Unit One

Names

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

---Shakespeare

Period 1

Getting Ready

1. Read the English names and decide which are for boys and which are for girls. Then put them either in Column A or Column B. Try to guess their meanings and write them down as well.

Dorothy, Richard, Lily, Catherine, Victor, Charles

Column A Column B

Boy’s name Meaning Girl’s name Meaning

Dorothy, Richard, Lily, Catherine, Victor, Charles

truthfulCatherineman of the common people

Charles

lilyLilywinnerVictor

giftDorothybraveRichard

MeaningGirl’s name

MeaningBoy’s name

Pair work:Think of some Chinese first names and their meanings, then write them down below.

1) Name:___________________ Meaning: ________________2) Name:___________________ Meaning: ________________3) Name:___________________ Meaning: ________________

Group Work

Work in groups and tell how each of you got your own name and whether it has any special meaning. Then report to the class.

Reading1. Find from the following sentences the one that best sums up the main idea of the text.A. People’s names came into existence in different ways. B. A name sometimes says something nice about someone.C. Names are the quickest and easiest—and friendliest—way to say who’s who.D. People make up a lot of names for

themselves. A

2. Read the text again and decide whether each of the following statements is true or false.

1) People’s names are always changing, a little or a lot.

2) People can tell others apart by using their first names.

3) A long time ago, people only got first names.

4) The name Kingcook shows that the person with this name is a king himself.

T

F

T

F

5) John is the son of Johnson.6)A person nicknamed Longfellow must be short and stout.7) Tom Read and Tom Reade may have the same ancestor.

F

F

T

3. DiscussionWork in groups and discuss the difference between Chinese names and English names.

Period 2

Pair Work

Work with your partner and tell in your own words how the English names came into existence according to the text. Then compare the origins of English names with those of Chinese names.

这帮家伙难道知道答案？

English surnames developed in the late Middle Ages and, apart from patronymics （源于父名的姓和名字） (Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Harrison), have a variety of origins; they come from places (Lincoln, Garfield, Cleveland), from trades (Tyler, Taylor), from personal traits （特性） (Stout, Black), and from the calendar (Noël, May).

The Chinese have had surnames long before the period of the Three Emperors and Five Kings ( 三皇五帝 ). All members in a Chinese family have the same last name (surname, family name). Children all bear the same last name as their parents.

All members in a Chinese family have the same last name (surname, family name). Children all bear the same last name as their parents. The list of “Hundred Names” was compiled many years ago by order of the Emperor as the 100 most popular surnames in China at the time. School children used to memorize them, or at least the first few names from the list.

The top 8 Chinese last names are: Zhao Qian Sun Li, Zhou Wu Zheng Wang.

Language Points

1. At Christmas time he did. 圣诞节时他有胡子。 at Christmas time = at Christmas 在圣诞节期间

on Christmas Dayon Christmas Eve

在圣诞节

在圣诞前夕 , 在平安夜

2. People are always changing, a little or a lot.

人们或多或少总是在改变的。 Always 在这里是”再三地 , 总是”的意思 , 常与进行时态连用 , 表示一种感情色彩 .Example: They are always complaining. 他们总是抱怨个没完 . ( 有批评意味 )always 的其他意思 :1) 总是 ; 每次都是 ; 无例外地The sun always rises in the east.He’s not always at home in the evening.2) 永远 ; 始终 ; 一直She has always been easy to get along with.This is what I have always said and always shall say.

3) 不论怎样总还……You can always sleep on the floor tonight.

3. But people’s names stay the same. 但是人们的名字不变。 stay 联系动词 , 意思是”保持 ( 某种状态 )”, 后跟 adj. 、 n.和 prep. phrase 等作表语。Example: He stayed awake until the whole house is sleeping.The unemployment rate stayed below 5%. stay 常作行为动词，意思是“停留；暂住” 。Please stay for supper.He stayed up until 12 o’clock.

stay 还可以作 n. ，表示“停止、终止、阻止”的意思。 The soldiers marched forward without stop or stay.We’ll make no stay in London.

