unit 2 philosophy 最新英美报刊选读 _unit 2 philosophy my advice to michelle obama: learn to...

Unit 2

Philosophy

最新英美报刊选读 _Unit 2 Philosophy

My Advice to Michelle Obama: Learn to Like the Back Seat


Background Information

Language Features

Detailed Reading

Post-Reading

Passage 1

Organization Analysis

Warming-up Questions


Language Features报刊英语中的指代

在英语报刊中，对一些组织和人物，西方记者经常采用其特征进行指代，使新闻报到更活泼，更富有色彩。猜猜这些指代的意思：

Green Berets

Blue Berets

Iron Lady

Aimless missile

绿色贝雷帽（美国的特种部队）蓝色贝雷帽（联合国维持和平部队）铁娘子（英国前首相撒切尔夫人）不定向导弹（西方报刊对利比亚总统卡扎菲的代称）


在本文中，作者使用 First Lady 和 Back Seat 来指代美国总统夫人，以及她应扮演的角色，虽着墨不多，却非常形象生动地把总统夫人所处的即重要，同时又须甘愿引退到丈夫的身后做默默牺牲的处境表达得淋漓尽致。


另外，使用人名和地名指代，可以避免语言过于直接唐突，也可以丰富内容，使读者在所了解的范围内任意驰骋在想象的空间里。这些文中的短语又在指代什么？

NO. 10

Washington

another Hillary

American Cherie

唐宁街 10 号，指代英国首相府

既告知了地点又说明了去这个地方的目的媒体对 Michelle 略带戏谑的批评

不无 Cherie 本人的自嘲


Background Information First Lady in the United States with political, social and hist

orical significance, has been controversial in the United States academia. First

Lady as the focus of attention of the public and the media today, and even in e

very aspect of modern life, plays a special role. First Lady has such following

features ：1) First Lady is the unofficial title of the wife of an elected male head in the U

S government.

2) First lady is not elected and not entitled to any power and official duties, and

so she is not paid.

3) First Lady attends many offcial ceremonies and celebrations, and

frequently participates in charity work.

4) First Lady usually plays an active role in her husband’s election campaig

n.


最好运率直：芭芭拉 · 布什 (Barbara Bush)

以下是中国日报网环球在线评选出来的美国第一夫人之最：

最支持民权运动：埃莉诺 · 罗斯福 (Anna Ele

anor Roosevelt )

最坚强隐忍：南希 · 里根(Nancy Reagan)

最低调贤惠：劳拉 · 布什 (Laura Bush)

最善利用信息：伊迪丝 · 罗斯福(Edith Roosevelt)最有政治抱负：希拉里 · 克林顿 (Hillary Clinton)

最饱受争议：杰奎琳 ·肯尼迪 (Jacqueline Kennedy)


Obama Welcomes Children to White House Easte

r Egg Roll

Listen to the following news and answer the

questions:

Question 1: On what occasions is the White House South Lawn often occupied?

Question 2: What is the significance when many people are invited to the

White house this day?

Question 3: What is the theme of the day’s activities?

Question 4: How many family member are there in the first family? Who are

they?


Obama Welcomes Children to White House Easter Egg Roll

The White House South Lawn is often a place

It is ______________________________complete with red carpets and mar

ching bands.

But on Easter Monday ， it _______________________.

(Music)

_________________________________________ from across the countr

y were able to get tickets through the Internet for this year's White House Ea

ster Egg Roll.

They ________________________from President Barack Obama.

Listen to the news again and fill in the blanks.

for pomp and protocol.

belongs to the young

Roughly 30,000 children and their parents

the starting point for state visits

got an official welcome


"This is one of the greatest White House traditions

__________________________________________!" the president said.

The tradition goes back to 1878. It began with races on the White House la

wn, where ___________________________________________

Those races continued under the new president. But there were other activit

ies as well, designed to _______________________. First Lady Michelle

Obama said they all fit this year's theme: "Let's go play!"

