Unit 1 Interests and hobbiesBackground knowledgeHobby – EtymologyA hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse (which was sometimes called a “hobby"). From this came the expression "to ride one's hobby-horse", meaning "to follow a favorite pastime", and in turn, “hobby”in the modern sense of recreation. Types of hobbiesCollecting; Games; Outdoor recreation; Performing arts; Performing arts; Scale Modeling / Dioramas; Cooking; Gardening; Reading ManchesterManchester is a metropolitan city in England. In 2007, the population of the city was estimated to be 458,100. Manchester lies within one of the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan areas; Manchester is situated in the south-central part of North West England.BhutanThe Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked nation in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains and is bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the China. The Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul which means "Land of the Thunder Dragon".Question Answering1.What does the value of collecting involve?The value of collecting involves purchasing or getting a hold of a particular item anchored in the fascination and inclination of the collector.2.What aspects should be considered in determining what gameshould a person engage in?Age, intelligence level, stamina and personality are to be taken into account.3.Give examples of outdoor recreation.Examples would be mountain climbing, trekking, rock climbing, and the like.4.What are hobbyists?Hobbyists make hobbies real things. Hobbyists are people who are passionate about a specific material or an activity.5.Why may hobbyists and professionals attain a mutual advantage?Hobbyists and professionals may actually work out a fusion to attain a mutual advantage.Structure of the TextPart One (Para. 1):How did the word “hobby”originate.Part Two (Para. 2- Para. 4): The author gives an account of three types ofhobby, which are collecting, games and outdoor recreationPart Three (Para. 5- Para.10): The author gives a definition of hobbyists and categorizes them into three levels the beginner, the mainstream hobbyist and the total hobbyist.RetellingHobby stemmed from the time when people started riding a wooden horse as a pastime. There are various forms of hobby, such as collecting stamps, coins, antiques and jewelries. Recreational hobbies are also very popular, like games, hiking, cooking and painting. Hobbyists who are passionate about a specific material or an activity can be grouped into beginners, mainstreams and total hobbyists.Different levels have different degree of their involvement in their hobbies. When hobbyists and professionals work together, they may work out a fusion to attain a mutual advantage. So what’s in a hobby? It is opportunities!Writing表现象的句型1. In recent years, many cities have been faced with the serious problem of….2. In the past five years, many cities have been experiencing an alarming increase in…3. In recent years, …is gaining growing popularity with…4. Recent years have seen a boom in…5. Most of us may have such experience that…6. Now in many countries, a significant proportion of population…. What lies behind the phenomenon inspires people’s interest.CET WritingDue Attention Should Be Given to Spelling (2010June)1. 如今不少学生在英语论坛学习中不重视拼写，2. 出现这种现象的原因是…3. 为了改变这种状况，我认为….Reference to the writing taskNow we are entering a brand new era full of opportunities and innovations, and great changes have taken place in people's attitude towards some traditional practice, especially in the area of English learning , one of which is less attention has been given to spelling by college students . This issue has been brought into public focus and called for further concern.A number of factors could account for the problem, but the following are the most critical ones. First, information is expanding at such an increasing rate that our society is called the one of information. The information is so immense that students haven' t ample energy and time to deal deeply with spelling, and some computer programs, such asword ,have done the spelling checking work for us. Second, the standardized-test oriented way of English learning, in which the high score can be achieved without spelling, put students to the position on which they have the quite reason to ignore spelling.This issue may lead to a number of unfavorable consequences, with the following two the most serious. For one thing, the information would be incorrect when conveyed by hand- writing way and cause some bad effects. For another, we may indulge ourselves in this way of inaccuracy which may influence our attitude of learning or research. The awareness of the importance of this issue should be enhanced and some proper measures should be taken. It is reasonable for us to believe that the situation will be improved in the near future.Unit 2 Life and FashionBackground KnowledgePhil KnightAn American billionaire, and the co-founder and Chairman of Nike Inc. As of 2007, Knight's 35% stake in Nike gives him an estimated net worth of US$9.8 billion, making him the 30th richest American. A native Oregonian, he ran track for coach Bill Bowerman at the University of Oregon, with whom he