Lesson 8 My Personal Manager Contents PART 1 Warm-Up PART 1 Warm-Up

Lesson 8Lesson 8

My Personal My Personal ManagerManager

ContentsContents

PP ARTART 1 1 WWarm-arm-UUpp

Warm-upWarm-up

1. Brainstorming

To be continued on the next page.

Directions : State what problems troubling you concerning

your appearance and character. Ask your classmates to give you advice.

2. Discussion


What is your view on cosmetic surgery?

Lesson 8 - My Personal Manager

A Lesson in Heart

A lesson in “heart” is my little 10-year-old _______, Sarah, who was born with a muscle ______ in her foot and wears a _____ all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had _________ in “field day”—that’s where they have lots of ______ and other competitive _____.

Because of her leg______, my mind raced as I tried to think of words of __________ for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down—things I have heard many famous _______ tell the players when they were

Fill out the blanks while you are listening.


brace

completed

missingdaughter

races

eventssupport

encouragement

coaches

3. Listening


faced with ______—but before I could get a _____ out, she looked up and said, “Daddy, I won two of the races!”

Ahh, I knew it. I thought she must have been given a ______ start… some kind of physical ________. But again, before I could say _______, she said, “Daddy, I didn’t get a head start… my advantage was I had to try _____!”

That’s heart! That’s my Sarah. Stan

Frager

headadvantage

worddefeat

anythingharder

The end of Listening Lab.

2. Discussion

PP ARTART 2 2 Text Text AAnalysisnalysis


I. Author

II. Her Works

Background InformationBackground Information

Margaret Goff Clark is a prolific author.

She wrote stories about teenagers.

The books she wrote cover the following themes: mysteries, science fiction, human relationship and wild animals.

.


I. Author I. Author

The end of Author.

Theme One: mysteries

Who Stole Kathy Young?


II. Her Works II. Her Works


Theme Two: science fiction


II. Her WorksII. Her Works

Barney and UFO

Barney on Mars


Theme Three: human relationship



Freedom Crossing The book is a historical fiction about a family helping slaves escape to Canada.


Theme Four: wild animals



The Endangered Florida Panther

The Threatened Florida Black Bear






In this companion book to The Endangered Florida Panther (1993) and The Vanishing Manatee (1990), Clark gives basic historical and scientific facts interspersed with eyewitness accounts of the wildlife biologists who study and protect the animals. It is these anecdotes that create a sense of excitement and convey the tragedy of habitat loss that puts various species at risk worldwide.





Full-color photographs provide information and a feeling of immediacy and awe. Solidly on the side of wildlife conservation, Clark presents a balanced picture of the bear's relationship with the environment and with humans, discussing conflicts and compromise.




The Endangered Florida Panther

There is a good mix of high-interest anecdotes about the panther and the people who study and safeguard it, and of facts and photos that present basic information about the species and its ecological role. Habits and habitat are briefly discussed; history focuses on the panther's endangered status and the efforts to protect it.



The end of Her Works.


I. Word Study

II. Phrases and Expressions

III.Word Building

IV.Grammar

V. Sentence paraphrase

Language studyLanguage study


I.I. Word StudyWord StudyWord list:

1. blush

2. bother

3. block

4. commercial

5. concentrate

6. chuckle

7. dramatics

8. dig

9. earth

19. pat

20. peck

21. plead

22. point-blank

23. promote

24. stiff

25. tear

26. through

10. embarrass

11. exaggerate

12. flush

13. good

14. grin

15. groan

16. knee-high

17. mob

18. nonsense

27. tiptoe

28. touchy

29. volunteer


I.I. Word StudyWord Study

1. blush

v. to become pink in the face, usually from embarrassment

Examples:

I always blush when I speak in public.

I blush to think of what a fool I made of

myself last night.

He blushed at the thought of what he’d done.




n. blush

Example:

A blush of shame crept up his face.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study2. bother (usually in negative)

v. a. to make an effort to do something , or to take the trouble to do something b. to annoy, worry or cause problems for somebody

Examples:

He hasn’t even bothered to write.

Don’t bother (about/with) doing the laundry.

Why did nobody bother to tell me something

was wrong?



I.I. Word StudyWord StudyExamples:

He walked out of the office without

bothering to say goodbye.

I’m sorry to bother you, but could you direct

me to the station.

She threatened to call the police if he didn’t

stop bothering her.

bothersomea. causing annoyance or trouble

Example: a bothersome little man



3. block

vt. to prevent movement through, prevent something from happening

Examples:

A fallen tree is blocking the road.

All the roads out of the town were blocked off

by the police.

My view was blocked by a tall man in a hat

standing in front of me.




n. blockage

a. blocked

Examples:

The roads are blocked (up).

I’ve got a sore throat and a blocked nose.



