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Unit 4 Brain ManAlmost 25 years ago, 60 Minutes introduced viewers to George Finn, whose talent was immortalized in the movie "Rain Man." George has a condition known as savant syndrome, a mysterious disorder of the brain where someone has a spectacular skill, even genius, in a mind that is otherwise extremely limited.Morley Safer met another savant, Daniel Tammet, who is called "Brain Man" in Britain. But unlike most savants, he has no obvious mental disability, and most important to scientists, he can describe his own thought process. He may very well be a scientific Rosetta stone, a key to understanding the brain.________________________________________Back in 1983, George Finn, blessed or obsessed with calendar calculation, could give you the day if you gave him the date."What day of the week was August 13th, 1911?" Safer quizzed Finn."A Sunday," Finn replied."What day of the week was May 20th, 1921?" Safer asked."Friday," Finn answered.George Finn is a savant. In more politically incorrect times he would have been called an "idiot savant" - a mentally handicapped or autistic person whose brain somehow possesses an island of brilliance.Asked if he knew how he does it, Finn told Safer, "I don't know, but it's just that, that's fantastic I can do that."If this all seems familiar, there?s a reason: five years after the 60 Minutes broadcast, Dustin Hoffman immortalized savants like George in the movie "Rain Man."Which brings us to that other savant we mentioned: Daniel Tammet. He is an Englishman, who is a 27-year-old math and memory wizard."I was born November 8th, 1931," Safer remarks."Uh-huh. That's a prime number. 1931. And you were born on a Sunday. And this year, your birthday will be on a Wednesday. And you'll be 75," Tammet tells Safer.It is estimated there are only 50 true savants living in the world today, and yet none are like Daniel. He is articulate, self-sufficient, blessed with all of the spectacular ability of a savant, but with very littleof the disability. Take his math skill, for example.Asked to multiply 31 by 31 by 31 by 31, Tammet quickly - and accurately - responded with "923,521."And it?s not just calculating. His gift of memory is stunning. Briefly show him a long numerical sequence and he?ll recite it right back to you. And he can do it backwards, to boot.That feat is just a warm-up for Daniel Tammet. He first made headlines at Oxford, when he publicly recited the endless sequence of numbers embodied by the Greek letter "Pi." Pi, the numbers we use to calculate the dimensions of a circle, are usually rounded off to 3.14. But its numbers actually go on to infinity.Daniel studied the sequence - a thousand numbers to a page."And I would sit and I would gorge on them. And I would just absorb hundreds and hundreds at a time," he tells Safer.It took him several weeks to prepare and then Daniel headed to Oxford, where with number crunchers checking every digit, he opened the floodgates of his extraordinary memory.Tammet says he was able to recite, in a proper order, 22,514 numbers. It took him over five hours and he did it without a single mistake.Scientists say a memory feat like this is truly extraordinary. Dr. V.S. Ramachandran and his team at the California Center for Brain Study tested Daniel extensively after his Pi achievement.What did he make of him?"I was surprised at how articulate and intelligent he was, and was able to interact socially and introspect on his own-abilities," says Dr. Ramachandran.And while that introspection is extremely rare among savants, Daniel?s ability to describe how his mind works could be invaluable to scientists studying the brain, our least understood organ."Even how you and I do 17 minus nine is a big mystery. You know, how are these little wisps of jelly in your brain doing that computation? We don't know that," Dr. Ramachandran explains.It may seem to defy logic, but Ramachandran believes that asavant?s genius could actually result from brain injury. "One possibility is that many other parts of the brain are functioning abnormally or sub-normally. And this allows the patient to allocate all his attentional resources to the one remaining part," he explains. "And there's a lot of clinical evidence for this. Some patients have a stroke and suddenly, their artistic skills improve."That theory fits well with Daniel. At the age of four, he suffered a massive epileptic seizure. He believes that seizure contributed to his condition. Numbers were no longer simply numbers and he had developed a rare crossing of the senses known as synesthesia."I see numbers in my head as colors and shapes and textures. So when I see a long sequence, the sequence forms landscapes in my mind," Tammet explains. "Every number up to 10,000, I can visualize in this way, has it's own color, has it's own shape, has it's own texture."For example, when Daniel says he sees Pi, he does those instant computations, he is not calculating, but says the answer simply appears to him as a landscape of colorful shapes."The shapes aren't static. They're full of color. They're full of texture. In a sense, they're full of life," he says.Asked if they?re beautiful, Tammet says, "Not all of them. Some of them are ugly. 289 is an ugly number. I don't like it very much. Whereas 333, for example, is beautiful to me. It's round. It's?.""Chubby," Safer remarks.'It's-yes. It's chubby,' Tammet agrees.Yet even with the development of these extraordinary abilities as a child, nobody sensed that Daniel was a prodigy, including his mother, Jennifer. But he was different."He was constantly counting things," Jennifer remembers. "I think, what first attracted him to books, was the actual numbers on each page. And he just loved counting."Asked if she thinks there?s a connection between his epilepsy and his rare talent, she tells Safer, "He was always different from-when he was really a few weeks old, I noticed he was different. So I'm not sure that it's entirely that, but I think it might have escalated it."Daniel was also diagnosed with Asperger?s Syndrome-a mild form of autism. It made for a painful childhood."I would flap my hands sometimes when I was excited, or pull at my fingers, and pull at my lips," Tammet remembers. "And of course, the children saw these things and would repeat them back to me, and tease me about them. And I would put my fingers in my ears and count very quickly in powers of two. Two, four, eight, 16, 32, 64.""Numbers were my friends. And they never changed. So, they were reliable. I could trust them," he says.And yet, Daniel did not retreat fully into that mysterious prison of autism, as many savants do. He believes his large family may have actually forced him to adapt."Because my parents, having nine children, had so much to do, so much to cope with, I realized I had to do for myself," he says.He now runs his own online educational business. He and his partner Neil try to keep a low profile, despite his growing fame.Yet the limits of his autism are always there. "I find it difficult to walk in the street sometimes if there are lots of people around me. If there's lots of noise, I put my fingers in my ears to block it out,' he says.That anxiety keeps him close to home. He can?t drive, rarely goes shopping, and finds the beach a difficult place because of his compulsion to count the grains of sand. And it manifests itself in other ways, like making a very precise measurement of his cereal each morning: it must be exactly 45 grams of porridge, no more, no less.Daniel was recently profiled in a British documentary called ?Brainman.? The producers posed a challenge that he could not pass up: Learn a foreign language in a week - and not just any foreign language, but Icelandic, considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.In Iceland, he studied and practiced with a tutor. When the moment of truth came and he appeared on TV live with a host, the host said, "I was amazed. He was responding to our questions. He did understand them very well and I thought that his grammar was very good. We are very proud of our language and that someone is able to speak it after only one week, that?s just great.""Do you think that Daniel, in a certain way, represents a real pathway to further understanding the brain?" Safer asks Dr. Ramachandran."I think one could say that time and again in science, something that looks like a curiosity initially often leads to a completely new direction of research," Ramachandran replies. "Sometimes, they provide the golden key. Doesn't always happen. Sometimes it's just mumbo-jumbo. But that may well be true with savants."Daniel continues to volunteer for scientists who want to understand his amazing brain. But he is reluctant to become what he calls ?a performing seal? and has refused most offers to cash in on his remarkable skills."People all the time asking me to choose numbers for the lottery. Or to invent a time machine. Or to come up with some great discovery," he explains. "But my abilities are not those that mean that I can do at everything."But he has written a book about his experiences, entitled "Born on a Blue Day."He also does motivational speeches for parents of autistic children-yet one more gift of his remarkable brain.But at the end of the day-genius or not-that brain does work a littledifferently."One hour after we leave today, and I will not remember what you look like. And I will find it difficult to recognize you, if I see you again. I will remember your handkerchief. And I will remember you have four buttons on your sleeve. And I'll remember the type of tie you're wearing. It's the details that I remember," Tammet tells Safer.And it?s the details that make us all so different. One man may see numbers as a tedious necessity of modern life, another sees them as the essence of life."Pi is one of the most beautiful things in all the world and if I can share that joy in numbers, if I can share that in some small measure with the world through my writing and through my speaking, then I feel that I will have done something useful," he says.。
Unit 4 CreativityPart I Listening 1In China, education is considered a race. Students have to begin as early as possible and have to proceed as quickly as possible around the track. Success is measured by how many students cross the finish line in the short time .In America, we recognize the race too, but we feel that the students have a chance to explore things for themselves, even if not all of them reach the finish line. As a result of their exploring, some of the participants may have more to offer by the end of the race.The advantage of the Chinese way is that more students become proficient and reach the finish line. The disadvantage is that they may have less to say or to show once they get there. The disadvantage of the American way is that some students never finish the race. The advantage, however, is that some who do go "all the way" have very interesting and original things to say when they get there.1. F T T T F F2.1) race 2) race 3 ) proceed 4) explore things for themselves 5)proficient 6)interesting 7) original 8) less 9) finish the race Listening IIOnce Wealth and Poverty approached a merchant and introduced themselves as Goddesses. The merchant greeted both of them and said, "May I ask why you have come to my humble home?" The Goddess of Wealth said, "We want you to judge between us who is the most beautiful."The merchant did not know what to say. He knew he was between the devil and the deep blue sea. If he said that Wealth was more beautiful than Poverty, Poverty would curse him. If he said that Poverty was more beautiful than Wealth, Wealth would abandon him. However, he became calm and said, "I have great respect for you both. Would you please do what I ask of you? It is the only way I can judge properly." The Goddesses agreed. He said, "Mother Wealth, would you please walk towards my house? Mother Poverty, Would you please walk away from my house? This way I can see you both better, from near and far." The two Goddesses did what the merchant had asked them to do. Then the merchant confidently declared, "Mother Wealth! You appear most beautiful when you are nearest my house. Mother Poverty! You look most beautiful when you are farthest from my house." The Goddesses appreciated the wit and wisdom of the merchant. The Goddess of Wealth happily stayed in his house while the Goddess of Poverty cheerfully departed.Whenever we have a serious problem, if we look within and think calmly, a solution will come in answer to the problem.1. F T F F F2. 1. Why did the two Goddesses go to the merchant’s place? C2. What would happen if the merchant declared the Goddess of Wealth to be morebeautiful than the Goddess of the Poverty? B3. What did the merchant ask the Goddesses to do? D4. What was the reaction of the Goddesses? A5. What does the story tell us? CListening IIIThere is an old and common saying in the United States that "There is nothing new under the sun." I thought of that today when I read an article in a magazine. The article tells about the growing number of people who are building earth-sheltered houses, which are partly underground. I had known about modern earth-sheltered houses, but I had never thought about their roofs before. Instead of having metal or tiles on the roofs, many of these houses now have living roofs. The wooden top of the house is covered with a special waterproof plastic material. On top of this there is soil, in which grass and flowers are planted. Such a roof can be very beautiful. But this really is not a new idea. When the early settlers came to the United States, they often made their houses by digging into the ground. Their roofs were made of wood, and covered by large areas of soil with grass or turf. They were warm, though not always waterproof. People replaced these houses and roofs as soon as they could live in regular wooden homes with wooden or metal roofs. Now, 200 years later, some people think of this as a new idea. But I think, "There is nothing new under the sun."1. 1) partly underground 2) living 3 ) digging into the ground 4) grass waterproofQuestions:1. What does the speaker mean by saying "There is nothing new under the sun"?2. What makes the speaker think of "earth-sheltered houses"?3. What is a living roof?4. How many years ago did the early settlers first build earth-sheltered homes?5. Why did People replace these earth-sheltered houses with regular wooden ones? 2. C D A B DListening IVMan: It is said that the first sandwich was made in 1762 by the Earl ofSandwich. He didn't want to take time away from his card games to eat, sohe ordered his butler to make sandwiches instead.Woman: Is that so? Hey, look at this. The first beauty contest was held in Belgium in 1888. Why in Belgium of all places?Man: Why not? Oh, here's one I bet you're proud of. The electric chair was used for the first time in 1890 in the United States. Yes, you're first to diagnoseAIDS, too. The first recorded case was in New York.Woman: Plus and minus signs were used in 1514 in Holland. Yeah, there was no way we could have guessed that one. And the equals sign, you'll bepleased to hear, was first used in Oxford , in 1557. You'd have thoughtthey'd all have been invented at the same time.Man: Well, we both got these right .coffee was in Arabia around 1,000 AD, and just before that, playing cards were invented in China.Woman: Well, I got this one right. First diagram of a flying machine, was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci, as I said, in 1492.Man: Yeah, but the first air flight wasn't made until 1903, and it was in the United States.Woman: But that wasn't the question, was it? Also, England was also the first to transmit television.Man: Garbage! It was the Italians.Woman: No, it says here, the first TV transmission was in London, 1925. And here we are again, the first traffic lights were in London, in 1868.Man: But they didn't even have cars then, so why would they have needed traffic lights?1．