unit 6: text a nerds and geeks 21st century college english: book 1

Unit 6: Text AUnit 6: Text A

Nerds and GeeksNerds and Geeks

2121st Century College English: Book 1st Century College English: Book 1

Unit 6: Text AUnit 6: Text A

• Lead-in Activities

• Text Organization

• Reading & Writing Skills

• Language PointsLanguage Points

• Guided PracticeGuided Practice

• AssignmentAssignment

1. 1. In China, how are the most hardworking and In China, how are the most hardworking and

intelligent students seen by the rest of society? intelligent students seen by the rest of society?

Has this view changed over time?Has this view changed over time?

Lead-in ActivitiesLead-in Activities

Questions for Discussion

2.2. Are there any negative terms or phrases in Are there any negative terms or phrases in

Chinese that are used in connection with a Chinese that are used in connection with a

fellow student? What are they? What values do fellow student? What are they? What values do

they express? Are they used for hard working they express? Are they used for hard working

students? Why do you think they are used?students? Why do you think they are used?

Lead-in ActivitiesLead-in Activities

Text OrganizationText Organization

The Structure of Text AThe Structure of Text AThe Structure of Text AThe Structure of Text A

Explanation of the prevailing anti-intellectualism in Explanation of the prevailing anti-intellectualism in American society.American society.

Explanation of the prevailing anti-intellectualism in Explanation of the prevailing anti-intellectualism in American society.American society.

Author’s view on anti-intellectualism and why the Author’s view on anti-intellectualism and why the

problem should be solved.problem should be solved.

Author’s view on anti-intellectualism and why the Author’s view on anti-intellectualism and why the

problem should be solved.problem should be solved.

Cause of the anti-intellectual value and restatement Cause of the anti-intellectual value and restatement of the necessity to do away with it.of the necessity to do away with it.Cause of the anti-intellectual value and restatement Cause of the anti-intellectual value and restatement of the necessity to do away with it.of the necessity to do away with it.

Para. 1-5Para. 1-5Para. 1-5Para. 1-5

Para. 6-10Para. 6-10Para. 6-10Para. 6-10

Para. 11-13Para. 11-13 Para. 11-13Para. 11-13

Reading & Writing SkillsReading & Writing Skills

1) Reading skill:

As a piece of argumentative writing (辩论文 ), Fridman’s essay is organized to explain a problem that he sees in American society and to convince people that the problem should be solved somehow.

With a partner, match each section of the essay with the function it fulfills in the structure of Fridman’s argument.

states the problem he seesstates the problem he sees

define(s) the terms “nerd” and “geek”define(s) the terms “nerd” and “geek”

give(s) examples from all levels of the educational give(s) examples from all levels of the educational systemsystem

call(s) for a change in cultural valuescall(s) for a change in cultural values

compare(s) the U.S. with other countriescompare(s) the U.S. with other countries

use(s) rhetorical questions to express the dangers use(s) rhetorical questions to express the dangers the U.S. faces if its values do not changethe U.S. faces if its values do not change

give(s) his give(s) his conclusionconclusion

para. 1para. 1para. 1para. 1

para. 2para. 2para. 2para. 2

para. 3-4para. 3-4para. 3-4para. 3-4







2) Writing skill: A) the variety of using words While writing, Ss should keep it in their mind that they are required to use various words to write about the same thing or the same meaning. Take this text as a good example. prestigious institution, best university learn, acquire average (professional ballplayers), typical (parents) tease, laugh at the bright kids, hardworking pupils

B) Ss are taught to write a summary after reading a passage in details. Students can paraphrase the topic sentences and write some sentences in their own expressing the author's ideas.

Nerds and GeeksNerds and Geeksby by Leonid FridmanLeonid Fridman

11 There is something very wrong with the system of values in a There is something very wrong with the system of values in a

society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for

the intellectually curious and academically serious..

Text A:Text A: Nerds and Geeks Nerds and Geeks

22 We all know what a nerd is: someone who wears thick glasses We all know what a nerd is: someone who wears thick glasses

and ugly clothes; someone who knows all the answers to the and ugly clothes; someone who knows all the answers to the

chemistry or math homework but can never get a date on a chemistry or math homework but can never get a date on a

Saturday night. And a geek, according to “Saturday night. And a geek, according to “

Webster’s New World Dictionary”, is a street performer who shocks ”, is a street performer who shocks

the public by biting off heads of live chickens. It is a revealing fact the public by biting off heads of live chickens. It is a revealing fact

about our language and our culture that someone about our language and our culture that someone dedicated to the the

pursuit of knowledge is compared to such a freak. of knowledge is compared to such a freak.


