Unit 9 Dreams and Ambitions.doc

Unit 9 Dreams and AmbitionsPart A Listening StrategyDrawing Inferences The ability to draw correct inferences from what we have heard is an important skill in listening comprehension because sometimes a speaker does not state directly what he / she intends to say but implies it instead. A speakers attitude towards what he / she discusses, in particular, often has to be inferred from the hints he / she has dropped. So we must learn to synthesize all these hints so as to get a complete picture about what is being discussed. In addition, we can rely on the speakers choice of words to help us: the use of words of positive, negative or neutral meaning can indicate a positive, negative or neutral attitude respectively. Listen to the following story and do the multiple-choice exercise below.1. We can learn from the passage that Jane _.a. wanted to travel because she led an uncomfortable lifeb. used to live a comfortable life but it wasnt the life of her dream c. didnt want to change her lifestyle until she reached 35d. all of sudden, wanted to see the world, though she lived quite a good life2. We can infer from the passage that Jane _.a. liked Africa more than Europe and India b. had never had any boyfriends before she met John c. fancied an adventurous life as a teenagerd. realized that London was the best place to live in the world3. The speakers attitude towards Janes decision to pursue her dream is _.a. critical b. neutral c. negative d. positive Script:Two years ago, Jane had a well-paid job, and an active social life. But it wasnt the life she had dreamed of as a teenager. At 35, she thought life was passing her by and she decided to change things. She had always wanted to travel round the world, so she gave up her job and set off to follow her dream.The journey took her through Europe and Africa. And it was in Tanzania that she met John, an American who taught in a school there. John was like no other man that she had ever met, and she fell madly in love with him. After two romantic weeks together, Jane continued her journey to India, but then she decided to fly back to Africa.Six weeks later, Jane and John were married. Now they live in London. Jane was very happy that she made that decision to follow her dream. But for that she wouldnt have met so many wonderful people, or seen so many interesting places. Most of all, she wouldnt have met the man of her dreams. Part B Pre-listening TaskQuestions for Discussion You are going to talk about your dreams and the realization of them. Read the following questions and discuss them with your partner.1. What did you dream of becoming when you were a little child? 2. What is your big dream at present? What do you want most in life? 3. How great are the chances that you can realize this dream? 4. What are you going to do to make this dream come true? 5. What do you think is the most important factor in realizing ones dreams?6. Are opportunities important to the realization of ones dream?Demo:5. What do you think is the most important factor in realizing ones dreams?I think among many factors, the most important one is determination. You have to be able to follow your dreams regardless of any obstacles. If you have a sound enough reason “why” you are doing something, you will be more determined in accomplishing it. Great determination can help you face tough situations with courage and perseverance. It makes you move along the path youve chosen no matter what stands in your way. No dreams can ever be realized without determination.Additional Question for DiscussionWhat does the expression “the American Dream” mean?Demo:We often hear about the American Dream. We know that Americans value the ability to start with a dream and then realize that dream through ones own efforts. I guess the American Dream would mean different things to different people. However, in most cases, the dream would be associated with success in ones life or career. It can be the better quality of life or a notable achievement. The efforts towards that end may include an education to improve oneself or hard work to earn money. In a word, the American Dream is a persons hope to achieve a good life in America.Language Focus Here are some sentences and structures that you might find useful in discussing the above questions.l When I was young, I wished to become a world-famous scientist / great novelist / poet / astronaut / movie star / pop singer l At present, I wish to find a job I dreamed of / Im really interested in / related to my major / offering a handsome salary.l I wish I can take / acquire / obtain / receive a masters degree / PhD.l What I want most in life is someone that really cares for me / a house of my own / a good job l I want to devote my life to changing my home town into a prosperous one / taking care of orphans and homeless children / setting up my own business.l I never doubt / have little hope that my dream will come true some day.l My chances of becoming a are very good / quite slim.l Im afraid I dont stand much chance of becoming a l Perseverance is most important if you want to make your dreams come true. l Where theres a will, theres a way.l The hardest thing is to keep pursuing ones dream in spite of difficulties. l In pursuing a dream, one must keep a balance between ones strong wish for the dream to come true and the realities of ones abilities and circumstances. l I think it is wise to be realistic / not to aim at something that is beyond you.l Talent and a bit of luck are all you need to realize your dreams.l Talent alone is not enough; you must be quick to seize the opportunities available to you.l Opportunities favor a prepared mind.Listening TasksLarrys DreamWord Bank dash v. to destroy 使破灭practically ad. almost 差不多nil n. zero 零basic a. of a primary level 起码的，最基本的generous a. willing to give more than one expected 慷慨的tip n. a small amount of money given for a service provided 小费，赏钱fascinate a. to attract the strong attention and interest of sb. 