fresh start unit 1 fresh start unit1 –what a university would be in your dream in high school?...

Fresh Start

Unit 1Unit 1

Fresh Start

– What a university would be in your dream in high school?

– Do you still remember your first days at college? Who was the first classmate you meet that day? Did anything special happen then? What was your impression of university life then?

– One year has passed, what your impression and understand of university? Have you changed your plan?

Watch the video clip and answer the following questions.

1. Why doesn’t the mother want her daughter to be a

professional athlete?

2. Why does Casey insist on becoming an ice-skater?

Audiovisual SupplementCultural Information

Because the shelf life of a professional athlete is short.

Because she loves it.

Casey: Mom, I just want to compete at regionals. 国际化—本土化Mother: Why? What do you have to gain by this?Casey: I’m good.Mother: So, what are you saying? You wanna just blow off our whole plan for you, chuck 抛弃 the scholarship and become a professional athlete? Case, what was the shelf life on an ice-skater? Eight years? And then a few years touring with Has-Beens 曾经红极一时 on Ice. And that’s it? That’s the end of your life?Casey: I love it, Mom.



Mother: Case, there’s no shelf life on your mind. If I’d

learned how to use mine a little sooner, if I’d gone to

college when I was your age, maybe we wouldn’t be

living like this.Casey: There’s nothing wrong with the way we live.

Mother: I’ve not been able to give you a quarter of the

things that I wanted to.Casey: You’ve given me everything.Mother: Then you need to give me something now.

“Face” is a sense of worth that comes from knowing one’s status （ statue, stature ） and reflects concern with the congruency between one’s performance or appearance and one’s real worth.

“Face” stands for a very important sociological concept in Chinese culture. The concept of “face” roughly translates as honour, good reputation or respect. The essence of “face” lies in the drive for acceptance and approval of other people other than one’s real worth.

1. The importance of “face”


2. Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. — Oscar Wilde1854-1900, Being yourself is celebrating you, as an individual — learning to express yourself and be happy with who you are. For some people, it’s learning to love yourself. For others, it’s not hiding who you are or changing things about you to fit in.《温德密尔夫人的扇子》又译《温夫人的扇子》 Lady Windermere`s Fan1892《帕都瓦公爵夫人》 The Duchess of Padua1893 年《莎乐美》（原著用法语写成） Salomé1893 年《无足轻重的女人》 A Woman of No Importance1892 年《理想的丈夫》又译《好丈夫》 An Ideal Husband


3. Steps to be yourself● define yourself● stop worrying about how people perceive you● be honest and open● relax● develop and express your individuality● believe in who you are● follow your own style


This text is a piece of narrative writing, in which the author tells about her experience during the first year at university, which at first seems to be very awkward but turns out to be on the right track at last.

Rhetorical FeaturesStructural Analysis

the first is about her going into the wrong classroom; the second is about her falling down in the cafeteria;the last is about her witnessing the same embarrassing fall happening to someone admired by her.

In the text, three incidents are narrated by the author:

Despite the differences between these three incidents, they actually revolve around one theme: The growth of the author, who is able to draw lessons from the mistakes she has made and finally succeeds in adjusting herself to the college life.


Detailed descriptions of events are everywhere to be seen in this text, which is a dominant feature of narrative writing. Since the description of an event will involve a lot of movements or actions, compound sentences and compound-complex sentences have been used frequently in the text.

I first began to wonder what I was doing on a college campus anyway when my parents drove off, leaving me standing pitifully in a parking lot, wanting nothing more than to find my way safely to my dorm room. (Paragraph 1)


e.g.

I settled into my chair and tried to assume the scientific pose of a biology major, bending slightly forward, tensing my arms in preparation for furious note-taking, and cursing under my breath. (Paragraph 5)


e.g.

Detailed Reading

Fresh StartEvelyn Herald

1 I first began to wonder what I was doing on a college campus anyway when my parents drove off, leaving me standing pitifully in a parking lot, wanting nothing more than to find my way safely to my dorm room. The fact was that no matter how mature I liked to consider myself, I was feeling just a bit first-gradish. Adding to my distress was the distinct impression that everyone on campus was watching me. My plan was to keep my ears open and my mouth shut and hope no one would notice I was a freshman.

2 With that thought in mind, I raised my head, squared my shoulders, and set out in the direction of my dorm, glancing (and then ever so discreetly) at the campus map clutched in my hand. It took everything I had not to stare when I caught my first glimpse of a real live college football player. What confidence, what reserve, what muscles! I only hoped his attention was drawn to my air of assurance rather than to my shaking knees. I spent the afternoon seeking out each of my classrooms so that I could make a perfectly timed entrance before each lecture without having to ask dumb questions about its whereabouts.

Detailed Reading

3 The next morning I found my first class and marched in. Once I was in the room, however, another problem awaited me. Where to sit? Freshmen manuals advised sitting near the front, showing the professor in intelligent and energetic demeanor. After deliberation, I chose a seat in the first row and to the side. I was in the foreground (as advised ), but out of the professor’s direct line of vision.4 I cracked my anthology of American literature and scribbled the date at the top of a crisp ruled page. “Welcome to Biology 101,” the professor began. A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. I groped for my schedule and checked the room number. I was in the right room. Just the wrong building.

Detailed Reading

5 So now what? Get up and leave in the middle of the lecture? Wouldn’t the professor be angry? I knew everyone would stare. Forget it. I settled into my chair and tried to assume the scientific pose of a biology major, bending slightly forward, tensing my arms in preparation for furious notetaking, and cursing under my breath. The bottled snakes along the wall should have tipped me off.

Detailed Reading

6 After class I decided my stomach (as well as my ego) needed a little nourishment, and I hurried to the cafeteria. I piled my tray with sandwich goodies and was heading for the salad bar when I accidentally stepped in a large puddle of ketchup. Keeping myself upright and getting out of the mess was not going to be easy, and this flailing of my feet was doing no good. Just as I decided to try another maneuver, my food tray tipped and I lost my balance. As my rear end met the floor, I saw my entire life pass before my eyes: it ended with my first day of college classes.

