College English

1. College English 教师：刘卓 janetliuzhuo@yahoo.com.cn

2. Listening • Lead in Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks. Key words and expressions: spare time gig, club, society, come on, guys, prefer to do, stay in the dorm, make new friends, would rather do, hang out, bored

3. Listening TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday)! What’s your ___time gig? ___and societies? ___? Basketball? Come on, guys! We are the best of CUBA! (I love this game!) Prefer to stay in the dorm listening to ___? What’s that? Michael Learns to Rock or Backstreet Boys? ___time again. Meet people and new friends. Oh? You’d rather just ___? You won’t be bored anyhow… Answers: spare, Clubs, societies, Sports, music, Party, Meet, make, hang out, bored

4. Dialogue Sample Listen to the dialogue Key words and expressions: concert, talk about, favorite, pop music group, nice to see you here, fan, not exactly, introduce…to…, more than, have been doing, in line, at the Coliseum, a ticket to, kinda, sellout, fade off, chance, kid, deny, hot, agree, I’m not sure, especially, fun

5. Reading A: Warm Up Questions: 1. What do you usually do in your leisure time on campus? 2. What do the students at Oxford do to pass the time? 3. Can you name some clubs and societies at Oxford?

6. Background information about the text: OUSU OUSU is the Oxford University Student Union, a completely separate organization from the Oxford Union. It is there to support students from all the affiliated Oxford Colleges in a number of ways by, for example, offering various student support services such as the Student Advice Service and The Oxford Legal Student Advice Scheme. OUSU also produces its own publications like The OUSU Living Out Guide, The Oxford Directory, The Welfare Directory and Freshers' Guide.

7. Freshers' Fair Freshers' Fair is one of the most important events in the student calendar, and the focal point of freshers' week. It offers Oxford's 6 500 new students a unique opportunity to sample some of the activities going on in the city and University. It also gives the 350+ student societies that exist the chance to recruit eager new members.

8. There are rooms and a large marquee set aside for companies offering student services to display their products and attract potential customers. Stalls are set out by category, such as sporting clubs, international societies, and religious organizations. It is entirely organized and run by OUSU, and takes place in the major rooms of Examination Schools on the High Street, on Thursday and Friday the first week in October each year.

9. The Oxford Union The Oxford Union is the world's foremost debating society, with a deserved reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. Since its foundation in 1823, the Oxford Union has been the only central student venue in the City and remains the social focus in this fragmented college system. The Union's aim is to serve its members by providing numerous facilities. It has a restaurant, two bars, two full-size snooker tables, the largest lending library for students in Oxford, and the only late-night student bar. In short, with over 10 000 resident members and roughly 85% of new students joining every year, the Union is the centre of University life in Oxford.

10. The Guild Society The Guild is the largest student society in Oxford, with over 2000 members drawn from all around the University. It aims to give its members the best view of the working world available without actually experiencing it first hand. It attracts all the top graduate recruiters, from all areas. And what makes this all the more remarkable is that the Society and all its subsidiary organizations are entirely run by students, the members of the society. No other student society, anywhere, can offer as much exposure to the real working world, and graduate recruiters are increasingly aware of this fact. The Guild can give you the edge when it comes to interviews.

11. The Oxford DirectoryThe Oxford Directory is the definitive guide to the 300+ clubs and societies that exist at Oxford. Whether you're into Aikido or want to be an OU Young Farmer, there's a club in here for you. In addition, there's information about OUSU, your student union, and the services it offers. There are sections on University departments and agencies such as the Careers, Computing and Counseling Services.

12. Reading A: Para 1-3 Para 1: Parties, drinking, eating - oh, and working - all help pass the time, but deep down there's something you're really eager to find, but you can't quite put your finger on. What you have been looking for, my friend, is the chance to throw yourself into the world of University Societies, and discover the huge range of activities which thrive in a city like Oxford.

