新世纪大学英语u2.docx

Unit Two: Optimism and Positive ThinkingPart I Get StartedSection B Quotes Study the following quotes about personality and see if you accept the ideas expressed in the quotes. Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Victor Hugo Interpretation:When we feel disappointed, sad, lonely or miserable, we tend to feel as if we were living in winter. But laughter is a good medicine and it can work miracles. If we make a conscious effort to laugh, we will soon find that we are in a better mood. Here, Victor Hugo tells us, in a humorous way, the importance of being optimistic in times of adversity. About Victor Hugo:Victor Hugo /5vIkE(r) 5hju:gEU/ (1802-1885): French writer of poems, plays, and novels. Two of his most famous novels, Notre Dame de Paris (巴黎圣母院); in English also called The Hunchback of Notre Dame (钟楼怪人) and Les Misrables (悲惨世界), have been made into films, and Les Misrables has also been made into a famous musical (音乐剧).What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise (伪装). Oscar Wilde Interpretation:Life is full of trials. When you are in difficulty or suffer a setback, dont despair. You can always find something good in what seems to be a bad thing. Once youve gone through the trials, you will find yourself stronger and in a better position to attain success. About Oscar Wilde:Oscar Wilde /5CskE(r) waIld/ (1854-1900): Irish writer of poems, stories, and especially humorous plays. He is best known for his play The Importance of Being Earnest and for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Winston Churchill Interpretation:The attitude of a person colours things around him or her. A pessimistic person is always focusing on the negative side of things. Even when there is a good opportunity, a pessimist will think about the possible dangers or risks involved in it. An optimist does recognize the difficulties, but he or she chooses to focus on the positive side. About Winston Churchill:Winston Churchill /5wInstEn 5tF:tFIl/ (1874-1965): British politician who was Prime Minister during most of World War II and again from 1951 to 1955. He is still remembered and admired by most British people as a great leader who made possible Britains victory in the war.Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. Helen Keller Interpretation:Optimism is essential for achievement. If we see no hope and have no confidence in what we are doing, we can achieve nothing. It is hope and confidence that motivate us to reach our objectives. About Helen Keller:Helen Keller /5helEn 5kelE(r)/ (1880-1968): US writer known especially for the way she learned to speak and write after becoming blind and deaf as a baby. She greatly helped blind and deaf people by collecting money, making speeches, and trying to change peoples attitudes. She was the subject of a famous book and film about her life called The Miracle Worker (奇迹创造者). Section C Watching and DiscussionScript：How to practice positive thinking?A few simple attitude adjustments can make you happier and healthier. Heres how to harness the power of positivity. You will need: optimism, visualization, happy friends and a gratitude journal. Step 1: Expect things to work out. Optimists have reason to be cheery. Studies have shown that optimists are more successful and healthier than pessimists. Step 2：Instead of focusing on the negative, try to find something positive in every negative situation. This will train your brain and help your positive thinking come more naturally to you. Step 3: Picture yourself succeeding at challenging events. Visualizing yourself as strong and triumphant primes you to make it happen which is why athletes have been using this tricks for years. The more vivid the image, the likelier it will work. So engage all your senses in the fantasy smell, taste, feel and sounds.Step 4: Surround yourself with happy people. Its easier to stay positive when youre with other cheerful folks some research indicates happiness is contagious.Step 5: Write down 5 things youre grateful for every single day. Transplant patients who did this reported more energy and deeper sense of well-being. Did you know Norman Vincent Peale, the author of “The Power of Positive Thinking” lived to be 95?Part II Listen and RespondScript:Attitude Is EverythingMichael was a natural optimist. He was always in a good mood, always up and always had something positive to say. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing his optimism really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, “I dont get it. You cant be positive all the time. How do you do it?”Michael replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself: Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept the complaining or I can point out the positive side of life, I always choose the positive side of life.”“Yeah, right. But it isnt that easy.” I said.“Yes, it is easy,” Michael said. “Life is all about choices. Every situation in life is a choice. You choose how you react to situations; you choose how people will affect your mood; you choose how you feel. The bottom line is: Its your choice how you live your life.”From Michael I have learned that every day we have a choice to live fully. So I will choose to be an optimist. If I am an optimist I may feel better, enjoy life more, and maybe have more chances of success.Part III Read and ExploreText A 课文参考译文选择乐观里奇德沃斯1 假如你预料某事结局不妙，结果可能真会如此。悲观的想法很少落空。不过这个法则反过来也成立。假如你觉得会有好事发生，通常就会交上好运！乐观与成功之间似乎有一种天然的因果关系。2 乐观和悲观都具有强大的力量，我们每个人必须选择其一，来塑造自己的前途和理想。每个人的生命中都有足够的幸运与不幸丰富的哀伤和喜悦、充足的欢欣与痛苦令我们找到或乐观或悲观的理由。我们可以选择哭或是笑、祝福或是诅咒。这完全取决于我们自己：用什么样的眼光去看待生活？是积极向上，还是垂头丧气？3 我信守积极向上的态度。对积极的东西我浓墨重彩，对消极的东西则一笔带过。我是乐天派，既是天生如此，也因后天选择所致。诚然，我知道生命中会有伤痛。我已经七十多岁了，经历过不止一次的危机。但是，当一切尘埃落定，我发现生命中的美好远比丑恶多。4 乐观的态度不是奢侈品，它是我们生活的必需品。你看待生活的方式将决定你的感受、你的表现，以及你与他人相处得怎样。反过来，悲观的想法、态度和期待也会自成因果：它们是能自我实现的预言。悲观会制造出无人愿往的黑暗之地。5 多年前，我驱车去一个加油站加油。那天天气很好，我的心情也不错。当我走进加油站付油钱时，服务员问我：“你感觉怎样？”这问题有点古怪，不过，我感觉很好，于是便照实回答了他。“你脸色不好，”他回答。这话让我大吃一惊。我告诉他我的感觉从未像现在这么好，但已不像开始那么底气十足了，而他则毫无顾忌地继续大讲我的气色如何差，还说我肤色发黄。6 在离开加油站的时候，我觉得有点心神不宁。驶出一个街区之后，我把车停在路旁，对着镜子看着自己的脸。我感觉如何？我的脸色那么差吗？一切都正常吗？等我回到家里，我已经开始觉得有点想吐。我的肝脏出了毛病吗？是不是染上了什么怪病？7 再次光顾那个加油站时，我还是感觉很好，我弄明白了个中蹊跷。这个地方不久前把墙漆上了一种抢眼但又难看的黄色，墙面反射的光线使里面的每一个人看起来都像得了肝炎。不知道有多少人有过与我类似的反应。和一个根本不认识的人的一次短短对话竟然改变了我整整一天的心情。他说我面带病容，没过多久，我就真的觉得不舒服。那一句消极的话就大大影响了我的感觉和行为。8 唯一比否定态度更有力量的是积极的肯定，充满乐观与希望的话语。最让我心存感激的一件事情，就是我生长的这个国度有着伟大的乐观主义传统。如果一种文化从整体上采取积极向上的态度，不可思议的事情也能变成现实。人们若把世界看作光明与希望之地，他们将被赋予努力进取和成就功业的力量。9 乐观不意味着幼稚。在保持乐观的同时，你仍然能意识到问题的存在，意识到有些问题非常棘手。乐观带来的改变在于面对问题的态度。比方说，这些年我总是听到有人抱怨用于太空计划的钱是被白白浪费了。他们会说：“与其花4亿5千5百万美元把一个人送上月球，为什么不把这些钱用来解决地球上的贫穷问题呢？”但当你追问他们打算如何用这些钱来消除贫困时，大多数人又会无言以对。我对他们说：“告诉我一个解决办法，我会为你们筹到钱。”以积极的方式思考如何解决问题，而不是对花在别的项目上的金钱妄加挑剔。实际上，美国的太空计划带来了许多有价值的发现，全人类都从中受益。10 乐观精神使我们的注意力从消极的否定态度转向积极的、建设性的思考。乐观主义者更关心如何解决问题，而不是毫无意义地怨天尤人。事实上，如果没有乐观精神，像贫穷这样严重而且现正存在的问题是无望解决的。解决这样的问题需要一个梦想家一个拥有九死不悔的乐观、矢志不移的坚韧和无限信心的人。何去何从，由你决定。Good Usage (Paras. 1-2)in reversea natural cause-and-effect relationship between optimism and successso as toshape our outlook and our expectationsample sorrow and happinesssufficient joy and painfind a rational basis forFrom which perspective do we want to view life?look up in hope or down in despairGood Usage (Paras. 3-4)highlight the positiveslip right over the negative.by choiceby naturelived through more than one crisiswhen all is said and doneAn optimistic attitude is not a luxury; its a necessity. get along withfeed ona self-fulfilling prophecyGood Usage (Paras. 5-6)took me completely by surprisewithout hesitationfeeling a little uneasypulled over to the side of the roadpicked up some rare diseaseGood Usage (Para. 7)figured outthe light reflecting off the wallshad a profound effect onGood Usage (Para. 8)grown up in a nation with a grand tradition of optimismadopts an upward lookincredible things can be accomplishedGood Usage (Para. 9)But what a difference optimism makes in the attitude of the problem solver!Think in positive terms about how to address the issueresulted in many positive discoveriesGood Usage (Para.10)draws our attention away fromchannels it intomore concerned withhave no hope of solutiontackle a problem that bigKey Words and Expressions for Text Areverse n. (of) the opposite; the other way round 常与of连用相反e. g. If you tell these naughty children to do something, they will often just do the exact reverse.He did the reverse of what we expected: instead of being angry, he bought us a drink.