Unit 12 P2 Reading Comprehension and Language Activities

1. Unit 12P2 Reading Comprehension and Language Activities Pre-reading Task Discussion 1.Many people believe in fortune-telling, the power of lucky numbers and supernatural forces. We call them superstitions because these beliefs can not be scientifically proved. Why do people hold superstitious beliefs? 2.Is it possible that the advances in science and technology could eventually eliminate superstitions in people’s mind, and why?

2. The Never-ending Fight by Isaac Asimov I was interviewed on television recently and, in answering the questions, I found myself expressing my contempt for the various superstitious beliefs that plague humanity. The interviewer asked, “But since, by your own admission, most people believe this sort of thing and find solace or comfort it, why do you want to deprive them of it?” I answered as best I could in the brief time available to me before the camera. But I can do it better now with more space at my disposal. This, in essence, is what I said.

3. There are two reasons. In the first place, I have the call to do so, the call to point out the uselessness of superstition. Everyone is perfectly ready to believe theists when they say they have the call to preach their version of the world of God and to accord them a kind of humble respect for having such a noble mission. Why, then, should I be scorned because I have the call to preach my version of the world of reason? I have my own notion of what it means to be rational and to look at the universe clearly. Unlike theists, I threaten no one with hellfire if they refuse to agree with every word I say; nor do I attempt to bribe them with tales of eternal bliss if only they accept my every syllable. Rather, I preach a universe in which there is neither threat nor bribe but merely something one strives to understand merely for the sake of understanding.

4. Unlike theists, I do not claim to have a pipeline to something supernatural. I do not claim to have absolute truth and an eternal answer to every problem past, present, or future. Rather, I offer the fallible human mind doing the best it can to improve its view somewhat from generation t generation. And what I ask is merely that I be given a chance to express this rather modest and humble attitude without let or hindrance. Secondly, it is no defense of superstition and pseudo-science to say that it brings solace and comfort to people and that therefore we “elitists” should not claim to know better and to take it away from the less sophisticated. If solace and comfort are how we judge the worth of something, then consider that tobacco brings solace and comfort to smokers; alcohol brings it to drinkers; drugs of all kinds bring it to addicts; the fall of cards and the run of horses bring it to gamblers; violence brings it to sociopaths. Judge by solace and comfort only and there is no behavior we ought to interfere with

5. To be sure, it is easy to see that all these things bring harm to their practitioners, but can it not be argued that if some people get pleasure out of a practice that does harm to them it is nevertheless their body, their choice, their health, and their life to do with as they wish? Who are we to be the “big brother” who attempts to dictate our notion of a superior way of life to other to others against their will? There is indeed something to this if it is only the practitioner’s body and health and life that is involved and no one else’s. But what of the smoker whose effluvium damages the lungs of non-smokers forced to breathe his or her reek? What of the drinker who drives and kills? What of the addict who lures others into addiction? What of the sociopath who directly harms others as his or her path to joy? By and large, then, society demands that these harmful physical practices be controlled insofar as it can be done humanely. But, in that case, why should we not be at least as deeply concerned with the pernicious effects of superstition? Those who believe in magical methods of preventing or curing disease often do not turn to rational methods till it is too late. Those who believe that disasters are the work of inscrutable supernatural forces do not search for rational ways of preventing them. Those who believe that humanity is under the beneficent control of supernatural forces that will see us through all our problems if we only “have faith” do not seek natural solutions to those problems.

6. We live in times when overpopulation, pollution, the greenhouse effect, the thinning of the ozone layer, the deterioration of the environment, the destruction of the forests and of wildlife, and the dangers of multiplying nuclear armaments all threaten us with the destruction of civilization and the radical reduction in the very viability of Earth. If our only answer to all those problems, we are making that destruction certain. Yes, we will have our solace and comfort till the moment of the destruction, and we might console ourselves with the thoughts that we will all meet in a better world than this one and that indeed the Bible predicts the destruction of this world. But how many really believe that, even among those who say they do? (To be continued)

7. 1. Comprehension workA Probe the text Discuss the following questions 1.What was the interviewer’s argument for superstitious beliefs? The interviewer argued that as most people held superstitious beliefs and found solace and comfort in it, they should not be deprived of them. 2.What is Asimov’s first reason for expressing his view on superstitious beliefs? The first reason Asimov gives is that he has the right to point out the uselessness of superstition. He feels that he should be given the same chance to express his views on superstition as theists who claim they have the right to preach it.

8. 3.In stating his first reason, how does Asimov make a distinction between his argument and the preaching of theists? In stating his first reason Asimov implicitly indicates that his argument differs from the preaching of those theists both in method and in contents. Theists threaten people with hellfire and bribe them with promises of eternal bliss, while he merely attempts to look at the universe in a rational way. Unlike those theists who appear to have absolute truth and an eternal answer to every problem, Asimov only offers an ordinary person’s mind working at its very best to improve its view from generation to generation.

