The Record 1. Background Knowledge Background Knowledge 2. Text Analysis Text Analysis 3. Exercises Exercises 4. Questions For Discussion Questions For.

The Record

1. Background Knowledge

2. Text Analysis

3. Exercises

4. Questions For Discussion

Background Knowledge

1. Schumann （舒曼） : Robert Alexander Schumann (1810-1856) was a major German composer, music critic and leader of the romantic movement. His compositions and music journal greatly influenced the music of his time. Though he wrote orchestral and chamber music, he best expressed his ardent romanticism in his piano works and songs. Most of the latter were composed in 1840.

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2. Concerto: concerto is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments supported by an orchestra. The three-movement orchestral form was elaborated by Bach （巴赫） . Handel （汉德尔） added the cadenza （装饰乐段） as a regular feature. Mozart set the style for the modern concerto: the orchestra announces an opening subject, then takes a subordinate position when the solo instrument enters, thus establishing the pattern of interchanges. Beethoven added many novel touches to Mozart’s basic form; others including Mendelssohn （门德尔松） and Schumann have developed the concerto, using a wide range of solo instruments.

Background Knowledge

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1. True/False Questions

2. Multiple-choice Questions

3. Translation

Exercises

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1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common.

2. It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together.

3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain.

True/False Questions

Answer

1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common. (F)

2. It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together.



Answer


2. It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. (T)



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2. It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. (T)

3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain. (T)


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4. Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music.

5. Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop.

6. The black monkey was made from the melted record.


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4. Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music. (F)

5. Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop.



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5. Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. (F)



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5. Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. (F)

6. The black monkey was made from the melted record. (T)


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1. What does the author say about Fred?

A) He is easy to get along with.

B) He is attractive.

C) He is often busy.

D) He is always helpful.

Multiple-choice Questions

Answer

1. What does the author say about Fred? (D)

A) He is easy to get along with.

B) He is attractive.

C) He is often busy.

D) He is always helpful.


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2. Which of the following is true of Fred?

A) He doesn’t like classical music.

B) He doesn’t understand much music.

C) He has no interest in music at all.

D) He doesn’t have time for music.


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2. Which of the following is true of Fred? (C)

A) He doesn’t like classical music.

B) He doesn’t understand much music.

C) He has no interest in music at all.

D) He doesn’t have time for music.

3. When they sat together, listening to the record, Fred was thinking of .

A) his own business

B) his friend’s explanation of music

C) the little black statue of monkey on the shelf

D) getting a record


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3. When they sat together, listening to the record, Fred was thinking of C .

A) his own business

B) his friend’s explanation of music

C) the little black statue of monkey on the shelf

D) getting a record

4. Fred’s eyes had lit up because .

A) he had a new idea of making use of the record

B) he enjoyed the music very much

C) he wanted to take the record with him

D) he was eager to listen to the record once more


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4. Fred’s eyes had lit up because A .

A) he had a new idea of making use of the record

B) he enjoyed the music very much

C) he wanted to take the record with him

D) he was eager to listen to the record once more

5. In answering the author’s question “Did you enjoy it”, Fred said “Oh, yes … yes.” He meant .

A) he enjoyed the music

B) he liked the record

C) he enjoyed the tea

D) he liked the tea things


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5. In answering the author’s question “Did you enjoy it”, Fred said “Oh, yes … yes.” He meant B .

A) he enjoyed the music

B) he liked the record

C) he enjoyed the tea

D) he liked the tea things

6. Seeing the little present, the author was .

A) ashamed

B) excited

C) angry

D) confused


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6. Seeing the little present, the author was D .

A) ashamed

B) excited

C) angry

D) confused

Translation

Answer

1. I have a big collection of records.

Translation

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1. I have a big collection of records.

我收藏有大量的唱片。

Translation

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2. I did not want Fred to listen to my remarkable version of it.

Translation

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2. I did not want Fred to listen to my remarkable version of it.

我并不是叫弗莱德听我的卓越的演唱。

Translation

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3. His eyes had lit up in a curious way.

Translation

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3. His eyes had lit up in a curious way.

他好奇似地两眼充满了兴奋的神采。

Translation

Answer

4. I don’t know what came over me.

Translation

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4. I don’t know what came over me.

我不知道是什么驱使我。

Translation

Answer

5. Fred answered with a big smile all over his face.

Translation

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5. Fred answered with a big smile all over his face.