D A A F C E A B B2．1)1762 2)1888/Belgium 3)1890/the United States 4)New York5)1514/Holland 1557 6) 1903 7) 1868Part 4 Listening 1Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He's got two large bags over his shoulders. The guard stops him and says, "What's in the bags?""Sand," answered Juan.The guard says, "We'll just see about that. Get off the bike." The guard takes the two bags and rips them apart; he empties them out and finds nothing in them but sand. He detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags.The guard releases Juan, puts the sand into new bags, hefts them onto the man's shoulders and lets him cross the border.A week later, the same thing happens. The guard asks, "What have you got?" "Sand," says Juan.The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle.This sequence of events is repeated every week for three years. Finally, Juandoesn't show up one day and the guard meets him in a bar in Mexico."Hey, buddy," says the guard. "I know you are smuggling something. It's driving me crazy. It's all I think about. I can't sleep. Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?"Juan sips his beer and says, "Bicycles."1) border 2) rips 3) overnight 4) analyzed 5) release 6) cross 7) weekly 8 ) thorough 9) show up 10) bicyclesListening IIPottery has been found in the remains of every ancient civilization. The oldest known piece of pottery was found in China and dates back to 7,900 BC. That's almost 10,000 years ago!The first pots were large bowls, formed by taking a lump of clay and making a bowl shape. Pottery doesn't just include pots, but anything made from clay that can hold things, such as jugs, vases and cups. Pottery was used to hold water, milk, seeds and grains.Later, people learned to mix different clays together to make stronger pottery and to put the pottery in a fire oven so that the clay would harden faster. The potter's wheel was invented in China around 3,100 BC. The wheel spins clay like a top. It allows people to make pottery much more quickly and make shapes that were perfectly symmetrical—bowls that were really round, rather than lumpy or uneven. Pottery is not only considered one of the first inventions but also one of the first art forms. Most types of pottery have been painted with figures or designs; some even tell a story!1. B A C2. 1.The oldest known piece of pottery was found in china and dates back to 7900BC(and was made almost 10,000 years ago).2. It was used for holding water ,milk ,seeds, and grains.3. To make stronger pottery and to make the clay harden faster.4. It allowed people to make pottery much more quickly and to make symmetricalshapes.5. Because most types of pottery have been painted with figures or designs; someeven tell a story.Listening III(Students are in a classroom waiting for the teacher to arrive. Two are talking.) Cathy: I've enjoyed talking about creativity in our English class. I wish I had been encouraged more when I was in elementary school.Michael: I know what you mean. I always liked drawing, but my teachers and parents insisted I was just wasting my time with it. My father said Ishould work on mathematics.Cathy: Maybe you still will still use your artistic talent some day.Michael: Oh, I don't know. After all, I'm in university now. Perhaps I'm too old to be creative.Cathy: I don't think so. I read an interesting article about a lady who wanted to be an artist but the whole family wanted her to work in their candybusiness.Michael: What happened?Cathy: Well, Jean, the lady, knew painting was what she wanted to do , not making candy. After graduating from college she tried various jobs tosupport herself, though none of her jobs was in the candy business.And she kept painting in her spare time.Michael: Then what?Cathy: About 20 years ago a worker in the family candy business quitaround Valentine's Day, one of their busiest seasons. Her fatherneeded Jean to come to help with the business.Michael: Did she?Cathy: Yes, although she didn't like it.Michael: So, how did she cope?Cathy: She got an idea of putting art and candy together.Michael: How?Cathy: First she experimented with making an edible paint. She found that powdered food coloring mixed with vodka would work.Michael: That's quite a combination.Cathy: Then, for her "canvas", she melted white chocolate and molded it flat.She even learned how to make chocolate frames.Michael: What kind of art did she create?Cathy: She copied the works of famous painters. She displayed her candy art in the candy shop and customers would come in just to look at the art.Michael: What did her family think then?Cathy: They didn't take her seriously until the Toledo Museum of Art heard about her works and paid her to paint 77 reproductions of works intheir collection. That was her first big job. Now she works full-timeon her candy creations.Michael: Does she do anything besides copying art masterpieces?Cathy: Yes, she's done some portraits. However, people love herreproductions.Michael: What are the prices for her candy art creations?Cathy: From $150 to $200 each.Michael: Well, her creativity has brought her success.1.What did the male speaker like to do ? B2.How did jean make a living right after graduating from college? B3.Why did she begin to help with the family business ? C4.How did she paint ? A5.In what way was she successful? AListening IVFor over 30 years, "Sesame Street" has been the most popular TV program for young children in the United States. The characters on this show are mainly puppets, and probably the most loved of the puppets is a gigantic yellow bird called "Big Bird".Caroll Spinney has played Big Bird all the years of Big Bird's existence on American television. Spinney's love of puppets and his own creativity led him to this career. When he was five years old, he saw his first puppet show. He loved the show and never forgot it. When he was seven he bought a used monkey puppet for five cents. His mother had made him a stuffed snake from green material, so he got the idea of making his own puppet show. He made a stage from wooden orange boxes and his mother's old curtains. He charged 2 cents for admission and earned 32 cents for his first performance.Spinney's family liked his creativity and encouraged him to do more . For Christmas when he was nine, his older brother made him a better puppet theater and his mother secretly sewed eight colorful puppets for him. Spinney later wrote, "The more I gave shows, the more I felt the power that one has when performing. All these people would sit in a room and listen to everything I said. I did all the character voices: little girl voices, an old lady voice, and a ghost voice. The audience listened and clapped at the end, and also paid me to do it. What could be a better way to make a living than to perform? I knew that I would wind up in the world of entertainment."Spinney continued giving puppet shows. When he decided to go to art school, puppet shows helped him pay for his tuition. Even when he was in the army, he managed to continue giving puppet shows. He knew he wanted to do this as his life's work and that he wanted his audience to be children. When he was given the opportunity to create the character of Big Bird on "Sesame Street", he accepted it and over the years has made Big Bird one of the most beloved characters on American television.T T T F F T T T F F。
Unit 4 Outside View Activity 1Activity 3Listening inNews ReportActivity 1ScriptMany universities in the US are offering an Adopt-a-Grandparent programme. Through this programme, student volunteers are given the opportunity to adopt a senior adult living in a local nursing home as a “grandparent”. Each week students have the chance to spend time with their adopted grandparents talking, sharing stories and participating in a planned activity. In addition to regular visits, students are encouraged to write letters and send presents to their adopted grandparents. The elderly are also encouraged to do the same.This programme provides senior adults with a sense of purpose and belonging. Not everyone who lives in a nursing home gets visitors or enough visitors, or has grandchildren of their own. Students commit to spending one hour a week with their adopted grandparents, but some end up visiting for three or four hours a week. They do it because they like spending time with the elderly. There is no credit offered. The programme helps students develop a sense of social responsibility and community awareness. Moreimportantly, both students and the elderly learn from each other and form a family bond.1. What do we learn about the Adopt-a-Grandparent programme from the news report?2. How does the programme benefit the elderly?Activity 2ScriptA growing number of South Korean fathers are choosing to take a break from their careers to help bring up their children. Until recently, this is still regarded unthinkable as childcare has always been considered women’s responsibility in the male-dominated society of South Korea.South Korean women have long believed that employers give them a lower salary and don’t give them promotion because they’re likely to take time off to have children. They are also reluctant to be stay-at-home moms, having sole responsibility for all household duties. These concerns among women have contributed to a record low birth rate.President Park Geun-hye has announced a multi-billion plan to help couples to have larger families. Fathers who take paternity leave will receive a government aid equivalent to 40 per cent of their monthly income, capped at 1.0 million won. According to the plan, men and women are entitled to up to one year’s —paternity or maternity leave.1. What is considered unthinkable in South Korea?2. Why is there a low birth rate in South Korea?Passage 1Activity 1ScriptHost: There’s a question that’s been argued about for a long time. Which is more important, your family environment or your genes? Well, a story has come up in the news about identical twins, separated at birth. They’ve just been reunited. And guess what? There are some amazing coincidences in their life stories.Here’s the story –two American girls called Tamara and Adriana were separated at birth and adopted by two different sets of parents. And this is where the coincidences begin. Both families ended up living 25 miles apart. Both girls decided to study psychology at universities that are only a mile apart from each other. Isn’t that strange?And this girl, who’s a friend of both of them, insists they meet. Just before they meet, Adriana’s mother tells her that she has a twin sister. Can you imagine how that must feel when you’re 20 years old to learn you have a twin? And when the girls meet, it’s like looking in a mirror –they’re identical!Now get this! Both Tamara and Adriana’s adoptive fathers died when the girls were children. Both girls fell through glass doors at the age of five –that’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Their boyfriends look alike and have similarnames –Alex and Adam. And this is the best part –both of them have the same recurring dream. Isn’t that incredible –they have the same dream! I think it’s an amazing story. So, for all those of you out there who have comments, and I’m sure you do, the lines are open. OK, we’ve got Josh on the line. Hi Josh!Josh: Hi.Host: So, what do you make of this story?Josh: It’s a great story but it doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m an identical twin. Host: You are?Josh: Yeah, my brother’s called Toby, and we’re 22, and we’re going out with two sisters ... and we’re having a double wedding next June.Host: Congratulations! So, what do you think? Is it our genes that decide who we are? These kind of stories seem to suggest it.Josh: Well, I’m not a scientist, but I think so.Host: Research tells us that it’s about fifty-fifty.Josh: I, I disagree.Host: Thanks Josh. OK, our next caller is ...Activity 2Answer CDBCADCDPassage 2Activity 1ScriptVoice-over:Kidney transplants are of two kinds –transplants from dead people and living transplants, transplants from people who are alive. Mostly the donor, the person who gives the kidney, is a relative –a parent, brother or sister. We all recognize that it’s one of the most selfless things a person can do, to give a kidney to someone, but as the operation becomes safer and safer, more and more people are doing it. We talked to two sisters who have had the experience –Henrietta Longmore, a journalist aged 40, married with one son, and her sister, Teresa Parker, aged 38, married with two children. They come from a family with four children. Here’s their story.Teresa: Henrietta and I were close as children. She was the big sister and she was –just like a mother to us younger kids. Our parents were both doctors and our mum was very busy. We were close right through our teenage years. Then we shared a flat and had a lot of the same friends. It was great. Henrietta: Yes, we’ve always been close. I felt very protective of my brother and sisters because, like Teresa says, our parents were always so busy. But I also felt a bit jealous of Teresa –she was my dad’s favourite –but it didn’t affect our relationship.Teresa: Henrietta got kidney failure five years ago, but for several years she was fine and seemed quite healthy.Henrietta: Yes, I never thought of asking my family for a kidney. The hospital was brilliant and I really did feel fine, most of the time.Activity 2ScriptTeresa:But then a year ago she became very ill and almost died. I was terrified. I knew if she died, I’d blame myself. You know, why I hadn’t done more to help her. So I decided to find out more about giving her a kidney. Henrietta:Yes, I did almost die. It was awful. I, I was never going to ask Teresa for a kidney but I kind of knew that she would offer. To be honest, I felt I would have done the same.Teresa: Yes. At first I was a bit scared. But we went for a three-hour talk at the hospital and it was very reassuring. My whole family came. And they felt OK about it too, which was very important.Henrietta: People don’t know that you only need ten per cent of one kidney to be completely healthy, and kidney donors often live longer than other people.Teresa: Yes, you have to be very healthy to give a kidney. The hospital makes sure of that. Anyway, after the operation I got better very fast –probably because you know you’ve done something worthwhile and it does make you feel very good.Henrietta: I can’t describe how grateful I feel to Teresa. It’s such an amazing thing to do. What can I say? Her courage was, was extraordinary. She just didn’t seem afraid at all.Teresa: You do get a lot of praise for doing something like this. I’d like to