Background Information English Songs Discussion Video Clip 1. Jingle Bells Directions: Listen to the...

Background Information

English Songs

Discussion

Video Clip

1. Jingle BellsDirections: Listen to the song and fill in the blanks with what you hear.

Jingle bells, jingle bellsJingleOh what fun it is to ride In a open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh

Dashing through the snowOn a one-horse open sleighOver the fields we go

all the way_________

one-horse_________

LaughingBells on bob-tail ring,Making brightWhat fun it is toA sleighing song tonight

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the wayOh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh

spirits_______ride and sing____________

all the way_________

■

2. Christmas Songs

■

Christmas celebrates the birth of the child called Jesus. Christians believe Jesus was the son of God sent to earth to save the world. Many Americans go to church on Christmas. They pray and sing songs in praise of Jesus Christ. One religious Christmas song is “O Holy Night.” Leontyne Price sings it here.

Here is a rather sad Christmas song about celebrating the holiday during a troubled time. Judy Garland sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

We leave you now with a song expressing the wish for a happy holiday season.


English Songs

Discussion

Video Clip


English Songs

Discussion

Video Clip

Directions: Listen to the passage and answer the following questions.

1. Why do people celebrate Christmas?

Because it’s the birth of Jesus, son of God sent to earth to save the world.

2. What are the names of the songs mentioned?

“O Holy Night,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Happy Holiday.”


English Songs

Discussion

Video Clip

Directions: Watch the video clip from He-Man and complete the following paragraph with what you have heard.

The children thanked Skeletor for , but Skeletor didn’t feel well for doing it and he wished . He-Man thought that Skeletor was feeling the which made him feel good. However, Skeletor said that he didn’t like to feel good and he liked to feel . At last, She-Ra comforted Skeletor by saying “Don’t worry, Skeletor,

”.


English Songs

Discussion

Video Clipsaving them___________

he knew why___________Christmas spirit______________

evil____Christmas only comes

once a year__________________

___________

Discussion

English Songs


Video Clip

How do Americans Celebrate Christmas? Millions of Americans celebrate Christmas on December

twenty-fifth. It is the most widely celebrated religious holiday in the United States. People buy gifts to give to family members and friends. They fill homes and stores with evergreen trees and bright, colored lights. They go to parties and prepare special Christmas foods. Many people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

Many Christians go to church the night before the holiday or on Christmas Day. They celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ. Christian ministers will speak about the need for peace and understanding in the world. This is the spiritual message of Christmas. Church services include traditional religious songs for the holiday. One of the most popular is “Silent Night.”

Discussion

English Songs


Video Clip

Many Americans celebrate Christmas as an important, but non-religious, holiday. To all, however, it is a special day of family, food, and exchanging gifts. For many people, Christmas means traveling long distances to be with their families.

Christmas is probably the most special day of the year for children. One thing that makes it special is the popular tradition of Santa Claus.

Young children believe that Santa Claus is a fat, kind, old man in a red suit with white fur. They believe that — on the night before Christmas — he travels through the air in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters each house from the top by sliding down the hole in the fireplace. He leaves gifts for the children under the Christmas tree.

Americans spend a lot of time and money buying Christmas presents. The average American family spends about eight hundred dollars. Stores and shopping centers are crowded at this time of year.

Discussion

English Songs


Video Clip

More than twenty percent of all goods sold during the year are sold during the weeks before Christmas. This is good for stores and for the American economy. Some people object to all this spending. They say it is not the real meaning of Christmas. So, they celebrate in other ways. For example, they make Christmas presents, instead of buying them. Or they volunteer to help serve meals to people who have no homes. Or they give money to organizations that help poor people in the United States and around the world.

Home and family are the center of the Christmas holiday. For many people, the most enjoyable tradition is buying a Christmas tree and decorating it with lights and beautiful objects. On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, people gather around the tree to open their presents. Another important Christmas tradition involves food. Families prepare many kinds of holiday foods, especially sweets. They eat these foods on the night before Christmas and on Christmas Day.

