The Greatest invention

1. The Greatest invention By Lord Dunsanny

2. Text Appreciation Contents Text Analysis 1. General Analysis 2. Structure of the Text 3. Further Discussion

3. General Analysis Text Analysis Genre of the story Plot of the story Setting of the story Protagonists of the story Themeof the story

4. Text Analysis Genre: Plot: Setting: Protagonists: modern fable the development of the conflict between a scientist driven by his scientific curiosity and the government which wants to force the scientist to serve their political purpose Caribbean area the man in the Ministry of Warfare & the scientist

5. Fable • A fable is a succinct(言简意赅的)story, in prose or verse, that features animals, mythical creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human qualities), and that illustrates a moral lesson (a “moral”), which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy（精辟的） maxim（格言）.

6. Modern fable Fable Features: • fabled characters of more modern archetypes • using familiar characters in an unfamiliar setting • introduce people’s characters in modern life • updated message with contemporary circumstance and plot line

7. Text Analysis Theme: Through the story, the author makes us think about the purpose of science and the driving force of scientific development.

8. Structure of the Text Text Analysis Part 1 (Paras. 1— ): Part 2 (Paras. ): Part 3 (Para. ): 4 Why did Jorkens tell the story? 5—44 the story itself 45 the concluding paragraph

9. Sentence Paraphrase 1 I was tired of looking at the tropical sea, so I went ashore and walked into a tavern to see if they had any decent wines in that country. (Para. 5) to go to the shore acceptable, good enough

10. Word Building ashore (para. 5) a-: in a particular condition or way prefix • Examples: • They were walking abreast. • He was standing a few steps apart from them. • She left the door ajar. • Many of those visitors came from afar.

11. Sentence Paraphrase 2 When the bottle had been uncorked and the wine poured out, like liquid tropical sunlight, I watched it go down under that black mustache. (Para. 5) Simile: It suggests that the wine was pretty strong, like hot liquid sunlight. omission of “had been” The wine had been poured out. The bottle was opened and the wine was poured out. The man with black mustache drank it up although it was pretty strong, like hot liquid sunlight. go to 3

12. Word Building uncork (para. 5) un-: +v. toshow an opposite prefix • 脱衣服 • 解开纽扣 • 揭开盖子，揭露 • 解开 • 打开包裹 • 脱去面具 • 解开包裹 undress unbutton uncover untie unwrap unmask unpack

13. A question: what will you do after drinking lots of wine? • Sleeping? • Becoming talkative and telling secrets which will not be told when clear-minded, or sth made-up, or boasting? • Fuzzy-minded and doing things which hurt others like beating others, drunk-driving & creating collisions

14. Sentence Paraphrase 3 “And we had a scientist who, as I have since seen proved, had no rival west of the Atlantic.” (Para. 6) to be the very best More examples relative pronoun as the object of “seen” And we had the very best scientist in Latin American countries as I have seen him proved without rival.

15. a matter of sth/ doing sth: an issue concerning… • Personally I can’t stand rock music, but I suppose it’s all a matter of opinion used to say that people have different opinions about a subject • It’s only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt sth. will happen eventually Anyone can get his/her Mr/Miss Right. It’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. to tell that you only have to do a particular thing, or do something in a particular way in order to succeed • a matter of life and death • a matter of taste/cost/price/luck…

16. Do you know the other ministries?

17. Word Study 7. Figure (Para 11) Select the proper meaning of “figure” in each sentence. n.a. shape b. person c. number d. character e. an amount of money You have to watch our diet if you want to keep your figure. keeping unemployment figure down  both a political and a religious figure  to play the figure of a judge an estimated figure of $200 million a c b d e

18. Word Study 5. charge Select the proper meaning of “charge” in each sentence. v.a. to rush in or as if in an attack b.toask in payment c. to declare officially and openly d.to load The hotel charged me $50 for a room for the night. Suddenly the wild animal charged at us. He was charged with murder and betrayal. The soldiers charged their guns and prepared to fire. b a c d

19. Word Study 5. charge n.a. an attack in which soldiers, wild animals etc rush with great force against sb b.(c/u) the amount of money you have to pay for goods or services c. control d.an official statement made by the police saying that sb is guilty of a crime Select the proper meaning of “charge” in each sentence. your order will be delivered free of charge. cavalry charges I’ve been put in charge of the preparation.  The charge against her is arson. b a c d

20. Word Study 8. glory n. great honor; praise Word formation • 凯旋 • 得意之时 • 自夸 • 光荣的牺牲 • Examples: • return with glory • in one’s glory • glorify oneself • a glorious death v. glorify a. glorious

21. Word Study 2. aspiration n. a strong desire to have or achieve sth. Word formation v. aspire • Examples: • When I was 12 I had aspirations to play professional football. • He had no political aspirations.

