Unit 6Unit 6

Women, Half the SkyWomen, Half the Sky

Text A Text A

I’m Going to Buy the Brooklyn BridgeI’m Going to Buy the Brooklyn Bridge

Pre-reading activitiesPre-reading activities Cultural notesCultural notes Text organizationText organization Language pointsLanguage points Text BText B

Pre-Reading Activities:Pre-Reading Activities:

Read the text and then think over the following Read the text and then think over the following questions:questions:

1. Why can’t women be ignored?1. Why can’t women be ignored? 2. What price have women had to pay for 2. What price have women had to pay for

their wisdom? their wisdom? 3. What happens to them if you try to break 3. What happens to them if you try to break

their will?their will? 4. How women realized their dreams?4. How women realized their dreams?

Cultural NoteCultural NoteFeminismFeminism

In the 1960s feminism (=the belief that women In the 1960s feminism (=the belief that women and men are equal in abilities and should have and men are equal in abilities and should have equal rights and opportunities) became the subject equal rights and opportunities) became the subject of intense debate when the women’s liberation of intense debate when the women’s liberation movement encouraged women to reject their movement encouraged women to reject their traditional supporting role and to demand equal traditional supporting role and to demand equal status and equal rights with men in areas such as status and equal rights with men in areas such as employment and pay.employment and pay.

Since then the gender gap between the Since then the gender gap between the sexes has been reduced. However the battle sexes has been reduced. However the battle between feminist and traditional views of a between feminist and traditional views of a woman’s role continues. It is widely woman’s role continues. It is widely accepted by younger people that women accepted by younger people that women should, if they wish, be allowed to should, if they wish, be allowed to

develop their careers and not give develop their careers and not give up work when they have a family.up work when they have a family.

Feminism has brought about many changes in the Feminism has brought about many changes in the English language. Many words for job titles that English language. Many words for job titles that included “man” have been replaced, for example, included “man” have been replaced, for example, “police officer” is used instead of “policeman” and “police officer” is used instead of “policeman” and “chairperson” for “chairman”. “He” is now rarely “chairperson” for “chairman”. “He” is now rarely used to refer to a person when the person could be used to refer to a person when the person could be either a man or a woman. The title “Ms” is used for either a man or a woman. The title “Ms” is used for women instead of “Miss” or “Mrs”, since it does not women instead of “Miss” or “Mrs”, since it does not show whether a woman is married or not.show whether a woman is married or not.

Text OrganizationText Organization

Part Paras Main Ideas

One

1-3

Despite her friend’s advice, the author, unable to resist the temptation, falls for superwoman stories again.

Two

4-7 The author encounters with a superwoman, which influences her a lot.

Three 8-11

She tells about what prevents her from becoming a superwoman herself.

Four 12-14 She analyzes why she is still fascinated by modern superwoman tales.

Five 15 She comes to the conclusion that to her, admiring a heroine is something worth doing.

Language points:Language points:

1. 1. item n. item n. 1) a single piece of news1) a single piece of news e.g. There is a fascinating news item in e.g. There is a fascinating news item in Today’s China Daily.Today’s China Daily. 2) a single article or unit on a list or among a 2) a single article or unit on a list or among a

setset e.g. There are at least 50 items on her e.g. There are at least 50 items on her Christmas shopping list. Christmas shopping list.

2. 2. draft n. a rough outline or versiondraft n. a rough outline or version e.g. My student emailed the first draft of his e.g. My student emailed the first draft of his

thesis to me yesterday. thesis to me yesterday. This is only the first draft of my speech, but This is only the first draft of my speech, but

what do you think of it?what do you think of it?

3. 3. undo v. undo v. 1) (fml) disturb or upset greatly1) (fml) disturb or upset greatly e.g. My daughter’s idea about wealth undid e.g. My daughter’s idea about wealth undid

me.me. 2) untie, open2) untie, open e.g. Would you please undo this knot for e.g. Would you please undo this knot for

me?me?

4.4.hit/strike homehit/strike home (of marks, etc.) have the intended effect(of marks, etc.) have the intended effect e.g. His criticism hit home. I was really e.g. His criticism hit home. I was really

selfish.selfish. I could see from her expression that his I could see from her expression that his

comments had hit home.comments had hit home.