Directions: After listening to the recording, work in groups and discuss about what Christmas spirit is.

Christmas in America means different things to different people. To some people, Christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. To others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. To Christians, it means Jesus’s birthday. Christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. Along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending Christmas cards, many people in America take time to help others.

Discussion

English Songs


Video Clip

Discussion

English Songs


In America and around the world, Christmas offers many opportunities to spread the message of “peace on earth, good will toward men.” For example, some people stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. Many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as Christmas gifts for poor families. Going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors — especially the elderly and people who can’t get out much. The Christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

Video Clip

Part Division of the Text

Further Understanding

Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas

1 1

2 2~16

3 17~23

The writer’s family had a bad time in the days leading up to Christmas last year.

In a boring looking restaurant, most of the diners seemed to have no festive mood except for the American sailor.

The Christmas gift from the American sailor changed everything and led to a most wonderful Christmas.



Directions: Suppose you were the writer, try to describe the bad experiences during the trip. The beginning and the ending are given. You can use the tips given and add your own imagination as well.

For Part I (Para.1)

Monologue

Beginning: What a Christmas it was! Everything had gone wrong on our way from Paris to Nice …

1. tourist traps

2. a broken-down car

3. a shabby hotel

Ending: There is no Christmas spirit in our hearts.


Directions: Work in pairs. Make the second part into a short dialogue and role-play it. It can either be a dialogue between the husband and the wife or between the American sailor and the French flower woman.

For Part 2 (Para.2~Para.16)

Dialogue



For Part 3 (Para.17~Para.23)

Rearrange the Order of the Sentences

1. My wife waved her flower in time to the music.2. People crowded in from the street.3. My wife and our sons sang with uninhibited enthusiasm.4. The old flower woman jumped up and waved the note.5. The Germans ordered wine for everyone.6. The piano player began to sing “Good King Wenceslaus.”7. Everyone stopped eating.

7-4-6-1-3-5-2


Christmas time does not stop bad things from coming our

way and leaving us in a bad mood. A flower from an American

sailor in a far from ideal restaurant, however, changed a gloomy

Christmas Eve for its unhappy diners into a joyful celebration.

Read the following text and see how Christmas spirit touched

the hearts of those concerned.

Detailed Reading

On Christmas Eve, when we checked into a shabby hotel in Nice, there was no Christmas spirit in our hearts.

Last year at Christmas time my wife, three boys, and I were in France, on our way from Paris to Nice. For five wretched days everything had gone wrong. Our hotels were “tourist traps”; our rented car broke down; we were all restless and irritable in the crowded car.

A Sailor’s Christmas GiftWilliam J. Lederer

Detailed Reading

It was raining and cold when we went out to eat. We found a boring looking little joint carelessly decorated for the holiday. It smelled greasy. Only five tables in the restaurant were occupied. There were two German couples, two French families, and an American sailor, by himself. In the corner a piano player monotonously played Christmas music.

I was too stubborn and too tired and miserable to leave. I looked around and noticed that the other customers were eating in stony silence. The only person who seemed happy was the American sailor. While eating, he was writing a letter, and a half-smile lighted his face.

My wife ordered our meal in French. The waiter brought us the wrong thing. I scolded my wife for being stupid. She began to cry. The boys defended her, and I felt even worse.

Then, at the table with the French family on our left, the father slapped one of his children for some minor fault, and the boy began to cry. On our right, the German wife began scolding her husband.

All of us were interrupted by an unpleasant blast of cold air. Through the front door came an old French flower woman. She wore a dripping, ragged overcoat, and dragged herself in on wet, rundown shoes. Carrying her basket of flowers, she went from one table to another.

Detailed Reading

“Flowers, monsieur? Only one franc.”No one bought any.Wearily she sat down at a table between the sailor and us.

