Unit 8

Unit 8 Coping With an Educational ProblemText A Fable of the Lazy TeenagerBenjamin Stein I. Suggested Teaching PlanObjectivesStudents will be able to:1. understand the main idea (teenagers, idleness and ignorance will seriously affect themselves and society in general) and structure of the text (two parts ─the author’s concern and his proposed remedy);2. learn the way to write a cause-and-effect analysis;3. grasp the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;4. conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities centered on the theme of the unit.While-reading tasksIn the first part of this text, the author brings up a problem: idleness and ignorance among a great many U.S. teenagers. In the second part he offers a fable trying to teach a lesson.II. Text AnalysisThere are three expository essays in this textbook: Units 3, 6 and 8. By now students should be able to tell the different techniques used in expository writing.Unit3 does not reveal the main topic until the third paragraph. In the first two paragraphs the author tries to guide readers through reasoning by which he arrives at his main argument. Unit 6 starts by posing a question —Do animals have intelligence, to which the author then gives a positive answer. Unit 8 begins with an anecdote.The main part of Unit 3 provides three solutions to the question of how to educate the public so as to form in them a positive attitude towards science. The main part of unit 6 provides three examples to prove that some animals are intelligent. The main part of Unit 8 is a fable, which functions to convey the message that education is vital to both the individual and society.The last paragraph of both Unit 3 and unit 6 presents a conclusion. The final part unit 8 does not.III. Cultural Notes1. C.C.L.A. (University of California at Los Angeles): the largest of the eight branches of theUniversity of California. It was established in 1919 and now has about 35, 000 students.UCLA is known especially for its film studies.2. The Wealth of Nations: an important work of economic and social theory by Adam Smith (a Scottish philosopher and economist, published in1776.Its full title was An Inquiry into the Nature and Cause of the Wealth of Nation. In it he analyzed the relationship between work and the production of a nation’s wealth. His conclusion was that the best Economic situation results from encouraging free enterprise (an economic system in which there is open competition in business and trade, and no government control.) This ideal has had a great influence on economic theories since and it formed the basis of the economic policies of the Conservative government in Britain in the 1980s.IV. Language Points1. bring home to: Fig. to cause someone to realize how serious, difficult, or dangerous something is－You should bring the harmfulness of mad dogs home to your naughty child.－My weakness was brought home to me by the heavy work I had been assigned to do.－The importance of regular exercise was brought home to him when his best friend developed heart problems.2. run out (of sth): use up or finish a supply of (sth.)－They ran out of money and had to abandon the project.－We’re low on gas. We’d better stop before we run out.－You have to work faster. We’re running out of time.－He ran out of space and had to put his address on the other side of the paper.cf. (sth.) run out: come to an end; become used up－My contract will run out soon.－Our money finally ran out. [=our money was all used; we had no more money]－Hurry up. Time is running out.collocation: run down; run into3. handful: [C]an amount that you can hold in your hand (of + of)－He pulled out a handful of coins from his pocket.－The boy picked up a handful of stones and started throwing them at us.a handful of something: [S] a very small number of people or things－There were only a handful of people there.－She invited loads of friends to her party, but only a handful of them turned up.4. do sth. in one’s head: calculate sth. mentally; without writing anything－I can’t do those figures in my head.－She did some quick calculations in her head.5. in amazement: with a feeling of great surprise or disbelief－She looked up at him in amazement.－The crowd watched in amazement as the magician performed his tricks.cf.to one’s amazement: to one’s surprise－I applied for the job, and, (much) to my amazement, I was hired. [=I was very surprised to be hired]－Much to the amazement of her family, she left school to pursue her acting career.6. No modestly educated adult can fail to be upset by such an experience. (Para. 6): Any adult who has received proper education will be disappointed with such an experience.modestly: not much, not greatly; to a small degree适度地，适中的－a modestly priced car－a modestly dressed young woman衣着朴素－Our business has been modestly successful.