Detailed Reading

7 In the seconds after my fall I thought how nice it would be if no one had noticed. But as all the students in the cafeteria came to their feet, table by table, cheering and clapping, I knew they had not only noticed, they were determined that I would never forget it. Slowly I kicked off my ketchup-soaked sandals and jumped clear of the toppled tray and spilled food. A cleanup brigade came charging out of the kitchen, mops in hands. I sneaked out of the cafeteria as the cheers died down behind me.

Detailed Reading

8 For three days I dined alone on nothing more than humiliation, shame, and an assortment of junk food from a machine strategically placed outside my room. On the fourth day I couldn’t take another crunchy-chewy-salty-sweet bite. I needed some real food. Perhaps three days was long enough for the campus population to have forgotten me. So off to the cafeteria I went.

Detailed Reading

9 I made my way through the food line and tiptoed to a table, where I collapsed in relief. Suddenly I heard a crash that sounded vaguely familiar. I looked up to see that another poor soul had met the fate that I’d thought was reserved for only me. I was even more surprised when I saw who the poor soul was: the very composed, very upper class football player I’d seen just days before (though he didn’t look quite so composed wearing spaghetti on the front of his shirt). My heart went out to him as people began to cheer and clap as they had for me. He got up, hands held high above his head in a victory clasp, grinning from ear to ear. I expected him to slink out of the cafeteria as I had, but instead he turned around and began preparing another tray. And that’s when I realized I had been taking myself far too seriously.

Detailed Reading

10 What I had interpreted as a malicious attempt to embarrass a naïve freshman had been merely a moment of college fun. Probably everyone in the cafeteria had done something equally dumb when he or she was a freshman — and had lived to tell about it.11 Who cared whether I dropped a tray, where I sat in class, or even whether I showed up in the wrong lecture? Nobody. This wasn’t like high school. Popularity was not so important; running with the crowd was no longer a law of survival. In college, it didn’t matter. This was my big chance to do my own thing, be my own woman — if I could get past my preoccupation with doing everything perfectly.

Detailed Reading

12 Once I recognized that I had no one’s expectations to live up to but my own, I relaxed. The shackles of self-consciousness fell away, and I began to view college as a wonderful experiment. I tried on new experiences like articles of clothing, checking their fit and judging their worth. I broke a few rules to test my conscience. I dressed a little differently until I found the Real Me. I discovered a taste for jazz, and I decided I liked going barefoot.13 I gave up trying to act my way through college (this wasn’t drama school) and began not acting at all. College, I decided, was probably the only time I would be completely forgiven for massive mistakes (including stepping in puddles of ketchup and dropping food trays). So I used the opportunity to make all the ones I thought I’d never make.

Detailed Reading

14 Three years after graduation, I’m still making mistakes. And I’m even being forgiven for a few.

Detailed Reading

Why did the author have the impression that “everyone on campus was watching me”?

The author, being over-sensitive, was uneasy with her identity as a freshman. She thought a new student would attract others’ attention, as what she did or said was liable to be too naïve to be right. That feeling is a typical symptom of lacking in self-confidence.

Detailed Reading

Why did the author exclaim “What confidence, what reserve, what muscles!” when she saw the football player?

College life was a new experience to the author. That she marveled at the real football player showed her excitement about her new life. And more importantly, her response revealed her admiration of an image which was almost exactly the opposite of her own. This admiration would later become the motivation of her change.

Detailed Reading

How many questions are used in Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5? Why does the author raise these questions?

Four elliptical questions are used in these paragraphs. Being a freshman, the author was not well acquainted with campus life. She was at a loss as to what to do when something unexpected happened. These questions are used to show her bewilderment.

Detailed Reading

Why did she dine on junk food for the next three days?

Because she thought she had become the laughing-stock on campus. She couldn’t stand being laughed at by all the students when she turned up in the cafeteria.

Detailed Reading

What was the key lesson Evelyn Herald learned during her first few weeks in college?

The key lesson she learned during her first few weeks in college was that she realized she didn’t have to pay too much attention to what other people were thinking about her. The fresh campus life was her big chance to do her own things and be her own person. She might well relax herself and stop worrying about making mistakes because people all grow by trial and error.

Detailed Reading

Class ActivityGroup discussion: What lessons have you learned from Evelyn’s experiences after reading the article “Fresh Start”? Share the experiences when you first came to college.

Detailed Reading

• Mature• a mature cell.• 成熟的细胞• a mature cheese.• 成形的奶酪• mature for her age.• 对她这个年龄算是稳重的• a mature audience.• 全部是成年人的观众• a mature plan of action.• 经过深思熟虑的行动计划• a mature bond.• 到期的债券• maturing the brandy in vats; • 在桶里将白兰地酿熟；

distinct a.clearly seen, heard, felt, understood, etc.; noticeablee.g.Now that the boss was no longer present, there w

as a distinct change in her attitude.a distinct flavor.

风味独特Comparison:distinct & distinctive

distinctive: It means having a special quality, character, or appearance that is different and easy to recognize.

e.g.There is a distinct smell of beer in this room.

distinct: Something that is distinct can clearly be seen, heard, smelled, etc.

e.g.Beer has a very distinctive smell; it’s quite distinct from the smell of wine.

Detailed Reading

One of the features of this book is its illustrations.本书特点之一就是具有清楚明了的图解。

at a distinct disadvantage.确实处于不利条件

There is a distinct possibility that she won't come.她很有可能不来了

a distinct honor and high privilege. 显赫的名声和崇高的殊荣indistinct stars. 暗淡的星星 an indistinct memory 模糊的记忆；

distinctive

____________

distinct_________

Practice:

Detailed Reading

clutch vt. hold or grasp vi. try to grasp or seizee.g.The frightened woman clutched her bags to

her breast.He clutched at the rope we had thrown to him but could not reach it.