22. aspire • Vi • To desire and work towards achieving sth. important 追求，渴望，有志于 +to/after +to do sth it was clear that … aspired to the leadership of Class … Nowadays people all aspire to make good money.

23. Word Study 12. soothe v.a. to make someone feel calmer and less anxious, upset or angry b. to make a pain less severe Word formation a. soothing adv. soothingly • Examples: • She soothed the child who was afraid. • I bought some lozenges(润喉糖) to soothe my • throat.

24. Sentence Paraphrase 7 But what if we know how to let loose a plague capable of destroying whole nations? (Para. 16) More examples adjective phrase as modifier • to let sb. or sth. free What would happen if we know how to release a plague that can destroy whole nations?

25. Word Study 10. plague n. a. any disease causing death and spreading quickly to a large number of people b. sth. that annoys you v. to cause trouble to sb.; to annoy sb. • Examples: • A great many people have been swept away by the plague. • That child is a plague of her life. • The little boy plagued his father by begging over and over to go to the zoo.

26. Sentence Paraphrase 7 • I think he is a man suitable for the job. • Soldiers normally timid don’t fight well. • A man so difficult to please must be hard to work with.

27. Sentence Paraphrase 8 “We knew that we had marvelous powers within our grasp, if only Carasierra could be kept at his work.” (Para. 18) to force someone to continue to do sth. to be able to achieve or attain sth. If we could keep Carasierra at his work, we would be able to attain great power. go to 9

28. Sentence Paraphrase 9 “Always spurred on by a fierce ambition. His very life was devoted to making inventions.” (Para. 20) • to urge sb. to try harder used to emphasize a noun He was always driven by a strong ambition. He had given his whole life to making inventions.

29. Word Study 13. spur • v.a. to encourage a horse to go faster • b. to incite or stimulate • n. a fact or event that makes you try harder • to do sth. • Do sth on the spur of the moment: to do sth suddenly, without thinking about it before you do it: • Examples: • The rider spurred on to his destination. • It’s unlikely that harsh criticism will spur the students on to greater efforts • Lower housing price will spur the apartment sales. • On the spur of the moment she picked up the phone and told her affection towards him.

30. Word Study 6. fierce a. very strong; done with very strong feelings and energy • fierce emotions • fierce attack • fierce competition • fierce anger • fierce look • fierce tempest • 强烈的感情 • 猛烈的进攻 • 激烈的竞争 • 极度愤怒 • 面目狰狞 • 狂风暴雨

31. Word Study 6. inspiration Word formation inspire (c/u). a sudden good idea about what you should do or say灵感 • We haven’t started the preparation for the Red May project, we’re still waiting for aspiration • to give sb the idea for a story, painting, poem ect. • The romance was inspired by a chance meeting with an old couple.

32. Word Study 1. appeal Chinese 恳求，呼吁；有吸引力；上诉 v. a.to make a serious request for help, money, information b. to be attractive or interesting c. to make formal request to a court Word formation n. appeal • Examples: • She appealed to the kidnappers to release her son. • Does the idea of working abroad appeal to you? • If you are not satisfied, you can appeal.