－Financial markets rose modestly.－She has had a modestly successful career.－She modestly refused to accept credit for the team’s success.－She modestly kept her from interfering in other people’s affairs. 她的谦虚得体使她保有不干涉他人事务的品行upset: to make (someone) unhappy, worried, etc. (usu. used in: be upset by/about)－That remark you made really upset me.－Don’t upset yourself over it.－It upsets him that he can do nothing to help.－A lot of people were upset by the court’s decision.－It upsets me to think I might never see him again.－Americans wouldn’t be upset about lawmakers’ Copenhagen trip, if “we believed” in “global warming”.7. While our children seem better-natured than ever, they are so ignorant —and so ignorant of their ignorance —that they frighten me.: Our children seem to be more polite and kind than ever, but they do not have the knowledge of a lot of things, and what’s more, they are not aware of the lack of knowledge.good-natured: naturally kind and helpful and not easily made angry; friendly, pleasant, or cheerful－a good-natured competition－Her good-natured personality put us all at ease.ignorant (of/about): lacking knowledge or information－She was ignorant about the dangers of the drug.－He remains ignorant of the changes.－Political historians are often rather ignorant of economics.8. slice: (1) infml a part of something; an example of something－Everybody wants a slice of the profits.－A good slice [=portion] of the population saw the game on TV.－The Fourth of July parade was a real slice of Americana(典型美国事物).a slice of the cake: (BrE) a portion or share of something－My business partner agreed to split the profits equally, but I know he wanted a bigger slice of the cake. [=piece/slice/share of the pie](2) a thin flat piece cut from sth. larger－a slice of bread－They sell pizza by the slice. [=they sell individual pieces cut from a pizza]－Cut the tomatoes into slices.9. The ability to perform even the simplest calculations is only a memory among many students I see.: Many students whom I see don’t have the ability to perform even the simplest calculations any longer.ability: n. [C; U] the power or skill to do something (+ to do)－a young woman with many remarkable musical/artistic/athletic etc ability/abilities－a teacher with an ability to inspire his students－Does he have the ability [=authority] to fire employees?－The writer has the ability [=capability, capacity] to interest readers－She has shown some ability with foreign languages.－He always works to the best of his ability. [=as well as he can]10. indifference: lack of interest in or concern about something (—often + to)－She was amazed that some people could watch the trial with indifference.－A few can even display a chilling indifference to killing someone.－The government has shown complete/utter indifference to the struggles of organized labor.－You can go or you can stay. It’s a matter of complete indifference to me. [=I do not care at all if you go or stay]－[S] She watched them with a cool indifference.11. sum up: (1) to tell (information) again using fewer words; to give a summary of (statements, facts, etc.)总结－She sums up the main arguments of the essay in the final paragraph.－To sum up, we need a better public health-care system.(2) to describe or show the most important parts or qualities of (someone or something) in a brief or simple way;to describe (someone or something) using few words概括－The article nicely sums up her career.－That picture sums him up perfectly. [=that picture perfectly shows what kind of person he is] －The solution to the landfill problem can be summed up in one word: recycling.－The word “lazy” sums him up pretty well.that (about) sums it up: spoken used to say that a description of a situation is correct－“So, you don’t want to go because you think it will be boring?” “That just about sums it up.”12. compete with/against (sb. for sth.): try to be better or more successful than someone or something else－She competed against students from around the country.－We are competing with companies that are twice our size.－As a stepmother, don’t even try to compete with the children’s mother for their love.－They found themselves competing with foreign companies for a share of the market.can’t compete (with something): be unable to be more successful－Small, independent bookstores simply can’t compete with the big national chains.－Store-bought cookies can’t compete with homemade ones. [=homemade cookies are much better than store-bought cookies]13. human capital: Human capital refers to people’s knowledge, skills and capabilities generated by investments in education and health14. accumulate: vt. to gather or acquire (something) gradually as time passes－She has slowly accumulated a fortune.