Unit 6: Part A Nerds and Geeks 21st Century College English: Book 1

Unit 6: Part AUnit 6: Part A

Nerds and GeeksNerds and Geeks

2121st Century College English: Book 1st Century College English: Book 1

Unit 6: Part AUnit 6: Part A

• Pre-Reading Activities

• Intensive Study

• Exercises

• Assignment

Pre-reading ActivitiesPre-reading Activities

• Warm-up Questions

• Listening

AAre there any negative terms in China that are re there any negative terms in China that are used in connection with a fellow student? What used in connection with a fellow student? What values do they express? Are they used for hard values do they express? Are they used for hard working students?working students?


DDo you know the terms “nerds” and “geeks”? If o you know the terms “nerds” and “geeks”? If not, skim through the first two paragraphs to guess not, skim through the first two paragraphs to guess their meaning.their meaning.


Some of the top nerds and geeks

Diogenes (412?-323 BC)

I had rather be mad than delighted.

Stand a little less between me and the sun.


Charles Babbage(1792-1871)


Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)


Alan Turing (1912-1954)


John von Neumann (1903-57)

Intensive StudyIntensive Study

Difficult sentencesDifficult sentences

Key words, phrases & usagesKey words, phrases & usages

Comprehension exercisesComprehension exercises

• Intensive Study

Nerds and GeeksNerds and Geeksby by Leonid FridmanLeonid Fridman

11 There is something very wrong with the system of values in a There is something very wrong with the system of values in a

society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for the the

intellectually curiousintellectually curious and and academically seriousacademically serious..

Text A:Text A: Nerds and Geeks Nerds and Geeks

22 We all know what a nerd is: someone who wears thick glasses We all know what a nerd is: someone who wears thick glasses

and ugly clothes; someone who knows all the answers to the and ugly clothes; someone who knows all the answers to the

chemistry or math homework but can never chemistry or math homework but can never get a dateget a date on a on a

Saturday night. And a geek, according to “Webster’s New World Saturday night. And a geek, according to “Webster’s New World

Dictionary”, is a street performer who shocks the public by biting Dictionary”, is a street performer who shocks the public by biting

off heads of live chickens. It is off heads of live chickens. It is a revealing facta revealing fact about our language about our language

and our culture that someone and our culture that someone dedicated todedicated to the the pursuitpursuit of knowledge of knowledge

is compared to such a is compared to such a freakfreak..


33 Even at a prestigious Even at a prestigious educational institutioneducational institution like Harvard, like Harvard, anti-anti-

intellectualismintellectualism is widespread: Many students are ashamed to is widespread: Many students are ashamed to

admit, even to their friends, how much they study. Although most admit, even to their friends, how much they study. Although most

students try to keep up their grades, there is but a small group of students try to keep up their grades, there is but a small group of

undergraduates for whom pursuing knowledge is the most undergraduates for whom pursuing knowledge is the most

important thing during their years at Harvard. Nerds are important thing during their years at Harvard. Nerds are looked looked

down upondown upon while athletes are while athletes are made heroes ofmade heroes of. .


44 The same thing happens in U.S. elementary and high schools. The same thing happens in U.S. elementary and high schools.

Children who prefer to read books rather than play football, prefer Children who prefer to read books rather than play football, prefer

to build model airplanes rather than to build model airplanes rather than idle away this timeidle away this time at parties at parties

with their classmates, become with their classmates, become social outcastssocial outcasts. Because of their . Because of their

intelligence and refusal to intelligence and refusal to conform toconform to society’s anti-intellectual society’s anti-intellectual

values, many values, many are deprived ofare deprived of a chance to learn adequate social a chance to learn adequate social

skills and acquire good communication tools.skills and acquire good communication tools.


55 Enough is enoughEnough is enough. .

66 Nerds and geeks must stop being ashamed of what they are. Nerds and geeks must stop being ashamed of what they are.

Those who don’t study hard must stop Those who don’t study hard must stop teasingteasing those who do, the those who do, the

bright kids with thick glasses. The anti-intellectual values that bright kids with thick glasses. The anti-intellectual values that

have spread throughout American society must be fought. have spread throughout American society must be fought.