弗莱德满脸堆笑地答道。

Questions for Discussion

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1) What kind of man is the author?

2) How do you think the author felt when he was given the “present”?

3) Give your comment on the friendship between Fred and the author.

Express your view on friendship.

Text Analysis

The Record People differ greatly in their characters and interests. Is it possible for people with entirely different characters and backgrounds to become great friends? Read the story and find the answer.

Text Analysis

Fred Ames and I haven’t much in common. I sometimes wonder why we are friends at all. Perhaps it is Fred’s skill as a craftsman that I find so attractive. He’s always busy making things. Everything he makes is so perfect that I sometimes feel a bit jealous of him. If I happen to mention that one of my books is so old and torn that I shall have to throw it away, Fred takes it home with him and returns it a few days later beautifully bound. If I knock over a vase and it is broken into a thousand pieces, Fred puts it together again in such a way that only an expert would see the difference.

Text Analysis

My trouble is that I’m one of those hopelessly impractical and incurably lazy people. Outside my work at the office (which is dull enough, God knows), the only thing that interests me is listening to classical music. I have a big collection of records and all day long the only thing I can think about is when I am going to get home to listen to a new concerto.

Text Analysis

I’ve often tried to get Fred interested in music. When I’m in the mood and would like to find someone to talk to (which isn’t often, by the way), I always have Fred with me. I spend hours pointing out the beauties of a certain piece. I look at him as he’s gazing at that little black statue of monkey I keep on the shelf and wonder if he’s heard anything at all. When I look into those big, blue, expressionless eyes of his, I realize that he hasn’t been listening to a word I’ve said. “I’d love to make a copy of that some day,” he says and makes a sign that he is referring to the statue.

Text Analysis

One Saturday afternoon I came home from work even earlier than usual. Getting home from work is one of the few things I’m good at. It’s certainly the only time I ever hurry. But this day I left the office in an even greater hurry than usual. I had just bought a new recording of Schumann’s piano concerto and I could hardly wait to listen to it.

Text Analysis

I had already played the record twice over when Fred came in. Perhaps because of the effect the music had on me, I was more than usually pleased to see him. I started talking excitedly about the record: how perfect it was, how marvellous; how he just had to listen to it. He said nothing and after he had sat down, he asked me where the little black monkey had got to. I answered that the cleaner had knocked it off the shelf and I had thrown it away. “What a pity,” Fred exclaimed.

Text Analysis

After I had put the record on, I left the living-room to make some tea. I gave Fred strict instructions to listen to the music as I was sure he would like it.

It took me some time to get the tea ready, and when I returned with a tray, the second movement had just begun. I immediately started singing loudly and did not stop till the movement had come to an end. Then I remembered that I wanted Fred to listen to the concerto, not to my remarkable version of it, so I kept quiet.

Text Analysis

Later, when I took the tea things out, I could not help thinking that there had been a different expression on Fred’s face this time. His eyes had lit up in a curious way. He looked as if he had just discovered something. Once he even smiled to himself. He had been listening!

I got back to the living-room to find Fred holding the record in his hands. It was so strange to see such a delicate object in his big, rough hands that for a moment I felt like telling him to be careful. But I was too pleased with myself to do that.

Text Analysis

“Did you enjoy it?” I asked eagerly.

“Oh, yes … yes.” he answered vaguely.

I don’t know what came over me, but at that moment I said, “Well, you can have it.”

Fred was astonished. “What, the record? No, I couldn’t,” he answered, “You’ve only just …”

“Go on, take it!” I insisted.

“Well, thanks very much. I will.”

Text Analysis

A few days later Fred arrived with a little box under his arm. He gave it to me smiling as soon as he came in. “A little present,” he said.

When I opened it, I was astonished to find an exact copy of the little monkey which my cleaner had broken.

Text Analysis

“Did you make this, Fred?” I couldn’t believe it and asked.

“Yes,” answered Fred simply with a big smile all over his face.

“But however did you manage it?” I asked.

“Oh, it was quite easy really,” Fred answered. “I got the idea from a magazine. You just melt down an old record and then you can mould it into any shape you like.”

Simplified from Essay and Letter Writing, ed., L.G. Alexander, Longman, 1965.

Approximately 850 words.