do something that no one knows about.Answer CBACDABUnit TestSection AScript1.M: Something’s been bothering me lately. Do you mind if I get it off my chest?W: Not at all. What’s wrong?Q: What does the man mean when he says he wants to get something off his chest?2.W: How many siblings do you have?M: Five. There are six of us in all.W: Wow! That’s a lot. Your parents must have been busy.Q: Which of the following statements is true?3.M: Debbie, what are you writing? Is that your homework?W: Yes, dad. I need to write an essay about a pivotal moment in my life. M: Interesting. What did you choose?W: The day I got accepted to college, of course.Q: What is the topic of the girl’s essay?4.W: Hey, Greg, how is life as a new father?M: It’s wonderful, but I am so tired.W: I’ll bet. Is the baby keeping you up at night?M: She sleeps fine for a few hours, then suddenly wakes up and starts to scream her head off.Q: What does the man say his baby does at night?5.M: I can’t believe it. My dad just spent an hour giving me a lecture on good manners.W: Really? What did you do to prompt that?Q: How does the boy’s father feel about his son’s behavior?Answer ADABASection BScriptM: Hi, Dee! How was your weekend?W: Oh, it was fantastic. I was at the beach.M: You were? Were you just there for a holiday?W: We had our annual family reunion at the beach this year.M: What a good idea! I guess you had a good time.W: Absolutely. I got to see all my relatives. Some of them live far away, so it was nice to have everyone in one place.M: Does your family have any traditions for the reunion?W: Not really, we all just like to be together and talk. My grandfather usually gives a very eloquent speech, but that’s about it.M: Oh, that’s nice.W: I’ll tell you what, I’m thankful I don’t have any children.M: Why is that?W: My cousin has a new baby and it looks like so much trouble. She needs diapers and a stroller to go anywhere.M: I suppose you get used to that though.W: Maybe. Still I could definitely go without the crying and squabbling.Q6: Which of the following statements most accurately describes the woman?Q7: With whom did the woman go to an event?Q8: How often does the woman’s family reunion take place?Answer CABSection CScriptWhen I think back to the days of my childhood, I clearly remember that many books my parents had in our house. I was a very curious little boy, but I didn’t much care for school work. I was always looking for a distraction. My parents’books serve this purpose nicely. I certainly wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth and we often couldn’t afford to take vacations during the summer. Instead, my vacations were in my imagination with friends like Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy in the Land of Oz. Those books not only helped me travel to fantastic places but they also helped my young mind run a gamut of emotions as I journeyed with the characters. My parents often encouraged me to take a chance on a new book or author and I was rarely disappointed. To the contrary, I was usually left in total amazement. My parents’encouragement to read when I was a child developed into my significant love of reading today.Thanks mom and dad!Q9: Which of the following will be the best title for this passage?Q10: How did the speaker feel about his school work?Q11: With whom does the speaker claim that he liked to travel together? Answer BADSection DScriptThe Chinese government plans to end its one-child-per-family policy and instead let families have two children. The plan was announced Thursday after high-level political meetings in Beijing. The official Xinhua news agency says the country's top legislature must approve the proposal before it becomes law.The Chinese government has given a number of reasons for the change in policy. The statement said the change is meant to balance population development. It also said the move attempts to stop a declining birth rate and strengthen the country's work force. China, the world's most populous country, launched the one-child policy in 1980. But the government permitted only a small number of couples to have two children. For example, some rural families were given approval to have two children.In 2013, the Chinese government gave other couples a chance to have two children. Families could have two if one parent was an only child. At the end of 2014, China had a population of 1.37 billion people. A total of 800 million of them were employed. But that job market population is expected to drop by 2050. With the two-child policy, an increase in births will ease the labor shortage, starting in 20 years.Q12: What does this news report mainly talk about?Q13: When will the universal two-child policy be enacted?Q14: When will the labor shortage emerge?Answer ACD。
Unit 4 Today’s TrendsListeningAudio Track 2-4-1A: Graph A shows that many married women go out and work today.B: Yes, that’s true. Only 15 percent of them now stay at home.A: Graph D shows that only one-third of children aged 3 to 5 are taken care of at home. It’s unbelievable.B: It’s not uncommon. In today’s society, most mothers and fathers mare busy with work. They have no choice.Audio Track 2-4-2/Audio Track 2-4-3Interview 1Interviewer: So, tell us a little about yourselves.Dan: Well, I’m Dan Preston.Courtney: And I’m Courtney Preston. We live in Phoenix, Arizona.Interviewer: OK, great. Do you have any children? Courtney: Yes, we have a baby. He’s thirteen months old.Interviewer: How nice. … Courtney, you must be busy!Courtney: It’s not so bad. I’m a manager at a bank. Dan stays at home with the baby. Interviewer: Really?Dan: Yep. I’m a “househusband.” I take care of the kid while Courtney works.Interviewer: That’s unusual!Dan: Well, it’s a growing trend. There are more and more househusbands every year. Interviewer: How interesting!Interview 2Interviewer: Where are you from?Jamal: We live in Toronto, Canada.Interviewer: How big is your family?Jamal: Well, there are four of us. I’m Jamal, my wife is Tia, and we have two girls. Interviewer: Who takes care of them?Tia: We both do. We both stay at home with the girls.Interviewer: Well, who works then?Jamal & Tia: We both do!Interviewer: What do you mean? I don’t understand.Jamal: We’re both writers. We work at home during the day.Interviewer: Oh, I see.Tia: We’re always here when the girls come home from school at 2:30. Interviewer: That’s great.Audio Track 2-4-4/Audio Track 2-4-5Interviewer (Int): Hi. What’s your name?Gio: Gio.Int: Hi, Gio. Where are you from?Gio: Milan, Italy.Int: Welcome to New York, then!Gio: Thank you.Int: Where are your clothes from?Gio: My brother. I’m always borrowing clothes.Int: How would you describe your style?Gio: Casual, I guess. I’m not very innovative. I just wear the same thing all the time. Int.: Good evening. What’s your name?Vicki: Vicki.Int.: You look beautiful.Vicki: Thank you.Int: That dress is very stylish.Vicki: My mother gave it to me. It was tailormade!Int.: Wonderful. Where are you from, Vicki?Vicki: I’m from Hong K ong.Int.: How would you describe your personal sense of style?Vicki: Classic, I suppose. I like to dress up.Int: Hi, there.Elena: Hi!Int: Who are you?Elena: I’m Elena.Int: And where are you from?Elena: I’m from right here in New York.Int: A hometown girl. And your clothes are from …?Elena: A store in my neighborhood. There was a sale.Int.: Great! How would you describe your personal style?Elena: Retro. It’s fashionable now.Int: It looks old-fashioned … in a good way, of course.Audio Track 2-4-6/Audio Track 2-4-71.A: I’m new in town and I’d like to make some friends. What should I do?B: You ought to join a sports club.A: But I don’t like sports.B: You could look for friends on the Internet.2.A: I don’t know what to wear to the party to night. What should I wear?B: You could wear your new jeans or your black pants.A: It’s a formal dress party.B: Oh, then you shouldn’t wear pants after all. You definitely ought to wear a dress.3.A: I still don’t understand this grammar. What should I do?B: You had better get some help or you will fail the test. It’s on Thursday.A: Maybe I could take the test on Friday. That would give me extra time.B: Well, you had better not delay. There’s not much time!Audio Track 2-4-81. I’m a salesclerk in a woman’s clothing store. My boss is great, but she has a very strict dress code. We have to wear long skirts, black shoes, no jewelry, and on and on. It’s really boring, so I’m planning to dye my hair red. What do you think? — Lana2. I love my girlfriend, but she complains a lot about my clothes. She doesn’t want to go anywhere with me because I always wear old jeans and a T-shirt. I don’t care about looking like a fashion magazine. I just want to be comfortable! What’s your advice? — DaveAudio Track 2-4-91. I’m a salesclerk in a woman’s clothing store. My boss is great, but she has a very strict dress code. We have to wear long skirts, black shoes, no jewelry, and on and on. It’s really boring, so I’m planning to dye my hair red. What do you think? — Lana2. I love my girlfriend, but she complains a lot about my clothes. She doesn’t want to go anywhere with me because I always wear old jeans and a T-shirt. I don’t care about looking like a fashion magazine. I just want to be comfortable! What’s your ad vice? — DaveExpert’s opinion: I think you ought to have a serious talk with your girlfriend and explain how you feel. We all have our own style and taste. In my opinion, she thinks too much about appearances.Audio Track 2-4-10/Audio Track 2-4-11Today I started my new part-time job as a trendspotter. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Well, guess what? It was a lot of fun! I’m telling all my friends, “You should think about becoming a trendspotter, too!” On Saturday morning, we had to report to a recording studio by 10 a.m. The “Trends Coordinator,” Mandy, explained the schedule. Then she gave us a tour. That was really cool!Next we sat around a big table in a room. They gave each person three cards. One card said “Yes— All the way!” Another said, “It’s OK.” The third one said, “No way!” We listened to about 10 different songs. After each song we had to hold up a card. They played some hip hop, rock, heavy metal, and dance music. The heavy metal was “No way” for me!Do you know the rock group called “Gifted”? They’re really popular right now. Well, they have a new CD coming out. We saw six different CD covers. I guess they are trying to choose one. This time, we didn’t have any cards. Instead, we just talked about the covers we liked. Mandy asked us questions: “Which ones do you like?” “Why do you like them?” “Would you buy a CD with this cover?”We finished at 12:30. We will meet again next week at a boutique downtown. We will look at some new fashions. Each week we go to a different location. Oh yes, we also received a free CD for our work. This “job”doesn’t pay, but we get free stuff!Audio Track 2-4-121. All of the families live in big cities.2. None of the students study German.3. Some of the people don’t agree with me.Audio Track 2-4-131. Most of the young children are in day care.2. Some of their parents work two or three jobs.3. All of my friends grew up in the same town.4. None of my classmates like to study.Audio Track 2-4-14Moderator: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our debate. Mr. Taylor, please begin. Mr. Taylor: We have a big problem. Too many children are in day care centers. This is not good. Moderator: Ms. Marin, what do you think?Ms. Marin: I’m a mother and I work. In today’s society, most mother s and fathers are busy with work.Moderator: So, they don’t have a choice? They need day care?Ms. Marin: Exactly. And it’s very expensive.Moderator: What can we do about this situation?Mr. Taylor: We should encourage mothers and fathers to stay at home with their children.Ms. Marin: I don’t agree. I think we should offer cheaper day care.Audio Track 2-4-15Moderator: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this debate on whether it is better to rent or to own a home. Miss Ying, please begin.M iss Ying: As far as I’m concerned, owning a home is far better than renting one. Actually, I feel quite troubled by the idea of living in a rented apartment.Moderator: Can you further explain that point?Miss Ying: Of course. The sense of security I get from home ownership would not exist in a rented apartment.Moderator: Mr. Chen, what are your thoughts?Mr. Chen: Well, I think it’s better to rent a home than to own one. I just can’t afford to purchase a home, and I don’t know if that will ever change. At the moment, the cost of even a small city center apartment is out of most people’s reach.Miss Ying: I see your point, but I still think, it’s better to own a home than to rent one in the long run. Although buying a home is expensive, I think most people can apply for a mortgage or join with their families to invest in a home.Mr. Chen: Yes, that’s quite true, but I feel bothered by the idea of owing so much money. I think it’s better to save for a home rather than get a mortgage. I believe people should spend only the money that they have earned or saved.Moderator: Some excellent points. Thank you both for taking part in the debate.Video CourseVideo Track 2-4-1Yelena: In Ukraine people get married very early.Lourdes: In Colombia people usually marry in their late 20s.Paula: In Brazil people get married around 25. Usually husbands and wives both work.Calvin: I guess in a traditional family … traditional Korean family … you know, it is usually the males who work. There are a lot of parents who both have full-time jobs.Kumiko: In Japan, nowadays, people usually get married around 30. Husbands and wives both work until they have babies. And the wife stays at home with her children.Alejandra: Children in Argentina live with their parents until they get married. Usually both the husband and the wife work, but if they have children, then the wife stays at home to take care of the children.Video Track 2-4-2Kumiko: In Japan, nowadays, people usually get married around 30. Husbands and wives both work until they have babies. And the wife stays at home with her children.Alejandra: Children in Argentina live with their parents until they get married. Usually both the husband and the wife work, but if they have children, then the wife stays at home to take care of the children.Video Track 2-4-3Dave: I really admire my sister’s style because she’s very independent.Calum: One person whose fashion I admire is my friend Alex. He wears really nice clothes. Dayanne: I have a friend that always wears cowboy boots to go to work. I think that she should wear something more stylish.Dennis: The person I most admire is Robert Redford. I like the way he moves, the way he stands, the way he carries his clothes … his hair …Woo Sung: I’ve had this hair for a while and I think it’s definitely time for a change. I need a haircut.Dayanne: To improve my appearance, I should have a haircut and lose weight.Calum: I think I could improve my appearance by wearing contact lenses instead of glasses. Video Track 2-4-4Mike: I told you —I don’t like to go running.Roberto: You ought to get more exercise, Mike. It’s good for you. You know, I think there’s a definite trend. More and more people are starting to exercise.Mike: You’re just saying that because you think I should exercise more. The majority