与 stay 相关的短语：stay ahead 领先；占上风 stay in 在家，未外出stay away 不在，离开 stay behind 依旧落在……后边stay on 继续停留 / 留下；保持 stay up 熬夜stay one’s hand （使某人）暂缓行动

4. Her name means that she is pretty and sweet like lily. “Catherine” comes from a word meaning “truthful”.

她的名字意思是她像百合花一样美丽、甜美。凯瑟琳这个名字来源于一个意思是“真诚”的词。

爱情 / 爱与美rose玫瑰

信任 / 爱的羁绊violet紫罗兰

故情 / 手足情redbud紫荆

自尊 / 自恋daffodil水仙

纯净 / 神圣lily百合花语英文名中文名

郁金香 tulip 名誉 / 慈善 / 美丽

牵牛花 morning glory 爱情 / 依赖

康乃馨 carnation 温馨 / 慈祥

荷花 lotus 神圣 / 纯洁

向日葵 sunflower 爱慕 / 光辉 / 高傲

腊梅 winter jasmine 依恋 / 慈爱

月桂 laurel 胜利 / 不诚实

5. Without a last name to go with your first name, how could people tell which Richard or which Lily you were? 只有名，没有姓，别人怎么能分出是哪个理查德或哪个丽莉呢？ 1) without a last name to go with your first name 是“ without ＋复合宾语”，用法与“ with ＋复合宾语”相同。 Without a person to turn to for help, he had to go there alone.找不到可以帮忙的人，他只好独自前往。2) go with 与……相配搭 I want to buy a skirt to go with this T-shirt.

6. As there got to be more and more people in the world, it became harder and harder to tell them apart. 世界上的人越来越多，越来越难于分清楚谁是谁了。1 ） tell apart“ 区别；分辨” Can you tell the twins apart? 你能分辨出这对双胞胎吗？2 ） tell 常与 can, could, be able to 连用，“辨别，分辨，认出，识别”的意思。 I can never tell natural silk from artificial. 我分辨不出真丝和人造丝。 Can you tell a policeman when he is out of uniform? 警察不穿制服时你认得出他们吗？

7. So people began making up last names for themselves — now called family names or surnames. 所以人们开始给自己造一个姓（ last name ）——现在在英语里也叫作 family name 或 surname.

make up 在此句中是“创造，编造”的意思。 The teacher asked the students to make up a story about a trip to the moon. 老师让学生们编一个去月球旅行的故事。

make up 的其它常见用法：1 ）和解，言归于好 Mary and Ann quarreled, but made up after a while. 玛丽和安吵了架，但一会儿就和好了。

2 ）弥补，把……补上 He must make up the work he missed. 他必须把他漏掉的工作补上。3 ）补足，凑足 We still need $ 5 to make up the sum we asked for.

我们还需要 5 美元才能凑足我们所需要的数目。4 ）化妆，打扮 The actors were making up when we arrived. 我们到达的时候，演员们正在化妆。5 ）包好，铺好（床），缝制（衣物） The shop assistant made up the parcel expertly. 这个店员熟练地包好了包裹。6 ）构成，占 Women make up 30% of the smokers. 妇女占了吸烟者中的 30％。

8. Sometimes in choosing a last name, a man would think about the kind of work he did. 有时候，一个人在挑选姓的时候会考虑到自己所做的工作。1 ） the kind of work he did 中 he did 是前面省略了 that/which 的定语从句，修饰 work 。2 ） think about 这里是“考虑，思考”的意思。

9. Instead of iron, some smiths worked with gold or silver. 有些匠人不做铁匠活而做金子、银子活。

work with sth. “从事……，做有关……方面的工作”。

【辨析】 work at, work in, work over, work out, work up1) work at 致力于，研习 You’ll never become good at tennis, unless you work at it. 除非你下点功夫，否则你永远打不好网球。2) work in 插入，巧妙地把……放进 In his speech, he worked in a mention of the help she gave. 在他的讲话中，他提到了她给他人的帮助。3) work over 充分研究，彻底检查 For my term paper I worked over 30 volumes of Roman history. 我为写学期论文仔细查阅了 30卷罗马史。 4) work out 想出，制定出，算出；弄懂，知道 They worked out their own road to socialism. 他们开辟了一条带有他们自己特色的社会主义道路。 I can’t work out the meaning of the poem. 我弄不懂这首诗的意思。5) work up 逐步建立，逐步发展；精心作出 He worked up the firm from nothing. 他白手起家建立了这家公司。 They worked up a plan. 他们制定了周密的计划。

