II. Text AnalysisAn essay is usually made up of three parts: a beginning where the topic is introduced; the body part where the topic is elaborated on, and a conclusion.Besides stating the topic directly, there are many other ways to introduce a theme. In this text, an anecdote or an incident is used. The author of Text A, Unit 6, Book 1 (What Animals Really Think) introduces his topic by posing a question: "Do animals all have thoughts, what we call consciousness?" Text B, Unit 3, Book 1 (How to Make Sense out of Science) begins by quoting newspaper headlines:"New Drugs Kill CancerDevastation by El Nino -- a Warning6:30 p.m. October 26, 2028: Could This Be the Deadline for the Apocalypse?"Text B of this unit, Children and Money, begins with an imagined argument between a child and his parent over the control of pocket money. Discover other forms of introduction as you read on. However, the more important point is that you should learn to vary your own writing by adopting various types of topic introduction.Without a conclusion, an essay lacks a sense of completeness. A conclusion may be a restatement of the main points previously mentioned, a proposed solution, a quotation from some book or person, a prediction of future developments, a suggestion for further study, etc. Text B, Unit 3, Book 1 ends by giving a simile, comparing scientific research to mountain climbing, "a process filled with disappointments and reverses, but somehow we keep moving ahead." In this text, Howard Gardner makes a suggestion in the form of a question.III. Cultural Notes1. Education in the West: There is no common agreement in the West concerning the best method of education. A variety of views can be found among parents, teachers and students. Indeed, it might be argued that it is this very existence of contending points of view that is characteristic of Western education. This can be seen as far back as in the work of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates,who encouraged his students to question everything, even their most fundamental beliefs. Yet even then there was no general agreement that this was the best way to teach. Socrates, after all, was condemned to death by his fellow citizens for corrupting the morals of the young by his way of teaching. Many later periods of Western history were no more tolerant of encouraging students to challenge traditional beliefs: Darwin's theory of evolution, for example, was for a time banned from schools in some American states on the grounds of religious belief.Much of the current debate over education surrounds the extent to which learning should be teacher-based or student-based.Which of the two should decide what should be learned, how it should be learned, and when it should be learned? Comparing Western and Asian methods of learning it is generally true that Western methods are more student-centered, expecting students to discover things forthemselves rather than relying on their teachers to tell them. An extreme version of the student-centered approach can be seen at Summerhill, a school in England established by the educationalist A.S. Neill. There children have complete freedom to decide what they are going to learn and which lessons they will attend. If they wish they need not attend any at all. Mainstream education in England is far more strict, demanding that children attend lessons and follow a national curriculum. This curriculum and the importance of achieving good exam results tend to reinforce a more teacher-centered approach, as both teachers and students find the pressure of time, leaves less opportunity for an exploratory approach to learning.The extent to which learning is teacher-centered or student-centered also depends on differences between subjects. In recent years, for example, there has been a trend in the teaching of mathematics in school classrooms in England away from having pupils work on their own or in small groups back towards a more traditional approach, with the teacher guiding the entire class Step-by-step through a lesson. This followed research that suggested that, as far as maths was concerned, a more teacher-centered method was more effective.2. Standing on the shoulders of giants: a well-known phrase, frequently employed by inventors to express modesty about their achievements. The suggestion is that while they have been able to see further than those who came before them, it is not because they themselves are intellectual giants. Rather it is because they have been able to build upon the accumulated discoveries of their great predecessors.IV. Language Study1. attach v.:fasten or join (one thing to another) (used in thepattern: attach sth. to sth.)Examples: We can measure wind speed by attaching a windmeter to a kite and sending it up into the air.Attached to this letter you will find a copy of theagreement.2. not in the least: not at allExamples: I am not in the least touched by this kind of beauty.Ann didn't seem in the least concerned about herfamily.3. find one's way: reach a destination naturally; arrive atExamples: Shanghai is not an easy city to find your wayaround.Drunk as he was, Peter still found his way home. 4. phenomenon:(pl. phenomena) sth. that happens or exists andthat can be seen or experiencedExamples: Stress-related illness is a common phenomenon inbig cities.Thunder and lightening are natural phenomena. 