Unit 1
1.TextBetter understanding in oral communication
In the modern world, communication becomes so important that well-educated people should even know how to use a foreign language properly. While learning or using a second language, you are going more or less into a different culture. So, it is not only the language alone you should learn well but also the culture which dominates the language.
Nonverbal or “body language”, is communication by facial expressions, head or eye movements, hand signals, and body postures. It can be just as important to understanding as words are.
Misunderstandings often amusing but sometimes serious can arise between people from different cultures if they misinterpret non-verbal signals. Take, for example, the differences in meaning of a gesture very common in the United States: a circle made with the thumb and the index finger. To an American, it means that everything is OK. To a Japanese, it means that you are talking about money. In France, it means that something is worthless, and in Greece, it is an obscene gesture. Therefore, an American could unknowingly offend a Greek by using that particular hand signal.
The following true incident illustrates how conflicting nonverbal signals can cause serious misunderstandings. While lecturing to his poetry class at Ain Shams University in Cairo, a British professor became so relaxed that he leaned back in his chair and revealed the bottom of his foot to the astonished class. Making such a gesture in Moslem society is the worst kind of insult. The next day the Cairo newspapers carried headlines about the student demonstration that resulted, and they denounced British arrogance and demanded that the professor be sent home at once.
Many people share the opinion that a certain culture leaves imprints to its language both verbal and nonverbal. To get better results in mutual understanding with people from other cultures, one needs to take special care of his body language.
2. Words and Expressions
Words/Idioms Definitions/Synonyms
to go into sth to take up the details and merits of sth
to dominate to have authority/great influence over
more or less nearly/about/in different degrees
nonverbal not in words
posture position of the body showing an attitude of mind
amusing causing laughter/smiles
gesture movement of the hand or head to indicate an idea or feeling
index finger the finger next to the thumb
obscene morally indecent/disgusting
to offend to do wrong against/hurt the feeling of …
particular special/worth notice/remarkable
to illustrate to explain by examples/pictures/figures
Cairo the capital of Egypt in Africa
to become relaxed to be less tight
to lean back to rest in a sloping position for support
to reveal to allow or cause to be seen/to make known
astonished greatly surprised/shocked
Moslem (=Muslim) people who profess Islam (穆斯林，伊斯兰教信徒)
to denounce to speak publicly against
arrogance pride over others
3． Sentences in Focus
(1). Laying a strong foundation of vocabulary is very important and necessary for us to learn spoken English
(2). To get better results in mutual understanding with people from other cultures, one needs to take special care of his body language.
(3). It’s much easier said than done.
(4). There is no shortcut for us to learn English. All we need to do is to work hard.
4. Topics for oral presentation
(1) Talk about how to improve oral communication in English.
(2) Talk about the importance of spoken English.
Unit 2
1. Text An Orderly framework for Your Speech
When you are preparing a speech either to be delivered to a small group of people or in public to a large audience, you must think of how to begin and end it. A nice and attractive speech depends on a series of factors. Among them a well-planned outline or set of subtopics seems to be necessary to build up a logic clue. To comb your thoughts, informative facts and figures which support your points, you should know something about the orderly framework of a speech.
A very common way to organize the ideas in a speech is to arrange them in order of their importance. There are two ways to do this: you can discuss the most important point first and work down to the least important point, or you can begin with the least important and end with the most important. The way you choose will depend on your topic and on your purpose; both ways can be effective.
You can use order of importance for all kinds of topics. Suppose you are assigned a history topic to give the causes of the U.S. Civil War. There were perhaps three basic causes: the economic superiority of the northern states, the slavery issue, and the political question of the right of individual states to secede from the United States and form a separate country. Which cause would you discuss first, and which last? It would depend on whether you want to emphasize the economic, political, or slavery issue.
Take another example. Suppose you are asked to talk about the two most important influences on your life besides your family. You choose to tell about a particular teacher who had a big influence on you or a dramatic incident in early days that somehow changed your ways of life. Here, again, you may discuss the two influences in order of their importance how strongly each affected you.
Just as with reasonable order it is important to use transitional signals to guide your audience from one point to another. Therefore, it is a skill to master the appropriate use of conjunctions (and, but, although, because, etc.) and other functional transitional signals (firstly, secondly, on the one hand, etc).
In summary, do remember that good pronunciation, intonation and correct use of grammar alone do not necessarily make a speech. You also need a proper framework to ensure the success of your speech thoughts.
2. Words and Expressions
Words Definitions/ Synonyms
to prepare a speech get ready to make a speech
subtopic secondary title
to comb one’s thoughts to make one’s thoughts clear in order
framework a structure that forms a support of frame for sth
to secede to withdraw
to emphasize to lay importance on
transitional signals signs of changes from one topic to another
appropriate use of sth proper use of sth
in summary in conclusion
3. Sentences in Focus
(1). When you are preparing a speech either to be delivered to a small group of people or in public to a large audience, you must think of how to begin and end it.