吸引，迷住abrupt a. sudden and unexpected 突然的，出其不意的would-be a. wanting to do a particular thing 想要做的scribble v. to write in a hurry 潦草地书写keep body and soul together to have just enough money, food, etc., to live on 勉强维持生活 Script:Larry had always wanted to become a movie star. His hopes for success were dashed again and again, however. Hollywood just did not seem interested. But Larry refused to admit that his chances of getting into movies were practically nil. Someday, he told himself, his big opportunity would come.To keep body and soul together, Larry found a job parking cars for one of Hollywoods big restaurants. The pay was basic but since the guests were quite generous with their tips, he managed to make a living.One day he recognized an important film director driving into the parking lot and getting out of his car. Larry had recently heard that the man was making a new picture.Larry got into the car and prepared to drive it on into the lot and park it. Then he stopped, jumped out and ran over to the director. “Excuse me, sir, but I think its only fair to tell you that its now or never if you want me in your new picture. A lot of big companies are after me.”Fascinated by Larrys abrupt statement, the director stopped. “Yes? Which companies?”“Well,” replied the would-be star, “theres the telephone company, the gas company, and the electric company, to mention only a few.” The director laughed, then scribbled something on a card and handed it to the young man. “Come and see me tomorrow.”Larry got a small part in the directors next film. He was on his way!Language and Culture Notes 1. Hollywood center of American film industry located in the northwest part of Los Angeles, California 2. Hollywood just did not seem interested. Directors at Hollywood did not want him to act in their movies. 3. he found a job parking cars for one of Hollywood big restaurantsLarry found a job as a valet (车管员) at a big restaurant in Hollywood, parking cars for its customers. Expensive restaurants usually provide valet parking service for their customers. Valets like Larry park customers cars for them when they arrive and bring their cars to them when they leave. Customers are supposed to give tips for the service. 4. its now or never an emphatic way of saying that something must be done immediately because if you miss the chance, it will never come again 5. A lot of big companies are after me. This sentence can be understood in two ways: 1) A lot of important film companies are interested in me; 2) A lot of utility companies (referring to gas, electricity, telephone companies, etc.) are pressing me to pay their bills. Here Larry cleverly exploited the ambiguity in the sentence to impress the film director. The director was amused by Larrys sense of humor when he realized the real meaning of the sentence.6. the would-be star referring to Larry. We can use “would-be” to describe someone who wants to do a particular thing, especially to take up certain career, e.g., a would-be writer, a would-be singer, etc.Exercise 1 Listen to the passage and choose the right answers to the questions you hear.1.What does the story mainly tell us?a. How Larry found a job in a restaurant in Hollywood. b. How Larry managed to make a living in Hollywood. c. How Larry started his career in Hollywood. d. How Larry met an important film director in Hollywood.2. Which of the following statements about Larry can be inferred? a. Larry was an idealistic dreamer. b. Larry had a fine sense of humor. c. Larry was going to be a great movie star. d. Larry was broke when he met the film director.3. Why was the film director interested in Larry?a. He was amused by Larrys unusual way of recommending himself.b. He thought Larry would make a good actor.c. He was sorry for Larry.d. He didnt want Larry to be employed by other companies.Exercise 2 Listen again and write down answers to the following questions.1. What helped Larry to carry on with life when his dream was dashed again and again?His belief that one day he would become a movie star.2. What job did Larry find in order to support himself?Parking cars for one of Hollywoods big restaurants.3.Was Larry well-paid and how did he manage to make a living?No, his pay was only basic. But he got generous tips from guests driving into the restaurant.4.What happened one day that changed Larrys life?Larry parked the car of a famous film director and was able to introduce himself to the man.5. Larry said: “A lot of big companies are after me.” What can be the two meanings of this statement? a. Many big film companies are interested in me.b. Many big companies are pressing me to pay their bills.Speaking TasksCommunicative Function: Expressing Certainty and PossibilityAsking About CertaintyResponse: Expressing CertaintyAre you sure you want to give up your job and go traveling around the world?Im sure of it. Yes, I am.Are you fully aware of the risk you are taking?I can assure you I understand it perfectly.Are you certain you will have no regrets?Ive no doubt about that.Do you think your decision is really a good one?Ive no doubt it is the best decision Ive ever made.Asking About CertaintyResponse: Expressing UncertaintyAre you going to continue studying for a masters degree in business after graduation?Im not sure / certain whether