5. initial: of or at the beginning, first (adj., used only before n.)Examples: If a car suddenly pulls out in front of you, yourinitial reaction may include fear and anger.Their initial burst of enthusiasm died down whenthey realized how much work the job involved. desirableadj worth having; to be wished for 【~ (that...)】a desirable residence, solution 称心的住所、解决方法It is most desirable that they should both come. 他们两人都来, 这最好不过了.n. v. desireCf. desirous渴望的; desired被要求做的Ex. 填空It is most desirable that he should attend the conference. Everybody is desirous of success [to succeed].6. assist v. help (used in the following patterns:assist sb. with sth. 帮助某人[做某事]assist sb. to do sth. 帮助某人[做某事]assist sb. in doing sth. 帮助某人[做某事].)Examples: The college student decided to assist the boy with his study.The professor was assisting his students toprepare their papers.We all assisted him in preparing their papers.7. somewhat adv.to some degree, a little, slightlyExamples: Conditions in the village have improved somewhat since November."Are you concerned about your exam results?""Somewhat."8. await v. (fml) wait forAwait is a fairly common word in formal writing, but you donot usually use it in conversation. Instead you use"wait for."Examples: We must await the results of field studies yet tocome.After I sent the letter asking for a job, I had nothingto do but await the answer.9. on occasion:now and thenExamples: Steve spent almost all his time doing his research,but,on occasion,he would take his son to see afilm.on one occasion曾经, 有一个时候on several occasions 屡次, 好几次on this occasion / on the occasion of … 在...的时候, 值此之际take/seize (the) occasion to do….抓住(做...)的好时机, 乘机.. 10. neglect v. give too little attention or care to忽视, 疏忽, 漏做Examples: The manager was accused of neglecting his duties.Don't neglect to lock the door.Compare.: ignore: pay no attention to sb./sth, on purpose, oras if sth. has not happened, 忽视, 不理睬; 抹煞(建议)Example: I greeted her, but she just ignored me and walkedon.I tried to tell her but she ignored me.11. relevant (to) : directly connected with the subject (oppositeirrelevant)Examples: The debate is closely relevant to their daily lives.I shall go to borrow all the relevant books from theschool library for my term paper12. exception: sb./sth, that a comment or statement does not apply toExamples: Normally, parents aren't allowed to sit in on theclasses, but in your case we can make anexception.All the students in this class, with one or twoexceptions, support the educational reforms.Without exception all the students wanted to leaveschool and start work.When you are mentioning an exception, you often use theexpression "with the exception of'.Example: We all went to see the film, with the exception ofOtto, who complained of feeling unwell.13. on one's own:1) without anyone's help 独立地, 主动地Examples: You needn't give me any help. I am able to manageon my own.Your child can do the work on her own.2) alone 独自地,I'd rather not go to dance on my own.I do wishyou'd come with me.14. in due course: at the proper time; eventually及时地, 在适当时Examples: Your book will be published in due course.Be patient. You'll get your promotion in due course.15. principal adj.: (rather frei) main, chief n. 负责人, 首长,校长adj. 主要的, 首要的Examples: Their principal concern / interest is to earn enoughmoney to send their children to school.n. The principal of a school is the person incharge of it.Example: Complaints from the students began arriving at theprincipal's office.Cf.: principle n. 法则, 原则, 原理They agree to the plan in principle.16. make up for: repay with sth. good, compensate forExamples: I lose much time last term, but I'm certainlymaking up for lost time now.Her husband bought her a present to make up forquarreling with her the day before.17. in retrospect: on evaluating the past; upon reflection回顾/回顾往事/检讨过去Examples: The young man knew in retrospect that he shouldhave married his first love Emily.In retrospect, I wish that I had chosen biology asmy major.18. extreme: adj. very greatExample: with extreme caution, extreme sports,.n. the furthest possible limit, an extreme degreeExample: I know I always say that you eat too much, butthere is no need to go to the other extreme.(phrase: go to extremes: do sth. so much, state sth. so strongly, that people consider your actions unacceptable and unreasonable19. so much so that: to such an extentExamples: Some parents spoil their children, so much so thatthey never ask them to do any studying.20. continual adj.happening again and again, repeated不停的；连续的，总是的一般指多次重复的动作，指中间有间断，但又持续很久，好像没有停止的意味Examples: He hates these continual arguments.The dog's continual barking disturbed the wholeneighborhood.Cf.: continuous adj.