To the waiter she said, “A bowl of soup. I haven’t sold a flower all afternoon.” To the piano player she said hoarsely, “Can you imagine, Joseph, soup on Christmas Eve?”

He pointed to his empty “tipping plate.” The young sailor finished his meal and got up to leave. Putting on his coat, he walked over to the flower woman’s table.

Detailed Reading

“Happy Christmas,” he said, smiling and picking out two flowers. “How much are they?”

“Two francs, monsieur.”Pressing one of the small flowers flat, he put it into the letter h

e had written, then handed the woman a twenty-franc note.

Detailed Reading

“I don’t have change, monsieur,” she said. “I’ll get some from the waiter.”

“No, ma’am,” said the sailor, leaning over and kissing the ancient cheek. “This is my Christmas present to you.”

Straightening up, he came to our table, holding the other flower in front of him. “Sir,” he said to me, “may I have permission to present this flower to your beautiful daughter?” In one quick motion he gave my wife the flower, wished us a Merry Christmas, and departed.

Everyone had stopped eating. Everyone had been watching the sailor. Everyone was silent. A few seconds later, Christmas exploded throughout the restaurant like a bomb. The old flower woman jumped up, waving the twenty-franc note. Hobbling to the middle of the floor she did a lively folk dance and shouted to the piano player, “Joseph, my Christmas present! And you shall have half, so you can have a feast, too.”

Detailed ReadingThe piano player began to sing loudly “Good King Wencesla

us,” beating the keys with magic hands, nodding his head in rhythm.

My wife waved her flower in time to the music. She was radiant and appeared twenty years younger. The tears had left her eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up in laughter. She began to sing, and our three sons joined her, bellowing the song with uninhibited enthusiasm.

“Gut! Gut!” shouted the Germans. They jumped on their chairs and began singing the words in German. The waiter embraced the flower woman. Waving their arms, they sang in French. The Frenchman who had slapped the boy beat rhythm with his fork against a bottle. The lad climbed on his lap, singing merrily too.

The Germans ordered wine for everyone. They delivered it themselves, hugging the other customers.

Detailed Reading

One of the French families called for champagne — made the rounds, kissing each of us on both cheeks. The owner of the restaurant started “The First Noel,” and we all joined in, half of us crying.

The miserable evening in a dull restaurant ended up being the very best Christmas Eve we had ever experienced just because of a young sailor who had Christmas spirit in his soul. He released the love and joy that had been smothered within us by anger and disappointment. He gave us Christmas.

People crowded in from the street until many customers were standing. The walls shook as hands and feet kept time to the Christmas carols.

What does “tourist trap” mean?

Our hotels were “tourist traps”…Detailed Reading

It refers to a place, such as a shop or resort area, that offers overpriced goods and services to tourists.

Detailed Reading

Translate the sentence into Chinese.

We found a boring looking little joint carelessly decorated for the holiday.

我们找到了一家小餐馆，这小店看着很乏味，只是随便装饰了一下来应节。

I was too stubborn and too tired and miserable to leave.

Paraphrase the sentence.

I was so tired and unhappy that I insisted on staying here instead of looking for a better restaurant.

Detailed Reading

She wore a dripping, ragged overcoat, and dragged herself in on wet, rundown shoes.

What can you infer from the sentence?

She was so poor that she had to sell flowers even on a rainy Christmas Eve. It seemed that she hadn’t sold any flower, so she had to go on selling until she was completely wet and it was time to have Christmas dinner.

Detailed Reading

… “may I have permission to present this flower to your beautiful daughter?”

Why did the sailor use “daughter”?

It was probably a compliment, meaning that the wife looked young, or he might intentionally said so just to cheer them up.

Detailed Reading

The piano player began to sing loudly “Good King Wenceslaus.”

1. What is “Good King Wenceslaus”?

One of the best loved Christmas carols is the 129-year-old carol “Good King Wenceslaus.” In 1853, John Mason Neale chose Wenceslaus as the subject for a children’s song to exemplify generosity. It quickly became a Christmas favorite.

