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1.1. How American people celebrate Valentine’s Day?How American people celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Every February 14, across the country, candies, flowers, Every February 14, across the country, candies, flowers, especially roses, which symbolize love, and other gifts are especially roses, which symbolize love, and other gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Giving Valentine’s Day greeting cards is also Valentine. Giving Valentine’s Day greeting cards is also one of the activities of this day.one of the activities of this day.

Reference:Reference:

2.2. Do you buy Valentine’s Day’s cards printed in Do you buy Valentine’s Day’s cards printed in English or in Chinese for your girlfriend or English or in Chinese for your girlfriend or boyfriend?boyfriend?

OpenOpen


3. 3. Why do you think more and more young people Why do you think more and more young people celebrate foreign festivals or holidays in China? celebrate foreign festivals or holidays in China? Does this have anything to do with Does this have anything to do with globalization?globalization?

With the coming of globalization, some English holidays or With the coming of globalization, some English holidays or festivals are becoming more and more popular all over the festivals are becoming more and more popular all over the world. They are celebrated by some non-English speaking world. They are celebrated by some non-English speaking countries. For instance, in some big cities in China more and countries. For instance, in some big cities in China more and more people, especially the young celebrate foreign more people, especially the young celebrate foreign holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas. A possible holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Christmas. A possible reason might be that young people easily accept new things reason might be that young people easily accept new things and Valentine’s Day is a romantic holiday. In addition love is and Valentine’s Day is a romantic holiday. In addition love is global and universal, and many people enjoy celebrating this global and universal, and many people enjoy celebrating this holiday to express their affection or emotions to those they holiday to express their affection or emotions to those they love.love.


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Hallmark’s Asian Valentine

The tradition of card giving on Valentine's Day seemingly an American phenomenon is taking root in Asia, too. Yet, when Asian customers buy Valentine's Day cards, they often choose the original English versions even when they don't speak the language. Hallmark’s greeting cards are known throughout the world. The Kansas city-based company has developed into a $3.5 billion corporation, from its beginnings in 1910 when Joyce C. Hall started producing cards from samples he stored under his bed. Now, over 90 years later, Hallmark has developed into a global company with expansion into Asia a major part of its strategy. In Asia alone, the Kansas city-basedfirm acquired a company in Japan in 1994 and founded creative organizations in Hong Kong and Singapore in 1998 and in Shanghai

in 1999. Hallmark representatives like to point out that Asia has developed into an “area of emphasis.” Hong Kong and Singapore are being turned from distribution centers into investment centers.

In the United States alone, 67% of Valentine’s Day activities consist of giving Valentine’s Day cards as gifts to people. And in 2000, according to Hallmark, Americans spent more than $3.6 billion on Valentine’s Day. But while the market in the United States is huge, the potential for Hallmark's 1 330 different Valentine’s Day cards in Asia is even bigger.

Based on the sales of Hallmark cards, it appears that the number of consumer romantics in China, Japan and Korea is rising. This is not surprising, given that Hallmark greeting cards have proven to be a great way to overcome some of the emotional restrictions that still reign in a number of Asian societies.

Becoming Don Juan without losing face

The problem in Eastern societies is that cultural norms and romance often run into a dilemma: how do you tell a girl that you fancy her without putting yourself in a position in which you could “lose face”? In China, for example, because of cultural norms, men will perhaps never be mistaken for Shakespeare’s Romeo. Romance, of the Western variety, is simply not a Chinese man's cup of tea. So, how do you overcome this dilemma? To sidestep possible pitfalls of cultural impropriety, the Chinese Don Juan goes and buys his sweetie a Hallmark card for Valentine’s Day. Thus, he can express his emotions through a pre-made message on paper, rather than through uncomfortable sweet talk in person.

In Japan and Korea, the rules are somewhat different. Here men generally tend to be much less inhibited about their emotions and romantic interests. To assess just how emotional Japanese men can

be in all walks of life, just recall the occasional news feature of a top Japanese or Korean CEO apologizing in tears for the weak performance or bankruptcy of his company in front of his nation’s TV cameras.

In Japan and Korea, it is the women that are more emotionally inhibited than the men. So, in order for them to display some affection in a suitable manner, women will send out the Hallmark Valentine cards to the object of their affection. But, if you think Hallmark cards need to be translated into the different Asian languages to enable lovers to exchange tender words, think again.

Love talk is global, and no language skills are

required.

Since most of the Hallmark cards bought in Asia are produced within country, it seemed only natural that Hallmark cards would be translated into the local vernacular. To accommodate customers throughout the world, Hallmark prints greeting cards in 30 different languages.

Thus, cards are now actually being printed in Mandarin and Japanese with plans to extend the translations to various Indian languages, such as Hindi, Gujarati and Tamil. Customer surveys, however, revealed that this effort was not really necessary.