of the people I know don’t exercise.Roberto: Well, in my opinion, I really think more people are exercising nowadays.Mike: What makes you say that?Roberto: Well, when I came to New York five years ago, almost no one in my office exercised. Then, a few years ago, some people started going to the gym. And now, I just read in my office newsletter that 28 percent of the people in my office go to the gym three or more times a week. That’s almost one third of the employees.Mike: Just because some of the people in your office go to the gym, doesn’t make it a trend. Maybe 28 percent go, but that means that 72 percent don’t.Roberto: Not necessarily … there’s more ways to get exercise than going to the gym.Mike: Such as?Roberto: Some people walk to work … some people play golf … some people jog in the park . . . Mike: Yeah, that’s true …Roberto: Look around you. Don’t you see all the people exercising?Mike: Well, how many of them are enjoying it? None!Roberto: Oh come on, Mike. All of them are enjoying it.Mike: Not all of them …Roberto: Well, most of them …Mike: Maybe some of them … but not this one. I’m exhausted. I think we ought to go home. Roberto: Yes, I think we’d better. And we’d better get you something to drink, too.Mike: Hey, you know what?Roberto: What?Roberto: What?Mike: Yeah! You know, I read somewhere that 33 percent of all famous athletes recommend eating ice cream after a heavy workout.Roberto: Yeah, right.Mike: No, I’m serious. I read it in a magazine!Video Track 2-4-5Mike: I told you —I don’t like to go running.Roberto: You ought to get more exercise, Mike. It’s good for you. You know, I think there’s a definite trend. More and more people are starting to exercise.Mike: You’re just saying that because you think I should exercise more. The majority of the people I know don’t exercise.Roberto: Well, in my opinion, I really think more people are exercising nowadays.Mike: What makes you say that?Roberto: Well, when I came to New York five years ago, almost no one in my office exercised. Then, a few years ago, some people started going to the gym. And now, I just read in my office newsletter that 28 percent of the people in my office go to the gym three or more times a week. That’s almost one third of the employees.Video Track 2-4-6Mike: Just because some of the people in your office go to the gym, doesn’t make it a trend. Maybe 28 percent go, but that means that 72 percent don’t.Roberto: Not necessarily … there’s more ways to get exercise than going to the gym.Mike: Such as?Roberto: Some people walk to work … some people play golf … some people jog in the park …Mike: Yeah, that’s true …Roberto: Look around you. Don’t you see all the people exercising?Mike: Well, how many of them are enjoying it? None!Roberto: Oh come on, Mike. All of them are enjoying it.Mike: Not all of them …Roberto: Well, most of them …Mike: Maybe some of them … but not this one. I’m exhausted. I think we ought to go home.Rob erto: Yes, I think we’d better. And we’d better get you something to drink, too.Video Track 2-4-7Mike: Hey, you know what?Roberto: What?Roberto: What?Mike: Yeah! You know, I read somewhere that 33 percent of all famous athletes recommend eating ice cream after a heavy workout.Roberto: Yeah, right.Mike: No, I’m serious. I read it in a magazine!。
IV. Speaking OutMODEL 1 I’ve got to talk to Mrs. Parker.Susan: Parker Electronics Susan speaking. How may I help you?Mrs. Jones: This is William Jones of Sea-land Limited. I’m calling from Australia. Would you please transfer me to Helen Parker,extension513?Susan: Please hold, Mr. Jones. I’ll see if Mrs. Parker id available to take your call…I’m sorry, Mrs. Parker is out of the office.Cananyone else assist you?Mrs. Jones: No. I’ve got to talk to Mrs. Parker. It’s urgent. When will she be back?Susan: I’m afraid she is out for the whole day. May I take a message? Mrs. Jones: Tell her I must talk to her right away. Your last shipment was damaged.Susan: Oh, what a pity. Is there a particular time you want her to call you?Mrs. Jones:She can get in touch with me any time tomorrow at 613-2775-2940.Susan: Let me repeat that back: Mr. Jones of Sea-land, 613-2775-2940;call as soon as possible regarding the damaged cargo. Youcan be reached all day tomorrow.Mrs. Jones:The sooner the better. Those missing parts are holding up our production.Susan: I’ll give her the message, Mr. Jones. She’ll get back to you as soon as she can.Mrs. Jones: Thank you. Good-bye.MODEL2 Something unexpected has come up. ScriptBob: Hello.Susan: Hello, it’s Susan Smith from Parker Electronics.Bob: Hi, Sue, Bob here. How is it going? What’s on your mind day?Susan:I’m calling on behalf of my boss, Mrs. Helen Parker.She wants some of your in expensive late-model DVD player.Bob: We have a good selection that should be right up your alley. Do you suppose we could arrange a meeting?Susan:She was hoping to get together with you this week, if possible. She wants to get going on this right away.Bob: Let me check my schedule. Yes, I’m free as the breeze on Friday. Susan: Why not meet at about ten in the morning at your office?Bob: Sound good. Let’s confirm that. I’ll look forward to seeing her at ten on Friday.Susan:I’m sure it’ll be a rewarding meeting. Thank you. Good-bye. [Later]Bob: Hello, Bob Smith speaking.Susan: Hello, Bob, this is Susan. Something unexpected has come up. I’m afraid we have to cancel the meeting with you on Friday.Bob: That’s disappointing. Shall we meet some other time?Susan: She’d like to postpone the meeting until Monday afternoon. Would that be convenient for you?Bob: Well, I’ve got a full schedule on Monday, but I’d be free after five. Susan: Could we make it five thirty then?Bob: Five thirty’s perfect. I’ll see Helen at five thirty on Monday. Susan: Ok. Great! Thanks. Bye.MODEL3 It’s much more than just satisfactory.ScriptHelen:You know, Susan, I’ve been looking over the review of your performance in the past three moths.Susan: Is everything satisfactory?Helen:We should say it’s more than just satisfactory. According to the review given by your supervisors, you are doing excellent work during this internship.Susan: Thank you, Helen.Helen:Well, your attendance record is perfect, and you’re very diligent. And on top of all that, you went out of your way to bring in new customers.Susan: I enjoy working here, so I try to do my very best.Helen:Well, wonderful! Our company could use more hardworking employees like you. In fact, the board of directors is unanimous in deciding to offer you a job.Susan: I’m so glad to hear that. I’ll graduate in less than a month. By then I can devote more time to the company.I’ll work heart and soul to promote its business.Helen: And I also think you are ready to take on some new responsibilities. Susan:What do you mean, Helen?Helen:I’m promoting you to assistant marketing manager, but you might have to travel around the country at short notice. Is that OK with you? Susan: Of course. Thank you. I’m honored that you have so much confidence in me. Helen:Well, Susan, you did great work. Your promotion is effective immediately.Susan: Thank you. I look forward to the new challenge of the job.Task 1SAMPLE DIALOGJenny: Hell, Jenny of Mokia Mobile.Dick: Hello, this is Dick, your mobile phone battery supplier.Jenny: Hi, Dick. Glad to hear from you again. What’s on your mind? Dick: We’ve produced a new battery that is inexpensive, but powerful. It can last a long time.Jenny:We’ve already got a goof selection. What’s so special about your new product?Dick: Well, could you arrange for me to meet your boss Linda? Then I’ll go into details.Jenny: OK, when can you come?Dick: I was hoping to get together with Linda this week, if possible. I want to get going on this right away.Jenny: Let me check her timetable…Yes, she’s completely free Thursday Dick: Why not meet at about ten in the morning at your office?Jenny: Sound good. Let me say it again: We’ll look forward to seeing you at ten on Thursday.Dick: I’m sure it’ll be a rewarding meeting. Thank you. Good-bye.[Later]Jenny: Hello. Is Dick there, please?Dick: Hello. Dick speaking.Jenny:Hi, Dick, this is Jenny. Something unexpected has come up. I’m afraid we have to postpone the meeting with you on Thursday.Dick: That’s disappointing. When can we meet?Jenny: Linda has to put the meeting off until sometime on Friday. Will that suit you?Dick: I’m afraid I can’t go on Friday. I’ll be flying to another city on business.Jenny: Then could you come after five on Thursday?Dick: Certainly, Can we make it five thirty then?Jenny: Five thirty’s perfect. Linda will be waiting for you at five thirty on Thursday.Dick: Ok. Great! Thanks. Bye.VI. Further Listening and SpeakingTask1: A small misstep can become a big career trap. ScriptGeorge Adams, a market researcher at a Midwestern firm, finally printed his marketing report. After months of research, hundreds of surveys, andseveral boring drafts, his report was complete, and just in time. He was going away for the weekend, and he wanted to relax knowing his report was a success. He carefully proofread his document and then delivered copies to all the executives on his distribution list.When he returned to his desk, he discovered his boss, the department manager, was livid. At first he did not realize he had accidentally gone over his head. Anyway, she had given him the contribution list in the first place. So he thought he was just following orders. But the boss was furious that she hadn’t seen the final document.The boss asked Adams to get back the copies, but it was too late. When Adams got to the CEO’s office, he was already reading the report. Adams had felt friction with his boss before. She was overbearing and tended to find fault with his work after he’d broken his back to meet deadlines. In this instance, however, he realized he had made a serious error. His boss was extremely upset, for his mistake made her look as though she wasn’t in control of her department.From the boss’s point of view, Adams was usurping her authority. The result was simple and natural: Adams left his job soon afterward. Adams’s story illustrates a fundamental truth about the workplace: small, seemingly innocent missteps can sometimes become a big career trap.13. To whom did Adams deliver copies of the report?14. What did Adams discover after he delivered the copies?15. What happened when the boss asked Adams to get back the copies ofthe report?16. According to the passage, why was his boss extremely upset?5. What conclusion can we draw from the passage?Keys: 1.B 2.B 3.C 4.A 5.CTask 2: The boss is angry!ScriptSam: Tell me: Does this place look like a nursing home?Sally: No. Why?Sam: Do I look like a male nurse?Sally: Not at all.Sam: Then why do my employees act as though this were a nursing home instead of a work place?Sally: You’re obviously upset. What’s wrong? Tell me.Sam: You’re right. I’m upset about a lot of things.Sally: Can you tell me what the problems are?Sam: First of all I’m upset because so many of the staff have been showing up late for work.Sally: It’s true. A lot of people have been coming in late. They probably think you don’t mind. You know there’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere here.Sam: Maybe it’s because I hang out with a lot of them outside the office. Sally: They must see you more as a buddy than a boss. It’s because you’re so friendly.Sam: You’re right. They don’t view me as an authority figure anymore. I’m afraid they don’t respect me as a bossSally: So what are you going to do about it?Sam: I’m going to change. No more Mr. Nice Guy. I’m going to start cracking the whip.Sally: When do you want this change to take place?Sam: Starting today, I’m going to lay down the law. From now on, everyone in the company must follow regulations to the latter.Sally: I’ll post a notice as soon as possible. What should it say?Sam: No more punching in late. No more clocking out early. No more calling in sick without a goof reason or without a doctor’s note. Sally: Anything else?Sam: No more personal phone calls or e-mails on company time!Sally: All right, I’ll get right on it!Keys: FTFTFTask3: Three EnvelopesScriptAfter a high –level firing at Supertech, the top executives gathered for lunch to welcome the new Chief Executive Officer, Carl Martin, and say good-bye to the departing CEO, Dick Jackson.Lunch was pretty well over when Jackson took his replacement aside and said: “Carl, it’s a jungle out there in the business world. If we graduate of Harvard Business School don’t stick up for one anther, who will? Nobody, that’s who.”Jackson explained that a tradition the company’s CEOs had. The departing CEO left three numbered envelopes for the new CEO. He handed Martin three envelopes. “Open one if there’s a problem you can’t solve.”Things went smoothly for Martin at first, but six months later sales took a downturn, and he was catching a lot of heat. At his wit’s end, he remembered the envelopes. He took from his desk the first envelope. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”Martin held a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. The press—and Wall Street—reacted positively, sales picked up, and the problem was soon behind him.A year later, the company was again experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. The CEO opened the second envelope. The message read, “Recognize.”This he did, and the company quickly rebounded.After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. The CEO went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The meager read, “Prepare three envelopes.”For Reference1. They gathered for lunch to welcome the new Chief Executive Officer,Carl Martin, and say good-bye to the departing CEO, Dick Jackson.2. The departing CEO left three numbered envelopes for the new CEO3. The message read, “Blame your predecessor.”So, the new CEO held apress conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO.4. The message read, “Recognize.” The new CEO did it, and the companyquickly rebounded.5. The meager said, “Prepare three envelopes.” It implied that it was time for Martin to leave and give three similar envelopes to the next CEO.。