4. commercial

n. an advertisement which is broadcast on TV or radio

Example:

a commercial break

commerce

n. all the activities connected with business; trade

Example:

the world of commerce and industry




a. commercial ad. commercially

Examples:

a commercial organization

The commercial future of the company looks

very promising.

v. commercialize n. commercialization

Example:

It’s a pity Christmas has become so

commercialized.



v. a. to direct (your mental power or your efforts) towards a particular activity b. to bring or come together in a large number or amount in one particular area

Examples:Can you turn the music down, please? I can’t concentrate on my work.If you want to pass your exams , you will have to concentrate (your efforts) on your listening skills.

5. concentrate




Examples:

The company is concentrating on developing

new products.

Most of the country’s population is

concentrated in the north.

n. concentration

Example:

I find that yoga improves my powers of

concentration.




a. concentrated

Example:

The company is making a concentrated effort

to broaden its market.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study6. chuckle

vi. to give a low or quiet laughExample:

She was chuckling as she read the letter.

n. Example:

He gave a chuckle in response to her question.

7. dramatics



drama

n. a play

Example:

She studied English and drama at college.

a. dramatic ad. dramatically

v. dramatize n. dramatization

n. dramatist/playwright




drama

n. an event or situation esp. an unexpected one, in which there is anxiety or excitement and usually a lot of action

Example: We had a little drama last night when the

oil in the pan caught fire.




a. dramaticExample:

There have been some fairly dramatic developments on the political scene recently.

ad. dramatically a. dramaticExample:

The new treatment could dramatically alter the life of people suffering from this disease.


I.I. Word Word StudyStudy8. dig

v. a. to move and break up (earth) using a tool, a machine or your hands b. to search for or find after looking

Examples: They are digging up the road outside in order

to repair electricity cables. After a lot of searching, I’ve managed to dig

out (find) those photographs you wanted. I’ve been doing some research on our family

history and I’ve dug up (found) some interesting information.




dig one’s own grave: to do sth. that causes you harm, sometimes seriously

Example: You’re digging your own grave by eating so

much fatly food.

dig up: to break up soil by digging; to remove sth. from the ground by digging; to discover information, etc. to reveal sth.



9. earth

come back/down/ back down to earth: to return to reality

Examples: The realization of how little work I’d done for

the exams brought me abruptly back down to earth.

When his money ran out, he came down to earth (with a bang/bump).




down-to–eartha. practical, direct

Example:

She’s a down-to-earth sort of woman with no

pretensions.



10. embarrass

vt. (usually passive) to cause (somebody) to feel anxious or uncomfortable

Example:

He embarrassed everyone by saying the

picture was dreadful.

a. embarrassing ad. embarrassingly

Example:

It’s embarrassing to be caught telling a lie.




11. exaggerate

v. to make something seem larger, more important, better or worse than it really is

Examples:

The threat of attack has been greatly

exaggerated.

A spokeswoman said that the pollution

caused by the factory had been wildly

exaggerated by environmentalists.




ad. exaggeratedly

n. exaggeration

Example:

It’s not an exaggeration to say that her work

has saved lives.



12. flushv. (of a person) to become red in the face, esp. as a result of strong emotions, heat or alcohol

Examples:

She flushed with pleasure as she accepted the

prize.

The champagne had caused his face to flush

and his eyes were bright.

She flushed red with embarrassment at the

suggestion.




n. (C usually single )

Example:

The thought of Richard with another woman

brought a flush of anger to her cheeks.

a. flushed

Examples:• You look flushed—are you hot?• flushed with anger



13. good

a. (before noun; not gradable) large in amount

Examples: We walked a good distance today. You are looking a good deal (much) better

now.

a. more than

Example: The police said a good 20 kilos of explosive

were found during the raid.



14. grin

n. (C) a wide smile Example:

He gave a broad grin when he saw her.

v.Example:

Janice grinned broadly/mischievously at

him.




to grin and bear it: to accept something, without complaining

Example:

I don’t want to stay there for a week on my

own, but I suppose I’ll have to grin and bear

it.



15. groan

v. to make a deep sound showing great pain or

unhappiness; to complain

Example: What are you moaning and groaning about?

n. (C)Example:

Susan looked at the untidy room and gave a

groan of dismay.



a. tall enough to reach one’s kneesExamples:

knee-high grass/boots My dad has been taking me to hear jazz ever

since I was knee-high.

knee-high to a grasshopper: very small or youngknee-length: long enough to reach the knee Examples:

knee-length socks The skirt should be knee-length.

16. knee-high


I.I. Word StudyWord Study17. mob

n. a large group of people involved in similar activities, which are often violent or lacking in order

Examples: The usual mob was/were hanging out at the

bar. The angry mob outside the jail was/were

ready to riot.




v. to gather around (somebody) in a crowd to express admiration, interests or anger

Example: They were mobbed by fans when they arrived

at the theater.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study18. nonsensen. ideas, opinions, statements, etc. that are not true or that seem very stupid

Examples: Those accusations are absolute / complete

/ mere / utter nonsense. It’s nonsense to say that he’s too old for the

job.a. nonsensicalExample:

It’s nonsensical to blame all the world’s troubles on one man.



