the boy and the bank officer philip ross lesson four

The Boy and the Bank OfficerThe Boy and the Bank Officer

Philip RossPhilip Ross

Lesson Four

Part One: Warm-up

Part Two: Background InformationPart Three:

Text Appreciation (Key Points)

Part Four: Language Study (Difficult Points)

Part Five: Resource Extension

Lesson Four

B T L EW

I. Warm-up Questions

Part one Warm-upWarm-up

1. Do you know 'bank'?2. What do you think of 'bank'?3. What did the author see in the bank?

4. Why didn't the boy withdraw his money?

I. Warm-up Questions

I. Author

II. Cultural Background

Part twoPart two Background InformationBackground Information

About the Author Philip Ross (1939— ) is an American

writer based in New York. After working as a newspaper reporter for four years, he turned to freelance ( 自由职业作家 ) writing. Many of his articles have appeared in the New Yorker ( 《纽约人》 ), Reader’s Digest ( 《读者文摘》 ) and New York Times ( 《纽约时报》 ). This text is taken from Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric and Reader, 3rd edition published by Prentice Hall, Inc.

I.I. Author Author

Italian Banking in the 14th Century

Banks first emerged in the Middle Ageswhen people grew tired of carrying aroundall their gold and began leaving theirmoney with the goldsmith. The Medicifamily, one of the most prominent bankingfamilies in Europe during this time, becamequite wealthy from its banking and moneylending practices.

II.II. Cultural BackgroundCultural Background

HISTORY OF BANKS

Functions performed by banks today have been carried out by individuals, families, or State officials for at least 4,000 years. Clay Tablets dated from about 2000 BC indicate that the Babylonians deposited personal valuables for a service charge of one 60th of their worth. Interest charges on loans ran as

high as one third.


Built in the style of ancient Greek temple, the Bank of United States had its headquarters in Philadelphia. It was the nation’s first experiment with central banking.


Depositors besiege the Merchant Bank Depositors besiege the Merchant Bank ofofPassaicPassaic, , N.J., after the bank was officially N.J., after the bank was officially closed in 1929. Until the founding of the Bank closed in 1929. Until the founding of the Bank of England in 1694, England's goldsmiths were of England in 1694, England's goldsmiths were its first bankers. They kept money and other its first bankers. They kept money and other valuables in safe custodyvaluables in safe custody for their customers. for their customers.


The goldsmiths noticed that deposits remained at a fairly steady level over long periods of time. Deposits and withdrawals tended to balance each other because customers only wanted enough money on hand to meet everyday needs. This allowed the smiths to loan out at interest cash that would otherwise be idle.


Banks of the 17th century also began to issue bank notes as a form of money. The notes had monetary value because they could be exchanged for specie: hard cash in the form of gold or silver. The amounts of the bank notes issued depended on a banker's expectation of public demand for specie and the bank's confidence in itself. The Bank of France was founded in 1800.


Frankfurt House of Rothschild This photograph depicts the original banking

house opened by Mayer Amschel Rothschild in Frankfurt, Germany. The house was operated by Rothschild and his oldest son, Amschel Mayer,until its dissolution in 1901. The four otherRothschild sons opened bank branches in Vienna, Austria; Naples, Italy; London, England; and Paris, France. The London and Paris branches are still in operation.


Churches and churchgoers

As for the British churchman, he goes to church as he goes to the bathroom, with the minimum of fuss and no explanation if he can help it.

—Ronald Blythe, British writer


The British churchgoer prefers a severe preacher because he thinks a few home truths will do his neighbors no harm.

—Attributed to George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright

A man who is good enough to go to heaven, is good enough to be a clergyman.

—Samuel Johnson (1709—1784), British lexicographer and writer

I had explained that a woman's asking for equality in the church would be comparable to a black person's demanding equality in the Ku Klux Klan.

—Mary Daly (1928— ), U.S. feminist and theologian


If people want a sense of purpose they should get it from their archbishop. They should certainly not get it from their politicians.