5. 5. incredible adj. unbelievableincredible adj. unbelievable e.g. It seemed incredible that people would e.g. It seemed incredible that people would

still want to play soccer during a war.still want to play soccer during a war. There has been an incredible amount of There has been an incredible amount of

interest in the information highway during interest in the information highway during the last few years.the last few years.

6. 6. consume v.consume v. 1) eat or drink1) eat or drink e.g. Michael consumes nearly a pound of e.g. Michael consumes nearly a pound of

cheese per day.cheese per day. 2) use up2) use up e.g. The human body consumes energy in e.g. The human body consumes energy in

the form of carbohydrates.the form of carbohydrates.

7. 7. care for care for 1) take care of 1) take care of e.g. The college students volunteered to e.g. The college students volunteered to

care for the elderly in their community.care for the elderly in their community. 2) like or love 2) like or love e.g. She had two sons and didn’t care for e.g. She had two sons and didn’t care for

either.either.

8. 8. corporation n.corporation n. a large business or companya large business or company e.g. Several multi-national corporations are e.g. Several multi-national corporations are

located in the new district of Pudong.located in the new district of Pudong. It’s easier for students graduating from It’s easier for students graduating from

well-known universities to get positions in well-known universities to get positions in large multinational corporations. large multinational corporations.

9.9.rarely adv. not happening oftenrarely adv. not happening often e.g. Rarely have I seen a student who is so e.g. Rarely have I seen a student who is so

absorbed in history.absorbed in history. He very rarely wears a raincoat because he He very rarely wears a raincoat because he

spends most of his time in a car.spends most of his time in a car. It’s strange that the couple were rarely seen It’s strange that the couple were rarely seen

together.together.

10. 10. decorate v. add (sth.) in order to make a decorate v. add (sth.) in order to make a thing more attractive to look atthing more attractive to look at

e.g. They are going to decorate the e.g. They are going to decorate the classroom for Christmas. classroom for Christmas.

The boy decorated his room with pictures of The boy decorated his room with pictures of his favorate sports figures.his favorate sports figures.

11. 11. client n. client n. a person who buys goods or servicea person who buys goods or service e.g. Our company is CITI Bank’s most e.g. Our company is CITI Bank’s most

valued client.valued client. The company requires clients to pay The company requires clients to pay

substantial fees in advance.substantial fees in advance.

12. 12. lap n.lap n. 1) the flat area formed by your thighs when you are 1) the flat area formed by your thighs when you are

sitting downsitting down e.g. Sitting on her mother’s lap, the little girl was e.g. Sitting on her mother’s lap, the little girl was

quiet.quiet. 2) a part of long journey, between two points where 2) a part of long journey, between two points where

you stopyou stop e.g. The first lap of our trip is from New York City e.g. The first lap of our trip is from New York City

to Boston.to Boston.

13. 13. theory n. theory n. a formal idea or set of ideas that is intended a formal idea or set of ideas that is intended

to explain sth. to explain sth. e.g. Einstein formulated the theory of e.g. Einstein formulated the theory of

relativity in 1905.relativity in 1905.

14. 14. harmony n. harmony n. 1) pleasant combination of different notes of 1) pleasant combination of different notes of

music played at the same timemusic played at the same time e.g. The kids are singing in harmony.e.g. The kids are singing in harmony. 2) a state or condition of agreement, 2) a state or condition of agreement,

cooperation, or peacefulnesscooperation, or peacefulness e.g. Since they moved to this community they e.g. Since they moved to this community they

have lived in harmony with their neighbors.have lived in harmony with their neighbors.

15. 15. by natureby nature as a result of inborn or inherent qualities; as a result of inborn or inherent qualities;

innatelyinnately e.g. He is by nature rather an aggressive e.g. He is by nature rather an aggressive

person.person. I’m not by nature a violent man, but these I’m not by nature a violent man, but these

insults were more than I could bear.insults were more than I could bear.

