An Integrated English Course

Book 2

Unit Three

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, you are supposed to understand the main idea, structure of the

text and the author’s writing style master the key language points and

grammatical structures in the text appreciate and learn from the author’s

wife’s unyielding character and willingness to help others

Teaching Procedure

Pre-reading QuestionsText I. My Stroke of Luck● Passage● Structure analysis● Main idea of the passage● Language points ● sentence studies ● vocabulary studiesText II. A New Attitude to Gratitude

Pre-reading

1. Think of a person you know who suffers misfortunes but still does whatever he/she can to help others. Describe him/her to your classmates.

Grandma Zhang is my neighbor. Three years ago, she lost her husband who had suffered from lung cancer for ten years. Last year, misfortune hit her again. Her only son died in a car accident. However, she recovered from all this very soon. She donated all the compensation money for her son’s death to a kindergarten. She said, “I have no grandchildren, but at least I can do something for those little kids.”

2. Do you believe in luck? Please explain with your personal experience.

Yes, I believe in luck. I have not only heard of but also experienced some strange things. On a rainy afternoon, for instance, I was walking past a huge tree on my way to the classroom when suddenly a big branch snapped and stuck my umbrella with a thump. My umbrella was broken at once. Obviously my neck would have got broken if I had not carried the umbrella.

Text I. My Stroke of Luck

She keeps saving my life. Better still, she keeps giving me reasons to live.

It happened on the way home from a meeting in Filmore, 40 miles north of Los Angeles. My friend Noel Blanc, a helicopter pilot, offered to give me a ride back to the city. We were 50 feet in the air when we collided with a small plane flown by a flight instructor and his young student. Noel and I survived, but the men in the plane died instantly.

I don’t remember being pulled from the wreckage or the ambulance trip to a nearby hospital. But I do remember my wife, Anne, staring down at me on my gurney. After hearing of the accident, Anne took a helicopter to reach me. She insisted on moving me to our neighborhood hospital in L.A., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Another helicopter ride. Just what I needed!

But Anne was right. In L.A. I could get the best care for my spinal injury and start seeing psychiatrists for my very real “survivor’s guilt”. Anne has such good judgment and intuition, she rarely makes a wrong decision. After all, she first saved my life in 1958, when she refused to let me join film producer Mike Todd on his fatal flight. She saved me again after my stroke in 1995, when I became depressed and suicidal.

Anne’s secret is that she learns from life, then moves on. Born in Hanover, Germany, she fled to Belgium to escape fascism as a teenager. She then moved to Paris, surviving the occupation by putting her linguistic ability to work. Fluent in French ， English ， Italian and her native German. She supported herself by placing German subtitles on French films.

We met in 1953 when I was in Paris to star in Act of Love. I was looking for an assistant, and Anne Bydens showed up at my dressing room for an interview. She wore a blue suit with a white collar, and had very delicate wrists and ankles. Quite striking. I explained the position and she politely said, “I don’t think this job’s right for me.” I was miffed. Here I was, an American movie star. I expected her to be eager for the job.

She did accept the position, but only on a temporary basis. And she eventually agreed to go out with me, which had been my first thought anyhow. But that took some doing on my part too. After our first meeting, I called to invite her to supper at Tour d’Argent, one of Paris’s

best restaurants, with fantastic views of the Seine. “No,” she said, “I’m tired. I think I’ll just make myself some eggs and go to bed.” My thought then was, to hell with her.

But it was just that poignant style that made me fall in love. During the following months, while I was filming Ulysses in Italy, Anne often met up with me. In 1954, when our next jobs threatened to keep us apart for months at a time, I realized I didn’t want to lose her and asked her to marry me. We slipped away to LasVegas to tie the knot.

Forty-seven years of marriage is quite a journey. Anne has kept me going through some of the hardest times, which hasn’t always been easy, given that I’m sometimes an actor wrapped up in his ego. After the crash, I couldn’t sit without extreme pain, when we went out, Anne would put me in the rear of the station wagon, where I could stretch out. At dinner with friends, she’d set a place for me as if it were the most natural thing in the world to eat lying on the couch. She consoled me during my survivor’s anguish, but what she wouldn’t tolerate---and here’s the important thing---was me feeling sorry for myself.

