New College English

Unit Eight

I Preparation II Reading Activities

III Further Development IV Translation & Writing

Part I Preparation

1. Talking About Twins

2. Proverbs and Sayings

Activity 1 Talking About Twins

Directions: Work in groups to the following questions.

•Do you know any twins? What can you say about them?

•Why are people curious about twins?

•How do you think it feels to be twins?

Activity 1 Talking About Twins

Sample

•Look alike and usually dress alike

•Easy to mix them up

•Different personalities

•Not manu twins around us

•Usual resembling

Activity 1 Talking About Twins

Sample

•Twins must be proud because they are different from others

•They may feel happy because they can enjoy each other’s company

•They may feel lonely because it is difficult to make friends with othr people

•They may feel bored and discouraged because every day they will see the mirror image of themselves.

Activity 2 Proverbs and Sayings

Genius without education is like silver in the mine. Benjamin Franklin 未受教育的天才，犹如矿中之银。 富兰克林Genius only means hard-working all one's life .

Mendeleyer天才只意味着终身不懈的努力。

门捷列耶夫

Activity 2 Proverbs and Sayings

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for circumstances they want , and if they cannot find them, they make them. Bernard Shaw 　　在这个世界上，取得成功的人是那些努力寻找他们想要机会的人，如果找不到机会，他们就去创造机会。 肖伯纳

Part II Reading Activities

1. Pre-reading Questions

2. Text Organization

3. Sentence Study

4. Words & Phrases

1. Many identical twins are much alike in both appearance and behavior, even when raised apart. Does it suggest that the genes play a more important role in one’s development?

Pre-reading Questions

No, it only suggests the power of the genes and the limitation of the effect of environment. In the study, these identical twins were raised in the same physical environment. Even when raised apart, they were put in homes with a similar background. Therefore, it’s not surprising that these twins developed similarly.

2. What criticism would you make of the study designed to observe the relative effects of heredity andenvironment?

Pre-reading Questions

The conclusion is not justified because the sets of twins studied shared not only the same genes but also the same environment. The similarities are not due entirely to genes since environment also plays a role..

Text OrganizationText Organization

Introduction: No characteristic is caused exclusively by either environment No characteristic is caused exclusively by either environment or genes.or genes.

Conclusion: What we can do is set by the genes, but what we actually do is What we can do is set by the genes, but what we actually do is largely determined by the environment.largely determined by the environment.

Research on the relative effects of heredity and environmentA.A. Studies on identical twins raised together Studies on identical twins raised together (Para. 2)(Para. 2) B. Studies on identical twins raised apart in similar environments B. Studies on identical twins raised apart in similar environments (Para. 3-4)(Para. 3-4)C. Studies on identical twins raised apart in contrasting environments C. Studies on identical twins raised apart in contrasting environments (Para. 5-8)(Para. 5-8)

Para.1

Para.2-8

Para.9

Sentence Study

1.1. … we see that there can be … we see that there can be no development development without the interacting environment.the interacting environment. (Line 4)(Line 4)

……我们就会明白，没有与其相互作用的环境，就不可能有任何个人的发展。

【译文】

【句型】no + NP + without 构成双重否定，表达肯定意义。其中 no 修饰的名词短语可作主语。

Sentence Study

【例句】

No other reproduction in any form is permitted without written permission from the publishing written permission from the publishing house.house.

未经出版社同意不得以任何形式进行复制。In some countries In some countries no major business is conductedwithout eye contact, requiring face-to-faceeye contact, requiring face-to-faceconversation. conversation. 在有些国家里 , 没有当面接触就做不成大生意 , 需要面对面的交谈。

Sentence Study

2.2. The relative effects of heredity and environment heredity and environment are most clearly observable in identical twins. in identical twins. (Line 7)(Line 7)

遗传和环境的相对影响在同卵双胞胎中最易观到。

【译文】

【句型】The (relative) effects of … are (most clearly) observable.

效果 /影响是显而易见的 完全可以看出……的影响

Sentence Study

【例句】The environmental effect of this new factory is this new factory ismost clearly observable in the surrounding field and in the surrounding field andriver. river.

在周围的田地和河流中完全可以看到这个新工厂对环境的影响。

The effect of culture shock is most clearly observable i i

n the unprepared visitors when they are involved in a n the unprepared visitors when they are involved in a

strange culture. strange culture.