10. Sometimes the names became shortened to Tom Gold or Tom Silver.有时候，这些名字缩略成汤姆 ·高尔德（ Gold 的音译）或者汤姆 ·西尔维尔（ Silver 的音译）。1) shorten vt. 弄短，缩短，减少 Can you shorten my overcoat? 你能把我的大衣改短些吗？ She tried to shorten the waiting time at the dentist’s by reading a magazine. 她翻阅一本杂志，试图以此来使在牙科诊所等待的时间过得快些。2) shorten vi. 变短，缩短，缩小 The days are rapidly shortening. 白昼在很快地缩短。

【联想】 -en 是一个常用的构成动词的后缀，往往加在形容词后面。deepen 加深，深化 widen 加宽，扩展sharpen 削尖，磨快 strengthen 加强，巩固lengthen 延长 , （使）变长 tighten 变紧，拉紧，绷紧

11. A man with red hair might be called Tom Red. 一个红头发的人被叫作汤姆 · 里德（ Tom Red 的音译）。with 在这里的意思是“具有，带有，有……特征”。 He is a man with ideas. 他是一个有思想的人。 Mr. Smith often wears a coat with four pockets. 史密斯先生常穿一件有四只口袋的外套。 Her father is a man with hot temper. 她父亲是一个脾气暴躁的人。

【比较】介词 of 也可表特征，性质，内容，情绪，状况等。 He is a man of ability. 他是一个有能力的人。 She is just a girl of ten. 她只是一个 10岁的女孩。

It is a matter of importance. 这是一个极其重要的问题。 I am glad of your success. 我为你的成功而感到高兴。

【联想】 with 的其它用法：1 ）和……在一起，同…… She lives with her mother. 她同她母亲生活在一起。 They are discussing the matter with the foreign friends. 他们在同外国朋友讨论问题。

2 ）用，用……工具 The field was covered with snow.田野被雪覆盖了。 She saw the strange bird with her own eyes. 她亲眼看见那只奇怪的鸟。3 ）在……身边，带有（表从属关系） I have no money with me. 我身上没带钱。 The town lies in the valley with green hills around it. 小镇位于一个青山环抱的山谷中。 4 ）因为，由于（表原因） He is down with high fever. 他发高烧病倒了。 The little girl was shivering with cold. 那小女孩冷得发抖。5 ）尽管，虽然（表让步） With all his money, he is not happy. 他虽然有很多钱，但并不幸福。 With all her achievements, she remains modest. 尽管她很有成就，她仍很谦虚。6 ）构成复合结构作状语： He lay awake on the bed, with his eyes wide open. 他醒着躺在床上，眼睛睁得大大的。

12. But sometimes down through the years, the name was changed. 但是有时候长期流传下来的名字会变样。1 ）这个句子本来语序应为： But sometimes, the name was changed down through the years.将 down through the years置于主句之前，是为了强调。2 ）为了加强语气，人们常用强调句型：“ It is/was + 被强调部分（除谓语动词以外）＋ that+ 其余部分。” ------He was born in Shanghai in 1971. It was in Shanghai that he was born in 1971. 他 1971年就是在上海出生的。（强调地点） It was in 1971that he was born in Shanghai. 就是在 1971年他出生于上海 。（强调时间）

13. What if he had a big foot? 如果他的脚很大，他又该叫什么呢？这个句子是就前一句的省略，全句应为 What name might he have if he had a big foot?

What if they won’t turn up? = What shall we do if they won’t turn up? 如果他们不来我们该怎么办？ What if the rain won’t stop? 如果雨不停该怎么办？

Period 3

Language Focus Word Power

1. Find out the words from the text to roughly match the definitions given below. 1 ） hair growing on the chin and the lower cheeks of a man’s face (para.1)2 ） attractive and charming (para.2)3 ） (of a person) honest in what he says (para.2)

4 ） courageous/having no fear (para. 2)5 ） name shared by all the members of a family (para. 3)

beard

loving

truthful

brave

surname

6 ） person whose job is making or repairing wooden objects and structures (para. 4)7 ） person whose job is making or repairing things made of iron (para. 5)

8 ） (cause sth. to) become shorter (para. 6)

9 ） having the desire or need to drink (para. 7)10 ） person who has sb. as an ancestor (para. 8)

carpenter

blacksmith

shorten

thirsty

descendant

2. Complete the following sentences, using

the proper forms of the words above.