19. pat

v. to touch (sb. or sth.) gently and usu. repeatedly with the hand flat

Examples: He patted my head / patted me on the head

affectionately. My teacher patted me on the back for

getting top marks in my English essay.




n. (C)

Examples:

I gave the little boy a pat on the head.

Mark got a pat on the back from the boss for

his excellent work. (i.e. He was praised by

the boss.)



20. peck

v. a. (of a bird) to bite, hit or pick up (sth. small) with the beak b. to give someone a quick kiss, esp. on the side of the face

Examples:

The parrot pecked my fingers through the bars

of the cage; it really hurt.

The children just pecked at their food, eating

hardly anything. (i.e. only ate small quantities)




Example:

He pecked his aunt on the cheek.

n. peck

Examples:

The hen moved the chicks along with pecks and

flaps of her wings.

She gave him a light peck of farewell.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study21. plead

v. a. to make an argument, emotional statement or request for something b. to make a statement of what you believe to be trueExamples:

He was on his knees, pleading for mercy with kidnappers.

A middle-aged woman had climbed on the tank to plead with the soldiers not to shoot.

The defendant pleaded guilty/innocent to robbery with violence.




a. pleading ad. pleadinglyExample:

a pleading tone

plea

n. (C) an urgent and emotional requestExamples:

He made a plea for help/mercy.

The Archbishop today made an emotional plea

for peace.

Lesson 8 – My Personal Manager


22. point-blank

ad. (of a gun being fired) from a very close position

Example:

Two bullets had been fired nearly point-blank

into the window of the car.




ad. say something very clear in very few words, without trying to be polite or pleasant

Examples:

He asked me to work on the weekend, but I

refused point-blank.

She asked me point-blank whether I would

help her.



23. promote

vt. to encourage the popularity, sale, development or existence of (something)

Examples: Advertising companies are always having to

think up new ways to promote products. It has long been known that regular exercise

promotes all-round good health.

n. promoter




n. promotion

Examples: There was a promotion in the supermarket

and they were giving away free glasses of wine.

Obviously as sales manager he’ll be very involved in the promotion and marketing of the product.

a. promotional




promote

vt. to raise somebody to a higher or more

important rank or position

Example: If I am not promoted within the next 2 years

I’m going to change jobs.

n. promotion




Example: The job offers excellent promotion prospects.

demotevt. to lower in rank or position

Example:

The captain was demoted to sergeant for

failing to fulfill his duties.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study24. stiff

a. severe, difficult to deal with

Example: The athletes was given a stiff punishment for

using drugs.

v. stiffenad. stifflyn. stiffness




a. firm or hard

Examples:

a stiff collar

If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff,

your muscles hurt when they are moved.

We went for a long walk yesterday and I’m

rather stiff today.

Sitting still at a computer terminal all day can

give you a stiff neck.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study25. tear

v. (tore, torn) (infml.) to move hurriedly; to rush (usually with ad./prep.)

Examples: He went tearing along the road after the

bus. They tore out of town on their motorbikes.



26. through

a./ ad. finished or completed

Examples:

Are you through with that atlas?

I’ve got some work to do but I should be

through in an hour if you can wait.

I’ll never get through this report by Friday.



27. tiptoe

on tiptoe(s): if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes, in order to make yourself taller or in order to walk very quietly

Examples:

The children stood on tiptoe in order to

pick

the apples from the tree.

They walked on tiptoe across the hot sand.




tiptoe

v. to walk quietly and carefully on tiptoe

Example:

He waited until his daughter was asleep,

then tiptoed quietly out of the room.


I.I. Word StudyWord Study28. touchy

a. easily offended or upset

Examples:

She’s very touchy about the fact that her

husband has been married before.

This is a touchy subject/issue/point, so

we’d better avoid it.

ad. touchily

n. touchiness




a. touched, touching

Examples:

He was touched that you remembered his

birthday.

The way she looked after her little sister

was really touching.

The TV report about the children’s work for

charity touched us.

ad. touchingly



29. volunteer

n. (C) a person who does sth., esp. helps other people willingly without being forced or paid to do it

Example:

Since it would be a highly dangerous

mission, the captain asked for volunteers.




volunteer

v. to offer to do or give sth. without being

forcedExamples:

During the emergency many staff

volunteered to work through the weekend.

He volunteered for the army.




a. voluntary: done, made or given willingly

Examples:

It’s a charitable organization, depending

for its income upon voluntary contributions

from the public.

She does voluntary work for the Red Cross

two days a week.

The end of Word Study.

