(共45张PPT)
Unit 2
Period 1
Starting out & Understanding ideas
课 堂 学 习
Watch the video and answer the questions.
1
Starting out
1 What is life compared to in this story
2 What do rocks, pebbles, sand and tea represent
3 What are the “rocks” in your life How much time do you spend on “rocks”, “pebbles”, “sand” and “tea”
Life is compared to a jar.
1 What is life compared to in this story
3 What are the “rocks” in your life How much time do you spend on “rocks”, “pebbles”, “sand” and “tea”
2 What do rocks, pebbles, sand and tea represent
Rocks represent the most important things in our life. Pebbles represent the other important things we need to keep our life going. Sand represents all the little things in life. Tea represents the time when we can have a cup of tea and a talk with a good friend.
Look at the pictures and choose the things that can be used as metaphors for life. Give your reasons.
2
Talk with your partners about what else can life be compared to and the different meaning of our life.
Now let’s have a look at how the two men in the book Tuesdays with Morrie think about life.
课 前 导 入
Understanding ideas
Have you ever read the following book Try to describe it.
MITCH ALBOM is an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold more than 40 million copies worldwide; have been published in 49 territories and in 47 languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.
Introduction of the author
1
Read the reviews on the back cover of the book, Tuesdays with Morrie, and answer the questions.
1. What metaphor for life is used in the reviews
Life is compared to a journey in the reviews.
2. When people are described as “watching you kindly from further along the way”, what does this mean
It means these people are kind and have more experiences.
2
Read the passage and decide how many stars the four people would give the book (five being the highest rating). Give your reasons.
Tuesdays with Morrie
1Despite being a sports journalist with a successful career ahead of him, Mitch Albom feels that there is something missing from his life. This all changes when he is reunited with his favourite college professor, Morrie Schwartz. On discovering that Morrie is being weakened by a severe illness, Mitch starts visiting him at his house on Tuesdays. The weekly conversations between Mitch and Morrie result in a series of lessons on the meaning of life and how best to live it.
2Arthur K
This book is about dying, but it is not pessimistic. Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise to find that this book is filled with joy and hope. Morrie’s bravery towards the end of his life is inspirational and has made me value my own life more. In fact, far from being a book about death, it’s a book about life. As Morrie says, “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” As Morrie anticipates his own death, he observes everything as though through new eyes-the things around him seem more beautiful than ever before and hold new meanings. From his window, he watches each season change, knowing it could be his last. This encourages us to appreciate what we have, and to make the most of each day.
3Amy Wang
I think this book should be on all school reading lists. After finishing it, I feel I have been given a deeper insight into the world and can see things from a different point of view. On the 11th Tuesday, Morrie explains that “...the big things-how we think, what we value-those you must choose yourself. You can’t let anyone-or any society-determine those for you”. While we are living, we tend to get distracted by unimportant things, such as gathering material possessions. I think it’s important for young people to know that making a lot of money won’t always make them happy, or that looking different doesn’t make a person abnormal! It’s up to us to find out what is important in our lives and establish our own values.
Morrie says that most people "seem half-asleep", even when they' re doing things they think are important. Reading this book made me feel as if I'd been woken up from a long sleep and finally opened my eyes to the world!
4Marty
Despite its widespread recognition, my first impression was that Tuesdays with Morrie is just made up of a collection of over-emotional thoughts and messages, many of which are repeated. But thinking back, it did teach me a lesson or two.The book made me stop and think about how much I am influenced by popular culture and the importance of creating my own values based on love and open communication. Although it isn’t my favourite book. I’d still recommend that people read it- after all, it is something that’s a bit different!
5Vivian
Warning! A box of tissues will be needed to get through this book! Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship made me think about my life and all the good friends that I’ve lost touch with along the way. It made me realise just how much I miss them.
I guess that’s one of the lessons of the book-always keep in touch with the good people you meet as you go through life. Like Mitch, Morrie makes you aware that you want to die feeling that you have lived life to the full, knowing that you are loved and have loved others as much as you could. As Morrie’s favourite poet Auden said, “Love each other or perish.”
Possible answers:
Arthur K 4 stars
Reasons: Para 2: Morrie’s bravery towards the end of his life is inspirational and has made me value my own life more.
Amy Wang 5 stars
Reasons: Para 3: I think this book should be on all school reading lists. After finishing it, I feel I have been given a deeper insight into the world and can see things from a different point of view.
Marty 3 stars
Reasons: Para 4: Although it isn’t my favourite book, I’d still recommend that people read it — after all, it is something that’s a bit different!
Vivian 5 stars
Reasons: Para 5: Warning! A box of tissues will be needed to get through this book! Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship made me think about my life and all the good friends that I’ve lost touch with along the way. It made me realise just how much I miss them.
Choose the topics of the book mentioned in the passage and find the evidence.
3
power
joy and hope
art
friendship
love
death
values
sorrow
Evidence:
Joy & hope, death
This book is about dying, but it is not pessimistic. Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise to find that this book is filled with joy and hope.
Values
It’s up to us to find out what is important in our lives and establish our values.
The book made me stop and think about how much I am influenced by popular culture and the importance of creating my own values based on love and open communication.
friendship
Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship made me think about my life and all the good friends that I’ve lost touch with along the way. It made me realize just how much I miss them.
love
Para. 1
The introduction to Tuesdays with Morrie
Tuesdays with Morrie is about the weekly conversations between Mitch and Morrie.
Para. 2
Arthur K’s comments on the book
Arthur K found the book filled with joy and hope.
Do you know the structure of this passage
Para. 3
Amy wang’s comments on the book
Amy wang felt herself given a deeper insight into the world.
Para. 4
Amy wang’s comments on the book
Amy wang felt herself given a deeper insight into the world.
Para. 5
Vivian’s comments on the book
Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship made Vivian think about her life and all the good friends.
4
Organise information from the passage and complete the table.
What they liked or disliked about the book What lessons they learnt
It was a pleasant surprise to find that 1____________________________________. As people learn how to die, 2 ___________________ He was encouraged to
3 ___________________ and make the most of each day.
appreciate what he had
they learn how to live
this book is filled with joy
and hope
What they liked or disliked about the book What lessons they learnt
People should choose 6 _____________________________ themselves. She felt as if she had been woken up from a long sleep and finally 7___________________
____________________.
all school reading lists
a deeper insight into the world
how they think, what they value
opened her eyes to the world
She thinks the book should be on 4_____________________.
And she felt she was given
5__________________________.