13. 1. Parties, drinking, eating-oh, and working-all help pass the time, but deep down there's something you're really eager to find, but you can't quite put your finger on.Parties, drinking, eating, and working can all help pass the time. Nevertheless, you really want to find some good ways to fill your spare time, without knowing what they are. 聚会、喝酒、吃饭--哦，还有工作--都让时光流逝，但你内心深处确有一些很想追寻的东西，却无法弄清楚是什么。

14. put one's finger on: (infml) to find or show exactly (the cause of trouble) Examples:Something is wrong with this room, but I can't put my finger on what it is.这房间有点不对劲，但我弄不清到底是啥不对劲。 I could not quite put my finger on what was different about Simone.我说不清西蒙到底有什么不同。

15. 2. throw oneself into: to do or take part in actively and energetically Examples:Since her husband died, she has thrown herself into her work.自从她丈夫去世后，她一直埋头于自己的工作。 The National Day is coming; they have thrown themselves into the organising of Celebration Activities. 国庆节快到了，他们积极投身于庆祝活动的组织工作。

16. Para 2: Whether you want to pursue an existing interest or develop new ones, your first move should be to check out the bewilderingly large array of clubs at the OUSU Freshers’ Fair. With your Freshers’ Fair ticket, you can get your hands on a brand-new edition of the comprehensive guide to all things at Oxford. If you miss the Fair, don't despair: you can see what societies are offered in the Oxford Directory, a handbook issued to you in Freshers’ Week. Take a while to browse through --- it's your one major chance to find out about what goes on in the University.

17. 3. get one's hands on: catch, or obtain Examples:Wait until I get my hands on him! 等着瞧，我会抓住他的！ I'd like to get my hands on a nice pair of cowboy boots. 我想得到一双帅气的牛仔靴。

18. 4. browse through: look through Examples: I was browsing through the newspaper when I spotted your name. 我在浏览报纸时发现了你的名字。I've spent one whole week browsing through Hemingway's works, trying to understand his unique style of writing. 我花了整整一个星期浏览海明威的作品，试图理解他独特的写作风格。

19. 5. find out: to learn or discover (a fact that was hidden or not known) Examples:I won't tell you - you'll have to find out by yourself. 我不会告诉你的 - 你得自己去弄明白。 I found out by chance that she was actually a freshman from London University. 我偶然发现她实际上是伦敦大学的一年级学生。

20. Para 3: The degree to which people get involved in societies varies a great deal. Some totally immerse themselves in a club, hardly speaking to anyone who isn't a member of that group for the next three years and rising to become a leader of the organization. Others prefer to take a more eclectic approach, being members of several societies and taking part in whichever of their events seem interesting. Many people, perhaps foolishly, completely ignore University societies and just hang out with mates in college.

21. 6. vary: 1) [~ in] to be different; have the qualities that are not the same as each other Examples: The flowers are the same in color but vary in shape. 这些花的颜色相同但形状各异。2) [~ from] to be different Example: Roses vary from daisies.玫瑰不同于雏菊。 3) [~ from ... to ] to change, esp. continually Example:Human IQ's vary from under 50 to over 200. 人类的智商从50以下到200以上变化不等。

22. 7. Some totally immerse themselves in a club, hardly speaking to anyone who isn't a member of that groups for the next three years and rising to become a leader of the organization. Others prefer to take a more eclectic approach, being members of several societies and taking part in whichever of their events seem interesting. Here the present participle phrases "hardly speaking to ..." and "being members of ..." are used as adverbials introducing the secondary action of the sentence subject. 有的完全沉醉于一个俱乐部，在接下来的三年里几乎不跟非本俱乐部成员说话，直至成为该组织的领导者。其余的人更愿意选择更灵活的方式，参加几个社团，参与凡是他们感兴趣的活动。

23. Examples:She was very shy, hardly speaking even to her best friends.她很害羞，甚至和最好的朋友都不太交谈。 They were very athletic, being members of many sports clubs and teams.他们很爱好运动，是许多体育俱乐部和球队的成员。

24. immerse oneself in: 1) to put deep into a body of liquid e.g. He lay immersed in a hot bath. 他（让自己）泡在热水里。 Immerse your foot in ice cold water to reduce the swelling. 把你的脚泡在冰水里以便消肿。 2) to cause (oneself) to enter deeply into an activity; absorb in it or be absorbed by it e.g. I immersed myself in work so as to stop thinking about her. 我让自己沉醉于工作，以便不去想她。 I think it is important to immerse oneself in a language learning environment, if you want to learn English well.我认为如果你想学好英语的话，重要的是使自己沉浸于语言学习环境之中。