33 Even at a prestigious educational institution like Even at a prestigious educational institution like Harvard, anti-, anti-

intellectualism is widespread: Many students are ashamed to intellectualism is widespread: Many students are ashamed to

admit, even to their friends, how much they study. Although most admit, even to their friends, how much they study. Although most

students try to keep up their grades, there is but a small group of students try to keep up their grades, there is but a small group of

undergraduates for whom pursuing knowledge is the most undergraduates for whom pursuing knowledge is the most

important thing during their years at Harvard. Nerds are looked important thing during their years at Harvard. Nerds are looked

down upon while athletes are made heroes of. down upon while athletes are made heroes of.


44 The same thing happens in U.S. elementary and high schools. The same thing happens in U.S. elementary and high schools.

Children who prefer to read books rather than play football, prefer Children who prefer to read books rather than play football, prefer

to build model airplanes rather than idle away this time at parties to build model airplanes rather than idle away this time at parties

with their classmates, become social outcasts. Because of their with their classmates, become social outcasts. Because of their

intelligence and refusal to conform to society’s anti-intellectual intelligence and refusal to conform to society’s anti-intellectual

values, many values, many are deprived of a chance to learn adequate social a chance to learn adequate social

skills and acquire good communication tools.skills and acquire good communication tools.


55 Enough is enough.

66 Nerds and geeks must stop being ashamed of what they are. Nerds and geeks must stop being ashamed of what they are.

Those who don’t study hard must stop teasing those who do, the Those who don’t study hard must stop teasing those who do, the

bright kids with thick glasses. The anti-intellectual values that bright kids with thick glasses. The anti-intellectual values that

have spread throughout American society must be fought. have spread throughout American society must be fought.


77 There are very few countries in the world where anti-There are very few countries in the world where anti-

intellectualism runs as high in popular culture as it does in the U.S. intellectualism runs as high in popular culture as it does in the U.S.

In most industrialized nations, not In most industrialized nations, not least of all our economic rivals in our economic rivals in

East Asia , a kid who studies hard is praised and East Asia , a kid who studies hard is praised and held up as an as an

example to other students. example to other students.

88 In many parts of the world, university professorships are the In many parts of the world, university professorships are the

most prestigious and materially rewarding positions. But not in most prestigious and materially rewarding positions. But not in

America, where average professional ballplayers are much more America, where average professional ballplayers are much more

respected and better paid than professors of the best universities.respected and better paid than professors of the best universities.


99 How can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their How can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their

daughter studying mathematics instead of going dancing, or of daughter studying mathematics instead of going dancing, or of

their son reading their son reading Weber while his friends play baseball be while his friends play baseball be

expected to compete in the technology race with Japan or remain expected to compete in the technology race with Japan or remain

a leading political and cultural force in Europe? How long can a leading political and cultural force in Europe? How long can

America remain a world-class power if we constantly put social America remain a world-class power if we constantly put social

skills and physical strength over academic achievement and skills and physical strength over academic achievement and

intellectual ability?intellectual ability?


1010 Do we really expect to Do we really expect to stay afloat largely by importing our largely by importing our

scientists and intellectuals from abroad, as we have done for a scientists and intellectuals from abroad, as we have done for a

major portion of this century without making an effort to also major portion of this century without making an effort to also

cultivate a pro-intellectual culture at home? Even if we have the cultivate a pro-intellectual culture at home? Even if we have the

political will to spend a lot more money on education than we do political will to spend a lot more money on education than we do

now, do we think we can improve our schools if we laugh at our now, do we think we can improve our schools if we laugh at our

hard-working pupils and fail to respect their impoverished hard-working pupils and fail to respect their impoverished

teachers? teachers?


1111 Our fault Our fault lies not so much with our economy or with our politics our economy or with our politics

as within ourselves, our values and our image of a good life. within ourselves, our values and our image of a good life.

America’s culture has not America’s culture has not adapted to the demands of our times, to the demands of our times, to

the economic realities that demand a highly educated workforce the economic realities that demand a highly educated workforce

and innovative intelligent leadership. and innovative intelligent leadership.