English is the hip thing

You see, if you really want to impress your Chinese girlfriend or your Japanese boyfriend, don't send them a Japanese or Mandarin language card. This is a turn-off. Contrary to Hallmark’s expectations, it turns out that Asian lovers prefer to give their sweeties English-language cards even when they speak little or no English. It is just the hip thing to do.

And upon learning of this cultural preference, Hallmark reacted quickly. Even though Chinese and Japanese descendants of Romeo and Juliet are now able to buy greeting cards in their native language, Hallmark has made sure the supply of greeting cards in English is plentiful. Thus, their customers can achieve both a display of their hip cosmopolitan flair, while also sending their sweetie that all-important message of love at the same time.

(761 words)

seeminglyseemingly adv. adv.

— — in appearance; apparentlyin appearance; apparently

ExamplesExamples

• A A seeminglyseemingly endless stream of refugees flooded into endless stream of refugees flooded into the neighboring land which became a great burden for the neighboring land which became a great burden for the host countries.the host countries.

• SeeminglySeemingly, what happened was he threatened to , what happened was he threatened to resign.resign.

take roottake root

— — 1) (of a cutting) send out a root or roots1) (of a cutting) send out a root or roots

ExampleExample

• The seeds sprouted and took root.

• The shoot which was grafted (嫁接 ) from a good apple tree into an old one has taken its root and blossomed.

More to learnMore to learnMore to learnMore to learn

take roottake root

— — 2) (fig.) become established2) (fig.) become established

ExampleExample

• His ideas have His ideas have taken roottaken root in the minds of his followers. in the minds of his followers.

• Try to find a piece of land to strike root. ( Try to find a piece of land to strike root. ( take roottake root))

versionversion n.

— — translation into another language; a version of translation into another language; a version of something is any of the several types or forms in which it something is any of the several types or forms in which it exists, especially one particular form of a piece of writing, exists, especially one particular form of a piece of writing, or one particular person’s account of an accident.or one particular person’s account of an accident.

ExamplesExamples

• You must give your You must give your versionversion of the accident to the of the accident to the police.police.

• The film The film versionversion of the novel has come out but far of the novel has come out but far from being exciting as the original novel.from being exciting as the original novel.

• The first and second version of this report is quite different and somewhat contradictory.

potentialpotential adj.adj.

— — 1) the range of qualities that a person or thing has 1) the range of qualities that a person or thing has that can be developedthat can be developed

ExamplesExamples

• He is surely going to fulfill his He is surely going to fulfill his potentialpotential if he is if he is encouraged properly.encouraged properly.

• She has theShe has the potential potential to be a great singer because she to be a great singer because she has showed a keen interest and gift in singing since she has showed a keen interest and gift in singing since she was a child.was a child.

• He bought the house because he could see that it had He bought the house because he could see that it had development development potentialpotential..


potentialpotential adj. adj.

— — used to describe something that is possible or capable used to describe something that is possible or capable of developing into or being developed into a of developing into or being developed into a particular thingparticular thing

ExamplesExamples

• It is regarded as a It is regarded as a potentialpotential health hazard by the health hazard by the scientists, do not expose yourself too much to this kind scientists, do not expose yourself too much to this kind of radiation.of radiation.

• The book which is being written by a popular TV The book which is being written by a popular TV presenter is said to be a presenter is said to be a potentialpotential bestseller. bestseller.

• He has been identified by the media as a He has been identified by the media as a potentialpotential cabinet minister.cabinet minister.

reignreign v.v.

— — (a particular quality, e.g. hope or fear) be influential, (a particular quality, e.g. hope or fear) be influential, prevail prevail

ExamplesExamples

• A sense of depression still A sense of depression still reignedreigned in the office though in the office though the crisis was over.the crisis was over.

• What still What still reignsreigns in the country is the belief that every in the country is the belief that every one can realize his or her dream by hard work and one can realize his or her dream by hard work and intelligence.intelligence.

run intorun into v.v.

— — 1) unexpectedly faced with, fall into ( difficulties, 1) unexpectedly faced with, fall into ( difficulties, troubles or debts) troubles or debts)

ExamplesExamples

• We We ran intoran into serious problems when we were in the serious problems when we were in the middle of doing the experiment.middle of doing the experiment.



— — 2) meet unexpectedly (with sb.)

ExamplesExamples

• The old man The old man ran intoran into his best childhood friend on the his best childhood friend on the train with whom he has lost touch for twenty years.train with whom he has lost touch for twenty years.



— — 3) bump into or collide with

ExamplesExamples

• Her car Her car ran intoran into a tree, but fortunately she was not a tree, but fortunately she was not injured and there was only a minor damage to the car.injured and there was only a minor damage to the car.

dilemmadilemma n.