英语高级视听说上册听力原文上外版Unit 4For much of 2005, the news out of Iraq has overshadowed what has been going on in Afghanistan, where 18,000 U.S. troops are still fighting and dying along the Pakistan border in battles with the Taliban, al Qaeda and other Muslim extremist groups.The rest of Afghanistan, at least compared to Iraq, appears relatively peaceful. But the country is facing another threat to its stability — its growing addiction the production and trafficking of heroin, which is controlled by some of the most powerful people in the country.Correspondent ,Steve Kroft, reports.Afghanistan is now the world's largest exporter of heroin, and the opium used to produce it, supplying 87 percent of the world market. And it is creating an infrastructure of crime and corruption that threatens the government of President Hamid Karzai.The heroin trade begins with fields of opium poppies grown in almost every province of Afghanistan. Last year, according to the U.S. state department, 206,000 hectares were cultivated, a half a million acres, producing 4,000 tons of opium, most of which was converted into 400 tons of illegal morphine and heroin in laboratories around the country.How much opium and heroin is that?"It is not only the largest heroin producer in the world, 206,000 hectares is the largest amount of heroin or of any drug that I think has ever been produced by any one country in any given year," says Robert Charles, who until last spring was assistant secretary of state for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, overseeing anti-drug operations in Afghanistan.Charles says Afghanistan is producing more heroin than Colombia is producing cocaine.After 25 years of war, it is the country's main cash crop, contributing nearly three billion dollars a year in illegal revenues to the Afghan economy, which equals 50 percent of the gross national product.The laundered proceeds are no doubt funding much of the rebuilding of Kabul, which is experiencing a major construction boom.But the best way to illustrate the sheer volume of the drug trade is to tour the basement vault underneath Afghanistan's Counter Narcotics police in Kabul, where one and a half tons of heroins, just seized in the provinces, was awaiting destruction.One and a half tons of pure heroin is much larger than the biggest shipment ever seized in the United States, and once cut and repackaged it is worth hundreds of millions of dollars on the streets of a western city.Yet the seizure is less than one percent of all the heroin produced in Afghanistan last year, production which has increased more than 2,000 percent since 2001."That acceleration should be sending a blinking red light to all of us right now. Drug money is going to accelerate the disintegration of democratic institutions," warnsWhat is happening, Charles says, is the transformation of a poor, war torn country struggling with democracy into a narco state where power emanates from a group of drug kingpins far more powerful than the new government.The process began in 2001 when the United States forged military alliances with powerful warlords and used their private armies to drive al Qaeda and the Taliban out of the country.But some of Afghanistan's biggest warlords also happen to be some of the countries biggest drug lords. Now that they are part of the government, often in high places, a few are even charged with eradicating the drug traffic that many people believe they're still involved in.One former warlord suspected of being involved in the opium trade is Hazrat Ali, whose private army fought against al Qaeda at the battle of Tora Bora. In appreciation of his efforts, he was placed in charge of security for Nangahar province until he resigned recently to run for parliament.He also happens to be named in a United Nations report as one of the provincial officials suspected of being heavily involved in drug trafficking.Ali doesn't deny that the heroin business flourishes in the region but denied that he is involved in the trade. "No. You can ask anyone. I am opposed to drugs. If everyone was like me, there wouldn't be an opium plant in Afghanistan."60 Minutes had no difficulty finding people to make the allegations; proving them is another matter since there is virtually no criminal justice system in place to pursueIn all of Afghanistan there are barely 100 people in jail for drug offenses, most of them small time players.Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, who is considered honest and well intentioned, outlawed the cultivation and trafficking of opium three years ago, but has neither the power nor the prosecutors to enforce it."It is the top priority. Not one of the top — the top priority now," says Karzai. "There have been lots of reports that many of the people in the provinces, many of the former commanders, have been involved with drug trafficking in the past. And some believe still continue to be involved in drug trafficking," Kroft says.Karzai agrees. "A lot of people are still involved in drug trafficking," he says. "Maybe even there are people in the government who may be involved in drug trafficking. Drug trafficking, drug cultivation, poppy cultivation, was a major way of life in this country. Now that the country's going back toward stability, now that we have a better hope for tomorrow, that we have hope for tomorrow, the Afghan people have begun to distance themselves. Slowly, slowly."Things are moving much too slowly for the country's top law enforcement officer, interior minister Ali Amad Jalali, who resigned last month after complaining about the lack of progress in stemming the opium trade, and bringing government officials involved in it to justice.Last June, his elite Afghan anti-drug force, trained and assisted by the British, raided the offices of Sher Muhammed Akhundzada, the Governor of Helmand Province,another warlord widely suspected of being involved in the drug trade.They seized nine and a half tons on opium, but the investigation went nowhere. Governor Akhunzada said the drugs were not his but that they had been seized by police and were just being stored at his headquarters.He showed 60 Minutes a locker now loaded with another two and a half tons of opium. "This is opium that we confiscated. We have to keep the confiscated opium in a safe place. And this is where we keep it," says Akhunzada, through a translator.Not everyone bought that argument, especially the chief counter-narcotics officer for Helmand Province. When the investigation stalled, Abdul Samad Haqqani went on Radio Liberty, which is funded by the U.S. Congress, and denounced the governor as a major narcotics trafficker.Haqqani has since disappeared and President Karzai says he would look into the matter.As for the tons of opium in the Governor's administrative office, Karzai wasn't the least bit surprised"It's almost half of the economy," he says. "Why would it surprise me if there was poppy found in a governor's office? Or administrative offices? Whether they were confiscated or whether they belonged to somebody. In both cases, it doesn't surprise me."Asked how his government would deal with the governor amid these allegations, Karzai says the governor asked to be removed."This governor of Helmand, he has come to me a number of times to say that he is tired of working in Helmand precisely because of these allegations," Karzai says. "He says,'Well remove me' and we have not removed him. Because right now, under the circumstances, any replacement would find it difficult to continue the fight against terrorism the way he's doing it there — in that province and at the borders."Karzai went on to say that no investigation was needed and that the governor could be removed and assigned to other government work."We don't need an investigation on him," Karzai says. "We will remove him from his place and bring him to do some other government work. Maybe he should become a senator or something."Antonio Maria Costa, director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, says he has pleaded with Karzai to do something about senior officials and governors involved in the drug business."These people who have been involved, senior officials and governors who were involved in the drug economy should be removed," says Costa. "Removed from office and possibly removed from the country."Costa says the need to fight terrorism and defeat the insurgency should not be used as an excuse to ignore the opium trade. "I think it is the responsibility of the Afghan government and the foreign powers assisting it to fight both narcotics and the insurgency. I will say that fighting one is equal to fighting the other."The British, who have overall responsibility for counter narcotics in Afghanistan, and the Americans, have limited their role to assisting the Karzai government in training anti-drug units and providing occasional logistical support for their missions to confiscate opium and destroy drug labs. So far they have destroyed 150 labs.The American military has no direct role in counter narcotics. Its responsibility is fighting terrorism and providing security and stability. If U.S. troops come across opium they can take action but it is not part of their mission.Robert Charles says the U.S. military has limited resources to commit to the effort and feels that aggressive action could disrupt the flow of intelligence. "It is easy to say, 'We will get to this issue in time' the way we get to other social issues. But we don't have time."And Charles doesn't think it is just a threat to the mission. "I think it is a threat to the Democracy. Why is it a threat to democracy? First, it has a potential for public corruption. Second, it funds the violent elements in society. Finally, it sends a signal that the rule of law doesn't matter."One U.S. counter-narcotics official told Kroft that corruption is worse in Afghanistan than it is in Colombia, and estimated that 90 percent of the police chiefs are either directly involved in the drug business or protecting those who are.The British trained mobile unit says it is under orders to stop police cars and official motorcades as well as ordinary buses. Official vehicles are the preferred means of transporting opium.There have been a few small successes. The government has stepped up a modest poppy eradication program, and with the help of the U.S. state department is trying to persuade farmers to grow alternative crops.The number of acres of poppy under cultivation actually dropped 20 percent in 2005, although opium and heroin production remained about the same.In the village of Kushkak, farmers told 60 Minutes that they voluntarily quit growing opium poppy after the government promised to build them health clinics, schools and roads. But the promises have not materialized and they are growing impatient."We did promise them alternative livelihoods," says Karzai. "We have told them that they should stop growing poppy that we'll be there to help them. And if we don't do that, people out of desperation will go back to poppies, and we should not allow that." But illegal profits from the opium and heroin trade are not only helping warlords and corrupt officials expand their influence over the government. There is evidence that some of the money is ending up with the Taliban and al Qaeda, who elicit tolls, protection money and drugs from traffickers in areas they control."Narcotics is such an insidious, creeping, potentially lethal problem in that country that it needs to be elevated to a rank that is commensurate with that threat," says Charles. Asked whether he is saying that this issue is as important as fighting terrorism, he said, "I am."。
Unit 1 enjoy your feelings!IIC BD A Dl Listening InTask 1 what a clumsy man!Keys: A C D C BTask 2 causes of depressionKeys: (1)families (2)chemicals (3)information (4)certain (5)self-esteen (6)thinkingpatterns (7)mood (8)divorce (9)physical abuse (10)financial difficulties (11)stress(12)anxietyTask 3 happiness indexKeys: B D A A Cl Let ’s TalkKeys: (1) shy (2) crying (3)scared (4) came down (5) fun (6) nice (7) two step (8) argue(9) touch (10) bad time (11) speak (12) comfortable (13) brother (14) adults (15) children(16) secondary (17) growing (18) learnl Further Listening and SpeakingTask 1: Big John is coming!(S1) owner(S2) running(S3) drop(S4) run(S5) local(S6) yelling,(S7) lives! ”(S8) As he ’s picking himself up, he sees a large man, almost seven feet tall .(S9) The bartender nervously hands the big man a beer, hands shaking.(S10) “I got to get out of town! Don ’t you hear Big John is coming? ”Task 2 Reason and emotionKey : A B C C DTask 3 Every cloud has a silver liningKey : T F F T Fl Viewing and speakingKey ：(1) seven (2) 150 (3) favorite (4) bridge (5) 111 (6) fast (7) simple (8) trusted (9) stupid (10) did (11) No way (12) ultimate (13) limits (14) skywards (15)&60 (16)cheapUnit 2If d a e h i b c jII BACDBIII1.CAADB2.Correct answerthe enddiscountsT-shirtsbig-name brandsInterchangeable piecesblack trousersseveral timessimpleststylish and fashionable3.ABACDV let ’s talkTask 1wealthyclothing stylesfigureslimmerconstructionlightlargerformalbrightly coloredthe rich and the poorone classoccasionsPoorer peopleFurther listening > Task 1CAABATask 2BABABTask 34.She chose two colors, then built her wardrobe around them.5.She has a pair of black dress slacks, with black shoes to match. If she wears thatwith her turquoise silk blouse and a matching necklace and earrings, she will look dressed up.6.If she wears a T-shirt with the black dress slacks, she is more casual.7.If she brings a pashmina, or another dress scarf, she can dress up the T-shirt intocasual chic.8.Her suitcase will be nearly empty, with lots of room for shopping.Viewing and speaking > Task 1(1) combining clothing with newtechnology(2) brand-new style(3) new industrial design solutions(4) electronics and fashion(5) into your collar(6) went into partnership with(7) bring them together(8) the modern-day worker(9) 600 pounds(10) to what we might expectUnit 3Basic listening DACBCListening inTask 1 BCADCTask 2 BBABATask 3Correct answerdroughttsunamiundersearesult indry spellfloodwater suppliesfamineagricultureheavy rainfall meltingswellman-made damsLet ’s talkTask 1Correct answer eruptedburyingfewoverseasrescueinjured damaged islanderssevenbiggestclose aftershockstrap20 million pounds diseaseFurther listening > Task 1 BADAC9. Since the company was composed entirely of men over 65, there was doubt that they would be of any assistance.But the farmer called the company anyway because the fire proved to be more than the small town fire department could handle, and there was no other help available.10. The truck drove straight toward the fire and, instead of stopping in front of the fire, drove right into the middle of the flames.11. After an hour of intense fighting, they had extinguished the fire.12. After an hour of intense fighting, they had extinguished the fire.13. The captain said, "The first thing we're going to do is to get the brakes fixed on that stupid fire truck." That suggests that they drove right into the middle of the flames because of useless brakes rather than bravery.Task 3 ABCDCViewing and speaking >Task 1rescuedworst floodingsurprisefloodedmy son'screwsbursthitsavehigh tidefurniturenormalcomputer systemdrugsIII 3A natural disaster is the consequence of a hazardous event, occurring when human activities are affected by adverse natural phenomena such as flood, drought, hailstorm, heat wave, forest fire, hurricane, typhoon, tornado, tsunami, landslide and mudslide, or volcanic eruption. The scale of the resulting deaths or property damage depends on the human ability to resist the disasters.Sometimes two seemingly different disasters may be related to each other. For example, an undersea earthquake may result in a tsunami. While there is a long dry spell in one area, there may be a great flood in another.A drought is a long-lasting weather pattern consisting of dry conditions with very little or no precipitation. During this period, food and water supplies can run low, and other conditions, such as famine, can occur. Droughts can last for several years and are particularly damaging in areas in which the residents depend on agriculture for survival.A flood follows too much rain or water in a location, and could be the result of many different conditions. Floods can be caused by heavy rainfall from a storm, including thunderstorms, rapid melting of large amounts of snow, or rivers which swell from too much precipitation upstream, causing widespread damage to areas downstream. Another