Silent Spring: Rachel Carson's Environmental Warning

1. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading BR_MAIN Warm-up Questions Background Information Extended Reading Free Discussion

2. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_1.1 Warm-up Questions 1. What does “fable” mean? Can you give an example of a famous fable? A fable is a brief tale dealing with fundamental things in life, often told to teach a moral lesson. Aesop’s Fables is perhaps the most famous collection of fables. Many stories included in Aesop’s Fables, such as “The Fox and the Grapes”, “The Farmer and the Viper”, “The Tortoise and the Hare”, and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”, are well-known throughout the world. The Farmer and the Viper

3. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_1.2 2. What does “tomorrow” in the title refer to? The word “tomorrow” is used as a metaphor, referring to the future. 3. What are the problems relating to the future most people are concerned about? pollution population explosion World War III terrorism aging problem energy crisis natural disaster economic depression

4. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_1.2 4. What do you think is the topic of this article? The article is mainly about the poisoning of the environment by insecticides and chemical fertilizers.

5. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_1.2 • In Malaysia and Sri Lanka, 7% to 15% of farmers experience poisoning at least once in their lives. • In the Philippines, 50% of rice farmers have suffered from sickness due to pesticide use. • In Egypt, more than 50% of cotton workers in the 1990s suffered symptoms of chronic pesticide poisoning, including neurological and vision disorders. • In Venezuela, 10,300 cases of poisoning with 576 deaths occurred during the past decade. • In China, 42,800 new cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in 2006, including 3,900 fatalities.

6. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_2_1.1 Background Information 1. About the writer Rachel Carson (1907-1964) — biologist, writer, ecologist

7. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_2_1.2 “Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.” — Rachel Carson “One species — man — has acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world.” — Rachel Carson

8. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_2_1.2 Rachel Carson was born in a small rural Pennsylvania community. As a young child, Carson’s consuming passions were the nature surrounding her hillside home. She was first “published” at the age of ten in a children’s magazine dedicated to the work of young writers. In 1925 Carson entered Pennsylvania College for Women as an English major determined to become a writer. Midway into her studies, however, she switched to biology. Upon graduation, Carson was awarded a scholarship to complete her graduate work in biology at Johns Hopkins University, an enormous accomplishment for a woman in 1929. Carson’s first book, Under the Sea Wind, published in 1941, highlighted her unique ability to present deeply intricate scientific material in clear poetic language that could captivate her readers and pique their interest in the natural world. In 1951, Rachel Carson began

9. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_2_1.2 working on another book, The Sea Around Us. It became her first best-selling book and won the National Book Award. Her next book, The Edge of the Sea, was published in 1955. It told of the connection of all living creatures in areas where land and ocean meet.

10. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_2_1.3 2. About the text The text is taken from Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring, which was published in 1962. Having launched the environmental movement, Silent Spring helped to expose the hazards of chemical pesticide use and draw public attention to environmental issues that had never really been addressed before.

11. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_3_1 Extended Reading Directions: Listen to the following information for a better understanding of the text. While listening, please fill in the blanks with the information you hear. Rachel Carson’s most famous book, Silent Spring, was published in 1962. The idea for the book developed from a suggestion from a friend. Rachel’s friend owned a protected area for birds. An airplane had flown over the area where the birds were kept and spread a called DDT. It was part of a project to control mosquitoes. Many songbirds and harmless insects were killed by the DDT. ________________ powerful chemical

12. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_3_2 Ms. Carson and other scientists were very concerned about the harmful effects of DDT and other called pesticides. After World War II, these poisonous chemicals were widely used to control insects. Pesticides were sprayed almost everywhere including agricultural fields and communities. DDT and other pesticides had become popular with the public and the government because they were so effective. Manufacturing these chemicals had become a huge industry. Rachel Carson tried to get many magazines interested in publishing a report about the subject. However, none would agree to publish anything about such a subject. They said no one wanted to hear that industrial companies could cause great ecological damage. Ms. Carson believed the public needed to know about this important issue. She decided to write a book about it. She collected facts from experts from all over the world. She gathered studies that showed the harmful effects of DDT, including and human cancers. insect-killing chemicals ___________________ _______ disputed declining bird populations ______________________ ________ increased

13. ________ ________ Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_3_3 In her book Silent Spring, Ms. Carson questioned the right of industrial companies to pollute without considering the effects on the environment. Ms. Carson argued that this kind of pollution would result in ever-decreasing populations of birds and other wildlife. She said this would lead to the loss of the wonderful sounds of nature. The of the environment, she said, would cause a silent spring. The chemical industry felt . Industry spokesmen and other critics said the book was and . They misunderstood the message of the book. Ms. Carson did not suggest that all pesticides be banned. She urged that control of these substances be given to biologists who could make informed decisions about the risks involved. Support for the book increased. By the end of 1962, there were more than forty bills in state proposing to control pesticides. Finally, in November, 1969, the United States government ruled that the use of DDT must stop in two years. chemical poisoning _________ threatened ___________ ________ non-scientific emotional legislatures _________

14. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_3_3 Rachel Carson did not live to see how her book influenced the government’s decision to DDT. She died of breast cancer in 1964. She was fifty-six years old. ____ ban Interesting Facts about Rachel Carson http://www.eiu.edu/~wow/carsfacts.html 1994 Introduction to Silent Spring by Al Gore http://www.uneco.org/ssalgoreintro.html

15. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Before Reading_4_1 Free Discussion Do you think the environmental problem is becoming extremely acute? Can you give some examples of environmental problems that are haunting us? polluted rivers and lakes acid rain sand storm soil erosion desertification deforestation over-fishing salinization Can you propose measures we can take to prevent further pollution and improve the polluted environment?

16. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_main Skimming Part Division of the Text Further Understanding

17. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_1_1 Skimming What is the central argument of the passage? Due to his ignorance and lack of concern for the integrity of nature, man has been abusing chemicals, causing irrecoverable harm to the environment and people.

18. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Global Reading_2 Part Division of the Text Directions: Please divide the text into 4 parts and identify the key words or phrases of each part. Parts Paras Main Ideas all life in harmony with its surroundings 1 1~2 2 the coming of a strange blight 3~6 the stricken world silenced by people themselves 3 7~8 4 9 warning against a grim spectre / stark reality

19. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_1 Further Understanding Multiple Choices • There was once a town in the heart of America. The phrase in italics means: ( ) B A. in the core of B. in the center of C. in the midst of D. among

20. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_2 2. … where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings … The phrase in italics has all the following meanings except: ( ) C A. to live peacefully with B. to be in agreement with C. to live in combination with D. to be in a state of peacefulness with 3. … clouds of bloom drifted above the green field. The phrase in italics has all the following meanings except: ( ) A A. a large number of B. a great amount of C. plenty of D. lots of

21. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_3 4. … countless birds came to feed on the berries … The word in italics means all of the following except: ( ) D A. numerous B. a great many of C. vast numbers of D. uncountable 5. … the first settlers raised their houses, … The word in italics means: ( ) C A. lifted B. collected C. built D. set up

22. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_4 6. Some evil spell had settled on the community. The word in italics means: ( ) B A. fixed B. fallen C. made permanent D. decided to make its home

23. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_5 7. … who would be stricken suddenly while at play. The phrase in italics means: ( ) A A. would fall ill B. would be hit hard C. would be given a blow D. would be astonished

24. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_6 8. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. This sentence means: ( ) C A. The feeding stations in the backyards were not crowded any more. B. There were no more feeding stations in the backyards. C. No birds were seen at the feeding stations in the backyards. D. The feeding stations in the backyards were given up.

25. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Globe Reading_3_7 9. Only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh. The word in italics means: ( ) D A. trees B. an area of different trees C. bushes D. forests 10. … the young survived only a few days. The word in italics means: ( ) B A. lived longer B. remained alive C. lasted D. outlived

26. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_S A Fable for Tomorrow From Silent Spring by Rachel Carson There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings.The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields. In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of colour that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines. Then foxes barked in the hills and deer silently crossed the fields, half hidden in the mists of the autumn mornings. Along the roads, laurel, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wild flowers, delighted the traveller’s eye through much of the year. Even in winter the roadsides were places of beauty, where countless birds came to feed on the berries and on the seed heads of the dried weeds rising above the snow.

27. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article2_S The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and autumn people travelled from great distances to observe them. Others came to fish the streams, which flowed clear and cold out of the hills and contained shady pools where trout lay. So it had been from the days many years ago when the first settlers raised their houses, sank their wells and built their barns. Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change.Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients.

28. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article3_S There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours. There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example — where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh. On the farms the hens brooded, but no chicks were hatched. The farmers complained that they were unable to raise any pigs — the litters were small and the young survived only a few days.

29. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article4_S The apple trees were coming into bloom but no bees droned among the blossoms, so there was no pollination and there would be no fruit. The roadsides, once so attractive, were now lined with browned and withered vegetation as though swept by fire. These too, were silent, deserted by all living things. Even the streams were now lifeless. Anglers no longer visited them, for all the fish had died. In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, white granular powder still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and the lawns, the fields and streams. No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done it themselves. This town does not actually exist, but it might easily have a thousand counterparts in America or elsewhere in the world. I know of no community that has experienced all the misfortunes I describe.

30. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article5_S Yet every one of these disasters has actually happened somewhere, and many real communities have already suffered a substantial number of them. A grim spectre has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we all shall know.

31. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W A Fable for Tomorrow From Silent Spring by Rachel Carson There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields. In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of colour that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines. Then foxes barked in the hills and deer silently crossed the fields, half hidden in the mists of the autumn mornings. Along the roads, laurel, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wild flowers, delighted the traveller’s eye through much of the year. Even in winter the roadsides were places of beauty, where countless birds came to feed on the berries and on the seed heads of the dried weeds rising above the snow.

32. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article2_W The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and autumn people travelled from great distances to observe them. Others came to fish the streams, which flowed clear and cold out of the hills and contained shady pools where trout lay. So it had been from the days many years ago when the first settlers raised their houses, sank their wells and built their barns. Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients.

33. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article3_W There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours. There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example — where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh. On the farms the hens brooded, but no chicks were hatched. The farmers complained that they were unable to raise any pigs — the litters were small and the young survived only a few days.

34. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article4_W The apple trees were coming into bloom but no bees droned among the blossoms, so there was no pollination and there would be no fruit. The roadsides, once so attractive, were now lined with browned and withered vegetation as though swept by fire. These too, were silent, deserted by all living things. Even the streams were now lifeless. Anglers no longer visited them, for all the fish had died. In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, white granular powder still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and the lawns, the fields and streams. No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The people had done it themselves. This town does not actually exist, but it might easily have a thousand counterparts in America or elsewhere in the world. I know of no community that has experienced all the misfortunes I describe.

35. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article5_W Yet every one of these disasters has actually happened somewhere, and many real communities have already suffered a substantial number of them. A grim spectre has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we all shall know.

36. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_S_ There… There was once a town in the heart of America … Why does the writer begin her article in such a way? The opening sentence of this article is an echo of a typical fable which usually begins with “There was once a …”. Why is this article entitled “A Fable for Tomorrow”? A fable is usually a fictitious story meant to teach a moral. The writer uses a story of her own invention in an effort to warn us of the dangers of pollution. If man does not control the massive use of chemical insecticides, the imagined tragedy will become a stark reality. This is why this article is called a fable.

37. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_S_ The town The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, … Paraphrase this sentence. The town was situated among thriving farms which were set in a pattern of squares.

38. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_S_ In autumn In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of colour that flamed and flickered across a backdrop of pines. Paraphrase this sentence. In autumn, oak, maple and birch produced a very bright color that glowed and flared against a background of pines.

39. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_S_ …delighted … delighted the traveller’s eye through much of the year. Paraphrase this sentence. … made many tourists take great pleasure in looking at them during the greater part of the year.

40. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article2_S_ The countryside … The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and autumn people travelled from great distances to observe them. Paraphrase this sentence. As a matter of fact, the countryside was well-known over a wide area for the richness and different kinds of bird life. In spring and autumn when the vast number of migratory birds kept rushing in, people came from various places to watch them.

41. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article2_S_ Then 1 Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community: … Paraphrase this sentence. After some time a peculiar plant disease that destroyed, withered and prevented the growth of plants became prevalent in that area. It was as if the community was under some harmful magical power or irresistible evil influence.

42. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article2_S Then 2 Please find out in the article expressions the writer used to repeat the key idea “blight”. evil spell much illness mysterious maladies new kinds of sickness sickened and died sudden and unexplained death a shadow of death would be stricken suddenly

43. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article3_S_ On the mornings On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; … Paraphrase this sentence. On the mornings that used to be vibrating with the singing in chorus of a great many different birds, everything was now silent.

44. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article4_S_ In the gutters… In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, white granular powder still showed a few patches; … What is implied by this sentence? It implies that chemical fertilizers had been used excessively, so much so that even several weeks afterwards, traces could still be seen here and there.

45. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article4_S_ A grim spectre… A grim spectre has crept upon us almost unnoticed, and this imagined tragedy may easily become a stark reality we all shall know. Paraphrase the sentence. A frightful and ghastly shadow has slowly and quietly dominated us without being noticed by us and this imaginary disaster may naturally become a harsh reality that will affect us all.

46. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W_ harmony1 harmony: n. [U] agreement in feeling or opinion; accord There was not much harmony in international affairs during those years. 我的猫和狗相处得十分和睦。 My cat and dog live in perfect harmony. 他的音乐品位和我的很一致。 His taste for music is in harmony with mine. harmonious: adj. 1. friendly and peaceful He is blessed with a harmonious family. 2. having component elements pleasingly or appropriately combined

47. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W_ harmony2 In Paris you can see a harmonious blend of architectural styles. 画中的各个部分组成了一个和谐的整体。 The different parts of the picture form a harmonious whole. harmonize: 1. vi. If things harmonize, they combine in a pleasant way. 窗帘应当与室内的整体装饰相一致。 Curtains should harmonize with the overall interior décor. 2. vt. to make laws or policies similar to those of a different country, organization, etc. The UK wants an international agreement to harmonize practices throughout the EU. 英国希望有个国际协定来协调所有欧盟成员国的做法。

48. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W_ lie1 lie: v. (lie — lay — lain — lying) 1. be situated (indicating position or situation) The village lies at the foot of the mountain. 农场位于北面几英里处。 The farm lay a few miles to the north. 2. be kept and remain in a certain state Snow lay thick on the ground; the river was frozen solid. The injured man was lying motionless on his back. 她的包打开着放在桌上。 Her bag was lying open on the table.

49. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W_ lie2 3. hang; hover Deep sorrow lay over the whole country at the death of the great military leader. 内疚感令他无法快乐起来。 Feelings of guilt lay heavy on him.

50. Before Reading Global Reading After Reading Detailed Reading Article1_W_ checkerboard checkerboard: n. 国际跳棋棋盘 Vocabulary Extension: chessboard 国际象棋棋盘 chess 国际象棋 Chinese chess 象棋 Chinese checkers 跳棋