Synonyms:seize, grasp

e.g.She seized my arm as she fell.grasp the essence / main points

Detailed Reading

Adhere, cling, grasp, hold, stick ,Adhere, cling, grasp, hold, stick ,seized

glimpse n. 1. a quick look at sb. or sth.

e.g. I caught a glimpse of our new neighbor.

2. a short experience of sth. that helps you begin to understand ite.g. Her worried face gave me a glimpse of her true

feelings.

她的忧伤表情使我感受到她内心的真实感情。

Detailed Reading

reserve n.a quality in sb.’s character that make them not like expressing their emotions or talking about their problems

e.g.Being a man of reserve, Mr. York was never popular with his colleagues.

Judy has tried every means to break through the reserve of her stepson.

a forest reserve. 自然森林保护区reserve a room 订房间

reserve account 公积金帐联邦储备银行 Federal Reserve Bank

reserve fund 储备金

Detailed Reading

• adj. 保留的 , 包租的• Communicative 畅所欲言的，毫无保留

的• reservist

• n. 预备役军人 , 在乡军人• Reservation 保留 , ( 旅馆房间等 ) 预定 ,

印第安人保留地

whereaboutsn. approximate locationad. used to ask in what general area sth. or sb. is

e.g.The orphan’s whereabouts is / are still unknown.

The police have appealed for information concerning the whereabouts of the stolen car used in the robbery.

Whereabouts did you grow up?

Detailed Reading

demeanor n.the way sb. behaves, dresses, speaks, etc. that shows what their character is like

Practice:

他的举止沉着、稳健。His demeanor was clam and steady.

这个女孩子的态度娴静而谦逊。

The girl has a quiet, modest demeanor.

Detailed Reading

scribble (down) v.write sth. quickly and untidily

e.g.I scribbled his phone number in my address

book.

He scribbled down our names.

Detailed Reading

grope v.1. try to find sth. that you cannot see by feeling with your hands

e.g.Ginny groped for her glasses on the bedside table.

Collocations:grope for

grope arounde.g.

We groped around in the darkness.2. go somewhere by feeling the way with your

hands because you cannot see

e.g.I was groping my way blindly through the trees.

Collocations:grope your way along / across, etc.

Detailed Reading

tip offgive an advanced warning or hint to

e.g.Somebody must have tipped the burglars off that the house would be empty.The police was tipped off about the robbery.

tiptipn.n. 顶顶 , , 倾斜倾斜 , , 轻击轻击 , , 末端末端 , , 小费小费 , , 秘密消息，提示秘密消息，提示

vt.vt. 在在 ...... 顶端装附加物顶端装附加物 , , 使倾斜使倾斜 , , 使翻倒使翻倒 , , 暗示暗示 , , 轻击轻击 , , 泄露泄露 , , 给小费给小费tip strawberries with chocolate.tip strawberries with chocolate.

在草莓上涂上巧克力在草莓上涂上巧克力tipped a vase.tipped a vase.

把花瓶给打翻了把花瓶给打翻了get a tip on the next race.get a tip on the next race.

搞到了关于下次比赛的内部消息搞到了关于下次比赛的内部消息He tipped a dollar.He tipped a dollar.他给了一美元的小费他给了一美元的小费

Detailed Reading

goody (pl. goodies) n. 1. sth. that is nice to eat

e.g. We bought lots of goodies for the picnic.

e.g. The competition gives you the chance to win all sorts of goodies.

Variant spelling:(British English)

goodie

2. sth. attractive, pleasant, or desirable

Detailed Reading

I flailed my arms to get her attention.

The baby’s feet flailed under the quilt.flail tank扫雷坦克

e.g.

flail v.(cause sth. to) wave or swing about wildly

Detailed Reading

rear end(informal) the part of your body which you sit on

Detailed Reading

• Cafeteria---A cafeteria or caféteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no table service, usually there is no waiter or waitress; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen (in UK English). Cafeterias are different from coffeehouses咖啡屋 , although that is the Spanish meaning of the English word.

• Café---is an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals, and possibly being licensed to serve alcohol.

• Coffeehouse--- or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria and cafe. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on providing coffee and tea as well as light snacks.

• short order, snack, Fast Food, take away food

Childs Restaurant, Philadelphia, 1908

The main dining hall of City College of San Francisco

A high school cafeteria used by students in Calhan, Colorado.

The first Starbucks store (coffee house, in Seattle, Washington

Beijing Moscow

Berlin Paris

Coffeehouse in Damascus

Discussing the War in a Paris Café

• Hamburger 汉堡• Cheese Burger 芝士汉堡• Double Cheese Buregr 双层芝士孖堡 • Big Mac 巨无霸 • McChicken 麦香鸡 • Filet-O-Fish 鱼柳堡 • McCrispy Chicken Filet Burger 脆辣鸡腿堡• Grilled Chicken Burger 板烧鸡腿堡• McNuggets 麦乐鸡 • French Fries 薯条• Salad 沙拉 • McWings脆香鸡翅 • (Coca-Cola/Sprite/Fanta/Coke Light) ( 可口可乐 /雪碧 /芬达 /健怡

可乐 ) Hot chocolate 热朱古力

• 肯德基 (Kentucky Fried Chicken) KFC

• 麦当劳McDonald's

• 德克士 Dicos

sneak v.go somewhere secretly and quietly in order to avoid being seen or heard

e.g. They sneaked off without paying!

She snuck out of the house once her parents were asleep.