33. N. 1(C) an urgent request for sth important 恳求，呼吁 appeal for : the UN’s appeal for a ceasefire appeal to sb to do sth: an appeal to parents to supervise their children make/launch an appeal 2)(U) a quality that makes you like sb or sth, be interested in them 感染力，吸引力 Pirates of Caribbean has great appeal for young audiences. sex appeal: the quality of being sexually attractive性感 3) (C,U) a formal request to a court or sb in authority上诉，申诉: an appeal to a higher court

34. Word Study appeal n. Chinese • Examples: • appeal for aid • an appeal to parents to supervise their children • The film has great appeal for young audience. • an appeal to the European court of Human Rights 恳求，呼吁； 吸引力； 上诉， 申诉

35. Sentence Paraphrase 10 “But nothing would turn him from his project. The splendor of his new inspiration gripped him, and he was like a man drugged.” (Para. 23) to divert his attention from his project Nothing could divert his attention from his work. The impressive beauty of his new idea interested him greatly and he was like a man who had taken drug

36. Sentence Paraphrase 11 “We were so nearly one of the Great Powers but for a fancy that came to this man’s mind.” (Para. 24) if not for If a fancy had not gripped this man, we would have become one of the Great Powers.

37. Sentence Paraphrase 12 “… he fell then to silent brooding, gazing, as it seemed, into the past at the grip that his country had lost on the Caribbean, perhaps on the world.” (Para. 45) He fell then to silent thinking. He looked intently into the past when his country had lost the power on the Carribbean, even the world.

38. Word Study 4. brood v. to keep thinking for a long time about sth. that makes you very angry or worried Chinese 沉思；念念不忘，计较；思考 • Examples: • She sat there brooding on whether life is worth living. • Don’t brood over lost opportunities. • Just as physicists worry about the nature of matter, historians brood about the study of man’s past. • What if a bird broods…

39. Extension • 1. a discussion: is the government official a terrorist? Why or why not? • terrorism refers to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are done for a religious, political or ideological goal, deliberately target or disregard the safety of civilians, and are committed by non-government agencies. • For a government, it’s called hegemonism

40. 2. see the video and decide whether the man is a terrorist? Words & expressions in the video • Cross my heart and hope to die(在胸口划十字)答应要做某事；发誓所说属实 • Install: 安装 • Safeguard:安保措施 • Apprehend：逮捕 • State-of-the-art:尖端的

41. Quiz 1 Match the synonyms in the two columns.

42. Quiz 2 • There were some ______ flowers on the table. • a. artificial b. unnatural • c. false d. unreal • 2. People were surprised to find that he had the • ability to _____ everything he was involved in. • a. precede b. dominate • c. effect d. instruct a b

43. Quiz 2 • When people become unemployed, it is ____ • which is often worse than lack of wages. • a. diligence b. poverty • c. idleness d. inability • 4. Although the two players are ______ in the • tennis court, they are really good friends. • a. partners b. enemies • c. rivals d. companions c c

44. Quiz 2 5. By _____ computation, he estimated that the repairs on the house would cost him a thousand dollars. a. coarse b. rude c. crude d. rough 6. He was _____ enough to understand my questions from the gestures I made. a. intelligent b. efficient c. proficient d. diligent d a

45. Quiz 2 • A well-written composition ____ good choice • of words and clear organization among other • things. • a. calls on b. calls for • c. calls up d. calls off • 8. Craig assured his boss that he would ____ all • his energies in doing this new job. a. call on b. call for c. call up d. call off b a

46. Quiz 2 • 9. ______ the speech contest I would have • gone to the dance party last Sunday. • a. In spite of b. But for • c. Because of d. As for • 10. I’m sure he is up to the job _____ he would • give his mind to it. • a. if only b. in case • c. until d. unless b a

47. Quiz 2 • Being somewhat short-sighted, she had the • habit of _____ at people. • a. glancing b. peering • c. gazing d. scanning • 12. In spite of the wide range of reading • material specially written or ______ for • language learning purpose, there is yet no • comprehensive systematic program for the • reading skills. • a. adapted b. acknowledged • c. assembled d. appointed b a

48. Quiz 2 • ______, the little girl can help her mother • with some housework. • a. Young as she is b. Young as is she c. As she is young d. As is she young • 14. ______ is known to the world, Mark Twain is • a great American writer. • a. That b. Which c. As d. It a c

49. Quiz 2 • American will never again have as a nation • the spirit of adventure ______ before the • West was settled. • a. as it was b. as it did c. like it did d. like it was b

50. Quiz 2 • He built a telescope ________ which he could • study the skies. • a. on b. in c. from d. through • 18. The desk ________ which Jack is leaning is • John’s. • a. of b. for • c. against d. on d c