Unit 8 Social Problems Teaching aims: In this unit students are required to 1)get to know some useful information concerning the topic of the reading passages in this unit and to know more about english culture 2)do some preparation activities such as discussion, group work, etc. to practice their spoken skill and communicative skills 3)grasp some new words and try to use these words which help them to enrich their vocabulary 4 read the in-class read ing passage in a limited time and grasp some expressions and grammatical points in the in-class reading passage to improve their read ing comprehension, 5)do some post-read ing exercises and some after-class reading to practice what they have got to know in class to improve their English comprehensive skills 6)translate some typical sentences into Chinese or English by using some expressions learned in the read ing passages to acquire some translating skills and better their translating abilities L. Useful Information As societies change and develop, many problems emerge. Change itself can be a social problem if it occurs too quickly. This is sometimes called the problem of future shock One of the greatest problems of developing societies is the problem of overpopulation. As advances in medicine, nutrition, and technology increase the average lifespan, birth rates do not decrease rapidly enough, and the result is overpopulation. The worlds current population of about six billion is likely to double in the next 20 to 30 years, and the excess people are most likely to be found in mushrooming urban areas where other social problems abound IL Preparation 1. brainstorming Guide to the teacher Collect as many words as possible and list them on the blackboard related to social problems. For example ask the students to work in groups quickly to prepare a list of at least 20 words they associate with social problems(problems and causes) ask the group leader to write the words generated by his/her group on the blackboard --erase words that as repeated in various lists
Unit 8 Social Problems Teaching Aims: In this unit students are required to : 1) get to know some useful information concerning the topic of the reading passages in this unit and to know more about English culture; 2) do some preparation activities such as discussion, group work, etc. to practice their spoken skill and communicative skills; 3) grasp some new words and try to use these words which help them to enrich their vocabulary; 4)read the in-class reading passage in a limited time and grasp some expressions and grammatical points in the in-class reading passage to improve their reading comprehension; 5) do some post-reading exercises and some after-class reading to practice what they have got to know in class to improve their English comprehensive skills.; 6) translate some typical sentences into Chinese or English by using some expressions learned in the reading passages to acquire some translating skills and better their translating abilities. I. Useful Information As societies change and develop, many problems emerge. Change itself can be a social problem if it occurs too quickly. This is sometimes called the problem of “future shock”. One of the greatest problems of developing societies is the problem of overpopulation. As advances in medicine, nutrition, and technology increase the average lifespan, birth rates do not decrease rapidly enough, and the result is overpopulation. The world’s current population of about six billion is likely to double in the next 20 to 30 years, and the excess people are most likely to be found in mushrooming urban areas where other social problems abound. II. Preparation 1. Brainstorming Guide to the teacher: Collect as many words as possible and list them on the blackboard related to social problems. For example: ---ask the students to work in groups quickly to prepare a list of at least 20 words they associate with social problems (problems and causes); ---ask the group leader to write the words generated by his/her group on the blackboard; ---erase words that as repeated in various lists;
--classify the words and discuss the questions Following are the social problems for reference Crime, overpopulation, pollution, unemploy ment/layoffs, housing, clean water supply, transportation, flood ing, poverty, generation gap, beggars(children and adults) littering, widening gap between rich and poor, rape, smuggling, fake products, trafficking(拐卖) of children and women, corruption, graffiti(在公共场所,建筑物的墙上 涂画式写字), gambling, prostitution, domestic, violence, juvenile delinquency(少年犯罪), high divorce rate, racial discrimination, drug abuse, etc Social problems in China: overpopulation, housing, clean water supply, transportation, littering, theft, robbery, murder, mugging, rape, pollution, smuggling, fake products, trafficking of children and women, bribery, corruption, graffiti, gambling, prostitution, domestic violence, layoffs, etc Social problems that people associate with foreign countries: juvenile delinquency, high divorce rate, unemployment, racial discrimination, drug abuse, generation gap, crime. violence. etc NOTE Many problems exist both in China and in foreign countries. The aim of this activity is just to elicit as many problems from the students as possible. This is a way of generating vocabulary and helping the