Unit 8

Former King of Pop Releasing Fresh Song

QUESTIONNAIRE1. Who is your idol? _______________.2. He/She is a(n) _______________. A. movie/TV/singing/sports star B. politician C. writer/artist D. celebrity E. hero F. others, such as ( _____ )3. You choose him/her as your idol because you adore his/her

_______________. A. appearance/voice B. achievements C. mental quality D. reputation E. world outlook F. others, such as ( _____ )4. Do you imitate your idol? A. Yes. B. No. C. Sometimes. D. Yes, I did before, but not

presently. 5. Does your idol’s behavior affect you? A. Yes. B. No. C. Sometimes.

A questionnaire on idol adoration

6. Do you change your idol? _______________.7. Do you take your idol as your example? A. Yes. B. No. C. Yes, I do in some aspects. D. I don’t know myself. 8. Do you follow closely your idol? A. Yes. B. No. C. Sometimes. D. Yes, when there is a great event in his/her life. 9. Do you know exactly your idols’ shortcomings? A. Yes. B. I know some of them. C. No, not at all. D. I don’t want to know it. 10. Do you collect all the books and items related to your idol? A. Yes, I have collected all of them. B. Occasionally. C. I have collected some of them. D. No, I don’t want to.

Super Girls are very famous all over our country. So many people are crazy for Super Girls idols.

Who are the people in the picture supporting? Here is a letter by one Super Girls idol. She write the letters to her fans to show her appreciation. Can you imagine what she might have said in the letter.

Thank you for your support and concern for me. It is you who make me more determined. Now I am not fighting alone. Behind the scene are my “Vitamin” fans as well as people in my hometown Sichuan. Although there is greater pressure and heavier responsibility over my shoulders, believe me, I will carry on the glory of the Super Girls contestants of Chengdu with my songs and talents. Sincere thanks go to my “Vitamin” fans for your unceasing support which has encouraged me to go so far. You are my dearest!

Never give up dreaming! Never give up singing! Happiness is everything!

Britain's Got Talent (sometimes shortened to BGT or generically Got Talent) is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007. Anyone of age with some sort of talent to audition for the show can audition. Acts will compete against each other in order to gain the audience support while trying to win the title of "The winner of Britain's Got Talent". It is known as one of Britain's biggest television talent competitions and has also proven popular throughout Europe.

迈克尔 · 杰克逊（ Michael Jackson ， 1958.8.29 －2009.6.25 ）全名迈克尔 · 约瑟夫 · 杰克逊，简称 MJ 。是一名在世界各地极具影响力的歌手、作曲家、作词家、舞蹈家、演员、导演、唱片制作人、慈善家、时尚引领者，被誉为流行音乐之王，他魔幻般的舞步更是被无数明星效仿。

格莱美音乐大奖（ GRAMMY AWARDS ）是美国国家录音与科学学会（ The National Academy of Recording Arts ＆ Science ）举行的一个年度大型音乐评奖活动。格莱美奖被誉为“音乐界奥斯卡”。

Reading Through

New Words

Structure &

Main Idea

Intensive Reading

release

chart

album

invincible

thrilling

programmer

rank

airwave

comeback

initially

studio

eccentric

regain

claim

peak

solo

performer

limelight

headline

audience

New Words

familiar

folk

embrace

Phrases &

Expressions

on the air

get off

win over

be familiar with

tend to

be crazy about

Proper Names

the King of Pop

Michael Jackson

Thriller

Invincible

Grammies

Epic Record

Dallas

Dave Morales

Washington D.C.

David Lawrence

Madison Square

Garden

You Rock My

World

Structure & Main Idea

Part : Para. 1~7Ⅰ Part Ⅱ: Para. 8~10

Main idea:

The long-awaited return of Michael Jackson with his new song is not so successful as expected.

Main idea:

According to experts, the song is potential to win a new generation with one thing alone: the music.

New words &Expressions

1. release v. 公开发行；放出，发放，释出 eg. 他们决定释放他出狱。- They decided to release the man from prison. Cf. release n. 发行；放出，发放，释出。 release from 从……放行，从……释放

2. invincible a. 不能征服的；不能克服的，不可战胜的 eg. The old man in the novel has an invincible will. 小说里的老人有着坚强的意志。 vincible adj. 容易征服的 , 易于克服的 前缀“ im-,in-,il-” 表示否定“ not”. Cf. impossible, invaluable, illegal ...

3. thrilling a. 令人激动的，令人震颤的；情节紧张的

Cf. thriller n. 情节扣人心弦的电影、戏剧或小说 thrill v.&n. 震颤，激动

eg. 她的表演扣人心弦。 - She gave a thrilling performance.

4. initially ad. 最初，首先e.g. - How did you select them initially? 你最初如何选择他们 ?

起初她反对这计划，但后来她改变了主意。 - Initially, she opposed the plan, but later she changed her mind.

