全新版)大学英语《综合教程》第一册U.ppt

,（全新版）大学英语综合教程第一册 Unit 8 Coping With a Educational Problem,I. Cultural Notes 1. U.C.L.A.: (University of California at Los Angeles) the largest of the eight branches of the University of California. It was established in 1919 and now has about 35,000 students. UCLA is known especially for its film studies. 2. The Wealth of Nations: an important work of economic and social theory by Adam Smith (a Scottish philosopher and economist), published in 1776. Its full title was An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. In it he analyzed the relationship between work and the production of a nations wealth. His conclusion was that the best economic situation results from encouraging free enterprise (an economic system in which there is open competition in business and trade, and no government control). This idea has had a great influence on economic theories since and it formed the basis of the economic policies of the Conservative government in Britain in the 1980s.,Language Study 1. run out of: use up or finish a supply of (sth.) Examples: 1) To our disappointment, our car ran out of gas halfway home. 2) When they ran out of food, the soldiers set about hunting for more. 2. handful: a small number (used as singular noun, followed by of) Examples: 1) Youd better hurry up. A handful of people are already waiting in the hall. 2) I have to give up the plan because only a handful of students are willing to spend the New Years Eve on campus. 3. in amazement: with a feeling of great surprise or disbelief Examples: 1) Aunt Sophia gazed at her picture in amazement: she looked like a teenage girl in it. 2) All the people in the lecture hall stared at him in amazement when he talked loudly with his friend.,4. upset: make (sb.) worry or feel unhappy (usu. used in the pattern: be upset by/about) Examples: 1) They are terribly upset by the break-up of their parents marriage. 2) He was upset about the argument he had with his wife. 5. ignorant: knowing little or nothing (often used in the phrase: be ignorant of/about) Examples: 1) Some people are ignorant of the facts about global warming. 2) She was ignorant of her husbands illegal activities. Otherwise she would have done everything possible to stop him. ignorance n. 6. slice: 1) a part of sth. (followed by of) Examples: a) Fiction takes up a large slice of the publishing market. b) The boss promised that everyone would get a slice of the profits. 2) a thin flat piece cut from sth. (often used with of) Examples: a) Try to eat at least four slices of bread a day. b) Cut the pork into thin slices.,7. The ability to perform even the simplest calculations is only a memory among many students I see.: Many students whom I see dont have the ability to perform even the simplest calculations any longer. ability: power or skill to do, make, or think; talent (followed by infinitive to) Examples: We elected him monitor because he had the ability to bring out the best in others. He lost the ability to walk after a car accident. 8. sum up: give a brief summary (of sth.) Examples: 1) Alice summed up her Christmas holidays in one word: “Terrible.“ 2) My teacher would sum up the main points of the lesson before he ended the class. 3) We discussed the proposed changes for most of the meeting. The chairman only took a few moments at the end to sum up.,9. compete with / against: try to be better than (sb. else) (used in the pattern: compete with / against sb. for sth.) Examples: 1) More than 2,300 candidates from 93 political parties are competing for 486 seats. 2) We are having to compete with three other departments for the fund. 3) They found themselves competing with foreign countries for a share of the market. 10. human capital: Here human capital refers to peoples knowledge and skills. 11. accumulate: collect, or gather together, esp. over a period of time Examples: 1) I have accumulated many books over the last few years. 2) While we were away on vacation, a lot of letters accumulated in our mailbox.,12. affect: have an influence on Examples: 1) The 20th century was full of inventions that have affected the way we live. 2) More than seven million people have been affected by the drought. 3) The Asian financial crisis didnt affect our national economy. 13. function: operate; act Examples: 1) When the camera is functioning properly the green light comes on. 2) Athens functioned as a center of trade in the thirteenth century. 14. idle: lazy; not doing anything Examples: Most of the men were idle during the depression. She is so idle, we can never get her to do anything.,15. jam: get stuck Examples: 1) The lock jammed and I couldnt open it. 2) The tape-recorder jammed and the teacher had to read the story to the class by herself. jam n. traffic jams 16. break down: stop working; fall, collapse Examples: 1) The elevators in this building are always breaking down. 2) I have accumulated so many dirty clothes since my washing machine broke down last week. 3) Talks between the two countries broke down when the two sides failed to reach an agreement.,17. drive home: make (sth.) clear so that people understand it (used in the pattern: drive sth. home(to sb.) Examples: 1) We must drive home to them where the difficulties lie. 2) Peter was lazy. His parents tried to drive home to him the importance of hard work. 18. humble: 1) not proud; modest Examples: He thanked us again with a humble smile. Frank strikes me as a very humble person. 2) low in importance, status, or condition Examples: Michael started his career as a humble fisherman. Lacocca rose from humble beginnings to become boss of Ford.,19. suggestion: sth. suggested (often followed by of / for / that-clause) Examples: 1) The old man followed the doctors suggestion of a stroll to the river every day. 2) I have lots of suggestions for the parks future. (Note that in the that-clause after “suggestion“ the subjunctive mood should be used. Example: They didnt like my suggestion that she share the room with her classmate.) 20. portable: light and small enough to be easily carried or moved Examples: 1) Professor Smith always carries a portable computer with him. 2) I still remember that my parents bought me a portable radio at my 20th birthday. 21. search for: look for Examples: 1) Many planes and ships were sent to search the South Sea for the missing Chinese pilot. 2) The police were searching the yard for clues.,22. luxury: 1) sth. expensive which is not necessary but which gives you pleasure (used as a countable noun) Examples: A week by the sea is a luxury they can no longer afford. Houses with swimming pools are still a luxury in many parts of the country. 2) very great comfort, esp. among beautiful and expensive surrounding (used as an uncountable noun) Examples: She was brought up in an atmosphere of luxury and wealth. He took over his fathers company and led a life of luxury. luxurious adj. 23. better off: richer than you were before; more comfortable Examples: Todays farmers are better off than they used to be. Its obvious that those who work hard are better off than those who dont.,24. scared: frightened (often followed by of/to /that-clause) Examples: When she saw a snake on the floor, the lady was too scared to move. I have always been scared of dogs. Alex was scared that his classmates might tell the teacher he broke the window. 25. wake up: stop sleeping Examples: This morning I woke up with a terrible headache. Stewart woke me up with his coughing. 26. . and government offers no services to the working class.: Here “services“ refers to the systems of social security such as health care and provision for the unemployed maintained by the government. 27. complex: not simple Examples: 1) The problem was so complex that there would be no easy solution. 2) When I visited Shanghai for the first time I got lost in the rather complex network of roads.,28. adequate: enough (often followed by infinitive to or for) Examples: 1) My parents are prepared to offer me an amount of money adequate to purchase an apartment. 2) Her knowledge of English was adequate for the job. 29. decline: a gradual decrease in the quality, quantity, or importance of sth. (followed by in) Examples: 1) The first signs of economic decline became visible in that region. 2) Some people are worried that there will be a great decline in the stock market. (Phrases: in decline / on the decline: gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power Examples: 1) The birthrate in China is on the decline. 2) He is still one of the worlds most popular soccer players, but his fame is in decline. 3) Class attendance is in decline recently.),30. acquire: get Examples: Ive managed to acquire a copy of the report. J.P. Getty acquired a fortune in business. 31. astonish: surprise very much; amaze Examples: Her devotion to students always astonishes us. Diana astonished her family by winning three competitions in a row. 32. swear: make a serious promise about (often followed by infinitive to or that-clause) Examples: The witness swore on the Bible to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He swore that he would never lie. 33. make a living by: earn money by (doing sth.) Examples: Many farmers in this area make a good living by growing flo