—Harold Macmillan, British Prime Minister Nobody but poor folks get happy in church. —Richard Wright, U.S. novelist


Part ThreePart Three Text Appreciation Text Appreciation

I. Text Analysis 1. General Analysis

2. Theme

3. Structure

4. Further Discussion

II. Writing Devices Hyperbole

III.Sentence Paraphrase

main idea: a boy’s withdrawal of money from the bank

Setting: at the bank

characters: bank officer, the boy and “I”

I.I. Text AnalysisText Analysis


Theme:

Traditionally, poor people and people who sympathize with them have regarded banks as evil, as enemies of the poor. Such suspicions and misgivings obviously still linger on. This article seems to prove that prejudices of people like the author are ungrounded.

Part 1 (para. 1) about:

Part 2 (paras. ) about:

Part 3 (paras. ) about:


Structure of the text

2—23

24—32

The attitude of the author’s friend toward bank.

The boy managed to withdraw money from the bank but was kindly refused.

The bank officer cleared the fact.

Why did the author go to the bank one day?

What did he see in the bank?

Why did the boy have trouble withdrawing his money?

What did the author do then?

Why did the officer refuse to let the boy withdraw his own money?


Further discussion about the story

II.II. Writing DevicesWriting Devices

Hyperbole

A figure of speech in which conscious exaggeration is used without the intent of literal persuasion. It may be used to heighten effect, or to produce comic effect.


Examples of Hyperbole:

I moved in for the kill. (para. 19)

I zeroed in on the officer. (para. 20)

His eyes fell on the page, but his mind was a

million miles away.

I will love you till the sea’s gone dry, the

rocks melt with the sun.


Rewrite the following sentences by using “Hyperbole”.

1) Thanks a lot.

2) I’m very hungry.

3) He is very eloquent.

4) Wisdom is more important than books.

5) They laughed heartily.

1) Thanks a million.

2) I’m starving./I’m so hungry that I can eat a horse.

3) His eloquence would split rocks.

4) An ounce of wisdom is worth a million tons of books.

5) They almost died laughing./They roared into laughter up to the roof.


If banks were required to sell wallets and

money belts, they might act less like

churches. (para. 1)

Banks act like churches which usually

control people’s life and can interfere in

people’s life. So, the author thinks it is

ridiculous for banks to act like churches.

III. Sentence Paraphrase 1III. Sentence Paraphrase 1

go to 2

III. Sentence ParaphraseIII. Sentence Paraphrase

A church is a place where religious people are given moral lessons. The author and his friend hate banks acting like churches because they think banks should simply give service and have no right to tell people what to do and what not to do.

back to 1

It was lunchtime and the only officer on

duty was a fortyish black man with short,

pressed hair, a pencil mustache, and a

neatly pressed brown suit. (para. 3)

uncurled hair, a thin mustache looking

like a line drawn by a pencil, and a neat

and tidy brown suit


go to 3

Everything about him suggested a carefully dressed authority. (para. 3)

Everything about him—his clothes, manner, etc. indicated that he was a carefully dressed man who had an important position and power.


go to 4

“ But that doesn’t seem fair,” the boy said, his voice breaking. (para. 8)

his voice breaking: Absolute construction functions as accompanying manner.


absolute construction as adverbial of manner

go to 5

Absolute construction: more examples

His work done, David sat down for a cup of tea.

There being no taxis, they had to walk home.

Almost all metals are good conductors, silver being the best of all.

Helen ran back to the dining-room, her little son following.


back to 4

All things considered, it is not a bad thing.

The garden is pretty with all the flowers coming out.

He said it with tears in his eyes.

The garden is pretty with all the flowers coming out.

