I. Lead-in Questions

1. In your opinion, which is better, living 1. In your opinion, which is better, living in the country or living in the city. Give in the country or living in the city. Give reasons.reasons.2. What do you think are possible ways to 2. What do you think are possible ways to improve the quality of our lives?improve the quality of our lives?3. What kind of changes are going to 3. What kind of changes are going to

happen in our lives?happen in our lives?

II. Cultural Notes

1. Ivy League :1. Ivy League :

2. The countryside 2. The countryside

Ivy League:Ivy League::

An association of eight long-established colleges and universities in the northeast United States with prestigious academic and social reputations. Members of the Ivy League are Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; Columbia University in New York City; Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire; Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts; University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey; and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The members of the Ivy League compete in intercollegiate athletics.

The countryside of Britain is well known for its beauty and many contrasts: its bare mountains and moorland, its lakes, rivers and woods, and its long, often wild coastline. Many of the most beautiful areas are national parks and are protected from development. When British people think of farmland as well as open spaces, they imagine cows or sheep in green fields enclosed by hedges or stone walls, and fields of wheat and barley.

2. The countryside:

Many people associate the countryside with peace and relaxation. They spend their free time walking or cycling there or go to the country for a picnic or a pub lunch. Only a few people who live in the country work on farms. Many commute to work in towns. Many others dream of living in the country, where they believe they would have a better and healthier life style.

America has many areas of wild and beautiful scenery, and there are many areas, especially in the West in states like Montana and Wyoming, where few people live. In the New England states, such as Vermont and New Hampshire, it is common to see small farms surrounded by hills and green areas. In Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other Midwestern states, fields of corn or wheat reach to the horizon and there are many miles between towns. Only about 20% of Americans live outside cities and towns. Life may be difficult for

people who live in the country. Services like hospitals and schools may be further away, and going shopping can mean driving long distances. Some people even have to drive from their homes to the main road where their mail is left in a box. In spite of the disadvantages, many people who live in the country say that they like the safe, clean, attractive environment. But their children often move to a town or city as soon as they can. As in Britain, Americans like to go out to the country at weekends. Some people go on camping or fishing trips, others go hiking in national parks.

III. Language Points

WordsWords

1. wicked:

adj 1) evil or bad 邪恶的

eg ： a wicked man

邪恶的男人

It is a wicked waste of money.

这样浪费金钱简直是浪费。

WordsWords

2) playfully malicious or mischievous 戏谑的，捣蛋的

eg ： a wicked prank

一个戏谑的玩笑

He had a wicked twinkle in his eye.

他的眼睛里闪烁着调皮的光辉。

WordsWords

3) severe and distressing 严重的和令人痛苦 的

eg ： a wicked cough

严重的咳嗽

wicked driving conditions

极差的驾驶状况

WordsWords

辨析： bad ， evil ， wicked

当它们的意思是违反道德或道德标准时，把这些形容词来作一些比较， bad 是范围最广的词，它适用于任何被认为是不愉快的，讨厌的或该受责备的事： bad weather ， bad temper 。 Evil 是语气较严重的词语，还含有堕落，腐败影响的含义。 Wicked 使人联想到有意识或有预谋地违反道德。

用法：比较级： wickeder 最高级： wickedest

WordsWords2. bless ：

vt 1) to invoke divine favor upon 为…祝福，为…祈福

eg ： The priest blessed the new ship.

牧师祈求上帝保佑这艘船。

The Pope blessed the crowd.

教皇向人群祝福 .

WordsWords

2) to make or call holy 使神圣，把…视为圣物

eg ： The priest blessed the bread and wine.

牧师把面包和酒祝圣。

Bless the name of the Lord!

颂扬天主的圣名。

WordsWords3) (esp. in Christian Church Service) call (God) holy; glorify ( 尤用于基督教教会礼拜仪式中 ) 颂扬 ( 上帝 ), 赞美词组： be blessed with sth/sb ： to be lucky enough to have sth/sb 在某事物 ( 某人 ) 方面有福

eg: ‘We bless Thy Holy Name.’

