unit 11

Lesson 11 Famous PeoplePart A Getting StartedSHORT CONVERSATIONSPurpose: This warm-up exercise helps students to understand the basic conversation. The aim is to lay a good foundation for the passage comprehension in Part B, and to prepare the students to improve their ability to analyze, sum up and infer what they are listening to.Procedures:1. While listening, ask students to concentrate on understanding the implied meaning and the tone of the speakers.2. Ask students to answer the questions based on what they infer from the conversation.3. Check the answers.Listen to the tape carefully and choose the right answer to each question you have heard.1. W: I can’t seem to find my photo album.M: I think Mary is looking at it in the living room.Q; What is the woman’s problem?a. She finds no place to put her photo album in the living room.b. It's difficult for her to take photographs indoors.c. She can't find her photo album.d. She is not a good photographer.2. W: Did you hear that Michelle turned down that job"?M: Yeah. The hours were convenient, but she wouldn't have been able to make ends meet.Q:. What does the man say about Michelle?a. The job's short hours make it impossible for her to refuseb. She's looking forward to meeting her new colleaguesc. She refused the position because of the low salary.d. The job is turning into an excellent opportunity for her3. M: Is there a bus I can take to get to the station?W: There is, but you can't rely on it. I'll give you a ride if you can wait while I put these things away.Q: What is the woman going to do?a. Take the man to the station.b. Find out when the next bus leaves.c. Show the man the way to the stationd. Look after the man's things.4. M: I hate memorizing vocabulary.W: Well, it’s part of learning a second language so there is not a whole lot you can do about itQ. What does the woman tell the man?a He has to do what is necessary in order to learn.b. He doesn't have to memorize all the vocabulary.c. There is not much he can learn by memorizing.d. He knows the whole vocabulary list already.5. W: Have you had a chance to wear your new shirt yet?M: That reminds me. I've been meaning to exchange it for a larger size.Q:: What does the man imply about the shirt?a. He hasn't had time to try it on yet.b It doesn't fit him very well.c. He needs a long-sleeved shirt.d. He's not sure he likes the pattern6. M: Do you think you'll feel energetic enough to walk to our study group session tonight?W. If there is one. I guess you haven't heard the weather report. Over a foot of snow is expectedQ. What information can you get from the conversation?a. The woman doesn't think it will snow.b. The location of the session has been changed.c. The session might be canceled.d. She'll probably be too tired to walk to the session7. M: Oh, I turned all of my white socks pink. I threw a red T-shirt in by accidentW. Have you tried running them through again with bleach?Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?a. Use bleach on his socks.b. Buy new white socks.c. Wash his red T-shirt again.d. Throw away his pink socks.8. W: I hear that your brother is planning to transfer to another university.M: Not if I can talk him out of it and believe me, I'm trying.Q: What does the man imply?a. He hasn't talked to his brother since he transferred.b He doesn't think his brother should transfer.c. His brother doesn't want to transfer.d. He hadn't heard the news about his brother.9. W: I'd like to enroll in the free seminar you advertised in the newspaper, the one on managing your personal finances.M: OK, now the ad did say that you have to have a savings account at our bank to be eligible. Do you have one here?Q: What does the man want to know?a. Which seminar the woman wants to sign up for.b If the woman keeps money at the bank.c. Where the woman learned about the seminar.d. If the woman has taken other classes on personal finances.10. W: Did you see the weather forecast for this weekend? I can't believe how the temperature is gonna dip.M: I know. That isn't my idea of what October should be like.Q: What do you know about the man?a. He's used to cold weather.b He expected the weather to be warmer over the weekend.c. He has never liked the weather in October.d. He didn't see the forecast for the weekend.11. M: This exhibit is a total bore. I can't believe they call this art.W: I think I've seen enough.Q: What will the woman probably do next?a. Leave the art exhibit.b. Help the man understand the display.c. Take the artwork down.d. Call the museum director.12. W: We should probably think about selecting someone to lead our study group, somebody really organized. You know?M: Then you can count me out.Q: What is the woman discussing with the man?a.The man is the right person to lead the group.b. No one qualifies as the group leader.c. They should choose someone as their study group leader.d. They shouldn't count on anyone for help in selecting work.13. W: What do you think would be a reasonable price to pay for a new computer?M: You're asking the wrong person. My brother gave me mine.Q: What conclusion can you draw from the man?a. He doesn't know where his brother keeps his computer.b. The woman should buy a used computer.c. He doesn't know how much computers cost.d. His brother paid too much for the computer.14. W: That's a nice-looking jacket. It fits you