He said it with tears in his eyes.


back to 4

Now if you’ll excuse me. (para. 9)

The officer wanted to end the conversation to go back to his work, or

to attend to other customers.


go to 6

And since there doesn’t seem to be any question as to whether it’s his money or his account, the bank’s so-called policy is clearly ridiculous. (para. 13)


(conj.) Adverbial clause of reasone.g. Since you can’t answer the question, perhaps we’d better ask someone else.

About

Example: He’s very uncertain as to whether it’s the right job for him.

go to 7

“ It may seem ridiculous to you, ” he replied in a voice rising slightly in irritation, “but that is the bank’s policy…” (para. 14)


“ rising slightly”: A present participle phrase modifies the noun “voice”.

Example:

She looked carefully at the two cards lying on the table.

The young girl sitting next to Jack is his daughter.

go to 8

“ It may seem ridiculous to you,” he replied in a

voice rising slightly in irritation, … (para. 14)

The preposition “in” in “in irritation” is used to

show the feelings one has when one does

something.

More Examples:

She walked slowly back home in deep thought.

They looked at me in astonishment.

“How do you know my name?” she asked in surprise.


back to 7

…he replied in a voice rising slightly in irritation, … (para. 14)

… he replied in a little louder voice which showed that the man was a little annoyed and impatient…


back to 7

I had my opening. (para. 16)

I found a good chance to do or say something favorable, or upper hand.


我找到了对职员进行反击的机会。

go to 9

I moved in for the kill. (para. 19)

I began to prepare to kill, destroy or defeat my enemy.

The author was using this exaggerated expression for a humorous effect. What he meant was that he thought now he had a strong argument to silence the bank officer.

我准备用有利的证据来驳倒银行职员。（作者用这种夸张的表达方式制造了一种幽默的效果。）


go to 10

I zeroed in on the officer. (para. 20)

I’m going to have a strong argument to silence the bank officer.

我把矛头指向职员。


go to 11

You’re really getting cheated. (para. 22)

“To get cheated” is another way of saying “to be cheated” with emphasis on the action rather than the state. It is common in informal English. Notice that the sentence is in the present continuous passive.

Example:

Joe got arrested for drunken driving last Saturday

evening.

The poor boys never got invited anywhere.

Please give me five minutes: I must get changed.


go to 12

… you really shouldn’t have interfered. (para. 24)

Examples:

You shouldn’t have been so careless.

(You were careless.)

You shouldn’t have told him. (I told him.)


ought not have

It expresses a criticism.

go to 13

Well, it dame well seemed to me that he needed someone to represent his interests. (para. 25)

very sure or determined (when someone says so)


go to 14

And who might that be? (para. 27)

This is a humorous way to ask politely for information. But here it is meant to be sarcastic.


go to 15

Look, … we’re just wasting each other’s time. (para. 29)

Look, let’s stop talking about this because it is a waste of time./You are just talking nonsense. I don’t want to listen to you any more.


go to 16

… has been shaking this boy down…

(para. 30)

… has been getting money from the boy by using threats…


Anyway, the police are on the case…

(para. 30)

Anyway, the police are working on the case…

“Anyway” is often used in spoken English when you want to change the subject or return to the previous subject, to give additional information, to finish saying something, or to continue without all the details.


Not that I ever heard of. (para. 32)

I have never heard of such rules.


I. Word Study

II. Phrases and Expressions

III. Word Building

IV. Grammar

Part FourPart Four Language Study Language Study

I.I. Word StudyWord Study

Word list:

1. account

2. authority

3. damn

4. fortyish

5. interfere

6. mustache

7. neighborhood

8. shrug (Body Language)

9. withdraw

I.I. Word StudyWord Study1. account

n. an arrangement that you have with a bank to pay in or take out moneyExample:My salary is paid directly into my bank account.

① take account of sth./take sth. into account: to consider or include particular facts or details when making a decision or judgment about sth.Example:These figures do not take account of changes in the rate of inflation.


1. account

② on account of: because of sth. else, especially because of a problem or difficultiesExample:He can’t run very fast on account of his injured leg.