— — situation in which one has to make difficult choice situation in which one has to make difficult choice between two opposite things or two unsatisfactory between two opposite things or two unsatisfactory alternatives alternatives

ExamplesExamples

• His mother’s deteriorating mental state put him in a His mother’s deteriorating mental state put him in a dilemmadilemma, as he was reluctant to hand her over to the , as he was reluctant to hand her over to the care of others, but knew he could not look after her care of others, but knew he could not look after her properly himself.properly himself.

• She ran into a She ran into a dilemmadilemma when she had to make a choice when she had to make a choice between family and her career.between family and her career.

ExamplesExamples

• She took a She took a fancyfancy to the house as soon as she saw it and to the house as soon as she saw it and finally bought it by hire purchase.finally bought it by hire purchase.

• I sent for a dress that had taken my I sent for a dress that had taken my fancyfancy in the in the catalogue last week.catalogue last week.

fancyfancy n.

— — take a fancy (have a fancy for) : like, be fond oftake a fancy (have a fancy for) : like, be fond of

ExamplesExamples

• You will be able to meet him You will be able to meet him in personin person tomorrow if tomorrow if you get there early enough.you get there early enough.

in personin person

— — 1) being physically present. If you meet, see or hear 1) being physically present. If you meet, see or hear someone in person , you are present to see or hear someone in person , you are present to see or hear them, as distinct from seeing or hearing them on them, as distinct from seeing or hearing them on television or radiotelevision or radio


in personin person

— — 2) by oneself, on one’s own. If you do something in 2) by oneself, on one’s own. If you do something in person, you do it yourself, as distinct from another person, you do it yourself, as distinct from another person doing it. person doing it.

ExamplesExamples

• He decided to deliver the letter He decided to deliver the letter in personin person..

• If you wish, you may appear If you wish, you may appear in personin person before the before the court.court.

inhibitinhibit v.v.

— — 1) restrain either consciously or unconsciously1) restrain either consciously or unconsciously

ExamplesExamples

• The people in the West countries are not as The people in the West countries are not as inhibitedinhibited as those in the East in showing their feelings.as those in the East in showing their feelings.


inhibitinhibit v.v.

— — 2) slow down or prevent the development of2) slow down or prevent the development of

ExamplesExamples

• The plant’s growth has been The plant’s growth has been inhibitedinhibited by a lack of by a lack of sunlight.sunlight.

assessassess v.v.

— — decide or fix the amount or value of ( a situation, a decide or fix the amount or value of ( a situation, a person’s abilities or achievements, worth or cost of person’s abilities or achievements, worth or cost of something)something)

ExampleExample

• He looked around at the other competitors and He looked around at the other competitors and assessedassessed his chances of winning. his chances of winning.

• The value of the stolen jewelry was The value of the stolen jewelry was assessedassessed at $50 at $50 000.000.


assessment assessment n.n.

ExampleExample

• The BBC correspondent was giving us his The BBC correspondent was giving us his assessment assessment of the situation in Iraq.of the situation in Iraq.

• Full Full assessmentassessment of the damage caused by the of the damage caused by the earthquake will take time.earthquake will take time.

all walks of lifeall walks of life

— — all professions, occupations, social statusall professions, occupations, social status

ExamplesExamples

• The representatives come from The representatives come from all walks of lifeall walks of life..

• He enjoyed making friends with people from He enjoyed making friends with people from all walks all walks of lifeof life..

bankruptcybankruptcy n.n.

— — bankrupt condition, not have enough money to pay bankrupt condition, not have enough money to pay one’s debts, the process of being declared bankrupt one’s debts, the process of being declared bankrupt

ExamplesExamples

• The club was plunged into The club was plunged into bankruptcybankruptcy because of its because of its ill management.ill management.

• There were an increasing number of There were an increasing number of bankruptcies bankruptcies among small shopkeepers with the entering of among small shopkeepers with the entering of multinational chain supermarkets.multinational chain supermarkets.

accommodateaccommodate v.v.

— — 1) adapt; get into agreement or into adjustment1) adapt; get into agreement or into adjustment

ExamplesExamples

• He is capable of He is capable of accommodatingaccommodating himself to the himself to the changed circumstances and always can achieve his changed circumstances and always can achieve his goal step by step.goal step by step.

• The President seemed unwilling to The President seemed unwilling to accommodate accommodate himself to the public desires.himself to the public desires.


accommodateaccommodate v.v.

— — 2) provide a place for someone to stay , live or work

ExamplesExamples

• Some of the homeless families are being temporarily Some of the homeless families are being temporarily accommodatedaccommodated in hotels. in hotels.

• The new hotel can The new hotel can accommodateaccommodate up to 1000 tourists. up to 1000 tourists. (same as take or hold)(same as take or hold)

hiphip adj.adj.

— — 1) fashionable

ExamplesExamples

• It is a It is a hiphip thing nowadays to send an e-card to one’s thing nowadays to send an e-card to one’s friends, relatives and their beloved ones.friends, relatives and their beloved ones.


hiphip n.n.