perfectly. Is it something you boughtrecently?M: Thanks. No, I've had it a while. I've just been waiting for the weather to cool down.Q: What does the man imply?a It's been too warm to wear the jacket.b. The jacket is too big for him.c. He doesn't like cold weather.d. He didn't buy the jacket until cooler weather arrived.15. M: What's wrong with Herald today? He snapped at me for no reason.W: Don't worry. It's just the end-of-semester pressure. He'll be his old self next week.Q: What does the woman say about Herald?a. He started the semester in a bad mood.b He's not usually bad-tempered.c. He has few responsibilities.d. He doesn't like the man.Part B Intensive listening RESOURCES AND ENERGYPurpose: For the first two passages: to train students to understand the passage as a whole and get specific information about it through listening.For the third passage: to train students to summarize the listening material.Procedures:For the first two passages:1. Listen to the passage once and do the first exercise. Ask students to focus on understanding the passages as a whole.2. Listen to the passage again and do the second exercise. Ask students to grasp specific information of the passage.For the third passage:Listen to the passage twice and ask students to summarize the listening material as required with the help of the words and phrases given.Passage 1 Will iam Jefferson ClintonDuring the administration of William Jefferson Clinton, the U.S. enjoyed more peace and economic well-being than at any other time in its history. He was the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win a second term. He could point to the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation in 30 years, the highest home ownership in the country's history, dropping crime rates in many places, and reduced welfare rolls. He proposed the first balanced budget in decades and achieved a budget surplus. As part of a plan to celebrate the millennium in 2000, Clinton called for a great national initiative to end racial discrimination. He sought legislation to upgrade education, to protect the jobs of parents who must care for sick children, to restrict handgun sales, and to strengthen environmental rules.President Clinton was born William Jefferson BIythe IV on August 19,1946, in Hope, Arkansas, three months after his father died in a traffic accident. When he was four years old, his mother wed Roger Clinton. In high school, he took the family name. He excelled as a student and as a saxophone player and once considered becoming a professional musician. As a delegate to Boys Nation while in high school, he met President John Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden. The encounter led him to enter a life of public service. Clinton graduated from Georgetown University and in 1968 won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University. He received a law degree from Yale University in 1973, and entered politics in Arkansas.Clinton was elected Arkansas Attorney General in 1976, and won the governorship in 1978. After losing a bid for a second term, he regained the office four years later, and served until he won the 1992 presidential race. In 1998, as a result of issues surrounding personal indiscretions with a young female White House intern, Clinton was the second U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. He was tried in the Senate and found not guilty of the charges brought against him. He apologized to the nation for his actions and continued to have unprecedented popular approval ratings as president.Exercisesi. Listen to the passage and choose the best answer to each question you have heard.1. Which of the following is NOT true considering Clinton's contributions during his administration?a. The unemployment rate was the lowest in modem times.B Inflation was the lowest in 50 years.c. Home ownership was the highest in the country's history.d. A budget surplus was achieved.2. When did Clinton take his family name?a. On the day he was born.b. When he was four years old.c When he was in high school, d. When he was in Georgetown University.3. What did Clinton once want to be before he entered politics?a. A professional musician,b. A professor.c. An actor,d. A lawyer.4. Who influenced Clinton and led him to enter a life of public service?a. George Washington,b. Abraham Lincoln.c. Franklin Roosevelt. d John Kennedy.5. Which of the following words can best describe the speaker's attitude towards President Clinton?a Positive, b. Negative.c. Neutral,d. Hostile..Passage 2 William ShakespeareMost people have heard of Shakespeare and probably know something of the plays that he' wrote. However, not many people know much about the life of this remarkable man, except that he was born in the market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. We know nothing of his school life and nothing certain is known of what he did between the time he left school and his departure for London. According to a local legend, he was apprenticed to a Stratford butcher, but did not like the life and for this reason decided to leave Stratford.Whatever caused him to leave the town of his birth, the world can be grateful that he did so; What is certain is that he set foot on the road to fame when he arrived in London. It is said that at first he was without money or friends there, that he earned a