What they liked or disliked about the book What lessons they learnt
His first impression was that the book is just 8__________ ________________________________________________________________________. Nonetheless, he would recommend it because 9______________________________________________ ________________________. The book made him stop and think about 10 ______________
__________________________
and the importance of 11 __________________________
__________________________.
made up of
a collection of over-emotional thoughts and messages, many of which are repeated
it taught him a lesson or two and is something that’s a bit different
how much he was influenced by popular culture
creating his own values based on love and open communication
What they liked or disliked about the book What lessons they learnt
The book made her cry because Morrie’s reflections on 12._________________ made her think about 13. ____________________________________________ ______________________. People should always keep in touch 14.___________________
____________________________. She was aware that people want to 15. _________________________
____________________________, knowing that 16. ____________
____________________________________________________.
love and friendship
her life and all the good friends that she has lost touch with along the way
with the good people they meet as they go through life
die feeling that they have lived life to the full
they are loved and have loved others as much as they could
Now go online to find out what other comments have been made on this book. Do these comments make you want to read the book Why or why not
I haven’t seen such a moving book for a long time. There’s no drama, no scheming, no heartache. It’s just a dying man who is telling how to live a simple but happy life.
I’m eager to read the book after reading the comments and hope to get something special from it.
Comments on Tuesdays with Morrie:
This is the third edition of the book that I have read. I have recommended it to countless people, even if I do not know how much I can be changed by him.
This is a book that takes a lifetime to read.
1 According to Morrie, what are “the big things” in life
According to Morrie, “the big things” in life are how we think and what we value.
2 What is your understanding of Auden’s words: “Love each other or perish”
One possible answer:
Love is supremely important. If we don’t have the support and love from others or we are not loved and cared in our life, actually we don’t have much at all.
Think & Share
3 How do you usually learn lessons about life Through experience or learning from other people Give an example.
I usually learn lessons about life both through experience and from other people. For example, I have learnt the importance of persistence through my experience of learning English; I have also learnt to share joy and sorrow with others from my best friend.
4 Can you critically evaluate other people’s opinions and make your own judgments
Sometimes I think I can critically evaluate other people’s opinion. I will see things in an open-minded way and examine others’ opinions from as many angles as possible. Besides, I will approach a problem or situation rationally, analyze all known information and make judgments based on fact or evidence.
Think & Share
1.Despite being a sports journalist with a successful career ahead of him, Mitch Albom feels that there is something missing from with his life.
米奇 阿尔博姆是一位前途光明的体育新闻记者,可他总觉得生活里少了些什么。
(1) ahead of 在……前面
e.g. I saw a man in a blue jacket thirty yards ahead of me.
我看见在我前面30码处有一个穿蓝色夹克的男人。
(2) Despite being...him, 现在分词短语作让步状语;
that there is...with his life. 宾语从句。
Language points
2. On discovering that Morrie is being weakened by a severe illness, Mitch starts visiting him at his house on Tuesdays.
(1) weaken v. (使)虚弱,衰弱;减弱;削弱
e.g. The team has been weakened by injury.
这个队因伤实力减弱。
【词汇拓展】
adj:weak 反义词:strengthen
(2) is being weakened 是现在进行时的被动语态,表示现阶段或目前这段时间正在进行或发生的被动动作。
3. The weekly conversations between Mitch and Morrie result in a series of lessons on the meaning of life and how best to live it.
米奇和莫里每周的谈话最终成为一堂堂课,探讨人生意义和如何更好地生活。
(1) result in 导致
e.g. Damage may result in stunted growth and sometimes death of the plant.
损害会导致植物生长受阻,有时还会导致死亡。
【词汇拓展】
result from 起因于;由……造成
(2) on在句中表示“关于……”。
4. This book is about dying, but it is not pessimistic.
虽然这本书谈论的是死亡,但并不悲观。
pessimistic adj. 悲观的;悲观主义的
e.g. I think you’re being far too pessimistic.
我觉得你过于悲观了。
【词汇拓展】
a pessimistic view of life 对人生悲观的看法
be pessimistic about 对于……感到悲观
反义词:optimistic adj. 乐观的;乐观主义的
5. Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise to find that this book is filled with joy and hope.
书里洋溢着欢乐和希望,很是让人惊喜。
be filled with 充满……
e.g. The air is filled with birdsong.
处处闻啼鸟。
6. In fact, far from being a book about death, it’s a book about life.
Paraphrase:Actually, it is not a book about death at all. It’s a book about life.
far from sth的含义及用法(used to say that something very different is true or happens,意为“远非,完全不……”)。
e.g. Far from helping the situation, you’ve just made it worse.
你非但于事无补,反而把事情弄得更糟了。
7. As Morrie anticipates his own death, he observes everything as though through new eyes-the things around him seem more beautiful than ever before and hold new meanings.
到了弥留之际,莫里开始用新的眼光看待周围的一切事物——一切都显得更加美好,也有了新的意义。
(1) anticipate v. 预料;预期
e.g. We anticipate that sales will rise next year.
我们预料明年销售量将会增加。
(2) observe sth through sth 通过……观察……
(3) As Morrie ...death 时间状语从句
8. After finishing it,I feel I have been given a deeper insight into the world and can see things from a different point of view.
insight意为“洞悉;深入了解;深刻见解”。
e.g. The book gives us new insights into life in Mexico.
这本书使我们对在墨西哥的生活有了新的深刻了解。
9. While we are living, we tend to get distracted by unimportant things, such as gathering material possessions.
在我们活着的时候,我们往往会被不重要的事物分散注意力,例如积累物质财富。
(1) tend to do sth 倾向于做某事
(2) get distracted by 被……分心
(3) possession n. 财产;拥有
take possession of 占有
10. I think it’s important for young people to know that making a lot of money won’t always make them happy, or that looking different doesn’t make a person abnormal!
(1) to know...abnormal 真正宾语;
that making...happy, or that...abnormal宾语从句
(2) make sb. +adj 使某人怎么样
11. It’s up to us to find out what is important in our lives and establish our own values. 我们应该靠自己去弄清楚生命中什么才是最重要的,并树立我们自己的价值观。
It’s up to sb to do sth 做某事取决于某人
12. Reading this book made me feel as if I’d been woken up from a long sleep and finally opened my eyes to the world!
阅读这本书仿佛将我从长觉中唤醒了,让我终于开始睁眼看世界!
(1) wake up 醒来
(2) as if ...to the world 宾语从句
13. Despite its widespread recognition, my first impression was that Tuesdays with Morrie is just made up of a collection of over-emotional thoughts and messages, many of which are repeated.