"Oh, we have got basketball, a little soccer as well, and we want everybody

to think about moving their bodies!" the first lady said.

promote a healthy lifestyle

children pushed painted Easter eggs with big spoons.

because it reminds us that this is the people's house


There was also a place where children could just sit and listen and let their i

maginations roam.

"Where the Wild Things Are. The night Max wore his wolf suit and made _

_____________________________ ..." president Obama explained.

It was a spot near the trees that frame the South lawn, where books _______

________________________________. The president

____________, [reading from the popular children's book "Where the Wild

Things Are" by Maurice Sendak] as did the first lady, with daughters Malia

and Sasha nearby.

Not present at the event was______________________________, a puppy

named Bo. The new first pet, a Portuguese water dog, is expected to make _

___________________________ . his public debut on Tuesday

mischief of one kind and another

borrowed from a local library were read aloud

took a turn

the latest addition to the first family


How do you balance home and career?How do you balance home and career?

• Be a full-time working parent and hire a babysitter.

• Be a stay-at-home parent and take care of home.

• Be a part-time working parent and spare time on fam

ily life.

• I don't believe balanced days are actually possible.

Warming-up Questions


Para.1-2 Introduction

Para.3-14 Suggestions

Para.15-16 Conclusion



Part I (Para.1-2)

Main Idea: Introduction Para.1 Cherie Blair shows her respect to Michelle Obama for her outstanding performance.

Para.2 The context in which her article was written——reaction to Michelle Obama’s published article



Part II (Para.3-14)Main Idea: Suggestions

Para.3-4 Adjusting the relationship between Michelle and her husband, the US president.

Para.5-7 Michelle should share her husband’s burden without interfering.

Para.8-10 Michelle should keep a suitable image neither too household nor too political-oriented.



Para.11-14 It is really hard to decide to continue with her career even if Michelle knows the boundary between home and outside world.

Part III (Para.15-16)Main Idea: Conclusion Compliment and warning



Detailed ReadingPassage ReadingUnderstanding

SentencesWord Study


1. By the time of last week’s election, she had won over all but the most partisan of critics. (Para. 1)

Translation 到上星期选举之前，她已经争取到了几乎所有的评论家的支持。

Comments 这个句子中包括两个词组： won over （把……争取过来）和 all but （几乎）。在阅读时注意语义的分割和联系。

Examples 1. We'll be working hard over the next ten days to win over the undecided voters.

2. His left arm was all but useless.

Understanding Sentences

Back to the Text


2. The power behind the throne is a line of attack

political opponents are only too keen to deploy, as

Hillary Clinton discovered. (Para. 6)


Back to the Text

Translation 正像希拉里所发现的：王位之后的权力正是政敌都非常热衷使用的攻击目标。


2. The power behind the throne is a line of attack political opponents are only too keen to deploy, as Hillary Clinton discovered. (Para. 6)

Comments

在名词 attack 后省略了定语从句的关系代词“ that”，关系代词在定语从句中作 deploy 的宾语。短语 a line of attack容易望文生义，其确切意思是“攻击的方向” 。另外， only too … to 太 /非常……做……，这个句型的后半句没有否定的意思。

Examples 1. Though there is fighting nearby, the camp is not in th

e

line of fire.

2. I'm sure he'd be only too glad to help you.


Back to the Text


3. When Tony returned to the No 10 flat after a long day immersed in the detail of government policy, the last thing that he needed was a further round of political discussion with me. (Para. 7)

Translation 在深入思考国家政策的漫长的一天之后，托尼回到唐宁街 10号，他此时最不愿意做的事情就是和我进行又一轮进一步的政治探讨。

Comments 词组 the last + person/thing 是一种表达强烈否定态度的句型。


To be continued

Examples 1. She's the last person I'd expect to meet in a disco.