Detailed Reading

Detailed Reading

2. Who is King Wenceslaus?

Wenceslaus was the Duke of Bohemia ( 波希米亚 ) who was murdered in 929 AD. As the song indicates, he was a good, honest, and strongly principled man. The song praises his high moral character by describing King Wenceslaus braving a fierce storm in order to help feed a poor neighbour. Wenceslaus believed that his Christian faith needed to be put into action in practical ways. He was Bohemia’s most famous martyr and patron saint. His picture appeared on Bohemian coins, and the Crown of Wenceslaus became the symbol of Czech (捷克 ) independence.

One of the French families called for champagne — made the rounds, kissing each of us on both cheeks.

Translate the sentence.

其中的一家法国人要来了香槟——到每张桌上给人敬酒，亲吻每个人的双颊。

Detailed Reading

The owner of the restaurant started “The First Noel,” and we all joined in, half of us crying.

What is “The First Noel”?

“The First Noel” is a traditional English Christmas carol, most likely from the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning “Christmas”.

Detailed Reading

The walls shook as hands and feet kept time to the Christmas carols.

Translate the sentence.

人们和着圣诞歌的节奏手舞足蹈，声音震动了餐厅的四壁。

Detailed Reading

wretched: adj. extremely bad or unpleasant

The house was in a wretched state.I was shocked to see their wretched living conditions.

Detailed Reading

多么令人讨厌的天气！What wretched weather!

rent: vt.

Will you rent a car while you’re in Spain?

pay money for the use of something for a short period of timeDetailed Reading

在英式英语中指较长时间租出或租入房屋、商店或土地；而在美式英语中指长时间或短期租用各种资产以及日用东西。例如：

这些动词均含“租，租用”之意。

多指短期租用。在英式英语中一般指租用车、船。例如：

CF: rent, hire & lease

hire

rent

lease 指按照租约租出或租用房屋、土地或其他不动产。例如：

We rented an apartment together.

You can hire a car at the airport.

I’m interested in leasing your cottage.

break down:

Detailed Reading1. stop working

2. (of friendship, agreement, or process) cease to continue; collapse

3. change or remove something that prevents people from working together and having a successful relationship with each other

4. be unable to stop one’s emotions when in a state of distress, especially in public

5. separate something into smaller parts so that it is easier to be dealt with or understood

Directions: Match the above definitions with the sentences below.

Detailed Reading a) He showed us the whole dance, then broke it down so that we could learn it more easily.

b) The car broke down just north of Paris.

break away (from) 逃脱，逃离break in 闯入break off 突然结束，中断break out 突然发生，爆发break through 突破，有新的发现break up 结束，断绝关系

Collocation:

c) It takes a long time to break down prejudices.

d) Negotiations broke down after only two days.

e) He broke down and cried.

1-b; 2-d; 3-c; 4-e; 5-a

Detailed Reading

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the above phrases. Change the form where necessary.

1. Thieves and stole ￡ 10, 000 worth of computer equipment.

2. The prisoner the two policemen who were holding him.

3. What will happen to the children if Jim and Mary ? 4. The two countries diplomatic relations with each ot

her. 5. Scientists hope to soon for a cure for this ki

nd of cancer.6. I was still living in London when the war .

broke in_______

broke away from______________

break up________

break through_____________

broke off________

broke out________

shabby: adj.untidy and in bad condition

Hugh’s jacket was old and shabby.

Fortunately, she met Jim, who offered her a job in his rather shabby restaurant.

Detailed Reading

greasy: adj.

Detailed Reading

The shampoo is for greasy hair.

The food was heavy and greasy.

covered in grease or oil

太多油腻的食物对你不利。Too much greasy food isn’t good for you.

defend: vt.

use arguments to protect something or someone from criticism, or to prove that something is right

She was always defending her husband in front of their daughter.