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record [] n. 唱片；录制品=something that records; a disk designed to be played on a phonographe.g. The doctor keeps a record of all the serious illnesses in the village. 这个医生保存了这个村庄所有严重疾病的记录。

Words to Know

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craftsman [ ] n. 手艺人，工匠=a man who practices a craft with great skille.g. It took the craftsman 30 years to make this work of art.这个匠人花了三十年来制作这件艺术品。

Words to Know

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attractive []adj. 有吸引力的=having the power to attracte.g. I found the little town very attractive.我觉得这个小镇很有吸引力。

Words to Know

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jealous [] adj. 嫉妒的=resentful or bitter in rivalry; enviouse.g. I was jealous of Sarah when she got her new bicycle. 萨拉有了一辆新的自行车，我很羡慕她。

Words to Know

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vase [] n. 花瓶

=an open container, as of glass or porcelain, used for holding flowers or for ornamentatione.g. The little boy was punished by his mother for breaking that valuable vase.小男孩因为打碎了值钱的花瓶而被他妈妈惩罚。

Words to Know

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expert [] n. 专家；高手=a person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subjecte.g. Sara is an expert in cookery. 莎拉是个烹调方面的专家

Words to Know

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classical [] adj. 古典的=of or relating to European music during the latter half of the 18th and the early 19th centuriese.g. Both Bach and Beethoven wrote classical music.巴赫与贝多芬谱写的都是古典音乐。

Words to Know

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concerto [] n. 协奏曲=a composition for an orchestra and one or more solo instruments, typically in three movementse.g. The young pianist played the concerto with perfect skills.年轻的钢琴家以完美的技巧演奏了协奏曲。

Words to Know

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mood [] n. 情绪，（精神）状态=state of mind or spiritsThe beautiful sunny morning put me in a happy mood. 阳光明媚的早晨使我心情愉快。

be in the mood 情绪好e.g. I’m not in the mood of shopping.我没心情逛街。

Phrases and Expressions

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particular adj. 特指的；特殊的=of, belonging to, or associated with a specific person, group, thing, or category; not general or universale.g. She has a particular preference for Chinese art.她对中国艺术有特别的爱好。

Words to Know

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gaze [] vi. （出神地）盯着看=to look steadily, intently, and with fixed attentione.g. The child gazed at the toys in the shop window. 孩子眼睛盯着商店橱窗里的玩具。

Words to Know

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statue[] n. 雕像，塑像=a three-dimensional form or likeness sculpted, modeled, carved, or cast in material such as stone, clay, wood, or bronzee.g. The Statue of Liberty was presented to the United States of America in the nineteenth century by the people of France.自由神雕像是法国人民在 19 世纪送合美国的。

Words to Know

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marvellous[] adj. 了不起的；奇特的，非凡的=astonishing; wonderfule.g. He had had the most marvellous experience.他有过非凡的经历。

Words to Know

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strict[] adj. 严格的，准确的=exacting in enforcement, observance, or requirement; stringente.g. Any student in this school has to obey strict rules.这所学校的任何学生都必须遵守严格的校规。

Words to Know

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instruction[] n. 指示=an authoritative direction to be obeyed; an ordere.g. The girl had instructions to be home by midnight.这个女孩被要求午夜前必须回家。

Words to Know

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version[] n. （对同一曲子的独特的）唱法；描述；版本=a description or an account from one point of view, especially as opposed to anothere.g. I have heard two versions of the accident. 我已经听到关于这个事故的两种说法了。

Words to Know

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delicate[] adj. 精致的=pleasing to the senses, especially in a subtle waye.g. The tourist bought a delicate piece of embroidery.游客买了一件精致的刺绣品。

Words to Know

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vaguely[] adv. 含糊地=not clearly expressed; inexplicite.g. I felt vaguely uneasy. 我模模糊糊地感到不容易。

Words to Know

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melt (down) [] vi. & vt. 熔化=to be changed from a solid to a liquid state by application of heat or pressure or bothe.g. Iron will melt down when it is made very hot. 当铁烧得很热时就会熔化的。

Words to Know

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mould[] vt. 把…塑造成=make sth in a mould from some materiale.g. The artist is moulding a head in clay.艺术家正用粘土塑造一个头。

Words to Know

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impractical [] adj.1)=unwise to implement or maintain in practice 不切实际的e.g. It’s simply an impractical plan.这只是个不实际的计划。2)=impracticable 不能实行的 e.g. Refloating the sunken ship proved impractical because of the great expense.打捞沉船由于费用巨大而不能实行的。

Words to Know

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collection [] n.1)=the act or process of collecting 收集2)=a group of objects or works to be seen, studied, or kept together 收藏品；收集物e.g. The old man has a large collection of stamps.