25. 8. Many people, perhaps foolishly, completely ignore University societies and just hang out with mates in college.It may not be very wise, but many students join no groups on campus and just spend time together casually.还有许多人，也许有点笨，完全无视大学社团的存在，只是与大学里的伙伴们在一起打发时间。 ignore: to take no notice of; refuse to pay attention to e.g.: My advice was completely ignored.　　 我的建议完全被忽视了。 The government would be unwise to ignore the complaints of its people. 政府对民众的抱怨置之不理是不明智的。

26. hang out: (infml) to live or spend lots of time in a particular place or with particular people casually Examples:Why do you just hang out in bars? Why don't you hang out with me instead? 你为何只去泡酒吧？跟我一起玩儿不好吗？You should give your children more opportunities to have personal time and space to hang out with friends or do whatever they want.你应该给孩子们更多的机会，使他们有自己的时间和空间与朋友一起玩或者做他们想做的事。

27. Reading A: Para 4-6 Para 4: Societies offer a great chance to meet people from outside college, which, especially for arts students, is something it is sometimes difficult to do. But don't forget that most colleges have their own flourishing societies, which you may be able to join in your college during Freshers’ Week. Music and drama are often popular and it is very easy to get some mates together and start something up. If you have ambitions to open up your new Shakespearian Rap Society to the whole University, you can register it with the University Proctors, who give out start-up grants and loans, among other benefits.

28. Para 5: One of the downsides, especially with larger societies, is the hacking which takes place. 'Hack' is the negative term applied to those seeking advancement (usually to President) in whatever Club or Society, and some clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract those with the spark of ambition more than others. When students suddenly remember their blank CVs which are supposed to secure them a highly paid job once they graduate, hackery is almost inevitable. Do not be afraid, though: the vast majority of students tend to avoid such self-seeking behaviour and get on with life.

29. 9. "Hack" is a negative term applied to those seeking advancement (usually to President) in whatever Club or Society, and some clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract those with the spark of ambition more than others.When students are said to "hack" they join various groups and try to become leaders, hoping to improve their resumes."钻营"指的是有些学生在俱乐部或社团里追求职位的提高（通常是要做主席），有些社团，比如牛津学生会或同业协会总能吸引那些比别人更雄心勃勃的人。

30. hack:1) to cut (up), esp. roughly, violently, or in uneven pieces Example: He hacked the limb from the tree with an axe.他用斧头从树上砍下树枝。 2) to do successfully Example:This assignment is too hard, I just can't hack it. 这个作业太难，我做不出来。

31. 3) to enter a computer system without permission Example:The students who hacked their way into the academic records were punished. 未经许可进入成绩档案（计算机系统）的学生受到了惩罚。 4) to seek office in a group without caring about the group's success Example: He tried to hack his way to the presidency of every club on campus. 他竭力钻营，试图在学校的每一个俱乐部寻求主席职位。

32. apply: 1) [~ to, for ] to request sth., esp. officially and in writing Examples: I applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them. 我申请了四所大学，四所大学都录取了我。Rex applied for the post of Eliot‘ secretary. 瑞克斯申请艾略特的秘书职位。 2) [~ to] to bring or put into use or operation Examples:New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. 新技术正被应用于几乎每一个工业过程中。The term "mat" can be applied to any small rug. "mat"这个词可用来表示任何小的地毯。

33. tend to: to have a tendency; be likely (to do or be sth.); to do or be often or usually Examples:Sally tends to interfere in other people's business. 萨利常常干涉别人的事。 People tend to gain weight on holidays.人们常常在假期长胖。

34. 10. Do not be afraid, though:though: (not used at the beginning of a clause) in spite of the fact; neverthelessExamples: It's hard work; I enjoy it, though.这事很难，不过我喜欢。 He's had two heart attacks in a year. It hasn't stopped him smoking, though. 他一年中两次心脏病发作。但这并没有使他停止吸烟。

35. Para 6: With over 300 registered societies there really is something for everyone. Apart from the obvious political parties and sports clubs there are groups for all the main religions; societies interested in the society and culture of countries from China to Bulgaria, and UK regions from Scotland to Essex; charities for those interested in voluntary work, literature, music, drama and sci-fi; and a fair number of strange groups such as the LMH Pudding Society, the Oxford Stunt Factory and the Pooh Sticks Society. You won't get bored.