Sentence Study

3.3. In a studyIn a study … there were … there were no more significant differenc significant differences es than existed among unseperated pairs of twins. existed among unseperated pairs of twins. (Li(Line 21)ne 21)

【译文】

……双胞胎之间的差异并不比一起长大的双胞胎之间的差异更显著。

Sentence Study

【句型】 no more…than 和……一样不；比……更不；非常不no more than (=only) 不过，仅仅

【例句】He is He is no more a God a God than us. us.

他和我们一样不是上帝。

Sentence Study

【例句】Money is Money is no more than our servant.  our servant.

金钱不过是我们的仆人。

No place in China can produce can produce more memories o memories o

f the beauty of your country f the beauty of your country than Guilin. .

中国没有其它地方像桂林一样可以让人记住你们美丽的国家。

Sentence Study

4.4. Important Important as they are, genes alone are never absolutely they are, genes alone are never absolutely responsible for any trait.responsible for any trait. (Line 68)(Line 68)

【译文】尽管基因非常重要，但是基因本身决不能完全决定任何一个特点。

【句型】这是 as 引导的让步状语从句，从句要倒装。该句相当于： Though they are important, ...

“形容词 / 副词 / 名词 + as / though + 主语 + 谓语”句型，引导让步状语从句。

Sentence Study

【例句】 Much Much as I admire him as a writer, I admire him as a writer, I don’t like him as a man. I don’t like him as a man.

Brave Brave though they were, they had no chance of they were, they had no chance of

winning. winning.

TeacherTeacher as he is, he cannot finish task in an hour. he is, he cannot finish task in an hour.

Words & Phrases

1. interact v. (+ on / with) have an effect on each other or something

else 互相作用，互相影响

【例句】

We college students should actively interact with the society. We college students should be in active interaction with the society.

Words & Phrases

2. identical adj. 1. ( + with / to) exactly alike 完全相同的，完全一样的 2. the same 同一的

【例句】

Your voice is identical to your brothers.

You and your brother have almost identical voices.

声音相同

Words & Phrases

3. resemblance n. the fact or an instance of being like or similar to another person or thing 相似，类似

resemble (v.) look or be like 像，似【例句】

The identical twins resemble each other in appearance but not in character.这对同卵双胞胎 (the identical twins) 长相相似但性格不同。

Words & Phrases

4. substantially adv. quite a lot 相当大地 substance n. 1. (C) a material; type of matter 物；物质 2. (the+, U) the important part; the real meaning 实质；本质； 主旨；大意substantial adj. 1. solid; strongly made 牢固的；结实的 2. noticeable; important; of some size or value 显著的；重要的；有价值的

Words & Phrases

【例句】

Student: What is water?

Teacher: Water is a ___________________.

( 生命必须的物质 )

substance vital to life

Words & Phrases

【例句】Though young, he has substantially contributed to the project.尽管年轻，他已为这个工程作出了相当大的贡献。

To study abroad indicates to To study abroad indicates to make substantial make substantial changeschanges in life. in life.

出国留学意味着在生活上作出重大改变。

Words & Phrases

5. illustrate v. 1. (+ by / with) make the meaning (of something) clearer by giving related examples 阐明，说明 2. (+ with) put pictures in a book, article, etc. 给……作插图说明

【例句】他通过讲述自身的体验来阐明他的论点。He ________________ by relating his own

experience.

illustrated his point

Words & Phrases

6. resume v. 1) start doing something again after stopping or being interrupted ( 中断之后 ) 继续 2) take again 重新占用

他的脸上很快就又露出自信的神情。His face quickly __________ _________________.

【例句】

resumed its

confident expression

Words & Phrases

7. distinguish v. 1) hear, see, or recognize 辨认出； 看清楚；听清楚 2) ( + from / between) make or recognize differences 辨别；区别； 3) behave (oneself) noticeably well 使出众，使扬名

【例句】 Every so often, people can not carefullyEvery so often, people can not carefullydistinguish between facts and rumorsdistinguish between facts and rumors. .

有时人们无法谨慎地区别事实和传言。

Words & Phrases

distinguished adj. marked by excellent quality or deserved fame 著名 的，杰出的

distinguishable adj. that can be clearly seen, heard, or recognized as different 清晰可见的；可辨别的

1. Case Study

2. Debate

Part III Further Development

Directions: Work in groups to respond to the following case study.

