Unit Eight Saving Nature. But Only for Man Teaching Objectives 1) grasp the main idea (we should adopt a sensible environmentalism) and the structure.

Unit Eight Saving Nature. But Only for Man

Teaching Objectives

1) grasp the main idea (we should adopt a sensible environmentalism) and the structure of the text (each part containing a contrast);

2) appreciate the various argumentative skills employed in the text;

3) master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;

Teaching Set-up Text A Pre-reading: Warm-up activities Background information While-reading: Text organization Language points Post reading: debate Useful expressions Text B Answers for Reference Assignments

Warm-up activities

1. Are there any environmental problems in the area you live? What would you suggest to solve them?

2. Word-web

Work in pairs and categorize the words and phases in the box into the following three groups.

Word-web

air pollution, global warming, nuclear contamination, sea level rising, water pollution, ecocrisis, sewage, flood, noise pollution, National Tree Planting Day, atmospheric ozone layer, ecosystem, recycling center, Greenpeace, drought, nuclear pollution, afforest

Green house effect

Environment

Pollution types

Environmental protection

global warming, sea level rising, ecocrisis, flood, atmospheric ozone layer, drought, ecosystem

air pollution, nuclear contamination, nuclear pollution, water pollution, noise pollution

sewage, recycling center, Greenpeace, National Tree Planting Day, afforest

Background information

Definition of Environment Environment is the physical surroundings of an organi

sm ( 生物，有机物 ) or organisms, including biological, physical, and chemical factors. In the case of human ecology ( 生态学 ), it also includes social and cultural surroundings. Planning, caring for, and conservation of the human environment, both built and natural, have become of increasing concern in recent years. In philosophy, environmentalism stresses the influence of the physical environment on man’s development and activities.

Background information

Environmental Protection Organization1.Green Party A British political party that aims to protect the environment. It is against

the use of nuclear power and other forms of industry and transport which it considers harmful. It was formed in 1973 as the Ecology Party, and changed its name to the Green Party in 1985. Other countries also have parties that share the same name and ideals.

2Green Peace A large international pressure group that aims to protect the

environment. Its members are well known for protecting the environment. They often go out in small boats to stop people from killing whales or throwing poisonous materials into the sea.

3The Environmental Protection Agency AU.S. government organization that established rules and standards for

protecting the environment, e.g., against pollution.

While-reading

PartsParagraph

s

Main Ideas

One 1—32

--It is important to distinguish between environmental necessities and environmental luxuries and apply the fundamental principle of sensible environmentalism.

Two 32--99A sensible environmentalism does not sentimentalize the earth.

Three

70-85 Man is the master of nature.

Text organization

Language points

Difficult sentences: Environmental sensitivity is now as required an atti

tude in polite society as is, say, belief in democracy or aversion to nylon.(L1-2) Translate this sentence into Chinese: 环境意识，就如同对民主制度的信奉，或对尼龙的厌恶，

已成为当今上流社会一种必备的态度了。 How important is environmental sensitivity in the author’

s eyes? It is as peoples’ belief in democracy or their aversion t

o nylon.

Difficult sentences

接上页 Note: a) “as + 形容词副词原级 +as” 结构表示一件事物

与另一件事物在某些方面相似，其否定形式为：“ not as/so…as” 。这句话表明 environmental sensitivity 与 belief in democracy 和 aversion to nylon 都是 required 必须的，即： It is as important as peoples’ belief in democracy or their aversion to nylon.

b) 第二个 as 引导的状语从句在正式文体中为倒装结构。She is unusually tall, as are both her parents.

Difficult sentences

But now that everyone has claims to love Mother earth （ L2-3 ）Note: now that 引起的从句表示由于新情况的出现而促成

某事发生；它与 since 的区别在于，它表示一种现在才发生的情况，而 since 表示原先已存在的情况。

Now that you mention it, I do remember the incident. 经你一提，我想起那件事来了。

Since he has no money, he can’t buy a new bicycle.

练习参照课后练习 p254-255.

Difficult sentences

Luxuries are those things it would be nice to have if costless. (L 8-9)Note: if costless: if those things are costless 这里

是出于简洁的考虑把分词直接加在连接词后面。在一些状语从句中，如果它的主语与句子的主语一致，而从句的动词又含有 be ，从句的主语及 be 都可以省略，只保留其后的分词，形容词，名词或介词短语。例如：

Use it only when necessary. If necessary, I’ll come at seven.

Difficult sentences

But you can’t have everything. And if the choice is between the welfare of reindeer and reducing oil dependence that gets people killed in wars, I choose man over reindeer every time.(L60-63) What theory does the author want to prove by s

aying so?

No matter what happens, man after all is the most important on the earth.