1) It was __________ of her to go into that burning building to save the child.2) The majority of British women adopt their husbands’ __________ when they marry.3) John’s father is a well-known __________ whose job is making and repairing wooden things.4) After he lost the game, he began to grow a __________ as he had promised his team members. 5) Jim was a __________ husband and father. But ever since he got addicted to drinking, he has changed all to the opposite.

brave

surnamecarpenter

beard

loving

6) We’ve all learnt to be fairly __________ about our personal lives.7) They are __________ of the original English and Scottish settlers.8) You may drink some water whenever you feel __________ during exercises.9) When the days __________ in winter, some people suffer from depression.10) That old __________ died of a heart attack the day before yesterday.

truthful

descendants

thirsty

shorten

balcksmith

3. Study the following words from the text and use them to complete the sentences

below. Change the forms if necessary.

1) She looks ___________ in her class.2) What is the ________ of the town where you live?3) I spent a three-week ________ at my uncle’s during the summer holiday.4) She seemed ________ satisfied with the result.5) They ________ friends for 50 years.

the prettiest

name

stay

pretty

stay

6) I like ________ Chinese dishes for my foreign friends.7) I’m not much of a ________ myself, but still I will cook you something for dinner.8) The baby was ________ after its grandfather.9) As he is always cheerful, he has got the ________ “Smiler”.10) Well, this leather is as hard as ________.11) I prefer to ________ my shirts while they are still damp.12) He was ________ Longfellow because he was much taller than all his classmates.

to cook

cook

named

nickname

iron

ironing

nicknamed

Language Feature

Phrasal Verbs

Separable phrasal verbsv. + (noun / pronoun) + particle (proposition / adverb)

eg: tell (sb./sth.) apart

Inseparable phrasal verbs

v. + particle (proposition / adverb) + (noun / pronoun) eg: come from (sth.)

1. Study the following phrasal verbs and their definitions listed below. Fill in each blank in the following sentences with the appropriate phrasal verb. Be sure to use the correct tense of the verb in each sentence.come from (sth.): be a product of (a place or a thing)go with (sth.): (= go together) combine well with sth / harmonize with sth.tell (sb./sth.) apart: distinguish two people or things / recognize the difference between two people or thingsmake (sth.) up: invent sth.used to: frequently did sth.

1) It’s very hard to _______ the twins ______.2) I couldn’t remember a story to tell the children, so I _______ one ______ as I went along.3) Her blouse doesn’t _________ her skirt.4) Milk ____________ cows and goats.5) Life here is much easier than it ________ be.

tell

2. Choose from below the appropriate phrasal verb to fill in each of the blanks so as to make the story complete.

fill in look up break down figure out wake up calm down turn on get out of

take out

apart

made

up

go with comes from

used to

It was a cold and lonely night. Forgetful Frank was on his way to visit his uncle when his car suddenly ___________. He was angry and upset, but after a while, he _________. It was dark, so Smith _________ a flashlight from his sack. Then he took out his car manual. He tried to _____ “what to do when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere” , but he didn’t find anything in the manual. Next, he __________ the car and looked under the hood. He wasn’t able to __________ what the problem was. Then Smith began to understand. He asked himself, “Did I _______ my tank with gas?” The answer, of course, was no.

Luckily there was a house near by. He knocked on the door and shouted, but nobody answered. There were no other houses. There was no telephone. “What should I do now?” asked Frank. Then, just as he turned around to go back to his car, another car crashed into the back of his car. Suddenly, the people in the house _________ and _________ the lights. Poor Frank felt like crying.

broke down

calm downtook out

look up

got out offigure out

fill in

woke upturn on

Period 4

GrammarThe Future Continuous

Tense

Pair work (2 minutes):Discuss with your partner what the future continuous tense is and how it is formed. And

tell how it is used.

Study the ruleWork with your partner and read aloud the following dialogue. Pay special attention to the italicized parts

and tell what they have in common.

