considered American values and the reality
3.Detailed Study of the Text: Text Analysis Para.1 In this first paragraph the author points out that the popularly assumed American values are "fantasies
Text Analysis Para.1 In this first paragraph the author points out that the popularly assumed American values are "fantasies." 3. Detailed Study of the Text:
Language points 1.the chorus of political pundits:the group of politicians who share the same ideas about the presidential election,etc.what those political critics are saying with one voice 2.referendum:(对法案的)公民复决（制度）；公民复决投 票权。a vote by people on whether to approve or reject some proposal or policy,esp.one that was made by or passed by a law- making body Paraphrase the first sentence: The recent presidential election .was a referendum on American values:During the recent presidential election,people were actually voting on American values rather than on the president
1. the chorus of political pundits: the group of politicians who share the same ideas about the presidential election, etc. ; what those political critics are saying with one voice 2. referendum:（对法案的）公民复决（制度）；公民复决投 票权。a vote by people on whether to approve or reject some proposal or policy, esp. one that was made by or passed by a lawmaking body Paraphrase the first sentence: The recent presidential election . was a referendum on American values: During the recent presidential election, people were actually voting on American values rather than on the president. Language points
Chorus:a simultaneous utterance by a number of people Paraphrase the last sentence: The last sentence means that they (American values) seem to be the fantasies which we use when we sell such things as soft drinks,phone services and color film,and they c can also be used when we are "selling"certain presidential candidates.In other words,those candidates who are said to represent American values tend to be elected
Chorus: a simultaneous utterance by a number of people Paraphrase the last sentence: The last sentence means that they (American values) seem to be the fantasies which we use when we sell such things as soft drinks, phone services and color film, and they can also be used when we are “selling” certain presidential candidates. In other words, those candidates who are said to represent American values tend to be elected
Q1:According to the author,how do American people choose their presidents? They choose their presidents on the basis of how clearly and convincingly these candidates represent and can protect this vision of American values. Q2:Why does the author relate American values with the presidential election and selling soft drinks,phone services and color film? In the author's view,the way the American people choose their presidents is similar to the way that they are made to choose soft drinks,though creative advertising,because both are based on fantasies-fantasies they cherish and fantasies conjured up by the advertising world.Such fantasies perform the same function as the sales promotions of soft drinks,phone services and color film.In selling soft drinks,phone services and color film,producers and retailers usually offer exaggerated or fantastic but false pictures to consumers
Q1: According to the author, how do American people choose their presidents? They choose their presidents on the basis of how clearly and convincingly these candidates represent and can protect this vision of American values. Q2: Why does the author relate American values with the presidential election and selling soft drinks, phone services and color film? In the author's view, the way the American people choose their presidents is similar to the way that they are made to choose soft drinks, though creative advertising, because both are based on fantasies- fantasies they cherish and fantasies conjured up by the advertising world. Such fantasies perform the same function as the sales promotions of soft drinks, phone services and color film. In selling soft drinks, phone services and color film, producers and retailers usually offer exaggerated or fantastic but false pictures to consumers