Detailed Reading

Students should be ready to explain and defend their views.

How can you defend the killing of animals for scientific study?

你怎能为因科学研究而杀死动物的行为辩护呢？

defend sb. against/from sb./sth.

Pattern:

slap:

1. vt. hit someone with the flat part of the hand

He slapped her across the face.

If you touch me again I’ll slap you.

Detailed Reading

2. n. a quick hit with the flat part of the hand

Julia gave Roy a slap on the cheek.

a slap in the face 侮辱，打击a slap on the wrist 轻微的处罚，温和的警告a slap on the back 表扬，赞许

Collocation:

minor: adj. small and not very important or serious, especially when compared with other things

They played only a minor role in the local government. We have made some minor changes to the program.

Detailed Reading

I made minor alterations to the article.

多指与别的比较后显得不重要，或指较少、较小。例如：The young actress was given a minor part in the new play.

In buying a suit, a difference of ten cents in prices is negligible.

minor

negligible

CF: minor, negligible & minimal

minimal

指数量小、不重要、微不足道或可忽略不计。例如：

指最少、最低或最小。例如：The cost to taxpayers would be minimal.

这些形容词均含“不重要的，次要的”之意。

interrupt: v.

stop someone from continuing what they are saying or doing by suddenly speaking to them, making a noise, etc.

在别人讲话时插嘴是不礼貌的。

It is not polite to interrupt when someone is talking.

Will you stop interrupting me!

Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask you to come downstairs.

Detailed Reading

dripping: adj.

extremely wet

I’m absolutely dripping.Take off that jacket — you’re dripping wet.

Detailed Reading

ragged: adj.(of cloth or clothes) old and torn; (of a person) wearing such clothes

Although he wore ragged clothes, he was not particularly dirty.

The brim of his ragged hat hung down and nearly blocked his entire face.

Detailed Reading

It tells the story of an old man who has an old, ragged hat with holes in it.

franc: n.the standard unit of money in various countries, and used in France and Belgium before the euro

Detailed Reading

NB: Currencies of the World

PRCRenminbi Yuan

CNY 1CNY=10 jiao（角）1 jiao=10 fen（分）

United Kingdom

Pound, Sterling

GBP 1GBP=100 new pence（新便士）

United States of America

U.S.Dollar USD 1USD=100 cents（分）

Canada Canadian Dollar

CAD 1CAD=100 cents（分）

JapanJapanese Yen

JPY 1JPY=100 sen（钱）

point: v.

show sb. or sth. to someone by holding up one finger or a thin object towards sb. or sth.

I could see him pointing at me and telling the other guests what I had said.She was pointing to a small boat that was approaching the shore.

Detailed Reading

Collocation:point the/a finger at somebody 指责

I knew that they would point the finger at me.我知道他们会指责我的。

point the way forward 指明方向

This new discovery points the way forward in the search for a cure. 这一新发现为寻找治疗方法指明了方向。

Detailed Reading point out 指出，指明

I pointed out to him where I used to live. 我把我过去住的地方指给他看。

point to 表明；指向

All the evidence points to Randall as the murderer.

所有的证据都表明兰德尔是杀人凶手。

tip:

Detailed Reading 1. v. give an additional amount of money to someone for performing a service

Did you tip the waiter?

I tipped him $5.

2. n. a small amount of additional money given to someone for performing a service

Did you leave a tip?

I gave the guy a big tip.

press: vt.put pressure or a weight on something to make it flat, crush it, etc.

At this stage the grapes have to be pressed.

You can create amazing pieces of art and home decor items with pressed flowers.

Detailed Reading

lean: vi.

She leant towards him and listened.slope or bend from an upright position

He was leaning on the bridge, watching the boats go by.

Detailed Reading

lean on somebody 依赖，依靠

The couple lean on each other for support.这对夫妻互相依靠。

lean towards something ……有倾向

Collocation:

straighten up:make one’s back straight, or to stand up straight after bending down

她直起身子时，背部的疼痛更厉害了。

As she straightened up, the ache in her back grew worse.