A: Say, do you know what they are doing now?B: They are now sitting in their classroom and listening to a tape.A: What will they be doing this time tomorrow?B: They will be watching a film.A: You mean they will not have class tomorrow.B: No. Tomorrow is Saturday and there is no class. So they will not be sitting in the classroom. A: What will they do the day after tomorrow? Will they be practising their English this time the day after tomorrow?B: No. They will be doing other things. To be exact, Bill will be playing tennis, Ann will be shopping and George will be riding his newly-bought bicycle with his friends.A: I see….

Find the ruleForm(s):

Subject pronoun will(shall) be + v.-ing

I / We will/shall be reading a novel.

They/You/He/She/It will be working.

Affirmative

Negative

Subject pronoun will(shall) not be + v.-ing

I / We will/shall not be reading a novel.

They/You/He/She/It will not be working.

Interrogative

Will/Shall subject pronoun be+ v.-ing

Shall/Will I / we be reading a novel?

Will they/you/he/she/it be working?

Usages

1. The future continuous tense is used to expressa continuous action in the future.

a) Examples:They are now studying. But they will be playing games at 4:30.When you arrive, they’ll still be cooking the meal.

TIPS: Like other continuous tense, it is normally used with a point in time, and expresses an action which starts before that time and probably continues after it. It can also be used with a verb in a simple tense.

2) The future continuous tense is used to

express future without intention

Examples:a) I’ll be seeing Jane tomorrow.b) I’m seeing Jane tomorrow.

TIPS: It is used to state that an action will happen in the normal course of events. It’s less definite and more casual than the present continuous. But often either tense can be used.

Apply the rule1) Just tell me what you _____________ this time tomorrow morning so that I can make arrangements about carrying out our plans. (do)2) I won’t be free this afternoon and I cannot attend the four o’clock meeting. I _______________ a friend at the airport. (see)3) Look! The procession is passing us now. It _______________ your school in about ten minutes. (pass)4) He ________________ at about four o’clock in the afternoon, for his plane will be taking off at about half past five. (leave)5) The plane with the NBA All-Stars ______________ soon and the fans are all very excited. (arrive)

will be doing

will be seeing

will be passing

will be leaving

will be arriving

6) A: Dear Prof. Smith, ______ we __________ this book next term? (use) B: No, you won’t be (using this book).7) Your last play was really a great success. _____ you __________ another play soon? (put on)8) We really enjoy the time that we’ve spent together. When _____ you __________ us again? (visit)

shall be using

Willputting on

will be visiting

Role play

Suppose you and your partner are going to Beijing next week to take part in an English Speaking Contest. Imagine your trip to Beijing and tell you will be doing there.Your talk may begin like this:A; Hey, you know, I’m so excited.B: Are you? Why?A: We’re going to Beijing next week and we’ll be sightseeing in the capital city!B: …

Getting Ready

Period 5

Listening and Speaking

Asking About Somebody’s Name

1. Listen to a passage. With your partner, ask and answer the following questions.1) When American parents choose names for their children, what do they usually think about?

_____________________________________________2) What kind of names are the ones that parents may try to avoid?

_____________________________________________3) Does popularity have anything to do with names?

_____________________________________________

Parents usually think about the impression a name gives, not its meaning.

Parents may avoid names that remind them of people they don’t like.

Yes. The popularity of certain names can change with each new generation.

4) How are nicknames used?

_____________________________________________5) How do people use names in informal settings? And how about on formal occasions?

_____________________________________________6) Who will probably be called “Honey” or “Sugar”?

_____________________________________________

People in America don’t always call their friends and relatives by their given names. Instead they often use nick-names.

In informal settings, people are normally on a first-name basis. But in most formal situations, people use an appropriate title—such as Mr.(Mister), Ms.(“Miz”), Dr.(doctor) or Prof.(professor)—with a person’s last name.

People may call their children or their sweet-hearts Honey or Sugar.

