Unit8Active reading (1)Language points1 She was called Katya, a dewy-eyed, sweet girl from Voronezh, who accepted Yakov on his ownreckoning. (Para 1)As dew falls in the early morning and symbolizes innocence and newness, the word dewy-eyed meansinnocent and lacking in experience about life.Reckoning means one’s own view and account.The sentence means that an innocent-looking girl from a less sophisticated city than Moscow was willingto believe Yakov’s own high opinion of himself.2and gratitude. (Para 2)To bask means to relax in the sun. Here itSoviet women feel on thisday.3 Their husbands, with much cursing and clattering of pans, cook breakfast for the family … (Para 2)The expression with much cursing and clattering of pans means with a lot of swearing and bangingabout – as they were not used to doing it, they made many mistakes.4 A Soviet woman’s days are usually taken up with … nipping out of work at lunchtime to buysomething for dinner … (Para 3)To nip out means to go out for a very short time probably unofficially. It is a slang and is similar to theexpressions pop out and sneak out.5 Their husbands … by drinking themselves into a stupor with toasts “to our beloved ladies …”(Para 4)Stupor is a state in which you cannot think, speak, see, or hear clearly, usually because you have drunktoo much alcohol. Sadly, Russia does have a serious alcoholism problem and early death from overconsumptionof vodka is far too common.6 “I certainly will,” said Yakov, squeezing in between Liza Minelli and Katya and draping an armaround each of them. (Para 10)Yakov fit in between Liza Minelli and Katya although they were sitting close together, and put an armaround each girl.7 Yuri and Emily arrived and we covered blinis with thick sour cream and red caviar and drankchampagne, as families did all over Voronezh. (Para 13)Sour cream is fermented cream, which is smoother and thicker. Eastern European food is noted for its sourflavours.Caviar usually refers to the roe or eggs of the sturgeon, a large fish, and is a very expensive special food.It can also refer to other commoner fish roes.Unit 8 High days and holidays264Reading and understanding4 Answer the questions.1 How well does the writer know the Soviet Union?Not very well. The others have to explain the tradition of International Women’s Day to the writer.2 What was Yakov doing when the writer met him?He was buying roses.3 Where does the writer live?Room 99 of a hostel.4 What do the Russian men do on International Wome n’s Day?They buy flowers for the women in their life and do some house chores for them.5 What kind of daily life do Russian women usually have?They have a very busy life with lots of chores to do.6 What do the Russian men do after they’ve prepared breakfast for their wives? They meet up with friends and drink themselves into a stupor.7 What is the usual number of flowers to buy in Russia?An odd number.8 Why did Yakov buy 14 flowers?He planned to give Katya five flowers and the girls in Room 99 three for each. Dealing with unfamiliar words5 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 to put something somewhere in a careless way, especially something that is heavy (dump)2 to lie, sit, or lean in a relaxed or lazy way (lounge)3 loved very much by someone (beloved)4 to move somewhere quietly and secretly so that no one can see you or hear you(sneak)5 a feeling of very strong anger that usually does not last very long (fury)6 to talk about other people or about things that are not important (gossip) 6 Replace the underlined words with the correct form of the words and expressions in the box.1 I unexpectedly met an old friend in the shopping mall yesterday. (bumped into)2 The men demonstrate how true and honest their love for their wives is by drinkinga lot. (sincere)3 While the men are doing the shopping, the women will clean the carpets, and dust the room. (vacuum)4 Please remain here and wait for a while – she will come back soon. (stick around)5 I think it is a good idea to soak clothes before washing them. (advisable)6 After hearing what he had been through, her eyes were full of tears. (filled up with)High days and holidays Unit 82657 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 If someone is dewy-eyed, are they likely to (a) lack experience about life, or (b) be in love?2 If someone accepts you on your own reckoning, do they (a) accept you without considering if you arewhat you claim to be, or (b) have a clear idea of your real character?3 If you bask in your fame, do you (a) feel bothered, or (b) enjoy being famous?4 Does charred mean (a) black and burnt, or (b) cooked perfectly?5 If something shrivels in the summer heat, does it (a) grow rapidly, or (b) become smaller and not fresh?6 If someone’s face turns scarlet, is it because they feel (a) embarrassed or angry, or (b) tired and hungry?7 If you go to bed on the dot of 11 pm, do you sleep (a) at exactly 11 pm, or(b) around 11 pm?8 If you pop into somewhere, do you (a) go there only for a short time, or (b) stay there for a long time?9 If someone is in a stupor, are they unable to think or act normally because they’re (a) too sleepy, orunable to think or act normally because they’re (a) too sleepy, or(b) not completely conscious?Active reading (2)Chinese or Western, it’s a time to relaxLanguage points1 