Language understanding10. laugh, smile, grin, chuckle, sneer, gigglelaugh: make sounds with the voice in showing happiness,

amusement, scorn etc 放声大笑Smile: to show pleasure, amusement etc by turning up the

corners of the mouth 甜甜微笑grin: smile broadly showing the teeth 露齿而笑chuckle ： to laugh quietly or to oneself 抿嘴轻笑 sneer ： to assume a scornful, contemptuous facial expression 冷笑；讥笑giggle: to laugh with repeated short sounds 咯咯地笑

Language understanding• At that moment, everybody began to and

sing.• He from ear to ear.• He was to himself over what he was

reading.• The inn-keeper and immediately went out.• James at my old bicycle. He has a new one.• The funny man amused the girls, so they .

laugh

chuckling

grinned

smiled

sneered

giggled


List:

1. a laughing stock

2. blow out

3. brush by/past

4. go through with

5. how come

6. let loose

7. make the best of

8. run into

9. the last straw

10. tower over

II.II. Phrases and Phrases and ExpressionsExpressions


someone or something that seems stupid or ridiculous esp. by trying to be serious or important and not succeeding.

Examples: Another performance like that will be the

laughing stock of the league. Stop fooling around you’re making a

laughing stock of yourself.

make a laughing stock of oneself

1. a laughing stock



(of a flame, etc.) to be put out by the wind,

etc.

Examples:

After the dinner party had ended she blew

out the candles.

The sudden breeze made the candles blow

out.

The storm raged all night but by morning it

had blown over/blown itself out. (stopped)

2. blow out



to walk quickly past them, usu. because you

don’t want to speak to them

Examples:

Ignoring their protests, Newnan brushed

past waiting journalists.

She brushed straight by, without even

looking at me.

3. brush by/past



to do (sth. unpleasant or difficult that has already been agreed or promised)

Examples: He’d threatened to divorce her but I never

thought he’d go through with it. When the auctioneer’s hammer falls, the

buyer is legally obliged to go through with the deal.

She decided not to go through with the operation.

He’s determined to go through with the marriage despite his parents’ opposition.

4. go through with




5. how come/so?

This phrase is used to express surprise.

Examples:

So how come you got an invitation and not

me?

— I don’t think I’ll be able to go swimming

tomorrow.

— How come/so?


If you let loose sth. such as bullets or bombs, you release a lot of them altogether.

Example:

He let loose a shriek of delight.

6. let loose



to make an unsatisfactory situation as pleasant as possible (BrE: make the best of a bad job/situation)

Example: We’ll have to spend the night in this awful

place, so we might as well make the best of it.

make the most of sth.: to take full advantage of sth., as long as it continues

Example: It’s a lovely day; we must make the most of it.

7. make the best of



to accidentally drive (a vehicle) into sth.

Examples:

I had to stop suddenly, and the car behind

ran into me.

He ran his motorbike into a tree.

8. run into (sth.)

“ run” phrases




run into (sb./sth.): to meet sb./sth. by chance

Examples:

Graham ran into someone he knew at school

the other day.

We’ve run into bad weather/debt /trouble/

difficulties.



“ run” phrases


to have (an amount, esp. a cost) as a total

Example: The repairs will probably run into thousands

of pounds.

run after: to chase

Example: She has spent her life running after fame

and fortune.

run into



“ run” phrases


run away: to leave a place or person secretly

Examples:

Malcolm and my sister are planning to run

away together to get married.

She accused him of running away from his

responsibilities.



“ run” phrases


run off: to leave suddenly; to print (copies) of sth.

Examples: Amy's husband had run off and left her with

two children to bring up. Could you run me off five copies of this?

run off with: to steal

Example: He ran off with $100,000 of the company’s

money.



“ run” phrases


run out: to finish or be finished; to be used completely

Examples: I’ve run out of milk/patience. Time is running out for the men trapped in

the car.

run through: to practise, to rehearse

Example: The director wants us to run through the 1st

act this morning.



“ run” phrases


run up against: to meet (unexpected difficulty)

最终无法忍受的事，终于导致垮台的因素

Example:

The community scheme has run up against

strong local opposition.


“ run” phrases


a problem which can be dealt with on its own, but which makes a situation very difficult when it’s added to existing problems

Examples: Losing my job was bad enough, but being

evicted from my house was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

She’s always been rude to me, but it was the last straw when she started insulting my mother.

9. the last straw/the final straw/the straw that breaks the camel’s back




throw straws against the wind: 螳臂挡车draw straw/a straw: 抽签a straw man/a man of straw: someone, often an imaginary person, who is used to hide an illegal or secret activity 用作做掩护的人，被用作挡箭牌的人

Example: The fraud depended on hundreds of bank

accounts being opened on behalf of straw men.




straws/a straw in the wind: sth. that suggests what might happen 迹象，预兆，苗头

Example: There were a few straws in the wind

yesterday which indicated that an air attack was imminent.




snatch/clutch/grasp at straws: to try all possible means to escape from a difficult situation, even though there seems to be little hope of doing so 捞救命稻草，作最后挣扎

A straw shows which way the wind blows.草动见风吹。



to be much higher or taller than people or things

close by

Examples:

Although he’s 12, Tom towers over/above his

mother.