77 There are very few countries in the world where anti-There are very few countries in the world where anti-

intellectualism runs as high in popular culture as it does in the U.S. intellectualism runs as high in popular culture as it does in the U.S.

In most industrialized nations, not In most industrialized nations, not least of all our economic rivals in our economic rivals in

East Asia , a kid who studies hard is praised and East Asia , a kid who studies hard is praised and held upheld up as an as an

example to other students. example to other students.

88 In many parts of the world, university professorships are the In many parts of the world, university professorships are the

most prestigious and most prestigious and materially rewardingmaterially rewarding positions. But not in positions. But not in

America, where average professional ballplayers are much more America, where average professional ballplayers are much more

respected and better paid than professors of the best universities.respected and better paid than professors of the best universities.


99 How can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their How can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their

daughter studying mathematics instead of going dancing, or of daughter studying mathematics instead of going dancing, or of

their son reading their son reading WeberWeber while his friends play baseball be while his friends play baseball be

expected to compete in the technology race with Japan or remain expected to compete in the technology race with Japan or remain

a leading political and cultural force in Europe? How long can a leading political and cultural force in Europe? How long can

America remain a world-class power if we constantly put social America remain a world-class power if we constantly put social

skills and physical strength over academic achievement and skills and physical strength over academic achievement and

intellectual ability?intellectual ability?


1010 Do we really expect to stay Do we really expect to stay afloatafloat largely by importing our largely by importing our

scientists and intellectuals from abroad, as we have done for a scientists and intellectuals from abroad, as we have done for a

major portion of this century without making an effort to also major portion of this century without making an effort to also

cultivate a pro-intellectual culture at home? Even if we have the cultivate a pro-intellectual culture at home? Even if we have the

political will to spend a lot more money on education than we do political will to spend a lot more money on education than we do

now, do we think we can improve our schools if we laugh at our now, do we think we can improve our schools if we laugh at our

hard-working pupils and fail to respect their impoverished hard-working pupils and fail to respect their impoverished

teachers? teachers?


1111 Our fault Our fault lies not so much with our economy or with our politics our economy or with our politics

as within ourselves, our values and our image of a good life. within ourselves, our values and our image of a good life.

America’s culture has not America’s culture has not adapted to the demands of our times, to the demands of our times, to

the economic realities that demand a highly educated workforce the economic realities that demand a highly educated workforce

and innovative intelligent leadership. and innovative intelligent leadership.


1212 If we are to succeed as a society in the 21st century, we had If we are to succeed as a society in the 21st century, we had

better better do away with our anti-intellectualism and teach our children our anti-intellectualism and teach our children

that a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and that a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and

pursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilities. .

1313 Not until the words “nerd” and “geek” become terms of praise Not until the words “nerd” and “geek” become terms of praise

rather than insults do we rather than insults do we stand a chance..


……a society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek a society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for for the intellectually curious and academically seriousthe intellectually curious and academically serious..

Paraphrase:Paraphrase:

??those students who have genuine curiosity for academic those students who have genuine curiosity for academic knowledge and who regard study as a serious business.knowledge and who regard study as a serious business.

dedicate todedicate to

— — devote (esp. oneself) to a special task or purposedevote (esp. oneself) to a special task or purpose

e.g.e.g.

• Mother Teresa Mother Teresa dedicateddedicated her whole life her whole life toto helping the helping the poor.poor.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicateddedicated his life/himself his life/himself toto Civil Rights Movement.Civil Rights Movement.

dedicateddedicated

—— very interested in and working wholeheartedly forvery interested in and working wholeheartedly for

e.g.e.g.

• The medical student is The medical student is dedicateddedicated to finding a cure for to finding a cure for AIDS.AIDS.

• The elderly gentleman was a The elderly gentleman was a dedicateddedicated teacher. teacher.

pursuitpursuit n.n.

— — the act of pursuing someone or somethingthe act of pursuing someone or something

e.g.e.g.

• His main interest in life is the His main interest in life is the pursuitpursuit of fame. of fame.Cf:Cf:

pursuepursue: :

— — make continued efforts to gainmake continued efforts to gain

e.g.e.g. He wants to He wants to pursuepursue his studies in Britain after his studies in Britain after graduation.graduation.