Their fears may be justified to a certain extent. (Para 4)The word justified means having an acceptable explanation or reason. The writer then gives theexplanation in the following sentence.2 For good or bad, the world has possibly undergone more changes … (Para 5) The writer does not want to get into the question of whether what has happened has been good or bad. Thepoint is to agree that there has been change and it has consequences.3 Television, we thought, was the last uniting factor till we got a feel for the Internet. (Para 5)The expression get a feel for something means to be accustomed to something or to have or develop anunderstanding of something and skill in doing it.4 Nothing comes without a rider in this global market. (Para 6)A rider is an American expression for a clause added to a law or legal document, often setting an extracondition.The sentence means nothing in the modern world comes without some unexpected or unwantedconsequences.5 Be it on the mainland or in the highly developed West or in the poorest of societies, a festival carriesthe same meaning. (Para 7)The sentence means festivals have the same meaning whether in China, the advanced economies of theWest or the least developed nations.Reading and understanding3 Choose the best way to complete the sentences.1 The writer thinks the Chinese celebrate Christmas because (d) .(a) it’s a Western festival(b) the world has undergone a great deal of change(c) it’s a festival which carries the same meaning in both the East and the West(d) it has become a festival which is celebrated around the world, and everyone can relax during thattimeHigh days and holidays Unit 82692 Some scholars fear that celebrating Christmas in China (a) .(a) may threaten Chinese culture(b) means that the Chinese blindly follow the West in every way(c) causes Chinese festivals to lose their charm(d) is a good example of Western decadence3 The Chinese attach more importance to Christmas than a couple of decades ago because (b) .(a) television and the Internet have become uniting factors(b) changes throughout the world make them look differently at the world and at China’s place in it(c) we belong to a global village(d) most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar4 Enjoying a Western festival doesn’t mean that (c) .(a) the Chinese approve of Western decadence(b) the Chinese are left untouched by the festive season(c) the Chinese follow the West without thinking(d) the Chinese culture is free of decadence5 The writer believes that the scholars and students (b) .(a) can save society from the influence of a world which is getting smaller(b) have a point of view which should not be rejected(c) are what are referred to as conservatives(d) are right in thinking Chinese festivals have lost their charm6 The basic message of Christmas (d) .(a) is similar to Eastern principles of helping others(b) has the same charm as Chinese festivals(c) is one of Western culture, which attracts youngsters more than other Chinese(d) is one of goodness, love of mankind and help for the poor which is relevant to everyoneDealing with unfamiliar words4 Match the words in the box with their definitions.1 simple (humble)2 to show that there is a good reason for something, especially something that other people think is wrong(justify)3 to experience something, especially something that is unpleasant but necessary (undergo)4 a large meal for a lot of people, usually in order to celebrate something (feast)5 a system for measuring the length of a year and dividing it into periods such as weeks and months(calendar)6 a child, or a young person (youngster)7 pleasant or attractive qualities or features (charm)8 the quality of being morally good (goodness)9 to express a strong opinion and try to persuade other people to accept it (preach)Unit 8 High days and holidays2705 Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the words in Activity 4.There is some (1) justification to scholars’ fears that a lot of Chinese (2) youngsters have recentlybecome more interested in festivals from the Western (3) calendar, such as Christmas which I must admitdoes have some (4) charm. The world is (5) undergoing many changes, and even though we come from agenuinely modest and (6) humble culture, we’re more and more attracted by the bright lights and comfortsof the West. But Christmas is actually a winter (7) feast and is similar to our own festivals because it(8) preaches the importance of being morally (9) good and showing love for mankind.6 Answer the questions about the words and expressions in the box.1 Is oriental likely to mean (a) Eastern, or (b) Western?2 If you vent your feelings, do you (a) express them strongly, or (b) hide them?3 Is an indigenous American likely to be (a) someone who has arrived from another country, or (b)someone who has lived in America before others arrived?4 If you feel at one with something, are you likely to feel (a) unhappy and uncomfortable, or (b) happyand relaxed with it?5 Is zeal likely to be (a) great energy and enthusiasm, or (b) a lack of interest?6 If you want to conserve something, do you want to (a) keep it as it is, or(b) change it?7 Answer the questions about the words and expressions.1 If you’re caught in a trance, are you likely to be (a) aware, or (b) unaware of your state?2 If