16. 16. get one’s act together (infml) get one’s act together (infml) organize oneself and one’s activities so that organize oneself and one’s activities so that

one does things in an effective wayone does things in an effective way e.g. Steve will have to get his act together if e.g. Steve will have to get his act together if

he is going to pass the exam. He can’t just he is going to pass the exam. He can’t just sit about doing nothing all day. sit about doing nothing all day.

17. 17. military adj. military adj. relating to the armed forces of a countryrelating to the armed forces of a country e.g. The president has not ruled out the e.g. The president has not ruled out the

possibility of military action.possibility of military action. Your working day will need to be organized Your working day will need to be organized

with military precision.with military precision.

18. 18. put pencil/pen to paperput pencil/pen to paper start to writestart to write e.g. The instant he put pencil to paper, his e.g. The instant he put pencil to paper, his

four-year-old son would sit beside him four-year-old son would sit beside him quietly. quietly.

When I put pencil to paper yesterday, vivid When I put pencil to paper yesterday, vivid memories came flooding back of my first memories came flooding back of my first day in school. day in school.

19. 19. at intervalsat intervals 1)sth. that happens at intervals happens 1)sth. that happens at intervals happens

occasionallyoccasionally e.g. The interview continued, with Smith breaking e.g. The interview continued, with Smith breaking

off at intervals to consult his notes.off at intervals to consult his notes. 2) used to state the precise gap in time or distance 2) used to state the precise gap in time or distance

between thingsbetween things e.g. There were red warning lights at intervals e.g. There were red warning lights at intervals

along the street.along the street.

20. 20. set aside set aside put (time or money) away for a special put (time or money) away for a special

purposepurpose e.g. I have a little money set aside for e.g. I have a little money set aside for

emergencies.emergencies. My husband set aside half an hour every My husband set aside half an hour every

morning to do sports.morning to do sports.

21. 21. race the clockrace the clock do sth. quickly in order to finish it in the do sth. quickly in order to finish it in the

available timeavailable time e.g. The deadline will be due tomorrow. We e.g. The deadline will be due tomorrow. We

have to race the clock.have to race the clock. The semester is coming to an end. We have The semester is coming to an end. We have

to race the clock every day to prepare for our to race the clock every day to prepare for our final exams.final exams.

22. 22. possess v. (fml) have or ownpossess v. (fml) have or own e.g. It is said that Michael possesses a e.g. It is said that Michael possesses a

fortune of more than two billion dollars.fortune of more than two billion dollars. The number of nations that possess nuclear The number of nations that possess nuclear

weapons in on the rise.weapons in on the rise.

23. 23. bide one’s timebide one’s time wait patiently for a chancewait patiently for a chance e.g. His political rivals are biding their time e.g. His political rivals are biding their time

until after the election for a chance to attack until after the election for a chance to attack his policies.his policies.

She bided her time, planning revenge.She bided her time, planning revenge.

24. 24. charm charm 1) v. attract; give pleasure to1) v. attract; give pleasure to e.g. I was charmed by her slim figure and e.g. I was charmed by her slim figure and

soft voice.soft voice. 2) n. pleasing quality; attractiveness2) n. pleasing quality; attractiveness e.g. “Snow-white and Seven Dwarves” has e.g. “Snow-white and Seven Dwarves” has

never lost its original charm.never lost its original charm.

25 25 take in (usu. passive) cheattake in (usu. passive) cheat e.g. She was so smart that she couldn’t be e.g. She was so smart that she couldn’t be

taken in by her colleagues.taken in by her colleagues. The students played a trick on their teacher. The students played a trick on their teacher.

Unfortunately he was taken in completely.Unfortunately he was taken in completely.

26. 26. despite adv. in spite of despite adv. in spite of e.g. Despite the fact that she fell midway e.g. Despite the fact that she fell midway

through the race, she won.through the race, she won. They had a wonderful holiday, despite the They had a wonderful holiday, despite the

bad weather.bad weather. Despite wanting to see him again, she Despite wanting to see him again, she

refused to reply to his letters.refused to reply to his letters.