Difficult sentences

Nature is our charge. (L71) Paraphrase this sentence:

We are in charge of nature./ Nature is under our charge.

Translate this sentence into Chinese:

自然归我们掌管。

Difficult sentences

And when man has to choose between his well-being and that of nature, nature will have to accommodate.(L73-74) How do you understand this sentence?

If man has to choose between his own well-being and that of nature, he will choose his well-being but not nature’s.

Difficult sentences

When the treat to man is of a lesser order (say, the pollutants from coal-and oil-fired generators that cause death from disease but not fatal damage to the ecosystem), a more moderate accommodation that balances economic against health concerns is in order (L78-81) Translate the sentence into Chinese: 如果对人类的威胁

相对较小（如燃煤或燃油发电机排放的使人致病致死，但对生态系统并不带来致命伤害的污染物），应该权衡经济发展和人类健康而进行适度调整。

Words and phrases conflict 1) vi be in opposition, collision or disagreement 矛盾，冲

突【 +with 】 The results of the new research would seem to conflict

with existing theories.

新的研究结果似乎与现存的理论相冲突。 2) n [C, U] (a) struggle; serious disagreement 斗争 ; 冲突 ,

争执 a conflict of interests 利害冲突

Language points

Words and phrases

proposal n. a plan or idea, often a formal or written one, which is suggested for people to think about and decide upon 提议，建议 【 + for 】【 + to do sth 】【其后的 that 从句中使用（ should+ 动词原型）】 a proposal for uniting the two companies

将两公司联合起来的建议 . a proposal to offer a discount to regular customers

对经常性的主顾予以折扣优惠的方案 There was anger at the proposal that a UN peacekeepin

g force should be sent to the area.

Words and phrases

in the name of for the reason of; using the excuse of; as the representative of; by the authority of 以…为由 / 借口，以…的名义 They arrested him in the name of the safety of the count

ry. The president entertained the guests in the name of the

whole company.

Collocation call sb. names 谩骂某人 to one’s name 在自己名下，

属于自己所有 by the name of 以…为名，名叫… under the name of 用…的名字

Words and phrases

regardless adv in spite of everything; anyway 不论，不顾 His parents objected to his marriage, but he carried on r

egardless. CF: regardless & regardless ofregardless 是副词。意为“不管怎样、无论如何” We’ll start at dawn, regardless. regardless of 是介词词组。意为“不顾、不惜、不论” Regardless of wind and rain, they continued their journe

y. 他们不顾风雨，继续前行。

Words and phrases

Fill in the blanks with “regardless” or “regardless of”

_________ danger, he climbed the tower. There may be difficulties but I shall carry on ___

____. I am buying the book, _______ the cost. Despite the problems, they carried on their refor

m ________.

Regardless of

regardless

regardless of

regardless

Words and phrases

fundamental adj. of the basis of foundation of sth. 基本的，根本的【 + to 】 These two parties have fundamental differences.

Hard work is fundamental to success. 必须苦干才能成功 . A knowledge of economics is fundamental to an

y understanding of this problem. 经济知识对于理解这个问题是至关重要的。

Words and phrases

sensible adj. having or showing common sense; reasonable 明智的，明理的 You must be sensible, John. You don’t have any reason to leave m

e. 你要理智，约翰，你没有任何理由离开我。CF: sensitive & sentimentalsensitive 意思是“敏感的、灵敏的” The stock exchange is sensitive to political disturbance. 证券交易对政治风波很敏感。sentimental 意思是“感情的”“情绪的” , 是相对于理性和实际而言

的。 She is very sentimental about animals. 她对动物很有感情。

Words and phrases

Fill in the blanks with the above words. Most ___________ weight loss programs now recommend a combi

nation of diet and exercise to slowly take off extra weight. Our noses and tongues are ___________ to certain chemical stimu

li (刺激物 ) She is so __________! She cried all morning when she heard that

her goldfish had died. Most children are ____________ to any sign of rejection or disappr

oval from their parents. The traffic will be terrible over the Christmas weekend.. Wouldn’t it

be __________ to leave before the traffic gets bad? Why are you so ___________ about that old coat? There is no poin

t in keeping it just because you were wearing it when you first met me.

sensible

sensitive

sentimental

sensitive

sensiblesentimental

consequence n. the result or effect of an action or condition 结果，后果 Such a mistake would perhaps lead to disastrous consequences. CF: consequence, outcome & resultconsequence 指因某些特殊条件或原因而造成的结果，并且意味着坏

的结果。outcome 往往指竞赛的最后结局。result 指按常规去做所产生的结果，可指好的或坏的结果。Collocation a person of consequence 举足轻重的人 in consequence 因此，

结果 in consequence of 由于，因为 of little/no consequence 无足轻重的 take the consequences of 承担…的结果

on the grounds of/on … grounds for reasons of 因为；以…为理由 She is suing the company on the grounds of unf

air dismissal. This book doesn’t sell well on the grounds of its

high price.Collocation fall to the ground （计划）失败；（希望）破灭，落空 gain ground 前进；有进展 get off the ground 开始；取得进展 take ground 坚持立场

Words and phrases

resistance n. opposition 反抗，反抗行动，抵抗力【 + to 】 The bank clerk made no resistance to the robber.

resist vi

1) oppose抵制，反对 Conservative politicians resisted the reform plan.

