Unit9DreamsandAmbitionsUnit 9 Dreams and AmbitionsPart AListening StrategyDrawing InferencesThe ability to draw correct inferences from what we have heard is an important skill in listening comprehension because sometimes a speaker does not state directly what he / she intends to say but implies it instead. A speaker’s attitude towards what he / she discusses, in particular, often has to be inferred from the hints he / she has dropped. So we must learn to synthesize all these hints so as to get a complete picture about what is being discussed. In addition, we can rely on the speaker’s choice of words to help us: the use of words of positive, negative or neutral meaning can indicate a positive, negative or neutral attitude respectively.Listen to the following story and do the multiple-choice exercise below.1. We can learn from the passage that Jane _____________.a. wanted to travel because she led an uncomfortable lifeb. used to l ive a comfortable life but it wasn’t the life of her drea mc. didn’t want to change her lifestyle until she reached 35d. all of sudden, wanted to see the world, though she lived quite a good life2. We can infer from the passage that Jane _____________.a. liked Africa more than Europe and Indiab. had never had any boyfriends before she met Johnc. fancied an adventurous life as a teenagerd. realized that London was the best place to live in the world3. The speaker’s attitude towards Jane’s decision to pursue her dream is ________.a. criticalb. neutralc. negatived. positiveScript:Two years ago, Jane had a well-paid job, and an active social life. But it wasn’t the life she had dreamed of as a teenager. At 35, she thought life was passing her by and she decided to change things. She had always wanted to travel round the world, so she gave up her job and set off to follow her dream.The journey took her through Europe and Africa. And it was in Tanzania that she met John, an American who taught in a school there. John was like no other man that she had ever met, and she fell madly in love with him. After two romantic weeks together, Jane continued her journey to India, but then she decided to fly back to Africa.Six weeks later, Jane and John were married. Now they live in London. Jane was very happy that she made that decision to follow her dream. But for that she wouldn’t have met so many wonderful people, or seen so many interesting places. Most of all, she wouldn’t have met th e manof her dreams.Part BPre-listening TaskQuestions for DiscussionYou are going to talk about your dreams and the realization of them. Read the following questions and discuss them with your partner.1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a little child?2. What is your big dream at present? What do you want most in life?3. How great are the chances that you can realize this dream?4. What are you going to do to make this dream come true?5. What do you think is the most important factor in realizing one’s dream s?6. Are opportunities important to the realization of one’s dream?Demo:5. What do you think is the most im portant factor in realizing one’s dreams?I think among many factors, the most important one is determination. Y ou have to be able to follow your dreams regardless of any obstacles. If you have a sound enough reason “why” you are doing something, you will be more determined in accomplishing it. Great determination can help you face tough situations with courage and perseverance. It makes you move along the path you’ve chosen no matter what stands in your way. No dreams can ever be realized without determination.Additional Question for DiscussionWhat does the expression “the American Dream” mean?Demo:We often hear about the American Dream. We know that Americans value the ability to start with a dream and then realize that dream through one’s own efforts. I guess the AmericanDream would mean different things to different people. However, in most cases, the dream would be associated with success in one’s life or career. It can be the better quality of life or a notable achievement. The efforts towards that end may include an education to improve oneself or hard work to earn money. In a wo rd, the American Dream is a person’s hope to achieve a good life in America.Language FocusHere are some sentences and structures that you might find useful in discussing the above questions.●When I was young, I wished to become a world-famous scientist / great novelist / poet /astronaut / movie star / pop singer …●At present, I wish to find a job I dreamed of / I’m really interested in / related to my major /offering a handsome salary.●I wish I can take / acquire / obtain / receive a master’s degree / PhD.●What I want most in life is someone that really cares for me / a house of my own / a goodjob …●I want to devote my life to changing my home town into a prosperous one / taking care oforphans and homeless children / setting up my own business.●I never doubt / have little hope that my dream will come true some day.●My chances of becoming a … are very good / quite slim.