2. Money was the last thing I cared about right now.

3. The last thing she needed was for me to start crying too.


Word Study

1. reveal v. (Para. 2)

1) to make known something that was previously secret or unknown 揭示；揭露；透露

He may be prosecuted for revealing secrets about

the security agency. It is a test that can reveal a teacher's hidden skills 2) to show something that was previously hidden

使显露；展示；显示

The curtain opened to reveal the grand prize.

Back to the Text

Ant: conceal


2. priority n. (Para. 2)

1) the thing that you think is most important and that

needs attention before anything else 优先考虑的事；重点

Being fashionable was low on her list of priorities.

Word Study

To be continued

2) the right to be given attention first and before other

people or things 优先权

Buses take priority over other vehicles on the road.


3. dynamic adj. / n. (Para. 3)

adj.1) full of energy and new ideas, and determined to

succeed 强有力的；有活力的 Profits have doubled under his dynamic leadership.

2) continuously moving or changing 不断变化 (发展 )的

The IT sector is fast-growing and dynamic.

n. something that causes action or change 动力 She regards class conflict as a central dynamic of his

torical change.

dynamics: 动力学

Word Study

To be continued


4. be bound to (Para. 3)1) to be very likely to do or feel a particular thing 一定地，

几乎肯定地

If you have problems at home, it’s bound to affect your work.

2) to feel that you ought to do something, because it is morally right or your duty to do it 理应……的

We felt bound to tell her that her son had been taking drugs.

Word Study

Back to the Text


5. in succession (Para. 4)

happening one after the other without anything different happening in between 连续地

Word Study

Back to the Text

She won the championship four times in succession.

The cost of living seems set to drop for the third month

in succession.

in succession to right of succeeding to a title, the throne, property, etc 继承Who is first in succession to the throne ?


6. bear v. (Para. 4)1) to be so upset about something that you feel unable to

accept it or let it happen （通常用于否定句或疑问句）忍受；忍耐；容忍

I just can't bear the thought of having to start all over.

2) to seem to be a particular kind of thing or to have particular qualities 带有；具有

The incident bore all the hallmarks of a racist attack.

3) to carry or take someone or something somewhere 运送；携带；扛 a coffin bearing the remains of an old man

Word Study

Back to the Text


7. interfere v. (Para. 5)

to deliberately get involved in a situation where you are

not wanted or needed 干涉；干预；妨碍；打扰

1) It's not the church's job to interfere in politics.

2) Anxiety can interfere with children's performance at

school.

Word Study

To be continued


Word Study

8. immerse v. (Para. 7)

1) to put someone or something deep into a liquid so that they are

completely covered 使浸入；使浸没 Loosen the contents by immersing the bowl in warm water.

2) to become completely involved in an activity 使……沉浸于某事物

Sandra immersed herself in work to try and forget her proble

ms at home.

To be continued


9. surreal adj. (Para. 8)

a situation or experience that is surreal is very strange and difficult to understand, like something from a dream 超现实的；荒诞的；离奇的

These surreal events eventually led to police arresting the the teacher in her classroom.

Word Study

To be continued

sur- 为单词前缀，意为超过，联想下列词汇：

surpass 优于；超过

surplus 过剩；盈余

surtax 附加税


10. stereotype n. (Para. 9) 1) a belief or idea of what a particular type of person or thing is

like. Stereotypes are often unfair or untrue 模式化思维 The film is full of stereotypes: a stupid blonde, a fat American

tourist, and a gay man with huge muscles.

2) Someone who is exactly what many people expect a person of their particular class 公式化人物

At 41, Craig Benson would seem to be the stereotype of a Steve Forbes supporter, which he decidedly is not.

Word Study

To be continued


11. soften v. (Para. 10)

1) to become softer or to make something softer （使）变软

Cook until the onion softens.

2) to become kinder and less severe, or to make someone or something do this （使）便温和；（使）软化

The government has softened its stance on public spending.

