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Unit 8Saving Nature,

But Only for ManCharles Krauthammer

The nation that destroys its soils destroys itself.

Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.

Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.

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Word -webWork in pairs and categorize the words and phrases

in the box into the following three groups.

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

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Environment

Greenhouse effect Pollution types

Environment protection

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

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Greenhouse effectglobal warming,

Pollution types

Environment protection

air pollution,

sewage,

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

ecosystem

sea level rising, ecocrisis,flood, atmospheric ozone layer, drought

nuclear contamination, waternoise pollution, nuclear pollutionpollution,

National Tree planting Day,recycling center, Greenpeace, afforest,

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Text OrganizationPart 1 (L. 1 – 30)

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

Part 2 (L. 31 --- 69) A sensible environmentalism does not sentimentalize the earth.

Part 3 (L. 70 --- 85) Man is the master of nature.

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Text OrganizationPart 1 (para 1 – 5)Central Argument

Supporting Details

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

1. The ozone layer, skin cancer, plankton

2. The green house effect, melting ice caps, disturbed climate, dried up plains, empty breadbaskets

3. Man’s self-preservation

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Text OrganizationPart 2 (para 6 – 11)Central Argument

Supporting Details

A sensible environmentalism does not sentimentalize the earth.

1. the so-called “Gaia theory”

2. Protagoras’ principle

3. oil war and the reindeer

4. the spotted owl and logging families

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Text Organization

Part 3 (para 12 – 14)Central Argument

Supporting DetailsMan is the master of nature.

1. man’s well-being first

2. who should accommodate and how

3. humanistic environmentalism

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1. Title of the text: SAVING NATURE, BUT ONLY FOR MAN

Paraphrase: --- We must protect the earth’s environment so that it c

an better serve human beings.Translate: --- 为了人类自身拯救自然

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2. Environmental sensitivity is now as required an attitude in polite society as is, say, belief in democracy or aversion to nylon. (L. 1)

Question: • How important is environmental sensitivity

in the author’s eyes? --- It is as important as people’s belief in democracy or their aversion to nylon.

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3. Paragraph 4 (L. 19 -23)

Questions: 1) How do you understand “empty breadbaskets”?

--- They indicate shortage of food supply caused by the green house effect.

2) What can you infer from this paragraph? --- The consequences of the greenhouse effect are very serious. The climate may become warmer if the greenhouse effect continues without any check.

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4. Ask hardworking voters to sacrifice in the name of the snail darter, and, if they are feeling polite, they will give you a shrug. (L. 34)

Question: • Why does the author say that hardworking

voters will give you a shrug? --- Because they are sure that hardworking voters’ interests should be more important than that of the snail darter’s.

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5. 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. (L. 60)

Question: • What theory does the author want to improve

by saying so?--- No matter what happens, man after all, is the most important on the earth.

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6. Nature is our charge. (L. 71)

Paraphrase: --- We are in charge of nature. / Nature is under

our charge.

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7. And when man has to choose between his well-being and that of nature, nature will have to accommodate. (L. 72)

Question: • How do you understand this sentence?

--- If man has to make a choice between his own well-being and that of nature, he will choose the former rather than the latter.

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8. When the threat 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. (L. 78)

Questions: 1) What is the structure of the sentence? Locate the ke

y words of the sentence.--- See the underlined words.

2) What are the meanings of the two “order”s in the sentence?

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Points to Practice

1.aversion

n. strong dislike; hatred (followed by to)

Example:

--- He took an immediate aversion to his new course.

Collocation:

have / take an aversion to …

with an aversion

in one’s aversion

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2. now that conj. because something has happened

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Now that it is raining, the game might be cancelled.

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3. conflict vi. be in opposition, collision or disagreement (followed by with)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- I check to make sure out schedule does not conflict.

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4. proposal n. a plan or idea, often a formal or written one, which is suggested for

people to think about and decide upon (followed by for or to do sth.)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Their proposal to build a supermarket was welcomed by the local residents.

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5. in the name of for the reason of; using the excuse of; as the

representative of; by the authority of

Points to Practice

Example:

--- They arrested him in the name of the safety of the country.

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5. in the name of for the reason of; using the excuse of; as the

representative of; by the authority of

Points to Practice

Collocation:

under the name ofcall sb. namesto one’s nameby the name of

用……的名字谩骂某人在自己名下，属于自己所有以……为名，名叫……

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6. distinguish vt. recognize the difference (between)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- He is too young to distinguish right from wrong.

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7. regardless ad. in spite of everything; anyway

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Everything has been done regardless.