possible cause of floods is the bursting of man-made dams.Unit 3 V 1Disaster has struck inHaiti. An earthquake of huge proportions erupted in theCaribbeanisland —one of the poorest communities in the West. Buildings, which were badly built, tumbled, burying thousands of people in their own homes.Haitiis a poor country with few emergency services to help. The islanders had to use their bare hands to search for their families. They waited for teams from overseas countries likeBritainand theUnited Statesto bring equipment and manpower to help rescue any survivors they could find.It's feared that more than 100,000 people have died. One school friend lies injured on the pavement. Another voices her sorrow. The historic cathedral was badly damaged; and atthe presidential palace, the roof collapsed.The islanders here know about earthquakes.Haitilies in an area where there are frequent tremors and also tropical storms. But last week's earthquake registered seven on theRichter scale —almost as high as the scale can go. It was the biggest for 200 years. It happened eight kilometers beneath the Earth's crust —that's quite close to the surface, so the tremors were really strong.There were also lots of aftershocks —tremors that happen after the main earthquake. Those aftershocks can also cause damage as buildings collapse further and trap people who might have survived the first disaster.The British government has promised 20 million pounds of aid to helpHaiti, and manypeople have also made donations.Now the concern is to prevent disease hitting areas without clean water or enough medical help.Unit 3 VI 214.Since the company was composed entirely of men over 65, there was doubt that theywould be of any assistance. But the farmer called the company anyway because the fireproved to be more than the small town fire department could handle, and there was noother help available.15. The truck drove straight toward the fire and, instead of stopping in front of the fire, drove right into the middle of the flames.16. After an hour of intense fighting, they had extinguished the fire.17. He presented the volunteer fire company with a check for $10,000.18. The captain said, "The first thing we're going to do is to get the brakes fixed on thatstupid fire truck." That suggests that they drove right into the middle of the flames becauseof useless brakes rather than bravery.Unit 3 viewing and speaking 1Voice-over: Trapped indoors by raging floodwaters for more than 24 hours, a 91-year-old woman is rescued by firemen and carried to safety. It's the worst flooding in Coggeshall and the surrounding villages inEssexin more than 50 years, and it's taken residents here by surprise.Elderly woman: I came from home, because my place was flooded with burst pipes, so I came down to my son's to be safe and got this. So, I just wonder what I've done wrong to get all this!Voice-over: Emergency crews have been evacuating people like this woman and her baby since the banks of the River Blackwater burst this weekend. Parts of easternEnglandwerehit yesterday after a month's worth of rain fell here in a day. People told me there was no time to save their belongings.Woman: By the time the high tide had come up at quarter to four in the morning, the water was up to the piano keys. It'd come right up here, and I mean you can just see on the, on the, on the furniture where the water had come up to.Voice-over: There was flooding in Cambridgeshire too. Staff were mopping up water at this doctor's surgery in Borne, trying to get the facilities back to normal.Doctor: It's wrecked all the computer system. It's managed unfortunately to get to a fewof the old notes. It's also affected all our drugs that are here, including the flu jabs we were hoping to run our flu jabs sessions.Voice-over: A few roads inEssexin Cambridgeshire remain virtually impassable, but water levels are dropping. The question for residents here now is what will happen if they geteven more heavy rain in the next few days.Unit 4Lead inc d a e h f i g bBasic listeningCBABDListening inTask l CBDAATask 2Relationshipsmarketing managerin conflict withexpensesended in vaintraining administrator visitedestablish closer relationships long-termpicked upTask 3 CDDCALet's talkTask 116featuresbriefeightpaperguidelinesinterviewstreatmentcome backmeetguidancescaryFurther listening >Task 1 DBCACTask 2 BABABTask 319. They gathered for lunch to welcome the new Chief Executive Officer, Carl Martin, and say goodbye to the departing CEO, Dick Jackson.20. The departing CEO left three numbered envelopes for the new CEO.21. The message read, "Blame your predecessor." So, the new CEO held a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO.22. The message read, "Reorganize." The new CEO did it, and the company quickly rebounded.23. The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." It implied that it was time for Carl to leave and give three similar envelopes to the next CEO.Viewing and speakingTask 1earninglive onfrustratingheadchasingeditorlaunchingbasisprivilegedIII 2Lillian: Mr. Baxter, you have worked in the company for five years, and now you manage everything here smoothly, like a clock. Could you tell us the secrets of your successful career?Baxter: Just as the golden rule of real estate is "location, location, location", the golden rule of work is "relationships, relationships, relationships". Unfortunately, many workers focus so hard on the job at hand that they never develop useful relationships with people in other parts of their organization. Worse, when they do interact with colleagues in other departments, they may not treat them with respect.Lillian: Could you give me more details?Baxter: Let's take Wendy as an example. She switched jobs several months ago in the company. In her first position, as a marketing manager, she frequently found herself in conflict with the financial department over her staff's expenses. Her argument for more funds usually ended in vain. Then in her new job as training administrator, she wanted to launch an on-the-job training project. She needed the financial department to support her request for a budget. How did she convince them this time? Although the financial department's offices were located in another city, Wendy decided to visited them in their offices and try to establish closer relationships. She believed she must first of all understand their mission and their own training needs. Then she found an ally in the company's chief financial officer, who saw how her group could help develop his staff. Thus the two forgeda long-term alliance, which led to a training program so successful that it has since been picked up by the company's offices inGermanyandJapan. Winning allies throughout your organization has an additional benefit. These days, it's far too risky to expect your work to speak for itself. Having allies who speak well of you increases your reputation with the top management.Unit 4 let ’s tallk 1Ayesha: In the newsroom you have about 16 reporters. The news reporters sit in onepart of the room, and you have features on the other side of the room. I'm just going to seeKev, he's my news editor and he's gonna do a brief, basically brief me on a story that'shappening later on. When I walk into my newsroom I don't know what to expect. You startat eight but you don't know how long that's gonna go on for. Hello.Kevin: Hi Ayesha. So we're really looking for a featurey sort of piece for tomorrow's paper.Ayesha: FrenchayHospital, which is one of our hospitals inBristol. They're celebrating their10 years of this head injury unit, and we've been invited up. We're gonna obviously coverand take pictures, and I'm gonna get to speak to people. So he was really giving meguidelines.Kevin: You know when you're doing your interviews, speak to people in some detail about,you know, how they were injured in the first place, but then the treatment they've gonethrough. OK?Ayesha: Yeah. Excellent! Thank you!Well, I've just started writing up for my next, and just basically from the day. I've got to getsomething through, I think, by about four. Sometimes I come back and I've got so muchgoing on in my hands. So I'm just trying to, sort of, just work it through. Deadlines are verystressful. But you have to meet them because it's important; it's part of what newspaperjournalism is all about. You get used to it by getting the guidance, managing your time, butit's still scary. OK. It's all done. OK. This is theBristolfinal. If I have a look at page 14, therewe are, and that's my story. Exciting!Unit 4 VI 324.They gathered for lunch to welcome the new Chief Executive Officer , Carl Martin,and say goodbye to the departing CEO, Dick Jackson.25.The departing CEO left three numbered envelopes for the new CEO.26.The message read, "Blame your predecessor ." So, the new CEO held a pressconference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO.27.The message read, "Reorganize." The new CEO did it, and the company quicklyrebounded.28.The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." It implied that it was time for Carl toleave and give three similar envelopes to the next CEO.。
Unit 4 Psychology in Our Daily LifePart One Viewing, Understanding and SpeakingVideo ScriptT opic: Psychology at the AirportSetting: the waiting room of the airport, the Information Desk, the coffee shop of the airport Characters: Mr. and Mrs. Strong, Mr. and Mrs. Green, an Agent at the Information Desk (Some passengers have been informed of the delay of their flight, while some other passengers have not.)(It’s now 6:05 in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Strong are in the waiting room of an airport. Mr. Strong is reading a newspaper. Mrs. Strong is sitting there idly. Mr. and Mrs. Green approach them.)Mrs. Green: Excuse me, is this seat taken?Mrs. Strong: No, it’s not taken. Have a seat.(Mr. and Mrs. Green sit down next to Mr. and Mrs. Strong and Mr. Green takes out a book and begins to read it.)Mrs. Strong: My name is Strong… Molly Strong. Pleased to meet you.Mrs. Green: I’m Doris Green. How do you do?Mrs. Strong: Where are you going?Mrs. Green: We’re going to Copenhagen for our son’s wedding. It’s tomorrow morning.Mrs. Strong:Oh, congratulations! That’s nice. Y ou must be very excited.Mrs. Green: Y ou bet. I can hardly believe my little Jackie has grown up and is getting married.(She looks at her watch.) Now it’s 6:05 and the flight will take off in 50 minutes. Just imagine in nine hours I’ll see Jackie and my new daughter-in-law, Alice! I expect they’ll come and pick us up at the airport. What about you? Where are you going?Mrs. Strong: We are going to New Y ork by TW A Flight 1070. Our daughter recently had a baby.My first grandchild.Mrs. Green: Y ou must be thrilled.Mrs. Strong: Y eah, I can’t wait to see my dear grandson. This is him, Nick. (She takes out a picture of Nick and shows it to Mrs. Green.)Mrs. Green: (She looks closely at the photo.) He’s lovely!(Suddenly, a voice comes out through a loudspeaker.)(Loudspeaker: Attention, please. AA Flight 644 to Copenhagen will be delayed. Attent ion, please.AA Flight 644 to Copenhagen will be delayed.)Mrs. Green: Oh, my goodness! What’s up? It seems the flight to Copenhagen won’t be on time.I’d better go and call Jackie about the delay.Mr. Green: (He looks up from the book.) No hurry. It doe sn’t say how long the flight will be delayed. Let’s wait and see.Mrs. Green: Well, OK, let’s wait a while.Mrs. Strong:Don’t worry. I’m sure things will turn out fine in the end.(Just at that time, another voice comes out through a loudspeaker.)(Loudspeaker: Attention, please. TWA Flight 1070 to New Y ork is overdue because of mechanical problems. It’s stopping in Chicago for maintenance. We’ll keep you informed whenwe know more.)Mrs. Strong: Oh, no! Our flight is delayed as well.Mr. Strong: (He looks up from the newspaper.) Take it easy. It says the flight is overdue because of mechanical problems. I believe the mechanics will solve the problems soon.Mrs. Strong: Ok.(As time goes by, Mr. and Mrs. Green become more and more anxious. Mr. Green can’t read the book any more. He walks back and forth in the waiting room. Mrs. Strong is comforting Mrs. Green.)Mrs. Green: I can’t wait any more. It’s 7:15. We’ve been waiting for over an hour, but there’s been no further information. What on earth is happening?Mr. Green: Who knows! It could be bad weather, mechanical problems, a bomb threat, whatever. Mrs. Strong: Why don’t you go to the Information Desk and ask them about the causes of the delay?Mr. Green: That’s not a bad idea. Let’s go there now.(Mr. and Mrs. Green leave for the Information Desk.)Mrs. Strong: (to Mr. Strong.) I’ll go and buy some magazines.Mr. Strong: Go ahead. I’ll be here waiting for you.Mrs. Strong: OK.(Mrs. Strong stands up and goes around the airport. Mr. Strong continues reading the newspaper. Several minutes later, Mrs. Strong comes back with some magazines in her right hand.)Mr. Strong: What did you get?Mrs. Strong: Cosmo, Life and Good Housekeeping. Any further news about our flight yet?Mr. Strong: Nothing, up to now.(Loudspeaker: Attention, please. TW A Flight 1070 to New Y ork is overdue because of a door problem. The mechanics expect that the door will be repaired in 30 minutes. We’llkeep you advised as we know more.)Mr. Strong: Well, it seems we have lots of time. Why not go and get a bite to eat?Mrs. Strong: Good idea. L et’s go to the coffee shop.(Mr. and Mrs. Green arrive at the Information Desk.)Mr. Green: Excuse me, can you tell me why AA Flight 644 to Copenhagen is delayed? (该句读成: light AA 644 is delayed for Copenhagen?) 请外研社改正!Agent:I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t have any further information about that.Mr. Green: Then how long will it be delayed?Agent: Sorry, sir. We really don’t know. Y ou’ll just have to wait. We’ll infor m you through the loudspeaker as soon as possible.Mrs. Green: (saying angrily) We’ve been waiting for ages and there’s been no further information about the delay. How long will we have to wait? We are going to our son’s wedding. We can’t miss it.Agent: I understand how you feel, madam. We’ll try to find out the causes as soon as possible.(Mr. and Mrs. Green go back to the waiting room of the airport. Another 15 minutes later, they become increasingly impatient.)Mrs. Green: Isn’t it annoying! Nobody is telling us anything.Mr. Green: That’s the limit! I can’t bear it any longer. Let’s go and find seating on (错读成to)请外研社改正!an airline that flies to Copenhagen.Mrs. Green: Why not? We’re not getting any help from this airline.(Mr. and Mrs. Green leave the waiting room angrily.)(Mr. and Mrs. Strong are sitting leisurely at the coffee shop. Light music is on, and they feel very comfortable.)Mrs. Strong: (She looks at her watch.) Oh, time is flying. It’s a quarter to seven. Hurry up. The flight will be announced soon.Mr. Strong: Take your time. We’re in no great rush. We can hear the announcement here if there is one.