3) to make something look more pleasant by making its color or shape less strong 使变得令人愉快

Climbing plants soften the outline of a fence.

Word Study

To be continued


Word Study

构词法

Back to the Text

Word Study

adj. + -en V.

harden strengthen loosen darken

Frighten fasten lighten


12. accomplished a. (Para. 10)

Back to the Text

Word Study

accomplish v. to succeed in doing something, especially after trying very hard; achieve 达到（目的） ,完成（任务） She found the job frustrating, and felt she wasn't accomplishing

anything there.

accomplishment n. something successful or impressive that is ach

ieved after a lot of effort and hard work 成就

Arranging the peace talks was a remarkabe accomplishment .


12. accomplished a. (Para. 10)

Back to the Text

Word Study

an accomplished writer, painter, singer etc is very skilful

熟练的；有造诣的

col. highly /very accomplishedHis two daughters are both accomplished athletes.

She is highly accomplished in music.


13. poke v. (Para. 10)

1 ） to push something quickly with your finger or pointed objection 戳，捅 Jane poked me in the arm to get my attention.　 2 ） to move or push something through a space or opening 把……放入；使……穿过 Poking his hand into the bag, Paul pulled out a biscuit. poke fun at :make fun of 嘲弄 Some of the kids were poking fun at Judy because of the way she was dressed.　

Back to the Text

Word Study


14. put…on hold v. (Para. 11)

if something is on hold, you have stopped it from happening now, but it may happen later 暂缓；搁置

The plans are on hold until after the election.

Back to the Text

Word Study


15. defendant n. (Para. 14)

the person in a court of law who has been accused of doing something illegal 被告 We find the defendant not guilty.

联想记忆： defence defenceless defend defender defensible defensive

Back to the Text

Word Study


Post-Reading

1. Comprehension2. Translation

3. Question on the Article


1. Comprehension

1) What did Hillary Clinton discover according to the passage ?___

___

A. Cherie Blair will be the prime target of the political enemies.

B. The political enemies are not interested in criticizing the part

y for its family interference.

C. The political opponents will deploy a series of attacks on th

e queen.

D. The influence from the “Back Seat” tends to be attacked by

the political opponents.


2) What similarity does Michelle bear to Mr. Sarah Brown? ______

_

A. Both of them are so-called first lady.

B. Both of them play an active role in helping their husbands

to be the government leader.

C. Both of them are professional women.

D. Both of them are politically oriented and greatly influence

the government police.


3) What are Cherie’s genuine interests?_______

A. Charity and talk show on TV.

B. Law and politics.

C. A housewife’s routine such as cooking and knitting.

D. Further publicizing her role in Blair’s dicision.

4 ） What do American organisers of events think of the Prime

Minister’s spouse as? _______

A. She is the highest on the organisers’ list of priority.

B. She is the second after her husband.

C. She is an ordinary housewife.

D. She is the person pulling the strings.


5) The sentence, “there would always be sections of the public or

press that would be keen to criticise” suggests ___________.

A. Michelle should be prepared for criticsm

B. the public and press are apt to criticise

C. it is highly beneficial to public welfare if a citizen likes to

criticise

D. Cherie lives an easy life

1) 没有任何证据表明此方案将对这个城市的就业产生不利影响。（ suggestion ）

2) 我们最不希望增加税收。

3) 她的同事们嘲笑她的新发型。


Translation

There is no suggestion that the plan will adversely affect

employment in the city.

The last thing we need is a tax rise.

Her colleagues poked fun at her new haircut.

4) 这次意外事故后她的事业只得被暂时搁在一旁。

5) 他精湛的轮滑技艺是通过多年的训练练就的。 (come with) His outstanding roller skating techniques come with

years of practice.


After the accident her career had to be put on hold.

1) If you were the first lady or the first gentleman, how would you arrange your family life?

2) Do you think a first lady should have her own career? Why o

r why not?


3. Question on the Article

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