He remained bent over for several seconds before slowly straightening up.

Detailed Reading

permission: n.

Did he give you permission to take that?

the act of allowing; consent; authorization

The company has applied to court for permission to renegotiate the contract.

Detailed Reading

We have obtained permission from the directors to use some of our funds.

Collocation:ask/request/apply for permission 请求许可give/grant permission 准许get/obtain/receive permission 获得许可have permission (to do something) 许可refuse/deny (somebody) permission 不许with/without (somebody’s) permission 经过许可 /未经许可

Detailed Reading

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the above phrases. Change the form where necessary.

1. You must before taking any photographs inside the church.2. They didn’t cross the frontier. 3. Who to leave class early?4. He from his boss before talking to the press. 5. We heard of the Council’s decision to for the development.6. Pages should not be copied the publisher. 7. , I should like to visit Mrs. Thorne

myself.

gave him permission_________________

ask permission_____________

obtained permission________________

refuse permission_______________

have permission to________________

without the permission of_____________________

With your permission_________________

motion: n.

她的一举一动都很优美。

All her motions were graceful.

a single movement of your hand or head, especially one made in order to communicate something

He summoned the waiter with a motion of his hand.

Detailed Reading

depart: v. leave, especially when starting a journey

Flights by Air Europe depart Gatwick on Tuesdays.Detailed Reading

Dorothy departed for Germany last week.

较正式，指经过周密考虑或郑重地离开，强调离开的起点。例如：The train to Edinburgh will depart from platform 6 in five minutes.

We’re leaving from the main station at six o’clock.强调出发地而不是目的地。例如：

是一般用词，指从所在地到其他地方去，着重目的地而非出发地。例如：

We are going to my parents’ from Christmas.

depart

leave

CF: depart, leave, go & quit

go

quit 指离开令人烦恼的地方，或摆脱使人不快的人或事。例如：I’d had enough, so I quit my job.

这些动词均含“离开某处”之意。

explode: v.

恐怖分子在一家商店引爆了一枚炸弹。The terrorists exploded a bomb in a store.

The device was thrown at an army patrol but failed to explode.

burst, or to make something burst, into small pieces, usually with a loud noise and in a way that causes damage

Far sooner than anyone thought possible, the Russians exploded an atomic bomb.

Detailed Reading

enthusiasm: n.a strong feeling of interest and enjoyment about something and an eagerness to be involved in it

Gillian and Darren greeted the speakers with great enthusiasm.

Employers showed little enthusiasm for the new regulations.

Detailed Reading

We went along to the local diving club, full of enthusiasm.

Collocation:with enthusiasm 热情（烈）地great/much/considerable/enormous enthusiasm 巨大的热情little enthusiasm 没什么热情lack of enthusiasm 缺乏热情full of enthusiasm 充满热情show (great/considerable) enthusiasm 显示出巨大的热情lose enthusiasm 失去热情fire somebody with enthusiasm ……使充满热情generate enthusiasm ……激发的热情

embrace: v.put one’s arms around someone and hold them in a friendly or loving way

Jack warmly embraced his son.

Maggie and Laura embraced.

Detailed Reading

他们相互热烈拥抱。

They embraced each other warmly.

dull: adj.not interesting or exciting

Life is never dull when Elizabeth is here.Detailed Reading

It sounded pretty dull to me.

指缺乏鲜明、吸引力或情趣而显得乏味、沉闷。例如：dull

tedious

CF: dull, tedious, monotonous & dreary

The weekly meeting tends to be deadly dull.

Most of the students in the hall were put to sleep by the tedious lecture.

指文章、演讲、演出等冗长乏味或环境等单调、沉闷，缺乏活力，使人感到不舒服。例如：

There’s never a dull moment when John comes to stay.