students learn more about the topic 2. Causes of social problems There are various causes of different social problems. The following are just a few of the possible examples Poverty, unemployment, etc ----theft, robbery, murder, beggars, etc High divorce rate, etc. --- juvenile delinquency, etc Lack of communication ----mental problems of various kinds, generation gap, etc Pollution, lIittering----worsening 3. Describing the pictures on page 206 and 207. Guide to the teacher In conducting the activity, the teacher should encourage the students to use the phrases in the model Picture A: Last night, Mr. Lester, a middle-aged widower, was walking along a dark Birmingham Street. He was carry ing a briefcase in one hand and an umbrella in the other. There was nobody else in the street except two men. They were stand ing in a dark side-street One of them was very big with curly hair, and the other was thin with a bald head Picture B: They waited for a few seconds and then walked slowly and silently towards Mr. Lester. The big man held Mr. Lester from behind and the thin one tried to snatch Mr Lester 's briefcase Picture C: Suddenly, Mr. Lester threw the big one over his shoulder. He collided with the thin one and they both landed on the pavement. without speaking, Mr. Lester struck both of them on the head with his umbrella, and walked calmly away Picture D: The two astonished men were still sitting on the ground when Mr. Lester
---classify the words and discuss the questions. Following are the social problems for reference: Crime, overpopulation, pollution, unemployment/layoffs, housing, clean water supply, transportation, flooding, poverty, generation gap, beggars (children and adults), littering, widening gap between rich and poor, rape, smuggling, fake products, trafficking (拐卖) of children and women, corruption, graffiti (在公共场所，建筑物的墙上 涂画式写字), gambling, prostitution, domestic, violence, juvenile delinquency (少年犯罪), high divorce rate, racial discrimination, drug abuse, etc. Social problems in China: overpopulation, housing, clean water supply, transportation, littering, theft, robbery, murder, mugging, rape, pollution, smuggling, fake products, trafficking of children and women, bribery, corruption, graffiti, gambling, prostitution, domestic violence, layoffs, etc. Social problems that people associate with foreign countries: juvenile delinquency, high divorce rate, unemployment, racial discrimination, drug abuse, generation gap, crime, violence, etc. NOTE： Many problems exist both in China and in foreign countries. The aim of this activity is just to elicit as many problems from the students as possible. This is a way of generating vocabulary and helping the students learn more about the topic. 2．Causes of social problems: There are various causes of different social problems. The following are just a few of the possible examples: Poverty, unemployment, etc. ----theft, robbery, murder, beggars, etc High divorce rate, etc. ---- juvenile delinquency, etc Lack of communication ---- mental problems of various kinds, generation gap, etc Pollution, littering ---- worsening environment 3. Describing the pictures on page 206 and 207. Guide to the teacher: In conducting the activity, the teacher should encourage the students to use the phrases in the model. Sample Picture A: Last night, Mr. Lester, a middle-aged widower, was walking along a dark Birmingham Street. He was carrying a briefcase in one hand and an umbrella in the other. There was nobody else in the street except two men. They were standing in a dark side-street. One of them was very big with curly hair, and the other was thin with a bald head. Picture B: They waited for a few seconds and then walked slowly and silently towards Mr. Lester. The big man held Mr. Lester from behind and the thin one tried to snatch Mr. Lester’s briefcase. Picture C: Suddenly, Mr. Lester threw the big one over his shoulder. He collided with the thin one and they both landed on the pavement. Without speaking, Mr. Lester struck both of them on the head with his umbrella, and walked calmly away. Picture D: The two astonished men were still sitting on the ground when Mr. Lester
crossed the road towards a door with a painted sign above it. Mr. Lester stopped, turned round. laughed at the two men and walked into the central birmingham Karate club II Reading-Centered Activities I Pre-reading Suggestion for the teacher: Prompt(if necessary) the students to think about practical issues like child-care, location of the school, location of the apartment, work place, etc Encourage the students to justify why both parents (or just one )accept the jobs Samples It depends. If I were the wife, I would persuade my husband to accept the job. As for me, before making a final decision, I would take into consideration such factors as child-care facilities location of the school location of the apartment, etc Both of us will accept the jobs. On the one hand, the jobs ar challenging, which is good for our personal fulfillment. On the other, with the money we get, we could find a babysitter for our child 2. Passage Reading: Latchkey Children---Knock, Knock, Is Anyone Home? 3. Language points 1)such a/ an +adj+n (singular n. Who could have advised you to do such a foolish thing? I regret having had such an opinion of you? +n (plural n. We have such