这位老人有大量的邮票收藏。

Words to Know

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exact [] 1) adj.正确无误的= strictly and completely in accord with fact; not deviating from truth or realitye.g. The exact date of the event has escaped me.我记不起这起事件的确切日期了。2) vt. 强迫；强求；强要= to force the payment or yielding of; extorte.g. He exacted obedience from the children. 他强迫孩子们服从他。

Words to Know

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God knows: an expression of emphasis. Here it means even God would agree with my viewpoint.

God knows 上天作证e.g. God knows I work really hard.上天作证我工作得的确努力。


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all day long (or all day) 从早到晚，整天e.g. He had to work all day long to support his family.他得整天工作来养活他的全家。


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be good at 擅长于e.g. The salesman is very good at persuade others.这个推销员非常善于说服他人。


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tea things 茶具e.g. That set of tea things is very precious.那套茶具非常珍贵。


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can not help (doing) 禁不住（做…）e.g. She couldn’t help crying when she heard that news.她听到那个消息禁不住哭了。


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feel like (doing) 想要e.g. I felt like going for a walk.我想去散步。


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came over me: (figurative 比喻的 ) took hold of me come over 抓住e.g. A sudden fear came over me and I began trembling.我突然感到一阵恐惧而开始颤抖。


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the second movement: the second division of the concerto 第二乐章

movement: one division of a symphony, concerto, or other long selection of music


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lit up: or lighted up, meaning: become bright with eagerness


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Fred Ames and I haven’t much in common:Fred Ames and I are quite different in interests and personality.

Sentence Explanation

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Everything he makes is so perfect that I sometimes feel a bit jealous of him.他做的每一样东西都是那么完美无缺，有时我不禁感到有些妒忌。


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Getting home from work is one of the few things I’m good at.我没什么本事，光知道下班往家跑。


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But this day I left the office in an even greater hurry. I had just bought a new recording of Schumann’s piano concerto and I could hardly wait to listen to it.但是这一天我比平时跑的还快，我刚买了一张舒曼钢琴协奏曲的新唱片，迫不及待地要赶回家去听。

a new recording of Schumann’s: 舒曼作品的新录制唱片


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Then I remembered that I wanted Fred to listen to the concerto, not to my remarkable version of it, so I kept quiet.然后我忽然想起我是要让弗莱德听那段协奏曲本身而不是让他听我动听的演唱，于是闭上了嘴。

not to my remarkable version of it:not to my way of singing, good as it may be


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It was so strange to see such a delicate object in his big, rough hands that for a moment I felt like telling him to be careful.看着他那双粗糙的大手抚摸着这么一张精巧的唱片，我真想告诉他小心一点，别弄坏了唱片。

I felt like telling him: I wanted to tell him


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I don’t know what came over me, but at that moment I said, “Well, you can have it.”我不知怎么会心血来潮，竟然对他说：“我把这张唱片送给你了。”


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of a certain piece: of a certain piece of music


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with a big smile all over his face: smiling broadly.


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What held their friendship together?

Questions

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Are you interested in classical music? Can you name some great composers and their works?

Questions

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What was Fred thinking about?

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What was the misunderstanding between them?

Questions

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What did Fred mean?

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Can you expect such an ending? How many examples of foreshadowing(伏笔 )can you find in the text to justify your answer?

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“But however did you manage it?” I asked.“你究竟是怎么做到的？”我问道。

“疑问词 + ever”形式中， ever跟疑问词连用，可以加强问句的语气，表示“究竟”、“到底”，但是在一般情况下，特别是在正式文体中， ever跟疑问词分开写：e.g. When ever did I make such a promise?我究竟是什么时候许下这样的诺言的？


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“I got the idea from a magazine. You just melt down an old gramophone record and then you can mould it into any shape you like.”“ 我是从一本杂志上得到启发的。只要把一张旧唱片熔化掉，然后就能用模子把它做成你想要的任何形状的东西。”


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The Record 1. Background Knowledge Background Knowledge 2. Text Analysis Text Analysis 3. Exercises Exercises 4. Questions For Discussion Questions For.

Documents

t truefalse questions

discussion slide

discussion questions

music critic

music journal

chamber music

little monkey

black monkey