little by taking care of the horses of the gentlemen who attended the plays at the theater. In time, as he became a familiar figure to the actors in the theater, they stopped and spoke to him. They found his conversation so brilliant that finally he was invited to join their company.Earlier than 1592 there was no mention of Shakespeare either as actor or as playwright, and the name of the theater he worked in was not known. However, by this date he had become one of the three leading members of a company of actors called the "Lord Chamberlain's Men"From what we know of his later life, it is clear that Shakespeare's connection with the theatermade him a wealthy man, since his plays attracted large audiences and he shared in the profits. Towards the end of the sixteenth century he bought a large property in Stratford. It is not certain when he went back there to live, but it was probably around 1603. He is not recorded as having acted in any play after that date, though he continued writing. No less than eleven of his plays were produced during the next ten years.Shakespeare died in 1616. Some years earlier he chose a gravestone under which he was to be buried. He had a curse engraved on this stone which threatened to bring misfortune on anyone who might remove his body from his grave.Exercises1. Listen to the passage and choose the best answer to each question you have heard.1. What does the speaker mainly talk about?a. William Shakespeare as actor and playwright.b. The influence of William Shakespeare on the theater.c The life of William Shakespeare.d. How William Shakespeare became wealthy.2. Why did Shakespeare leave his native place according to a legend?.A He did not like the life of being an apprentice to a butcher.b. He did not like his school life.c. He wanted to find a job in London.d. He wanted to be an actor.3. Why was Shakespeare invited to join the gentlemen's company?a. Because of his brilliant conversation,b. Because of his handsome appearance.c. Because he wrote good plays,d. Because he became Lord Chamberlain.4. What made Shakespeare a wealthy man?a. Help from his friends. b His connection with the theater.c. The large property he inherited,d. His attending the horses for the gentlemen.5. Why did Shakespeare have a curse engraved on his gravestone?a. He wanted people to know how humorous he was.b. He was afraid of being forgotten many years later.c. He wanted people to know he did not like the world he lived in.d. He wanted to threaten anyone who might remove his body from his grave.ii. Listen to the passage again and complete the statements below.1. We know nothing of Shakespeare's school life. Nothing certain is known of what he did between the time he left schoo l and his departure for London.2. What is certain is that he set foot on the road to fame when he arrived in London.3. By 1592, Shakespeare had become one of the three leading members of a company of actors.4. Shakespeare is not recorded as having acted in any play after 1603, though he continued writing. No less than eleven of his plays were produced during the next ten years.5. Shakespeare died in 1616.Passage 3 Michael JordanSports fans all over the world recognize the name of Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. His road to fame began at the University of North Carolina. He brought an acrobatic style to the game that few had seen before. Michael used his quickness and strength to reach the basket again and again. He became famous for his powerful slamdunk.Basketball fans from all over the world began to take notice. One reporter wrote that when Michael went up to dunk the basketball, it looked like he could fly. He was given the nickname, "Air Jordan." In his sophomore season, Michael led his school to the national championship and was named to the All-American team.After college, Michael was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. The NBA was amazed at this high-flying scorer. Michael was named Rookie of the Year in 1985 and Most Valuable Player in 1987. He once set a record by scoring 63 points in one game. For seven straight seasons he led the NBA ,n scoring. By 1990, he had become the most popular player in the game. As basketball's spokesman, he was featured on dozens of ads in magazines and on TV.One goal that Michael had not yet achieved was to be on an NBA championship team In 1991, things finally came together for the Chicago Bulls, and they won the NBA championship But Michael wasn't content with just one championship; he led the Bulls to three straight NBA titles! In just nine seasons, Michael Jordan accomplished more than any other player in NBAhistory. He achieved every goal he had set for himself and more.ExercisesListen to the passage twice and summarise the description about Jordan with the words and phrasesgiven.his road to fame jn 1937his quickness and strength by 1990famous for in 1991nickname led...to...after college in nine seasonsin 1985Part C SpeakingPurpose:To cultivate students' ability to express their views about the subject of the unit by asking them to develop a discussion based on the reflection.Procedure:1. Read the reflection first and then discuss the given questions in pairs.2. Before the discussion, the teacher should give students some hints according to the answers offered in the Teacher's Book.i. Reflection on the topicNowadays, many