Translate:Translate:

他一生都在追求名和利他一生都在追求名和利 ,, 但一样都没有得到但一样都没有得到 ..

KeyKeyHe has pursued fame and fortune all his life but has He has pursued fame and fortune all his life but has

achieved neither.achieved neither.

deprive ofdeprive of

— — to to take away from, prevent from usingtake away from, prevent from using

e.g.e.g.

• The young man was The young man was deprived ofdeprived of his bachelor’s degree. his bachelor’s degree.

• The fire The fire depriveddeprived him him of of his factory.his factory.


剥夺他的公民权是非法的。剥夺他的公民权是非法的。

KeyKey It is illegal to It is illegal to deprivedeprive him him ofof his citizen’s right. his citizen’s right.

Enough is enough. Enough is enough.


??Key:Key:

适可而止吧。适可而止吧。


I told a funny story, but nobody laughed, least of all I told a funny story, but nobody laughed, least of all my father.my father.

least of allleast of all

— — especially not (used after a negative statement)especially not (used after a negative statement)

e.g.e.g.

• The food is barely enough for one family, The food is barely enough for one family, least of least of allall the whole village. the whole village.

Typical pattern:Typical pattern:

no one/nothing …, least of all …no one/nothing …, least of all …

e.g.e.g.

• No oneNo one seemed to pay any attention to the teacher, seemed to pay any attention to the teacher, least of allleast of all the kids. the kids.

KeyKey我讲了个笑话，但没人笑，尤其是我父亲。我讲了个笑话，但没人笑，尤其是我父亲。

hold uphold up v.v.

— — to show with respect as an exampleto show with respect as an example

e.g.e.g.

• The old man often The old man often holds upholds up his youngest daughter as his youngest daughter as an example of hard work.an example of hard work.

• Michael Jordan Michael Jordan is held upis held up by many American blacks by many American blacks as an example to follow.as an example to follow.

stay afloat/keep afloatstay afloat/keep afloat v.v.— — (of a ship) float instead of sinking; (of a ship) float instead of sinking; (figuratively) free of debt or get over difficulties(figuratively) free of debt or get over difficulties


Do we really expect to Do we really expect to stay afloatstay afloat largely by importing largely by importing our scientists and intellectuals from abroad, …?our scientists and intellectuals from abroad, …?

KeyKey难道我们真的希望这样靠从国外引进科学家和知识分子难道我们真的希望这样靠从国外引进科学家和知识分子

来生存下去吗来生存下去吗 ? …? …

e.g.e.g.

• The company managed to The company managed to stay afloatstay afloat during the during the crisis.crisis.

lie with lie with v.v.

— — be the responsibility of, to rest withbe the responsibility of, to rest with

e.g.e.g.

• The report said that Dianna’s accident The report said that Dianna’s accident lies withlies with the the drunk driver. drunk driver.

• It It lies withlies with you to accept or reject the suggestion. you to accept or reject the suggestion.

PracticePractice

Make a sentence with “lie with”.Make a sentence with “lie with”.

??

adapt to adapt to v.v.

— — make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation), make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation), change so as to be suitablechange so as to be suitable

e.g.e.g.

• Some freshmen find it difficult to Some freshmen find it difficult to adapt toadapt to Sichuan’s Sichuan’s hot food. hot food.

• Don’t worry. You will soon Don’t worry. You will soon adapt toadapt to college life. college life.

do away with do away with v.v.

— — put an end to, get rid ofput an end to, get rid of

e.g.e.g.

• That school That school did away withdid away with uniforms years ago. uniforms years ago.

• It’s important for government officials to It’s important for government officials to do away do away withwith those outdated notions. those outdated notions.

PracticePractice

Make a sentence with “do away with”.Make a sentence with “do away with”.

??

… … a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and a good life depends on exercising one’s mind and pursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilitiespursuing knowledge to the full extent of one’s abilities..

Paraphrasing:Paraphrasing:

?? making all possible efforts to gain knowledge.making all possible efforts to gain knowledge.

stand a chancestand a chance v.v.

— — to to have the possibility of achieving somethinghave the possibility of achieving something

e.g.e.g.

