[email protected] qq:854888773 reagan’s first inaugural address
TRANSCRIPT
Who was Reagan ?• Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
fortieth president of US (1981-1989).The life of Ronald Reagan is a story of unlikely successes. Born into a poor family, he came off age during the hard economic times of the Great Depressions of the 1930s. Yet he was able to achieve great success in two quite different fields – as an actor and in politics.
• Reagan’s political career began when, in 1964, after his acting career had ended, he was elected governor of California. Reagan first sought Republican presidential nomination in 1968 but lost to Richard M Nixon. In 1976, he narrowly lost the nomination to President Gerald R Ford. In the election in 1980, Reagan overwhelmingly defeated the Democratic candidate, President Jimmy Carter. At the age 69, he was the oldest ever to become President of the US.
Listening
Multiple choices 1. Reagan’s first inaugural address is meant to ______.A. clarify his principles for running the governmentB. expresses his gratitude for his supporters in electionC. show his enormous talent as a great communicatorD. restores the American people’s confidence in their ability
to overcome the country’s economic problems
2 .The solution suggested for coping with the situation of that time was ______.
A. to revive idle industry and create new jobs opportunitiesB. to make joint efforts and get over the difficultiesC. to sacrifice temporary convenience and seek for long-term
survivalD. to maintain full productivity and increase people’s income
D
B
3. The President’s address was encouraging in that ______.
A. he had made a decision to lead America out of troubleB. he had found out a way to resolve their problemC. he had great confidence in the prospects of AmericaD. he had determined to help the special interest group
4. The President’s address sounded especially appealing to mass audience in that______.
A. he attached great importance to the common peopleB. he assured the ordinary people of a quick economic
recoveryC. he was speaking as the representative of the peopleD. the put the states and the people above the federal
government
C
A
5. Reagan mentioned heroes of his time and of the past in order to prove that _______.
A. America was a nation that worship heroes
B. common people could perform miracles
C. heroism was rooted in the people
D. more Americans could have their own heroes
B
Skimming and scanning of the text, finish the T or F .
1 The President began his inaugural address in a causal manner but with pride.
T F
2 The US was enjoying a sound economy when Reagan was elected President.
T F
3 Reagan continued his address with a truthful description of the US economic situation.
T F
4 Reagan called on the people to think out a way to solve their economic problem collectively. T F
5 Reagan promised on behalf of the administration to lead the people out of the bad situation in the near future.
T F
6 According to Reagan, the common people of the whole country make up a special interest group to whom the Federal Government would direct its all attention.
T F
7 Reagan stressed the importance of all Americans to join in efforts to reverse the situation.
T F
8Reagan dedicated a large part of his address to the remembrance of his predecessors and heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.
T F
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Reading
♪ What problems was the US confronted with when Reagan was coming into power?
♪ What was his administration’s objective?
♪ What was he intended to do to deal with the current problems?
♪ What was Reagan’s definition for heroes?
What problems was the US confronted with when Reagan was coming into power? Economically: 1. inflations 2. unemployment
3. heavy tax burden 4. increasing deficit
Politically:
1. the government was exceeding its power.
2. Some special groups were enjoying privilege.
What was his administration’s objective?
This administration’s objective will be healthy, vigorous, growing economy that provides equal opportunity for all Americans, with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination.
What was he intended to do to deal with the current problems?
To curb the size and influence of the feudal government and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the feudal government and those reserved to the states and to the people.
What was Reagan’s definition for heroes?
There are two types of heroes according to Reagan. One is the ordinary people who did their duties in all walks of life; the other is the joints who had made great contributions, even sacrificed their lives to the development of the country.
Why did he describe in details heroes in different times?
Firstly, to encourage people by showing them that everyone can make contribution to the country, whoever you are. And the country will be better because of the efforts you have made.
Secondly, to appeal to the ordinary people to follow the examples of the heroes and make their own efforts for the prosperity.
Group work —— Translation♠ It distorts our economic decisions, penalizes thrift, and
crushes the struggling young and the fixed-income elderly alike.
♠ Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln?
♠ They add up to only a tiny fraction of the price that has been paid for our freedom.
♠ Standing here, one faces a magnificent vista, opening up on this city’s special beauty and history.
持续的通货膨胀扭曲着我们的经济政策，妨碍人们厉行节约，给挣扎中的年轻人和有固定收入的老年人同样带来压力。
任何想要真正了解美利坚的含义的人都可以在亚伯拉罕•林肯的生命中找到答案。
任何想要真正了解美利坚的含义的人都可以在亚伯拉罕•林肯的生命中找到答案。
站在这里，你面对一幅壮丽的景色，它向你展现出华盛顿这座城市独特的美丽的历史。
Discussion
♫ his verbal capability♫ his art of acting♫ his closeness to the common
people♫ his optimistic spirit♫ his confidence in the people
What do you think made Ronald Reagan successful as a politician? Key words:
Speech
1. Antithesis 2. Repetition 3.Imagery 4.Parallelism 5.Climax 6. Rhetorical question
Homework
Finish the exercise on page 96 of College English Extensive Reading (4)