One computer manufacturer towers above all

the rest.

10. tower above/over


The end of Phrases and Expressions.


III.III. Word BuildingWord BuildingList:

1. prefix – non

2. prefix – under

3. suffix – tion


under- is from old Englishundersized (7)undersized (7)

prefix

III.III. Word BuildingWord Building

1. meaning “a place or situation below or beneath”

underbrush, undertow, undershirt, undersea

2. meaning “lower in grade, rank or dignity”

undergraduate, understudy

3. before adjectives to mean “of lesser degree extent, or amount”

undersized, underage, underplay

4. “not showing enough, too little”

underfed, undercharge, underdeveloped


used after verbs to form nouns that refer to actions or states of the verbExamples:

abbreviation

action

promotion

relation

suffix -tion

III.III. Word BuildingWord Buildingother noun suffixes: -al, -ity, -ment

The end of Word Building.


IV.IV. GrammarGrammarSubjunctive mood Subjunctive mood

It is funny you should say that. (1)

“ should” here used to show an opinion or feeling

Subjunctive mood can be used in some clauses to express the subject’s emotions such as surprise, relief, disappointment or doubt.



Subjunctive mood

1. Used in subject clauses. The predicate is in the form of “should do” or “should have done”, and the sentence pattern is “It is/was +adjectives”.

Examples:

It is strange that he should feel so angry.

It was extraordinary to me that you should have seen this.

IV.IV. GrammarGrammar



Subjunctive mood

These adjectives include: amazing, annoying, curious, dreadful, incredible, odd, peculiar, queer, regrettable, remarkable, disappointing, embarrassing, pleasing, strange, surprising, etc. and nouns are words like “pity”, “a shame”, etc.

2. Used in object clauses. The predicate is normally in the form of “should do” or “should have done”.




Subjunctive mood

Examples: I regret that she should be so stubborn. We never expected that he should have

forgotten that.

The most frequently used verbs in the main clause include: marvel, puzzle, regret, rejoice, wonder.When the verbs “believe”, “expect”, “think”, etc. are used in negative or interrogative form, then the predicate in the object clauses is in the form of “should+do”.




Subjunctive mood

3. Used in complement clauses of adjectives. The predicate in subordinate clauses is in the form of “should be” or “should have done”.

Examples:

I am amazed that he should get the post.

I am so vexed that such a thing should have been discussed before that child.

I am ashamed that you should have done such a thing.




The most frequently used adjectives are amazed, disappointed, pleased, sorry, surprised, etc.

Subjunctive mood Subjunctive mood




The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. (2)

Adverbial clause of time introduced by noun Adverbial clause of time introduced by noun phrases phrases


In this complex sentence the noun phrase

“the first time” is used to introduced

adverbial clause of time.



Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and made a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington. (3)

Here “every time” is used to introduce adverbial clause of time, meaning “whenever”.





Other noun phrases which can be used to introduced adverbial clause of time are the minute/moment/day, each/ever/next time, the first/second/last time, etc.

Examples: Next time you come here, you must let me

know.





Examples:

The minute he saw the painting he fell in

love

with it.

The day he returned home, his father was

already died.

Every time I listen to your advice, I get into

trouble.



The end of Grammar.


III.III. Sentence Sentence Paraphrase 1Paraphrase 1

Why not let me be your manager? I can promise

you’ll soon be cool, pretty, and popular. (1)

(informal) very attractive, relaxed, fashionable in way people admire

go to 2

someone who is in charge of the business affairs of a singer or actor. Here Carlos is saying that he will help the girl the way a manager helps a singer or actor.



You sound like a soap commercial. (1)

an advertisement for soap operas on television and radio

soap opera

a television or radio story about the daily lives and relationships of the same group of people, which is broadcast regularly

go to 3



I’m going to be a promotion man. I may be short, but I can promote big things.

“Like me.” (1)

a promoter, someone who tries to make people believe or support an idea or a way of doing things

go to 4

Karen deliberately distorted Carlo’s meaning when he said “big things”. She made it sound like he meant “big people”. Therefore she said “like me” in a self-mocking way.

big ideas or big activities



I had my arms full of books and I was tearing into the classroom when I ran into something solid. (2)

“ Have” is a causative verb. After it, compound objects should be used. That is object plus object complement. Here “my arms” is the object and “full of books” is the complement. Similar verbs are “make”, “let”, “keep”, etc. “ When” here is used to introduce the adverbial clause of time. The tense in the main clause is continuous tense, “when” means “at that moment”. The two actions happen simultaneously.