Then again, I’ve never seen her feel sorry for herself either. Thirty years ago Anne underwent diagnostic surgery after finding a lump in her breast. Her doctor reported the tumor was malignant, and it was spreading. He encouraged me to authorize him to remove Anne’s breast then and there. I did.

After, I felt guilty having made that choice while she lay unconscious. Anne assured me that I’d done the right thing. She dealt with the cancer, from which she has fully recovered, by helping others---talking to groups about her experiences, and establishing Research for Women’s Cancers with six fellow survivors. Over the years they’ve raised $9 million to help finance a research facility at Cedars-Sinai. Anne recently read an article about the deplorable state of school playgrounds in L.A., and started a program to rebuild and beautify them.

That’s my wife’s method, finding ways her life can help others. I’ve been the beneficiary of that practice many times. The afternoon I had my stroke, Anne was playing bridge with Barbara Sonata, and I was home getting a manicure. When my speech started to slur, the manicurist, a former nurse, immediately phone Anne. My wife was home within ten minutes and had me at the hospital within an hour.

Although she was my rescuer, Anne, who believes in tough love, wasn’t about to let me just lie around. During my recovery, she kicked me out of bed each morning to get me working with my speech therapist. She taught me exercises that helped her when she was learning to speak English, like putting a /d/ before a /j/ to say “just”. My therapist was impressed. One day, feeling proud of my progress, I said, “I think as a treat, tomorrow I’d like to have breakfast in bed”.

Anne looked at me and said, “You’d like breakfast in bed? I think you’d better sleep in the kitchen!” The most difficult consequence of my stoke was the depression I suffered. While I was going through it, Anne endured my moods but didn’t allow me to complain.

In the midst of writing my latest book, My Stroke of Luck, I had an epiphany, inspired by my wife. How to handle a stroke is how to handle life. The world is filled with people who have suffered one misfortune or another. What sets the survivors apart from the others is the willingness to move on, and to help others move on too. Anne has been doing that for as long as I’ve know her.

Structural analysis

The story is basically a piece of narrative writing, in which the account of the latest event is interrupted by a number of flashbacks (some earlier events and experiences). It begins with the air crash. Then it goes back to what had happened before. After this the author resumes the narration of the air crash and subsequent events.

Part One: (Paragraphs 1-2) The author uses his recent accident---an air crash---as an

introduction to the whole story. The first paragraph tells the readers what happens to the author, while the second paragraph describes how his wife reacts to the accident. The description of her reaction naturally leads to the discussion of her good judgment in the following paragraphs.

Part Two: (Paras. 3-4)

These two paragraphs function as the first flashback in the story which describes Anne’s good judgment on previous occasions and her experiences during the Second World War.

1) “She saved me again after my stroke in 1995, when I became depressed and suicidal.”

Note that the word “save” here means “to help me out of depression”, because severe depression sometimes could lead to one’s suicide.

2) “occupation” refers to German fascists’ occupation of France during the Second World War.

(Paras. 5-7): These paragraphs tell us how the author met Anne, fell in love with her and eventually married her. This is the second flashback.

(Para. 8)After two flashbacks, the author turns back to his recovery from the crash with his wife’s meticulous care.

(Paras. 9-10): These two paragraphs are also a flashback. The author recalls

how his wife handled her crisis: she never gave in and always tried to help others.

Part three: (Paras. 11-13): These three paragraphs are closely related with the previous t

wo, because they present a picture of how Anne saved her husband, helped rebuild his confidence and kept him moving on in her own way.

In paragraph 11, Anne’s “good judgment” is reaffirmed by her swift reaction to her husband’s stroke (“was home within ten minutes and had me at the hospital within an hour”)

Part four (Para. 14): As is the case with most narrative writings, the

concluding paragraph provides an end to the event (the air crash). However, the author goes beyond that by offering his general comments on Anne’s character, thus making the conclusion somewhat philosophical.

Main Idea of the passage

The text tells the author’s wife’s unyielding character and willingness to help others.