Collocations:

sneak in / out / away / off

Synonym: creep

Detailed Reading

Word formation: The four adjectives are chained up with hyphens to form a new modifier placed before a noun.

crunchy-chewy-salty-sweet bite

Here the modifier “crunchy-chewy-salty-sweet” describes the texture and taste of the fast food, which is crunchy, chewy, salty and sweet.

e.g. a red-hot news story

an all-round athlete

Detailed Reading

tiptoe v.walk quietly and carefully on your toes, so that nobody hears you

e.g. His mother tiptoed into the room. I tiptoed along the corridor.

Collocation:

tiptoe around (sth.): try to avoid dealing with a difficult or embarrassing subject or problem

e.g. They were tiptoeing around the delicate subject of money.

Detailed Reading

poor (old) soulused to show pity for sb.

e.g.The poor old soul had fallen and broken her hip.

Detailed Reading

tagliatelle 意大利干面条a type of pasta that is cut into very long thin flat pieces

spaghetti 意大利式细面条a type of pasta in very long thin pieces, that is cooked in boiling water

macaroni 通心粉a type of pasta in the shape of small tubes

Detailed Reading

go out to sb. used to say that someone feels a lot of sympathy towards another person

e.g. His heart went out to Mrs. Bradshaw and her

fatherless child.

Detailed Reading

grin v.show that you are very happy or pleased by smiling widely

Collocation:grin from ear to ear: grin very widely

Detailed Reading

victory clasp

slink v.go or move in a quiet, stealthy way; move as if one feels guilty or ashamed, or does not want to be seen

e.g. She tried to slink (=sneak) out of the office so that nobody would see her.

The cat slunk (=sneaked) through the grass toward its prey.

Detailed Reading

malicious a.very unkind and cruel, and deliberately behaving in a way that is likely to upset or hurt sb.

e.g. a malicious remark

malicious gossip

Derivation ：malice (n.): a desire to harm sb. because you hate them

e.g.He did it through malice.

I am quite certain that his wife bears malice to / towards / against (=feels continuing dislike for) me.

Detailed Reading

Comparison and translation

run with the crowd

An independent man, Peter never goes with the tide.彼得是个有主见的人，从不随大流。_________________________________________________________

_You can do what you want to do, but never follow the crowd.你想做什么就做什么，可别随大流。_________________________________________________________

_Hait hasn’t got a mind of his own on any matter of importance; he just swims with the tide.海特在任何重要问题上都没有自己的主见，他只是随大流。__________________________________________________________________________________

She is always falling into line with the majority.她总是随大流。___________________________

Detailed Reading

shackle n.a metal fastening, usually one of a pair, for encircling and confining the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or captive; (fig.) a restraint or check to action or progress, often used in the plural form

The policeman placed shackles on the suspect’s hands.

It is hard to break through the shackles of habit.

e.g.

Detailed Reading

It took everything I had not to stare when I caught my first glimpse of a real live college football player. (Paragraph 2)

Paraphrase:

I could not help staring at the football player who was a direct contrast to myself and represented what I had desired but failed to be.

Detailed Reading

I was in the foreground. (Paragraph 3)

Paraphrase:Foreground means, as opposite to background, the part of a scene, landscape, etc. nearest, or represented in perspective as nearest, to the viewer, or the most noticeable or conspicuous position.

Detailed Reading

I made my way through the food line and tiptoed to a table, where I collapsed in relief. (Paragraph 9)

Explanation:

What she meant is that she sat down in relief as no one had noticed her. “Collapsed” is a hyperbole indicating her anxiety and the contrasting reality that no one actually cared.

Detailed Reading

Probably everyone in the cafeteria had done something equally dumb when he or she was a freshman — and had lived to tell about it. (Paragraph 10)

Paraphrase:

Everyone who had done something dumb had survived the embarrassment (and so was able to recount the experience afterwards).

Detailed Reading

I dressed a little differently until I found the Real Me. (Paragraph 12)

Explanation:

Metaphorically, she means that she tried different experiences, as if trying on different articles of clothing, until she finally determined what her life should be like.

Detailed Reading

Phrase Practice

Word Derivation

Synonym / Antonym

Vocabulary Translation Integrated SkillsOral ActivitiesWritingGrammar

4) Our sympathies the relatives of the victims.

1) You have to take your daughter to hospital, as a rash

on her face and hands.


has broken out

_________________

2) In the darkness, I the right box. groped for ____________

3) I warned him repeatedly that it was no good that kind of tricks me.

trying ________

on ____

go out to __________

Fill in the blank in each sentence with an appropriate phrasal verb or collocation from the text.


5) The drug traffickers were arrested after the police were by the local residents. tipped

off ___________


e.g.印度尼西亚爆发了森林火灾。

Forest fires have broken out across Indonesia.

break out: (of war, fighting, disease, or similarly undesirable things) start suddenly


e.g. 我在黑洞洞的屋里摸索着寻找电灯开关。

I grope for the light switch in the dark room.

grope for: feel or search about uncertainly (for something) by hands; search uncertainly

or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc.)


e.g. 你可以试试这件新上衣。

人们为什么热衷于摸彩票？

You can try on this new coat.

try on: put on (an article of clothing) to find out whether it fits or is suitable; test the effect or result of

Why do people like to try their luck on lottery?


e.g. 他非常同情布莱克曼夫人和她那没有父亲的孩子。

His heart went out to Mrs. Blackman and her fatherless child.

go out to sb.: feel sympathy towards sb. and think about them


e.g. 他向警察告密，揭露了恐怖分子的阴谋。

He tipped off the police about the terrorist plot.

tip off: give an advance warning or hint to …


1) assurance n.→ assure v. → assuring a.

e.g. 她向我们保证一切都会好起来的。

他的安慰话帮我排除了恐惧。

She gave us her assurance that everything would turn out all right.or She assured us that everything would turn out all right.

His assuring words helped to banish my fear.


2) discreet a. → discreetly ad. → discretion / discreetness n.

e.g. 提出忠告要谨慎，接受忠告要虚心。

那人小心翼翼地把名片放进上衣口袋。

他以最谨慎的态度处理此事。

You need to be discreet in giving advice, humble in accepting it.