• If you get straight As, you will If you get straight As, you will stand a good chancestand a good chance of of winning the scholarship.winning the scholarship.

• Unskilled workers will Unskilled workers will standstand almost almost no chanceno chance of of being reemployed.being reemployed.


我们队有获胜的希望。我们队有获胜的希望。

KeyKey Our team still stands a chance of winning the game.Our team still stands a chance of winning the game.

not so much asnot so much as

With a noun or a phrase, we use this phrase to express With a noun or a phrase, we use this phrase to express quantityquantity


The professor is not so much a scholar as a businessman.The professor is not so much a scholar as a businessman.

KeyKey这个教授与其说是学者还不如说是个商人。这个教授与其说是学者还不如说是个商人。

More to learnMore to learnMore to learnMore to learn

e.g.e.g.

• She works very hard She works very hard not so muchnot so much for money for money asas for for pleasure.pleasure.

• His success lies His success lies not so muchnot so much with his intelligence with his intelligence asas with his connections.with his connections.

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. X, p. 133Ex. X, p. 133《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. X, p. 133Ex. X, p. 133

ExercisesExercises

ExercisesExercises

X.X. Combine the following pairs of sentences, using Combine the following pairs of sentences, using asas … … asas or or notnot soso muchmuch … … asas after the model. after the model. There are very few countries in the world where anti-There are very few countries in the world where anti-

intellectualism runs intellectualism runs soso high in popular culture high in popular culture asas it does in the it does in the U.S.U.S.

The fault lies The fault lies notnot soso muchmuch with our economy or with our policies with our economy or with our policies asas within ourselves, our values and images of a good life. within ourselves, our values and images of a good life.

1.1. a)a) His teacher is able to make the point clear and His teacher is able to make the point clear and convincing.convincing.

b)b) He is also able to make the point clear and convincing.He is also able to make the point clear and convincing. He is able to make the point as clear and convincing as He is able to make the point as clear and convincing as

his teacherhis teacher

ExercisesExercises




2.2. a)a) This is not a matter of putting more money into education.This is not a matter of putting more money into education.

b)b) This is a matter of changing our anti-intellectualism This is a matter of changing our anti-intellectualism values.values.

This is not so much a matter of putting more money into This is not so much a matter of putting more money into education as a matter of changing our anti-intellectual education as a matter of changing our anti-intellectual values.values.

ExercisesExercises




3.3. a)a) They think that academic achievement is important to a They think that academic achievement is important to a student.student.

b)b) They also think that social skills are important to a They also think that social skills are important to a student.student.

They think that social skills are as important as academic They think that social skills are as important as academic achievement to a student.achievement to a student.

ExercisesExercises




4.4. a)a) The purpose of this article is not to answer theThe purpose of this article is not to answer the question.question.

b)b) The purpose of this article is to discuss the question.The purpose of this article is to discuss the question.

The purpose of this article is not so much to answer the The purpose of this article is not so much to answer the question as to discuss the question.question as to discuss the question.

ExercisesExercises




5.5. a)a) Professors are respected and well paid in this country.Professors are respected and well paid in this country.

b)b) Professional ballplayers are also respected and well paid Professional ballplayers are also respected and well paid in this countryin this country

Professional ballplayers are as respected and well paid as Professional ballplayers are as respected and well paid as professors in this country.professors in this country.

Text-related informationText-related information

Webster’s New World DictionaryWebster’s New World Dictionary

Webster’s New World Dictionary (College Edition) Webster’s New World Dictionary (College Edition)

is a well-known dictionary of the American language is a well-known dictionary of the American language

intended for college students. Its definition of “geek” is intended for college students. Its definition of “geek” is

somewhat out-of-date as this word is currently used as a somewhat out-of-date as this word is currently used as a

slang term referring to anyone lacking social grace or slang term referring to anyone lacking social grace or

popularity.popularity.

HarvardHarvard

Harvard University (Harvard University ( 哈佛大学哈佛大学 ) is the oldest ) is the oldest American university, founded in 1636 at Cambridge, American university, founded in 1636 at Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is generally considered the most Massachusetts. It is generally considered the most prestigious university in the U.S., perhaps analogous to prestigious university in the U.S., perhaps analogous to Beijing University’s status in China. The main Beijing University’s status in China. The main university campus lies along the Charles River a few university campus lies along the Charles River a few

miles west of Boston. miles west of Boston.