2. authority n. the power you have because of your official position or because people respect your knowledge and experienceExample:None of us questioned my father’s authority.

① the voice of authority: a way of speaking that makes people respect youExample: William spoke in the voice of authority.


n. (the authorities) organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area

Example: British police are in cooperation with the Malaysian authorities.

2. authority


3. damn

adj. (only before noun) spoken used to show that you are angry or annoyed with sb. or sth.Example: I can’t get this damn button undone.

adv. used to emphasize how good sth. is, how bad sth. is, etc.Example:We’ve been so damn busy all day; I’m shattered.


3. damn

damn well: used to emphasize how determined or sure you are about sth.

Example:I damn well will go, and I’d like to see anyone try and stop me!


n. (spoken)① not give a damn: used to show that you do not care about sth.Example: I don’t give a damn about her.

② not worth a damn: used to say that sth. has no value at allExample: Her promise isn’t worth a damn.


v.① damn you/them/it, etc.: used to show how you are extremely angry with sth. or sb.Example:Damn you! If you think you can do this to me, you are wrong!

② to state that sth. is very badExample:

The critics damned the play on the first night.


4. fortyish

adj. at about the age of forty

-ish1) somewhat, near to: reddish, greenish, yellowish, darkish 2) in the manner of: foolish, childish, boyish, womanish, snobbish3) of a country, such as Irish, Polish, Finnish, Spanish, etc.


5. interfere

v. to deliberately get involved in a situation that does not concern you and in a way that annoys people

Example:I wish you stop interfering—you’ve caused enough problems already.

the interfering old busybody 爱管闲事的老家伙


5. interfere

① interfere with: to prevent sth. from succeeding or from happening in the way that was planned

Example:

Anxiety can interfere with children’s performance at school.

I.I. Word StudyWord StudyCompareintervene v. to do sth. to stop a quarrel, or a war, or to deal with a problem, especially one that you are not directly involved in

Example:The police don’t usually like to intervene in disputes between husband and wife.

The Federal Reserve Bank had to intervene to

protect the value of the dollar.


6. mustache

n. hair growing on a man’s upper lip, esp. deliberately grown into a particular shape

I.I. Word StudyWord Study7. neighborhood

n. all the various homes and businesses in a small area within a larger town or city

-hood(in noun) the state or time of being sth.Example: a happy childhood growing to manhood

There is no much likelihood. 那不太可能。


8. shrug (Body Language)

In North America this gesture means “I don’t know”.

Other gestures:In North America this gesture means good-bye.


In North America this gesture means good, acceptable, or okay.

In North America this gesture means “stop”.


In North America thisgesture means good

luck.

In North Americathis gesture means victory.

I.I. Word StudyWord StudyIn North America this gesture means “come here”.

In North America this gesture means success.

I.I. Word StudyWord StudyIn North America this gesture means you want to interrupt to say something.

In North America this gesture means “it’s not good” or failure.

I.I. Word StudyWord StudyIn North America this gesture means “give it to me”.

In North America this gesture means you want someone to give you a ride.


In North America this gesture shows anger and a desire to hit someone.

I.I. Word StudyWord Study9. withdraw

v. a. to take money out of a bank accountExample:Liz withdrew $100 from her account.

b. to remove sth. or take it away or take it back, often because of an official decision Example:She withdrew a document from her briefcase. c. not to take part in Example:Injury forced Clare to withdraw from event.


9. withdraw

d. to leave a place, esp. in order to be alone or go somewhere quietExample:We withdrew to the garden for a private conversation.

e. to become quieter, less friendly, and more concerned about your own thoughtsExample:The little girl seemed to withdraw into a private world.

withdrawal n.

List:

1. wear an expression of

2. turn to

3. think twice

4. as to

5. move

6. zero in on sb./sth.

7. shake sb. down

8. be on the case

9. happen to do

10. more than

11. Once bitten,

twice shy.