2) force oneself not to yield to or accept 忍住，按捺 He resisted eating the chocolate cake because it is too f

attening.

他忍住不吃巧克力蛋糕，因为它太容易使人发胖。

Words and phrases

vote vi express one’s choice in favor of (a person, political party, etc.) at an election 投票，选举【 +on sth. 】【 + for/against 】 If we can’t agree with each other about the plan, let’s vot

e on it. They will vote for George Bush, I think. 我认为他们会投乔治 .布什的票。Collocation vote down 否决 vote in 选出 vote out 投票使（原任者）落选 vote through 表决通过

voter : n. someone who votes in an election

Words and phrases

run/go against the grain be contrary to one’s desire or feeling 与…格格不入；违反意愿（做某事）【 + of sth. 】【 + to do sth 】 It really goes against the grain to have to go to s

chool on National Day.

真的不愿意国庆节还上学。 It goes against the grain for me to borrow mone

y.

我真的不愿意借钱。

Words and phrases

to the point of to a degree that can be described as 达到…的程度 To accomplish the task, the employer worked his staff to

the point of exhaustion.

为了完成任务，雇主让工人一直感到筋疲力尽 His manner was bad to the point of rudeness.

Collocation come/ get to the point 谈到正题，讲到关键问题 beside

the point 离题的；不相关的 on the point of 正要…之际 a case in point 恰当的例子 to the point 切题的；切中的

Words and phrases

excess n. the degree that is more than enough 过度，过量，超过 There is an excess of supply over demand nowadays. Never drink to excess. 喝酒切勿过量。【 to excess 过量；过度】

Luggage in excess of 100 kg will be charged extra. 【 in excess of 大于；超过】

excessive adj. too much; too great 太多的，过度的 He is smoking like a chimney. People call him an exces

sive smoker.

Words and phrases

nothing more than nothing but; only; just the same 只不过，仅仅；无异于 Don’t be scared. It is nothing more than a night

mare. You needn’t report to him. He is nothing more th

an a clerk.Collocation for nothing 不花钱地；徒劳地 nothing less tha

n 不亚于，不少于 nothing like 完全不像 to say noting of 更不用说；何况

Words and phrases

current adj. occurring in or existing at the present time 当前的，现在的 The current economic situation is very different f

rom that in 1990.

目前的经济形势与 1990年区别很大。 In its current states, the house would be worth $

100,000. The word is no longer in current use.

这个词现在已经不再使用。

Words and phrases

currency n. 1) the particular type of money used in a country 货币 counterfeit currency 假币 domestic/national currency 本国货币 foreign currency 外汇，外币 hard currency 硬通货 paper currency 纸币

2) the state of being in general acceptance通用，流通 His ideas enjoyed wide currency during the last century. The rumor soon gained currency.

Words and phrases

work one’s way manage to reach or go through; make efforts to attain one’s goal 设法抵达（或获得通过）；努力达到目标 Many students work their way through college by doing part-time jo

bs. He has come through two world wars. 他身经两次世界大战，劫后余生。

come through experience, survive or overcome (a difficulty, etc.) 经历，脱险，度过难关 If we can come through this financial crisis the company’s future wil

l be bright. He's very ill but doctors expect him to come through. 他病得很重 , 但医生预料他能康复 .

Words and phrases

in part to some extent; partly 部分地 His failure was due in part to his laziness. Whether you will be sent to Yale University for further st

udy depends in part on how well you perform in the interview.

你是否能去耶鲁大学深造部分取决于你在面试中的表现。Collocation for one’s part 就个人来说，至于本人 for the most part 多半；通常 on the part of sb. 就某人而言；代表某人。

Words and phrases

ridiculous adj. absurd 荒谬的，可笑的 It is ridiculous to spend all her salary buying that so-called antique. CF: ridiculous, foolish & absurdridiculous 指做事与常理或常识不符，愚笨得引人发笑或找人嘲笑。foolish 指没有头脑，缺乏常识，违反常理，即愚昧无知的意思。 It was foolish of him to take that expensive house. 他买下那座价格昂贵的房子真是太傻了。absurd 指与道理或真理相反，也可以指违反一般常识或经验，而且违背得很可笑。

The idea that the number 13 brings bad luck is absurd. 认为 13 这个数字给人带来厄运的看法是荒唐可笑的。

Words and phrases

deny vt. 1) refuse to allow or grant 拒绝 I was denied the chance of going to university. His ex-wife denied him access to his children. 他的前妻拒绝他接近他的孩子。2) state sth. is not true 【 + sth 】【 + that-claus

e 】【 + doing sth 】否认 Can you deny the truth of his statement? Everybody denied having ever seen him.