I had my arms full of books and I was tearing into the classroom when I ran into something solid. (2)

moving quickly, especially in a careless way

go to 5

to bump into or to hit

strong and firm in structure



But Reed was studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. (3)

But at that moment, Reed was absorbed in studying chemistry and did not seem to realize what was happening around him.

go to 6

knowing sth. or sb. existing



“ But I need a couple of dictionaries.” Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos, not at him. He had been here only ten minutes and already he had them on his side. (4)

But only now they were laughing together with Carlos, not laughing at him, or treating him as if he were stupid.

go to 7

Carlos needed some thick dictionaries to sit on, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to see anything as he was short.

supporting him



I ought to know better. (5)

I ought to be wise enough not to do that stupid thing or make that foolish mistakes.

“ Ought to” is often used to express an apology (I ought to…) or criticism (you ought to…).

go to 8



I don’t see why you are so touchy. (5)

easily offended or upset

e.g. He’s very touchy

about his baldness.

touchiness n.

go to 9

understand

touching

touched



I brushed by him and said sharply, … he

said. “You and I have a lot in common.”

(5)

to be similar in some way

go to 10

I walked past him quickly and said severely, … He said, “You and I are similar in some way.”



Of course I mind being short. (7)

go to 11

“ Mind” usually takes a gerund for its object. Similar verbs are admit, advocate, appreciate, avoid, can’t help, consider, defer, deny, endure, enjoy, escape, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, involve, postpone, practice, prevent, put off, resist, risk, suggest, stop, etc.



I might have known I couldn’t get a sensible

answer from you. (7)

reasonable Try to distinguish the words “sensible”, “sensitive”, “sensational”, “sentimental” and “sensory”. go to 12

“ Might have known” is used to say that one is not surprised at a situation.



Carlos was through kidding. “Sure, it bothers me, being knee-high to a flea. But there isn’t anything I can do about it…” (7)

Carlos had stopped joking; he was now serious. “Of course, I am troubled by my being short. But I would never change the fact…”

to be through doing sth./ to be through

with sth.: to have stopped doing sth.

go to 13



When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin, I just decided to make best of it and concentrate on being myself. (7)

to use an opportunity as

successfully as possibleto make the best of

what one has

smaller than usual

When I realized that I was going to be this short and not grow taller, I was determined not be affected by the fact and tried my best to live my life to the fullest.

go to 14



And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be

more than pretty. (7)

Here “more than” is used to emphasize the degree meaning “very”. And the opposite expression is “less than”.

You could be pretty. In fact, you might be beautiful.

“ Could” and “might” can be both used to express possibility. But “might” is less certain.




More examples about “more than” and “less than”

Her lecture left me less than satisfactory. 她的演讲怎么也不能使我满意。The kids were less than happy about having a party. 孩子们并不愿意举行晚会。She dressed more than simply. 她穿得何止简朴，简直近乎褴褛。Her lecture left me more than satisfactory. 她的演讲令我非常满意。

go to 15



Then one day, he told me about his latest brain wave. It seemed my acting career was about to burst into flower with the lead part in a play Carlos had dug up. (10)

his most recent sudden clever idea

the mina part in a film or a play

or to burst into blossom means to begin to show happy results

This is an attributive clause, modifying “a play”. “To dig sth. up” means “to find sth. hidden or forgotten by careful searching”.

go to 16



I could not put my heart into that play. (11)

to really enjoy doing sth.

I did not really want to act in the play.

go to 17



The night of the play I felt lowest of all. I didn’t see how I could go out on that stage and make a laughing stock of myself right in front of my parents and Reed Harrington. (12)

to make sth. of oneself: to turn oneself into sth.

to feel in the lowest spirits; to feel most unhappy

laughing stock: someone who has done sth. so

foolish that everyone laughs at him

go to 18



From then on I let loose and acted for all I was worth. (13)

for all one’s worth: with all one’s

effort

to let myself act freely and naturally in the way I wanted

From then on, I completely relaxed and acted with as much effort as possible.

go to 19



Carlos was better than ever, and so was the rest of the cast. Again and again we had to hold up our lines while people laughed. (13)

The end of Sentence Paraphrase.

stop saying our lines so that we may let the audience laugh and applaud. “lines” means actor’s speech

all the people who act in a play or film

The sentence is introduced by “so”, which is used in fully inverted order to express sb. else also did sth. If it is a negative sentence, then “neither” “nor” should be used.


I. Text analysis 1. General Analysis2. Theme3. Structure

4. Further discussion

II. Writing devicesHyperbole

Text AppreciationText Appreciation

Lesson 4 - Wisdom of Bear Wood

Plot of the story

Setting of the story

Protagonists of the story

Writing techniques of the story

Theme of the story

I.I. Text AnalysisText AnalysisHave you

got the key elements in the story?

For reference

General Analysis



Plot: the regaining of the heroine’s self-confidence with Carlos’ help

Setting: at school

Protagonists: “I” (Karen) and Carlo Herrera

Writing techniques: see Writing Devices

Theme of the story: see the next page

I.I. Text AnalysisText Analysis

For reference.

The end of General Analysis.

General Analysis



Young people should have confidence and be themselves.

Theme of the textThe theme is summed up at the very end.

The end of Theme.