II.II. Phrases and ExpressionsPhrases and Expressions

1. wear an expression of v. with Example: Petra looked at her plate wearing an expression of disgust.

2. turn to v. to move (part of) one’s body or head so as

to face (sb. or sth.) Example: She turned to look back at him as she got on the plane.


3. think twice v. to think very carefully before deciding to do sth., because you know about the dangers or problems Example: I will think twice before taking out such a large loan again.

4. as to prep. according to a particular standard or principle Example: The fabrics were arranged as to size and color.


5. move ① move in sth. v. to live, be active, pass one’s time, etc. in a particular social groupExample: She always moves in the best circles.

② move in for sth. v. to become active in doing sth.Example:I moved in for the kill.


5. move ③ move in on sb./sth. v. to approach sb./sth. esp. in a threatening

way

Example: The police moved in on the terrorists.


6. zero in on sb./sth. v. a. to aim guns, etc. at or find the range of (a particular target)Example:Artillery and mortars were zeroed in on all avenues of approach.

b. to fix attention on sb./sth.; focus on sb./sth.Example:We should zero in on the key issues for discussion.


7. shake sb. down v. to get money from sb. by using

threats

Example:Some neighborhood bully has been shaking

this boy down for more than a month.


8. be on the case prep. be in charge of or dealing with a

particular crimeExample: Inspector Hacker is on the case.

9. happen to do v. to occur by chanceExample:

She happened to be out when he called yesterday.


10. more than & more… than…

① more than (colloq.) very; extremely; beyondExample: They were more than willing to help.

② more… than… used to emphasize that one thing is truer, more important, etc. than sth.Examples: The child was more frightened than hurt.He always seemed old to me, more like a grandfather than a father.


③ no more than a. only; justExample: It cost me no more than $5 to buy the book.

b. the same as Example:He’s no more able to read Spanish than I am.


11. Once bitten, twice shy. (saying) After an unpleasant experience one is careful to avoid

sth. similar.


III.III. Word BuildingWord Building

List:

1. Suffix—ish

2. Suffix—hood

3. Prefix—inter


suffix

好读书的；迂腐的呈棕色的幼稚的发热的；狂热的自私的微黄的；带点黄色的

-ish: typical of or like a particular type of person; the ending of some adjectives that show disapproval; rather; approximately

bookishbookishbrownishbrownishchildishchildishfeverishfeverishselfishselfishyellowishyellowish

1.1. fortyish fortyish


suffix

少年时代；童年虚设；谎言可能性生活；生计成年；［集合用法］成年男子临近地区

-hood: used to refer to a period of time or a state; the people who belong to a particular group

boyhoodboyhoodfalsehoodfalsehoodlikelihoodlikelihoodlivelihoodlivelihoodmanhoodmanhoodneighborhoodneighborhood

2.2. childhood childhood

III.III. Word BuildingWord Building3.3. interfere interfere

prefix

inter- (enter-/intel-): between or involving two or more different things, places, or people

interceptinterceptinterchangeinterchangeinterfuseinterfuseinterludeinterludeinteriorinteriorinternationalinternationalinterpretinterpretinterruptinterruptentertainentertain

中途拦截；截获交换；轮替使混合；弥漫间奏（曲）内陆的；内部的国际的；国际性的解释；阐明中断；妨碍款待；使娱乐

The Past Continuous TenseThe past continuous tense is formed by the past tense of the verb ‘be’ +the present participle.

Example: I was working.I was not working.Was I working?

IV. GrammarIV. Grammar

Main Uses I. Chiefly used for past actions which continued

for some time but whose exact limits are not known and are not important.

II. Used without a time expression, it can indicate gradual development.

Example: It was getting darker.

III. Used without a point in time, it expresses an action which began before that time and probably continued after it.

Example:

At eight he was having breakfast.


IV. The action in the past continuous started before the action in the simple past and probably continued after it.

Example: When I arrived, Tom was talking on the phone.