Language pointsParaphrases:1. She saved me again after my stroke in 1995, when I bec

ame depressed and suicidal.In 1995, I had a stroke and my wife helped me out of depr

ession, which sometimes could lead to one’s suicide.2. I was in Paris to star in Act of Love.I was in Paris to play a leading role in Act of Love.Act of Love is a film produced in 1953, in which Kirk Dougl

as and Dany Robin played the roles of hero and heroine.3. I was miffed. Here I was, an American movie star. I expe

cted her to be eager for the job.I got angry, because I was a famous American movie star,

and expected Anne to accept the job with eagerness.

4. But that took some doing on my part too. But I also made some efforts to adjust myself.5. My thought then was, to hell with her.“to hell with sb.” is a curse. Here the author is

cursing “her” under his breath.6. We slipped away to Las Vegas to tie the knot.We went quietly to Las Vegas to get married.7. … which hasn’t always been easy, given that

I’m sometimes an actor wrapped up in his ego.… which hasn’t always been easy, because I am

sometimes too proud of myself as an actor.

8. She consoled me during my survivor’s anguish.When I suffered an aftermath fear of the disaster and

was in times of sadness, my wife gave me comfort.Survivor’s anguish is a kind of depression in which t

he survivor suffers a aftermath fear of disaster and uncertainty about what would happen to him/ her in the future.

9. Anne, who believes in tough love ...Anne believes that you should be a bit tough with you

r loved ones in order to get them back to normal life as quickly as possible.

安妮相信，越是你所爱的人，越应该严加要求，这样才有助于他们尽快过上正常的生活。

Offer v.1) willing to give someone something, or to hold something out to the

m so that they can take itThey offered him a very good job but he turned it down2) willing to pay a particular amount of moneyThey’ve offered us $750,000 for the house.3) willing to do something I don’t need any help, but it was nice of you to offer.4) to provide something that people need or want He offered no explanation for his actions.Collocation: offer sth. to sb.offer (sb.) sth. foroffer to do sth.have sth. to offer (to sb.)

collide v. to hit each other accidentallyE.g. The two planes collided with each other in midair. Fill in the blanks with proper forms of collide.1) Environmentalists and loggers are on a course, with no

compromise in sight.2) Donna swerved to avoid with a taxi. 3) The school bus was involved in a with a truck.Survive v.1) to continue to live after an accident, a war or an illnessOnly 12 of the 140 passengers survived.2) to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and dangersA few pages of the original manuscript still survive.3) to continue to live or exist after the death or cessation of

someone elseHarry survived his wife by three months.

Derivation: survivorCollocation: survive sth ; survive onFill in the blanks with proper forms of survive.1) There are concerns that the refugees may not

the winter. 2) I don’t know how you all manage to on Je

remy’s salary. 3) Major Hawkins was the lone of the crash.

instantly adv. immediately, at onceE.g. He pressed the button and instantly there was a s

trange sound.

wreckage n.1) the remains of something that is destroyedsearch the wreckage for survivors2) the destruction of someone’s relationships, hopes, plan

s etc.the wreckage of a once-promising careerDerivation: wreck v.; wrecked adj.; wrecker n.Fill in the blanks with proper forms of wreckage.1) the seabed where the lies2) The train at the crossing. 3) a boy growing up in the of a broken marriage 4) sailors/goods 5) a home

stare v. to look at sth. for a long time without moving one’s eyes

Stop staring out of the window and do some work! What are you staring at?Collocation: stare out; stare at; stare after; stare sb. downFill in the blanks with after, at, down, and out.1) The time and place were unsuitable for an argument, but at

least I could express my opposition to the woman by staring her .

2) Children enjoy a silly competition in which they try to stare each other .

3) When the country boy visited the big city for the first time, all he could do was to stare the tall buildings in wonder.

4) She stared him as he left her, tears blinding her eyes.