— — 2) the two sides of the part of one’s body between one’s waist and the top of his legs, or this part at its widest point.

ExamplesExamples

• He stood with his hands on his He stood with his hands on his hipships..

• She fell and broke her She fell and broke her hiphip..

descendantdescendant n.n.

— — person who is descended from the person or persons named

ExamplesExamples

• As one of the As one of the descendantsdescendants of an old family, he fells of an old family, he fells pride for his ancestors.pride for his ancestors.

• They are the They are the descendantsdescendants of the native American of the native American Indians.Indians.

cosmopolitancosmopolitan adj.adj.

— — 1) of or from all or many different parts of the world, describe things that display the traditions and cultures of many different countries

ExamplesExamples

• New York is a very New York is a very cosmopolitancosmopolitan city where you can city where you can meet with people of different races and ancestors and meet with people of different races and ancestors and encounter all kinds of foreign cultures.encounter all kinds of foreign cultures.


cosmopolitancosmopolitan adj.adj.

— — 2) A cosmopolitan person has experience and knowledge of the traditions and cultures of many different countries.

ExamplesExamples

• The new minister for the Arts has a very The new minister for the Arts has a very cosmopolitancosmopolitan outlook.outlook.

flairflair n.n.

— — natural or instinctive ability (to do sth. well, to select or recognize what is best)

ExamplesExamples

• I was amazed by his artistic I was amazed by his artistic flairflair..

• We need badly a designer with plenty of We need badly a designer with plenty of flairflair..

The Kansas city-based company has developed The Kansas city-based company has developed into a $3.5 billion corporation, from its into a $3.5 billion corporation, from its beginnings in 1910 when Joyce C. Hall started beginnings in 1910 when Joyce C. Hall started producing cards from samples he stored under producing cards from samples he stored under his bed.his bed.

The headquarter of the $3.5 billion corporation is now The headquarter of the $3.5 billion corporation is now in Kansas City; however, the corporation can be in Kansas City; however, the corporation can be traced back to 1910 when Joyce C Hall started traced back to 1910 when Joyce C Hall started producing cards from samples he stored under his producing cards from samples he stored under his bed.bed.

ParaphraseParaphrase

The problem in Eastern societies is that cultural The problem in Eastern societies is that cultural norms and romance often run into a dilemma: …norms and romance often run into a dilemma: …

In Eastern societies, people are often facing a conflict In Eastern societies, people are often facing a conflict between cultural norms and romance…between cultural norms and romance…

run into dilemma


To assess just how emotional Japanese men can To assess just how emotional Japanese men can be in all walks of life, just recall the occasional be in all walks of life, just recall the occasional news feature of a top Japanese or Korean CEO news feature of a top Japanese or Korean CEO apologizing in tears for the weak performance or apologizing in tears for the weak performance or bankruptcy of his company in front of his nation's bankruptcy of his company in front of his nation's TV cameras.TV cameras.

It is not so difficult for us to understand how It is not so difficult for us to understand how emotional Japanese men can be when we watch the emotional Japanese men can be when we watch the men apologizing in tears on TV for their weak men apologizing in tears on TV for their weak performance and bankruptcy of their companies.performance and bankruptcy of their companies.

Assess all walks of life bankruptcy


Contrary to Hallmark’s expectations, it turns out Contrary to Hallmark’s expectations, it turns out that Asian lovers prefer to give their sweeties that Asian lovers prefer to give their sweeties English-language cards even when they speak little English-language cards even when they speak little or no English.or no English.

It was beyond Hallmark’s expectations that Asian It was beyond Hallmark’s expectations that Asian lovers would like to buy cards with English words lovers would like to buy cards with English words even though they speak little or no English.even though they speak little or no English.


Thus, their customers can achieve both a display of Thus, their customers can achieve both a display of their hip cosmopolitan flair5, while also sending their hip cosmopolitan flair5, while also sending their sweetie that all-important message of love at their sweetie that all-important message of love at the same time.the same time.

In this way, Hallmark's customers can send their In this way, Hallmark's customers can send their important love messages to their sweeties, and on the important love messages to their sweeties, and on the other hand they can show how fashionable they are by other hand they can show how fashionable they are by following international trends.following international trends.

cosmopolitan flair


Passage BPassage B

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Describe the following pictures:Describe the following pictures:Before reading passage B, try to describe the functions Before reading passage B, try to describe the functions of some of the things which are important in our of some of the things which are important in our globalized world.globalized world.

Mobile phone

MP3

DVD

1. What role do DVDs play in the globalization of Hollywood 1. What role do DVDs play in the globalization of Hollywood movies?movies?

DVD play an important role in the globalization of DVD play an important role in the globalization of Hollywood movies. The diffusing of DVDs all over the Hollywood movies. The diffusing of DVDs all over the world accelerates the spread and popularity of American world accelerates the spread and popularity of American movies.movies.