9. 4.What is Asimov’s second reason? The second reason is that he must point out the fallacies of superstition. He finds it misleading to claim that superstition can bring solace and comfort to people. The example he used to argue for his point that these things (smoking, drinking and driving, and drug addiction) are not only harmful to the practitioners, but potentially harmful to the other people as well. Using the excuse of seeking solace and comfort for themselves, these people do great harm to others.

10. 5.Where in his essay does Asimov really touch upon the uselessness of superstition? Hoe does he prove hid point? In paragraph 13 and 14, Asimov argues that superstition is useless in the face of real problem, such as diseases, environment issues and world peace problems. The superstitious believers do not search for rational ways of preventing or solving these problems. Worse than this is that they even prevent others from searching for solutions to all these problems facing us. 6.What is the tone of the last paragraph? And why does Asimov want to adopt this way of speaking? The tone in the last paragraph is sarcastic. Asimov wonders whether those advocating superstition do not believe what they are preaching themselves.

11. 2 Language work A In other words pernicious Fill out each blank with a word from the text which is closet in meaning to the words or expressions in the brackets. 1.Many sociologists believe that excessive sex and violence on the screen is ____________ to the teenagers’ psychological development. (harmful) 2.Those who are not prepared to cope with cultural differences in a foreign environment are likely to be ___________ by cultural shock at the beginning. (afflict, distress) 3.Experts have repeatedly warned us that computers are sometimes _________, which could lead to breakdown of the whole system. (likely to make mistake) 4.After years of work in business the young man has turned out more ______________ than most of his peers. (worldly and experienced) 5.Before the job interview I felt extremely restless. But I _______________myself with the thought that other applicants might be more nervous than I. (give comfort) plagued fallible sophisticated consoled

12. eternal 6.The retired army officer has suffered _______ remorse and repentance for his brutal killing of innocent civilians during the war. (everlasting) 7.The king and his councilors all assumed that the young farmer must have had some ____________ magic for his reaping of what he had not sown. (mysterious) 8.The drug-trafficker attempted to _______ the officer to let him go through the Customs. (offer some gift for a dishonest purpose) 9.At present it is very difficult to _______ which party will win the Parliamentary election. (foretell) inscrutable bribe predict

13. B Work with sentences Rewrite the following sentences with the expressions from the box. 1.How to reform the country’s educational system has basically become a social and political problem. How to reform the country’s educational system has in essence become a social and political problem. 2.We should mot allow poverty to take away the right of even a single child to receive education. We should not allow poverty to deprive a single child of the right to receive education.

14. 3.Life in a university differs from that in a high school in that students have plenty of time for their own use. Life in a university differs from that in a high school in that students have plenty of time at their own disposal. 4.Generally speaking, body language can signal a person’s true feeling, even though he/she is not aware of it. By and large, body language can signal a person’s true feeling, even though he/she is not aware of it. 5.He made her come into his home with a false promise of food and warmth, then brutally attacked her. He lured her into his home with offers of food and warmth, then brutally attacked her.

15. 6.Since this reporter can always get the most impotent news in advance, we suspect that he has some connections with inside sources. Since this reporter can always get the most important news in advance, we suspect that he has a pipeline to inside sources. 7.A rescue party was sent out, looking for survivors of the plane-crash. A rescue party was sent out searching for survivors of the plane-crash. 8.Martin Luther King, Jr. represented those who favour the idea of non-violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. represented those who believed in non-violence.

16. P3 Extended Activities 1 Dictation Superstition is a traditional belief that a certain action or event can cause or foretell an apparently unrelated event. For example, some superstitious people believe that carrying a rabbit’s tail will bring them good luck. Others believe that if a black cat crosses their path, they will have bad luck. To yet other superstitious people, dropping a knife or fork on the floor means guests are coming. Such beliefs are superstitious because in each case the action and the event it foretells are traditionally thought to be connected. Many people consider superstitions unscientific. However, some scholars believe that some superstitions have a scientific basis. For example, people in England once used tea made from certain plants to treat some forms of heart disease. Today, physicians often prescribe a drug made from dried leaves of these plants for patients with weak hearts.

17. 3 Grammar work (willingness) a. Will, as an auxiliary of future times has four basic meanings: willingness, insistence, intention, and predictability. Study the following sentences and explain the use of will. E.g. Who will lend me a pencil? I will! (willingness) 1. Will you come to lunch tomorrow? 2. Will you type this, please? 3. “You will stay here and work under Mr. Smith.” Said the boss. 4. I’ll threaten no one with hellfire if they don’t accept my every syllable. 5. “Can somebody help me?” “I will.” 6. The doctor advised me to give up smoking. So I will give up smoking. 7. The weather forecast says it will rain today. 8. He will often say something and then forget what it was he said. 9. Janet, why will you keep making jokes about Anne Betty? 10.I will go to dance and no one shall stop me. (willingness) (insistence) (intention) (willingness) (intention) (predictability) (predictability, characteristic behavior) (insistence) (insistence)