The man discreetly slipped the card into his top pocket.

He handled the matter with his best discretion.


3) relax v. →relaxing a. → relaxation n.

e.g. 你可以通过按摩来放松肌肉。

业余爱好应该是可以使人放松的。

瑜伽是一种可以使身心放松的运动。

You can relax your muscles by massage.

Hobbies are supposed to be relaxing.

Yoga is an exercise that can provide mental and physical relaxation.


4) humiliation n. → humiliate v. → humiliating a.

e.g. 士可杀不可辱。

他在老板面前批评他的同事，因而让同事蒙羞。

历史上中国曾被迫签署了太多屈节辱国的条约。

A scholar prefers death to humiliation.

He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss.

In history, China has been forced to sign too many humiliating treaties.


5) strategically ad. → strategic a. → strategy n.

e.g.在战略上，我们应该藐视一切敌人。

一般而言，首先参战的那方具有战略优势。

西部大开发战略吸引了全世界的注意。

Strategically we should despise all our enemies.

The large-scale development strategy for the western region drew worldwide attention.

Generally, the first to the field of battle has the strategic advantage.

He spared the embarrassment of kissing her in front of everybody.


6) embarrass v. → embarrassing a. → embarrassment n.

e.g.他淘气地寻找机会让他姐姐难堪。

每个人都会遇到不知该给服务生多少小费的窘境。

他避免了在众人面前吻她的尴尬。

He mischievously looked for a chance to embarrass his sister.

Everyone has faced the embarrassing dilemma of deciding how much extra to give a waiter.


7) maneuver v./n. → maneuverable a.

e.g.他设法跻身董事会。

在军事演习中，蓝军企图摸营，被红军挫败。

这艘船的大小适中，可操作性很强。

He maneuvered himself into the board of directors.

In the military maneuver, the blue army attempted to attack the red army’s sentinels in the dark, but was defeated.

The ship is of an appropriate size and is highly maneuverable.

The fruits, mature or immature, can be conserved with sugar.


8) mature a. → maturity n.

e.g.她是位成熟的夫人，但显得年轻而且异乎寻常地美丽。

她到十六岁发育成熟。

不管熟还是没有熟的水果，都可以用糖来保存。

She was a mature woman, but appeared young and was extraordinarily beautiful.

She had reached maturity by the time she was sixteen.

Antonym: immature a. → immaturity n.

carefully, meticulously

1. Adding to my distress was the distinct impression that everyone on campus was watching me.Antonyms: vague, indistinct

2. With that thought in mind, I raised my head, squared my shoulders, and set out in the direction of my dorm, glancing (and then ever so discreetly) at the campus map clutched in my hand.

Synonyms:


3. What confidence, what reserve, what muscles!

Synonyms: self-restraint, self-control

4. I spent the afternoon seeking out each of my classrooms so that I could make a perfectly timed entrance before each lecture without having to ask dumb questions about its whereabouts.

Antonyms ：clever, intelligent, sensible


5. Freshmen manuals advised sitting near the front, showing the professor in intelligent and energetic demeanor.

Synonyms:manner, behaviour6. I was even more surprised when I saw who the

poor soul was: the very composed, very upper class football player I’d seen just days before …

Antonyms: excited, agitated


7. I expected him to slink out of the cafeteria as I had, but instead he turned around and began preparing another tray.

Synonym:sneak

8. What I had interpreted as a malicious attempt to embarrass a naive freshman had been merely a moment of college fun.

Antonyms: mature, sophisticated


Vocabulary Grammar Translation Integrated SkillsOral ActivitiesWriting

Nominal Clauses

so that

Adverbial Clauses of Concession

1) Nominal Clauses There are five main types of nominal clauses: that-clauses, interrogative sub-clauses, nominal relative clauses, nominal to-infinitive clauses and nominal -ing clauses.

Nominal clauses function like noun phrases. They can occur as subject, object, complement, apposition, and prepositional complement.



e.g. The hope is [that we will succeed]. (complement)

The hope [that we will succeed] is unrealistic. (apposition)

[What you do] does not concern me. (subject)

I didn’t ask [where you live]. (object)

I had prepared myself very carefully for [what I must say]. (prepositional complement)

[To send him money now] would be [to put the cart before the horse]. (subject; complement)

PracticeCombine each pair of sentences into one, using nominal clauses.


1. Did he ever go there at all? Do you know?

Do you know if/whether he ever went there at all?

2. What do you need? You need a good rest.

What you need is a good rest.

3. Who does it belong to? You must give it back.

You must give it back to whoever it belongs to.


4. I decided to resign, which was wise.

My decision to resign was wise.5. It is proposed that we should import more

equipment. The proposal is to be discussed at the meeting.

The proposal that we should import more equipment is to be discussed at the meeting.

6. Who can have told you that? It puzzles me. Who can have told you that puzzles

me.

2) so that


So that introduces an adverbial clause of purpose, which usually contains a modal verb.

The teacher must speak clearly [so that his

students can understand well].

They climbed to the top of the mountain [so

that they could get a bird’s-eye view of the

city].

e.g.


Practice

1. He wore glasses and a false beard. Nobody would recognize him.

Combine each pair of sentences into one, using “so that”.

He wore glasses and a false beard so that nobody would recognize him.

2. They are hurrying. They don’t want to miss the train. They are hurrying so that they may not miss the

train.3. Please arrive early. We want to be able to start the meeting on time

Please arrive early so that we can start the meeting on time.


4. John wanted to be heard in every room. He spoke through a microphone.

John spoke through a microphone so that he could be heard in every room.

5. She locked the door. She didn’t want to be disturbed.

She locked the door so that she wouldn’t be disturbed.

6. John has bought a bicycle. He may save money on fares.

John has bought a bicycle so that he may save money on fares.