2. What benefits has the United States obtained from the 2. What benefits has the United States obtained from the releasing of global DVD products?releasing of global DVD products?

The United States has earned big profits from the release The United States has earned big profits from the release of global DVD products. The DVD market has become the of global DVD products. The DVD market has become the most important money-making segment in the most important money-making segment in the entertainment industry as DVD players become both entertainment industry as DVD players become both cheap and widely diffused.cheap and widely diffused.


3. Do you think DVDs will still be useful in the future Do you think DVDs will still be useful in the future globalization of world culture?globalization of world culture?

I think DVDs and DVD products will still be useful in the future globalization of world culture because they are not only cheap but also easily available.


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• Language Points

• Content Awareness

• Language Focus

• Reading Skill Practice

• Translating Skill Practice

Parents all over the world complain these days that kids watch too much TV. Our solution, however, offers a paradox: Kids should watch even more TV. What's the catch? They should watch their favorite DVDs in a language other than their own. Since they already know Harry Porter by heart in their

The Great Global DVD Divide

native tongue, they could intuitively improve their comprehension of French, German, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. To implement our solution, however, the movie industry will need to take a broader view of its own business logic.

Whether you like it or detest it, Hollywood unites the world. People in every corner of the globe watch U.S. movies, many of them dubbed into their native languages. The faces of the same Hollywood stars grace the walls from Bangkok to Buenos Aires. And gossip magazines everywhere discuss their love lives and periodic nervous breakdowns.

Kids’ role models

That fascination runs even deeper among the world's children. Kids love watching movies, of course and they see their favorite ones over and over again. Soon, they know them by heart. Instead of dividing up the world with an electronic “Iron Curtain,” Hollywood should move to a truly global product.

In a globalized world, this could be a brilliant way of teaching them lots of foreign languages and do so while they are having fun. Especially since the DVD technology allows the same film to be viewed

with soundtracks as well as subtitles in a variety of different tongues. However, there is a snag. The truth is that the U.S. movie industry divides the world technologically even as it unites it culturally. It splits the world into regional markets.

From the Iron Curtain to the DVD divide

In each market, the movie industry wants to release its films according to local movie-going seasons and at the convenience of the local distributor. This same “divide and rule” logic is also followed in the release of each movie on DVD. As a result, all DVD players sold around the world come with a region-coding function. Naturally, there are semi-official hackers who can help you get around the regional code. In fact, in Europe, modified DVD players that can play disks from every region of the world are pretty common. Some 64% of DVD players in European countries have the multiregional capacity. But in the United States, most DVD players

remain locked in a single region variety. One reason is that the “Code 15” countries get the earliest releases of all the best movies. The built-in presumption is this: Only the movie buffs that love “art-house5” foreign flicks would need the multiregional function in America’s market.

Yet, the United States, the pre-eminent global power, is also a country where the native population speaks fewest foreign languages. American kids, in fact, could benefit the most if they could watch their favorite movies in foreign languages. They may also be the ones who need a strong inducement to learn foreign languages and cultures.

Myopic vision

Of course, the U.S. film industry would be up in arms against this idea. Why? It may no longer be able to maximize their profits if they didn’t have the ability to stack up their release on DVDs. After all, the DVD market is rapidly becoming the most important money-

making segment in the entertainment industry as DVD players become both cheap and widely diffused.

Plenty of U.S. parents would probably buy DVDs as a learning tool for their children, if they could.

However, this is surely a myopic vision. Globalization has been the secret of Hollywood’s success. It has contributed to its creativity as directors, writers and even movie stars now hail from every corner of the globe. It is also part of its financial success, as 25% of America’s exports are comprised of entertainment. Worldwide receipts on blockbuster movies routinely surpass sums earned in the U.S. market alone. Many films would never be made were it not for the built-in expectations of global receipts.

As a result, anything that promotes globalization such as better knowledge of foreign languages among kids worldwide ultimately benefits Hollywood. Alternatively, anything that detracts from it such

as creating different technological standards for DVD players is a long-term loss for Hollywood

.

Therefore, Hollywood and the entire U.S. entertainment industry

should wise up and drop its artificial way of dividing up the world with some new kind of electronic “Iron Curtain.” Instead, it should move to a truly global product movie, DVDs, with wide pickings in alternate language tracks all as a part of the same package.

(805 words)

complaincomplain v.v.

— — say that one is not satisfied (usu. with about, or of)say that one is not satisfied (usu. with about, or of)

ExamplesExamples

• They They complainedcomplained to the restaurant manager about the to the restaurant manager about the service they received.service they received.

• Women workers Women workers complaincomplain that they do not get equal that they do not get equal pay for equal work.pay for equal work.

• They took him to the doctor when he They took him to the doctor when he complainedcomplained of of violent stomachaches.violent stomachaches.