‘ 我们颂赞您的圣名 .’

eg: I have always been blessed with good health.

我有幸身体一向很好。

WordsWords

3. illustrate ：

vt 1) provide with visual features 加插图于…

eg ： a beautifully illustrated book

一本有精美插图的书

Our textbook is very well illustrated.

我们的课本插图丰富。

WordsWords

2) clarify by use of examples 举例说明

eg ： His story about her illustrates her true generosity very clearly.

他写的有关她的故事非常清楚地展现 了她真正的慷慨大度。

Your behavior illustrates your selfishness.

你的行为说明你很自私。

WordsWords

词性转化： illustration (n) 作插图，实例，例证

Illustrative (adj) 作说明用的，解说用的

Illustrator (n) 为书制作插图的人

WordsWords

4. digest ：

n. a short account of written material s or data 文摘，摘要

eg ： Reader’ s Digest

读者文摘

a digest of Roman Laws

罗马法汇编

WordsWords

vt. 1) to (cause to) be changed after eating into a form that the body can use 消化

eg: Mary can’t digest fat.

玛利不能消化脂肪性食物 .

Cheese doesn’t digest easily.

奶酪不易消化 .

WordsWords

2) to think about and understand the meaning or importance of 领会 , 融会贯通

eg: It took me some time to digest what I had heard.

我花了一些时间才把听到的东西弄明白 .

I did not go to bed until I digest all we have learned today.

我直到把今天学的东西全弄懂才去睡觉 .

WordsWords

词形转化 : digestion (n) 消化，吸收，领会

digestive (adj) 消化食物的（通常作定语）

eg ： digestive system 消化系统

digestible (adj) 可消化的，可吸收的

WordsWords

5. generate:

vt 1) to bring into being, produce 形成 , 造成

eg: The reform generate a discussion.

改革造成一场争论 .

The accident generated a lot of public interest in the nuclear power issue.

这次事故引起公众对核动力问题的广泛关注 .

WordsWords

2) (tech) to produce heat or electricity 生热 , 发电

eg: an electricity generating station

发电站

People use water to generate electricity.

人们用水力去发电 .

WordsWords6.dental

a. of or related to the teeth 牙齿

eg: proper dental care can prevent tooth decay.

适当注意牙齿卫生可以防止龋齿。

He had a appointment at nine o’clock.

他约好 9点钟去看牙病。

WordsWords

7.insurance

n.1) (u) agreement by contract to pay money esp in case of a misfortune (such as illness, death, or accident) 保险

eg: life insurance

寿险

car insurance

车险

WordsWords

2) the business of making this type of contract and providing such payments 保险业

worked in insurance

从事保险业

Insurance is an occupation he will pursue.

保险是他将从事的行业。

WordsWords3)[US: against] protection(against sth.) 保证；保障

I have one lock but I bought another as an additional insurance against thieves.

我有一把锁，可是另外又买了一把作为附加的防盗保障。

Money is her only insurance.

钱是她唯一的保障。

insurance policy n. a (written) contract of insurance 保险单

WordsWords

insure

v. (against) to protect (oneself or another), esp. against loss of (money, life, goods, etc.) by insurance. 保险

eg: My house is insured against fire.

我为房子买了火险

I am insured.

我已经买了保险。

WordsWords

insured

a. having insurance of any type 已保险的

eg: If the camera is stolen the insured(person/people) receive(s) a sum of money.

如果你的照相机被偷，受保人就可以得到一笔钱。

Are you insured (against fire)

你保了（火）险了么？

WordsWords

8. minor

a. 1) lesser of smaller in degree, size, etc. 较少的；较小的；较低的 :

eg: He left most of his money to his sons; his daughter received only a minor share of his wealth.

