Unit 10

Man and Animals

Analysis of the text

A comparison of Animal and Human Aggression

Animals Human BeingsCause of aggression

Abnormal conditions Living conditions in crowded cities

ConsequenceIt will show abnormal aggressiveness

It is not surprising if people behave aggressively toward each other.

Examples

A tiger came out of the jungle into a village and attack a man.

The caged lion often becomes more aggressive than it would be in the wild.

A once self-employed craftsman and people who once worked in a small firm will express aggression through resentment and anger.

A man may kill thousands of people by dropping a bomb from a plane.

Behavior in desirable situations

The tiger would have stayed in the jungle and hunted for food in the customary way.

The caged lion would be continually active, ranging over long distance , hunting in family group.

People might have been no more aggressive than their fellow creatures

The man would hesitate to hit another person in front of his eyes.

Possible solutionThe lion should be free to wander on the grassy plains of African

Hostility and aggression should be expressed in constructive activity and non-violent competition.

Language Points

absorb v.

1) take sth. in; suck in 吸收；吸取

a.  Aspirin is quickly absorbed by/into the body.

b.  Clever children absorb knowledge easily.

2)include sth/sb as part of itself or oneself; merge with 并入；使合并

a.  The larger firm absorbed the smaller one.

b.  The surrounding villages have been absorbed by/into the growing city.

3) hold the attention or interest of sb. fully 使专心；使全神贯注

a.  His business absorbs him.

b.  I was absorbed in a book and didn't hear you call.

continually adv. repeatedly 不断地，频繁地

a.  They’re continually arguing.

b.  I continually have to remind him of his responsibilities.

Comparison:

continuously adv. without stopping or interruption 连续地，持续地

a.  They chatted continuously for an hour.

b.  The traffic in the rush hour flows continuously.

injure v. hurt sb.; harm (usu. in an accident, with a machine or in sport, etc.)伤害

eg. In the car accident 10 people died and 18 were seriously injured.

wound v. cause physical damage to the body by using a sharp instrument or bullet tearing the flesh, usually a deliberate action connected with battles and war

eg. In a war there are many more wounded than killed.

hurt v.

1) cause physical injury or pain to sb./oneself It may be as serious as injure or it may relate to a minor pain

a. They were badly hurt in the accident.

b. He hurt his back when he fell.

2) cause mental pain to a person, his feelings; upset

a.  These criticisms have hurt him/his pride deeply.

b. It hurts not to have been invited.

likelihood n. probability 可能性

a.  There’s no likelihood of that happening.

b.  In all likelihood (ie. very probably) the meeting will be cancelled.

likely adj. that is expected; probable 可能的

a.  It isn't likely to rain today.

b.  She is very likely to ring me tonight.

c. It's very likely that she’ll ring me tonight.

survive v.

1) continue to live or exist 活下来；幸存；生存

a.  Of the six people in the air crash, only one survived.

b.  Many strange customs have survived from earlier times.

c.  I can't survive on $30 a week.

2) continue to live or exist in spite of nearly being killed or destroyed 幸免；从…逃生

a.  Few buildings survived the bombing raids intact.

b.  The plants may not survive the frost.

3) remain alive after sb.

eg. The old lady had survived all her children.

survival n.

the survival of the fittest (the continuing existence of those animals and plants which are best adapted to their surroundings, etc.)