他所做的和我们的预料正相反他非但没有生气，反而请我们喝酒。in reverse in the opposite way to normal or to the previous situation; vice versa 反过来；反之亦然e. g. The secret number is my phone number in reverse.To stop the engine you repeat the same procedures, but in reverse. 若想停下引擎，则重复相同的步骤，但要以相反的顺序。shape vt.influence and fix the course or form of 影响（的形态等）；决定（进程等）e. g. She had a leading role in shaping the partys policy.It is said that childhood experiences can shape a persons character. 据说童年经历能影响一个人的性格。curse vi. & vt. express a wish that great misfortune will happen to (sb.), esp. by calling on magical powers 诅咒e. g. People in many cultures believe witch doctors have the power to bless or curse their lives.She cursed him for ruining her life. 她诅咒他，说他毁了她一生。perspective n. (on) the way in which a situation or problem is judged, so that (proper) consideration and importance is given to each part 常与on连用（观察问题的）视角e. g. The novel is written from a childs perspective. The new evidence put an entirely different perspective on the case. 新的证据使我们要从完全不同的视角来看待这个案子。view vt. esp. (as, with) consider; regard; think about 尤与as或with连用考虑，看，认为e. g. They try to view the situation objectively.They viewed the future with some expectation. 他们怀着某种期待看未来。Collocations:view sth. as sth. 把看作view sth. from sth. 从角度来看待view sth. / sb. from a perspective think about sth. or sb. in a particular way 从视角来看待某事或某人e. g. Your point can be viewed from both the womans perspective and the mans.If we view the problem from a different perspective, a solution may become more obvious. 假如我们从另一个视角考虑这个问题，或许会更容易找到解决办法。highlight vt. pick out (sth.) as an important part; throw attention onto 使显著突出，使注意力集中于e. g. These figures clearly hightlight the differences in living standards between the two areas.The report on the accident highlights the need for considerable improvements in safety. 事故报告强调了提高安全的重要性。slip over neglect; omit 忽视，忽略；遗漏e. g. Dont slip over the important issue.Im sorry I completely slipped over his birthday. 很抱歉，我完全忽略了他的生日。by choice because one has chosen; as a result of choosing; because of wanting to 出于自己选择地，凭爱好e. g. Everything we do, we do by choice; and every choice we make, we make for a reason.I didnt have to work all weekend I did it by choice. 我并不是非得整个周末都工作，我是自己选择这样做的。by nature as a result of inherent qualities; innately 出于本性地，天生地e. g. He is by nature a very happy individual; he seems to have been born with a smile on his lips.Its not in her nature to be rude; shes polite by nature. 她生性并不粗野，倒是很有礼貌。live through remain alive during and in spite of (a difficult or dangerous period) 活过；经过（困难、危险）之后仍活着e. g. We were all sad to learn that the old man is in a critical condition and may not live through the winter.He lived through two world wars. 他经历了两次世界大战。crisis n. a point or moment of great danger, difficulty, or uncertainty 危机；紧要关头e. g. We need someone who can stay calm in a crisis.Relations between the two countries have reached crisis point. 两国关系已经达到出现危机的地步。Collocations:cause / stir up a crisis 引起危机lead to a crisis 导致危机overcome / settle a crisis 解决危机in a crisis 处于危机当中when all is said and done when everything is considered or explained; after all 结果，说到底，归根结底；毕竟，终究e. g. When alls said and done, hes only a kid and should be excused for his wrongdoing.Whenallissaidanddone, she was a most remarkable woman with a strong character.归根结底，她是个非常出色的女士，性格坚强。feed on / upon (of a feeling, etc.) become stronger because of; (esp. of an animal or baby) eat （感情等）因变得更强烈；（尤指动物或婴孩）吃，以为食e. g. Our memory is limited, but our imagination is unlimited, and it feeds on optimism and hope.His self-confidencefedonencouragement from his father. 由于有了父亲的鼓励，他的自信心更强了。CF: feed, nourish, nurture & supply这些动词均含有“供养、提供、抚养”之意。feed普通用词，含义广泛。既可指给人或动物提供食物，又可指给植物以养料或为机器等加燃料等。例如：* The farmers wife feeds cattle and sheep every morning.nourish指提供生长、健康或维持生存所必需的食物或养料，尤指用促进生长的营养品。句中事物名称往往做该动词的主语。例如：* Milk, eggs, and meat nourish the bodies of growing boys and girls.nurture表示在幼儿、幼苗的成长过程中予以细心的照料、保护或者可以指帮助计划、想法、感情等发展。