Ill continue studying or not.Are you planning to go abroad for furthering your studies?Im uncertain / unsure of that. I havent made up my mind.Asking About PossibilityResponse: Expressing PossibilityDo you think most of us can fulfill our dreams if we never give up?I think so.It is possible for most of us to fulfill our dreams if we never give up.It is possible that most of us will fulfill our dreams if we persevere in doing what we decide to do.Our dreams may be fulfilled if we always have faith in what we want to achieve.Perhaps / Possibly / Maybe we will fulfill our dreams if we never lose hope.Asking About PossibilityResponse: Expressing ImpossibilityDo you think we can visit the moon as tourists in the near future?I dont think so. It is impossible that we could make the trip soon.I doubt it. It is impossible for us to do that so soon.Additional Vocabularyto dream of becoming a(n) explorer / astronaut / entrepreneur / philanthropist / fashion model / filmmaker / world-famous composer / pianist / rock star / Olympic award-winnerto travel around the worldto visit the famous cities in the worldto climb up Mount Qomolangma to explore the North Pole (Arctic Pole) / South Pole (Antarctic Pole)to go abroad and see the worldto further my studies abroadto pursue postgraduate programs to win first prize in an English speech contestto excel in athletics / compete in the Olympicsto design buildings strong enough to withstand powerful earthquakesto invent a cure for cancer / life-threatening diseasesto buy a cozy apartment / brand-new carto marry my true love to run a company of my ownto open a store on the webListen to the following conversations and repeat after the recording. Then role-play them with your partner.Conversation 1 A: I like the story weve just heard very much. B:So do I. Its very entertaining. A:I wonder if Larry would really become a famous movie star.B:It is quite possible. He was so clever. A: But being clever alone doesnt make you a good actor. B: I suppose so. But at least he had realized his dream of acting in a Hollywood movie. A: Thats true. By the way, whats your dream?B:I dont know. Im not so ambitious as Larry, I think. A: So what do you want most in life, then?B: A decent job, an apartment of my own and a family that I really love.A: I guess most people would like to have those.B: What more can you wish for?A: Well, Ive always wanted to be a singer.B: Have you? No wonder, you sing so well.Conversation 2 A: Hi, Xiao Fang. How have you been?B: Oh, hello, Xiao Li. Ive been pretty busy these days.A: Are you preparing to go to the Northwest this summer as a volunteer?B: Yes.A: Do you think your application will be approved?B: Absolutely sure.A: So you can now realize your dream of teaching kids there.B: I have no doubt about that.Conversation 3A: Hi, Ling Pin. Hows your cousin doing?B: Hes tired. He has just taken the Civil Service Test (公务员考试).A: No wonder I havent seen him for ages. Why did he want to take such a test?B: The civil service has recently become a popular career choice.A: Do you think he can get his dream job?B: Im not certain of that. The competition is very, very tough, you know. A: Anyway, dream brings hope. It is good for him to have a dream.B: I think so, too.ExerciseNow make similar conversations according to the given situations. Use the structures and expressions above in your conversations where appropriate.1. Ask your partner about his / her plan to pursue postgraduate studies. Try to use the language that expresses certainty and possibility in your conversation.2. Ask your partner about his / her dreams. You can use some expressions from the Additional Vocabulary above and other expressions youve learned in this unit. Part CTest Your Listening A PassageListen to the passage and choose the right answers to the questions.1. When did Zaslow start writing stories?a. In 1988.b. In his childhood.c. At Carnegie Mellon University.d. At the Chicago Sun-Times.2. How old was Zaslow when his column became popular with readers in Chicago?a. 33. b. 31.c. 28. d. 41.3. What is the major benefit Zaslow has got from his years in the advice business?a. He has realized his dream of becoming a writer.b. He has greater faith in his fellow men.c. He earns a good salary.d. He has made many friends.4. What can be inferred from the passage?a. People playing the roles of cartoon figures at Disney World had a hard life.b. Zaslow did not like his job at the Wall Street Journal.c. Jeffrey Zaslow was a better advice columnist than Ann Landers.d. To be an advice columnist has always been Zaslows dream.Script:Jeffrey Zaslow, the advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, grew up in suburban Philadelphia. His biggest ambition in life was to be a writer. “I never wanted to be anything else,” he says. “I was ten or eleven when I saw Gone with the Wind and I wrote my own Civil War story.”After earning a degree in creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, he got a job at a newspaper in Orlando, Florida. He made his mark with his article on the rough working conditions endured by the people inside the Mickey and Minnie costumes at Walt Disney World. Later he became a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal.In 1988, when the famous advice columnist, Ann Landers, quit her job at the Chicago Sun-Times, the paper launched a nationwide contest to find her replacement. Jeffrey Zaslow applied. Among the 12,000 contestants, women outnumbered men nine to one, and most of them had seen a lot more of life than Zaslow, who was 28 and not married. When he reached the semifinals, his editors at the Journal ran a headline: “Why