Unit 5 How to Celebrate Holidays Text A Writing Three Thank-you Letters

1. Unit 5 How to Celebrate HolidaysText AWriting Three Thank-you Letters

2. About Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. For many Americans it is the most important holiday apart from Christmas. Schools, offices and most businesses close for Thanksgiving, and many people make the whole weekend a vacation. Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to North America.

3. About Thanksgiving In 1620 the ship the May Flower arrived, bringing about 150 people who today are usuallycalled Pilgrims. They arrived at the beginning of a very hard winter and could not find enough to eat, so many of them died. But in the following summer Native Americans showed them what foods were safe to eat, so that they could save food for the next winter. They held a big celebration to thank God and

4. About Thanksgiving the Native Americans for the fact that they had survived. Today people celebrate Thanksgiving to remember these early days. The most important part of the celebration is a traditional dinner with foods that come from North America. The meal includes turkey, sweet potatoes（also called yams）and cranberries (酸果蔓）, which are made into a kind of sauce or jelly.

5. About Thanksgiving The turkey is filled with stuffing or dressing, and many families have their own special recipe. Dessert is pumpkin made into a pie. On Thanksgiving there are special television programs and sports events. In New York there is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, when a long line of people wearing fancy costumes march through the streets with large

6. About Thanksgiving Balloons in the shape of imaginary characters. Thanksgiving is considered the beginning of the Christmas period, and the next day many people go out to shop for Christmas presents.

7. About the author Alexander Palmer Haley (1921~1992)American biographer, scriptwriter (影视广播剧编剧人 )and author who became famous with the publication of the novel ROOTS. In it Haley traced his ancestry back to Africa and covered seven American generations, starting from his ancestor, Kunta Kinte. The book was adapted to television series, and woke up

8. About the author an interest in genealogy, particularly among African-Americans. Haley himself commented that the book was not somuch history as a study of mythmaking: “What Rootsgets at in whatever form,is that it touches the pulse of how alike we human beings are when you get down to the bottom, beneath these man-imposed differences.”

9. Text Organization Part One Paras 1-9 On thanksgiving Day of 1943, as a young coastguardsman at sea, the writer wanted to do something to celebrate the Day in its true meaning in his own way. Part Two Paras 10-16 The writer wrote three thank-you letters to his father, his grandmother and the Rev. Nelson, to express his gratitude for their help.

10. Text Organization Part Three Paras 17-23 The writer got three letters in reply and read with astonishment. Part Four Paras 24-26 The writer makes wishes on the coming Thanksgiving Day.

11. Warming-up exercises 1. reverse a. being thankful, thankfulness 2. repay b. not pretending, honest 3. sincere c. causing wonder, excellent 4. gratitude d. pay back, reward 5. diminish e. make or become smaller or less 6. marvelous f. turn around to the opposite direction

12. Warming-up exercises 1. considerate a. in the middle of , among 2. unload b.rapid, prompt 3. successive c. thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others 4. amid d. remove the load or cargo from a ship, car etc. 5. swift e. repeat or copy the words of (others) 6. quote f. following one after the other

13. Warming-up exercises 1. put away a. cause to return to the mind 2. and the rest b. instantly 3. in turn c. remove (sth.) to a place where it is usually stored 4. bring back e. secretly 5. in a flash f. and so on 6. in secret g. one by one

14. Text Analysis Para 1 The United States Coast Guard: Established in 1915, the Coast Guard is the US military service that is controlled by the US Department of Transportation but becomes part of the US Navy during a war. It stops ships suspected of carrying drugs and other illegal goods, and can make arrests. It also keeps watch to see that other laws of the sea are obeyed, rescues ships in danger and has a weather service.

15. Text analysis under way (L2) : in motion or operation, having started and making progress --The nationwide medical reform is now under way. --Reparations for the l00th anniversary celebration are now well under way. --under construction/control /observation / consideration /repair

16. Text analysis Para 2 feature (L9) : a. (n.) a typical or noticeable part or quality b. (v.) include something as a special feature 以…为特色 --the geographical features of South China --Round-the-clock service features the store. --a lathe featuring a new electronic control

17. Text analysis Para 4 make one’s way out there (L14) make one’s way for the door push one’s way through the crowd fight one’s way to the end elbow one’s way into a place shoulder one’s way out of a place work one’s way upstream worm one’s way in the cabinet

18. Text analysis Para 5 get to sth. / doing sth. (L16) : begin to give serious attention to or deal with --Recently I’ve got to wondering why I am doing the part-time job. --I’ll get to the accounts as soon as I can.