他把大部分钱给了儿子们，他女儿只得到他财产的很小部分。

WordsWordsIt is really a minor problem. Just forget about it.

这只是一个小问题，忘了吧。

2) of lesser importance or seriousness 较不重要的；较不严重的

eg: The young actress was given a minor part in the new play.

这个年轻的女演员在这部新戏中只得到很小的角色。

WordsWords

The plan was approved, with some minor modifications

那计划已批准，仅作了些许改动。

3) med not dangerous to life ( 医 ) 无生命危险的

eg: a minor illness 小病

a minor operation 小手术

WordsWords

9. suspect.

vt.1)have an idea or feeling (concerning the possibility or likelihood of sth) 猜想

eg: He suspected an ambush.

他疑有伏兵。

She has more intelligence than we suspected her to possess.

她的智慧比我们所猜想的多。

WordsWords

2) feel doubt about 怀疑；觉得可疑

eg: suspect the truth of an account

怀疑一项报告的正确性。

suspect the true identity of a person

怀疑某人的真实身份

WordsWords

3) suspect sb.( of sth.),have a feeling that sb.may be guilty (of) 怀疑某人有… . 罪

eg: He is suspected of telling lies.

别人怀疑他说谎。

Some students were suspected of cheating in the exam last week.

上周，有人怀疑一些学生考试作弊。

WordsWords

n. person suspected of wrong doing, disloyalty, etc. 有嫌疑的人；嫌疑犯

eg: Are political suspects kept under police observation on your country?

贵国的政治嫌疑犯受警察的监视吗？

He’s a prime suspect in the murder case.

他是这次谋杀案的主要怀疑对象。

WordsWords

10. scale

n. 1 ） size, esp. in relation to other things or to what is usual 规模

eg: a large-scale business operation

大规模经商活动

We are now seeing unemployment on an unprecedented scale.

眼下我们正目睹空前的失业现象。

WordsWords

On a large scale/enlarge the scale 扩大规模 22 ）） a set of numbers or stands for measuring a set of numbers or stands for measuring 标准，级别标准，级别 eg: the social scale in capitalist society. eg: the social scale in capitalist society.

资本主义社会中的社会等级资本主义社会中的社会等级 I know how to convert Fahrenheit to the I know how to convert Fahrenheit to the centigrade scale.centigrade scale.

我知道怎样把华氏温度转变为摄氏我知道怎样把华氏温度转变为摄氏温度。温度。

WordsWords

3) a pair of pans for weighing 秤，天平

eg: The fate of the bill hung in the scale.

法案的命运未见分晓。

The American declaration of war in 1917 tipped the scales against Germany.

美国的宣战使战局变得对德国不利。

WordsWords

12. temptation

n. 1) enticement, inducement 诱惑，引诱

eg: fall to the temptation of clever advertisement

经不住巧妙广告的诱惑

He couldn’t resist the temptation to steal the jewel.

他抵挡不了偷珠宝的诱惑

WordsWords

2) attraction, lure 迷人之物，诱惑物

eg: It’s a great temptation for a young man to be surrounded by pretty women.

周围一群漂亮的女人，对于一个年轻男子来说真是一大诱惑。

Chocolate is really a temptation for a lot of people.

对很多人来说，巧克力真是一大诱惑。

WordsWords

tempt

v. persuade sb. to do sth. unwise or immoral 引诱 /怂恿干不正当之事

eg: The football club tried to tempt the player with offers of money.

该足球俱乐部想用钱笼络球员。

Only proof of victory will tempt the government to call an election this year.

WordsWords

只有在稳操胜券的情况下政府才会在今年举行选举。

13. profit

n. 1) financial gain 利润，盈利

eg: they’re only interested in a quick profit.

他们急功近利。

gross profit 总收益 net profit 净利

WordsWords

2) advantage or benefit gained from sth. 利益，好处

eg: There is no profit in crying.