－The police have been accumulating [=collecting] evidence of his guilt.－They set to work accumulating a huge mass of data.vi.to increase gradually in amount as time passes－Evidence of his guilt is accumulating.－Fat tends to accumulate around the hips and thighs.－Dust had accumulated during her absence.15. affect: have an influence on－His decisions could affect the lives of millions of people.－The accident will affect the value of the car.－We learned about the way the oceans are affected by the moon.usage Do not confuse the verbs affect and effect. Affect means to act on or change someone or something.－Rain affected [=influenced] their performance.Effect means to cause something to happen.－The new president effected [=made, caused] many changes to/in the company’s policies. Note that the verb affect and the noun effect are used in contexts that are similar.－The weather affected our plans. = The weather had an effect on our plans. [=the weather caused us to change our plans]16. function: work, operate, or actfunction normally/correctly/properly etc－The new machine functions well.－His bad health has prevented him from being able to function effectively in recent weeks.－Her heart now seems to be functioning normally.－The computer network is not yet fully functioning.function as: serve as; have a specified role as－Teachers also function as counselors.－The couch was designed to also function as a bed.17. idle: (1) lazy; not doing anything懒散的－There was a group of idle boys standing on the corner.－Go and wake up that idle brother of yours.(2) not working, active, or being used 空闲的－idle workers [=workers who do not have jobs]闲散劳动者－the idle rich [=rich people who do not have to work]无所事事的富人－The company’s competitor’s have not been idle in recent months.－The factory has been lying/sitting/standing idle for the past year.－The workers have been idle for the last six months.18. jam also jam up: vt.; vi. (1) to get stuck; (to cause) to stop working properly because something is preventing it from moving－The front roller has jammed on the photocopier.－The copy machine jammed (up) again.－A piece of paper jammed the copy machine.(2) to fill (a place) completely or fill sth. so that movement is slow or stopped－Thousands of people jammed the hall. = The hall was jammed [=jam-packed, packed] with thousands of people.－Thousands of people jammed into the hall.－All the roads and bridges were jammed (with traffic).—(fig.) All the telephone lines were jammed with calls from angry customers.19. break down: to stop working; fall, collapse; to fail or stop working in a successful way－Our car broke down on the highway.－The printing machines are always breaking down.－Negotiations have broken down. [=collapsed]－I left London when my marriage broke down. [=failed]－The government’s argument broke down completely when new evidence came to light.20. drive/hammer sth. home (to sb.): to make something completely clear to someone－He didn’t have to drive the point home. The videotape had done that.－He hammered home the message that his party would be tough on crime.－She used charts and statistics to drive home her message that we need to economize.－The teacher repeated the point three times just to drive it home.－I hope this really drives the importance of safety home to you.－The accident drove home the importance of wearing seatbelts to everyone concerned.21. humble: (1) not proud, modest or not believing that you are important－a very humble person－a humble request－a humble attitude/manner－Despite all his achievements, he has remained humble.－He is very humble about his achievements.－She is too humble to let praise go to her head.－formal Please accept our humble apologies for the error.－(sometimes humorous) In my humble opinion [=in my opinion], he is the most talented actor on the stage today.依我拙见－Her humble suggestion is that we review the data more carefully.(2) poor; not high in rank or status－He comes from a humble background.－She’s not ashamed of her humble beginnings.22. suggestion: an idea, plan or action that is suggested or the act of suggesting it－Do you have any suggestions?－Please send comments and suggestions to our post office box.－[+ that] They didn’t like my suggestion that we should all share the cost.－I have a suggestion that houses should be built on this site.－I’d like to offer/make a suggestion.－I am always open to suggestions. [=ready to hear new ideas]at/on someone’s suggestion: because someone said that you should－On his suggestion, I applied for the job.