●I’m afraid I don’t stand much chance of becoming a …●Perseverance is most important if you want to make your dreams come true.●Where there’s a will, there’s a way.●The hardest thing is to keep pursuing one’s dream in spite of difficulties.●In pursuing a dream, one must keep a balance between one’s strong wish for the dream tocome true and the realities of one’s abi lities and circum stances.●I think it is wise to be realistic / not to aim at something that is beyond you.●Talent and a bit of luck are all you need to realize your dreams.●Talent alone is not enough; you must be quick to seize the opportunities available to you.●Opportunities favor a prepared mind.Listening TasksLarry’s DreamWord Bankdash v. to destroy 使破灭practically ad. almost 差不多nil n. zero 零basic a.of a primary level 起码的，最基本的generous a.willing to give more than one expected 慷慨的tip n. a small amount of money given for a service provided 小费，赏钱fascinate a.to attract the strong attention and interest of sb.吸引，迷住abrupt a.sudden and unexpected 突然的，出其不意的would-be a.wanting to do a particular thing 想要做……的scribble v.to write in a hurry 潦草地书写keep body and soul together to have just enough money, food, etc., to live on 勉强维持生活Script:Larry had always wanted to become a movie star. His hopes for success were dashed again and again, however. Hollywood just did not seem interested. But Larry refused to admit that his chances of getting into movies were practically nil. Someday, he told himself, his big opportunity would come.To keep body and soul together, Larry found a job parking cars for one of Hollywood’s big restaurants. The pay was ba sic but since the guests were quite generous with their tips, he managed to make a living.One day he recognized an important film director driving into the parking lot and getting out of his car. Larry had recently heard that the man was making a new picture.Larry got into the car and prepared to drive it on into the lot and park it. Then he stopped, jumped out and ran over to the director. “Excuse me, sir, but I think it’s only fair to tell you that it’s now or never if you want me in your new picture. A lot of big companies are after me.”Fascinated by Larry’s abrupt statement, the director stopped. “Yes? Which companies?”“Well,” replied the would-be star, “there’s the telephone company, the gas company, and the electric company, to mention only a few.”The director laughed, then scribbled something on a card and handed it to the young man. “Come and see me tomorrow.”Larry got a small part in the director’s next film. He was on his way!Language and Culture Notes1.Hollywoodcenter of American film industry located in the northwestpart of Los Angeles, California2.Hollywood just did not seem interested.Directors at Hollywood did not want him to act in their movies.3. he found a job parking cars for one of Hollywood’ big restaurantsLarry found a job as a valet (车管员) at a big restaurant in Hollywood, parking cars for its customers. Expensive restaurants usually provide valet parking service for their customers. Valets like Larry park customers’ cars for them when they arrive and bring their cars to them when they leave. Customers are supposed to give tips for the service.4.it’s now or neveran emphatic way of saying that something must be done immediately because if you miss the chance, it will never come again5. A lot of big companies are after me.This sentence can be understood in two ways: 1) A lot of important film companies are interested in me; 2) A lot of utility companies (referring to gas, electricity, telephone companies, etc.) are pressing me to pay their bills. Here Larry cleverly exploited the ambiguity in the sentence to impress the film director. T he director was amused by Larry’s sense of humor when he realized the real meaning of the sentence.6.the would-be starreferring to Larry. We can use “would-be” to describe someone who wants to do a particular thing, especially to take up certain career, e.g., a would-be writer, a would-be singer, etc.Exercise 1Listen to the passage and choose the right answers to thequestions you hear.1. What does the story mainly tell us?a. How Larry found a job in a restaurant in Hollywood.b. How Larry managed to make a living in Hollywood.c. How Larry started his career in Hollywood.d. How Larry met an important film director in Hollywood.2. Which of the following statements about Larry can be inferred?a. Larry was an idealistic dreamer.b. Larry had a fine sense of humor.c. Larry was going to be a great movie star.d. Larry was broke when he met the film director.3. Why was the film director interested in Larry?a. He was amused by Larry’s unus ual way of recommending himself.b. He thought Larry would make a good actor.c. He was sorry for Larry.d. He didn’t want Larry to be employed by other companies.Exercise 2Listen again and write down answers to the following questions.1. What helped Larry to carry on with life when his dream was dashed again and again?His belief that one day he would become a movie star.2. What job did Larry find in order to support himself?Pa rking cars for one of Hollywood’s big restaurants.3. Was Larry well-paid and how did he manage to make a living?No, his pay was only basic. But he got generous tips fromguests driving into the restaurant. 