Unit 8 Section A There ’ s a Lot More to Life than a Job

1. New Horizon College English §Book 2 Unit 8 Section AThere’s a Lot More to Life than a Job Background information Text structure analysis Summary of the passage Grammar & Language points Difficult sentences & translation Writing skills After-reading discussion

2. I. Background Information Humanities: Humanitiesrefers to a broad academic discipline concerned with how people throughout history have expressed, confronted, and understood the complexities of the human condition. It includes such areas of study as Philosophy, Literature, Religion, Art, etc.

3. I. Background Information Education: Some students prepare themselves to go to college, while others take vocational or technical courses to prepare for jobs after graduation. There are many institutions of higher education in the U.S. Students at technical institutes can receive an associate degree after they finish a 2-year program. Then they can continue their study at a 4-year college. Education in the US is usually divided into 4 levels. In general, these are  kindergarten or pre-school, elementary, secondary, and higher education. The first level is early childhood education. Its purpose is to prepare children for school. The second level is elementary education. Education at this level is divided into 6 or 8 grades. And students can attend all kinds of courses. The third level is secondary education. It is for junior or senior high school students.

4. I. Background Information Richard Wagner Richard Wagner(1813-1883) is a famous German composer and writer. As a composer, he is well-known for his 13 operas and numerous other compositions. Besides his activity in composition, Wagner wrote an astonishing number of books and articles. The literary works range from theories of opera to political programs.

5. I. Background Information Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Irish poet and dramatist whose reputation rests on his comic masterpieces Lady Windermere's Fan(1892) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). Among Wilde's other best-known works are his only novel The Picture of Dorian Gray(1891) and his fairy tales especially "The Happy Prince".

6. II. Text Analysis --- main idea What is the main idea of the text? Should schools simply prepare students for a job, or is there more to life? This is the central issue being discussed in the passage. A survey revealing young people’s attitudes to life reminds the author of his regret, and makes him reflect upon the whole educational system. In fact, educators should not only satisfy students’ desire for career success, but also help them form right outlook on life and see beyond their immediate needs.

7. II. Text Analysis --- main idea How is the text organized? The passage, which is a typical argumentation, consists of three parts: Part one(Paras. 1-9): The long-standing mistaken idea on life Theauthor introduces the phenomenon concerning today’s young people: Their major objective is to be financially well off, thus naturally leading the readers to the question: Is there any more to life than a job? Part II (Paras. 10-17) The true meaning of life Based on adequate facts and reasons, the author strengthens his argument: We should educate people for life as well as for a career. This is a commonly used writing technique to support an argument. Part III (Paras. 18-19) The educators’ duty to their students By quoting from Oscar Wilde, the author points out the way our education should be conducted and then puts forward the solution: We should prepare the students both for a job and for career success, for there’s lot more to life than a job.

8. III. Summary I have always felt that youth is _______ on the young. Well, ________ I have felt that way since I passed _______ age! If only I could go _______ to college now! I _______ work ________ to learn a foreign language. I would take ________ things more seriously. I would _______ more energy to develop my _______ sense. I would even study harder in the field I _______________. Of course I can’t go back, _____ I hope you can ______ from my experience. Your generation enjoys an incredible amount of knowledge in _____ fields. Stand _______ wasted at least back middle would harder artistic spend moral specializedin but learn many proudly

9. III. Summary the how on the contributions made by others! As you study ______ wisdom of others, learn _______ to think. Then use your strength to build a ________ world for the next generation. In the ________ run you will find that this way of _________ can help you become well off ___________ happy. better long thinking as well as

10. IV. Grammar & Language Points If only I knew then what I know now.(L3) 1) used to express a wish that past events had been different • If only I had gone by taxi! 要是我乘出租车去就好了。 • If only he’d remembered to bring her here. 要是他没忘记把她带来就好了! • 2) used to express a wish or a desire, esp. one • that cannot be fulfilled • If only I could be there and talk with the pop singer! 我要是能在那儿和那位流行歌手交谈就好了！ • If only she would marry me! 她要是愿意嫁给我就好了！

11. IV. Grammar & Language Points If it won’t compute … : (L6) If it (no matter what it may be) can’t be counted in term of money and you can’t drink it, smoke it or spend it, then it is of little value. In short, only material things are of value to young people. compute: used in notional passive (active in form but active in meaning) • More example: • The book translates / sells well.很好译/很好销 • This jeans wash easily.很好洗 • The clock winds at the back. 在背面上弦 • This pen writes well.