[Although the car was badly damaged], none of the passengers was hurt.

We enjoyed our holiday [despite the fact that it rained sometimes].

[However difficult the situation is], we shall stick to it.


3) Adverbial Clauses of ConcessionAdverbial clauses of concession express a contrast of meaning or implication of “unexpectedness” in relation with the main clauses.

They are often introduced by concessive conjunctions such as although, though or prepositions such as despite.

e.g.


PracticeCombine each pair of sentences into one, using adverbial clauses of concession.1. He had been prevented by illness from studying. He passed the exam.

He passed the exam although he had been prevented by illness from studying.

2. He might be or not be here. I shouldn’t have time to see him.

No matter whether he was here or not, I shouldn’t have time to see him.


3. Mr. Johnson is rich. Mr. Johnson is by no means a happy man.

Rich as he is / Although he is rich, Mr. Johnson is by no means a happy man.

4. He is ill. He works hard.

Despite / Although he is ill, he works hard.

5. The minister escaped without a scratch. Everything around the minister was blown to pieces.

Though everything around him was blown to pieces, the minister escaped without a scratch.

1. 听到他屡遭失败的消息，我感到很难过。 (distress)

If you distress someone, you upset them by doing or saying something that causes them to feel unhappy or alarmed.


Translate the following sentences into English.

It distressed me a great deal to hear the news that he had suffered repeated failures.

Practice ：如果我问了你的这一切使你感到苦恼，我很抱歉。

请不要自寻烦恼。


I’m sorry if I’ve distressed you by asking all this.

Please don’t distress yourself.

2. 他虽然失去了老板的欢心，但仍然装出一副高兴的样子。(assume)


If you assume a particular expression or way of behaving, you look or behave in this way deliberately in order to give people a particular impression.

He assumed an air for cheerfulness, even though he lost favor with his boss.

Practice ：文职官员们装出一副军人的样子。

他装出一副悔过的样子。


Civil servants assume a certain military air.

He assumed an expression of penitence.

3. 格列夫经理了冒险奇遇，见到了各色奇异的人物（ assortment）


Gulliver met with extraordinary adventures Gulliver met with extraordinary adventures

and saw a strange assortment of people.and saw a strange assortment of people.

4. 如果你再犯同样的错误，他会对你非常生气的。 (furious)


When you are furious with / at sb. or sth., you are extremely angry or annoyed with him / at it.

He will be furious with you if you repeat the same mistake.

Practice ：他为没有更早明白这件事而对自己非常生气。

他因为她所做的事情而大发雷霆。


He was furious with himself for not realizing it sooner.

He was furious with her at what she had done.

5. 我们都被他的坦率的观点、幽默的语言和亲切的态度所深深吸引。 (draw)


If something draws you, it is so interesting or noticeable that you look at it or move towards it.

We were all greatly drawn by his frank views, humorous words and genial manner.

The Hollywood blockbuster has used many big stars to draw a large audience.


Practice ：收音机的声音吸引了孩子们的注意。

这部好莱坞大片为了吸引大批观众，动用了许多大牌明星。

The noise of the radio drew the children.

6. 等到欢呼的掌声平息下来，那位诺贝尔奖获得者开始演讲。 (die down)


If something dies down, it becomes very much quieter or less intense.

After the cheering applause died down, the Nobel Prize winner began his speech.

The gossip will soon die down now that the woman is dead.


Practice ：她等到笑声渐渐停止。

既然这名妇女已经死了，这些闲言碎语也将很快消失。

She waited until the laughter had died down.

7. 他天生有一种特别的洞察力和预见力，因此，他很少随大流。 (run with the crowd)


He is gifted with a sort of insight and foresight, so he rarely runs with the crowd.

8. 我发现现实毕竟是非常严酷的，一个人难以完全按照自己的理想去生活。 (live up to)


If someone or something lives up to what they were expected or desired to be or do, they are as good as they were expected or desired to be.

I feel realities are after all very harsh, so one can hardly live up entirely to his ideals.

You have failed to live up to your promises.


Practice ：这部电影没有我期望的那么好。

你没能实现自己的诺言。

The film didn’t live up to my expectations.

Translation• 我上大学的最初几天是令人难以忘怀的。当父亲驾车离去，我孤零零地在校园中无所适从。不管我如何极力摆出一副老成的样子，我就是摆脱不了新生的稚气。我花了好几个小时，搞清楚了我的寝室和上课的教室。第二天早上，我坐在教室的前排，翻开《美国文学》选集，用热情的态度准备上课。但是，当老师说“欢迎来听生物课”时，我意识到自己走错了教室。凭着铁一般的意志，我装出了一副生物专业学生的姿态，坚持到讲座结束。


Dictation

Cloze


Dictation You will hear a passage read three times. At

the first reading, you should listen carefully for its general idea. At the second reading, you are required to write down the exact words you have just heard (with proper punctuation). At the third reading, you should check what you have written down.


Dictation

There are generally two educational methods: / the lecture method and the group learning method. / In a lecture classroom, / the teacher dominates the class / by doing most of the talking. / Students listen and take notes. / This method is best at passing on content to students. / It prepares students for a society / that values discipline and self-control. / The problem is that students forget most of the facts / that they have mechanically memorized. / In contrast, / the teacher of a group learning classroom / appears to have no definite


role at all, / wandering about from group to group. / Students do not memorise information, / but they actively generate their own ideas, / each contributing insights for the success of the group. / This method prepares students for a society / that values creative ideas. / The disadvantage is that / students have not memorised enough basic facts.

