高中基础 (2295 期 20151124) 头版 We Need Creative Thinking —And Rote Learning.

高中基础 (2295 期 20151124) 头版 We Need Creative Thinking—And Rote Learning

• Do you love Do you love maths? If not, what maths? If not, what is your favourite is your favourite subject?subject?

• Do you think Do you think learning maths is learning maths is useful? Why or useful? Why or why not?why not?

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Pre-Pre-readingreading

Why do we say “Why do we say “ 死记硬背死记硬背” ” as “rote learning”?as “rote learning”?

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FUN FACTSPre-Pre-readingreading

The origin of the word “rote” is not clear, but some linguists ( 语言学家 ) pointed out that there may be a link between “rote” and the Old French word “rute,” which means “route.” Thus, to learn by rote, or rote learning, means to learn something by following the exact “route,” instead of being critical or creative.

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No doubt ... 无疑……

WORD BANK

No doubt many students felt envious after learning that a primary school in Shandong province has abolished maths lessons for its first- and second-grade students recently.

While While readingreading

abolish v. 废止，取消

envious adj. 嫉妒的

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But I oppose the principal’s decision because some rote learning is necessary, and not all rote learning stops logical thinking.

WORD BANK

rote learning 死记硬背

logical adj. 符合逻辑的，按照逻辑的

oppose v. 反对，抵制principal n. 校长

While While readingreading

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That’s because I did not aspire to become a physicist. But there is a solid foundation in maths which every student needs early on to help them think logically and keep learning in life.

WORD BANK

solid n. 牢固的，扎实的physicist v. 物理学家aspire v. 立志，有志成为

foundation n. 基础early on 早先，在初期

While While readingreading

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1. I ___________ people who are always confident. (envious)2. There is a certain ___________ in their choice of architect. (logical)3. Throughout the negotiations Harry and Johnson took ___________ views. (oppose)4. The college’s aim is to help students achieve their ___________. (aspire)5. The data can be used to make useful economic ____________. (predict)

Fill in each of the following blanks with the proper Fill in each of the following blanks with the proper form of the given word.form of the given word.

envyenvy

logiclogic

opposingopposing

aspirationsaspirations

predictionspredictions

VOCABULARY EXERCISESWhile While readingreading

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Translate the following sentences into English.Translate the following sentences into English.

1. 如果两者之间必须选其一的话，我选后者。(latter)

2. 我们的生意会失败，这在一开始就显而易见。(early on)

3. 这项协议为两国将来的合作打下了坚实的基础。(foundation)

If I have to choose between the two, I If I have to choose between the two, I would choose the latter.would choose the latter.

This agreement laid a solid foundation This agreement laid a solid foundation for future cooperation between the two for future cooperation between the two countries.countries.

The failure of our business was obvious The failure of our business was obvious early on.early on.

VOCABULARY EXERCISESWhile While readingreading

1. We can tell from the article that the author holds a ______ attitude towards rote learning.

A. positive

B. negative

C. neutral

D. mixed

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Choose the best answer.Choose the best answer.

COMPREHENSION

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While While readingreading

2. In Paragraph 3, the author quoted E.D. Hirsch’s opinion because he wants to argue that ______ is very important.

A. early childhood education

B. rote learning

C. background knowledge

D. learning multiplication

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Choose the best answer.Choose the best answer.

COMPREHENSION

O

While While readingreading

3. Why did the author feel much of the maths he had to learn was unnecessary?

A. Because the maths education in the U.K. is very difficult.

B. Because he was not very good at maths.

C. Because his school invited Chinese teachers to teach maths.

D. Because he did not dream of becoming a physicist.

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Choose the best answer.Choose the best answer.

COMPREHENSIONWhile While readingreading

1. Why did the school in Shandong province abolish maths lessons for its first- and second-grade students?

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Answer the following question.Answer the following question.

COMPREHENSION

Because its principal argues that these students do not think logically about maths; they only use rote learning, which is useless.

While While readingreading

2. Why are many British schools inviting teachers from Shanghai to teach maths in the Chinese style?

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Because Shanghai’s students beat the U.K.’s in international maths tests.

Answer the following question.Answer the following question.

COMPREHENSIONWhile While readingreading

It is a shame that for centuries, there has been a debate about whether teachers should ...

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GRAMMAR TIPLanguage Language studystudy

☞ 请注意，这个句子看似是一个强调句，但其实包含了一个由 that 引导的主语从句，充当句子的主语。由于主语较长，采用了 It is … 的句型结构优化了语序。正常的语序应为：

That for centuries, there has been a debate about whether teachers should … is a shame.

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YOUR TURN

Choose the best answer.Choose the best answer.1. It never occurred to me ______ you could succeed in persuading him to change his mind.A. which B. what C. that D. if2. It’s obvious to the students _______ they should get well prepared for their future.A. as B. that C. which D. whether3. ______ some people regard as a drawback is seen as a plug by many others.A. Whether B. What C. That D. How4. It is uncertain ______ side effects the medicine will bring about, although about two thousand patients have taken it.A. wat B. how C. that D. whether

Language Language studystudy

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YOUR TURN

Choose the best answer.Choose the best answer.

5. ______ makes mistakes must correct them.A. What B. That C. Whoever D. Whatever6. It worried her a bit ______ her hair was turning grey.A. while B. that C. if D. for7. When and why he came here ______ yet.A. is not known B. are not knownC. has not known D. have not known8. ______ we’ll go camping tomorrow depends on the weather.A. If B. Whether C. That D. Where

Language Language studystudy

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What do you think of rote learning? Do you think it can help you learn more efficiently?

Question for further discussion:Question for further discussion:

Hints:

After After readingreading

In my opinion, rote learning is useful when learning basic knowledge. When it comes to more practical subjects, such as writing and translation, creativity counts most, and rote learning would be a total waste of time and energy.

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