Unit 1 Face values Understanding ideas 导学案（无答案）-2024-2025学年高中英语外研版（2019）选择性必修第三册

Understanding ideas
It’s all about ME!
“Me”. It’s a small word with big meaning, and that meaning is as individual to each of us as the way we look. Through interviews, I was able to discover what “me” means to other people, and how they have learnt to appreciate the beauty in themselves.
Psychologist, Dr Hart
Jade, 24, accounting manager
1 As a song in Ugly Betty puts it, “It’s a pretty person’s world”. I understand this more than most, as I have always been plain-looking. I’m a girl who’d love to look good. Well, who wouldn’t So, ever since I discovered selfie apps that could remove my freckles, enlarge my eyes and even slim my jawline, I have become addicted. I spend hours every day editing my selfies, posting them and eagerly checking my phone a hundred times for comments. Each “like” boosts my confidence. Dad thinks I am a narcissist, but what I say is that my pictures aren’t hurting anyone, so who cares
Dr Hart says:
2 Obsessive online photo editing indicates a lack of self-confidence and a desire for attention. However, the image Jade presents to obtain the praise of others is false. People who pretend to be someone they are not tend to misjudge themselves.
Anthony, 21, college student
3 I never really cared about my appearance. That’s why I could never understand my sister, who has 17 lipsticks and can’t decide which one to use every morning. I only used to have five identical pairs of trousers and five identical shirts. When I first moved into my dormitory at college, this made my roommates quite confused as they saw me in the same clothes day after day. Last month they registered me for a TV programme, A New You. It felt bizarre at first. I didn’t like being reviewed from head to toe. But I was surprised at how good I looked after the makeover! For the first time in my life I saw myself as a handsome and well-presented young man. At that moment, I perceived that external beauty isn’t totally worthless. It can be an expression of our personalities, helping us make a good and positive impression on others.
Dr Hart says:
4 It’s true that inner beauty is very important, but external beauty shouldn’t be completely overlooked. It plays a part in the image we present to the world, and making an effort with your appearance can leave a positive first impression on others and boost your confidence.
Emma, 17, senior high school student
5 Ever since I was little, I’ve been larger than other girls. For a long time, this really bothered me. People would stare at me because I was “big” and I hated the way I looked. My anxiety drove me to try every means possible to lose weight, including dieting and weightloss pills, but this brought me nothing but pain and poor health. Everything changed when one day I came across the success story of a plus-size model, Tess Holliday. Although she’s larger than most other models, she’s really attractive and has the confidence to be herself – even in an industry full of beauty stereotypes. Her story changed my ideas about what it means to be beautiful. I realised that my health, mental and physical, is the most important thing. Now
I exercise a couple of times a week but just to keep fit. I mean, isn’t it better that I’m large and happy, instead of skinny and unhealthy
Dr Hart says:
6 I completely agree with Emma – being healthy is beautiful, and we should wear that beauty with confidence. What I really admire is the way she has acknowledged that good health not only makes us more beautiful, but happier, too!
1 Read the facts about how satisfied people around the world are with their personal looks and answer the questions.
Over half of people are fairly satisfied or completely satisfied with their appearances.
Teenagers are almost as satisfied with their looks as older generations.
Men and women are almost equal in terms of how satisfied they are.
People in Latin American countries are the happiest with their looks.
Japanese people are the most self-critical, with over one in ten “not at all satisfied”.
1 Do you find any of the facts surprising Why
2 Do you think one’s appearance is important Why
2 Read the passage and find out what attitude each person has towards their looks.
3 Choose the purpose of the passage and give your reasons.
1 To persuade people to edit their photos less.
2 To prove that external beauty is not the most important thing.
3 To show the true meaning of beauty.
4 To warn readers about the physical dangers of losing weight.
4 Organise information from the passage and complete the diagram.
Jade
Statements:
I want to ______________________.
I have become ____________________________________________________.
The positive comments ___________________________________________.
Dr Hart’s comment:
______________________________________________________________________________________.
Anthony
Statements:
I was surprised at _________________________.
I perceived that ___________________________.
Dr Hart’s comment:
______________________________________________________________________________________.
Emma
Statements:
My attempts to lose weight brought me __________________________________.
A plus-size model _______________________________.
I realised that 10 ____________________________________.
Dr Hart’s comment:
______________________________________________________________________________________.
Now talk about which story or comment makes the greatest impression on you and give your reasons.
Think & Share
1 Do you agree that “It’s a pretty person’s world” Why
2 Has your understanding of the importance of appearance changed after reading the passage Why
3 In addition to those methods mentioned in the passage, what other ways do you think can make you become a better person
4 Have you encountered any difficulties in understanding the main idea of this passage Share them with the class and ask for advice.