继续的；连续的；延伸的指中间没有间断continuous rain all day 下了一整天的雨3 days' continuous flight 连续三天的飞行Ex.Please stop your continual questions.The brain needs a continuous supply of blood.21. apply v . 1) be relevant (to sb./sth.); have an effect (used in thepattern apply to sb./sth.)Examples: The advice given by the professor only applies tosome of the college students.2) write a letter or fill in a form in order to askformally for sth. (used in the pattern: apply to sb.for sth., apply to do sth.)Examples: He applied to the company for the position of a sales manager.We went to the sports club so often that we decidedthat we might as well apply to join.22. contrast pare (two people or things) so thatdifferences are made clear (used in the pattern: contrastA and/with B)Examples: Carrie contrasted the situation then with the present crisis.Students were asked to contrast Ernest Hemingwaywith Mark Twain.n. action of contrastingExamples: I was always reading when I was a kid, but my daughter, in contrast, just watches TV all day.In contrast to the hot days, the nights are bitterlycold.23. on the one hand ... on the other hand:to introduce twocontrasting circumstancesExamples: On the one hand her temper was likely to causetrouble, but on the other hand we needed herexpertise.On the one hand,we have good reason to feelpleased with our progress. On the other hand, wemustn't get complacent.24. assuming (that): = ifYou use assuming that when you are considering a possible situation or event, so that you can think about the consequences.Examples: Assuming that this painting really is a Van Gogh, how much do you think it's worth?25. valid:（法律上）有效的, 有根据的, 正当的, 正确的Examples: Scientific theories must be backed up with validevidence.The contract is valid for three months.Compare: efficient有效的；效率高的: an efficient secretary/ methods/ machineeffective有效果的, 有作用的,生效的, 得力的The medicine is an effective cure for a headache.take effective measures采取有效措施effective forces 实有战斗兵力26. worthwhile:adj. 值得出力的, 值得做的; 值得花时间[精力]的worth doing, worth the trouble taken Examples: It is worth while to discuss [discussing] the problem.It is a worthwhile job.Compare: worth 和worthy有价值的, 值得的,worth + n/ doing : How much is this bicycle worth?It's worth ￡50.The book isn't worth reading.of great worth价值很高的of little worth 价值很少的of no worth没有价值的The painting is of great worth.worthy of n/ doing (to be done):He is worthy of our praise.This book is worthy of being read [to be read].a worthy cause 正义的事业 a worthy life 有价值的生活a worthy man 高尚的/可敬的人a worthy opponent 劲敌(相称的)a worthy gentleman 可敬的先生Ex. 填空Her achievements are worthy of the highest praise.It is a worthwhile job.It isn’t worthwhile waiting for him.改错：F: The place is not worth visiting it.F: The place is worthwhile visiting.T: The place is not worth visiting.T：Visiting the place is worthwhile.27. superior adj. 优良的/ 优势的, 胜过...的(to; in); 超越... 的(to)Examples: They are superior in numbers.This machine is superior to that machine in manyrespects.Compare inferior: (to; in); adj.下级的, 差的, 次的, 自卑的His work is inferior to mine in many respects.The products are inferior to t he sample.Notes to Text A:reflect on:1.To throw or bend back (light, for example) from asurface.Example: A mirror reflects a picture of you.2.reflect on(回忆/仔细考虑): To form or express carefullyconsidered thoughts about（常与on, upon连用）: Example: He reflects on his country's place in the world .Approach:1.vt. To come near:2.vt. work at, cope withExample: We approached the museum.approach a problem from different angles 3.n. method:Example: a new approach to the problem18-month-old:Example: the five-year-plana ten-pound baby,a 1000-word reporttelling lesson: Having force and producing a striking effect. 有力的,生动的,有效的Example: the most telling passages in that novelHistory is the most telling witness.turn in: return, hand in (交还; 上缴)fit into To make suitable; adapt, To equip;:使适合, 安装；Example: These shoes fit me.fit a handle on a doorwould do (expresses a habit or tendency in the past)Example: He would get up late those days.Whenever he had time he would come over to see me. shed/throw light on: make sth clear, state clearly 使清楚，阐明Example: The investigation ~ the cause of the accident.may well : most likely, 完全/很可能Example: You may well say so.When you see him you may well notrecognize him.may/might as well不妨，还是…的好Example: There is nothing to do here, I might as well go home.succeed in doing: be successful in doingExample: They succeeded in completing the project on time.so/as long as: if, on condition that, provided that Example: You can use the book ~ you keep it clean.--whether it be placing a key in a key slot, drawing a hen or making up for a misdeed…(line 52-53)be-型虚拟的一种，意为“不管（不论）是…还是…”，表示让步，其省略结构为be it…, be he… or…等，必须倒装。