19. Text analysis The pilgrims: The Pilgrims refer to the 102 English people who settled in America in 1620. Their group included 35 Puritans whose aim was to create a safe religious community in the New World. The Pilgrims probably landed at Plymouth Rock, and they established Plymouth colony.  

20. Text analysis Native Americans Native Americans refer to the native Indians who were living in North America for many hundreds of years before Europeans reached the continent. For a long time white people called them Indians. Today many people do hot like this name since it is based on a mistake: it was given to the people living in the Americas by Christopher Columbus who, when he arrived there, thought he had landed in India. Instead, people prefer to use the term Native Americans.

21. Text analysis Para 6 in quest of (L18):seeking for --Tony went to the school library in quest of Mark Twain’s novels. --Mary told me that she was leaving New York City in quest of a tranquil life. Para 8 turn over (L25): think about, consider --I sat quietly, turning over the problem. --Though she didn’t say anything, you could see her turning things over in her mind.

22. Text analysis Para 10 swallowing hard (L33): lf you swallow you make a movement in your throat as if you are swallowing sth., often because you are nervous or frightened. Here the author tried to control his sad emotions by doing it. Here it can be translated as:”令人万分难受地“.

23. Text analysis beyond expression (L34) beyond description beyond words beyond imagination beyond doubt beyond one’s reach/understanding…

24. Text analysis Para 11 statement (L38) : sth. that is said or written, esp. formally and officially --The trade union issued a statement opposing racial discrimination. --In his newly-published book, Williams made a number of statements about modern life.

25. Text analysis Para 12 specific (L46):relating to one thing and not others; particular --The new system made it easier for employers to recruit workers based on specific needs. --Do you have any specific skills that will be of use to you in the job you are applying for? Antonym: general

26. Text analysis on one’s behalf (L47): on the behalf of sb., for sb.; in the interests of sb.; as the representative of sb. --On the behalf of my parents, I would like to express my gratitude to you for your help. --He delivered a speech on the behalf of all the graduates on Graduation Day.

27. Text analysis Para 13 impress (L49) : a) fix in sb’s mind; make the importance of (sth.) very clear to sb. (used in the patterns:impress upon / on sb. that; impress upon / on sb. sth.) --I have always impressed upon my students that if they work hard they will succeed in life. --The teacher tried to impress on his students the necessity of being honest.

28. Text analysis b) cause (sb.) to feel admiration or respect --Most students liked to talk a lot because they thought it would impress the professors. --Wanting to impress his girl friend, Dustin bought a suit for their first date.

29. Text analysis expose (L53) : leave uncovered; make accessible to (often used in the pattern: be exposed to) --The immigrants’ children exposed to American pop culture often rebel when their parents try to impose the conservative values they brought with them. --It is feared that people living near the power station may have been exposed to radiation.

30. Text analysis immerse (L53) : cover completely in a liquid; absorb deeply --I held my breath and completely immersed myself in the water trying to stay under for as long as possible. --John was so immersed in playing the computer games that he was unaware of things happening round him.

31. Text analysis Para 14 assemble (L57) : a) bring or call together into a group --The members of the tour group assembled at the airport for departure. --Delegates were assembling in Geneva for the conference.

32. Text analysis b) fit together the parts or pieces of --It took me less than an hour to assemble the bookcase. c) get and put together sth. such as proof or information in an organized way --We will let you have the report as soon as we have assembled all the data. --The lawyer is assembling evidence concerning a murder case.

33. Text analysis Para 15 Sprinkle my life with stardust (L64) : fill my life with wonderful dreams（在我的生命中洒下美妙的梦想） Sprinkle: scatter ( drops or grains of sth.) on (sth.); scatter in small drops --Sprinkle the meat with salt and place it in the pan. --Unfortunately, the textbook is sprinkled with errors.

34. Text analysis Para 17 recede (L69): move back or away； fade away --The tide receded. --Memories of childhood are gradually receding. accord (L70) : a) grant --The headmaster accorded me permission to attend the seminar.