Fill in each blank in the passage below with ONE word you think appropriate. Academic success (1) in many forms. For most students, it’s a stellar transcript that opens doors into great jobs or great graduate schools. For (2) , academic success also includes (3) happens outside of the classroom. With so much (4) on in college, though, how can you make sure you’re headed down a path toward true academic success — and toward a truly rewarding college experience?

comes_______

others_______

what_______


going_______

You may arrive at college knowing that you are destined to become a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, or an engineer. Or you may arrive (5) having the slightest idea about what you want to major in. No matter which end of the spectrum you’re on, however, you should let yourself explore everything that your school has to (6) academically. Take classes in a subject you’ve never taken before. Follow a passion that doesn’t (7) to your major. Just let yourself really learn from your environment. There will undoubtedly be a lot of people giving you advice about what you should do during and after (8) .


not____

offer______

college________

relate_______

And while you may be in school to learn, you will, at some point, have to draw your own line in the sand. Pick a career and course of study that suits you, (9) your parents. Pay attention to the fire in your belly and learn what you’re truly passionate about. Make sure you’re happy at your school. And once you’ve made a choice, feel confident in your decision and do all you can to (10) from the resources around you.


not____

learn______

This sentence lacks a predicate of intransitive verb, meaning “to happen” or “to occur”.



After for most students, here an echoing structure is naturally expected.


Grammatically speaking, in this sentence, includes needs an object whereas happens outside the classroom at the same time requires for a subject. In terms of the meaning, it can be inferred from the context as “academic success also includes the thing that happens outside the classroom”. A pronoun, which leads an object clause and functions as “the thing that”, is required here.


Here following with so much, a noun or gerund is expected. In college is a separate phrase, leaving on pending to combine with the previous missing word, which hints at a phrase that means a lot of things are taking place or happening.


You may arrive at college knowing something, “or” you may arrive not knowing anything. Or here strongly suggests a contrast in meaning, which is also suggested by the following expression end of the spectrum you are on. In the meantime, the slightest often collocates with negations, and not to have the slightest idea is a natural expression to mean “to have no idea”. Here, before the –ing participle having, a word of negation is expected.


After the infinitive marker “to”, the basic form of a verb is naturally expected. “That” leads in an attributive clause to modify “everything”, which serves as the object of this verb. The next sentence indicates an antonym of “take” is required here.


This sentence further illustrates the previous sentence Take classes in a subject you’ve never taken before. Naturally, the passion and your major should not be related. After “doesn’t”, the basic form of a verb is naturally expected. And it must be able to collocate with “to”.


After the two prepositions during and after, a noun or gerund is needed. The whole passage talks about life in college. It can be inferred from the context that the advice people give you concerns with your life during and after college.


How to draw your own line in the sand? The next sentence should further explain this idea and “your own line” stresses the contrast between your own decision and your parents’ choice. So a negation is naturally expected here.


Judging from the context and the logic of the passage, this sentence echoes the repeated message in the previous part, e.g. “Just let yourself really learn from your environment”. After the infinitive marker “to”, the basic form of a verb is naturally expected.


Giving a Talk

Having a Discussion

busy / idle, great professors, a big campus, diversified courses, fewer exams, first experience of romantic love, a wide spectrum of extra-curricular activities, part-time jobs

Topic A: How I Started My College Life

Topic B: My Idea of What College Life Should Be Like


freshman, orientation week, campus tour, placement tests, oral interviews for admission to different students’ societies, chaos, excitement, homesickness

Words and phrases for reference ：

Words and phrases for reference:

Having a Discussion

Topic: Do you believe that one can live a perfect life without making any mistake?


Viewpoints for reference:

a. To be a better self is far more important than to be perfect for everything.b. The idea of living a perfect life urges us to be a better self.

a definable beginning, middle and ending; a central idea (or the thesis)

descriptive, narrative, expositive, persuasive (or argumentative)


Essay Writing

1. An Introduction

Different kinds of essays:

Structural features:


What makes a good essay:

Task Response

Coherence and Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Fully and appropriately explain / prove / discuss the thesis with clear, relevant and well-supported ideas in required length

Information and ideas are well organized, presented and linked

A wide range of vocabulary used in an accurate and appropriate manner for the task

A wide range of structures used in an accurate and appropriate manner for the task


2. SampleWhy King’s College?

①This paragraph will explain why I am going to King’s College. ②The first reason I go to KC is that it is small. ③The classes are easy to get to on time, and if I have to run to the library, I can get there quickly.④ Second, KC is located in a small town. ⑤I can walk anywhere I want to go. ⑥Third, the cost of going to KC is low, and most of the books are checked out to the students in the library. ⑦Fourth, the instructors are friendly and easy to find during their office hours.⑧ This paragraph has explained why I am attending King’s College.Sample Analysis


The sample is a one-paragraph essay.Sentence① constitutes the beginning of the

essay and also serves as its thesis.Sentences②-⑦ are supporting ideas and make up

its body.Sentence⑧ is the end of this essay and reiterates

its main idea.


3. Practice Write a one-paragraph essay on the given topic:

Why I Kept ________ as My Pet.


Why I Kept a Cat as My Pet Most people choose to keep cats as their pets for some similar reasons. First and foremost, I think cats are cute. I love to see my cat mewing to be fed. And it seems cats can do a lot of things with their body. They curl up and bury their face when they sleep. They arch their back in a frightened and defensive mode. And even fashion models try to imitate “cat’s walk”. Second, cats are clean animals. They do a tidy-up after they eat. They can be trained to use cat litter when they have to pee and shit indoors. Third, cats are better than dogs in a sense that you don’t have to walk them, which can save me a lot of trouble. Keeping pets can be a rather personal choice and my first pet cat was given by my father as a birthday gift.

Example:

Text II Memorable Quotes

Lead-in Questions

Text

Questions for Discussion

Lead-in Questions

1. How do you understand the purpose of a University?

2. What can corrupt a University’s soul?


e.g.Intellectual corruption: plagiarism.

To train its recruits to be qualified for a job.

To educate its students to be civilized citizens.

To urge on knowledge seekers to pursue thought, wisdom and even truth.

a.

b.

c.