1212 If we are to succeed as a society in the 21st century, we had If we are to succeed as a society in the 21st century, we had

better better do away with our anti-intellectualism and teach our children our anti-intellectualism and teach our children

that a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and that a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and

pursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilities. .

1313 Not until the words “nerd” and “geek” become terms of praise Not until the words “nerd” and “geek” become terms of praise

rather than insults do we rather than insults do we stand a chance..


……a society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek a society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for for the intellectually curious and academically seriousthe intellectually curious and academically serious..

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

??those students who have genuine curiosity for academic those students who have genuine curiosity for academic knowledge and who regard study as a serious business.knowledge and who regard study as a serious business.

dedicate todedicate to

— — devote (esp. oneself) to a special task or purposedevote (esp. oneself) to a special task or purpose

e.g.e.g.

• Mother Teresa Mother Teresa dedicateddedicated her whole life her whole life toto helping the helping the poor.poor.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicateddedicated his life/himself his life/himself toto Civil Rights Movement.Civil Rights Movement.

dedicateddedicated

—— very interested in and working wholeheartedly forvery interested in and working wholeheartedly for

e.g.e.g.

• The medical student is The medical student is dedicateddedicated to finding a cure for to finding a cure for AIDS.AIDS.

• The elderly gentleman was a The elderly gentleman was a dedicateddedicated teacher. teacher.

pursuitpursuit n.n.

— — the act of pursuing someone or somethingthe act of pursuing someone or something

e.g.e.g.

• His main interest in life is the His main interest in life is the pursuitpursuit of fame. of fame.Cf:Cf:

pursuepursue: :

— — make continued efforts to gainmake continued efforts to gain

e.g.e.g. He wants to He wants to pursuepursue his studies in Britain after his studies in Britain after graduation.graduation.

Translate:Translate:

他一生都在追求名和利他一生都在追求名和利 ,, 但一样都没有得到但一样都没有得到 ..

KeyKeyHe has pursued fame and fortune all his life but has He has pursued fame and fortune all his life but has

achieved neither.achieved neither.

deprive ofdeprive of

— — to to take away from, prevent from usingtake away from, prevent from using

e.g.e.g.

• The young man was The young man was deprived ofdeprived of his bachelor’s degree. his bachelor’s degree.

• The fire The fire depriveddeprived him him of of his factory.his factory.


剥夺他的公民权是非法的。剥夺他的公民权是非法的。

KeyKey It is illegal to It is illegal to deprivedeprive him him ofof his citizen’s right. his citizen’s right.

Enough is enough. Enough is enough.


??Key:Key:

适可而止吧。适可而止吧。


I told a funny story, but nobody laughed, least of all I told a funny story, but nobody laughed, least of all my father.my father.

least of allleast of all

— — especially not (used after a negative statement)especially not (used after a negative statement)

e.g.e.g.

• The food is barely enough for one family, The food is barely enough for one family, least of least of allall the whole village. the whole village.

Typical pattern:Typical pattern:

no one/nothing …, least of all …no one/nothing …, least of all …

e.g.e.g.

• No oneNo one seemed to pay any attention to the teacher, seemed to pay any attention to the teacher, least of allleast of all the kids. the kids.

KeyKey我讲了个笑话，但没人笑，尤其是我父亲。我讲了个笑话，但没人笑，尤其是我父亲。

hold uphold up v.v.

— — to show with respect as an exampleto show with respect as an example

e.g.e.g.

• The old man often The old man often holds upholds up his youngest daughter as his youngest daughter as an example of hard work.an example of hard work.

• Michael Jordan Michael Jordan is held upis held up by many American blacks by many American blacks as an example to follow.as an example to follow.

stay afloat/keep afloatstay afloat/keep afloat v.v.— — (of a ship) float instead of sinking; (of a ship) float instead of sinking; (figuratively) free of debt or get over difficulties(figuratively) free of debt or get over difficulties


Do we really expect to Do we really expect to stay afloatstay afloat largely by importing largely by importing our scientists and intellectuals from abroad, …?our scientists and intellectuals from abroad, …?

KeyKey难道我们真的希望这样靠从国外引进科学家和知识分子难道我们真的希望这样靠从国外引进科学家和知识分子

来生存下去吗来生存下去吗 ? …? …

e.g.e.g.