这些形容词均表示“单调的，乏味的，厌烦的”之意。

Detailed Reading

强调无趣味的、不活泼的事或思想状态。例如：dreary

He spoilt the poem by reading it in a monotonous voice.

monotonous 指没有变化、重复单调的。例如：

Addressing envelopes is dreary work.

release: vt. let someone go free, after having kept them somewhere

Police arrested several men, who were later released.Detailed Reading

The bears are eventually released into the wild.

指放松限制、解除监禁或免除义务。例如：release

free

CF: release, free, liberate & discharge

The hijackers released three of the hostages.

She freed the bird from its cage.

指不再受任何限制、约束、阻碍和压迫，完全可按自己的意志行事。例如：

Pattern: release somebody from something

He was released from the hospital yesterday.

这些动词均含“解放，释放”之意。

Detailed Reading

强调把某人或某物从监禁、束缚中释放出来。例如：discharge

The new government has liberated all political prisoners.

liberate 常指从束缚和压迫中解放出来，强调获得最终的解放，有时可和 free 换用。例如：

The judge discharged the prisoner.

smother: vt.

The girls tried to smother their giggles.

stop oneself from showing one’s feelings or from doing an action

She tried to smother her sobs.

Detailed Reading

I just managed to smother a yawn.

Useful Expressions

Blank Filling

Discussions

Picture Talking

Optional Classroom

Activities

Writing Practice

1. 黑店 a tourist trap

2. 圣诞精神 Christmas spirit

3. 默默地 in stony silence

4. 点餐 order the meal

5. 为一点小事打孩子 slap a child for some minor fault

6. 一阵令人不快的寒风 an unpleasant blast of cold air

7. 湿淋淋的破旧大衣 a dripping, ragged overcoat

8. 空空如也的小费盘 an empty tipping plate

9. 收集信息 collect information

10. 把花压平 press the flower flat

11. 一张二十法郎面额的钞票 a twenty-franc note

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12. 没有零钱 do not have the change

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13. 直起身 straighten up

14. 把花举在胸前 hold the flower in front of sb.

15. 迅速地 in one quick motion

16. 像炸弹似地爆炸开来

explode like a bomb

17. 双手魔力十足地敲击键盘

beat the keys with magic hands

18. 头和着旋律频频点动 nod one’s head in rhythm

19. 随着节奏挥动着花 wave the flower in time to the music

20. 纵情高歌 bellow the song with uninhibited enthusiasm

21. 用餐叉敲击酒瓶打起了拍子 beat rhythm with a fork against a bottle

22. 到每张桌子给人敬酒 make the rounds

23. 络绎不绝地从街上涌来 crowd in from the street

24. 释放爱心和快乐 release love and joy

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Last year at Christmas time we were on our way from Paris to Nice. After a bad trip, we finally a shabby hotel in Nice, but there was no in our hearts. We went out to eat in . All the customers were eating except an American sailor. Later an old French flower woman came in, but no one bought any flowers. To everyone’s surprise, the sailor bought two and gave her instead of two francs asked by the woman. The sailor gave one of the flowers to the woman and the other to my wife, and then left. After a few seconds of silence, Christmas throughout the restaurant like a bomb. The lost Christmas spirit came back for the sailor the love and joy within us by anger and disappointment. The evening in a dull restaurant being the very best Christmas Eve we had ever experienced.

checked into___________

a boring looking little joint_____________________Christmas spirit_____________

in stony silence_____________

exploded________

a twenty-franc note________________

released________

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miserable ________ ended up_________

Directions: Fill in the blanks in the following paragraph with appropriate words and phrases from the text.

With the downtown area of China’s capital city decorated with smiling Santa Clauses and “ ” resounding in many of the metropolis’s shopping malls, the imprint of Christmas, traditionally a Western holiday, could be seen in this centuries-old city as well as other parts of the country.

The Chinese website Elong.com recently seeking 100 reasons why some Chinese people are now

celebrating Christmas. Hundreds of Chinese net-surfers posted their online.