• She always She always complainedcomplained being forced to work overtime being forced to work overtime in the past year.in the past year.

paradoxparadox n.n.

—— 1) a statement including two elements which on first 1) a statement including two elements which on first sight appear to contradict each other, but which is sight appear to contradict each other, but which is nevertheless true.nevertheless true.

ExampleExample

• ““More haste, less speed” is a More haste, less speed” is a paradoxparadox..


paradoxparadox n.n.

—— 2) used to refer to a person or situation in which two or more apparently opposite ideas or qualities are combined

ExampleExample

• It is a paradox that such an intelligent man should apparently have so little common sense.

• It is a strange paradox in our times that social morality grows while personal morality is declining.

intuitive intuitive adj.adj.

— — of or coming from intuitionof or coming from intuition

ExamplesExamples

• Her perception of right and wrong seemed almost Her perception of right and wrong seemed almost intuitiveintuitive..

• He has a keenHe has a keen intuitive intuitive feeling about painting.feeling about painting.

implement implement n.n.

— — carry out ( a plan, an agreement, a promise etc.)carry out ( a plan, an agreement, a promise etc.)

ExamplesExamples

• The new parking regulations will be The new parking regulations will be implementedimplemented in in the spring.the spring.

• Whether the new tax policy will be Whether the new tax policy will be implementedimplemented or or not is still under discussion.not is still under discussion.

• Now that we have reached an agreement, we should Now that we have reached an agreement, we should implementimplement our promise as soon as possible. our promise as soon as possible.

detestdetest v.

—— hate strongly, dislikehate strongly, dislike

ExampleExample

• I I detestdetest having to repeat myself. having to repeat myself.

• He detests the dishonest behavior and never forgives the one who has cheated him.

dubdub v.v.

—— make another sound-track on or for a cinema film, make another sound-track on or for a cinema film, esp. in a different language. To dub a film is to replace esp. in a different language. To dub a film is to replace the actor’s voices on the soundtrack with the voices of the actor’s voices on the soundtrack with the voices of actors speaking another language.actors speaking another language.

ExampleExample

• The best-known Chinese films have been The best-known Chinese films have been dubbeddubbed into into English.English.

breakdownbreakdown n.n.

—— 1) collapse or weakening1) collapse or weakening ，， become depressed and become depressed and anxious, an can’t cope with everyday life.anxious, an can’t cope with everyday life.

ExamplesExamples

• He suffered a serious nervous He suffered a serious nervous breakdownbreakdown after years’ after years’ of miserable life.of miserable life.


breakdownbreakdown n.n.—— 2) (relationship, agreement or discussion) come to an 2) (relationship, agreement or discussion) come to an

end because the people involved have an argument or end because the people involved have an argument or disagreement.disagreement.

ExamplesExamples

• The The breakdownbreakdown in talks between the union and in talks between the union and management was not contrary to our expectations. management was not contrary to our expectations.


breakdownbreakdown n.n.—— 3) (vehicles or machines) stop working3) (vehicles or machines) stop working

ExamplesExamples

• Our car had a Our car had a breakdownbreakdown on the way to the hill. on the way to the hill.

fascinationfascination nn..

—— things that fascinate, state of being fascinatedthings that fascinate, state of being fascinated

ExamplesExamples

• There was a look of There was a look of fascinationfascination on the children’s faces on the children’s faces as they watched the American cartoon as they watched the American cartoon Tom and Jerry.Tom and Jerry.

• The The fascinationfascination of crossword puzzles made him spend of crossword puzzles made him spend much time on them.much time on them.

• One of the One of the fascinationsfascinations of Beijing is the Summer of Beijing is the Summer Palace.Palace.

• Part of the fascination of this classic movie is that it can trigger off so many memories, especially those of the older generation.

brilliantbrilliant adjadj..

—— 1) very bright, splendid, causing admiration1) very bright, splendid, causing admiration

ExamplesExamples

• The holiday isThe holiday is brilliant brilliant..

• That’s a That’s a brilliantbrilliant idea. idea.

• The brilliant sunshine made her blink.

• They are working hard to restore the palace to its former brilliance.


brilliant brilliant adjadj..

—— 2) (of a person) intelligent, talented2) (of a person) intelligent, talented

ExampleExample

• He is a He is a brilliantbrilliant young scientist and is bound to have a young scientist and is bound to have a brilliant future.brilliant future.

subtitlesubtitle nn..

—— 1) The printed translation that you can read at the 1) The printed translation that you can read at the bottom of the screen when you are watching a foreign bottom of the screen when you are watching a foreign filmfilm

ExamplesExamples

• If don’t know a foreign language when you watch a If don’t know a foreign language when you watch a film you can read the film you can read the subtitlessubtitles..