尽管《相约星期二》这本书得到了广泛的认可,但是我的第一印象是,它只是传达了过于感性的思想和信息,其中有很多是重复的。
(1) Despite ...recognition介词短语作让步状语;
that Tuesdays with Morrie...messages 表语从句;
many of which are repeated定语从句
(2) recognition n. 承认,认可;认出,识别
【词汇拓展】
beyond/out of recognition 使人认不出来
recognise...as/to be... 承认/公认……是……
It’s generally recognised that... 人们公认……
(3) be made up of 由……组成
14. But thinking it back, it did teach me a lesson or two.
不过现在回想起来,这本书确实给了我一两条经验。
(1) think back 回想起
(2) teach sb. a lesson 给某人经验、教训。
(3) did在句中起强调作用
15. The book made me stop and think about how much I am influenced by popular culture and the importance of creating my own values based on love and open communication.
它能让我停下来思考流行文化对我的影响,以及在爱与开放式沟通的基础上树立自己的价值观有多么重要。
(1) think about 考虑
(2) be influenced by 被……影响
(3) base on 基于……
16. Although it isn’t my favourite book, I’d still recommend that people read it-after all, it is something that’s a bit different!
虽然这不是我最爱的一本书,但我还是要推荐大家读一读,毕竟它有与众不同的地方!
(1) that people read it 宾语从句
that’s a bit different 定语从句修饰something
(2) recommend sth to sb 向某人推荐某物
(3) after all 毕竟
17. A box of tissues will be needed to get through this book!
(1) 本句中提到阅读这本书需要a box of tissues(一盒纸巾),是指书的内容令人非常感动。
(2) get through意为“完成(工作),处理(事情)”。
e.g. Let’s start!There is a lot to get through.
咱们开始吧!有很多事要处理呢。
18. Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship made me think about my life and all the good friends that I’ve lost touch with along the way.
莫里对于爱和友谊的思考,使我想起了自己的生活,想起一路走来失去联系的那些好友。
(1) that I’ve lost touch with along the way 定语从句修饰good friends
(2) 名词短语Morrie’s reflections on love and friendship 作主语,动词made作谓语。
(3) make sb. do sth.
e.g. John’s reassuring comments made feel better.
John安慰的话语使我感觉好多了。
19. I guess that’s one of the lessons of the book -always keep in touch with the good people you meet as you go through life.
在人生旅途中,要和你遇到的优秀的人时常保持联系,这或许就是此书想传达给我们的一条经验吧。
(1) you meet 定语从句;as you go through life时间状语从句
(2) keep in touch with 保持联系
e.g. I can keep in touch with everyone through Facebook.
我可以通过 Facebook 和每个人保持联系。
20. Like Mitch, Morrie makes you aware that you want to die feeling that you have lived life to the full, knowing that you are loved and have loved others as much as you could.
that you want to die feeling 宾语从句;that you have lived life to the full 宾语从句;knowing that...as you could 现在分词作伴随状语
1. Give your comments on “Tuesday on Morrie” .
2. Use a metaphor to compare your life.(共24张PPT)
Unit 2
Period 5
Writing & Presenting ideas
新 课 导 入
Do you know how to write a summary
课 堂 学 习
The Blue Bird is a six-act fairy play written by Maurice Maeterlinck. It’s a story about Tyltyl and Mytyl’s adventures as they search for the Blue Bird of Happiness. As the children of a poor woodcutter, they are secretly observing a party at the home of their wealthy landlords when a fairy appears. She uses a magic diamond to bring animals (their dog and cat), objects (sugar and bread) and elements (light, fire, water) in their home to life. Together, they set off on a dangerous journey in search of the Blue Bird.
Read the passage for the first time, find out what it is about.
Tyltyl and Mytyl go to many magical places. They encounter numerous characters such as their departed grandparents, trees that hate mankind, the greedy and ugly Luxuries, and children waiting to be born. Although they try very hard to find the Blue Bird, the birds they find either change colour or die. The children return home at last, and Tyltyl discovers the Blue Bird has been there all the time! He gives the bird to the neighbour’s little girl, curing her illness. But in the end, the bird flies away, and Tyltyl asks the audience to search for it. The central idea of the play is that happiness is to be found not in luxuries such as wealth, but in simple things that are found in family life, and in acts of friendship and kindness.
Now find out what it is about.
It is a summary of the play—The Blue Bird
课 堂 学 习
1
Read the summary of The Blue Bird and answer the questions.
The Blue Bird is a six-act fairy play written by Maurice Maeterlinck. It’s a story about Tyltyl and Mytyl’s adventures as they search for the Blue Bird of Happiness. As the children of a poor woodcutter, they are secretly observing a party at the home of their wealthy landlords when a fairy appears. She uses a magic diamond to bring animals (their dog and cat), objects (sugar and bread) and elements (light, fire, water) in their home to life. Together, they set off on a dangerous journey in search of the Blue Bird.
Tyltyl and Mytyl go to many magical places. They encounter numerous characters such as their departed grandparents, trees that hate mankind, the greedy and ugly Luxuries, and children waiting to be born. Although they try very hard to find the Blue Bird, the birds they find either change colour or die. The children return home at last, and Tyltyl discovers the Blue Bird has been there all the time! He gives the bird to the neighbour’s little girl, curing her illness. But in the end, the bird flies away, and Tyltyl asks the audience to search for it. The central idea of the play is that happiness is to be found not in luxuries such as wealth, but in simple things that are found in family life, and in acts of friendship and kindness.
1 Which paragraph introduces the main characters, setting and start of the play
2 What is the climax of the play
3 What is the theme of the play
The first paragraph.
The climax of the play happens when Tyltyl discovers the Blue Bird has been there in his home all the time.
The theme of the play is that happiness is to be found not in luxuries, but in simple things, such as family life, acts of friendship and kindness.
Learning to learn
When writing a summary of a long story, your purpose is to convey the basic ideas of the original: what is it about and what does the author want to communicate First, identify the title and author of the piece. Then use your own words to describe relevant details that lead to the climax of the story. State the central idea of the story but don’t give your own opinion of it. A good summary needs to be concise, precise and to the point.
Beginning
Main Body
identify the title and author of the piece
describe relevant details that lead to the climax of the story
Conclusion
state the central idea of the story
What does a summary usually include
a summary
2
Choose another play you have read and write a summary of it. Organise your ideas by completing the table.
Title and author of the play
Main character(s)
Start of the play
The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare
Bassanio; Antonio; Shylock; Portia
Bassanio, a noble but penniless Venetian, asks his friend Antonio for a loan so that Bassanio can undertake a journey to woo Portia. Antonio borrows money from Shylock in order to be able to assist Bassanio. However, if the loan cannot be repaid in time, Antonio will give Shylock a pound of flesh.