While the holiday still retains a largely in the West, Chinese merrymakers favor Christmas because it provides a reason for them to celebrate and make merry, according to the Elong survey.

Jingle Bells__________

launched an onlinesurvey

______________________

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Directions: Listen to a passage and fill in the blanks.

explanations___________

religious significance__________________

In fact, most of the Chinese who are zealous about Christmas are young people who love the to binge more than the holiday itself.

Colorful , Christmas trees and Chinese traditional red lanterns are put together to mark the — and shrewd businessmen are taking the opportunity to .

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opportunity_________

occasion________decorations__________

profit_____

Directions: Read the passage Christmas in China and discuss how we Chinese people celebrate Christmas.Useful Expressions

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China is starting to adopt Christmas celebrations especially in major cities where Christmas festivities are becoming more popular year by year. We love to have a good time to celebrate with presents, good food and entertainment. Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, which they call “Trees of Light”. They decorate the trees with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Many large department stores decorate their shops and Christmas carols can be heard over the noise of the crowds. Chinese “Father Christmas” helps to make the scene complete.

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Beijing Christmas in the nation’s capital is always accompanied by

snow. Snowmen are dressed as Santa Claus in preparation for the big day.

ShanghaiShanghai is a center for world trade and a place where East

meets West. In a highly developed modern city smart shopkeepers won’t lose any opportunity to sell their products. Almost 90 percent of the shops in the downtown area decorate their shops to attract visitors in the holiday week.

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GuangzhouIt seems that Christmas is even more popular than Spring

Festival (Chinese New Year) in Guangzhou, especially to the young people. There are three things they love to do: have Christmas parties, go shopping and enjoy the Christmas dinner. All are specially catered in Guangzhou. Why not do your Christmas shopping in Guangzhou? You will get a discount in every shop.

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Hong Kong Christmas has been celebrated in Hong Kong for many y

ears. The annual Hong Kong Jiandong Christmas Light Festival on the 19th December marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations in Hong Kong. Many pop stars will appear at the shows and celebrations, which makes them very popular with the local people.

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Directions: Christmas is a Christian festival celebrated in different ways by different countries. Try to find out how these celebrations differ. Investigate some of these celebrations, and then imagine how your family would celebrate Christmas if you lived in another country. You may refer to this website http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/denise/HowChristmasIsCelebrated.htm or search for some other related information on the Internet.

Country

Traditions

Decorations

Food

Date of Christmas

Type of Weather

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Directions: You have found out how some other countries celebrate Christmas, so now, plan your family’s Christmas Day celebrations.

My Family’s ___________________________ Christmas.

Guest List

Gift List

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Decorations

Menu

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Directions: Pictures in this section are based on the text you have learned. You are required to talk about them first in small groups and then in class.

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Directions: Write at least 120 words following the outline given below.

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Why is it an unforgettable Spring Festival?

What happened during that Spring Festival?

How do you feel whenever you recall that Spring Festival?

An Unforgettable Spring Festival

1. Christmas comes but once a year.

佳节良辰，机会难得。

2. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

施恩比受惠更有福。

3. Kindness is the sunshine of social life.

仁慈是社会生活中的阳光。

4. On earth there is nothing great but man, in man there is nothing great but mind.

在世界上没有一件东西有如人那样伟大，在人之身上没有一件东西有如心那么伟大。

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5. Peace on earth and good will towards men.

愿世界得太平，人间持善意。

6. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. — Calvin Coolidge, American president 圣诞节不是一段时光，也不是一个季节，而是一种精神状态。珍惜和

平和善意，富有慈悲心，这才是真正的圣诞精神。 —— 美国总统 C. 柯立芝

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Background Information English Songs Discussion Video Clip 1. Jingle Bells Directions: Listen to the...

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Transcript of Background Information English Songs Discussion Video Clip 1. Jingle Bells Directions: Listen to the...