Unit two

Small House in the Big Woods

I. Objectives

1) to learn previewing as a reading skill2) to learn the new terms and expressions in

the passages3) to understand the figurative expressions in

the passage

II. Reading skill

Previewing (II)● Read the title, subtitle and subheadings, if any; ● Read the goals and objectives the author put in front

of the passage ;● Look at the pictures, charts or other illustrations;● Read the first sentence of each paragraph;● Read the first and the last paragraphs of a reading

passage;● Read the questions after the passage;

Fast reading practice

• Finish the three reading passages in 10 minutes (80 words per minute) and apply the skill to your reading.

• Check the keys

III. Text study

1. The author Laura Ingalls Wilde:

(February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American author who wrote the Little House Series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family.

2. Little House Series: a series of children's books by Laura Ingalls Wilder that was published originally between 1932 and 1943.

It is based on decades-old memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood in the Midwest region of the United States during the late 19th century. The books are told in the third person, with Laura Ingalls acting as the central character and protagonist, and are generally classified as fiction.

3. The structure

Part one (the 1st para.-the 7th para.)The setting of the story:---pioneer family in the woods---early spring ---farm house---parents and kids

Part II (the 8th---the 3rd paras. from the end)

The story itself:---The mother and Laura ran into a bear.---The mother remained calm and Laura was

helpful and courageous. --- The night was different without father.---The whole family looked forward to the

father’s return.

Part III (the last 3 para.)

Father returned and the threat was gone. The family were happy with gifts from the father. Life was normal again.

4. Detailed study of the text

◆In the big Woods the snow was beginning to thaw.

thaw: (of ice,snow,fronzen things) pass into liquid state; melt 融化

e.g. Th ice in the lake begins to thaw in spring.

◆ At noon all the big icicles along the eaves of the little house quivered and sparkled in the sunshine, and drops of water hung trembling at their tips.

icicle: a hanging spike of ice formed by the freezing of dripping water 冰柱

eave: the edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall 房檐

quiver: to shake with a slight, rapid, tremulous movement 颤抖；震动

（译）中午时分，小屋屋檐边挂着的冰柱在太阳下微微颤动，熠熠发光，冰柱尖上挂着的水滴摇晃着。

• Pa said he must go to town to trade the furs of the wild animals he had been trapping all winter.

trap: to catch in a trap 设陷井捕捉

• They knew that Pa would trade his furs to the storekeepers for beautiful things from town,…

trade…for: to make an exchange of one thing for another 用…进行交换

（译）他们知道爸爸会用他的毛皮和镇上的店主们换得漂亮的东西…

• It was time to do the chores, and still he had not come.

chore: a small routine task, esp a domestic one 家务杂事

（译）是到了做家务杂事的时候了，但是他依然没有回来。

• ， and in the sky there were a few faint stars. faint: Adj. lacking clarity, brightness, volume, etc 模糊

的Verb. to lose consciousness, esp momentarily, a

s through weakness 昏倒

• barn ： a large farm building used for storing farm products and sheltering livestock 谷仓；畜棚

• Just then Laura saw long, shaggy,black fur, and two little, glittering eyes. Sukey had thin, short, brown fur. Sukwy had large, gentle eyes.

• shaggy:having or covered with rough unkempt fur, hair, wool, etc

（毛发）蓬松的；粗浓杂乱的

Notice the vivid comparison between a bear and a cow made by a young girl.

Bear: long, shaggy,black fur, and two little, glittering eyes

Cow: had thin, short, brown fur and large, gentle eyes.

( 译 ) 就在那一刻，借着灯笼发出的跳动的一点光亮，透过大门横条之间的缝隙，劳拉看到了长而杂乱的黑色皮毛，还有两只闪亮的小眼睛。苏克长着薄而短的棕色皮毛，眼睛大而温柔。

snatch ： seize quickly and eagerly 抓取；抢夺

She clutched her purse tightly, fearing that a thief might snatch it.

她紧紧抓着自己的钱包，生怕小偷把包抢去。

• , and they said their prayers and snuggle into the trudle bed.

prayer: a reverent petition made to God, a god, or another object of worship 祈祷；祷告

snuggle ： to lie or press close together 偎依；舒服地蜷伏

• They were all happy because Pa had got such good prices for his fur that he could afford to get such beautiful presents.

afford:to have the financial means for 买得起；负担得起

IV. Rhetoric features

1. Repetition2. Comparison3. Simile 4. Personification

1. Repetition

The sun sank out of sight, the woods grew dark, and he did not come. Ma started supper and set the table, but he did not come. It was time to do the chores, and still he had not come.

2. Contrast

1) The stars did not look as warm and bright as the little lights that came from the lantern.

2) (The bear had) long, shaggy, black fur, and little, glittering eyes. Sukey had thin, short, brown fur, large and gentle eyes.

3) The house seemed cold and still and strange, without Pa.

4) Little house in the big woods

3. Simile

• All around the house the wind went crying as though it were lost in the dark and the cold.

4. Personification

1) The little bits of candle lights leaped all around her on the snow.

2) All around the house the wind went crying as though it were lost in the dark and the cold.

• Character summary：Ma---brave, calm, sensible, quick at reactionLaura---brave, obedient, considerate, helpful,

curiousPa---hard-working, responsible, smart, strongBear---stupid, lovely, dangerous

VI. Exercise