Climax
Conclusion
News arrives that Antonio’s ships have been lost at sea. Unable to get his money back, Shylock attempts to use justice to enforce a terrible revenge on Antonio: he demands his pound of flesh.
Shylock’s revengeful plan is foiled by Portia, who turns the tables on Shylock by an argument: he must take flesh only, and Shylock must die if any blood is spilled. Thus, the contract is cancelled. The play ends with the news that, in fact, some of Antonio’s ships have arrived safely.
Now write your summary.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
Work in pairs. Make improvements to each other’s summaries and share them with the class.
Now think about how well you used concise and precise language to summarise the play and what you could do to improve.
The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s plays. Bassanio, a noble but penniless Venetian, asks his friend Antonio for a loan so that Bassanio can undertake a journey to woo Portia. Antonio, whose money is invested in foreign ventures, borrows money from Shylock in order to be able to assist Bassanio. However, if the loan cannot be repaid in time, Antonio will give Shylock a pound of flesh.
Sample:
News arrives that Antonio’s ships have been lost at sea. Unable to get his money back, Shylock attempts to use justice to enforce a terrible revenge on Antonio: he demands his pound of flesh. Shylock’s revengeful plan is foiled by Portia, who turns the tables on Shylock by an argument: he must take flesh only, and Shylock must die if any blood is spilled. Thus, the contract is cancelled. The play ends with the news that, in fact, some of Antonio’s ships have arrived safely.
This play, in my opinion, focuses on several main themes, such as the strong friendship between Bassanio and Antonio, the strength of women’s character of overcoming the restraints set by society of that time, and so on.
Look at the book covers and answer the questions.
1 What do you know about these works
Share what you know with the class.
2 What life lessons can you learn from them
Do more research if necessary.
4
【背景知识】
1. Oliver Tivist《雾都孤儿》: Oliver Tiwist is one of Charles Dickens’s best-known works. It was the first of the author’s works to realistically describe the impoverished London underworld and to illustrate his belief that poverty leads to crime. It has been adapted for film several times.
2. The Analects《论语》: The Analects is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his followers. It was probably compiled by the succeeding generations of Confucius followers.
3. King Lear《李尔王》: King Lear is one of the tragedies written by William Shakespeare. It depicts the aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, allotting each a portion in proportion to her declaration of love.
4. Madame Curie:A Biograpby《居里夫人传》: Madame Curie:A Biography is a book about Madame Curie written by Eve Curie. It tells readers in detail the life of Madame Curie. Madame Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize,and she was the only woman to win the award in two different fields.
5
Think of another literary work from which you have learnt something and complete the table.
Book Name
Author
Genre
Target Audience
The Analects of Confucius
Disciples(门徒) of Confucius
Quotations 语录
someone interested in Confucian culture
General information
Main idea/ Gist
Lesson(s) in the work
It is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his followers. It was probably compiled by the succeeding generations of Confucius followers.
How to learn How to treat others How to be a good leader
6
Work in groups. Talk about the work you have chosen.
7
Decide on a literary work you’d like to share with the class and prepare a presentation about it. Consider the following:
1 the structure of your presentation
2 useful words, expressions and structures
Give your presentation to the class.
Sample:
Oliver Twist, or, the Parish Boy’s Progress is Charles Dickens’s second novel, and was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and released as a three-volume book in 1838, before the serialisation ended. The story centres on orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the “Artful Dodger”, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin. With the help of a group of kind people, Oliver was able to know who he was and gain happiness afterwards.
1. What should be included in a summary of a play
2. Can you introduce another book to your class (共32张PPT)
Unit 2
Period 4
Reading
新 课 导 入
Watch the video about the introduction to Maurice Maeterlinck and answer the questions.
1. What are the main literary works of Maurice Maeterlinck
2. When was the play The Blue Bird published
3. What is Maurice Maeterlinck honored as
1. What are the main literary works of Maurice Maeterlinck
Christèle BARBIER, Pelléas and Mélisande, The Blue Bird and so on.
2. When was the play The Blue Bird published
In 1908.
3. What is Maurice Maeterlinck honored as
He is honored as “the Shakespeare of Belgium”.
课 堂 学 习
1
Read the introduction to The Blue Bird and answer the questions.
The Blue Bird is a 1908 play by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949), winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911. Maeterlinck wrote many plays, but The Blue Bird was the most popular and has been widely translated and adapted all over the world. Performed in 1921 in Shanghai by Chinese students, it was the first foreign play staged in China.
The Blue Bird tells the tale of brother and sister, Tyltyl and Mytyl, as they are sent by a fairy to search for the Blue Bird of Happiness. The children’s adventure takes them through many magical places before they at last find the Blue Bird in a most unexpected place.
1 Do you know the symbolic meaning of the Blue Bird in Chinese and Western cultures Share your understanding of the meaning with the class.
2 Where do you think the children find the Blue Bird
In Western culture the Blue Bird symbolises happiness and it brings good luck and health to people, while in Chinese culture the Blue Bird symbolises the messenger.
The children find the Blue Bird in a most unexpected place: perhaps at their home or neighbourhood.
Now read the play and check your answers.
ACT IV
Tyltyl and Mytyl have been searching for the Blue Bird in the Land of Memory, the Palace of Night and the Forest. Now, they have arrived at the Palace of Happiness.
SCENE II. ——The Palace of Happiness.
(A troop of HAPPINESSES rush into the hall, singing, “There they are! They see us!” They dance merrily around the CHILDREN, then the one who appears to be the chief goes up to TYLTYL with hand outstretched.)
THE HAPPINESS How do you do, Tyltyl
TYLTYL Who are you
THE HAPPINESS Don’t you recognise me
YLTYL (a little embarrassed) Why, no...I don't remember seeing any of you.
(All the other HAPPINESSES burst out laughing.)Why, we are the only things you do know! We are always around you! We eat, drink, wake up, breathe and live with you!
TYLTYL Oh... But I should like to know what your names are...
THE HAPPINESS I am the chief of the Happinesses of your home: and all these are the other Happinesses that live there.
TYLTYL Then there are Happinesses in my home
(All the HAPPINESSES burst out laughing.)
THE HAPPINESS You heard him! Are there Happinesses in his home! Why, it is crammed with Happinesses! Let me introduce myself first the Happiness of Being Well. I am not the prettiest, but I am the most important. This is the Happiness of Pure Air, who is almost transparent. Here is the Happiness of Loving One’s Parents. Here are the Happiness of the Blue Sky, who, of course is dressed in blue, and the Happiness of the Forest: you will see him every time you go to the window.