12. IV. Grammar & Language Points be well off：be in a good condition financially (L12) • The government claims that most people are better off than they were 5 years ago. 政府声称大多数人比五年前富裕了。 • Only those who are well off can afford this house. 这座房子只有有钱人才买得起。

13. IV. Grammar & Language Points be at a low：be at a low level or figure (L15) • be way up: (L18) the opposite of “at a low” • Stock index has beenat an all-time low. • 股指已跌到历史新低. • Having been fluctuating for a long time, the opening price of this stock is way up now. • 经过长时间震荡之后，这只股票开盘价迅速攀升。 • The economy has been at a bit of a low after the financial crisis. 金融危机之后，经济一直有点儿低迷。 • Although the research work is at a low, they have never given it up, for they firmly believe that through joint efforts they are sure to succeed 尽管…处于低谷, 但是…；他们坚信通过共同的努力…

14. IV. Grammar & Language Points make twice the salary of …：(L21) • 比…减少(n-1)/n; 减少了(n-1)/n; 是…1/n; 减少到1/n • (若n中有小数点,则要换算成不带小数点的分数或百分数) • n times as … as … • n times less than, • v. + n times • This box is 3 times as light as that one. • 比…轻2/3; 是…重量的1/3 • The resistance is 3 times smaller than the effort. • 阻力是作用力的1/3. • By using the automatic assembly line, the assembling time will be reduced five times. • 减少4/5; 是原来的1/5 是…的n倍; 比…增加(n-1)倍 • n times of • n times as … as • n times more than, • n folds • This box is 3 times the weight of that one. • This box is 3 times as heavy as that one. • Iron is almost 3 times heavier than aluminum. • The machine improves the working conditions and raises efficiency 3 folds.(功效是原来的3倍)

15. IV. Grammar & Language Points …that is a convinction against our educational system.: (L29) • If we can’t do this, then it shows a serious problem with our educational system … 如果我们做不到这一点，那就是不相信我们从幼儿园、小学、中学直到大学的整个教育制度。 conviction: the thing one deeply believe in • He had a firm conviction that he was right. 他坚信自己是正确的。 convict:v. declare in a lawcourt that sb is guilty • He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. 她被判犯有谋杀罪，并被判死刑。

16. IV. Grammar & Language Points This is where age and maturity enter. (L33) • Age and maturity help people realize what is truly important in life. 这就是年龄和成熟带给我们的顿悟。 Where: the fact that what is truly important in life is that eduacation should prepare people for both life and career

17. IV. Grammar & Language Points be meant to: be supposed to (L34) • You are meant to take your shoes off before entering a temple in India. 在进入印度的寺庙之前应先脱鞋。 • We are meant to fill in a tax form and pay income tax every year. 应填写税单 • School education is not just meant to help students acquire knowledge from textbooks but to develop their all-around abilities as well. 学校教育不应该只是帮助学生学习书本知识，还应该培养他们的综合能力。

18. IV. Grammar & Language Points balance sheet：资产负债表 (L37) A statement of how much money has come in and how much money has been expended 收支平衡账目表 • The company balance sheet for 1993 shows a substantial loss. 该公司1993年资产负债表表明该公司亏损严重。 • Most of us finally have the insight that quality of life is not entirely determined by a balance sheet. = …is not completely determined by our financial situation

19. IV. Grammar & Language Points have a perspective on：(L43) • have one’s own way of looking at and judging sth • Only after experiencing hardships & setbacks can one have a perspective on the true meaning of life. • 只有经历了困难和挫折之后，一个人才能对人生的真正含义 • 有透彻的理解。 • confines: limits or boarders • within/ beyond the confines of campus life • beyond the confine of our occupation: beyond the boarder of our career; outside our career • within/ beyond the confines of campus life 在校园生活的范围内/外 • beyond the confines of human knewledge • 超出人类知识的范围

20. IV. Grammar & Language Points to render service to sb.: (L39) 2) Cause sb to be in a particular state • His fatness renders him unable to touch his toes. 1) give, offer (help, assistance, service, etc .) 为······服务/效劳 • The staff rendered first-class service to their customers. 工作人员为客人提供一流的服务。 • You have earned a reward for the help you have rendered. 你提供了帮助，因而得到了相应的报酬。 • 他身体肥胖，无法用手触及脚趾。 • His rudeness rendered me speechless. • 他的粗鲁使我讲不出话来。

21. IV. Grammar & Language Points dawn (on /upon): grow clear in one’s mind (L40) • If it is a fact that the meaning of life doesn’t dawn until middle age, is it then not the duty of educational institution to prepare the way for that revelation. • =If it is true that people don’t understand the meaning of life until they are middle-aged, isn’t it the duty of educational institution to … 如果人们步入中年才对人生的含义有所领悟的话，那么，为这种领悟扫清障碍是否是教育机构的责任呢？ • The truth began to dawn upon the poor man. 这个可怜的人慢慢明白了真相。 • It has just dawned on him that he had been fooled by the woman. 他才意思到自己被这个女人愚弄了。 dawn: the early beginning of (a day) … • We look forward to the dawn of better days. 我们期待美好日子的来临。