• The company managed to The company managed to stay afloatstay afloat during the during the crisis.crisis.

lie with lie with v.v.

— — be the responsibility of, to rest withbe the responsibility of, to rest with

e.g.e.g.

• The report said that Dianna’s accident The report said that Dianna’s accident lies withlies with the the drunk driver. drunk driver.

• It It lies withlies with you to accept or reject the suggestion. you to accept or reject the suggestion.

PracticePractice

Make a sentence with “lie with”.Make a sentence with “lie with”.

??

adapt to adapt to v.v.

— — make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation), make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation), change so as to be suitablechange so as to be suitable

e.g.e.g.

• Some freshmen find it difficult to Some freshmen find it difficult to adapt toadapt to Sichuan’s Sichuan’s hot food. hot food.

• Don’t worry. You will soon Don’t worry. You will soon adapt toadapt to college life. college life.

do away with do away with v.v.

— — put an end to, get rid ofput an end to, get rid of

e.g.e.g.

• That school That school did away withdid away with uniforms years ago. uniforms years ago.

• It’s important for government officials to It’s important for government officials to do away do away withwith those outdated notions. those outdated notions.

PracticePractice

Make a sentence with “do away with”.Make a sentence with “do away with”.

??

… … a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and pursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilitiespursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilities..

Paraphrasing:Paraphrasing:

?? making all possible efforts to gain knowledge.making all possible efforts to gain knowledge.

stand a chancestand a chance v.v.

— — to to have the possibility of achieving somethinghave the possibility of achieving something

e.g.e.g.

• If you get straight As, you will If you get straight As, you will stand a good chancestand a good chance of of winning the scholarship.winning the scholarship.

• Unskilled workers will Unskilled workers will standstand almost almost no chanceno chance of of being reemployed.being reemployed.


我们队有获胜的希望。我们队有获胜的希望。

KeyKey Our team still stands a chance of winning the game.Our team still stands a chance of winning the game.

not so much asnot so much as

With a noun or a phrase, we use this phrase to express With a noun or a phrase, we use this phrase to express quantityquantity


The professor is not so much a scholar as a businessman.The professor is not so much a scholar as a businessman.

KeyKey这个教授与其说是学者还不如说是个商人。这个教授与其说是学者还不如说是个商人。

More to learnMore to learnMore to learnMore to learn

e.g.e.g.

• She works very hard She works very hard not so muchnot so much for money for money asas for for pleasure.pleasure.

• His success lies His success lies not so muchnot so much with his intelligence with his intelligence asas with his connections.with his connections.

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. X, p. 164Ex. X, p. 164《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. X, p. 164Ex. X, p. 164

ExercisesExercises

ExercisesExercises

X.X. Combine the following pairs of sentences, using Combine the following pairs of sentences, using asas … … asas or or notnot soso muchmuch … … asas after the model. after the model. There are very few countries in the world where anti-There are very few countries in the world where anti-

intellectualism runs intellectualism runs soso high in popular culture high in popular culture asas it does in the it does in the U.S.U.S.

The fault lies The fault lies notnot soso muchmuch with our economy or with our policies with our economy or with our policies asas within ourselves, our values and images of a good life. within ourselves, our values and images of a good life.

1.1. a)a) His teacher is able to make the point clear and His teacher is able to make the point clear and convincing.convincing.

b)b) He is also able to make the point clear and convincing.He is also able to make the point clear and convincing. He is able to make the point as clear and convincing as He is able to make the point as clear and convincing as

his teacherhis teacher

ExercisesExercises




2.2. a)a) This is not a matter of putting more money into education.This is not a matter of putting more money into education.

b)b) This is a matter of changing our anti-intellectualism This is a matter of changing our anti-intellectualism values.values.

This is not so much a matter of putting more money into This is not so much a matter of putting more money into education as a matter of changing our anti-intellectual education as a matter of changing our anti-intellectual values.values.

ExercisesExercises




3.3. a)a) They think that academic achievement is important to a They think that academic achievement is important to a student.student.

b)b) They also think that social skills are important to a They also think that social skills are important to a student.student.

They think that social skills are as important as academic They think that social skills are as important as academic achievement to a student.achievement to a student.