4. What happened one day that changed Larry's life?Larry parked the car of a famous film director and was able to intro duce himself to the man. 5. Larry said: “A lot of big companies are after me.”What can be the two meanings of this statement?a. Many big film companies are interested in me.b. Many big companies are pressing me to pay their bills.Speaking TasksListen to the following conversations and repeat after the recording. Then role-play them with your partner.Conversation 1A: I like the story we’ve just heard very much.B: So do I. It’s very entertaining.A: I wonder if Larry would really become a famous movie star.B: It is quite possible. He was so clever.A: But being clever alone doesn’t make you a good actor.B: I suppose so. But at least he had realized his dream of acting in a Hollywood movie.A: That’s true. By the way, what’s your dream?B: I don’t know. I’m not so ambitious as Larry, I think.A: So what do you want most in life, then?B: A decent job, an apartment of my own and a family that I really love.A: I guess most people would like to have those.B: What more can you wish for?A: Well, I’ve alwa ys wanted to be a singer.B: Have you? No wonder, you sing so well.Conversation 2A: Hi, Xiao Fang. How have you been?B: Oh, hello, Xiao Li. I’ve been pretty busy these days.A: Are you preparing to go to the Northwest this summer as a volunteer?B: Yes.A: Do you think your application will be approved?B: Absolutely sure.A: So you can now realize your dream of teaching kids there.B: I have no doubt about that.Conversation 3A: Hi, Ling Pin. How’s your cousin doing?B: He’s tired. He has just taken th e Civil Service Test (公务员考试).A: No wonder I haven’t seen him for ages. Why did he want to take such a test?B: The civil service has recently become a popular career choice.A: Do you think he can get his dream job?B: I’m not certain of that. The competi tion is very, very tough, you know.A: Anyway, dream brings hope. It is good for him to have a dream.B: I think so, too.ExerciseNow make similar conversations according to the given situations. Use the structures and expressions above in your conversations where appropriate.1. Ask your partner about his / her plan to pursue postgraduate studies. Try to use the language that expresses certainty and possibility in your conversation.2. Ask your partner about his / her dreams. You can use someexpressions from the Additional Vocabulary above and other expressions you’ve learned in this unit.Part CTest Your ListeningA PassageListen to the passage and choose the right answers to the questions.1. When did Zaslow start writing stories?a. In 1988.b. In his childhood.c. At Carnegie Mellon University.d. At the Chicago Sun-Times.2. How old was Zaslow when his column became popular with readers in Chicago?a. 33.b. 31.c. 28.d. 41.3. What is the major benefit Zaslow has got from his years in the advice business?a. He has realized his dream of becoming a writer.b. He has greater faith in his fellow men.c. He earns a good salary.d. He has made many friends.4. What can be inferred from the passage?a. People playing the roles of cartoon figures at Disney World had a hard life.b. Zaslow did not like his job at the Wall Street Journal.c. Jeffrey Zaslow was a better advice columnist than Ann Landers.d. To be an advice c olumnist has always been Zaslow’s dream.Script:Jeffrey Zaslow, the advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, grew up in suburban Philadelphia. His biggest ambition in life was to be a writer. “I never wanted to be anything else,” he says. “I was ten or eleven when I saw Gone with the Wind and I wrote my own Civil War story.”After earning a degree in creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, he got a job at a newspaper in Orlando, Florida. He made his mark with his article on the rough working conditions endured by the people inside the Mickey and Minnie costumes at Walt Disney World. Later he became a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal.In 1988, when the famous advice columnist, Ann Landers, quit her job at the Chicago Sun-Times, the paper launched a nationwide contest to find her replacement. Jeffrey Zaslow applied. Among the 12,000 contestants, women outnumbered men nine to one, and most of them had seen a lot more of life than Zaslow, who was 28 and not married. When he reached the semifinals, his editors at the Journal ran a headline: “Why He’ll Never Make It.” But Jeff rey did make it in the finals.Today, thirteen years later, his column, “All That Zazz,” is read by thousands of readers in the Chicago area. His years in the advice business left him with a deep appreciation for people and their problems. He is also greatly moved by the generosity, sincerity and good nature of his readers. “Wonderful people,” he says, “do outnumber terrible people in this world. I have much more faith in my fellow me n than I had before. And I’ve read plenty of