Unit Three Out of Step. Contents A. Text one I. Pre-readingI. Pre-reading: (I). Warm-up questions (II). Background information II. While-reading: Text.

Unit ThreeUnit Three

Out of Step Out of Step

ContentsA. Text oneI. Pre-reading: (I). Warm-up questions (II). Background information II. While-reading: Text Analysis (I) Structure analysis (II) Comprehension questions (III) Language points (IV) Difficult sentences III. Post-Reading: (I) Grammatical items (II) Translation Exercises (III) Oral activities (IV) Writing practice B. Text two （ I） Questions for text comprehension （ II） Language points

Text Ⅰ Out of Step

I. Pre-reading: I. Pre-reading: (I). warm-up questions (I). warm-up questions

1. It is said that the United States is a nation on a wheel. Could you introduce the pertinent information, such as the number of vehicles, the use of vehicles, the driving license and so on?

2. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of using the car?

This is an exposition that presents the absurdity of the Americans’ dependence on cars. The Americans, being so accustomed to using cars, have almost forgotten the existence of their legs. Wherever they go, they go in their cars. As a result, pedestrian facilities are neglected in city planning or rejected by the inhabitants.

II. While-reading: Text Analysis (I) Structure analysis

Text Structure

First part: Para 1-6 The author introduces his idea with an anecdote. Second part: Para 7-12 The author presents the fact that the Americans are

habituated to using cars for everything. Third part: Para 13-20 The author explains the pedestrian facilities are

neglected or discarded.

Text AnalysisText Analysis

Introduction: Para.1-6Comprehension1. What kind of town is it?2. What is considered the author’s “eccentric behavior”?3. Why would drivers “depart reluctantly, even guiltily”

when their offer was declined? 4. Paraphrase “It is, in short, an agreeable, easy place to go

about one’s business on foot, and yet as far as I can ell, virtually no one does.” (P.2)

Language Points

sedate: adj. calm, serious, and formal v. to make calm or sleepy, especially with a drug sedation; sedative

curb: v. a line of raised stones separating the footpath from the road to control or limit sth. in order to prevent it from having a harmful effect

Part Two Para.7-12

Comprehension1. What is the main idea of the part?2. How does the author support this idea in this

part?3. Why are the examples described in detail?4. Paraphrase “We will go through the most

extraordinary contortions to save ourselves from walking.” (P.8)

Language Points

habituate

contortion

SELF-STUDY: distort; twist; deform; contort; warp

habituate : v. to accustom by frequent repetition or prolonged exposure

You must habituate yourself to reading aloud.By the end of the school term, the students had

been habituated /accustomed / used to rising at five o'clock.

contortion: n. movement of the body or face into an unusual shape or position

The spectators cannot but admire the contortions of the gymnasts.

contort :v. (to cause something) to twist out of its natural shape

Part Three Para.13-20

Comprehension1. Why did the author say “Actually, I’m surprised it

was that much”?2. Why did Laconia change its downtown pedestrian

mall to one with parking lots?3. Paraphrase “… I was possibly the only person ever to

have entertained the notion of negotiating that intersection on foot.” (P.17)

Language Points

1. bring sth. home to sb.---come home to sb.: to make you realize how serious, difficult, or dangerous sth. is drive/hit/hammer sth. home to sb.: to make sure that sb. Understands what you mean by saying it in an extremely direct and determined way

2. negotiate: succeed in getting past or over a difficult place

3. coo: to make soft quiet sounds, or to speak in a soft quiet way

4. anew: adv. (formal) start/begin anew: to begin a different job, start to live in a different place especially after a difficult period in your life

Rhetorical Feature

1. Self-debasement She looked at me as if I were tragically

simple-minded. (P.12) Find more examples in the text.2. Ridiculous contradiction in a particular act I’m sure he jogs extravagant distances and

plays squash and does all kinds of healthful things,but I am just as sure that he drives to each of these undertakings. (P.9)

Find more examples in the text.

•III. Post-Reading:After-class Discussion

Do you prefer cars or public means of transport if you are an urban dweller? Do you think the city you live in should promote private cars or public means of transport? Have a debate with your classmates.

1.1.约瑟夫约瑟夫 (Joseph)(Joseph)在婚礼上的古怪在婚礼上的古怪行为惹恼了新娘和她的家人。行为惹恼了新娘和她的家人。

The bride and her family were exasperated by/at Joseph’s eccentric behavior at the wedding ceremony.

2.司机顺利开过了道路的急转弯处，在公园前停下来。

The driver negotiated a sharp turn of the road and pulled up in front of the park.

3.3.玛格丽特玛格丽特 (Margaret)(Margaret)借口不习惯抛头露脸借口不习惯抛头露脸拒绝了参加记者招待会的邀请。拒绝了参加记者招待会的邀请。

Margaret declined the invitation to a news conference with the excuse that she was not habituated to public life/the limelight.

4.这次讲座使大家认识到合理安排学习、休闲娱乐时间的重要性。

The lecture brought home to us the importance of budgeting our time for study and recreation.

5.5.清晨海港边停满了准备扬帆远航的渔港。清晨海港边停满了准备扬帆远航的渔港。

Early in the morning, the port is teeming with fishing boats that are ready to unfurl the sails and get under way.

6. 看到逃犯举枪向他瞄准，侦探闪身躲到树后。 The detective dodged behind the tree the

moment the escaper raised and aimed a pistol at him.

7. 奢华铺张的生活销蚀了他的进取心，使他一事无成。

His extravagant way of living ate away his enterprise and got him nowhere.