5. regain v. 取回，领回；收回，收复e.g. - He regained his health after the operation. 手术后他恢复了健康。Cf. regain freedom 获得自由 gain v. 获得，赢得

6. peak v. 达到最大值，达到高峰 e.g. - Sales tend to peak just before the holidays. 节日前销售量趋于最高潮。 Cf. peak n. 顶点，顶峰 peak hour 高峰时刻

7. limelight n. 公众注意中心eg.政治领袖必须习惯于成为人们注意的焦点。

-Leading politicians must get used to the limelight.

Cf. in the limelight 引人注目

be fond of the limelight 爱出风头

8. on the air 被广播；在广播（或电视）中e.g. - The program will be going on the air in 5 minutes. 该节目

将在五分钟后播送。Cf. in the air 在空中；悬而未决的 put on airs 摆架子

9. get off 出发，起跑；起飞，（使）离去 e.g. 他一大早就打发孩子去上学。

- He got the child off to school early in the morning.

e.g. 我们现在得走了。- We must be getting off now.

10. win over n. 战胜，争取过来；说服 e.g. 她用可靠的证据战胜他。

- She won him over with her sound argument.

Cf. win sb. to do sth. 说服某人做某事

unfamiliar a. 不熟悉的，不常见的 be familiar with 熟悉 be familiar to 为……所熟知

8. familiar a. 熟悉的，熟知的；常见的

11. be crazy about …… …… 对 着迷的；对 疯狂的

e.g. 我对流行音乐很着迷。

- I am crazy about pop music.

她为他神魂颠倒。

- She is crazy about him.

However, Jackson’s long-awaited return to the pop world with the

release of a new song from his album Invincible has not been as

“thrilling” as expected, according to station programmers.

译文：人们经过很久的期盼之后，杰克逊重返流行歌坛。他发行了一首新歌，来自专辑《不可战胜》。然而，据电台节目人说，他并没有带来人们所期待的那种“ 震颤”。解释： Jackson’s long-awaited return to ... Invincible 是本句的主语，其中心词是 return。 with the release of a new song from his album Invincible 是介词短语，作定语，修饰名词 return。 as expected 是个省略结构，完整结构是： as it is expected 。

Difficult Sentences

Invincible is the first disc of all-new studio material from Jackson in six years and how the album is received could determine whether the eccentric singer can regain his claim to the title “the King of Pop”.

译文：：《不可战胜》是杰克逊六年来首张来自录音棚的全新专辑，此专辑的受欢迎程度将决定这位怪异歌手是否能重新获得“ 流行歌曲之王” 的称号。解释：本句包含两个由 and 连接的并列分句，前面一个并列分句是一个简单句，后面一个并列分句是一个复合句，其中， how the album is received 是主语从句， determine后面是由 whether 引导的宾语从句。

Lawrence predicts the song’s popularity will peak

after a show at Madison Square Garden, celebrating

Jackson’s 30 years as a solo performer.

译文：：劳伦斯预言，在麦迪逊广场花园举行的纪念杰克逊从事独唱生涯 30 周年的表演活动之后，这首歌将达到流行高峰。解释： celebrating Jackson’s 30 years as a solo performer 是一个现在分词短语，作定语，修饰前面的名词show。

Teens tend not to be crazy about a guy their folks

listened to, even if he is one of the biggest stars in the

history of Top 40 radio stations in the US.

译文：年轻人对同伴喜欢过的歌手不一定会着迷，即使他是美国顶尖的四十家电台历史上最大牌的明星之一。解释： their folks listened to 是定语从句，修饰 a guy。此处的 guy指的是这个歌手，也可引申出他所演唱的歌曲。

Using the Words1. Complete each of the following sentences with the correct form of the italicized word on the left of each sentence.

1. performer She was fired for not __________ the duties outlined in her contract.

2. music Ellen is one of our most talented young __________.

3. excitement The _______ children forgot to take the

presents to the party.4. initially The ________ plan was later changed.5. prepare You can’t pass an exam without

___________.

performing

initial

excited

preparation

musicians

Using the Words1. Complete each of the following sentences with the correct form of the italicized word on the left of each sentence.

6. depend Doctors keep trying to break her ___________ of the drug.

7. industry Many European countries are developed _________ nations.

8. young He showed little interest in music as a _______ , but now he is very

interested.9. determine He worked with great _____________;

he would win!10. potentially I think this song is a ________ hit.

dependence

determinationyouth

potential

industrial

Using the Words2. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the form where necessary.

celebrate turn headline regain embracerank peak expect predict release1. They warmly _________ each other when they met again.2. Simon had a party last night ___________ his 18th birthday.3. The editor suggested that this piece of news __________________.4. When I got to my uncle’s house, the bird ________________ from the cage.5. The patient hoped ________ his health as soon as possible.6. They estimated that the flood waters __________ the following

day.7. Most parents _______ much of their children.8. Scientists ________ that there will be an earthquake next week.9. After winning the tournament, she was ________ third in the

world.10. Maple leaves ________ red in autumn.

embracedcelebrating

(should) be headlinedhad been released

to regainwould peak

expectpredict

rankedturn

Learning the Expressions1. Complete each of the following sentences with one suitable word from the text.