18. b.Normally “would” is not used in conditional clauses unless it expresses meanings such as indifference, polite requests, and polite rebukes. For example: I shall be grateful if you would send me your sample as soon as possible. (polite request) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets, adding “would” if necessary. Be sure to give your reason for the use of “would”. 1.It would help us if you _________ this form. (willingness) 2.If he ______ here right now, he would help us. (contrary to fact in the present) 3.I should appreciate it if you __________ into the matter at your earliest convenience. (tentativeness) 4.If you _________ me about the problem, I would have helped you. (contrary to fact in the past) 5.I’d be grateful if you ___________ a little earlier next time. (checked anger, polite rebuke) would fill were would look had told would come

19. would speak should/would be 6.If you __________ one at a time. I would be able to hear what you say. (impatience) 7.If you _________________ interested, I’ll tell you the whole story. (tentativeness) 8.He said he would be grateful if I __________ that little thing foe him. (willingness) 9.If Jake ___________ me what he wants for dinner, I’d cook it for him. (willingness. The speaker implies that Jack is unwilling to tell her.) 10.If you ___________ to see the picture, I’ll bring them round one evening. (more polite than if you want…) would do would tell should care

20. 4. Work with words hroughout Fill in the blanks with proper words that begin with the given initials. Superstitions have existed in every human society (1) t__________ history. Most people, including highly educated individuals, act (2) s____________ from time to time. Many people make jokes about avoiding bad luck by knocking on wood or not walking under a ladder. But they have such beliefs anyway. Scholars once believed that all superstitions (3) d______ back to humanity’s early history. But many superstitions have (4) a__________ in relatively recent times. According to a superstition in car-driving, for example, a driver will hang a picture of a famous person in order to avoid traffic accident. uperstitiously ated ppeared

21. revent nvolve A number of superstitions involve someone’s taking a deliberate action to cause something to happen or to (5) p______ something from occurring. Most of these causal superstitions (6) i________ ensuring good luck, avoiding bad luck, or making something good to happen. For example, carrying a silver dollar supposedly brings good luck. Some people will not start a trip on a Friday, especially if it is the 13th day of the month. Friday and the number 13 are both (7) a__________with bad luck. According to a Japanese (8) b______, the number 4 is unlucky. This is because shi, the Japanese word for 4, sounds like the Japanese word for death. Thus, many buildings in Japan have no (9) f______floor. According to another superstition, wedding guests throw rice at the newlyweds to (10) e_______ that the marriage will result in many children. ssociated elief ourth nsure

22. oretell Other superstitions (11) f_______ an event without any conscious action by the people involved. Some of these sign superstitions foretell good or bad luck. For example, (12) f______ a horseshoe or a four-leaf clover means good luck. Breaking a mirror or spilling salt brings bad luck. Other (13) s_____ superstitions foretell a certain event or condition. A ring (14) a_______the moon means rain will soon fall. A howling dog means death is near. A person (15) w______ red hair has a quick temper. inding ign round ith

23. ring Some superstitions have a practical origin. For example, many people believe that lighting cigarettes for three individuals from one match will (16) b____ bad luck. This superstition may have (17) o_________among soldiers during World War I (1914—1918 ). At night, a match that stayed (18) l___long enough to light three cigarettes provided a target for the enemy. Another superstition involves hanging a bag of garlic around a child’s neck for protection from illness. The garlic-filled bag has no (19) s__________ power. But its (20) s___ keeps away other children—including any who have a disease that the wearer of the bag might catch. riginated it upernatural mell

24. 5. TranslationPut the following sentences into English. 1.战争使他们失去了正常的童年快乐。(deprive) They were deprived of normal childhood happiness by the war. 2.鲜花盛开的山谷和美丽的秋色吸引了无数的游客。(lure) Blossoming valleys and the beautiful colors of autumn lure numerous visitors into the mountains. 3.他的话实质上表明他并不支持我们的计划。(in essence) What he said meant in essence that he didn’t support our plan. 4.她买了房子，手头上就相当宽裕了。(at one’s disposal) Having sold the house, she had a considerable amount of money at her disposal.

25. 5.这份工作虽然有些不太令人满意的地方，但总的来说我还是干得比较愉快的。(by and large) There are some things that I don’t like about this job. But by and large it’s quite enjoyable. 6.他们用一大笔钱收买了这位国会议员，让他在会议上支持他们的提议。(bribe) They bribed the congressman with a large sum of money to get his support for their proposal at the meeting. 7.这项政策不但产生了立竿见影的效果，而且对今后的社会发展产生长期的影响。(short-term, long-term) The policy has not only produced obvious short-term effects but will also exert a long-term influence on the future development of society. 8.受国际经济危机的影响，本地许多公司的业务一片萧条。(in the grip of) Influenced by the international economic crisis, many of the local companies are in the grip of a recession.