ExercisesExercises




4.4. a)a) The purpose of this article is not to answer theThe purpose of this article is not to answer the question.question.

b)b) The purpose of this article is to discuss the question.The purpose of this article is to discuss the question.

The purpose of this article is not so much to answer the The purpose of this article is not so much to answer the question as to discuss the question.question as to discuss the question.

ExercisesExercises




5.5. a)a) Professors are respected and well paid in this country.Professors are respected and well paid in this country.

b)b) Professional ballplayers are also respected and well paid Professional ballplayers are also respected and well paid in this countryin this country

Professional ballplayers are as respected and well paid as Professional ballplayers are as respected and well paid as professors in this country.professors in this country.

Text-related informationText-related information

Webster’s New World DictionaryWebster’s New World Dictionary

Webster’s New World Dictionary (College Edition) Webster’s New World Dictionary (College Edition)

is a well-known dictionary of the American language is a well-known dictionary of the American language

intended for college students. Its definition of “geek” is intended for college students. Its definition of “geek” is

somewhat out-of-date as this word is currently used as a somewhat out-of-date as this word is currently used as a

slang term referring to anyone lacking social grace or slang term referring to anyone lacking social grace or

popularity.popularity.

HarvardHarvard

Harvard University (Harvard University ( 哈佛大学哈佛大学 ) is the oldest ) is the oldest American university, founded in 1636 at Cambridge, American university, founded in 1636 at Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is generally considered the most Massachusetts. It is generally considered the most prestigious university in the U.S., perhaps analogous to prestigious university in the U.S., perhaps analogous to Beijing University’s status in China. The main Beijing University’s status in China. The main university campus lies along the Charles River a few university campus lies along the Charles River a few

miles west of Boston. miles west of Boston.


Max Weber, 1864-1920Max Weber, 1864-1920

Weber was a German sociologist Weber was a German sociologist

and political economist, one of the and political economist, one of the

founders of sociology. His ideas, which founders of sociology. His ideas, which

spanned subjects from economic spanned subjects from economic

history to the sociology of music, history to the sociology of music,

continue to be extremely influential. continue to be extremely influential.

For a young person in the U.S. to be For a young person in the U.S. to be

reading Weber would be a marker of a reading Weber would be a marker of a

strong intellect.strong intellect.


http://www.dhm.de/lemo/objekte/pict/f52_2692/index.html

Guided Practice

• Vocabulary• Cloze• Translation• Structure Writing

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. IV, p. 160Ex. IV, p. 160《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. IV, p. 160Ex. IV, p. 160

VocabularyVocabulary

IV. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the IV. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the form where necessary. form where necessary.

prestigious import pursue acquire average prefer prestigious import pursue acquire average prefer shock pursuit compete bite extent admit shock pursuit compete bite extent admit

1.1. People are really _______ to learn that the intellectually People are really _______ to learn that the intellectually curious and hard-working are called names, such ascurious and hard-working are called names, such as

nerds and geeks, in some parts of the U.S. nerds and geeks, in some parts of the U.S.

shockedshocked

2.2. When questioned, the children ___________ that their When questioned, the children ___________ that their homework remained untouched, as they had idled away homework remained untouched, as they had idled away their time doing nothing. their time doing nothing.

admittedadmitted


3.3. He has made up his mind to _______ his studies abroad. He has made up his mind to _______ his studies abroad.

pursuepursue

4.4. It’s a pleasant surprise to me that my daughter should It’s a pleasant surprise to me that my daughter should ______ to read English at home rather than go shopping______ to read English at home rather than go shopping

with her mother this evening. with her mother this evening.

preferprefer




5.5. He is so ___________ that he is not only interested in the He is so ___________ that he is not only interested in the whats, whys and hows, but also knows where to find the whats, whys and hows, but also knows where to find the answers to all of these questions.answers to all of these questions.

intelligentintelligent

6.6. If you need further qualificationsIf you need further qualifications （（条件条件）） for the job, for the job, check out how and where you can ___________ them. check out how and where you can ___________ them.

acquireacquire




8.8. He is keen to ____________ relations with this company He is keen to ____________ relations with this company because of its good reputation. because of its good reputation.

cultivatecultivate

averageaverage

7.7. His intelligence is not even up to the __________ level; His intelligence is not even up to the __________ level; therefore, his success is largely due to his hard work. therefore, his success is largely due to his hard work.