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7. regardless, regardless of

Points to Practice

Complete the following: 1. _____ danger, he climbed the tower. 2. There may be difficulties but I shall carry

on _____. 3. I am buying the book, _____ the cost. 4. Despite the problems, they carried on

their reform _____.

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8. fundamental adj. of the basis of foundation of sth. (followed by “to”)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- These two parties have fundamental differences.

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9. sensible adj. having or showing common sense;

reasonable

Points to Practice

Example:

--- It is sensible to avoid too much fat.

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9. sensible, sensitive & sentimental Fill in the blanks with 1. Most ________ weight loss programs now recommend a

combination of diet and exercise to slowly take off extra weight.

2. Our noses and tongues are _________ to certain chemical stimuli.

3. She is so ___________! She cried all morning when she heard that her goldfish had died.

4. Most children are ________ to any sign of rejection or disapproval from their parents.

5. The traffic will be terrible over the Christmas weekend. Wouldn’t it be ________ to leave before the traffic gets bad?

6. Why are you so __________ about that old coat? There is no point in keeping it just because you were wearing it when you first met.

Points to Practice

sensible

sensitive

sentimental

sensitive

sensible sentimental

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10. combat vt. fight or struggle against

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Doctors are seeking ways to combat SARS.

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11. atmosphere n. 1) the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth2) feeling in the mind that is created by a group of people or a place

Points to Practice

Example:

--- The treaty bans nuclear testing in the atmosphere.

--- The purpose of the meeting is to clear the tense atmosphere.

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12. consequence n. the result or effect of an action or condition

Points to Practice

Example:

--- The consequence of the war can still be felt.

Collocation:• a person of consequence• in consequence• in consequence of • of little / no consequence• take the consequences

举足轻重的人因此，结果是由于，因为无足轻重承担……的结果

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13. universal adj. of, belonging to, affecting or done by all

people or things in the world or in a particular group

Points to Practice

Example:

--- The Harry Potter books have been of universal interest.

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14. call for v. require, demand

Points to Practice

Example:

--- People call for an inquiry about the crime.

Collocation: • call by• call off• call on / upon• call up

顺道访问取消；停止访问；拜访；探望给……打电话

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15. on the grounds of / on … grounds

--- for reasons of

Points to Practice

Example:

--- She is suing the company on the grounds of unfair dismissal.

Collocation: • fall to the ground• gain ground• get off the ground• take ground

失败；破灭，落空前进；有进展 开始；取得进展坚持立场

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16. resistance n. opposition (followed by to)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- The bank clerk made no resistance to the robber.

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17. vote v. express one’s choice in favor of (a person,

political party, etc.) at an election

Points to Practice

Pattern:vote on sth.; vote for / against

Example:

--- If we can’t agree with each other about the plan, let’s vote on it.

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18. run / go against the grain v. be contrary to one’s desire or feeling (follow

ed by of sth./ to do sth.)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- It goes against the grain for me to borrow money.

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19. worship vt. render religious reverence and homage to; f

eel great love and admiration for (sb./sth.)

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Humans have worshipped the sun throughout the ages.

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20. to the point of to a degree that can be described as

Points to Practice

Example:

--- His manner was bad to the point of rudeness.

Collocation: come / get to the pointbeside the pointon the point ofa case in pointto the point

谈到正题，讲到关键问题离题的；不相关的正要……之际恰当的例子切题的；切中的

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21. excess n. an amount or degree that is more than

enough

Points to Practice

Example:

--- Never drink to excess.

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22. nothing more than nothing but, only, just the same

Points to Practice

Example:

--- You needn’t report to him. He is nothing more than a clerk.

Collocation: for nothingnothing less thannothing liketo say nothing of

不花钱地；徒劳地不亚于，不少于完全不像更不用说；何况

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23. current adj.1) occurring in or existing at the present time2) commonly accepted; in general use

Points to Practice

Example: --- The current economic situation is very

different from that in 1990.--- The word is no longer in current use.

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24. currency n. the particular type of money used in a

country

Points to Practice

Example: --- It is illegal to produce, transport and

use counterfeit currency.

domestic / national currencyforeign currencyhard currencypaper currency

本国货币外汇，外币硬通货币纸币

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25. work one’s way v. manage to reach or go through; make efforts to

attain one’s goal

Points to Practice

Example: --- They worked their way out of the wood.

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26. come through v. experience, survive or overcome (a difficulty, etc.)

Points to Practice

Example: --- If we can come through this financial

crisis, the company’s future will be bright.