would co-found Nike.Bill BowermanAn American track and field coach and co-founder of Nike Inc. He was a very successful track coach, training 31 Olympic athletes, 51 All-Americans, 12 American record-holders, 24 NCAA champions, and 16 sub-4 minute milers.The University of Oregon (UO)A public, coeducational research university in Eugene,Oregon, the U.S.A.; the second oldest public university in the state; founded in 1876; offers a broad spectrum of opportunities for learning in the liberal arts and professional programs in architecture, arts, business, education, journalism, law, and music and dance.Blue Ribbon SportsFounded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. In 1966 Blue Ribbon Sports opened its first retail outlet selling sportswear, includingthe Japanese made Tiger running shoes. In 1972 the first line of Nike footwear hit the stores. In 1978 Blue Ribbon Sports is renamed Nike Inc. Michael JordanBorn on February 17, 1963; a retired American professional basketball player and active businessman; By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time; One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.Stanford UniversityLocated between San Francisco and San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley; One of the world's leading research and teaching institutions; Leland and Jane Stanford founded the University and opened its doors in 1891.Question Answering1. Who established an athletic-shoes company that later became known as Nike? And when?2. When did Blue Ribbon Sports officially become Nike?3. When did Nike sign Michael Jordan to endorse the brand?4. How did Nike change the way that athletic shoes were marketed?5. How much money did Nike make in 2006?Structure of the TextPart One (Para. 1): The writer introduces the topic: Philip H. Knightcreated a famous brand Nike.Part Two (Para. 2–Para. 13): How Nike was created and developed into a famous brand.Part Three (Para. 14): Knight resigned as an influential figure.Story RetellingWhen Phil Knight was studying at the University of Oregon, he was coached by Bill Bowerman. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Phil went on to study his M.B.A. at Stanford University, which changed his life completely.In the early 1960’s, he and Bowerman started Blue Ribbon Sports, and in 1972, it officially became Nike. The company signed runner Steve to endorse the brand. In the 1980s, Nike signed a contract with Michael Jordan to promote Nike.Nike changed the way how atheletic shoes are marketed in two ways: one is striking major endorsement deals, the other is advertising, thus enabling Nike to gain market dominance. However, it also caused controversy. The company responded quickly by reorganizing its management structure and hiring outside organizations to manage finance and clothing. In 2006, revenue for Nike reached nearly $15 billion. WritingParts of a LetterIn general, letters can be divided into two kinds: a formal letter and aninformal letter. A formal letter has the following six parts, and an informal one has just five parts.Part Two is omitted.•Heading: the writer’s address and the date of writing in the upper right-hand corner•Inside Address: the receiver’s name or title and his or her address below the heading•Salutation•Body•Close•SignatureTips for Business Letter Writing•Define your purpose.•The first paragraph of the letter should introduce the subject matter and either state or imply your purpose in writing.•The body of the letter should consist of one or more paragraphs. It should develop clearly and logically the argument and facts of the case. If there is more than one paragraph, each paragraph should focus on a separate aspect of the subject matter and there should be clear links between paragraphs.•The final paragraph should leave the reader with no doubt about your attitude towards the subject of the letter. It may, for example,spell out what you would like to see happen. It should be positive and unambiguous.•Adopt the right tone.•Adopt a clear layout.•Sincerely or Faithfully?Reference to the writing taskDear Mr. Smith,As soon as I heard of your appointment to the board of directors of your corporation I felt I must write to you to let you know how happy I was about your advancement.I am sure that you will make great progress in your new post because you have a strong sense of responsibility. I hope that with you as the head of your corporation, our business relationship will continue to develop smoothly.Sincerely yours,Wang YingUnit 3 Language and Culture Background KnowledgeAmy Tanborn on 19 Feb. 1952, CaliforniaChinese-American woman novelistmother-daughter relationship;conflicts between the generationsThe Joy Luck ClubThe Kitchen God’s WifeThe Hundred Secret SensesThe Bonesetter’s DaughterSaving Fish from DrowningQuestion Answering1. What does “Language is the tool of my trade”mean?2. According to the author, what are the characteristics of her mother’s language?3. How is the author affected by her mother’s language?4. Why was the author ashamed of her mother’s English when she grew up?Language appoints1.I cannot give you much more than personal opinions on the Englishlanguage and its variations in this country or others. (Para. 1)关于英语在美国或其他国家各种变体，我只能给大家提供肤浅的个人看法。