grave responsibilities I have met many such people such +adj +n (uncountable n) She didnt deserve such fortune She thought about the effect of such news on her husband +adj. ta/an+n so/too +adj +n(countable and uncountable nouns) I have never seen so beautiful a child He has never again written so good a book as his first one John doesn t understand you because he knows so little English It was surprising to see so high a bridge over so small a river Shall I tell Ann how to improve her Painting?""Yes, but too large a list of suggestions may discourage her. You have made too long a speech( a too long speech) 2)on the other hand on the one hand. on the other. (ind icating contrasted point of view) On the one hand I admire his gifts, but on the other i distrust his judgment On the one hand you accept her presents; on the other, you are rude to the whole family. What really is your attitude to them? on the other hand He is clever, but on the other hand, he makes many mistakes
crossed the road towards a door with a painted sign above it. Mr. Lester stopped, turned round, laughed at the two men and walked into the Central Birmingham Karate Club. III. Reading-Centered Activities 1. Pre-reading Suggestion for the teacher: ➢ Prompt (if necessary) the students to think about practical issues like child-care, location of the school, location of the apartment, work place, etc. ➢ Encourage the students to justify why both parents (or just one ) accept the jobs. Samples 1) It depends. If I were the wife, I would persuade my husband to accept the job. As for me, before making a final decision, I would take into consideration such factors as child-care facilities, location of the school, location of the apartment, etc. 2) Both of us will accept the jobs. On the one hand, the jobs are challenging, which is good for our personal fulfillment. On the other, with the money we get, we could find a babysitter for our child. 2. Passage Reading: Latchkey Children---Knock, Knock, Is Anyone Home? 3．Language Points 1 ) such + a/ an +adj.+ n.(singular n. ) Who could have advised you to do such a foolish thing? I regret having had such an opinion of you? ➢ such + adj. + n.(plural n.) We have such grave responsibilities. I have met many such people. ➢ such +adj. + n.(uncountable n.) She didn’t deserve such fortune. She thought about the effect of such news on her husband. ➢ so/too +adj. +a/an + n so /too +adj. + n (countable and uncountable nouns) I have never seen so beautiful a child. He has never again written so good a book as his first one. John doesn’t understand you because he knows so little English. It was surprising to see so high a bridge over so small a river. “Shall I tell Ann how to improve her Painting?” “Yes, but too large a list of suggestions may discourage her.” You have made too long a speech( a too long speech). 2) on the other hand on the one hand…on the other…(indicating contrasted point of view) On the one hand I admire his gifts, but on the other I distrust his judgment. On the one hand you accept her presents; on the other, you are rude to the whole family. What really is your attitude to them? ➢ on the other hand He is clever, but on the other hand, he makes many mistakes
Once you have caught me you could easily imprison me. But on the other hand am hard to catch on the other hand而.却 Food here is cheaper than in London clothing, on the other hand, is dearer Father and Mother wanted to go for a rid the children, on the other hand wanted to stay at home and play with their friends 3) to feel guilty感到内疚/惭愧 He felt guilty at deserving his wife I felt guilty about visiting her so rarely to find sb guilty有罪 He was found guilty The jury found the prisoner guilty ( to be guilty of犯[某种罪或过失]) I am not guilty of this crime Who is guilty of taking the last piece of cake? ( guilt n罪;内疚感) The police worked day and night to prove the mans guilt His face showed guilt, though he said he had done nothing wrong 4) in the long run: eventually, ultimately, in the end从长远来说,终究,最后 In the long run prices are bound to rise In the long run, the best is unquestionably the cheapest Study ing may be difficult now, but you'l benefit in the long run It pays in the long run to buy goods of high quality (The opposite: in the short run) 5) all too实在太 all too soon/quickly The holidays were all too short The day passed all too quickly You are all too lazy much too, far too副词(用来加强语气,修饰形用词) The tickets are far too expensive for me I think it's much too hot for walking I think that is much too much work cant/ can never be too+adj/adv.怎样.也不过分 This cant be stres d too strongly You cant be too careful with them You can t praise the play too highly One can never be too careful in one's work too much过分,对付不了,过难 I couldnt finish that book on relativity; it was too much for me 6)to engage in 1)to take part in; to be occupied in I have no time to engage in gossip, so please dont come to me with your rumors