9.9. Spicy Spicy (( 辛辣的辛辣的 )) food is ____________ of Sichuan cooking. food is ____________ of Sichuan cooking.

typicaltypical

10.10. We have never seen anyone with such a strong dedication to We have never seen anyone with such a strong dedication to the ______________ of success. the ______________ of success.

pursuitpursuit


11.11. This wine is ___________ from France, and it is rather This wine is ___________ from France, and it is rather expensive. expensive.

12.12. The guard dog has been trained to ___________ without The guard dog has been trained to ___________ without barking. barking.

importedimported

bitebite






13.13. The American economy, and its ability to __________ The American economy, and its ability to __________ abroad, was slowing down according to the report.abroad, was slowing down according to the report.

competecompete

14.14. Students’ attention will not be drawn to their studies if we Students’ attention will not be drawn to their studies if we ____________ put social skills and physical strength over ____________ put social skills and physical strength over academic achievement and intellectual ability. academic achievement and intellectual ability.

constantlyconstantly




15. 15. How can we continue to produce first-class engineers if the How can we continue to produce first-class engineers if the most ______________ universities are unable to offer most ______________ universities are unable to offer decent salaries to attract the best professors?decent salaries to attract the best professors?

16.16. In my opinion, high-IQ students are usually intellectually In my opinion, high-IQ students are usually intellectually curious and very good at making use of their time to the curious and very good at making use of their time to the fullest ____________. fullest ____________.

prestigiousprestigious

extentextent


ClozeCloze

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. XI, p. 164Ex. XI, p. 164《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. XI, p. 164Ex. XI, p. 164

In the U.S. today, not enough respect is given to people In the U.S. today, not enough respect is given to people

who are truly dedicated to the _____________ of knowledge. who are truly dedicated to the _____________ of knowledge.

This is true through out the educational ______________. This is true through out the educational ______________.

Parents of elementary school pupils are unhappy if their Parents of elementary school pupils are unhappy if their

child wants to spend too much time reading, or doing other child wants to spend too much time reading, or doing other

____________ activities. At a university, the brightest and ____________ activities. At a university, the brightest and

most _______________ undergraduates are not the most most _______________ undergraduates are not the most

_____________. In fact, the top students are often looked _____________. In fact, the top students are often looked

_____________ upon as “nerds” and “geeks”._____________ upon as “nerds” and “geeks”.

pursuit

system

intellectual

hardworking

down

popular

XI.XI. Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.

ClozeCloze

The ___________ thing is true in the world of work. The ___________ thing is true in the world of work.

______________ athletes receive huge salaries and are held ______________ athletes receive huge salaries and are held

up as role models. On the other _________, professors, even up as role models. On the other _________, professors, even

at the top academic _____________, are not highly paid or at the top academic _____________, are not highly paid or

well-known. This anti-intellectualism is sure to have a well-known. This anti-intellectualism is sure to have a

___________ effect on America in the future. ___________ ___________ effect on America in the future. ___________

nations will develop better technologies and the U.S. will not nations will develop better technologies and the U.S. will not

be able to _________. America must do _______ with words be able to _________. America must do _______ with words

such as “nerds” and “geek” and start giving more respect to such as “nerds” and “geek” and start giving more respect to

the people who are ____________ to learning and teaching.the people who are ____________ to learning and teaching.

same

Professional

hand

negative Rival

compete away

dedicated

institutions

XI.XI. Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate word.

ClozeCloze

TranslationTranslation

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. XII, p. 165Ex. XII, p. 165《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. XII, p. 165Ex. XII, p. 165

XII. Translate the following sentences into English.XII. Translate the following sentences into English.

1. 1. 问题在于人们如何看待那些专心追求知识的学生。问题在于人们如何看待那些专心追求知识的学生。

look at look at be dedicated to be dedicated to the pursuit ofthe pursuit of

lie in lie in

The problem lies in how people look at those students The problem lies in how people look at those students dedicated to the pursuit of knowledgededicated to the pursuit of knowledge..


2. 2. 我国政府已决定向教育投入比过去多得多的钱。我国政府已决定向教育投入比过去多得多的钱。

put into education put into education than before than before a lot morea lot more

Our government has decided to put a lot more money into Our government has decided to put a lot more money into education than before . education than before .