2. Listen to the passage again and fill in the missing information below.People in America don’t always call their friends and __________ by their ________ names. Instead they often use ___________. Sometimes nicknames are short forms of a longer name. For __________, a girl named Elizabeth may be called Lisa, Beth or Betsy. As children _________, they may ________ for themselves which nickname they wish to be called. If they consider their nickname ________, they may start using a more ________ form. Some people just go by the initials of their first and ________ names, like B. J. or R.C. And of course, people may call their children or their sweet-hearts other special nicknames. Often they have a “________” flavour, like Honey or Sugar.

relatives given

nicknamesinstance

grow up decide

childishadult

middle

sweet

Script

Asking somebody’s nameAmericans choose names for their children with care. Parents usually think about the impression a name gives, not its meaning. Most Americans would consider a “Jennifer” more attractive than a “Bertha”, for example. The last name, or surname, must also be considered when choosing a first and middle name. A name like Lester Chester Hester would sound poetic, but odd. Parents may avoid names that remind them of people they don’t like. On the other hand, people might name their children after a respected older relative or even a famous person. The popularity of certain names can change with each new generation. Names that were once common, like Fanny or Elmer, sound old-fashioned today. But other names—like John and David, Mary and Sarah—have stood the test of time and continue to be favourites. People in America don’t always call their friends and relatives by their given names. Instead they often use nick-names. Sometimes nicknames are short forms of a longer name. For instance, a girl named Elizabeth may be called Lisa, Beth or Betsy. As children grow up, they may decide for themselves which nickname they wish to be called. If they consider their nickname childish, they may start using a more adult form. Some people just go by the initials of their first and middle names, like B. J. or R.C. And of course, people may call their children or their sweet-hearts other special nicknames. Often they have a “sweet” flavour, like Honey or Sugar.In informal settings, people are normally on a first-name basis. Sometimes older folks even allow young people to call them by their first name. But in most formal situations, people use an appropriate title—such as Mr.(Mister), Ms.(“Miz”), Dr.(doctor) or Prof.(professor)—with a person’s last name. After an introduction, the person may say, for example, “Please call me Tom.” If not, use his or her surname.

Useful ExpressionsHow to ask about names informally Are you…?Are you called…?Do your friends call you…?What do you parents call you?Is your name…?

How to ask about names formally What’s your name, please?Could/Would you give me you name, please?May I have/know your name?Sorry to disturb, but what’s your name?Your name, please?

Pair Work

In our daily life, we often need to ask somebody’sname so as to establish a friendly relationship withthe person. Suppose you and your partner are A and B respectively and practice using as many way as possible to ask people’s names. Your dialogue may be based on following cues:1) A and B greet each other.2) A tells B that he/she has just learnt different ways to ask somebody’s name.3) B expresses his/her interest in getting to know the ways to ask somebody’s name.4) A tells B how to ask names either formally or informally.5) B expresses his/her thanks to A.6) A makes an excuse for having to stop and leave.7) A and B exchange “goodbye”.

WritingTopic Sentence

sTopic sentence, also called topic statement, is a sentence in a paragraph that tells the reader briefly this paragraph’s main idea which is developed by the supporting details. It may appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a paragraph.

1. Read the following three paragraphs and find out each of its topic sentence. Then write it down on the blank line.

Para. 1: London’s weather is very strange. It can rain several times a day; each time the rain may come suddenly after the sun is shining brightly. The air is damp and chill right through July. On one March afternoon last year it rained three times, there was one hail storm, and the sun shone brilliantly—all this within tow hours’ time. It is not unusual to see men and women rushing down the street on a sunny morning with umbrellas on their arms. No one knows what the next few moments will bring.Topic sentence:

____________________________________________________________

1. Read the following three paragraphs and find out each of its topic sentence. Then write it down on the blank line.

Para. 1: London’s weather is very strange. It can rain several times a day; each time the rain may come suddenly after the sun is shining brightly. The air is damp and chill right through July. On one March afternoon last year it rained three times, there was one hail storm, and the sun shone brilliantly—all this within tow hours’ time. It is not unusual to see men and women rushing down the street on a sunny morning with umbrellas on their arms. No one knows what the next few moments will bring.Topic sentence:

____________________________________________________________ London’s weather is very strange.

Para. 2: Just as I settle down to read or watch TV, he demands that I play with him. If I get a telephone call, he screams in the background or knocks something over. I always have to hang up and find out what’s wrong with him. Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun. He refuses to let me eat a snack in peace. Then, when he finally grows tired, it takes about an hour for him to fall asleep.

Topic sentence:

_____________________________________________ Baby-sitting with my little brother is no fun.

Para. 3:Doctors are of the opinion that most people cannot live beyond 100 years, but a growing number of scientists believe that the aging process can be controlled. There are more than 12,000 Americans over 100 years old, and their numbers are increasing each year. Theoretically and under ideal conditions, man can live six times longer than their normal period of growth. A person’s period of growth lasts about 25years. If this theory is accurate, future generations can expect a life span of 150 years.