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27. in part to some extent, partly

Points to Practice

Example: --- His failure was due in part to his laziness.Collocation: for one’s partfor the most parton the part of sb.

就个人来说，至于本人多半；通常就某人而言；代表某人

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28. ridiculous adj. absurd

Points to Practice

Example: --- It is ridiculous to spend all her salary

buying that so-called antique.

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29. deny v. 1) refuse to allow or grant

Points to Practice

Pattern:deny sb. sth.

Example: --- His ex-wife denied his access to his childr

en.

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29. deny v.

2) state sth. is not true

Points to Practice

Pattern:deny sth.deny that-clausedeny doing sth.

Example: --- Can you deny the truth of his statement?

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30. distinction n. 1) difference (followed by between)2) the quality of being unusual, esp. of being unusually good

Points to Practice

Example: --- There is no distinction between courage

and bravery.--- He was regarded as a singer of

distinction.

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31. threatn. a danger that sth. unpleasant might happen

to sb. (followed by to/from/of/against)

Points to Practice

Example: --- There have been death threats against the

witnesses.

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32. fatal adj. causing death; bringing ruin

Points to Practice

Example: --- He made a fatal mistake of giving her his

telephone number.

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33. concern n. 1) thing that is important or interesting to sb.2) worry, anxiety (followed by for / about / over / that)

Points to Practice

Example: --- It’s no concern of mine.--- Public concern about corruption has drawn

the local government’s attention.

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33. concern v. 1) be about; have effects on2) worry; interest

Points to Practice

Example: --- The energy problem concerns us all.--- The boy’s poor health concerned his

parents.

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33. concerned adj. 1) worried2) taking part in

Points to Practice

Example: --- Scientists are concerned about/at/over the

continuing pollution of the environment.--- All the people concerned enjoyed the visit.

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Useful Expressions 1. 环境意识 2. 对尼龙的厌恶3. 以……的名义4. 对于环境的奢侈追求5. 对于环境的必需要求 6. 运用规则7. 基本原理 8. 理智环境保护论 9. 遏止温室效应 10. 食物链

After Reading

1. environmental sensitivity2. aversion to nylon3. in the name of4. environmental luxuries5. environmental necessities6. apply a rule7. fundamental principle8. sensible environmentalism9. halt the greenhouse effect10. food chain

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Useful Expressions 11. 保护自然12. 以……为理由13. 对地球感情用事14. 与……格格不入 15. 减少消费16. 大气臭氧层 17. 保护环境 18. 感情用事的环境保护论者19. 错误的心态 20. 为了大自然

After Reading

11. preserve nature12. on the grounds of13. sentimentalize the earth14. run / go against the grain of15. reduce consumption16. atmospheric ozone17. protect the environment18. sentimental environmentalist

19. wrong frame of mind20. for nature’s sake

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Spot Dictation

Listen to the following passage and fill in the blanks with the words you hear.

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My Thoughts on Environmental Protection

When faced with all kinds of environmental problems, many people seem to believe that we have to ________ either economic prosperity or environmental protection. In my view, this is a _____ choice. I think that economic development and environmental protection can and must coexist. It is true that development has ______ with it a number of environmental problems, such as air pollution, water shortages and _______, but at the same time modern industry and commerce have greatly _______ our lives.

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My Thoughts on Environmental Protection

Few would wish to live without the ________ of television, automobiles, computers, etc. To stop developing our industry and commerce for ____ ___________ alone is pure __________. Of course, we can’t allow economic growth to go on at the ________ of the environment, either. When a healthy environment is gone, everything that our life _________ on is gone, too. So we must protect the environment --- not for the sake of environment alone -- but for the sake of man.

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My Thoughts on Environmental Protection

When faced with all kinds of environmental problems, many people seem to believe that we have to choose either economic prosperity or environmental protection. In my view, this is a false choice. I think that economic development and environmental protection can and must coexist. It is true that development has brought with it a number of environmental problems, such as air pollution, water shortages and acid rain, but at the same time modern industry and commerce have greatly improved our lives.

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My Thoughts on Environmental Protection

Few would wish to live without the benefits of television, automobiles, computers, etc. To stop developing our industry and commerce for the sake of nature alone is pure sentimentalism. Of course, we can’t allow economic growth to go on at the expense of the environment, either. When a healthy environment is gone, everything that our life depends on is gone, too. So we must protect the environment --- not for the sake of environment alone -- but for the sake of man.

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Topic for Reflection

Do you think it is necessary to distinguish between environmental luxuries and environmental necessities? Why or why not?