TTWTL Excuse me, but do you know where the Blue Bird is
THE HAPPINESS He doesn't know where the Blue Bird is!(All the HAPPINESSES OF THE HOME burst out laughing.)
TTLITIL (vexed) No, I do not know. Theres nothing to laugh at (Fresh bursts of laughter.)
THE HAPPNESS He doesn’t know: well, what do you expect He is no more absurd than the majority of men....
ACT VI
Unable to find the Blue Bird anywhere, the children say goodbye to their magical friends and return home. While they are trying to tell their parents about their adventures, their neighbour comes in. Her sick daughter has wanted Tyltyl’s pet bird for a long time, but until now he has been reluctant to give it to her.
SCENE II. ——The Awakening
(Enter NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT, a little old woman leaning on a stick.)
MUMMYTYL How is your little girl
THENEIGHBOUR Only so-so. She can’t get up. But I know what would cure her.
MUMMYTYL Yes, I know; it’s Tyltyl’s bird. Well, Tyltyl, aren’t you going to give it at last to that poor little thing
TYLTYL My bird! Why, he’s blue! But it’s my turtle-dove! But he’s much bluer than when I went away! Why, that’s the Blue Bird we were looking for! We went so far and he was here all the time! There, Madame Berlingot, take him to your little girl.
THE NEIGHBOUR Really Straight away and for nothing How happy she will be! (Kissing TYLTYL)
...
(Later, the NEIGHBOUR enters with a little girl who carries TYLTYL’S dove in her arms.)
THE NEIGHBOUR Do you see the miracle She can run. she can dance, she can fly! (Pushing the LITTLE GIRL into TYITYL’S arms.) Come along and thank Tyltyl.
(After TYLTYL kisses the LITTLE GIRL rather awkwardly, the two children look at each other without speaking, then TYLTYL strokes the dove’s head.)
THE NEIGHBOUR Really Straight away and for nothing How happy she will be! (Kissing TYLTYL)
...
(Later, the NEIGHBOUR enters with a little gir/ who carries TYLTYL’S dove in her arms.)
THE NEIGHBOUR Do you see the miracle She can run. she can dance, she can fly! (Pushing the LITTLE GIRL into TYITYL S arms.) Come along and thank Tyltyl.
(After TYLTYL kisses the LITTLE GIRL rather awkwardly, the two children look at each other without speaking, then TYLTYL strokes the dove s head.)
TYLTYL Is he blue enough
THE LITTLL GIRL Yes, I am so pleased with him.
TYLTYLL I have seen bluer ones. But those which are quite blue, you know, do what you will, you can’t catch them.
THE LITTLL GIRL That doesn’t matter; he’s lovely.
TYLTYL Has he had anything to eat I will show you...
(He moves to take the bird from the LITTLE GIRL’S hands. She resists instinctively, and, in their hesitation, the DOVE escapes and flies away.)
THE LITTLL GIRL (with a cry of despair) He is gone!
TYLTYL Never mind. Don’t cry. I will catch him again. (Stepping to the front of the stage and addressing the audience.) If any of you should find him, would you be so very kind as to give him back to us We need him for our happiness, later on.
CURTAIN
(Adaptation from The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck)
2
Complete the notes with information from the play.
Act IV Scene II
Characters
Settings
Tyltyl, (Mytyl,) a troop of Happinesses, the Happiness
Tyltyl and Mytyl have been searching for the Blue Bird in the Land of Memory, the Palace of Night and the Forest. Now they have arrived at the Palace of Happiness. A troop of Happinesses rush into the hall and speak to them.
Plot
The children come to the Palace of Happiness and are welcomed by a troop of Happinesses. The children do not recognise them, but the Happinesses tell them that they are the only things the children know and they are all around them. Tyltyl wonders whether there are Happinesses in his home, and at this moment, all the Happinesses burst out laughing. The chief of the Happinesses tells him that his home is filled with Happinesses. The chief introduces himself to Tyltyl as the Happiness of Being Well, and then introduces him to other Happinesses: of Pure Air, of Loving One’s Parents, of the Blue Sky and of the Forest. Tyltyl just wants to ask the Happinesses one thing: the whereabouts of the Blue Bird.
Act VI Scene II
Characters
Settings
Tyltyl, (Mytyl,) Mummy Tyl, the neighbour Berlingot,
the little girl
Unable to find the Blue Bird anywhere, the children return home. While they are trying to tell their parents about their adventures, their neighbour comes in. She is asking for Tyltyl’s bird for her sick little girl.
Plot
The children return home without finding the Blue Bird.
The neighbour Berlingot, a little old woman,enters Tyltyl’s home, leaning on a stick.
Berlingot is telling Mummy Tyl that Tyltyl’s bird is the one thing that will cure her sick daughter.Tyltyl then sees that his bird is blue – much bluer than when he went away.
Tyltyl gives his bird to his neighbour.
…
The little girl comes along and thanks Tyltyl, but as Tyltyl goes to take the bird to show the little girl how to feed him, the bird flies away.
The little girl lets out a cry of despair. Tyltyl comforts her and turns to the audience. He asks the audience to return the Blue Bird if they see him, for the bird is needed for their future happiness.
Now work in groups and talk about how much you like the play. Give your reasons.
Learning to learn
The Blue Bird is a typical full-length play, which means it has several acts and each act is composed of several scenes. The whole play depicts actions that take place over a long period of time. Various characters appear in different acts and scenes, and the settings and costumes change accordingly. The running time of a full-length play can last for several hours, even days.
Think Share
1 Why cannot Tyltyl recognise any of the Happinesses
2 Are there any Happinesses in your home What are they Where else can you find them
3 What does the author want to express by making the Blue Bird fly away at the end of the play
4 What different life lessons can you learn from the two reading passages in this unit
1 Why cannot Tyltyl recognise any of the Happinesses
Because he doesn’t realise the fact that the Happinesses are all around him in his home.
2 Are there any Happinesses in your home What are they Where else can you find them
Yes, there are. They are Happiness of being well, Happiness of being in a nice family, Happiness of being loved by my parents..., I can find Happiness of being well at school.
3 What does the author want to express by making the Blue Bird fly away at the end of the play
By making the Blue Bird fly away at the end of the play, the author wants to tell us great happiness is not based on material things, but a more meaningful, spiritual joy and that giving and sharing sometimes mean the true happiness.