Topic sentence:

_______________________________________ Theoretically and under ideal conditions, man can live six times longer than their normal period of growth.

Writing exercises

Read the text “What’s Your Name?” again to find out the topic sentence of each paragraph. Then write them down.

3. Use some of the above topic sentences to help you to write a short passage entitled “Names”. While writing, you may follow the steps below:1) Decide which topic sentences to choose.2) Write your first draft.3) Work with your partner or your teacher to edit your composition, paying attention to the spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and grammar.4) Polish your final version and write it in your exercise book.

Period 6

Challenging Yourself

Pre-reading1. Examine the following pictures (sheng, dan, jing, chou), work together and tell how to tell them apart

丑 生

净 旦

2. The following are some statements about Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou. Decide whether they are true or false. Write “T” for true and “F” for false on the line.

______ 1) Sheng can be subdivided into laosheng, xiaosheng and wusheng (the warrior type). ______ 2) Dan includes qingyi (a quiet and gentle lady), huadan (a lively woman), wudan (a woman with martial skills), daomadan (a woman skilled in fighting with weapons or on horses) and laodan (an old woman). ______ 3) Jing(the one with painted-face) portrays people who are frank and open-minded only.

______ 4) Chou, depicted by a dab of white on the face, has both civilian clowns and warrior clowns.

T

T

F

T

3. Words from the passage.

acrobatics n. 杂技stunt n. 绝技dab n. 少量extroverted adj. 外向的repertoire n. 保留剧目dissolute adj. 风流的malicious adj. 恶毒的obstinate adj. 倔强的

Reading comprehension1. Work with your partner and answer the following questions.

1) What are included in Beijing Opera?

Music, dance, art and acrobatics are included in Beijing Opera.

2) How did Beijing Opera’s highly-stylized music and performing techniques come into being?

Based upon traditional Anhui Opera, it has also adopted repertoire, music and performing techniques from Kun Opera (a local opera from Jiangsu Province) and Qinqiang Opera (from Shanxi Province) as well as traditional folk runes in its development, eventually forming its own highly stylized music and performing techniques.

3) What are the differences between the “civil” pieces and the “martial” pieces?

Beijing Operas can be divided into “civil” pieces, which are characterized by singing, and “martial” ones, which feature acrobatics and stunts.

4) What do Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou respectively stand for?

Sheng stands for male roles; Dan female roles; Jing painted face roles and Chou clown roles.

5) What’s special about Beijing Opera’s make-up?

The makeup is stylized, inspired by the masks worn by dancers in Tang, Song and Yuan dynasty operas. The makeup highlights and exaggerates the principal features of characters.

6) In what way are “exaggeration” and ‘symbolism’ used in Beijing Opera?

Exaggeration and symbolism are characteristics of the opera. Holding a whip is enough to indicate an actor is galloping on a horse. A few soldiers on the stage may represent a whole army. An actor circling the stage suggests a long journey.

7) Are non-verbal communication signals used in Beijing Opera?

Yes.

8) What is Beijing Opera like at present?

Beijing Opera has become a refined art form and now represents an important part of Chinese culture.

2. Write “T” for true and “F” for false on the line according to your understanding of the passage.

1 ） _____ Anhui Opera, Kun Opera and Qingqiang Opera are the only 3 sources from which Beijing Opera has adopted a lot. 2) ______ There are only two categories of Beijing Opera: the “civil” pieces and the “martial’ pieces. 3) ______ In the past Beijing Opera were only liked by the poorly educated people. 4) ______ Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou are the four roles in Beijing Opera. 5) ______ Chou is, in one way or anther, a contradictory character. 6) ______ The costume of Beijing Opera change as the time of the story’s occurrence changes.

F

F

F

T

T

F

3. In Beijing Opera, colors are richly used in the painted faces to indicate different characters of personality. Scan the text and fill in the table below.

stubborn / obstinate Brown

sound / honest Black

intelligent / less extroverted Yellow

vigorous, courageous and enterprising Blue

crafty / cunning White

upright / loyal Red

Characters of personalityColor

Pair WorkWork with your partner and use as many adjectives as possible to describe one of your teachers or classmates. Then report to the class.

The End