Max Weber, 1864-1920Max Weber, 1864-1920

Weber was a German sociologist Weber was a German sociologist

and political economist, one of the and political economist, one of the

founders of sociology. His ideas, which founders of sociology. His ideas, which

spanned subjects from economic spanned subjects from economic

history to the sociology of music, history to the sociology of music,

continue to be extremely influential. continue to be extremely influential.

For a young person in the U.S. to be For a young person in the U.S. to be

reading Weber would be a marker of a reading Weber would be a marker of a

strong intellect.strong intellect.


http://www.dhm.de/lemo/objekte/pict/f52_2692/index.html

Exercises

• Comprehension

• Vocabulary

• Listening & Discussion

Comprehension

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. II, p. 130Ex. II, p. 130《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. II, p. 130Ex. II, p. 130

1.1. What do the words “nerd” and “geek” mean in What do the words “nerd” and “geek” mean in American slang?American slang?

Key:Key: A “nerd” is someone who does well in school, but is A “nerd” is someone who does well in school, but is socially unpopular. “Geek” literally means a street socially unpopular. “Geek” literally means a street performer who bites the heads off from chickens. performer who bites the heads off from chickens. Informally, it is often used by teenagers to describe a Informally, it is often used by teenagers to describe a person who is “uncool” or not popular.person who is “uncool” or not popular.Relevant to: Relevant to: Para. 2Para. 2

Comprehension

2.2. According to the author, what does it show about According to the author, what does it show about American society that these words are used to describe American society that these words are used to describe the hardest-working, most accomplished student? the hardest-working, most accomplished student?

Key:Key: It shows that such students, and academic skills in It shows that such students, and academic skills in general, are not valued or respected.general, are not valued or respected.

Comprehension

3.3. What is meant by “Enough is enough” in paragraph 5?What is meant by “Enough is enough” in paragraph 5?

Key:Key: This phrase means that the author feels it is now This phrase means that the author feels it is now time to reverse the trend and to start respecting intelligent,time to reverse the trend and to start respecting intelligent,hardworking students. hardworking students.

Comprehension

4.4. What does the author see as the cause of anti-What does the author see as the cause of anti-intellectualism in the U.S.?intellectualism in the U.S.?

Key:Key: Because good students are not respected in school as Because good students are not respected in school as children, they do not have any opportunity to develop the children, they do not have any opportunity to develop the social skills that would make them popular as adults.social skills that would make them popular as adults.Relevant to: Relevant to: Para. 4Para. 4

Because of their intelligence and refusal to conform to Because of their intelligence and refusal to conform to society’s anti-intellectual values, many are deprived of a society’s anti-intellectual values, many are deprived of a chance to learn adequate social skills and acquire goodchance to learn adequate social skills and acquire goodcommunication tools.communication tools.

Comprehension

5.5. How does he suggest it should be fought?How does he suggest it should be fought?

Key:Key: He suggests that poor students must stop teasing He suggests that poor students must stop teasing good students.good students.

Comprehension

6.6. What comparison does the author make between the What comparison does the author make between the U.S. and other industrialized countries in terms of how U.S. and other industrialized countries in terms of how professors and serious students are treated?professors and serious students are treated?

Key:Key: He says that they are treated much better in other He says that they are treated much better in other countries than in the U.S.. In East Asia, for example, countries than in the U.S.. In East Asia, for example, professors are well-paid and respected, and top studentsprofessors are well-paid and respected, and top studentsare praised as good examples.are praised as good examples.

Comprehension

7.7. What result does the author foresee of not respecting What result does the author foresee of not respecting and valuing intellectuals?and valuing intellectuals?

Key:Key: He forecasts that it will lead to a downturn in the He forecasts that it will lead to a downturn in the U.S. economy and to a lowering of America’s place in theU.S. economy and to a lowering of America’s place in theworld.world.Relevant to: Relevant to: Para. 9Para. 9

Comprehension

8.8. How do the introduction and the conclusion of the text How do the introduction and the conclusion of the text work together to support each other?work together to support each other?