Insist on 1) to lay emphasis in assertionThroughout the trial, the prisoner insisted on his innocence.2) to urge; to strongly demand (something or doing something)I must insist on paying for my share of the meal.intuition n. the power of knowing something without reasoning E.g. How did you know that, Jane?Women’s intuition! depressed adj. sad or gloomyE.g. I need something to occupy my mind. I get depressed if I have

nothing to do.depression n. E.g. perfectly stable people are often plunged into depression by

divorce, unemployment, or failure in their work.suicidal adj. with a tendency to commit suicideE.g. He suffered periods of deep depression, when his mood became

suicidal.

fatal adj. 1) very dangerous; causing deathMeningitis is a serious illness, fatal in some cases.2) having a very bad effect, especially making someone fail or sto

p what they are doing It’s always fatal to stay up late before an exam.Antonym: nonfatalDerivation: fatality, fatallyCollocation1) fatal accident/illness/injury etc.: a fatal climbing accident2) prove fatal(=be fatal)If it is not treated correctly, the condition can prove fatal.3) it is fatal to do sth4) fatal mistake/errorGraf made a fatal mistake halfway through the match.

show up1) (informal) to arriveOnly thirty members showed up for the yearly general

meeting.2) to (cause to ) be easily seenThe lines on her face show up in the pale spring light.3) (of a fault) to (cause to ) be uncovered or made clearThe faults in the recording will show up on this expensive

record-player.4) to make clear the truth, usu. unfavorable about (someone) Performing by herself showed her up as a rather poor singer.

delicate adj.1) made skillfully and with attention to the smallest detailsa delicate pattern of butterflies and leaves2) easily damaged or brokena delicate bubble of Venetian glass(to be continued)

3) needing to be dealt with carefully or sensitively in order to avoid problems or failure

The negotiations are at a delicate stage.4) used to modify a part of the body that is attractive and

graceful: He looked down at his long white delicate fingers.

5) used to modify a taste, smell, or color that is pleasant and not strong: a delicate shade of blue

Antonyms: strong; clumsy; crude; harsh; robust; healthy; straightforward; tactless

Derivation: 1) delicacy n. Snails are considered a delicacy in France.2) delicately adv.3) indelicate adj. He made an indelicate remark at the

dinner table.

Fill in the blanks with proper forms of the word.1) You will have to be very in your handling of the

situation. 2) the of the china 3) porcelain 4) The plate had a designed pattern of leaves.Striking a. very attractive or impressiveE.g. With her mass of black hair and pale skin she looked very

striking.temporary adj.lasting only for a limited period of timeE.g. We apologize for the temporary inconvenience caused by the

building work.Antonym: permanentDerivation: temporariness n; temporarily adv.The library is _________ closed for repairs.This is only a _________ solution to the problem.

poignant adj.keen or strong in mental appeal1) It was a poignant moment. They held hands and looked into each other’s eyes

for the last time.2)The sight of the elders embracing with tears in their eyes was particularly poigna

nt.Derivation: poignantly adv.; poignancy n. poiganceHis remarkable life and tragic death poignantly express the hopes and disappoint

ments of a whole generation.Translate the following sentences into English:1) 切肤之痛poignant agonies2) 辛酸的回忆poignant memories3) 绝顶的美丽poignant beauty4) 辛辣的讽刺poignant satire

go through: to experience; to sufferI admire the way she’s still so cheerful after all that

she’s gone through.be wrapped up in: to be totally absorbed inHe doesn’t have much time for a social life, because

he’s too wrapped up in his work.console v.to give comfort to someone in times o f sadness1) Susanna did her best to console her daughter b

promising to buy her another doll.2) William consoled himself what the thought that at

least no one else had been involved in the accident. Collocation: console sb. withDerivation: consolation n; consolatory adj.Fill in the blanks with proper forms of the word

console.1) She could not the weeping child. 2) You are a to me at such a sad time.3) a gesture to the injured pride

stretch out1) to lie down, usually in order to sleep or restI’m just going to stretch out on the couch for ten minutes.2) to put out your hand, foot etc. in order to reach

somethingJimmy stretched out his hand for the candy.3) to (cause to ) lengthen in timeThe years ahead seemed to stretch out for ever.Comparison:put out: Put your hand out, I have a surprise for you.spread out: The whole valley was spread out before his eyes.space out: We should space out our visits sensibly, so that she doesn’t

miss us for too long at a time.

undergo v. to experience E.g. He was frightened when he realized he would ha

ve to undergo a dangerous heart operation.authorize v. (authorize sb. to do sth.): to give permissio

n for E.g. Only the Congress can authorize the President to

declare war.feel guilty: to have a feeling of guilt or shame Many working mothers feel guilty about leaving their

children at home and going out to work. When my grandmother died I felt guilty that I had not

visited her more while she was alive.finance v. to provide money for; to fund E.g.State pensions are financed by the contributions

of those still at work.