— — 2) the second title of a book or play, usually expanding on or explaining the main title

ExamplesExamples

• There are three There are three subtitlessubtitles in this expository writing in this expository writing which are used by the writer to explain his central idea which are used by the writer to explain his central idea respectively.respectively.

splitsplit vv..

—— break or divide into two or more partsbreak or divide into two or more parts

ExamplesExamples

• He used an axe to He used an axe to splitsplit the logs into firewood. the logs into firewood.

• If we travel together, we can If we travel together, we can splitsplit the cost of the petrol the cost of the petrol (share).(share).

split upsplit up

—— separateseparate

ExamplesExamples

• The electricity industry was The electricity industry was split upsplit up into regional into regional companies when it was privatized.companies when it was privatized.

• The children were The children were split upsplit up into groups of four or five. into groups of four or five.

releaserelease v.v.

—— allow to be published; allow (a film) to be exhibited allow to be published; allow (a film) to be exhibited publiclypublicly

ExamplesExamples

• The news was The news was releasedreleased by the spokesman of the by the spokesman of the government.government.

• Michael Jackson Michael Jackson releasedreleased 13 albums in seven years 13 albums in seven years among which the second one won him great fame and among which the second one won him great fame and changed him from a popular singer into a famous changed him from a popular singer into a famous artist.artist.

• The Chinese filmThe Chinese film Hero Hero directed by Zhang Yimou was directed by Zhang Yimou was releasedreleased last week and has attracted a large audience. last week and has attracted a large audience.

get aroundget around

—— 1) begin to do something finally, especially after a 1) begin to do something finally, especially after a difficulty or delaydifficulty or delay

ExamplesExamples

• Steven eventually Steven eventually got aroundgot around to painting the garden to painting the garden gate.gate.

• They finally They finally got aroundgot around to carrying out the to carrying out the experiment which turned out to be satisfactory.experiment which turned out to be satisfactory.

get around

——2) (news or information) spread2) (news or information) spread

ExamplesExamples

• Rumors were Rumors were getting aroundgetting around about how he mistreated about how he mistreated the children. the children.

——3) try to avoid a problem or difficulty instead of dealing 3) try to avoid a problem or difficulty instead of dealing with itwith it

ExamplesExamples

• Whenever he encounters a problem, he always tries Whenever he encounters a problem, he always tries to to get aroundget around it instead of taking active steps to it instead of taking active steps to solve it.solve it.

modifymodify v.v.

—— make changes in, make differentmake changes in, make different

ExamplesExamples

• If a theory can’t be tested or in agreement with the If a theory can’t be tested or in agreement with the facts, it should be facts, it should be modifiedmodified or even be abandoned. or even be abandoned.

• The situation has changed; you should The situation has changed; you should modifymodify your your plan accordingly.plan accordingly.

presumptionpresumption n.n.

—— sth. that seems likely though there is no proofsth. that seems likely though there is no proof

ExamplesExamples

• She remarried on the She remarried on the presumptionpresumption that her first that her first husband was dead.husband was dead.

• This is just your presumption; it’s not a fact.

• Your presumption that she would like to accept your money as a kind of compensation is false.

be up in arms againstbe up in arms against

—— in active rebellion; protesting stronglyin active rebellion; protesting strongly

ExamplesExamples

• The trade unions The trade unions are up in arms againstare up in arms against wage cuts by wage cuts by capitalists and try to ask for a pay rise.capitalists and try to ask for a pay rise.

• The United States is up in arms against the terrorists all over the world.

stack upstack up

—— pile uppile up

ExamplesExamples

• The room is not big enough to hold these chairs; we The room is not big enough to hold these chairs; we have to have to stack them upstack them up..

• The global corporation has stacked up considerable profits in the last few months by promoting its high-tech products.

diffusediffuse v.v.

—— send out , spreadsend out , spread

ExamplesExamples

• Rumors were diffused that he had made great fortune by illegal means.

• One of the aims of this organization is to diffuse knowledge in the poor areas.

• I stopped shivering as the warmth gradually diffused itself through my body.

hailhail v.v.

—— 1) greet, give a welcoming cry1) greet, give a welcoming cry

ExampleExample

• He saw her appearing in the distance and He saw her appearing in the distance and hailedhailed her. her.


hailhail v.v.

—— 2) hail a taxi when you wave or signal to the driver to 2) hail a taxi when you wave or signal to the driver to stop and pick you upstop and pick you up

ExampleExample

• It’s hard to It’s hard to hailhail a taxi when it is the rush hour. a taxi when it is the rush hour.


hail hail v.v.

——3) a person or achievement is hailed as something great 3) a person or achievement is hailed as something great or important when they are claimed publicly to be that or important when they are claimed publicly to be that thing ,acclaimthing ,acclaim

ExampleExample

• CriticsCritics hailed hailed it as the best new film of the decade. it as the best new film of the decade.