Case Study

You are young parents. You have a beautiful eight-year-old daughter. Like all parents you want your child to be happy and healthy. You want to give her all the love and support you can. What are most important things you would do to keep her healthy physically, intellectually and emotionally? Share your ideas with other groups.

Case Study

Sample

Physically

•Take part in sports with her

•Take her out on walks

•Give her good food that helps her to be strong and health

•Keep her clean and properly dressed

•Let her do some housework

•Send her to a dance school

Case Study

Sample

Intellectually

•Sing songs with her

•Tell her stories about human ancestors

•Send her to extra classes

•Let her watch educational programs on TV

•Take her to famous historic places, museums

•Involve her in making decisions when possible

Case Study

Sample

Emotionally

•Be kind to her, but also strict

•Encourage her or praise her when necessary

•Teach her moral values

•Voice our feelings frequently

•Respect her own judgement

•Teach her how to face failure

•Encourage her to be kind to living creatures

Directions: Work in 2 groups to debate which has a stronger influence, heredity or environment.

Debate

Which has a stronger influence, heredity or environment?

Sample•Exercise, sports and good food can make you grow taller and stronger

•Physical traits and certain diseases can be inherited, such as cancer or high blood pressure

Debate

Sample•Intelligent professional’s children are not necessarily intelligent, so intelligence is not inherited

•If heredity is more important, why do we study for tests?

•The son of a thief is not necessarily a thief.

•A person with very low IQ can never become a scientist no matter how hard he/she tries

•Both my parents are practical, and that’s why I lack imagination

•A person without a “music gene” can never be a musician

1. Translation Skills

2. Writing Practice

Part IV Translation & Writing

Translation Skills

状语从句的翻译状语从句的翻译

Translation Skills

状语从句也称为副词性从句，与名词性从句和形容词性从句（即定语从句）共同构成英语从句体系。状语从句在全句中的作用类似副词，因此，像副词一样，状语从句在译文中的位置也较为灵活，可采用直译法、倒译法，将其放在全句之前或全句之后。此外，还可将状语从句转变为其他从句类型，使中文译文表达更地道。：

Translation Skills

（一）状语从句的直译法

【例句】

Once human beings stand up and become masters of their own fate, there will be no difficulties they may not overcome.

一旦人站起来，成为自己命运的主宰，就不会有他们克服不了的困难。

Translation Skills

（二）状语从句的倒译法

The local government will set up more paper mills if they can get more raw materials.

【例句】

如果能够得到更多的原材料，当地政府将兴建更多的造纸厂。

Translation Skills

（三）状语从句的转译法【例句】

New things always have to experience difficulties and setbacks as they grow.

任何新生事物的成长都要经过艰难曲折。

（状语从句转译为作为主语的名词“成长”）。

.

Writing Practice

Directions: Write a composition on the topic: Which has a stronger influence, heredity or environment? Your composition should be no less than 120 words according to the outline given below in Chinese:

1) 父母遗传很重要；

2) 后天环境影响起关键作用；

3) 我们是先天遗传与后天环境的综合产物。

Writing Practice

Sample Which has a stronger influence, heredity or environment?

Which is more important in shaping a person’s character, heredity or environment? First, let us examine the influence of heredity. A kind-hearted mother may expect a child who is also gentle and kind. An engineer father who used to get high marks in mathematics tests is very likely to have a son or daughter who is also good at math and plans to be an engineer, maybe because the child inherits the “math gene” from the father. Stubborn ( 顽固的 ) parents are likely to have children who are as hard to turn as a donkey ( 犟牛般的子女 ).

Writing Practice

Sample

However, the environment also plays a key role in molding many of a child’s characteristics. Environment can change a person no matter what one inherits from parents. Exercise, sports and good food, for example, can make a person grow taller and stronger, which explains the reason why young Chinese are obviously bigger and taller than their grandparents. Intelligent professionals’ children are not necessarily intelligent, so intelligence is not inherited. On the other hand, the son of a thief is not necessarily a thief.

Writing Practice

Sample

In conclusion, we are the product of nature and nurture. It is family, schools, and society that work together to shape who we are. Therefore, both heredity and environment have great influence on a person’s personality. Heredity creates a person, but environment can create an improved one.