Deal with: 1) to take action about (something or someone, usu. troublesome)

The Head Office deals with all complaints.2) to be concerned with; to treat (a subject)Tom’s latest book deals with police methods.3) to have a relationship with (someone); to have talks withWhy is she refusing to deal with our new neighbour?4) to punish (sb): I’ll deal with the boy when he comes home!Comparison: treat of: to deal with a subject in speech or writing; discourseThis article treats of the dangers facing certain groups of wild an

imals.

Fill in the blanks with proper words.1) I’ve always dealt Mrs. Brown the dressmaker. 2) I’ve been dealing Brown’s for twenty years. 3) Mr. Sharp has always been dealt fairly me. 4) This shop deals woolen goods. 5) The children felt that the teacher had been unfair in

dealing the punishment to the whole class.Key: with at by in outDeplorable a. very regrettableConditions in the prison were deplorable.a deplorable waste of tax-payers’ moneyDerivation: deplore v.; deplorably adv.; deplorableness n.The UN deplored the invasion as a “violation of

international law”.

beneficiary n.the receiver of a benefitE.g. People on high incomes will be the main beneficiaries of these

changes in the tax laws.Derivation: beneficial adj.; benefit v.; beneficially adv.Fill in the blanks with proper forms of the word beneficiary.1) an agreement that will be to both parties 2) an aid program that has brought lasting to the region 3) Those children are of the new kindergarten. 4) I can see the advantages of this for you, but how will I ?Key: beneficial, benefits, beneficiaries, benefitSlur v. to pronounce unclearlyHe was obviously drunk and slurring his words.Collocation: slur over slur over one’s duties 回避责任

Treat n.1) something special that you give someone or do for

them because you know they will enjoy itSteven took his son to the zoo as a birthday treat. 2) an unexpected event that gives sb. a lot of pleasureI really miss everyone, and getting a letter from home

is a big treatCollocation1) my treat: Let’s go out for dinner— my treat this

time. 2) go down a treat : Brightly colored building blocks

always go down a treat with toddlers.3) look/work a treat: The sports ground looked a treat,

with all the flags flying.

endure v.: to bear1)The report describes how political prisoners have to endure.2) She had to endure countless attacks on her reputation fro

m popular newspapers.3)They endured months of despair as their daughter’s illnes

s grew progressively worse.Derivation: endurance n. endurable adj. endurability n. en

durably adv.Fill in the blanks with the proper forms of the word endure.1) The marathon really tested his . 2) Bosnians have now several years of war. 3) Do you think it is for another three months to have

nothing to eat ?Key: endurance, endured, endurable

inspire v.to influence, to give a sudden good idea1) The novel is obviously inspired by her experience of Christianity i

n her childhood.2) These designs are inspired by the colors of Italian peasant potter

y.Collocation1) inspire sb. to sthI hope this success will inspire you to greater efforts.2) not inspire confidenceHis driving hardly inspires confidence.Fill in the blanks with the proper forms of the word inspire.1) The seascapes of Cape Cod were her . 2) The book was by his travels in the Far East. 3) King, 27 years old, was a great orator and an leader.Key: inspiration, inspired, inspiring

handle v. to treat, to deal with1) Francis is a natural leader. He’s very good at

handling people. 2) I’m sure Sandra will give us the money if we

handle her properly.set apartto make (something or someone) different, to

distinguish1) What set the play apart was the way it dealt

with the murder scene.2) His dedication really set him apart from

previous party leaders

Text II. A New Attitude to Gratitude Faith Andrews Bedford

One of the nice things about having grown children is that I no longer have to bug them about writing thank-you notes. When they were little, all three would dictate thank-yous that I would include with drawings they’d made of their presents. By the time Eleanor, Sarah and Drew were old enough to write their own thank-you notes, however, they would do so only with much prodding.

