美国梦Tony Trivisonno's American Dream

Unit 4, BK 1Tony Trivisonno’s American DreamRead the following quotations and give your interpretation of the one that strikes you as most inspiring.All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers.------Orison Swett Marden If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.----- William Arthur Ward What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible.------ Theodore Roethke Luck is when opportunity knocks and you answer.------Anonymous Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.------ Henry David Thoreau Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities------ Sue Ebaugh If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.------ Henry David Thoreau You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"------George Bernard Shaw Text Organization1. How many parts can the text be divided into? And what’s the main idea of each part?The text can be roughly divided into two parts. The first part revolves around the life story of Tony Trivisonno. That is from Para 1 to Para 29. The main idea of this part is that with determination, vision and perseverance, Tony Trivisonno fulfilled his American dream. The second gives the author’s reflections on the story of Tony. That’s from Para 30 to Para 33. In this part, the author give s his own understanding of why Tony could make his dream come true.2. As is already mentioned, the first part of the text centers on the life story of Tony. The story is, actually, made up of several events which go a long way towards Tony’s realizing his ambition. Go through the first part again and list the main events.1)Tony volunteered to work as a help at Mr. Crawford’s house.2)Tony asked for a job clearing snow at Mr. Crawford’s factory.3)Tony learned to become a skilled worker.4)Tony bought a house with Mr. Crawford’s help.5)Tony bought a farm and sent for his family back in Italy.Language Pointscomprehend understand sth. fully 全面了解、理解、领会I cannot comprehend how you could have been so stupid.He comprehends that he must improve his work, or fail the course.比较comprehensible和comprehensivecomprehensible capable of being understood; clear, intelligible能理解的a book that is comprehensible only to specialistsHer writing is quite comprehensible.comprehensive that includes nearly everything（几乎）包罗万象的；全面的She has a comprehensive grasp of the subject.Our company has a comprehensive health plan that covers expenses for doctors, hospital, medicine and dental care.turn away refuse to allow sb. to enter a place; refuse to give help or support to sb. 不准某人进入某处；拒绝帮助或支持某人The security guard turned away people who didn’t have invitations to the party.Hundreds of people had to be turned away from the stadium because it was full.assume accept sth. as true before there is proof 假定；假设；设想；以为I assume that the present situation is going to continue.We must assume him to be innocent until he is proved guilty.put on or display sth. falsely; pretend 装作；假装assume ignorance, indifference, an air of concernThe look of innocence she assumed had us all fooled.begin to act in or exercise sth; undertake; take on 开始从事；承担；担任The winner of the election assumed the office of senator.compliment sb. on sth. express praise or admiration of sb.（对某人）表示赞美或敬佩I comprehended her on her skillful performance.She complimented the nine-year-old boy on his good manners.work out calculate sth. 计算；算出I’ve worked out your share of the expenses at $10.develop, formulate 想出；制订出The president worked out a solution to the company’s problems.capacity the ability to contain, hold or absorb 容量，容积a hall with a seating capacity of 2000That restaurant has a 100 seat capacity.ability to produce, experience, understand or learn sth. 生产、体会、理解或学习的能力She has an enormous capacity for hard work.This book is within the capacity of younger readers.turn sb./sth. down reject or refuse to consider (an offer, a proposal, etc. or the person who makes it) 顶回或拒不理会（好意、建议等或提议的人）He tried to join the army but was turned down because of poor health.He asked Jane to marry him but she turned him down/turned down his proposal.delighted very pleased; showing delight 非常高兴的；显示愉快的I’m delighted at your success/to hear of your success/that you succeeded.I am delighted to accept your invitation to dinner.“Will you come to the party?” “I’d be delighted to!”for sale available for purchase 待售；供出售We don’t want our car anymore; it is for sale.比较on sale available for a lower price than usual 廉价出售；降价销售I bought this coat on sale, for $20 less than the original price.wreck sth. or sb. ruined 被严重破坏之物；受到了严重损害的人After the accident, his car was a wreck.He is a wreck after drinking for so many years.a ship lost at sea 海上失事船只Some divers like to dive for wrecks in the ocean.call on visit sb. 拜访，访问We called on our new neighbors last weekend.request that sb. do sth. 要求The governor called on the state residents to conserve water.down payment a part payment at the time of buying sth. 定金We made a down payment on the refrigerator and agreed to monthly payments on the rest.odds and ends a mix of items, bits and pieces 零星东西；残剩的东西We moved all our things from one apartment to another, except for a few odds and ends, like an old lamp.send for ask for sb. to come, summon 派人去叫；召唤send for a taxi, an ambulance, a doctorsend for sb. to repair the TVhunt search for 搜寻；寻找I hunted for my hat everywhere and finally found it.Police are hunting an escaped criminal.chase and capture or kill 打猎Every autumn, many people hunt deer in this area.sponsor a person, business, or group that helps pay for sth.(cultural or sporting event, TV shows, etc) 发起人；赞助者，资助者The sports equipment store is the sponsor of the local baseball team; it pays for uniforms and transportation.act as a sponsor 发起；赞助，资助A beer company sponsored the baseball game by paying for television advertising.pass away die 去世Her father passed away just last week.check on sth. examine sth. to discover if it is true, safe, correct, etc. 检查某事物（是否真实、安全、正确等）I checked on my facts before going to the meeting.see (to it) that make sure that 一定注意到…；务必…See to it that you’re ready on time.homey like home; cosy 像家一样的；舒适惬意的-y 这是一个口语色彩特别浓厚的后缀，常用来构成临时语，表示“有点…的”“带有…味道或色彩的”等意思。