35. Text analysis --In Islamic law men and women are not accorded the same rights. b) be in agreement (followed by with) --His behavior doesn’t accord with his principles. --His version of events does not accord with witnesses’ statements. Also see: in accordance with according to

36. Text analysis Para 18 Successive (L75): following one after another --After four successive election defeats, the Labor Party once again faces the painful task of reconstruction. --The Rocket was defeated last night, ending its succession(n.) of eight victories in this season.

37. Text analysis Para 22 undergo (L88) : go through, experience --No one can force you to undergo a medical examination. --Two designers from the Shenzhou III project said that l2 astronauts now are undergoing intensive training.

38. Text analysis appreciate (L91) : a) to be thankful or grateful for --I deeply appreciate your help when I’m in need. b) to understand fully -–Professor Smith’s general comments may help students to appreciate the theories in the textbook. --I don’t think you really appreciate the dangers of this job.

39. Text analysis c) understand the high worth of;recognize the quality or significance of , value --I like and appreciate your honesty and frankness. d) enjoy the good quality of --You can’t fully appreciate foreign literature in translation.

40. Text analysis Para 24 gave me an insight into how most human beings go about longing in secret for more of their fellows to express appreciation for their efforts. 如何使我认识到，大凡人都暗自期望着有更多的人对自己的努力表达谢意。

41. Text analysis insight (L101) : (n.) a) the power of using one’s mind tounderstand sth deeply 洞察力 --keen insight into 敏锐的洞察力 b) the understanding --a man of deep insight 有远见卓识的人 --gain an insight into sb’s mind 看透某人的心思

42. Text analysis go about (L101) : move around; behave in society; keep busy doing (sth.); set about 到处 --Some people go about telling untrue stories. --It’s unprofessional to go about criticizing your colleagues. --Despite the threat of war, people went about their work as usual.

43. Review of Expressions to give serious thought to • 认真思考 • 真挚的文字 • 由衷的感激之情 • 渐渐变成一种习惯 • 电子媒体 • 很少或根本不了解 • 撒下美妙的遐想 genuine statements heartfelt appreciation and gratitude graduate into a habit electronic media have little or no awareness sprinkle with stardust

44. Review of Expressions in the routine personal experience • 按常规 • 个人的经历 • 视为最要紧的事情 • 冲上甲板 • 围聚在…周围 • 一把把信件 • 发生如此迅猛的变化 • 自我怀疑 accord topmost priority come pounding up on deck cluster about fistfuls of letters undergo such swift changes self-doubt

45. Review of Expressions character by character • 一个字母一个字母地 • 表达了充满慈爱的谢意 • 靠…维生 • 使我意识到 • 有相似的需求 • 简单的常识 • 对…至关重要的 express her loving gratefulness make a living as… give me an insight into with similar needs the simple common sense be paramount for

46. Word Power Building We all want to expand our English vocabulary. An effective and efficient way is to memorize English words and phrases through association maps. Experiments have proved that it is much easier for human beings to memorize things in meaningful groups than isolated items. First of all, we put a central idea or a key word in the middle of the map, e.g. “ship”.

47. Word Power Building Then we draw a cobweb structure around “ship”. One branch may be the names of different parts of a boat, like “hold”, “cabin”, “afterdeck”, “deck”. Another branch may be the various types of people onboard the ship, like “coastguardsman”, “sailor”, “seaman”, “shipmate”. Still another branch may be verbal phrases related to a ship, like “put to sea”, “be under way”, “be at sea”.

48. Word Power Building This cobweb can keep on growing. Every once in a while we redraw it, and we may find that it has grown in size, because we are better at association and our word power is stronger. Of course, there are other methods of improving vocabulary memorization. For example, when you see a new vocabulary item, you’d better read it aloud, pronounce it correctly, and spell it on a sheet of paper.

49. Word Power Building By using eyes, mouth, ears, and hands together, we mobilize multiple parts of our brain, thus keeping a longer memory.

50. Oral Practice Talk about the following topics: Topic 1: What Makes a Good Manager? Hints: creativity; skills in communication, language and interpersonal relationship; decisiveness; spirits of democracy; generosity; a sense of humor……