“Have you written to Grandy for the book yet?” I’d ask. “What did you say to Aunt Dorothy about that toy?” I’d be met with mumbles and shrugs.

One year, in the days following Christmas, I’d grown weary of nagging. The children had become mother-deaf. Frustrated, I declared that no one would be allowed to play with anew toy or wear a new outfit until the appropriate thank-you notes had been mailed. Still they procrastinated and grumbled.

Something snapped. “Everyone into the car,” I said.“Where are we going?” Sarah asked, bewildered.“To buy a Christmas present.”“But it’s after Christmas,” she protested.“No arguing,” I said in a tone that mean exactly

that.The kids piled into the car. “You’re going to see just

how much time those who care about you spend when they give you a present,” I told them. Handing Drew a pad of paper and a pencil, I said, “please mark down the time we left home.”

When we reached town, Drew noted our arrival time. The children helped me select presents for my sisters at a local shop then we turned round and drove home.

Bursting free the confines of the car, the children headed for their yard toys.

“Not so fast,” I said, “We’ve got to wrap the presents.” The kids slouched inside.

“Drew,” I asked, “did you note the time we got home?” He nodded. “OK, please time the girls while they wrap the presents.”

When they’d tied the last bow, they looked up expectantly. “How long did this all take?” I asked Drew.

Glancing at his notes, he said, “It took us 28 minutes to get to town and 15 minutes to buy the presents. Then it was 38 minutes to get home because we had to buy petrol.”

“And how long did it take us to wrap the boxes?” Eleanor asked.

“Each of you did one present in two minutes, ”Drew said.

“And how many minutes will it take to mail these presents?” I asked.

“Fifty-six minutes, round trip,” Drew reckoned.“But you forgot standing-in-line time,” said Sarah.“OK,” Drew said, “We need to add about 15 minutes

for mailing.”“So, what’s the total time we’d spend to give someone

a present?”Drew worked out the arithmetic. “Two hours and 34

minutes,” he said.I laid some stationery, a pen ad an envelope beside

each child. “Now please write a thank-you note. Be sure to mention the present by name and tell what fun you’ll have using it.”

Silence reigned as the children gathered their thoughts; soft pen scratchings followed. “Done,” said Eleanor, pressing her envelope closed.

“Me too,” echoed Sarah.“That took us three minutes,” Drew said, sealing his letter.“Is three minutes too much to thank someone for a thought

ful gift that may have taken two and a half hours to choose and send to you?” I asked.

The children looked down at the table and shook their heads.“It’s a good idea to get into the habit now. In time you’ll

want to write thank-you notes for many things.”Drew groaned. “Like what?” “Like dinners or lunches. Or weekends at someone’s hom

e or the time someone takes to give you advice on university applications or careers.”

“Did you have to write thank-yous when you were a kid?”

“Absolutely.”“What did you say?” he asked. I could tell he was formulat

ing the rest of his thank-you notes.“It was a long time ago,” I said.Then I remembered Uncle Arthur, my great-grandfather’s

youngest brother. I’d never met him, yet every Christmas he sent me a gift. Eh was blind and lived far away. His niece Becca, who lived next door, sat down with him and wrote out $5 cheques to his great-and-great-great-grand- nieces and nephews. I always wrote, telling him what I’d spent his cheque on.

Years later, I had the chance to visit Uncle Arthur. As we chatted, he told me he’d always enjoyed my notes.

“You remember them?” I asked.“Yes,” he replied. “I’ve saved some of my favorites.” H

e waved towards a stand by the window. “Would you get the packet of letters out of the top drawer? It’s wrapped in ribbon.”

I found an old letter with my handwriting and read aloud: “Dear Uncle Arthur, I am writing this to you as I sit under the hair dryer at the beauty salon. Tonight is the Holiday Ball at the high school and I am spending your Christmas cheque having my hair done for the party. Thank you so much. I know I’ll have a wonderful time, in part because of your thoughtful gift. Love, Faith.”