36. 11. apart from:1) without considering; except for Examples:Quite apart from the cost, there is the question of your health to be considered. 除费用外，健康的问题也要考虑。Apart from the occasional visit, what does Allen do for his kids? 除了偶尔的一次探视，爱伦还为他的孩子做些什么？

37. 2) as well as; in addition to Examples:Apart from their obvious beauty, the clean air of the mountains was good for me. 不仅是满目的美景，山里的干净的空气对我也大有好处。Apart from her intelligence, her hard work was the key to her success.除智商外，辛勤的工作也是她成功的关键。

38. 12. bore: to make (someone) tired or uninterested, esp. by continual dull talk Examples:I'm sorry I spoke for so long-I hope I didn't bore you.对不起，我说了这么久 - 但愿没有让你感到厌烦。 My father is always boring us with his stories of the war.父亲总是用他的战争故事来磨我们。

39. bored: [~ with] tired and uninterested Examples:I'm bored with the same old routine day after day. 我厌倦了这日复一日的一成不变的日常工作。She is getting really bored with her job.她真的厌倦了自己的工作。

40. boring: dull or uninteresting; tedious Examples:I always thought ancient history was deadly boring.我一直认为古代史极其乏味。 Her husband is the most boring person I've ever met. 她丈夫是我见过的最没趣的人。

41. Exercises: Content Awareness Answer the following questions: • How can you find out about the activities that take place in a university like Oxford? • How can you find out what clubs and societies are on offer at Oxford? • Do people get involved in societies to the same degree? • What kind of people do some high status clubs such as the Oxford Union or the Guild Society tend to attract? Why? • Does the author generally encourage students to join clubs and societies? Why?

42. Complete the following statements based on the information from the passage. • At the Freshers’ Fair, a freshman can learn __________.  A) how to pursue an existing interestB) how to develop some new interestsC) how to check out the large array of clubs and societiesD) how to throw yourself into the world of University Societies

43. If a student takes an eclectic approach to clubs and societies, we can say that he __________. A) joins several groups and takes part in interesting eventsB) hangs out with members of just one club or societyC) completely ignores University SocietiesD) is sure to become a leader in at least one group

44. The easier way to make new friends is __________. A) to attend the Freshers’ FairB) to join some clubs and societiesC) to open up a new societyD) to enjoy music and drama

45. According to the passage, “to hack” means __________. A) to enter a computer system and make changes without permissionB) to seek advancement in every club or society a person joinsC) to get involved in societiesD) to display one’s ambition

46. Some students try to hack in the clubs because __________.  A) they have the ambition of becoming the President of the clubB) they want to get grants and loans and other benefits from the University ProctorsC) they would have a great chance to meet people from outside collegeD) they would build their CVs which may help promote their future careers

47. Exercises: Language Focus Part IV Fill in blanks with given words. applyavoidbehaviorborehighlyignore negativeculturesecuretend • The sort of music he listens to varies, but it ___ to be popular music.   • Language is the medium of ___, and when we learn a foreign language, we are exposed to a culture quite different from ours.   • Scientific discoveries are often ___ to industrial process.  • I hope you are not getting ___listening to me. 

48. 5. Can you ___ me two good seats for the concert?  6. This is a ___ amusing film. You'll regret if you miss it.  7. He gave a ___ answer to my request. I felt quite confused and disappointed.   8. She was annoyed by the young man's impolite ___.  9. Ever since that unhappy incident, I have tried to ___ any further conflict with him.   10. The driver ___ the traffic light, and as a result, he ran into another car. 

49. Answers: 1.tends   2.culture   3.applied    4.bored 5.Secure 6.highly   7.negative    8.behavior, 9.avoid    10.ignored  

50. Part V Complete the following sentences • They normally ___ in the pub to kill time. • I've been trying to ___ the restaurants in my new neighborhood to find the best one. • Bob took a part-time job ___ handbills (传单) for a cosmetic (化妆品) company. • Back from the holiday, she eagerly ___ the production of a new film. • I ___ work so as to stop thinking about her.