V. Used in descriptions. Example: A wood fire was burning on the hearth, and a

cat was sleeping in front of it. A girl was playing the

piano and singing softly to herself. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. The girl stopped

playing. The cat woke up.


Part FivePart Five Resource Resource ExtensionExtension

• Quiz

• Writing

I. QuizI. Quiz

List:

1. Quiz 1

2. Quiz 2

3. Quiz 3

I. Quiz 1I. Quiz 1判断下列夸张句各采用了什么手法。选项：A利用数词 B利用极端概念C利用形容词和副词D利用形容词和副词的最高级 E 利用介词短语 F 利用名词并用各种手法造一句话。

I. Quiz 1I. Quiz 1

Don’t let the chance slip through fingers.through fingers

Shakespeare is universally well known.universally

I will love you till the seas gone dry, the rocks melt with the sun.

the seas gone dry, the rocks melt with the sun

The cost mounted to astronomical figures.astronomical figures

I. Quiz 1I. Quiz 1

Only one in one thousand may have narrow escape from air crash.one in one thousand

They cried to high heaven for a timely rainfall.high heaven

I am thirsty to death for the book.thirsty to death

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 2

1. Whatever ___ to that singer you used to like so much? A. occurred B. took place C. happened D. was happened

2. Who is the authority ___ the subject?A. in B. of C. over D. on

C D

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 2

3. The cheque was only ___ yesterday, so it

hasn’t been cleared yet.

A. deserted B. pledged

C. deposited D. deprived

4. We have no rights to interfere ___ the

internal affairs of other countries.

A. in B. with C. against D. to

C A

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 2

5. The US government threatened that it

would ___ all its investment from that

country if the country didn’t reduce the

custom duties.

A. take B. move

C. withdraw D. draw

C

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 26. “Anne acts quite unfriendly.” “I think she’s

___ unfriendly.”

A. more shy than B. shyer than

C. more shyer than D. shy more than

7. I’d ___ his reputation with other farmers

and business people in the community, and

then make a decision about whether or not

to approve a loan. [CET-4, 2000. 1]

A. take into account B. account for

C. make up for D. make out

A A

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 2

8. The company director decided to

ask the government to ___ in the

dispute and prevent a strike.

A. interact B. interrupt

C. interfere D. intervene

D

I. Quiz 2I. Quiz 2

9. In no country ___ Britain, it has been said, can one experience four seasons in the course of a single day. A. other than B. more than C. better than D. rather than 10. Melting snow ___ the regular spring floods in this area. A. shelters from B. accounts for C. consists in D. brings forth

A B

happen to, on duty, in the first place, because of,hold one’s attention, turn to, think twice, handover, too… to, go on, hear of, wear an expression of1. ___ his wife being there, I said nothing about it.2. She ____ be out when he called.3. You should ___ about employing someone you’ve

never met.4. An experienced public speaker knows how to ___

the audience’s ___.5. The illness can develop in two ways: ___, in cases

of high blood pressure; in the second place…6. Why won’t the heating ___?7. The more depressed he got, the more he ___ drink.

I. Quiz 3I. Quiz 3

8. She disappeared and was never ___ again.

9. He ___ complete surprise and said: “I don’t

understand.”

10. I arrive at the hospital at eight o’clock, but I

don’t go ___ until nine.

11. I am resigning as chairman and ___ to my

deputy.

12. The offer of a year abroad with all expenses

paid seemed ___ good ___ miss.

I. Quiz 3I. Quiz 3

Key

Key:

1. Because of 2. happened to

3. think twice 4. hold, attention

5. in the first place 6. go on

7. turned to 8. heard of

9. wore an expression of

10. on duty 11. handing over

12. too, to

I. Quiz 3I. Quiz 3

II. WritingII. Writing

“ School Bully” always happens in

many schools. Analyze the possible

causes that give rise to this

phenomenon, and offer some

feasible recommendations.

the boy and the bank officer philip ross lesson four

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