22. V. Difficult sentences & translation But why can’t we have it both ways? … (Para 9) Accordint to the survey based on responses from over 188,000 students, today’s college beginners are “more consumeristic and less idealistic” than at any time in the seventeen years of the poll. 译：根据以188,000多名学生的问卷为基础的调查，当今的大学新生比这项民意调查开始以来的17年中的任何一届大学新生都“更主张消费，更少了点理想”。 = But why can’t people achieve satisfaction both in life and in work? Isn’t it possible for us to educate people not only for a good job but also for a full life? • 但是我们为什么不能两全其美呢？我们能不能既教会人们懂得谋生，又教会他们如何去成就一番事业？ 译法：增词加字(对意义的增补) One more example:

23. IV. Grammar & Language Points be removed from: 与...远离; 与...疏远的; 与...不一样 (L45) • …our civilization has collected … in fields far removed from our own = …our civilization has accumulated a very large amount of knowledge in fields far beyond the confines of our own (fields). 同样的事实是：我们的文明已经积累了我们各自不同领域里、数量惊人的知识。 • A large-scale publicity program has been conducted among teenagers to ensure that they will be far removed from drugs. 在青少年中已经开展了大规模的宣传活动以确保他们远离毒品。 • soldiers removed from the battle fields 远离战场的士兵

24. IV. Grammar & Language Points We are better for our understanding of these other contributions ---be they scientific or artistic. (L46) Notice that the present subjunctive “be” is sometimes used to admit sth, such as a condition, or sth needed to end an argument. For example: • Be she right or wrong, she will have my strong support. 不管她是对是错,我都会全力支持她. • Every country, whether it be large or small, has its right to take part in the world games. 任何一个国家，不论大小强弱，都有权参与国际事务。 =We are better because we understand the other or different kinds of knowledge in other fields beyond our own, whether they be scientific or artistic (knowledge). 而且正因为我们理解了这些在其他领域的贡献——不管它们是科学方面的，还是艺术方面的贡献——我们才变得更有本领了。

25. V. Difficult sentences & translation Translation ：由动词派生出来的名词的翻译 • Most people, in their youth, resent the Social Security deduction from their pay, yet a seemingly few short years later find themselves standing anxiously by the mailbox. = Most people, when they are young, feel unhappy about the amount of money taken away from their pay for Social Security. But after what seems like a few years, they are old enough to receive money from the Social Security program and they are always eager to get it in the mailbox. • 大多数人年轻的时候怨恨社会保障制度从他们工作资中扣钱，然而，好像只是短短几年之后，他们就发现自己焦急的站在信箱旁边（等待养老金支票）了。 • (1. 对语义的增补； 2. 名词化动词的翻译)

26. V. Difficult sentences & translation Translation： • Let’s ensure that students are prepared for the day when they realize their shortsightedness. • This sentence consists of the following2 meanings: • The students will realize their short • sightedness one day in the future. • 2) Let’s ensure that they are prepared for that • day. • 让我们确保学生能为他们认识到自己短视的那一天作好准备。

27. IV. Writing—Structure Writing Structure Writing A Paragraph An Argument + Facts/Reasons

28. VI. Writing—Structure Writing Sample An Argument: Youngsters are likely to become destructive forces of resistance if our education fails its purpose. Fact 1:People are shocked to find that most of the criminals today are 14- to 24-year-olds. Fact 2: They lack moral sense and a sense of responsibility to their society and to people in general. Fact 3: They value everything in terms of money and will do whatever they can to lay their hands on easy money.

29. VI. Writing—Structure Writing Your Task Write a short paragraph supported by facts on the following topic. Never let yourself be overwhelmed by stress

30. IV. Writing—Structure Writing For your reference There are ways to enable yourself not to be overwhelmed by stress. A great way to get rid of stress is, once in a while, break a habitual action and do something totally different without any planning. Other ways include saying “no” to extra job requests, taking time off to be with family and friends, developing hobbies and helping others by doing volunteer work.  Exercise is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress. Once people have learned to monitor stress, they can lead stress-free life.

31. VII. After-reading discussion Topics for further discussion: • What is the most important thing in your life? Give reasons. • How do young students and older teachers see the role of education differently? • What is “quality of life” and how can it be improved? • According to the writer, what must educators prepare students for?