3. 3. 我们得培养更多一流的工程师参与同日本的技术竞我们得培养更多一流的工程师参与同日本的技术竞争。争。

first-class first-class technology race technology race

We have to train more first-class engineers to compete compete

in the technology race with Japan.in the technology race with Japan.


4.4. 求知好学和勤奋用功的学生应该受到表扬并被求知好学和勤奋用功的学生应该受到表扬并被

树立为其他学生的榜样。树立为其他学生的榜样。

the intellectually the intellectually curious curious

be held up as be held up as examples examples

The intellectually curious and hard-workingThe intellectually curious and hard-working students should be praised and held up as examples to otherstudents.


5.5.直到我们消除排斥知识的现象直到我们消除排斥知识的现象 , , 我们才有希望保持我们才有希望保持

世界级强国的地位。世界级强国的地位。

Not untilNot until do away with do away with anti-intellectualismanti-intellectualism

stand a chance stand a chance

Not until we do away withdo away with our anti-intellectualism do we stand a chancestand a chance to remain a world-class power.


6.6.我们必须使自己适应时代的要求我们必须使自己适应时代的要求 ,, 否则我们就会落后否则我们就会落后

于世界上其他工业国家。于世界上其他工业国家。

adapt ourselves toadapt ourselves tothe demands of our timesthe demands of our times

fall behindfall behind

We must adapt ourselves to the demands of our times, We must adapt ourselves to the demands of our times, otherwise we’ll fall behind the other industrialized otherwise we’ll fall behind the other industrialized nationsnationsof the world.of the world.


7.7.其他孩子在踢足球其他孩子在踢足球 , , 而他们的儿子却在学英语而他们的儿子却在学英语 , , 做父母做父母

的为此感到骄傲。的为此感到骄傲。whilewhile

be proud of be proud of

The parents are proud of their son who is studying The parents are proud of their son who is studying English while the other children are playing footballEnglish while the other children are playing football


8.8.你真的期望不花费更多的时间学习就能提高你的英语你真的期望不花费更多的时间学习就能提高你的英语

水平？水平？expect expect

without spending without spending

improve your Englishimprove your English

Do you really expect to improve your English withoutDo you really expect to improve your English without

spending more time studying it?spending more time studying it?


Write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words in Write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words in

which to summarize the essay, expressing each of which to summarize the essay, expressing each of

Fridman’s essential idea in your own words.Fridman’s essential idea in your own words.

Learn to write a piece of Learn to write a piece of argumentative writingargumentative writing

Structured WritingStructured Writing

Sample EssaySample Essay


In his essay, “Nerds and Geeks,” Leonid Fridman criticizes a In his essay, “Nerds and Geeks,” Leonid Fridman criticizes a

serious problem he sees in American society: people who are serious problem he sees in American society: people who are

smart, the best students in schools and universities, the professors smart, the best students in schools and universities, the professors

and researchers in the adult world, are not given the respect that and researchers in the adult world, are not given the respect that

they deserve. Instead, American society respects and praises they deserve. Instead, American society respects and praises

people who achieve popularity through more superficial means, people who achieve popularity through more superficial means,

such as athletes and entertainers. This prejudice is shown in the such as athletes and entertainers. This prejudice is shown in the

use of insulting words such as “nerd” and “geek” to describe the use of insulting words such as “nerd” and “geek” to describe the

best, most hardworking students even at a university like Harvard. best, most hardworking students even at a university like Harvard.

Fridman says that in order to remain a successful, competitive Fridman says that in order to remain a successful, competitive

nation, the U. S. must change its attitude and start respecting the nation, the U. S. must change its attitude and start respecting the

smartest, hard-working citizens. Only when people are proud of smartest, hard-working citizens. Only when people are proud of

being a nerd or a geek will this important problem be solved.being a nerd or a geek will this important problem be solved.


AssignmentAssignmentRevision of Text A:Revision of Text A:

• VocabularyVocabulary

Ex. IVEx. IV, , p. p. 160;160;

Ex. VEx. V, , p. 161p. 161

• Word BuildingWord Building

Ex. XIEx. XI, , p. p. 164;164;

Ex. XIIEx. XII, , p. 165p. 165

unit 6: text a nerds and geeks 21st century college english: book 1

Documents

conclusion para

geeks slide

discussion slide

structure of text

serious text

reading skill

piece of argumentative

leadin activities questions