• The crowd hailed the Korean actress with joy.

hail fromhail from

— — come fromcome from

ExampleExample

• The film stars The film stars hail fromhail from all parts of the world to all parts of the world to attend the Oscar Academy Award night.attend the Oscar Academy Award night.

• The freshmen in this university hail from all parts of the country.

• The ship hail from Shanghai.

surpasssurpass v.v.

— — exceed, excel, do better than (if you say that something exceed, excel, do better than (if you say that something surpass something else, you mean that it goes beyond it surpass something else, you mean that it goes beyond it in amount or extent or is of much better qualityin amount or extent or is of much better quality

ExampleExample

• Her performance at the concert surpassed all our expectations.

• We should believe in ourselves that someday we are bound to surpass the developed countries in the field of science and economy.

• What a wonderful meal you have prepared. You really surpassed yourself.

detractdetract v.v.

— — take away (from the credit, value, etc. )take away (from the credit, value, etc. )

ExampleExample

• Any cracks or chips will certainly detract from the value of the plates.

• Though he has some shortcomings, that does not detract from his merit.

• They detracted his attention from investigating the real issues.

wise upwise up

— — ((informalinformal) 1) learn, understand , you wise up when you ) 1) learn, understand , you wise up when you find out the facts about something.find out the facts about something.

ExampleExample

• It’s time for you to wise up about those people; they are just taking advantage of you.


wise upwise up

2) teach, instruct, make understand2) teach, instruct, make understand

ExampleExample

• They were too young for anyone to be able to wise them up to that kind of thing.

• You’d better wise that young man up to the dangers.

artificialartificial adj.adj.

— — not natural or real; made by the art of mannot natural or real; made by the art of man

ExampleExample

• The shoes are made of artificial leather instead of the real ones as they have claimed.

• We have launched many artificial satellites into the space.

• He was still wearing an artificial smile when his tricks were disclosed.

alternatealternate v.v.

— — (of things of two kinds) by turns, first the one and then (of things of two kinds) by turns, first the one and then the otherthe other

ExampleExample

• The days passed by, alternately wet and fine.

• He experienced alternate bouts of depression and cheerfulness.

• We used to spend alternate Sundays with my husband’s parents.

• The festival was held in alternate years.

tracktrack n.n.

— — a mark on the ground left by a person, animal or thing a mark on the ground left by a person, animal or thing that has passed, especially a footprint; a rough path or that has passed, especially a footprint; a rough path or roadroad

ExampleExample

• He followed the bear’s tracks through the forest.

• They were able to drive up a narrow track leading up to the foot of the mountain.

• Passengers are not allowed to walk across the tracks.


keep track ofkeep track of

ExampleExample

• You should try and keep track of the money you spend.

lose track of

ExampleExample

• I somehow lose track of suitcase between the airport and the station.

• They lost track of time when they flew kites on the hill owing to the great joy it brought to them.

In a globalized world, this could be a brilliant way In a globalized world, this could be a brilliant way of teaching them lots of foreign languages and do of teaching them lots of foreign languages and do so while they are having fun.so while they are having fun.

In a globalized world, we can encourage children to In a globalized world, we can encourage children to watch more films in other languages, in this way we watch more films in other languages, in this way we can teach children foreign languages and they will feel can teach children foreign languages and they will feel interested while learning the language.interested while learning the language.

words to learn:words to learn:

brilliant


Yet, the United States, the pre-eminent global Yet, the United States, the pre-eminent global power, is also a country where the native power, is also a country where the native population speaks fewest foreign languages.population speaks fewest foreign languages.

The United States is the most powerful country in The United States is the most powerful country in world globalization, but its people speak the fewest world globalization, but its people speak the fewest foreign languages.foreign languages.


It may no longer be able to maximize their profits if It may no longer be able to maximize their profits if they didn't have the ability to stack up their release they didn't have the ability to stack up their release on DVDs.on DVDs.

If they cannot make big money by releasing their If they cannot make big money by releasing their DVDs, they can hardly maximize their profits.DVDs, they can hardly maximize their profits.

Words to learn:Words to learn:

stack up


It has contributed to its creativity as directors, It has contributed to its creativity as directors, writers and even movie stars now hail from every writers and even movie stars now hail from every corner of the globe.corner of the globe.

As many famous directors, writers and movie stars As many famous directors, writers and movie stars come to join from all over the world, Hollywood come to join from all over the world, Hollywood becomes even more creative.becomes even more creative.


hail


Alternatively, anything that detracts from it such as Alternatively, anything that detracts from it such as creating different technological standards for DVD creating different technological standards for DVD players is a long-term loss for Hollywood.players is a long-term loss for Hollywood.

If we work against globalization by actions, such as If we work against globalization by actions, such as creating different technological standards for DVD creating different technological standards for DVD players, Hollywood will suffer a long-term loss.players, Hollywood will suffer a long-term loss.


detractsdetracts


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