Words and phrases

distinction n. (distinct adj. )1) difference 【 + between 】区别，差别 It is hard to draw a distinction between popular and seri

ous literature. There is no distinction between courage and bravery.2) the quality of being unusual, esp. of being unusually go

od 优秀，杰出 He passed the examination with distinction. 他以优异成绩通过考试。 He was regarded as a singer of distinction.Note: 形近词 extinction n. 消失，废止，灭绝 the extincti

on of dinosaurs 恐龙的灭绝

Words and phrases

threat n. a danger that sht. Unpleasant might happen to sb. 威胁，恐吓【 + to/from/of/against 】 There have been death threats against the witnesses. Threats are being made on his life. 有人正对他的生命进行威胁。

threaten vt. make a threat or threats against sb The strikers were threatened with dismissal if they did n

ot return to work. 罢工者威胁说，如果他们不复工，就会被解雇。 The hijackers threatened to kill all the passengers if their

demands were not met.

Words and phrases

concern1)n. a) thing that is important or interesting to sb. 关心，关怀 What are your main concerns as a college student? 作为一名大学生，你主要关注什么？b) worry, anxiety 【 +for/about/over/that-clause 】忧虑，挂念 There was growing concern over the rise in unemployment.2)vt a) be about; have effects on 与…有关，涉及 The energy problem concerns us all. b) to care about, or worry about 关注，担心 The boy’s poor health concerned his parents. 这孩子健康不佳使他的父母担忧。

Post Reading

Debate

Ten students are chosen out of the class to be “congressmen”. They differ greatly as to whether the oil should be drilled in ANWR, with half of them for the proposal and the other half against it. Each congressman should prepare a short speech, argue with the opposite side and answer the questions raised by the jury. Sitting in the jury are the remainders in the class. They should evaluate the congressmen’s performance and vote for the final decision accordingly.

Post Reading

Useful expressions:1. 环境意识 environmental sensitivity

2. 对尼龙的厌恶 aversion to nylon

3. 以……的名义 in the name of

4. 对于环境的奢侈追求 environmental luxuries

5. 对于环境的必需要求 environmental necessities

6. 运用规则 apply a rule

7. 基本原理 fundamental principle

8. 理智环境保护论 sensible environmentalism

9. 遏止温室效应 halt the greenhouse effect

10. 食物链 food chain

Proverbs and quotations

1. The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.

-- Franklin D. Roosevelt, American president

一个破坏它自己土地的国家，毁灭的也就是它本身。 -- 美国总统 富兰克林•罗斯福

2. Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. -- William Wordsworth, British poet

大自然永远不会背叛爱她的那颗心。 -- 英国诗人 威廉姆•华尔华斯

3. Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.

-- Francis Bacon, British philosopher想支配大自然，就必须遵守大自然的规律。 -- 英国哲学家 弗朗西斯•培根

4. One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. -- Shakespeare, British poet and playwright

自然界的一个轻轻触摸，就使得整个世界都有了亲情。 -- 英国诗人，剧作家 莎士比亚

Text B An Ugly New Footprint in the Sand

Answers for Reference    1． The strange footprint is a symbol of environmental p

ollution; and the author’s attitude      to this new intrusion—one of the strong dislikes—is ma

de clear by the word“ugly”．    2． The need to fuel the technology which mankind has

developed to enable it to survive on      this planet． Concrete examples are given notably in p

aras． 2 ， 9 ， 10 ， and 11．    3． As man is not SO well adapted to his living environm

ent as ， say ， a bird ， he has to resort      to artificiaI aids ， which have eventually given rise to p

ollution．

Answers for Reference

 4． Environmental pollution here has just begun ；it is not very serious yet．

  This is contradicted by the sentence in para． 11———The lesson of our fouled beach is that we may not even have realized how late it is already．The author’s message is“Don’t you think that it will be some time before pollution gets really serious here ； when the beach is found to be fouled ， it is already too late to keep pollution away from the island．”

   5． No． He is concerned about pollution of mankind’s environment in general．

Assignment

Write an composition entitled “My thoughts on Environmental Protection”, paying attention to the persuasive techniques in your writing.