4 What different life lessons can you learn from the two reading passages in this unit
From the first reading passage Tuesdays with Morrie, I have learnt that we should appreciate what we have and make the most of each day; it’s up to us to find out what is important in our lives and establish our own dreams; love each other as much as we could.
From the second reading passage the Blue Bird I’ve got that great happiness is not based on material things, but a more meaningful, spiritual joy.
3
Work in groups and act out the play.
1 Read the play again and discuss how you might present it on stage. Consider the following:
Plot–Is there anything you will cut from, or add to the play
Setting–What costumes and props will you need
Roles–Will you need a narrator to give the background to the play and introduce the new scenes
Language–Will you revise the language to make it easier to remember
2 Adapt the play based on your discussion. You may refer to the original play for more ideas if necessary.
3 Decide roles for each group member and practise performing the play.
4 Act out the play in class.
Now talk about how well your group performed. Vote for the best performer in the play.
Language points
1. They dance merrily around the CHILDREN, then the one who appears to be the chief goes up to TYLTYL with hand outstretched.
(1) Paraphrase:They dance around the CHILDREN happily, then the one who seems to be the chief comes up to TYLTYL and stretches hand.
(2) 本句中with hand outstretched 表伴随。with后面的名词或名词短语可以接形容词、副词、现在分词或不定式等。
e.g. The girl is accustomed to sleeping with the window open.
这个女孩习惯开着窗户睡觉。
2. Why, no...I don’t remember seeing any of you.
文中多次出现why这个词,在这里why并不意为常见的“为什么”,而是表示惊讶或突然意识到到某事,意思是“哎呀,嘿”。
e.g. Why, look who’s here!
哎呀,看看这是谁!
文中其他句子:Why, we are the only things you do know!
Why, that’s the Blue Bird we were looking for!
3. (All the other HAPPINESSES burst out laughing.)
burst out laughing突然大笑起来;不禁大笑
【词汇拓展】
burst vi. (burst burst burst)爆裂;爆发
n. 突然破裂;爆发
burst out laughing=burst into laughter 突然大笑起来
burst out crying=burst into tears 突然大哭起来
a burst of laughter/applause 突然的一阵笑声/掌声
e.g. On hearing the shocking news that her son couldn't recover after the operation, the mother burst out crying.
一听到儿子手术后仍无法恢复的噩耗,这位母亲就突然大哭起来。
4. TYLTYL :Then there are Happinesses in my home
THE HAPPINESS: You heard him! Are there Happinesses in his home! Why, it is crammed with Happinesses!
(1) 以上对白中You heard him!使用过去时是非常贴切、应景的。作者连用三个感叹句来表达一种强烈的情感,寓意深刻。另外以上对白中出现了陈述句式的疑问句和疑问句式的感叹句,这些在文学作品,尤其是戏剧中比较常见。本课的戏剧剧本中,还出现了很多其他的感叹句。
e.g. He doesn’t know where the Blue Bird is!
Are there Happinesses in his home!
(2) be crammed with 塞满,填满
【词汇拓展】
cram v.挤满;把……塞进
cram sth. into... 把某物塞进…… cram into 挤进……
e.g. Terry crammed the dirty clothes into his bag.
特里把脏衣服塞进了包里。
5. This ia the Happiness of Pure Air, who is almost transparent.
pure adj.纯净的,纯的;洁净的;完全的,纯粹的
【词汇拓展】
pure water/white/gold/love 纯净水/纯白/纯金/纯真的爱情
purely adv. 纯粹地;仅仅,只不过 purify vt. 使纯净
e.g. It was purely a question, no blame or anger in my tone.
这纯粹是一个问题,我的语气里没有责备或愤怒。
6. He is no more absurd than the majority of men...
no more... than...不比……更……,和……一样不……
【词汇拓展】
not more...than 不如…… no more than 仅仅 not more than 至多,不超过
e.g. He is no more knowledgeable than she is.
他和她一样知识都不是很渊博。
7. (Enter NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT, a little old woman leaning on a stick.)
lean v.倚,靠;使斜靠
【词汇拓展】
lean against/on 靠在……上
lean ... against/on... 使……斜靠……
lean forward/back 向前/向后靠
lean forward sb. 向某人探身子
e.g. He was leaning on the bridge, watching the boats go by.
他靠在桥上,看着船来船往。
8. (with a cry of despair) He is gone!
despair n.绝望
【词汇拓展】
to one's despair=to the despair of sb. 令某人绝望的是 in despair 绝望地
e.g. To his despair, his partner took away all their money and went to America.
令他感到绝望的是,他的合伙人拿走了他们所有的钱去了美国。
9. If any of you should find him, would you be so very kind as to give him back to us
Paraphrase:If it might be possible for any of you to find him, would you be so kind enough as to return him to us
本句中的should是正式和礼貌的用法,尤其用在英式英语中。这里的should意为“可能”,用于表示某事可能会发生或属实。
e.g. What if I should fall sick and not be able to work
万一我生病无法工作的话怎么办?
Read the play again, find out the figures of speech used in it.
Personification:
(1) A troop of HAPPINESSES rush into the hall, singing, “There they are! They see us!” They dance merrily around the CHILDREN, then the one who appears to be the chief goes up to TYLTYL with hand outstretched.
(2) We eat, drink, wake up, breathe and live with you!
(3) Let me introduce myself first: the Happiness of Being Well.
Hyperbole:
(1) Why, we are the only things you do know!
(2) ...and the Happiness of the Forest: you will see him every time you go to the window...
Symbolism:
(1) The blue bird symbolyses the happiness in our lives.
(2) The search of the blue bird symbolyses people’s search of happiness in their lives.
1. Retell the plot of the play.
2. Use the figures of speech such as personification to make sentences.(共19张PPT)
Unit 2
Period 3
Listening and Speaking
新 课 导 入
Do you know the meaning of “No pain, no gain.”
And can you list more proverbs about life
课 堂 学 习
1
Listen and complete the conversations.
1 A: Professor Brown, here’s my term paper.
Sorry for the delay.
B: That’s OK. 1_________________, right
2 A: Maths is really killing me! I’m thinking of giving it up.
B: 2 __________________ You’ll never get your dream job as a market analyst if you don’t stick to it.
3 A: If you want to lose weight, you
need to stop eating junk food, and
you need to start exercising.
B: OK. I’ll start tomorrow… maybe.
A: Today. Not tomorrow.
3___________________________
___________________________.
Better late than never
No pain, no gain.
Never put off until tomorrow
what you can do today.