1. This is the coldest winter on ________.2. The little girl is ________ about swimming now.3. I tried to ________ my mother over to my plan.4. Catalogues of our books will be sent on ________.5. They are sure the new song is going to make a ________.6. I’ll phone you as soon as I’ve ________ the children off to school.7. Higher interest rates will drive small firms out of________.8. He ________ to be cross when he was tired.9. He was really in the ________ after the trial.10. If the wallet belongs to you, why don’t you lay ________ to it?

recordcrazy

winrequest

hitgot

businesstended

limelightclaim

Learning the Expressions2. Fill in each of the blanks in the following sentences with a suitable preposition or adverb.

1. The news about the minister’s death was soon put ___ the air.2. He swims fast, and I swim just ___ fast as he.3. My brother went into the room and returned _____ a picture.4. Can good ever come ____ of evil?5. The old man makes a living ____ teaching.6. His knife is ____ cutting bread.7. Lily is only one ________ many who need help.8. The man will be punished according ____ the seriousness of his crime.9. The pupils are discussing the problem _____ their teacher.10. The driver is very familiar _____ this type of car.

on

outby

withas

with

towith

among/offor

Practicing the Sentence PatternsRewrite the following sentences after the models.

Model 1: Do you remember? When was Michael Jackson truly the King of Pop?→ Remember when Michael Jackson was truly the King of Pop?

1. Did you forget? What does she want on her 19th birthday?

Forgot what she wants on her 19th birthday?

2. Do you remember? Where did Oliver Schwarz spend his holiday?

Remember where Oliver Schwarz spent his holiday?

3. Do you know? How did they get there?

Know how they got there?

Practicing the Sentence PatternsRewrite the following sentences after the models.

Model 2: How is the album received? That could determine whether the eccentric singer can regain his claim to the title “the King of Pop”.→ How the album is received could determine whether the eccentric singer can regain his claim to the title“ the King of Pop”.

4. Why was he absent from English class? That was not clear to anyone.

Why he was absent from English class was not clear to anyone.

5. Where did Anderson buy the book? It is none of your business.

Where Anderson bought the book is none of your business.

6. When will they start the project? It depends on the amount of money they can raise.

When they will start the project depends on the amount of money they can raise.

Filling in the Missing Words.Read the passage and then choose a suitable word from the brackets to fill in each blank.

The “Twelve Girls’ Band” is made ________ (with, up) of twelve classically trained female ________ (musicians, music). And they’re bringing ________ (traditional, traditionally) Chinese music to a new audience, not just in China. The band mixes traditional Chinese music with pop, rock and jazz, and ________ (using, uses) only Chinese traditional instruments including the Erhu, Pipa, and Chinese Zithers and Flutes. The group’s real ________ (succeed, success) came in 2002, when they finally stepped onto the stage of Beijing’s Century Theatre for a rousing ________ (perform, performance). This unique band has been gaining ________ (less and less, more and more) attention since then. The success of their Century Theater show made the girls ________ (realizing, realize) that traditional music could be as ________ (popularity, popular) as pop music. The girls got busy ________ (producing, to produce) music videos.

√√

√

√

√√

√√

√

√

Translation

1. Many tourists claimed that they had seen the UFO in the sky at that day.

2. The news about the attack on the Hong Kong tourists will be on the air tonight.

3. The candidate knows that the key to the success in the general election is to win over the support of female voters.

4. The fans were crazy about the rock and roll of Michael Jackson at one time.

5. 作为上海的一位名人，他还是避免引人注意。6. 为了赶上去旧金山的第一班火车，我们必须明

天一早就动身。7. 男性比女性更容易变得激动。8. 她刚刚搬到这个社区，对邻居们还不太熟悉。

Merry Learning

Thriller

Michael Jackson

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the

darkUnder the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your

heartYou try to scream but terror takes the sound before you

make itYou start to freeze as horror looks you right between the

eyes,You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strikeYou know it's thriller, thriller

nightYou're fighting for your life

inside a killer, thriller tonight

Merry LearningNight creatures call

And the dead start to walk in their masquerade

There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time

(they're open wide)This is the end of your life

They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every sideThey will possess you unless you change the number on your dialNow is the time for you and I to

cuddle close togetherAll thru the night I'll save you

from the terrors on the screen,I'll make you see

You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to

runYou feel the cold hand and

wonder if you'll ever see the sunYou close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination

But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up behind

You're out of time

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night

There ain't no second chance against the thing with forty eyes

You know it's thriller, thriller night

You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight

Merry Learning

(Rap performed by Vincent Price)Darkness falls across the land

The midnite hour is close at handCreatures crawl in search of bloodTo terrorize y'awl's neighborhood

And whosoever shall be foundWithout the soul for getting down

Must stand and face the hounds of hellAnd rot inside a corpse's shellThe foulest stench is in the air

The funk of forty thousand yearsAnd grizzly ghouls from every tomb

Are closing in to seal your doomAnd though you fight to stay alive

Your body starts to shiverFor no mere mortal can resist

The evil of the thriller(Into maniacal laugh, in deep echo)