(2). A very common way to organize the ideas in a speech is to arrange them in order of their importance.
(3). Just as with reasonable order it is important to use transitional signals to guide your audience from one point to another.
(4). In summary, do remember that good pronunciation, intonation and correct use of grammar alone do not necessarily make a speech. You also need a proper framework to ensure the success of your speech thoughts.
4.Topics for Discussion
(1) The importance of an orderly framework in a good speech
(2) What factors does a good speech usually depend on?
(3) The basic ways to organize the ideas in a speech.
Unit 3
1. Text Video Games
For quite some time, TV has become part of the Chinese people’s daily life. Of all the people, children are influenced the most by TV. On the one hand, they learn from TV what they can’t in school, so we say TV is educational. On the other hand, children tend to spend too much time in front of the screen and neglect their studies. TV could be a big headache for both parents and teachers.
Some of us have probably already noticed the problem TV has brought to our family life: it takes away too much of our time, especially children’s time. In other countries, TV causes bigger headaches and more worries to parents and teachers than it does to us. In America, for instance, TV was and still is a big problem. Many young people say they can’t do without TV and many parents complain about how addictive their children are to TV. Tons of books and articles have been written on how to cope with TV the giant monster.
Parents are beginning to worry about children’s well-being. Some people think the video game gives children a gambling image. The kid bets a quarter against the machine; if he is skillful enough, he can play for a long time; otherwise he loses the game in a few seconds. Some people wonder where children get the money to play games. Five billion dollars a year! Do they steal money?
2. Words and Expressions
Words Definitions
addictive devoted to sth
monster strange, large and frightening animal
well-being physical comfort/ good health
to bet to risk money on an unknown situation/result
3. Sentences for Focus
(1). For quite some time, TV has become part of the Chinese people’s daily life. Of all the people, children are influenced the most by TV.
(2). A Chinese proverb best describes my feeling: When the visitor arrives, it is as if returning home.
(3). Parents are beginning to worry about children’s well-being. Some people think the video game gives children a gambling image.
(4). I had been looking forward to this job for many years and you have made my dream come true.
4. Topics for Oral Presentation
(1) Say something from your own experience about video games.
(2) Tell about the worries of parents over the influence of video games on their children.
Unit 4
1. Text: Cosmetics
It is probable that when people first painted their faces many thousands of years ago, it was for the purpose of frightening their enemies in war. But there are records of women in Egypt using cosmetics to make themselves look beautiful more than four thousand years ago. These women had different kinds of paint for different seasons of the year.
Women in ancient Rome used cosmetics. They used Egyptian kohl for darkening the eyelids, powdered chalk for whitening the skin, and a red coloring matter for the cheeks. A famous Roman poet once wrote a book on cosmetics, and gave a recipe for what we now call a face-pack, made from flour, eggs and other moist materials. The use of this, he said would make the face smoother and brighter than a mirror.
In England it was the custom, during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, for all ladies of fashion to paint their faces and to blacken their eyebrows. In the nineteenth century there was a change of taste, however, and until about the end of the century. Ladies who used traditional make-up were not accepted in some high societies.
Today the use of cosmetics is popular everywhere, and it is common in many developed countries and areas to see women and girls making up in public. In China, more and more ladies are taking cosmetics as one of the most important daily necessities. The cosmetics industry is one of the largest and high-tech industries in the world. Some big multinational corporations have daily chemicals and cosmetics as their major business lines. It is evident that large sums of money also go to the owners of beauty salons.
Many experts of skin care have suggested that it is better to use natural cosmetics from herbs and products. That is why a number of new recipes and cosmetics are being developed from time to time.
2. Words and Expressions
Words Definitions
kohl a powder used by women to darken the Skin above and below the eyes
recipe a set of directions for preparing a special kind of food or a medical remedy
face-pack a mixture of face care pastes
ladies of fashion ladies dressing or behaving in a modern or popular way
make-up cosmetics used to change or improve the appearance
to make up to apply cosmetics to the face
high society club/social group formed by people with high social position or wealth
major business lines main business areas
salon fashionable small service shop
herb to improve the taste of food or to mak medicine
3. Sentences in Focus
(1). It is probable that when people first painted their faces many thousands of years ago, it was for the purpose of frightening their enemies in war.
(2) .Today the use of cosmetics is popular everywhere, and it is common in many developed countries and areas to see women and girls making up in public.
(3). The cosmetics industry is one of the largest and high-tech industries in the world. Some big multinational corporations have daily chemicals and cosmetics as their major business lines. It is evident that large sums of money also go to the owners of beauty salons.
(4). Many experts of skin care have suggested that it is better to use natural cosmetics from herbs and products.
4. Topics for Oral Presentation
(1) Talk about the importance of electricity in our everyday lives.
(2) Say something about the wonders of modern science and technology. What negative effects do they bring to us? Give two or three examples.