例如：*We want to nurture the new project, not destroy it.supply表示提供所需物品。例如：* Most large towns are supplied with electricity.odd a.different from what is ordinary or expected; unusual 奇特的，古怪的，异常的e. g. Its odd of her to dash away without so much as saying goodbye.Its very odd that she didnt reply to our letter. 很奇怪，她没有回我们的信。CF: strange, odd, peculiar & curious这些形容词均含有“奇怪的，奇异的，新奇的、好奇的”之意。strange是普通常用词，含义广泛，指陌生新奇的、奇怪的人或物。例如：*The doctor thought her strange behavior was caused by stress. odd通常指不同寻常或者出乎意料之外的人或事物，往往令人困惑或感到奇怪。例如：*He is rather an odd man. peculiar常指因为觉得陌生或者不熟悉而感到有点奇怪。例如：*This food has got a peculiar taste. curious通常指非常奇特从而能引起人们的好奇心。例如：*It is a curious fact that he never works but has plenty of money. figure out come to understand or discover by thinking 理解，想出e. g. It took Wyler a couple of days to figure out what had happened.We still havent figured out how to do it. 我们仍想不出怎么去做这件事。disgusting a.extremely unpleasant and making one feel sick 令人作呕的；令人厌恶的，讨厌的e. g. Smoking is really a disgusting habit.I cant bear the disgusting food in that restaurant. 我受不了那家餐馆那令人作呕的食物。observation n. C; U an action of noticing or watching 观察，注意，监视e.g. Most information was collected by direct observation of the animals behaviour.He left by the back door to escape observation. 他从后门溜走了，以免被人注意到。Collocations:keep / place sb. under observation 监视某人；观察某人be under observation 受到监视；被观察accomplish vt. succeed in doing; finish successfully 完成（任务等）；做成功e. g. What exactly do you hope to accomplish this year?Shes accomplished a great deal in the last few weeks. 在过去几周里，她完成了相当多的工作。CF: accomplish, achieve, fulfill & complete这些动词均含有“完成”之意。accomplish指经过艰苦的努力之后成功地完成了规定的工作、计划、任务等，侧重达到预期目的的整个过程。例如：*They accomplished the difficult task assigned to them.achieve指通过持续的努力而完成或实现某事，特别强调由于非常努力以及克服困难后达到目的。例如：*It is more difficult for a woman to achieve success in modern society.fulfill指达到预定的目标，如计划的完成、职责的履行、诺言的实现、任务的完成等，侧重于完成心愿或者尽义务的意思。例如：*Brown was a brilliant musician but he had never fulfilled his early plete指完成一件指派或预定的任务，或完善、完整未完成的部分，一般指经过比较长的时间以后完成了任务。例如：*The construction work of the new steel plant has already been completed.make a differencehave an important effect or influence 有很大影响或关系，很重要e. g. The rain did make a difference to the game.When youre learning to drive, having a good teacher makes a difference.学习驾驶时，如有一位好教员指导，效果大不相同。raise vt. collect together 筹集；召集e. g. They hope to raise $1 million to buy land.We made an appeal to raise money for victims of the disaster. 我们呼吁为灾民筹款。in terms of ; in terms from the point of view of 从观点来看，从角度来讲e. g. The job is great in terms of salary, but it has its disadvantages.The book has been well reviewed, but in terms of actual sales it hasnt been very successful. 这本书获得了好评，但是从实际销售情况来看，它并不太成功。address vt.try to solve 着手解决e. g. We did not expect that the project should fully address issues of this kind.He ignored the side issues and addressed himself to the main problem. 他抛开枝节问题，着手解决主要问题。criticize vt. (for) judge with disapproval; point out the faults of 常与for连用批评；指责e. g. Ron does nothing but criticize and complain all the time.The report strongly criticizes the police for failing to deal with this problem. 报告强烈批评警方没有处理好这一问题。result in have as a result; cause 导致，造成e. g. This move will eventually result in the loss of a lot of jobs.The accident resulted in the death of two passengers.这起事故导致两名乘客丧生。benefit vt.(esp. of an action or event) be useful, profitable, or helpful to （尤指一行动或事件）有益于，有利于，有助于e. g. Exercise benefits our health.Its an expensive investment but it will benefit the company in the long run. 这是一项花费很大的投资，但从长远看来，它对公司有好处。channel vt. (into) direct towards a particular purpose 常与into连用把导向（某一特定目的）；引导；集中；朝向e. g. We should channel our energy into useful activities.The famine relief money was channelled through volunteer groups. 饥荒救济金是通过志愿者团体的渠道收集来的。channel sth. into sth. direct money, feelings, ideas, etc. towards a particular thing or purpose 把导向（某一特定目的）e. g. Women were more likely to be channeled into the lower-paying jobs.I decided to channel my energy into something useful. 我决定把自己的精力用到有益的事上。concerned with having an acti