Key:Key: In the introduction, the way in which “nerd” and In the introduction, the way in which “nerd” and “geek” are used to illustrate the values which the author is “geek” are used to illustrate the values which the author is arguing against. In the conclusion, he points out that when arguing against. In the conclusion, he points out that when these words gain a positive meaning, it will indicate thatthese words gain a positive meaning, it will indicate thatthe battle has been won.the battle has been won.

Comprehension

VocabularyVocabulary

• VocabularyVocabulary Ex. IV

Ex. V

《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. IV, p. 130Ex. IV, p. 130《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. IV, p. 130Ex. IV, p. 130


IV. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the IV. Fill in the blanks with the words given below. Change the form where necessary. form where necessary.

prestigious import pursue acquire average prefer prestigious import pursue acquire average prefer shock pursuit compete bite extent admit shock pursuit compete bite extent admit

1.1. People are really _______ to learn that the intellectually People are really _______ to learn that the intellectually curious and hard-working are called names, such ascurious and hard-working are called names, such as

nerds and geeks, in some parts of the U.S. nerds and geeks, in some parts of the U.S.

shockedshocked

2.2. When questioned, the children ___________ that their When questioned, the children ___________ that their homework remained untouched, as they had idled away homework remained untouched, as they had idled away their time doing nothing. their time doing nothing.

admittedadmitted


3.3. He has made up his mind to _______ his studies abroad. He has made up his mind to _______ his studies abroad.

pursuepursue

4.4. It’s a pleasant surprise to me that my daughter should It’s a pleasant surprise to me that my daughter should ______ to read English at home rather than go shopping______ to read English at home rather than go shopping

with her mother this evening. with her mother this evening.

preferprefer




5.5. He is so ___________ that he is not only interested in the He is so ___________ that he is not only interested in the whats, whys and hows, but also knows where to find the whats, whys and hows, but also knows where to find the answers to all of these questions.answers to all of these questions.

intelligentintelligent

6.6. If you need further qualificationsIf you need further qualifications （（条件条件）） for the job, for the job, check out how and where you can ___________ them. check out how and where you can ___________ them.

acquireacquire




8.8. He is keen to ____________ relations with this company He is keen to ____________ relations with this company because of its good reputation. because of its good reputation.

cultivatecultivate

averageaverage

7.7. His intelligence is not even up to the __________ level; His intelligence is not even up to the __________ level; therefore, his success is largely due to his hard work. therefore, his success is largely due to his hard work.






9.9. Spicy Spicy (( 辛辣的辛辣的 )) food is ____________ of Sichuan cooking. food is ____________ of Sichuan cooking.

typicaltypical

10.10. We have never seen anyone with such a strong dedication to We have never seen anyone with such a strong dedication to the ______________ of success. the ______________ of success.

pursuitpursuit


11.11. This wine is ___________ from France, and it is rather This wine is ___________ from France, and it is rather expensive. expensive.

12.12. The guard dog has been trained to ___________ without The guard dog has been trained to ___________ without barking. barking.

importedimported

bitebite






13.13. The American economy, and its ability to __________ The American economy, and its ability to __________ abroad, was slowing down according to the report.abroad, was slowing down according to the report.

competecompete

14.14. Students’ attention will not be drawn to their studies if we Students’ attention will not be drawn to their studies if we ____________ put social skills and physical strength over ____________ put social skills and physical strength over academic achievement and intellectual ability. academic achievement and intellectual ability.

constantlyconstantly




15. 15. How can we continue to produce first-class engineers if the How can we continue to produce first-class engineers if the most ______________ universities are unable to offer most ______________ universities are unable to offer decent salaries to attract the best professors?decent salaries to attract the best professors?

16.16. In my opinion, high-IQ students are usually intellectually In my opinion, high-IQ students are usually intellectually curious and very good at making use of their time to the curious and very good at making use of their time to the fullest ____________. fullest ____________.

prestigiousprestigious

extentextent


《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. V, p. 131Ex. V, p. 131《读写教程 I 》 : Ex. V, p. 131Ex. V, p. 131


V.V. Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with phrases or expressions from the text that best keep the phrases or expressions from the text that best keep the original meaning.original meaning.