哭没有用。

I have read the book on business with profit(to my profit).

我读了这本有关商业的书获益匪浅。

WordsWords

v. learn from(one’s experience, mistakes, etc) so that one dies not repeat them 吸取教训

eg: He’s getting married again, after two divorces, so he obviously hasn’t profited by his experiences.

他两次离婚之后又结婚，显然没有吸取以往的教训。

profit from sth.

得益于某物

WordsWords

14. invest

v. 1) to buy shares, property, etc, in order to earn interest or bring profit 投资，投资于

eg: He invested his savings in stocks.

他把积蓄投资于股票。

invest one’s money in government bonds

投资于公债

WordsWords

2) give (time, effort, etc) to a particular task, esp in a way that involves commitment or self-sacrifice 付出时间、精力

eg: She’s invested a lot of emotional energy in that business.

她为此事费尽心血。

Everyone should invest some time in community service.

每个人都应该花些时间在社区服务上。

WordsWords

15. primarily

adv. Mainly 主要地

eg: The purpose of the programme is primarily educational.

演出该节目的主要目的是为了进行教育。

Most linguists would say they were concerned primarily with the structure of languages.

WordsWords

大多数语言学家都会说，他们主要研究各种语言的结构。

Primary

a. 1) earliest in time or order of development 初始的，最早的，开端的

eg: primary causes 始发原因

In the primary stage of development 在发展的最初阶段

WordsWords

2) most important; fundamental 首要的，基础的，根本的

eg: primary colour 原色（ red, yellow and blue ）

primary election 预选，初选

PhrasesPhrases

1.get by: be good enough but not very good. 过得去，尚可

eg: My parents managed to get by on a small amount of money.

我的父母靠少量的钱勉强度日。

It is a little bit difficult for the old couple to get by on such a small pension.

对于老年人来说，靠很少的养老金度日很困难

PhrasesPhrases

2. at this point: at that very moment, right then 就在那时

eg: The man suddenly held up a poster. At that point, all TV cameras were pointed at him.

那个男人突然举起一张海报。就在那时，所有的电视镜头都对着他。

PhrasesPhrases

The train was now only a couple of yards from the kids on the track. At that very point, Anthony threw himself forward and pulled them clear.

火车就在离轨道上的孩子仅仅几码。就在那时，安托尼纵身一跃，把他们拉开了。

PhrasesPhrases

3. on balance: with all things considered 总的说来

eg: I think, on balance, I didn’t treat you unfairly.

我认为总的来说我并没有公平地对待你。

On balance, it’s probably not advisable to change the company’s name.

总的来说，改公司的名字可能不可取。

PhrasesPhrases

4.pick up : be ready to pay 付（帐）

eg: If he loses the case, Michael will have to pick up the bill for legal costs.

麦克如果输了官司，他将不得不为打官司的费用买单。

Taxpayers will be picking up the tab for the improved public transport network.

纳税人将对改善的公共交通网承担全部费用。

PhrasesPhrases

5.aside from: except for; in addition to (more usual in American English; same as apart from) 除了；除…以外

eg: Aside from an occasional game of tennis, he doesn’t take any exercise.

除了偶尔打打网球，他不做任何运动。

This essay is good aside from a couple of spelling mistakes.

除了几个拼写错误这篇文章挺好。

PhrasesPhrases

6.cut back: reduce in size or amount(used in the patterns:cut back sth.;cut back on sth.) 减少；削减

eg: There is a growing movement to cut back the government’s role in agriculture and to reduce subsidies paid to farmers.

越来越多的行动来减轻政府在农业当中的作用，并减少给农民的津贴。

PhrasesPhrases

The government has cut back on defense spending.

政府已经削减了国防花费。

7. dine out: eat a meal away from home (usu. in a restaurant) 外出吃饭

eg: With the improvement of living standards, more people dine out at weekends.