(Loudspeaker: Attention, please. TW A Flight 1070 to New Y ork is overdue because of mechanical problems. We are sorry to announce that the problems are more complex thaninitially expected. Those who are without luggage and need to leave right awaycan take TW A Flight 1120 at Gate 6. TW A Flight 1120 will leave from Gate 6 at7:45.)Mr. Strong: (He smiles.) See? Let’s go to take TW A Flight 1120.Mrs. Strong: Good.Exercise 1Directions: You’re going to watch a video which describe s what happened to two couples of the passengers at the airport. Read the following part carefully, which will make it easyfor you to understand the video.Exercise 2Directions: Now watch the video and pay attention to the information related to Mr. & Mrs.Strong and Mr. & Mrs. Green. Then match the information listed in the right columnwith the corresponding characters. Write down the letters in the space providedbelow the table.1) Mr. & Mrs. Strong2) Mr. & Mrs. Green A) They are going to Copenhagen to attend their son’s wedding.B) They are excited about the arrival of their first grandchild.C) Their flight is stopping in Chicago for maintenance.D) They are very anxious because they are not informed of thecauses of the delay.E) They wanted to get some help from an agent at the airport.F) They wait leisurely when they know how long it will take formechanics to solve the problem.G) They are angry at the service of American Airlines.H) They don’t have any luggage, so they can take another flightto their destination (目的地).I) They will board the plane at Gate 6.1) Mr. & Mrs. Strong __________________________2) Mr. & Mrs. Green __________________________Key to Exercise 21) Mr. & Mrs. Strong: B), C), F), H), I)2) Mr. & Mrs. Green: A), D), E), G)Exercise 3Directions: Watch the video again and answer the questions by completing the given sentences. 1) When will Mr. and Mrs. Green’s flight take off according to the schedule?At ________. (6:55)2) Where is Mr. and Mrs. Strong going?________ ________. (New York)3) Who is Nick?He is Mr. and Mrs. Strong’s ________ ________. (first grandchild)4) Why is TW A Flight 1070 delayed?It is overdue because of ________ ________. (mechanical problems/door problems)5) Why do Mr. and Mrs. Green go to the Information Desk?They go there to ask the reasons why ________ ________ ________ ________. (their flight is overdue/delayed)6) Where do Mr. and Mrs. Strong go to kill time?They go to ________ ________ ________. (the coffee shop)7) What do Mr. and Mrs. Green finally decide to do?They decided to request ________ ________ ________ ________ which flies to Copenhagen. (seating on another airline)8) Which flight will Mr. and Mrs. Strong take in the end?TWA Flight ________. (1120)Key to Exercise 31) 6:552) New York3) first grandchild4) mechanical problems/door problems5) their flight is overdue/delayed6) the coffee shop7) seating on another airline8) 1120Exercise 4Directions: Watch the video a third time. This time you are required to repeat a few important lines. What you have said will be recorded so that you can compare yourpronunciation and intonation with the speakers’. Try to imitate their pronunciationand intonation.Exercise 5Directions: Now you know people will get extremely impatient when they are not told what is going on. Please describe one of YOUR own experiences when you were kept waitingfor unknown reasons. Your description will be recorded so that your teacher will beable to know your performance. If you want to improve your work, try again beforeyou submit your recording.Part Two Listening, Understanding and SpeakingListening ITapescriptA potato farmer was sent to prison just at the time when he should have been digging the ground for planting the new crop of potatoes. He knew that his wife would not be strong enough to do the digging by herself, but that she could manage to do the planting; and he also knew that he did not have any friends or neighbors who would be willing to do the digging for him. So he wrote a letter to his wife which said, “Please do not dig the potato field. I hid the money and the gun there.”Ten days later he got a letter from his wife. It said, “I think somebody is rea ding your letters before they go out of the prison. Some policemen arrived here two days ago and dug up the whole potato field. What shall I do now?”The prisoner wrote back at once, “Plant the potatoes, of course.” (155 words)Exercise 1 (Online)Directions:Listen to the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write “T” for true and “F” for false in the space provided.Key to Exercise 1: 1) F 2) T 3) T 4) F 5) F 6) FExercise 2(Online)Directions:Listen to the story again and complete the following statements with the information you get from the story.Key to Exercise 2:1) prison2) do the planting 3) ten days4) the money, the gun 5) plant the potatoesExercise 3Directions: Listen to the story a third time and note down what the husband said in his first letterand the wife’s reply. Then work in groups to complete the two letters. Read them to the class.Listening IIWords Y ou Need to Know:TapescriptThe manager of a large office building received many complaints about the lift service in the building. He hired a group of engineers to study the situation. They suggested two solutions: 1. adding more lifts of the same type;2. replacing the lifts with faster ones.The manager decided that both suggestions were too expensive. So he asked a psychologist to study the problem. The psychologist noticed that many people felt angry and impatient because they thought they had to wait too long for the lift. However, the psychologist found that they had to wait only a relatively short time. It occurred to him that the reason they felt angry and impatient was that they had nothing to do while they were waiting for the lifts. He suggested a simple, inexpensive solution to the manager. This was adopted and complaints stopped immediately. The solution was to place a large mirror next to the lifts. (154 words)Exercise 1 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage and pay attention to the reason why people have complaints.Choose the statement that correctly explains the reason. Put a tick in front of thestatement in the space provided.Key to Exercise 1: 5)Exercise 2 (Online)Directions:Listen to the passage again and fill in the table with the information you get from the recording.Key to Exercise 2:1) the lift service2) engineers3) adding more lifts4) faster ones5) too expensive6) a psychologist7) placing a large mirror8) simple, inexpensive.Exercise 3Directions: Listen to the passage a third time and then discuss in groups to find out:1) the reasons why complaints stopped immediately after the solution was adopted;2) other possible solutions to the problem.Sample:1) The reason was that people could look in the mirror. They could have something to do while waiting for the lift and, of course, many people like to look at themselves in the mirror.2) Other possible solutions:a. to set up a picture gallery near the lift and change the pictures regularly;b. to put up-to-date newspapers on the wall;c. to open a small shop nearby where people can buy snacks;d. to put a shoe polisher (擦鞋器) there；e. to put a screen on the wall on which information about the stock exchange is shown;f. to play programs (e.g. news, short funny stories) on TV screens close to the lift.Part Three More ListeningPractice One I Can Have Her Here on T uesdays and Thursdays.Words Y ou Need to Know:constant不断的at each other’s throats激烈争吵therapy 治疗, 理疗resort方法therapist 治疗专家speechless 哑口无言的disbelief不相信TapescriptAfter just a few years of marriage, filled with constant arguments, a young man and his wife decided the only way to save their marriage was to try therapy. They had been at each other’sthroats for some time and felt that this was their last resort.When they arrived at the therapist’s office, the therapist j umped right in and opened the floor for discussion. “What seems to be the problem?” Immediately, the husband held his long face down without anything to say. On the other hand, the wife began describing all the wrongs within their marriage.After 5 -- 10 -- 15 minutes of listening to the wife, the therapist went over to her, picked her up by her shoulders, kissed her for several minutes, and sat her back down. Afterwards, the wife sat there--speechless.He looked over at the husband who was staring in disbelief at what had happened. The therapist spoke to the husband, “Y our wife NEEDS that at least twice a week!”The husband scratched his head and replied, “I can have her here on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”(185 words) Exercise 1 (Online)Directions: Listen to the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false. Write “T” for true and “F” for false in the space provided.Key to Exercise 1:1) T 2) T 3) F 4) F 5) TExercise 2(Online)Directions: Listen to the story again and fill in the blanks with the information you get from the story.Key to Exercise 2:1) office 2) discussion 3) Immediately 4) long 5) describing6) wrongs 7) over 8) shoulders 9) minutes 10) satPractice Two Psychological SpaceWords Y ou Need to Know:psychological心理的preference偏爱crib婴儿床cluster群集modify 更改TapescriptNot everyone in the world requires the same amount of living space. The amount of space a person needs around him is a cultural preference, not an economic one. Knowing your own psychological space needs is important because they strongly influence your choices, including, for example, the number of bedrooms in the home. If you were brought up in a two-child family and both you and your sister or brother had your own bedrooms, then it’s very likely that you will also provide separate bedrooms for your children. In America they train people to want their own private rooms by giving them their own rooms when they are babies. This is very rare in the world. In many cultures the baby sleeps in the same bed with his parents or in a crib near their bed.The areas in the home where people meet also reveal a lot about psychological space needs. Some families cluster, and the size of their house has nothing to do with it. Others have separate little places where family members go to be alone.Although psychological space needs are not determined by economic factors, they sometimes have to be modified a little because of economic pressures. It is almost impossible, however, tocompletely change your psychological space needs. (213 words)Exercise 1 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage and decide whether the following phrases express the main ideaof the passage. Put a tick (√) in front of such items. Key to Exercise 1: B) E)Exercise 2 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage again and complete the following flow chart which shows thepassage structure. The arrow( ) means “influence”.Key to Exercise 2:Exercise 3 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage a third time and decide whether the following statements aretrue (T) or false (F) according to the passage. Write “T ” for true and“F ” for false in the space provided.Key to Exercise 3: 1) T 2) F 3) F 4) T 5) TPractice Three The Power of Color Words Y ou Need to Know:organ 器官 appropriate 适当的 hormone 荷尔蒙, 激素bloodstream 血液，血流 mood 情绪 nerves 神经紧张 by contrast 对比之下 atmosphere 气氛 focused 集中注意力的 enhance 增进 reflective 反射的 violet 紫色 stimulate 激励 enliven 使有生气 intuitiveness 本能TapescriptWouldn ’t it be great if changing your mood was as easy as changing your clothes? Well,according to psychologists, it is--when you use the power of color.Here’s how it works: When you see a color, your brain sends a chemical message to an organ of your body, which pours the appropriate hormone into the bloodstream. So for instance, if you wear red, a color the brain finds exciting, it sends a signal which puts you in the mood for love.Blue has a calming effect on the nerves. Wear blue if you want to keep yourself cool during a busy day with the children. By contrast, orange creates a joyful atmosphere and focused activity. Also, yellow is a cheerful color reminding us of summer days, and it aids in decision-making. White, however, enhances brain power and a reflective mood. V iolet is also a color which stimulates the mind toward creative thought. As well, it increases intuitiveness. Green is a relaxed color of springtime buds on trees, like springtime it also enlivens tired muscles. (203 words)Exercise 1 (Online)Directions:Listen to the passage and fill in each blank with the information you get from the passage.Key to Exercise 1:The colors you wear can make a big difference in the way you feel. When you see a color, your brain sends a chemical message,releasing the proper hormone into the bloodstream. A case in point is red , which the brain finds exciting . It sends a signal which will create a mood for love.Exercise 2 (Online)Directions:Listen to the passage again and fill in the table with the information you get from the passage.Practice Four Sensitive EarsWords Y ou Need to Know:cast石膏lawnmower 割草机unhandicapped 无残疾的subject 接受实验者volunteer 志愿者；自愿去做annoy恼怒irritate使烦躁TapescriptTwo recent studies by psychologists suggest that noise can influence how nice we are to others. They experimented by giving people a chance to help someone in trouble. A person would see a man carrying two boxes filled with books. As the person came closer, the book carrier dropped several books. The other researcher observed whether the passer-by offered to help.When the noise level was normal, 20 percent of the passers-by helped. When the experimenter wore a cast on his arm, 80 percent offered help.But when a very noisy lawnmower was nearby, 10% of the passers-by helped the unhandicapped man, and 15 percent helped the man with a cast.It seemed that people were less helpful when it was noisy because they wanted to escape the noise. So the researchers set up a similar experiment in a situation where the subjects couldn’t leave.A student volunteer waited in a room before being called for the experiment he expected. The experimenter waited in the same room, holding some books. He dropped the books. The noise level in the room varied from normal to loud; 75% of the 52 students helped pick up the books under normal conditions, but only half that many volunteered when the room was noisy. Perhaps because of the distracting noise, the students didn’t notice and respond quickly to the book-dropping. Or perhaps the book-dropping further annoyed students already irritated by the noise, making them less likely to help out. (244 words)Exercise 1 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage and the questions that follow and answer them briefly by filling in the blanks.Questions for Exercise 11. What does the research suggest?2. How many experiments did the researchers perform?3. What did the researchers carry in both experiments?4. What kind of people took part in the experiments?5. How many experimenters did the subjects see in each experiment?Key to Exercise 1:1. Noise, how, nice2. Two3. Books4. Passers-by, student volunteers5. OneExercise 2 (Online)Directions: Listen to the passage again and fill in the table with the information you get from the passage.Part Four Testing Y ourselfSection IPsycho-geometricsTapescriptThree students, Janice, Sue, and Kelly, are looking at magazines in the library and commenting on some articles they see.Janice:I think I’ve seen everything now!Sue: What do you mean?Janice: Have you ever heard of psycho-geometrics?Sue: No.Janice:I hadn’t either. It’s a new way of identifying personalities.Kelly: How?Janice:Y ou think of the four basic shapes—square,triangle, circle and rectangle and decide which shape you like best.Sue: I like triangles. They make me think of the ancient Egyptian pyramids. What does that say about me?Janice: The triangle stands for ambition and high achievement.Sue: I like that. What else?Janice: Y ou like to achieve. Once you decide what you want, nothing stops you. Also you like to give big parties for friends and love being in the center of the crowd.Sue: That fits me.Kelly:What about me? I like circles. That’s why I wear my blouse with the dots in it so often. Janice: The circle is a symbol of un ity. Getting along with others is most important to you. Y ou’re friendly, caring and a good listener. No wonder you’re so popular!Kelly:That’s nice to know. What about you?Janice: I like squares. This is supposed to mean that I like things to be planned and structured.Also that finishing things is important to me.Kelly: What else?Janice: It says that I prefer being with just a few friends rather than with a big group. That’s really true.Sue: Do you believe all of this?Janice:I don’t know but it’s f un to think about. (246 words)Directions: Listen to the dialogue twice and fill in the blanks with appropriate words according to the story.Key:It is fun to know that four basic shapes can be used to identify personalities. Those who like triangles are ambitious and like to have high achievement. These people like giving big parties for friends and love being in the center of the crowd. People who love circles and squares are different. Circle is a symbol of unity. Those circle lovers think getting along with others is most important, so they are friendly, caring and good listeners. People who like squares like everything to be planned and structured. Besides, they would rather being with a few friends than with a big group.Section IITV ShowTapescriptBob had finally made it to the last round of the $64,000 Question. The night before the big question, he told the host that he desired a question on American History The big night had arrived. Bob made his way on stage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the week. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The host stepped up to the mike. “Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away $64,000 dollars richer. Are you ready?”Bob nodded with confidence. The audience went nuts. He hadn’t missed a question all week."Bob, your question on American History is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to answer at first?"Bob was now becoming very nervous. He couldn't believe it, but he was drawing a blank. American History was his easiest subject, but he played it safe. “I'll try the easier part first.”The host nodded approvingly. “Here we go, Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half.”The audience silenced with great anticipation.“Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?”(230 words)Part ADirections: Listen to the story and answer the questions by filling in the blanks.Key to Part A:1. American history2. $64,0003. the best guest, missed a question4. second5. easier, play it safePart BDirections: Listen to the story again and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Write “T” for true and “F” for false in the space provided.Key to Part B: 1) F 2) T 3) F 4) T 5) FSection IIIFighting StressTapescriptJoan, Kristen and Shelly are discussing their evening plans while having lunch.Joan:I’m so stressed out! I just can’t get that new computer program written. I wonder if I’ll ever finish it. I’m supposed to have dinner with my best friend from college tonight but think I should call her and say I can’t.Kristen: No, Joan, don’t call her. Have dinner with her and have a good time.Shelly:I agree with Kristen. Have dinner and talk about what fun you two had in college.Tomorrow you’ll feel less stressed.Joan: How do you know, Shelly?Shelly: I recently read an article in the magazine PSYCHOLOGY TODAY. It said social support, especially with old and good friends, can help you keep down your stress level. It can actually slow your heart rate and reduce your blood pressure.Kristen: I read that too. It also said that making time for close relationships is vital to helping you have good health. Some research suggests that people who are socially connected get a better night’s rest too.Joan:Ok, I’ll go. I really wanted to, but, well, you know---- By the way, Kristen, your job is stressful too. What are you doing tonight?Kristen:I’ve joined a book discussion group. We’re meeting tonight. I always enjoy the discussion and social interaction, so I go home afterwards feeling relaxed.Shelly:I’m going to call my sister. We don’t live close to each other so we phone when we can and laugh a lot. I always feel great afterwards.Joan:Sounds like we’ll all be “distressing” tonight. I’m glad we talked.(256 words)Part ADirections:Listen to the dialogue and decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Write “T” for true and “F” for false in the space provided.Key to Part A: 1) T 2) T 3) F 4) F 5) FPart BDirections:Listen to the dialogue again and fill in the blanks with the information you get from the dialogue.Key to Part B:According to Psychology Today, social support, especially with old and good friends, can help one keep down his stress level, slow his heart rate, and reduce his blood pressure. If people want to have good health, they’d better make time for close relationships.。
Unit 4 Brain ManAlmost 25 years ago, 60 Minutes introduced viewers to George Finn, whose talent was immortalized in the movie "Rain Man." George has a condition known as savant syndrome, a mysterious disorder of the brain where someone has a spectacular skill, even genius, in a mind that is otherwise extremely limited.Morley Safer met another savant, Daniel Tammet, who is called "Brain Man" in Britain. But unlike most savants, he has no obvious mental disability, and most important to scientists, he can describe his own thought process. He may very well be a scientific Rosetta stone, a key to understanding the brain.________________________________________Back in 1983, George Finn, blessed or obsessed with calendar calculation, could give you the day if you gave him the date."What day of the week was August 13th, 1911" Safer quizzed Finn."A Sunday," Finn replied."What day of the week was May 20th, 1921" Safer asked."Friday," Finn answered.George Finn is a savant. In more politically incorrect times he would have been called an "idiot savant" - a mentally handicapped or autistic person whose brain somehow possesses an island of brilliance.Asked if he knew how he does it, Finn told Safer, "I don't know, but it's just that, that's fantastic I can do that."If this all seems familiar, theres a reason: five years after the 60 Minutes broadcast, Dustin Hoffman immortalized savants like George in the movie "Rain Man."Which brings us to that other savant we mentioned: Daniel Tammet. He is an Englishman, who is a 27-year-old math and memory wizard."I was born November 8th, 1931," Safer remarks."Uh-huh. That's a prime number. 1931. And you were born on a Sunday. And this year, your birthday will be on a Wednesday. And you'll be 75," Tammet tells Safer.It is estimated there are only 50 true savants living in the world today, and yet none are like Daniel. He is articulate, self-sufficient, blessed with all of the spectacular ability of a savant, but with very little of the disability. Take his math skill, for example.Asked to multiply 31 by 31 by 31 by 31, Tammet quickly - and accurately - responded with "923,521."And its not just calculating. His gift of memory is stunning. Briefly show him a long numerical sequence and hell recite it right back to you. And he can do it backwards, to boot.That feat is just a warm-up for Daniel Tammet. He first made headlines at Oxford, when he publicly recited the endless sequence of numbers embodied by the Greek letter "Pi." Pi, the numbers we use to calculate the dimensions of a circle, are usually rounded off to . But its numbers actually go on to infinity.Daniel studied the sequence - a thousand numbers to a page."And I would sit and I would gorge on them. And I would just absorb hundreds and hundreds at a time," he tells Safer.It took him several weeks to prepare and then Daniel headed to Oxford, where with number crunchers checking every digit, he opened the floodgates of his extraordinary memory.Tammet says he was able to recite, in a proper order, 22,514 numbers. It took him over five hours and he did it without a single mistake.Scientists say a memory feat like this is truly extraordinary. Dr. . Ramachandran and his team at the California Center for Brain Study tested Daniel extensively after his Pi achievement.What did he make of him"I was surprised at how articulate and intelligent he was, and was able to interact socially and introspect on his own-abilities," says Dr. Ramachandran.And while that introspection is extremely rare among savants, Daniels ability to describe how his mind works could be invaluable to scientists studying the brain, our least understood organ."Even how you and I do 17 minus nine is a big mystery. You know, how are these little wisps of jelly in your brain doing that computation We don't know that," Dr. Ramachandran explains.It may seem to defy logic, but Ramachandran believes that a savants genius could actually result from brain injury. "One possibility is that many other parts of thebrain are functioning abnormally or sub-normally. And this allows the patient to allocate all his attentional resources to the one remaining part," he explains. "And there's a lot of clinical evidence for this. Some patients have a stroke and suddenly, their artistic skills improve."That theory fits well with Daniel. At the age of four, he suffered a massive epileptic seizure. He believes that seizure contributed to his condition. Numbers were no longer simply numbers and he had developed a rare crossing of the senses known as synesthesia."I see numbers in my head as colors and shapes and textures. So when I see a long sequence, the sequence forms landscapes in my mind," Tammet explains. "Every number up to 10,000, I can visualize in this way, has it's own color, has it's own shape, has it's own texture."For example, when Daniel says he sees Pi, he does those instant computations, he is not calculating, but says the answer simply appears to him as a landscape of colorful shapes."The shapes aren't static. They're full of color. They're full of texture. In a sense, they're full of life," he says.Asked if theyre beautiful, Tammet says, "Not all of them. Some of them are ugly. 289 is an ugly number. I don't like it very much. Whereas 333, for example, is beautiful to me. It's round. It's.""Chubby," Safer remarks.'It's-yes. It's chubby,' Tammet agrees.Yet even with the development of these extraordinary abilities as a child, nobody sensed that Daniel was a prodigy, including his mother, Jennifer. But he was different."He was constantly counting things," Jennifer remembers. "I think, what first attracted him to books, was the actual numbers on each page. And he just loved counting."Asked if she thinks theres a connection between his epilepsy and his rare talent, she tells Safer, "He was always different from-when he was really a few weeks old, I noticed he was different. So I'm not sure that it's entirely that, but I think it might have escalated it."Daniel was also diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome-a mild form of autism. It made for a painful childhood."I would flap my hands sometimes when I was excited, or pull at my fingers, and pull at my lips," Tammet remembers. "And of course, the children saw these things and would repeat them back to me, and tease me about them. And I would put my fingers in my ears and count very quickly in powers of two. Two, four, eight, 16, 32, 64.""Numbers were my friends. And they never changed. So, they were reliable. I could trust them," he says.And yet, Daniel did not retreat fully into that mysterious prison of autism, as many savants do. He believes his large family may have actually forced him to adapt. "Because my parents, having nine children, had so much to do, so much to cope with, I realized I had to do for myself," he says.He now runs his own online educational business. He and his partner Neil try to keep a low profile, despite his growing fame.Yet the limits of his autism are always there. "I find it difficult to walk in the street sometimes if there are lots of people around me. If there's lots of noise, I put my fingers in my ears to block it out,' he says.That anxiety keeps him close to home. He cant drive, rarely goes shopping, and finds the beach a difficult place because of his compulsion to count the grains of sand. And it manifests itself in other ways, like making a very precise measurement of his cereal each morning: it must be exactly 45 grams of porridge, no more, no less.Daniel was recently profiled in a British documentary called Brainman. The producers posed a challenge that he could not pass up: Learn a foreign language in a week - and not just any foreign language, but Icelandic, considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.In Iceland, he studied and practiced with a tutor. When the moment of truth came and he appeared on TV live with a host, the host said, "I was amazed. He was responding to our questions. He did understand them very well and I thought that his grammar was very good. We are very proud of our language and that someone is able to speak it after only one week, thats just great.""Do you think that Daniel, in a certain way, represents a real pathway to further understanding the brain" Safer asks Dr. Ramachandran."I think one could say that time and again in science, something that looks like a curiosity initially often leads to a completely new direction of research," Ramachandran replies. "Sometimes, they provide the golden key. Doesn't always happen.Sometimes it's just mumbo-jumbo. But that may well be true with savants."Daniel continues to volunteer for scientists who want to understand his amazing brain. But he is reluctant to become what he calls a performing seal and has refused most offers to cash in on his remarkable skills."People all the time asking me to choose numbers for the lottery. Or to invent a time machine. Or to come up with some great discovery," he explains. "But my abilities are not those that mean that I can do at everything."But he has written a book about his experiences, entitled "Born on a Blue Day."He also does motivational speeches for parents of autistic children-yet one more gift of his remarkable brain.But at the end of the day-genius or not-that brain does work a little differently."One hour after we leave today, and I will not remember what you look like. And I will find it difficult to recognize you, if I see you again. I will remember your handkerchief. And I will remember you have four buttons on your sleeve. And I'll remember the type of tie you're wearing. It's the details that I remember," Tammet tells Safer.And its the details that make us all so different. One man may see numbers as a tedious necessity of modern life, another sees them as the essence of life."Pi is one of the most beautiful things in all the world and if I can share that joy in numbers, if I can share that in some small measure with the world through my writing and through my speaking, then I feel that I will have done something useful," he says.。