Part 1 (paras. 1— ) about:

Part 2 (paras. ) about:





Structure of the text

4

2—6

7—8

9—14

suspense of the story

the first day I met Carlos

Carlos became my personal manager.

the success of us

The end of Structure.


I.I. Text AnalysisText AnalysisQuestion 1: How does the author begin this story? Why?

Para. 1 is what happens after they have met each for some time. Carlos tries to promote himself to Karen. From Para. 1, we can see the personalities of the two characters: “I” not confident enough, and “Carlos” very confident. Carlos recommends himself to be Karen’s personal manager. Therefore Para. 1 may be considered as the rough sketches of the whole story. The author writes it in this way in order to arouse our interest. In Para. 2, the author begins a series of flashbacks and vividly presents the story in front of us by using conversations.



I.I. Text AnalysisText Analysis Question 2: How do you understand the word “golden” in the sentence “It was one of those golden days in late October”?

The word is a pun. Literally the word in the phrase “golden days” means the days when the weather is fine. But when we read further, the word “golden” makes us form an image in our mind, that is in a golden day, Karen’s life is not full of sunshine and may be described as quite gloomy. But we should also realize that it’s also a day which can be considered as a turning point in Karen’s life to make her shed off the inferiority complex.




Question 3: When Carlos first came to the class, the class laughed two times for different reasons. What did the class laugh at for the first time, and what was Karen’s response? What can you infer from Karen’s response?

When the girl bumped into Carlos, he first “looked up” and then said “My, you’re tall”, the whole class laughed. Karen became very angry and sat down silently. Karen was worried if her idol Reed laughed with the others, she would break down. This episode shows that Karen was not confident and felt inferior because of her height.



I.I. Text AnalysisText AnalysisQuestion 4: Was Carlos quickly accepted by his classmates? How did he manage to do that? From which sentence in the text you can draw the inference?

Carlos quickly became popular with his classmates by confidently presenting himself to Mr. McCarthy and by facing his physical defect bravely and humorously by saying “I need a couple of dictionaries” when the teacher assigned him one seat in the back of the room. This time the class laughed, but this time they were not laughing at him but with him together. So we can see that Carlos soon became a hit. He was very confident.




Question 5: What do you think Karen and Carlos had in common and what were their differences?

Both of them had some physical defect with Karen being very tall and Carlos very short. But they had different attitudes toward it. Carlos has made best of his physical defect and managed to live as himself, whereas Karen couldn't make it at the very beginning of the story.



I.I. Text AnalysisText AnalysisQuestion 6: In Para. 9, when Carlos offered Karen a lead part in a play, Karen said that she did not want to be funny. How do you interpret the girl’s words?

Carlos promised the play was funny. But Karen quickly took the subject of “being funny” to be herself. From her response, we knew that Karen still thought she was a laughing stock of the others. Although Carlos had done a lot to change her appearance and her participation in activities, she had not achieved a complete transformation.




Question 7: When did Karen become confident?

When she went on stage and became the focus of the audience, she became confident. The audience enjoyed their play, which was an immediate success.



I.I. Text AnalysisText AnalysisQuestion 8: When Reed Harrington asked Karen for a date, Karen refused and said that she would have a date with Carlos, what is the implication of it?

After the success of the play, Karen realized that one’s physical defect accounted for nothing in being herself. She could be just like Carlos and be proud of herself. She completed her transformation into her real self.



When Carlos said “My, you are tall”, do you think he intended to hurt Karen’s feelings? Why or why not?

Who was Reed Harrington?

Why did Carlos block Karen’s way one day? What was he trying to do? Did Carlos know what was troubling her?

What happened later that got Karen interested in Carlos? What did she decide to do?


Further Discussion About the Story



How did Carlos persuade Karen to accept him as her personal managers?

What did Carlos ask Karen to do? Did Karen follow his instructions?

At first Karen refused to take the lead part in a play. How did Carlos talk her into playing it?

What was the play about? Did Karen and Carlos get any stage fright? How did the play go?

How did Karen feel about the success of the play?

Retell the story in your own words.


Further Discussion About the Story

The end of Further Discussion.


II.II. Writing DevicesWriting Devices

Hyperbole

Sure, it bothers me, being knee-high to a flea. But there isn’t anything I can do about it. (7)

overstatement

exaggeration

Hyperbole is a figure of speech which is an exaggeration. Persons often use expressions such as "I nearly died laughing," and "I tried a thousand times." Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort, or reaction.




Hyperbole

Sure, it bothers me, being knee-high to a flea. But there isn’t anything I can do about it. (7)

Here Carlos told Karen that he was tall enough only to reach the knees of a flea. Here it is used to describe that Carlos was a small person.



II.II. Writing DevicesWriting DevicesHyperbole

Please study the following sentences and see how hyperbole is used in the sentences.

1. I am starving. 2. I was hopping mad.3. He's as big as a house.4. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.5. Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay.6. I've told you a million times not to exaggerate.7. From his mouth flowed speech sweeter than honey.




