Section A

1. Section A An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle

2. Preparation Getting the Message Direction: Answer the following questions according to the text. 1.What does the saying "An Englishman's Home Is His Castle" mean? 2. Why are the DIY stores and garden centers filled with families every weekend? 3. What kind of purchase is it for a British person who buys a house? 4. In what way do most people pay when buying a house? 5. How is the loan paid back to the bank? 6. What is the purpose of British people spending time improving and extending their estate? 7. Why have house prices increased a lot over the last few years? 8. What is the psychological reason for people spending money on their homes?

3. Reading Through • Main Idea This is a passage about home. People in different countries have different attitudes towards home. British people have their own special understandings of home. The different attitudes of British people towards home is the key point of this passage.

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5. Phrases and Expressions sooner of latter in the air in full trade up

6. Detailed Study of Text A 1.While this might seem like nonsense to some, British people have their reasons for putting so much effort into their homes. 2.... most people negotiate a loan, called a mortgage, with a bank. 3.Givensuch a large and long investment, it makes sense for people to spend time improving and extending their estate... 4.Britain has a long-established base of houses and not much municipal land on which to build new ones. 5.The home is of great emotional and cultural significance to people. 6.Thus, for British people, being proud of a home is also about being proud of all they've accomplished; their home.. truly is their castle.

7. While this might seem like nonsense to some, British people have their reasons for putting so much effort into their homes. Meaning: Although this might seem to some people like foolish behavior, British people have their reasons for paying so much energy and attention to their homes.

8. ... most people negotiate a loan, called a mortgage, with a bank. Meaning: ... most people talk with a bank about a sum of money to be lent to them for buying a property. (The loan will be paid back to the bank and the property is a security. In case they are unable to pay back the loan, the bank will repossess the property for the payment of the loan.)

9. Meaning: Considering that it is such a large and long investment, it is wise of people to spend time bettering and enlarging their houses...given:prep. considering 考虑到 e.g. Given his age, he's a remarkably fast runner. 考虑到他的年龄，他可真是跑得异常地快。e.g. Given the time available to us, we'll have to submit the report in draft form. 考虑到时间有限，我们不得不以草稿的形式递交报告。

10. Britain has a long-established base of houses and not much municipal land on which to build new ones. Meaning: The main place for houses in Britain has been established for a long time. There is not much land under any local government that may be used to build new houses.

11. The home is of great emotional and cultural significance to people. Meaning: The home is important to people emotionally and culturally.

12. Thus, for British people, being proud of a home is also about being proud of all they've accomplished; their home truly is their castle. Meaning: So, for British people, a home is a symbol of their achievements. Being proud of a home means being proud of what they have achieved. Their home is really their castle.