magazines and newspapers are interested in featuring stories about the private lives of famous people. They make known what they eat, where they live and whom they love. And we often see their pictures in private situations. In doing so, their purpose is not only to report news but also to create news. In fact, the media have a responsibility to present a balanced view on the world and they should respect the privacy of every individual, including public figures. Obviously, it is not appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about famous people.ii. Questions for discussion1. What do you know about the private life of the famous people you are familiar with?2. What are the consequences of invading the private lives of famous people and reporting their private matters? Please give some examples you know.3. What is your opinion on featuring the private lives of famous people?111. Useful sentences or paragraphs for the answers to the questions3. It is not appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to exploit private information about famous people.Usually people read newspapers to learn about the current affairs at home or abroad, and they sometimes read for entertainment. The media should focus on the positive side of celebrities' private lives, not the negative side. The focus should be on their public services, achievements, good habits, and their life experience. If there is an article about Princess Diana, it should be about her charity work. If the information is about Clinton, it should focus on his contribution to the U.S. during his administration.^ The main intention of the media may be to increase the sales of newspapers or magazines by revealing the private lives of celebrities. This practice infringes upon one's privacy and damages one's reputation, and often leads to grave consequences. A good case in point is Diana. It is known that it was the car chase by the reporters that led to her death.Part D Extensive ListeningPIONEERING INTO THE FUTUREIn this part, you are going to hear a longer passage. The passage is printed below with some words and expressions missing. As you listen, fill in the blanks with the words and expressions you have heard.Before Microsoft came along, there really was no software industry. It was just a few companies selling 1) very high-priced software only to companies, big companies. The idea of 2) low cost software that would be empowering for individuals and that there could be literally hundreds of thousands of these successful companies around the world, that was part of 3) the Microsoft dream. And in fact, the software industry is 10,000 times bigger because of the work we do. 4) The vast majority of all the revenue in the software business is because Microsoft has created 5) a uniform platform that is used around the world. And so in every country we've helped companies 6) grow up., create jobs, and pay taxes around the software world. The main competitors who don't like us are actually 7) hardware companies who have been used to charging very high prices for hardware, and the PCs changed that.It's hard to think of a business that's had a more positive effect on customers than 8) the PC business. The rate of product improvement, the kind of empowerment it provides, this ability to create and stay in touch. You know the closest comparison is when 9) publishing came along and people had books. Of course books created a problem. You know, the people who wanted to control things didn't like books, the people who wanted to sell high-priced handwritten things didn't like 10)the printing press. But overwhelmingly it was something that people knew was really positive. The same thing's happened with 11) the PC. There's no company that in terms of our work has gotten as positive feedback and you know has gotten as broad a set of users. Those users are always telling us what they'd like to make better, and that's partly why it's a fun business because we get to make 12) new versions of the software all the time.Well the vision of Microsoft is about information as you want it, any time, anywhere, any place And this is an overall strategy about making it easier to write software, easier to share data, revolutionizing user interface with speech and handwriting, and making reading off the computer as good or better than paper and so today we're as radical as ever in seeing what the horizons 13) for software are.The 14) digital future includes lots of specialized devices. If all you want to do is make a voice call you'll have a device for that. If all you want to do is 15) take a photo, you'll have adevice for that The PC of course will be the device whenever you want to see a full-size screen to do anything with documents or web browsing or 16)planning. Now sometimes these devices will be combined together and we have enough partners who make these devices that every possible combination will be tried You know putting 17) the phone and the camera together, bringing the wristwatch and a camera together, and it'll be completely up to the market to decide exactly how they'd like to see these things packaged. But no doubt, the photos will 18) go digita l, movies will go digital. 19) music will go digital, and so the ability of the user to share and enrich these things will be dramatically better than it's been 20) without digital..。