letters to back that up.”Part DTime to TalkLook at these pictures and describe them one by one. If possible, try also to find something relevant to talk about.Hints:1. Dream One: to become a scientistWork in a laboratory, conduct experiments, do research, make an invention, make a discovery, improve people’s lives, make the world a better place2. Dream Two: to become a pop singerfamous singer, give a performance, entertain people, communicate with the audience, dream of becoming, sing to people, different parts of the world, give a show, be broadcast on the radio and TV, records and CDs, sell well3. Dream Three: to own a large housewith many stories and rooms, by the sea, a garden in the front and at the back, trees and lawns, have a good view, live with those whom I love, keep pets, grow flowers, have a swimming pool, exercise to keep fit, a long lifeDemos:1. The picture shows a young woman working in a laboratory. She is a scientist. She is using special equipment to conduct an experiment. A lot of scientific research work is done in laboratories. Many important discoveries are made through research.I have a dream. I want to become a scientist. I want to work like the woman sc ientist. I hope one day my work will lead to a significant discovery or invention. This discovery or invention will help improve people’s lives and make the world a better place.2. The picture shows two famous pop singers. They are givinga performance. They entertain people with their music and communicate with the audience through their songs.I dream of becoming a pop singer. I hope I will have opportunities to give my own shows as well as to perform together with other artists. I hope my performances will be broadcast on the radio and TV. I hope my records and CDs will sell well throughout the world.3. This is a big house with several stories and many rooms. It is located by the sea. It has a large garden in the front and another one at the back. There are lawns and trees around the house. The house has a very good view of the surrounding area.My dream is to own a large house like this. I will live there with those whom I love, keep some pets, and grow all kinds of flowers. I will have a swimming pool built at the back of the house.I will exercise there every day to keep fit so that I can live a long and enjoyable life.Movie TimeWord BankMaya Dolittle 玛雅·杜立德（人名）Rick Beverly 里克·贝弗利（人名）Tiffany 蒂芙尼（人名）outfit n.全套服装，装束veterinarian n.兽医Script:- Tiffany, what’s going on? Is that ...?- That’s right.It’s you, Maya Dolittle. On television. Bet ter get used to it, girl.- Better get used to it? Tiffany, what is he talking about?- Just listen to what he has to say, OK?- Ladies, please have a seat on that couch. Come on in. Hi,Maya, my name is Rick Beverly ... and I like to consider myself a dream maker. I spend my life making people’s dreams ... come true. I did it for Tiffany, and I can do it for you too. Now, I know all about your amazing talents ... and I bet I know what your dream is. To spend your life helping the animals, right?- Y eah. Y eah, that’s right.- That’s beautiful. Just like your daddy. Y ou got me right in my heart part. Well, what better way to help those poor animals than with your very own TV show.- A TV show?- Maya, the world ... No, the animals ... they need someone who cares, someone who can give them a voice. And who better to give them that voice than someone who can actually talk to them. Who better than you, Maya Dolittle?- So wait. Wha t you’re trying to say is, you wanna put me on a TV show?- No, he says he wants to put us on TV.- Exactly. Tiffany and Maya. The animal talkers.- It will be so hot. We’ll wear like really amazing outfits. Have on really cool pets.- Cool.- Maybe you can even teach me how to talk to animals too.- Wait, wait, wait, you guys, hold on. This is all really exciting, but I can’t do a TV show.I’m about to start studying to become a veterinarian.- Wow, a veterinarian. Good for you. I bet that takes a long time though, huh?- Y eah, it actually does, like seven years.- Seven years. What a long time to waste! I mean, wait. Or you could do this TV show and start helping those poor littleanimals right now.ExerciseChoose the right answer to each of the following questions.1. What did the man want Maya Dolittle to do?a. He wanted Maya to host a TV show.b. He expected Maya to talk to the animals.c. He wanted Maya to major in veterinarian.d. He asked Maya to help to realize his dream.2. What can be known about Maya’s dream?a. She dreams of becoming a TV hostess.b. She hopes to be helpful to animals.c. She plans to study at college.d. She looks forward to working with Tiffany.3. How did Maya feel about being on TV?a. She felt eager to be on TV.b. She felt urged to be on TV.c. She felt frightened to be on TV.d. She felt surprised to be on TV.4. How did the man persuade Maya to accept his offer?a. He promised Maya a large sum of money.b. He made Maya believe she could help animals right now.c. He agreed to help Maya to become a veterinarian soon.d. He allowed Maya to talk to animals as she wanted.。