“And did you?” he asked.I thought back to that wonderful evening so many years ago. “Defini

tely,” I answered with a smile that I wished Uncle Arthur could see.Sarah’s tug at my sleeve pulled me back to the present. “What are

you smiling at?” she asked.I told the children about uncle Arthur’s gifts and how glad I was that

I’d written a note each year. They obviously meant a lot to him.“And did you look beautiful?” asked Sarah.“My date thought I did.”

“Who did you go to the ball with? What did you wear?” asked Eleanor.

“I think I have a photo of that evening,” I said, going to the bookshelves and pulling down a scrapbook. I opened it to a photo of me standing in front of my parents’ fireplace. I’m wearing a black velvet evening dress, and my hair is done in an elaborate French twist. Beside me, a handsome young man beams as he hands me a corsage.

“But that’s Daddy!” Eleanor said in surprise.I nodded and smiled.As the children settled down to finish the rest of their

notes, I stroked the faded petals of the faded gardenia pasted next to the photo.

Last Christmas, Bob and I celebrated our thirty-sixth wedding anniversary. Thank you. Uncle Arthur.

1,084 words

Main idea of Text 2

There are so many things to be thankful for in this world, like dinners or lunches, or weekends at someone’s home or the time someone takes to give you advice on university application or careers. So it’s a good idea to get into the habit now. In time we’ll want to write thank-you notes for many things. And the thank-you note obviously would mean a lot to the receiver.

Topics for discussion:

What did the author ask her children to do to express their gratitude?

The author asked her children to write thank-you notes to express their gratitude.

What’s your way to express your gratitude?Open to discussion.

How do you think we should appreciate what others have done for us?

Open to discussion.

Words and Expressions for Text IStroke n. 1. an unexpected piece (of luck)2. a sudden illness in part of the brain which damages it and can ca

use loss of the ability to move some parts fo the body 中风helicopter n. a type of aircrafts which can land in a small space and t

ake off without running over the ground 直升机Give someone a ride to give a free journey to someonecollide v. to hit each other acidentallyinstantly adv. Immediately, at omcewreckage n. the remains of something that is destroyed

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stare v. to look at steadily for a long timegurney n. ( 医院中推送病人用的 ) 轮床insist on to demand (something) in a firm wayspinal a. of or for the spine 脊椎的psychiatrist n. a doctor trained in the treatment of diseases of t

he mindintuition n. the power of knowing something without reasoningfatal a. very dangerous; causing deathdepressed a. sad or gloomysuicidal a. with a tendency to commit suicidefascism n. 法西斯主义

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fluent a. able to speak smoothly and easilysubtitle n. (in films or on television) text of dialogue translated int

o a foreign language and shown at the bottom of the screen 影视剧字幕

assistant n. a person who is employed to help someone do his jobstriking a. very attractive or impressivemiffed a. slightly angrytemporary a. lasting only for a limited period of timeeventually adv. At last; in the endpoignant a. keen or strong in mental appealslip v. to leave secretlyBe wrapped up in to be totally absorbed in

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ego n. 1) the self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves 自我 2) self-importance 自负

Station wagon (AmE) =estate car (BrE) a private motor vehicle with a door at the back, or removable back seats, and a lot of room to put boxes, cases, etc., inside

Stretch out to straighten (the limbs or body) to full lengthconsole v. to give comfort to (someone) in times of sadnessanguish n. very great pain and suffering, esp. of the minddiagnostic a. of or for diagnosing 诊断的

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surgery n. the performing of medical operations, usu. including the cutting open of the skin 外科手术

malignant a. (of disease) serious enough to cause death if not prevented 恶性的（肿瘤等） cf. benign

authorize v. to give permission for deplorable a. very regrettablebeneficiary n. the receiver of a benefit (cf. benefactor)manicure n. a treatment for the hands and esp. the fingernails, i

ncluding cleaning, cutting, etc. 修指甲slur v. to pronounce unclearlybelieve in to have faith in, to trusttherapist n. a specialist in a particular branch of therapy

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endure v. to bearepiphany n. a comprehension or perception of reality

by means fo a sudden intuitive realization 对事物真谛的顿悟

inspire v. to influence, to give a sudden good idea handle v. to treat, to deal withset apart to make (something or someone) different,

to distinguishmove on to proceed, to go on with one’s life or work.