something happens for good or bad, do you (a) know, or (b) not know whether it will have good orbad results?3 Is a rider likely to be (a) a condition to what has been said, in order to limit it, or (b) an addition to whathas been said, adding extra information?4 Is an anomaly likely to be (a) a contradiction, or (b) a usual feature?5 Is skulduggery likely to be (a) secret activities that are intended to trickor cheat people, or (b) normalevents in everyday life?6 Are mundane affairs likely to be (a) interesting and exciting, or (b) not interesting and exciting?7 Is decadence likely to be (a) highly moral behaviour, or (b) immoral behaviour?8 If you shut your eyes and ears to something, do you (a) pay attention to it, or (b) refuse to pay attentionto it?Language in useBe it / they ...1 Rewrite the sentences using Be it / they …1 Whether it’s Christmas or any other occasion, people like to spend some quality time with their families.Be it at Christmas or on any other occasion, people like to spend some quality time with their families.2 Whether it’s in good ways or bad, the world has changed in recent years. Be it in good ways or bad, the world has changed in recent years.3 Whether it’s with a feast or a humble meal, people celebrate festivals in the same way around the world.Be it with a feast or a humble meal, people celebrate festivals in the same way around the world.4 Whether children are good or naughty, they are blessings.Be they good or naughty, children are blessings.5 Whether they are scholars or ordinary people, they cannot stop the world from getting smaller.Be they scholars or ordinary people, they cannot stop the world from getting smaller.fronting2 Rewrite the sentences using fronting.1 It is not surprising that Christmas has become a global festival.That Christmas has become a global festival is not surprising.2 It may be justified that scholars have expressed concern about the influence of Christmas.That scholars have expressed concern about the influence of Christmas may be justified.3 It’s no different from our ancestors’ enjoying breaks that we enjoy an occasion to relax today.That we enjoy an occasion to relax today is no different from our ancestors’enjoying breaks.Unit 8 High days and holidays2744 It is the reason we celebrate Christmas that most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar.That most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar is the reason we celebrate Christmas.5 It is something we need to remember that decadence is not the sole preserve of the West.That decadence is not the sole preserve of the West is something we need to remember.6 It is something we should not forget that Jesus was born in the East. That Jesus was born in the East is something we should not forget.as3 Rewrite the sentences using as .1 The men, because they want to please their wives, leave them to sleep and go out to meet friends.The men, as they want to please their wives, leave them to sleep and go out to meet friends.2 In the same way as people did all over Russia, they enjoyed blinis and champagne. They enjoyed blinis and champagne as people did all over Russia.3 On International Women’s Day, because it’s important to buy flowers for the women in your life, theflower sellers were doing a busy trade.On International Women’s Day, as it’s important to buy flowers for the women in your life, the flowersellers were doing a busy trade.4 In the same way as women do all over the world, a Soviet woman starts her day by getting the childrenready for school.A Soviet woman starts her day by getting the children ready for school as women do all over the world.collocations4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of suitable expressions from the collocation box.Sometimes more than one collocation is possible.1 You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that. You scared me!2 A festival can be a really difficult time if you are feeling down in the dumpsbecause everyone elseseems to be enjoying themselves when you’re not.3 Notting Hill Carnival had very humble beginnings but it is now one of Britain’s biggest festivals.4 You can sneak a preview of his new movie on the Internet.5 It was really mean of him to dump his girlfriend in a Christmas card.6 Festivals have their charm, even if you are not religious.7 The party was a bit boring so we sneaked away when no one was looking.8 After a while living in a big city began to lose its charm.9 We ate a very humble meal of bread and cheese sitting in the park and watching the May Day parade.10 I wish you could sneak me into your suitcase so that I could come with you!5 Translate the paragraphs into Chinese.1 On International Women’s Day, Soviet women bask in their menfolk’slove and gratitude. In themorning, as it is a holiday, they lounge in bed instead of going out to work. Their husbands, with muchcursing and clattering of pans, cook breakfast for the family; by ten o’clock they proudly serve theirHigh days and holidays Unit 8275wives a charred and shrivelled egg. Beside the woman’s plate will be a bunch of flowers and a little gift,a bottle of scent perhaps, or a pair of tights, which she will exclaim over until the children, scarlet withfury, insist that their mother makes them their proper breakfast. (pans 在原文中其实泛指厨房里的物件，译成汉语时应为“锅碗瓢盆”。