1.1. That famous professor has That famous professor has devoteddevoted her entire life her entire life toto the the improvement of our educational systemimprovement of our educational system

dedicated, todedicated, to

2.2. The teacher told Bob that if he started working hard The teacher told Bob that if he started working hard right now, he still right now, he still had hopehad hope of passing the final exam. of passing the final exam.

stood a chancestood a chance


3.3. In this university high-achieving students are In this university high-achieving students are taken astaken as examples for other students to follow.examples for other students to follow.

held up asheld up as


4.4. No one from the community, No one from the community, especiallyespecially the community the community leaders, supported his argument that the public should be leaders, supported his argument that the public should be held responsible the current problems. held responsible the current problems.

least of allleast of all


5.5. If the essay does not If the essay does not meetmeet university requirements, then university requirements, then the student cannot receive his or her degree.the student cannot receive his or her degree.

6.6. The poet The poet sayssays his love his love is likeis like a red, red rose that’s newly a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June.sprung in June.

conform toconform to

compares, tocompares, to



7.7. In my opinion, professional boxing should be In my opinion, professional boxing should be abolishedabolished..

8.8. In times of war, people are In times of war, people are not allowednot allowed the freedom to go the freedom to go out at night.out at night.

done away withdone away with

deprived ofdeprived of



9.9. Something must be done about the fact that students Something must be done about the fact that students working hard at their studies feel ashamed and are working hard at their studies feel ashamed and are considered inferiorconsidered inferior by others. by others.

looked down uponlooked down upon


10.10. You will feel good when you get to know the culture in You will feel good when you get to know the culture in this country and this country and become used tobecome used to the lifestyle here. the lifestyle here. adapt toadapt to


11.11. I always prefer starting early, I always prefer starting early, rather thanrather than leaving leaving everything to the last minute. everything to the last minute.

12.12. As they were unable to As they were unable to makemake the rent payments, their the rent payments, their landlord took back the house, leaving the couple and landlord took back the house, leaving the couple and their 7-year-old son homeless.their 7-year-old son homeless.

instead ofinstead of

keep upkeep up



Listening PracticeListening Practice

《听说教程 I 》 : Part 3.3, p. 76Part 3.3, p. 76《听说教程 I 》 : Part 3.3, p. 76Part 3.3, p. 76

Directions:Directions: Listen to the following text-related Listen to the following text-related conversation carefully and find answers to the conversation carefully and find answers to the questions that follow it.questions that follow it.

Answer QuestionsAnswer QuestionsAnswer QuestionsAnswer Questions


Answer QuestionsAnswer Questions

1.1. Who is the subject of the old man’s speech?Who is the subject of the old man’s speech?

His opposition to anti-intellectual values.His opposition to anti-intellectual values.

2.2. What does Ed think of the old man?What does Ed think of the old man?

He thinks he’s a nerd.He thinks he’s a nerd.



3.3. What is Juliet’s point when she asks if Ed has ever asked What is Juliet’s point when she asks if Ed has ever asked his teachers how much they get paid?his teachers how much they get paid?

That the low salaries that teachers get paid reflect That the low salaries that teachers get paid reflect society’s anti-intellectual vales.society’s anti-intellectual vales.

4. 4. Does Ed see anything wrong with making athletes into Does Ed see anything wrong with making athletes into heroes?heroes?

No.No.


5.5. Does Ed agree that intellectuals are not respected?Does Ed agree that intellectuals are not respected?

No. No.

6.6. Why does Ed start laughing?Why does Ed start laughing?

Because the idea of showing people thinking and reading Because the idea of showing people thinking and reading books on TV seems funny to him.books on TV seems funny to him.



AssignmentAssignmentRevision of Text A:Revision of Text A:

• VocabularyVocabulary

Ex. IVEx. IV, , p. p. 130;130;

Ex. VEx. V, , p. 131p. 131

• Word BuildingWord Building

Ex. XIEx. XI, , p. p. 134;134;

Ex. XIIEx. XII, , p. 134p. 134

Documents

Unit 6: Part A Nerds and Geeks 21st Century College English: Book 1