Once you have caught me you could easily imprison me. But on the other hand, I am hard to catch. ➢ on the other hand 而…却 Food here is cheaper than in London; clothing, on the other hand, is dearer. Father and Mother wanted to go for a rid; the children, on the other hand, wanted to stay at home and play with their friends. 3 ) to feel guilty 感到内疚/惭愧 He felt guilty at deserving his wife. I felt guilty about visiting her so rarely. ➢ to find sb guilty 有罪 He was found guilty. The jury found the prisoner guilty. (to be guilty of 犯[某种罪或过失] ) I am not guilty of this crime. Who is guilty of taking the last piece of cake? (guilt n.罪; 内疚感) The police worked day and night to prove the man’s guilt. His face showed guilt, though he said he had done nothing wrong. 4) in the long run: eventually, ultimately, in the end 从长远来说，终究，最后 In the long run prices are bound to rise. In the long run, the best is unquestionably the cheapest. Studying may be difficult now, but you’ll benefit in the long run. It pays in the long run to buy goods of high quality. (The opposite: in the short run) 5 ) all too 实在太… all too +adj./ adv. all too soon/quickly The holidays were all too short. The day passed all too quickly. You are all too lazy. ➢ much too, far too 副词（用来加强语气， 修饰形用词） The tickets are far too expensive for me. I think it’s much too hot for walking. I think that is much too much work. ➢ can’t/ can never be too + adj./ adv.怎样…也不过分 This can’t be stressed too strongly. You can’t be too careful with them. You can’t praise the play too highly. One can never be too careful in one’s work. ➢ too much 过分，对付不了，过难 I couldn’t finish that book on relativity; it was too much for me. 6 ) to engage in 1) to take part in; to be occupied in I have no time to engage in gossip, so please don’t come to me with your rumors
and complaints If you engage in local politics, you cant expect to have much time for your family d in to be bl 忙于,从事 It is a hard and long struggle we are engaged in At this moment he was engaged in a very violent argument with someone to be engaged to sb have agreed to marry sb已定昏婚 She is engaged to peter They are engaged to each other (Sorry! The line/number is engaged. My time is fully engaged with daily work. 7)to range from...to... in to range between.and.: to vary, to be different from.. to.. in Children in the kindergarten range in age from 1 to 6 Prices range from 550 pence to 75 pence The temperature ranges between 0°cand30°c on basis..地 on a daily basis: every day on a long-term basis长期地 on a short- term basis短期地 e.g: The writing class was conducted on a twice-a-week basis The problems were going to be settled on a realistic basis I give you lecture on a short-term basis 9)to cope with: deal with suce e.g: She couldn't cope with all her work They lack the strength to cope with all these problems She was unable to cope with the duties of her new position 10) to look upon/on sb/ sth as: consider sb/ sth to be; to think of将.看作/看待 e.g: She looked on him as a very great scholar /as a friend. These children look on their teachers as their enemies Most people look on a TV set as an essential piece of furniture to look about for sth to be in search of sth to look back to remember: to recall to look after to take care of to look at to examine/consider to look back on: to think about sth in the past to look down on/ to look forward to: to expect to feel pleasure in to look up: to find information(in a book etc look up to sb: to respect sb l1) whereas:but, while; but in contrast而( used for introducing an opposite表示对 比关系 e.g: Some people have noting to spend money on, whereas others have no money to d She had never done anything for them, whereas they had done everything for
and complaints. If you engage in local politics, you can’t expect to have much time for your family. ➢ to be engaged in: to be busy with 忙于…，从事… It is a hard and long struggle we are engaged in. At this moment he was engaged in a very violent argument with someone. ➢ to be engaged to sb :have agreed to marry sb 已定昏婚 She is engaged to Peter. They are engaged to each other. (Sorry! The line/number is engaged. My time is fully engaged with daily work.) 7) to range from…to…in to range between…and… : to vary; to be different from…to… in Children in the kindergarten range in age from 1 to 6. Prices range from 550 pence to 75 pence. The temperature ranges between 0ºc and 30ºc. 8) on a …basis …地 on a daily basis: every day on a long-term basis 长期地 on a short-term basis 短期地 e.g: The writing class was conducted on a twice-a -week basis. The problems were going to be settled on a realistic basis. I give you lecture on a short-term basis. 9) to cope with: deal with successfully e.g: She couldn’t cope with all her work. They lack the strength to cope with all these problems. She was unable to cope with the duties of her new position. 10) to look upon/on sb / sth as : consider sb / sth to be; to think of 将…看作/看待 e.g: She looked on him as a very great scholar./as a friend.) These children look on their teachers as their enemies. Most people look on a TV set as an essential piece of furniture. ➢ to look about for sth: to be in search of sth ➢ to look back: to remember; to recall ➢ to look after : to take care of ➢ to look at : to examine/consider ➢ to look back on: to think about sth in the past ➢ to look down on/upon: to have/show a low opinion of ➢ to look forward to : to expect to feel pleasure in ➢ to look up: to find information (in a book etc) ➢ look up to sb: to respect sb 11) whereas: but, while; but in contrast 而(used for introducing an opposite 表示对 比关系) e.g: Some people have noting to spend money on, whereas others have no money to spend. She had never done anything for them, whereas they had done everything for her