PhrasesPhrases

随着生活水平的改善，更多的人在周末出外就餐。

It’s my daughter’s birthday today, so we’re dining out tonight.

今天是我女儿的生日，我们今晚出去吃吧。

IV. IV.

Comprehension Comprehension 122

1. Text Organization 1. Text Organization Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas

Part 1 Paras1-3 The writer views his life in the country as a self-reliant and satisfying one .

Part 2 Paras4-7 Life in the country is good yet sometimes very hard.

Part 3 Paras8-11 After quitting his job, the writer’s income was reduced, but he and his family can manage to get by..

Part 4 Paras12-15 A tolerance for solitude and a lot of energy have made it possible for the family to enjoy their life in the country.

.

2. Main Idea

Jim Doherty changed his lifestyle, changing from living in the city to living in the countryside. He views his life in the country as a self-reliant and satisfying one. Although life in the country is sometimes very hard, he and his family can manage to get by, with a tolerance for solitude and a lot of energy.

.

3. Paraphase

1) and we cut enough wood to just about make it through the heating season.

With the wood they cut, their family can succeed in getting through the cold winter.

2) When spring came, it brought two floods.

The first flood refers to “great overflow of water” while the other refers to “agricultural products”.

3) Then the growing season began, swamping us under wave after wave of produce.

Then the growing season came and it brought us a lot of agricultural products.

4) Aside from that and the policy on our two cars at $400 a year…

Excerpt a poor man’s major-medical policy and the policy on our two cars of $400 a year…

4. Grammar .

when it comes to

eg: People will think of vast stretches of fields in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere when it comes to life in the countryside.

not all/everyone/everything

eg: I suspect not everyone who loves the country whould be happy living the way

we do.

Conversion

Conversion is one of the word-formation processes in English. It is done when a word changes its class without any change of its form. Typical cases of conversion include noun—verb, adjective—verb. Sometimes, conversion can also be observed when an auxiliary verb, an adverb or a conjunction is used as a noun or a verb.

eg: rise how why lower search up yellow final regular cash bottle

.

5. Writing Technique

The author writes his piece in a clear and logical way. In many instances he employs the pattern of “one topic sentence + several detail sentences” structure. It’s easy for readers to grasp the main idea, and it also proves effective for learner writers like our students.

Sometimes the detail sentences run parallel to each other, like those in Para 2. in some other paragraphs the detail sentences have their own hierarchy. Take Para 5 for example. The first sentence tells how busy “I” am. The second sentence states that Sandy, the wife, is also busy. The final sentence is a kind of summary—nobody can relax. Yet the second sentence is following a few more detail sentences showing exactly how tight a schedule Sandy has. Take Paras 12-13 for another example.

The topic sentence therein is “I suspect not everyone who loves the country would be happy living the way we do. It takes a couple of special qualities.” Then there are two sub-topic sentences: “ One is a tolerance for solitude”; “The other requirement is energy—a lot of it.” Each subtopic sentence has its own supporting details.

Sometimes there are no transitional devices between detail sentences, sometimes there are, the most frequently used of which is time words or phrases. For example, the detail sentences in Para 4 begin with “three months ago”, “three months from now”, “recently”, and “later this month”, respectively. To be sure, other transitional words are scattered about the text, like “first”—“then”—“then”—“eventually” in Para 7.

V. Post-reading Discussions

1. Why do so many migrant workers move from the 1. Why do so many migrant workers move from the country to the city?country to the city?

2. Why are tours of 2. Why are tours of Zhou zhuang, Li JiangZhou zhuang, Li Jiang or any or any other old town so popular? Why are tourists willing other old town so popular? Why are tourists willing to pay for a night in a farmer’s house instead of a to pay for a night in a farmer’s house instead of a hotel?hotel?

3. People change their places of living because they 3. People change their places of living because they look for things that their previous life is unable to look for things that their previous life is unable to provide. But, will they become happier once the provide. But, will they become happier once the dream is realized?dream is realized?