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About the author: (1916-)A famous American film actor and producer, Kirk Douglas was born to Russian Jewish immigrant parents in 1916. He waited tables to finance his education at St. Lawrence University, where he was a top-notch wrestler. After some work as a professional wrestler, Douglas held various odd jobs, including a stint as a bellhop, to put himself through the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1941, he debuted on Broadway, but he had only tow small roles before he enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II. Following his discharge, Douglas returned to Broadway in 1945, where he began getting more substantial roles; he also did some work on radio.

Nominated three times by the Academy for Best Actor, he failed to take home the statue, but later received an Honorary Oscar in 1995, just months after suffering a stroke. He did win a Golden Globe for Lust for Life, however. And he won an American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.

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survivor’s guilt: the author felt guilty because he survived while the others on the plane did not.

Act of Lover: a film produced in 1953, in which Kirk Douglas and Dany Robin played the roles of hero and heroine.

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…to hell with her: “To hell with…” is a curse. Here the author is cursing “her” under his breath.

Ulysses: a movie filmed in 1967 and based on James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. Starring Barbara Jefford and Milo O’shea, it was adapted by Fred Haines and Joseph Strick and derected by Strick.

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Notes for Text II…however, they would do so only wit much prodding ： … ho

wever, they would not do it before I urged them again and again. In this structure, “only” can also be placed in front of the verb, especially in informal English. For example: He would only go there with his girlfriend. (=He would go there only with his girlfriend.)

…become mother-deaf: refused to pay attention to what Mother said. Notice the rule fo word formation here: noun+adjective. Common examples include “fire-proof”, ”water-resistant”, and “environment-friendly”, etc. here the author combines “mother” and “deaf” together in order to achieve a humorous effect.

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Something snapped: Suddenly I got an idea.Busting free the confines of the car, the children

headed for their yard toys. The children impatiently rushed out of the car which had limited their freedom for a while and ran towards their yard toys.

Silence reigned as the children gathered their thoughts… No one uttered a sound as the children were thinking about what to write.

In time you’ll…: In the future (or: Eventually) you’ll.

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Word comparison

Group 1: A. turn up B. take part in C. attend

A. Turn up means (not formal) to arrive or to be found, often unexpectedly.

B. Take part in means to join or act in (an activity).

C. Attend means to go to an event such as a meeting or a class.

Group 2: A. expectedly B. finally C. successfully D. completely

A. Expectedly means having been looked forward to or regarded as likely to happen.

B. Finally means after a long time or as the last of a series of things.

C. Successfully means having the effect or result one intends.

D. Completely means in every way; totally.

Group 3: A. effortlessly B easily C. immediately D. finally

A. Effortlessly means with much ease.B. Easily means without problems or

difficulties.C. Immediately means without delay.D. Finally means after a long time or

as the last of a series of things.

Group 4: A. hold B. help C. take care of D. treat

A. Hold means to put your arms around someone in order to comfort them, or to show that you love them etc.

B. Help means to make it possible or easier for someone to do something by doing part of their work or by giving them something they need.

C. Take care of means to look after someone or something

D. Treat means to behave towards someone in a particular way.

Group 5: A. run away B. leave quietly C. tiptoe

A. Run away means to go away, as by running; to leave; to escape.

B. Leave quietly means to go away from a place or a person without being noticed.

C. Tiptoe means to walk quietly and carefully on one’s toes.

Translation:1. Most people in the Middle East believe in

Islam.2. As the fire was destroying the building, we just

stood and stared at all this.3. He relied more on intuition than logic in

solving the case.4. The country is going through a very difficult

period, after the earthquake.5. Last week the board of directors authorized

the installation of a new computer system.6. This area has been the greatest beneficiary of

a large restoration program.7. The government finances higher education

with tax money.8. He insisted that what he said was true, even

though the police refused to believe him.