27. 27. have sth./little/much/nothing to do withhave sth./little/much/nothing to do with have some/little/much/no connection withhave some/little/much/no connection with e.g. I am not sure what her job is, but it has e.g. I am not sure what her job is, but it has

something to do with marketing.something to do with marketing. His decision to move overseas has a lot to His decision to move overseas has a lot to

do with his financial problem.do with his financial problem.

28. 28. achieve/have one’s heart’s desire (s)achieve/have one’s heart’s desire (s) get sb. / sth. you want very muchget sb. / sth. you want very much e.g. To achieve her heart’s desires, she had e.g. To achieve her heart’s desires, she had

to work from morning to night.to work from morning to night. When she agreed to marry him he felt he When she agreed to marry him he felt he

had achieved his heart’s desire.had achieved his heart’s desire.

29. 29. a piece of cakea piece of cake sth. that is very easy to dosth. that is very easy to do e.g. Getting in tough with his overseas e.g. Getting in tough with his overseas

friends via email is a piece of cake for the friends via email is a piece of cake for the old man. old man.

Shopping on line is a piece of cake for the Shopping on line is a piece of cake for the five-year-old.five-year-old.

30. 30. sophisticated adj. sophisticated adj. 1) worldly-wise; showing knowledge of the world1) worldly-wise; showing knowledge of the world e.g. Richard was still young, but he was e.g. Richard was still young, but he was

sophisticated enough to know when people were sophisticated enough to know when people were not telling the truth. not telling the truth.

2) advanced or complicated2) advanced or complicated e.g. The missile has a sophisticated guidance e.g. The missile has a sophisticated guidance

system.system.

31. 31. move on to move on to stop doing one thing and begin dealing with stop doing one thing and begin dealing with

the nextthe next e.g. We’re about to move on to the second e.g. We’re about to move on to the second

stage of the project.stage of the project. She ran this shop for ten years before She ran this shop for ten years before

deciding to move on to the real estate deciding to move on to the real estate business.business.

32. 32. investment (in) v. putting money in sth.investment (in) v. putting money in sth. e.g. More and more people have the desire to e.g. More and more people have the desire to

buy a house as an investment.buy a house as an investment. Buying shares in blue-chip companies is Buying shares in blue-chip companies is

always a sound investment.always a sound investment. Total foreign investment in America still Total foreign investment in America still

constitutes only a small portion of US assets.constitutes only a small portion of US assets.

Text BText B

Beginning Beginning AnewAnew

Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases

live for take/get/gain credit (for sth.)live for take/get/gain credit (for sth.) party die of quit reaction party die of quit reaction plead temporary renew soak up plead temporary renew soak up at every opportunity weigh downat every opportunity weigh down semester expensive stir plentifulsemester expensive stir plentiful take back set out to do (sth.)take back set out to do (sth.) in control (of sth.) seek after in control (of sth.) seek after

Comprehension CheckComprehension Check

1. 1. We can infer that the writer used to We can infer that the writer used to prefer ____.prefer ____. a. Mondays to Tuesdays a. Mondays to Tuesdays b. Wednesdays to Tuesdaysb. Wednesdays to Tuesdays c. Fridays to Saturdaysc. Fridays to Saturdays d. Mondays to Sundaysd. Mondays to Sundays

2. 2. The writer did not go to college at the The writer did not go to college at the usual age because ____.usual age because ____.

a. she was a young mothera. she was a young mother b. she had to go to work to earn a living b. she had to go to work to earn a living c. she preferred to train as a journalistc. she preferred to train as a journalist d. she preferred having a good time to studyd. she preferred having a good time to study

3. 3. The word “snap” (para 8) here means The word “snap” (para 8) here means ____.____.

a. a matter of great importancea. a matter of great importance b. a very tough jobb. a very tough job c. a piece of cakec. a piece of cake d. a heartbreaking thingd. a heartbreaking thing

4. 4. Looking back over her decision to leave Looking back over her decision to leave work and return to college she ____.work and return to college she ____.

a. has no regretsa. has no regrets b. realizes she should have saved more firstb. realizes she should have saved more first c. feels sorry she made no friendsc. feels sorry she made no friends d. wishes she hadn’t broken down under the d. wishes she hadn’t broken down under the

pressurepressure

That’s the end .That’s the end . Thank youThank you!!