Hyperbole

Please study the following sentence and see how hyperbole is used in the sentences.

8. For she was beautiful—her beauty made the bright world dim, and everything beside seemed like the fleeting image of a shade. Shelley: “The Witch of Atlas”




Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a type of figurative language. It is often confused with a simile or a metaphor because it often compares two objects. The difference is a hyperbole is an exaggeration.

For example: His feet were as big as a barge.

It looks like a simile. It is comparing foot size to the size of a barge. Everyone knows that a barge is approximately 700 feet long. Can you imagine getting a pair of shoes that big?




Hyperbole

Please rewrite the following sentences by using hyperbole.

1.We produce good shoes for all runners. We produce the best shoes of the world for all runners.

2. The two brothers are quite different. The two brothers are different in a thousand and one ways.




Hyperbole

3. I haven’t seen you for a long time. I haven’t seen you for ages.

4. The cost mounted to very great figures. The cost mounted to astronomical figures.

5. I didn’t like to see her at all. She was the last person I’d like to see in the world.

The end of Writing Devices.

PP ARTART 3 3 EE xtendedxtended E Exercisesxercises


Quiz Quiz

List

1.Quiz 1

2.Quiz 2

3.Quiz 3


Quiz 1Quiz 1red in the face cocky

a quick and light kiss promote

easily offended or annoyed peck

too confident flushed

to help to develop groan

to make a deep sound coach

someone who trains actors touchy

Match the items in the two columns.

The end of Quiz 1.


Quiz 2Quiz 2

1. I’m very sorry to have __ you with so many questions on such an occasion.

a. interfered b. offendedc. impressed d. bothered

2. Anne couldn’t concentrate __ what she was doing while her family were watching TV.

a. to b. onc. for d. in

d b



Quiz 2Quiz 2

3. It is rather __ that we still do not know how many species there are in the world today.a. misleading b. embarrassingc. boring d. demanding

4. The river is already __ its banks because of

excessive rainfall; and their city is threatened with a likely flood.a. parallel to b. level inc. flat on d. flush with

b d



Quiz 2Quiz 2

5. The government is trying to do something to __ better understanding between the two countries.a. raise b. promotec. heighten d. increase

6. He was ______ to himself over what he was reading.a. laughing b. grinningc. chuckling d. sneering

b c



Quiz 2Quiz 2

7. We need to be more ______ to the needs of the young students.a. sensitive b. sensationalc. sensory d. sensible

8. She is far too ______ to believe these ridiculous lies.a. sensitive b. sentimentalc. sensory d. sensible

a d



Quiz 2Quiz 2

9. The firm ran _____ strong competition and was on the verge of bankruptcy.a. after b. up toc. up against d. off

10. The workmen dug ____ the lot next door for a basement.a. at b. down c. into d. up

c d


11. Please run _______ a hundred copies on the duplicating machine.

a. off b. on c. into d. down

12. James ______ at my old bike. He has got a new one.

a. giggled b. sneered

c. grinned d. chuckled


Quiz 2 Quiz 2

a b



Quiz 2Quiz 2

13. She congratulated herself ________ her narrow escape. a. on b. for c. of d. in

14. A plump brown hen was ______ around for stray grains of corn. a. packing b. nibbling c. chewing d. pecking

a d



Quiz 2Quiz 2

15. “And you really think I’m stupid enough to believe that, do you?” he said, flushed ___ anger. a. about b. with c. by d. at

16. It is a great pity that he _____ so careless. a. was b. will be c. should be d. be

b c



Quiz 2Quiz 2 17. It is necessary that the customs of all nations _______. a. be respected b. must be respected c. ought to be respected d. are to be respected 18. ______the railroads were built, early settlers had organized an elaborate system of trails and canals. a. After b. During c. When d. Before

a d



Quiz 2Quiz 2

19. Precautions are taken ______a hurricane threatens to strike the coast of the United States.a. whenever b. however c. always d. whether

20. No sooner ______ gone home than it began to rain heavily.a. had I b. have I c. I had d. I have

a a

The end of Quiz 2.


1. He was a great ___________ to his family. (embarrass)

2. These measures are intended to ______ the backbone of British industry. (stiff)

3. It’s a charitable organization, depend for its income upon ________ contributions from the public. (volunteer)

4. Your life changes _________ when you have a baby. (dramatics)

5. I kissed him on the cheek, ___________ far from his mouth so that no misunderstanding could ever rise. (exaggerate)

Quiz 3Quiz 3embarrassment

stiffen

voluntary

dramatically

exaggeratedly

Fill out the blanks with the proper form of the given words.

The end of Quiz.


Writing Writing

Imagine yourself to be Karen.

Tell how Carlos has changed

your life (in about 150 words).

The end of Writing.

Performance • Dramatize the story

Documents

Lesson 8 My Personal Manager Contents PART 1 Warm-Up PART 1 Warm-Up