4 A: I’m glad you finally got here.
B: My car had a flat tyre on the way. Anyway, 4____________________.
5 A: With my brother’s help, I finally completed
my biology project!
B:Congratulations.
5__________________________
6 A: I heard that Mary is going to invest all her money in this programme.
B: That’s not wise. As people usually say, “6____________________________________”.
I’ll talk to her as soon as possible.
all’s well that ends well
Two heads are better than one.
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
2
Match the proverbs to their meanings.
Better late than never No pain, no gain.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
All’s well that ends well
Two heads are better than one.
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
1 _______________________: you must face challenges in order to be successful
2 ______________________________: it is easier to achieve something if you cooperate with someone else
3 _______________________: doing something late is better than not doing it at all
No pain, no gain.
Two heads are better than one.
Better late than never
Better late than never No pain, no gain.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
all’s well that ends well
Two heads are better than one.
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
4 _______________________________________________: you should start things earlier rather than later
5 __________________________________: do not put all your efforts or resources into doing one thing
6 _______________________: problems don’t matter if the final result is good
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
All’s well that ends well
Do you know the Chinese meaning of these proverbs
1 No pain, no gain.
2 Two heads are better than one.
3 Better late than never.
4 Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
5 Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
6 All’s well that ends well.
结果好,样样好。
一分耕耘,一分收获。
三个臭皮匠,顶个诸葛亮。
今日事,今日毕。
不要孤注一掷。
亡羊补牢,未为迟也。
Now work in groups and think of other proverbs about life. Can you find Chinese proverbs with similar meanings
Rome was not built in a day.(罗马并非一日建成。)
A slow sparrow should make an early start.(笨鸟先飞。)
A friend in need is a friend indeed.(患难见真情。)
A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk.
(闻其歌知其鸟,听其言知其人。)
Practice makes perfect.(熟能生巧。)
Samples:
3
Work in pairs. Think of other situations to which these proverbs can be applied.
1 Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today: My mother often tell me to sweep the floor. And I could find excuse to put it off until the next day. Now I know that saying “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today”, and I won’t let it happen again.
2 Two heads are better than one: In my family, we often discuss problems together from daily issues to heatedly-discussed topics in the society. We think that “Two heads are better than one”.
4
Listen to the interview and choose the best headline.
1 University Fees Are No Barrier to Grandma!
2 Dream Comes True for Graduating Grandma
3 Janet Says: “Family first! That’s what matters!”
4 How the Student Experience Has Changed with the Centuries
5
Listen again and complete the notes.
Interview with Janet Rose
Age: 1__________________
First attended university in: 2__________________
Reason for leaving university:
3______________________________________________
Reason for going back to university:
4______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Initial feelings on returning to university:
5______________________________________________
81
1955
She took care of her ill mother and helped her father.
Her daughter suggested she go back to school five years ago and she jumped at the chance.
She felt a bit nervous at first and she felt so old.
University major: 6__________________
Feelings on graduation:
7______________________________________________
Advice to others: 8________________________________
Future plans:9____________________________________
American literature
She feels great
You’re never too old to learn
Starting a master’s degree in the fall
Now work in pairs and talk about what you can learn from Janet’s story.
6
Complete the boxes with the expressions from the interview.
I started... back in...
After that I...
But then five years ago...
I felt... at first.
I suggest that...
Remember,...
I started... back in...
After that I...
But then five years ago...
I felt... at first...
Giving advice
I suggest that...
Remember,...
Talking about experiences
7
Work in pairs. Tell each other a story about yourself that can be summarised by a proverb in this section.
Now talk about how effectively you and your partner used your own experiences to illustrate your understanding of the proverbs.
1. List more proverbs about life and illustrate their meanings by setting examples.
2. Summarise your own story with proverbs.(共26张PPT)
Unit 2
Period 2
Grammar
课 前 导 入
A: The bird is eating worms.
B: How can you change the sentence into passive voice
A: Worms _______________ by the bird!
Look at the dialogue and complete the sentences.
are being eaten
课 堂 学 习
Passive voice
1
Look at the sentences from the reading passage and match them to the reasons why the passive voice is used.
a On discovering that Morrie is being weakened by a severe illness, …
b … Tuesdays with Morrie is just made up of a collection of over-emotional thoughts and messages,…
c A box of tissues will be needed to get through this book!
1 The subject is not known, is unimportant, or is “people in general” and can be omitted.
2 The focus of the sentence is on the recipient of the action, not on the subject of the sentence.
3 The subject goes with lengthy expressions that are better put at the end.
c
a
b
Now look for more sentences with the passive voice in the reading passage and talk about why it is used.
1. After finishing it, I feel I have been given a deeper insight into the world and can see things from a different point of view.
2. Reading this book made me feel as if I’d been woken up from a long sleep and finally opened my eyes to the world!
3. While we are living, we tend to get distracted by unimportant things, such as gathering material possessions.
4. The book made me stop and think about how much I am influenced by popular culture and the importance of creating my own values based on love and open communication.
【语法讲解】
动词的语态 (voices)
动词语态有两种:主动语态和被动语态。
主语是动作的发出者为主动语态;主语是动作的接受者为被动语态。
被动语态的各种时态及构成
一般时 进行时 完成时
现在 am/is/are done is/ am/are being done has/
have been done
过去 was/ were done was/ were being done had been done
将来 shall/will be done 无 shall/will have been done
主动语态变被动语态记忆口诀
一般现、过用be done, be有人称、时、数变。
完成时态have done, 被动将been加中间。
一般将来shall (will) do, 被动变do为be done。
将来进行无被动, shall (will) be doing。
现在完成进行同, have (has) been doing。
现、过进行be doing, 被动be加being done。
情、助、有、是妥安排, 一律随新主语变。
否定助后加not, 疑问一助置主前。
主语恰是疑问词, 直陈语序主在前。
一般情助加be done, 双宾多将间宾变。
复合宾语宾变主, 宾补、主补相应变。
【巧学助记】
不同时态的被动语态
1. 现在进行时的被动语态 (is/am/are being done)
(1) 现在进行时的被动语态可以表示此时此刻或现阶段正在进行的被动动作,还可以表示一种经常性或习惯性的被动行为,常与always, constantly等连用,往往带有赞扬、责备、厌烦、埋怨等感彩。
e.g. She is always being praised by the teacher.
(2) 现在进行时的被动语态还可以与情态动词连用,表示说话者对正在发生的被动行为的推测。
e.g. He may be being interviewed in the office.