－She went to Germany at my suggestion.23. …a movie, o r TV series, dramatizing just how difficult it was for this country to get where it is—and how easily it could all be lost. (Para.10): --people should make the past American history into a movie or TV series to show how difficult for the country to reach to its present wealthy state—and how easily that the wealth will be lost.24. portable: light and small enough to be easily carried or moved－a portable radio/telephone/computer－Portable devices such as MP3 players are becoming increasingly popular.－Portable software / A portable computer program can be used on different computer systems.可移植软件；免安装软件port: to carryderivative words: import; export; transport; deport(驱逐); porter; passport25. search for: vt.; vi. (1) to carefully look for someone or something (in something)－They’re still searching for the lost child.—often used figuratively ▪ Scientists are searching for a cure. [=are doing research to try to finda cure]－He searched for the words to comfort her. [=he tried to think of words that he could say to comfort her]－She searched for an answer to his question.－He searched his room for his wallet.－The police searched her for concealed weapons.(2) to use a computer to find information in (a database, network, Web site, etc.)检索－She searched the Web for information about the car.－She searched for information on the Web.26. luxury: (1) [C] something expensive which is pleasant to have but is not necessary－I like to buy myself little luxuries from time to time.－He spent a fortune on expensive wines and other luxuries.－Right now a new car is a luxury that I can’t afford.－On my salary, I can afford few luxuries.(2) [S or U] something which gives you a lot of pleasure but which you cannot often doafford/have/enjoy the luxury of something－A day off work is such a luxury.－We can’t afford the luxury of waiting any longer.－We were lucky to have the luxury of choosing from among several good options.(3) [U] great comfort, especially as provided by expensive and beautiful things —often used before another noun－a luxury cruise/hotel/apartment/car etc－She stole to keep her boyfriend in luxury.－He was leading a life of luxury in Australia.－the height of luxury极度奢侈27. fast-forward: to move quickly to a later point in a story快进－Fast-forward to York at the turn of the century.－He wished he could fast-forward to the future, when he would no longer be a student.－The decided to fast-forward negotiations so as to avoid a strike.28. better off: comparative form of well-off(1) having more money than someone else or than you had before－The better off he became, the less he thought about other people.－The better-off people live in the older part of town.－Obviously we’re better off now we’re both working.－When his parents died, he found himself $100 000 better off (= he had $100 000 more than he had in the past).(2) in a better position, if or after something happens (=used to give advice or an opinion)－He’d be better off with a new job.－I think she’s better off without him.－He’d be better off start ing with something simpler.－He’d be better off work ing for a bigger company.29. scared: frightened of something, or nervous about something; afraid of－I’ve always been scared of dogs.－I wanted to ask her out but was scared that she might refuse.－The boys were scared to cross the street.－She was scared to death of flying. = She was scared stiff of f lying.－I am really scared about speaking in front of the class.30. brain(s): the ability to think and reason; intelligence －often plural－If he had any brains, he would have left a long time ago.－She has both brains and beauty.－The job requires brains.－Don’t be such an idiot—use your brain. [=head]31. wake up: (1) to (make someone) stop sleeping－James usually wakes up early.－I’ll wake you up when it’s time to leave.－It takes a couple cups of coffee for me to really wake up in the morning.(2) to cause (someone) to become aware of something (—often + to)－He finally started to wake up and take care of his health.－Tourists are only now waking up to the fact [=are only now starting to realize] that this is a great place to visit.－The study woke us up to the importance of regular exercise. [=made us realize the importance of regular exercise]32. and government offers no services to the working class.: Here "services" refers to the systems of social security such as health care and provision for the unemployed maintained by the government.33. American’s have long since stopped demanding good education for their children.: American’s have stopped requiring their children to receive good education for a long time. long since: if something has long since happened, it happened a long time ago－I’ve long since forgiven her for what she did.－He has long since been recognized as a great playwright－His study is a chaos: his house keeper has long since given up trying to put his papers in order.他的书房乱七八糟，他的管家早已放弃为他整理文件了。