A University Stands and ShinesJohn Masefield

1 There are few earthly things more splendid than a University. In these days of broken frontiers and collapsing values, when the dams are down and the floods are making misery, when every future looks somewhat grim and every ancient foothold has become something of a quagmire, wherever a University stands, it stands and shines; wherever it exists, the free minds of men, urged on to full and fair enquiry, may still bring wisdom into human affairs.



There are few earthly things more beautiful than a University. It is a place where those who hate ignorance may strive to know, where those who perceive truth may strive to make others see; where seekers and learners alike, banded together in the search for knowledge, will honour thought in all its finer ways, will welcome thinkers in distress or in exile, will uphold ever the dignity of thought and learning and will exact standards in these things. They give to the young in their impressionable years, the bond of a lofty purpose shared, of a great corporate life whose links will not be loosed until they die. They give young people that close companionship for which youth longs, and that chance of the endless discussion of the themes which are endless, without which youth would seem a waste of time.

2


There are few things more enduring than a University. Religions may split into sect or heresy; dynasties may perish or be supplanted, but for century after century the University will continue, and the stream of life will pass through it, and the thinker and the seeker will be found together in the undying cause of bringing thought into the world. To be a member of one of these great Societies must ever be a glad distinction. In conferring it upon us you declare, or let it be presumed, that we are qualified to teach in those ways of life which we have followed. It has been a mark of the Humanist since he began among us that “gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche”; and although all of us would more gladly learn than teach, to be counted fit to teach is something of a crown to all men.

5

3

4


On behalf of my fellows in this glory, on behalf of the very learned, valiant, wise and gifted men beside me here, who stand for the Law by which we live, the air by which we breathe, the Free Enquiry by which we hope to endure, and the Art by which we shall be remembered, I thank you for this great distinction, which links us with you while we last.

6


About the author: John Edward Masefield (1878-1967) was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967. He is remembered as the author of the classic children’s novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, 19 other novels (including Captain Margaret, Multitude and Solitude and Sard Harker), and many memorable poems, including “The Everlasting Mercy” and “Sea-Fever”, from his anthology Saltwater Ballads. The text was a speech delivered at the University of Sheffield on June 25, 1946, in response to a toast in his honor.

impressionable years (Paragraph 2): the years when the young are learning in a university and when they are most apt to learn and shape their personality


one of these great Societies (Paragraph 4) ： It refers to a University which, according to the author, is most splendid, most beautiful and most enduring of all earthly things.



… gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche (Paragraph 5) ：A quotation of Chaucer, it is a pedagogical advice from Geoffrey Chaucer, who in his Canterbury Tales describes the Clerk of Oxford thus: “Gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.” The three operative words in that Middle English sentence from six hundred years ago are “gladly,” “learn,” and “teach.” What Chaucer meant was that without gladness — without joy — one can expect from the educative process only a little learning.

In these days of broken frontiers and collapsing values, when the dams are down and the floods are making misery, when every future looks somewhat grim and every ancient foothold has become something of a quagmire, wherever a University stands, it stands and shines … (Paragraph 1): Speaking metaphorically, Masefield is commenting on the reality of the time before and after World War II, and the human affairs that lack wisdom. Frontiers and dams represent restraints on human vices and, according to John Masefield, could be provided by human wisdom.



They give to the young in their impressionable years, the bond of a lofty purpose shared, of a great corporate life whose links will not be loosed until they die. (Paragraph 2): Professors will provide students, who are in the most vulnerable age and most apt for learning, both knowledge and enlightenment, and guide them in a noble direction.

1. How do you understand the idea that a University is even more enduring than religions and dynasties?A University is even more enduring than religions and dynasties in that it is a place where the undying cause of bringing thought into the world is carried out.


2. The author maintains that “the thinker and the seeker will be found together in the undying cause of bringing thought into the world” (Paragraph 3). Cite a modern instance or two of thought brought into the world.

Charles Darwin: theory of evolution; Albert Einstein: theory of relativity; Sigmund Freud: theory of psychoanalysis.

3. What is the Humanist? What do you think are the major marks of the Humanist?The Humanist is the man who believes in human intelligence and reason rather than depending on a god or religion. Some of the major marks are stress on intellectual side, the emphasis on human dignity, sufficient attention paid to the importance of the present life, and the improvement of one’s ability and the pursuit of the beauty of life.

It may mean that it is an honor to be part of a University.

4. What is “this great distinction” the author mentions in the last but one line of the selection?


5. Make an analysis of these few paragraphs and show four main points of the selection.

Four main points of the selection could be that a University is splendid; it is beautiful; it is enduring; and it is an honor to be part of it.



1. Mistakes are the portals of discovery. — James Joyce

2. Experience is the name everyone gives to their

mistakes. — Oscar Wilde



Questions for Discussion

1) Discuss with your classmates some mistakes you’ll probably try to avoid on your journey through life and explain why.

For example: I can not afford to choose a wrong career because I think it’ll be rather difficult for me to transfer from one line of work to another …

Tip

For example:a. I believe choosing English as my major is a big

mistake because my mother picked it for me. I gradually found out I was not interested in language study at all. Now I’ve learned the importance of making my own choice.

b. The biggest mistake I’ve made so far is that I never allow

myself to make any mistake. I feel much pressure from my

perfectionism obsession. And I’ve lost some precious opportunities to achieve major breakthroughs in my university life because of this.


2) Share with your classmates a mistake you’ve made in your life. And discuss with them what you’ve learned from it.Tip


James Joyce (1882-1941) was an Irish novelist and poet of the early 20th century, best known for his landmark novel Ulysses (1922), a modern re-telling of The Odyssey.


Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish writer and poet , regarded as one of London’s most popular playwrights in the early 1890s, also a spokesman for aestheticism.

fresh start unit 1 fresh start unit1 –what a university would be in your dream in high school?...

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