【牛刀小试】
1. The question __________________ (discuss) at the meeting now.
2. The children _____________________ (take care of) by their aunt.
is being discussed
are being taken care of
3. John is not here. He must ____________________(interview).
be being interviewed
2. 现在完成时的被动语态 (have/has+been+done)
(1) 现在完成时的被动语态是表示动作发生在过去,到现在已经完成或对现在仍有影响,主语是行为动作的承受者。
e.g. My computer has just been attacked by an unknown virus.
我的电脑被一种不知名的病毒攻击。
(2) 表示强调的作用,强调动作已经完成并且对现在造成影响。经常和一些副词连用,如:already, ever, never, recently, yet等。一般是把这些副词放在has/have后面,或者句子的末尾。
e.g. Tom’s novel has not been punished yet.
【牛刀小试】
2. The room ______ already _____________ (clean).
3. The child ___________________ (take care of) by grandma all these years.
1. The work _______________ (do) by him.
has been done
has
been cleaned
has been taken care of
3. 一般现在时的被动语态
(1) 一般现在时的被动语态可以表示正在进行,比如有些表示状态、心理活动、情感等的动词,常用一般现在时的被动语态表示正在进行。
e.g. You are wanted on the phone.
(2) “be + under/in/on +名词”这一结构也可以表示现在进行时被动语态的含义。
e.g. The problem is under discussion now.
= The problem is being discussed now.
(3) 有些动词进行时的主动形式就可以表示被动的含义,常见的有print, cook, fry, bake, burn, hang等。
e.g. The house is burning.
【牛刀小试】
1. The new international airport is still ______ construction.
2. The meat ___________ (cook).
under
is cooking
4. 过去进行时的被动语态(was/were being done)
(1) 过去进行时态的被动语态的同它的主动语态一样,表示过去正在进行的被动动作。
e.g.Trees were being planted by them at this time yesterday.
(2) 过去进行时态的被动语态一般不与表示一段时间的状语或表示次数的状语连用,这时需要用完成时态的被动语态。
(3) 少数及物动词的的进行时表示按计划、安排将要承受某个动作。
e.g. Some rock music is being played by them next.
(4) 过去进行时的被动语态否定式为was/were+not+being+done。过去进行时态的被动语态的一般疑问句需将was/were提到主语的前面。
e.g. Was a new library being put up in their school just then?
【牛刀小试】
1. Another bridge _______________ (build) over the Changjiang River then.
2. Computer _______________ (major) by him during his college.
was being built
was being majored
5. 将来完成时的被动语态(shall/will have been done)
将来完成时的被动语态表示相对于现在来说将要完成的被动性动作。
将来完成时的被动语态与过去将来完成时的被动语态用法区别
将来完成时的被动语态表示相对于现在来说将要完成的被动性动作,而过去将来完成时的被动语态表示相对于过去某一时刻来说将要完成的被动性动作。
e.g. This oil field will have been opened by the end of next month.
到下月底为止,这块油田将被开采。
析:该句表示相对于现在来说的下月底这块油田将被开采。
【牛刀小试】
1. This car ___________________ (drive) by Smith for five years by next month.
2. John said the letter ______________________ (finish) by supper.
will have been driven
would have been finished
【巩固练习】
Use the passive voice learned in this unit to translate the following paragraphs.
我的学校位于(situated)县城的西边。校园里种了(planted)很多花和树, 所以很漂亮。学校现在正在建(constructed)一座办公楼和一个实验室。去年建了(built)一个新操场。据说明年要建(set up)一个餐厅。教室和宿舍每天都打扫(cleaned)得干净整洁。我校每年的高考成绩在全市名列前茅(ranked)。我校值得大家来参观(be worth doing)。
Samples:
My school is situated in the west of the county. Many flowers and trees have been planted in the school yard, so it is very beautiful. An office building and a lab are being constructed. Last year, a new playground was built. It is said that a dining hall will be set up next year. The classrooms and dormitories are cleaned every day, so they are clean and tidy. Every year, my school’s college entrance examination results are ranked top in the whole city. My school is worth visiting.
2
Rewrite the paragraph using the passive voice where appropriate.
Since ancient times, storytelling has been a way to share and pass on wisdom. One important early work that did so was Aesop’s Fables, a collection of stories that history credits to Aesop, a Greek storyteller. People believe that he lived in Ancient Greece between 620 BC and 564 BC. Most of the characters in his stories are animals, the qualities of which Aesop used to reflect human traits and wisdom. Each fable teaches a life lesson that Aesop summarises in a short phrase at the end of the story, called a moral. Today, children and adults all around the world still enjoy Aesop’s Fables.
Since ancient times, storytelling has been a way to share and pass on wisdom. One important early work that did so was Aesop’s Fables, a collection of stories that is credited to Aesop, a Greek storyteller. It is believed that Aesop lived in Ancient Greece between 620 BC and 564 BC. Most of the characters in his stories are animals, the qualities of which were used to reflect human traits and wisdom by Aesop. Each fable teaches a life lesson that is summarised in a short phrase at the end of the story, called a moral. Today, Aesop’s Fables is still enjoyed by children and adults all around the world.
Samples:
3
Look at the pictures and write the story from Aesop’s Fables. Use the passive voice where appropriate.
One day a little mouse was caught by a lion...
Samples:
One day a little mouse was caught by a lion. The lion wanted to eat the mouse, but the mouse said that he would help the lion someday, if he was let to go. The lion thought, “How can a great animal be helped by a little animal ” But the mouse was allowed to leave. Several days later, the lion was caught by a hunter’s net. The mouse bit the net with his strong teeth and helped the lion out. Thanks to the little mouse, the lion was saved and finally admitted that the strong could sometimes be helped by the weak.
4
Work in pairs. Tell each other another fable you know and the lesson you have learnt from it. Use the passive voice where appropriate.
Samples:
There was once a young Shepherd Boy who tended his sheep at the foot of a mountain near a dark forest. It was rather lonely for him all day, so he thought upon a plan by which he could get a little company and some excitement. He rushed down towards the village calling out “Wolf, Wolf,” and the villagers came out to meet him, and some of them stopped with him for a considerable time. This pleased the boy so much that a few days afterwards he tried the same trick, and again the villagers came to his help.
But shortly after this a Wolf actually did come out from the forest, and began to worry the sheep, and the boy of course cried out “Wolf, Wolf,” still louder than before. But this time the villagers, who had been fooled twice before, thought the boy was again deceiving them, and nobody stirred to come to his help. So the Wolf made a good meal off the boy’s flock, and when the boy complained, the wise man of the village said: “A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.”
1. Recall the usage of passive voice.
2. Use passive voice to tell stories.