Unit 5
1. Text: Sports in the United States
The United States is a sports-loving nation. Sports in America take a variety of forms: organized competitions, which draw huge crowds to cheer their favorite team to victory, athletic games, played for recreation anywhere sufficient space is found, and hunting and fishing. Most sports are seasonal, so that what is happening in sports depends upon the time of year. Some sports are called spectator sports, as the number of spectators greatly exceeds the number of players in the game. Other sports are called participant sports, drawing a crowd of onlookers only on special occasions, such as tournaments. Some sports are commercial and professional, with players who are paid for their participation and with audiences who pay admission to watch.
Baseball is the most popular sport in the United States. It is played throughout the spring and summer, and professional baseball teams play right into the fall. Not only is baseball played by boys in their neighborhoods and by high school and college teams in the spring, but it is also played by grown men as amateurs and as professionals organized into major leagues. Heroes in baseball are talked about and remembered as in perhaps no other sport.
Football is the most popular sport in the fall. The game is not the same as European football or soccer. In American football there are eleven players in each team, and they are dressed in padded uniforms and helmets because the game is rough and injuries are likely to occur. The object of the game is to carry or forward pass the football across the opponent’s all major cities of the United States. Their players are almost always former college football players. He who has not attended a large football game has certainly missed one of the most colorful aspects of American life.
Baseball is the winter sport in America. Many Americans prefer it to football because it is played indoors throughout the winter and because it is a faster game. It is a very popular game with high schools, and in more than twenty states, inter-state high school tournaments are held yearly. Professional basketball teams exist, but they do not attract as many fans as professional baseball teams do.
2. Words and Expressions
Words Definitions
recreation amusement/way of spending free time
spectator person watching an event or sport
tournament competition
amateur person who does sth for enjoy without being paid
professional doing for payment what others do for fun
league group of sports clubs that play against each other
padded uniform uniform filled with soft material for protection or
to give shape
3. Sentences in Focus
(1). The United States is a sports-loving nation. Sports in America take a variety of forms: organized competitions, which draw huge crowds to cheer their favorite team to victory.
(2). Heroes in baseball are talked about and remembered as in perhaps no other sport.
(3). Many Americans prefer baseball to football because it is played indoors throughout the winter and because it is a faster game.
(4). Professional basketball teams exist, but they do not attract as many fans as professional baseball teams do.
4. Topics for Oral Presentation
(1) My favorite sport
(2) My remarks about Olympic Games
(3) My opinions on winter sports
(4) The climate in China
Unit 6
1. Text: China - An Investment Magnet
China’s policy of opening wider to the outside world has attracted streams of foreign companies which have brought with them investment capital, technology and management expertise, invigorating the national economy.
A survey reported that China’s gross national product has grown at an average annual rate of 12 percent in the past five years. Last year, foreign-invested enterprises paid close to 70 billion yuan in taxes, accounting for one-tenth of all national tax revenues. Imports and exports amounted to 280 billion dollars in 1995, ranking China 11th among the world’s top trading nations.
China’s dramatic rise as a trading nation is owed largely to its opening-up policy. Foreign-funded enterprises accounted for about 40 percent of its total imports and exports last year. In the first quarter of this year, the proportion rose to 45.9 percent. By last May, China’s foreign exchange reserves reached 85 billion dollars.
As China began executing its new Ninth Five-Year Plan(1996-2000), the government earlier this year formulated a development program for the next 15 years. According to the program, China will increase its openness geographically and widen its business scope.
With political stability and a huge market, China is confident of its continued attraction for foreign investors and plans to receive another 150 billion dollars in direct foreign investment in the next five years.
2. Words and Expressions
Words Definitions
magnet person or thing that attracts or interests people greatly
expertise skill in a particular field
to invigorate to make vigorous/give strength to
revenue income, esp. received by the government
to rank to be or put in a certain class
dramatic sudden or exciting
to execute to carry out/perform/implement
to formulate to invent/make up/ draft up
aggregate total
3. Sentences in Focus
(1). China is famous for its massive land, abundant natural resources, huge cheap labor, low taxation, a growing consumer market, a stable social and political environment with attractive investment policies.
(2). China has a long history of five thousand years.
(3). China’s policy of opening wider to the outside world has attracted streams of foreign companies which have brought with them investment capital, technology and management expertise.
(4). With political stability and a huge market, China is confident of its continuous attraction for foreign investors.
4. Topics for Oral Presentation
(1) Talk about the great changes that have taken place since China adopted its open-door policy.
(2) Speak for 2-3 minutes on the topic:
The correct leadership of our government and the people’s improving standard of living
Unit 7
1. TextA Pleasant Trip
Respected Your Excellency,
My Chinese friends,
Thank you very much for your kind words of welcome. This is a happy and memorable occasion for me personally as well as for the members of my delegation.
To come to China, one of the very earliest cradles of civilization is, I suppose, the dream of many people the world over. I, therefore, feel much honored to be your guest.
In accepting Your Excellency’s gracious invitation to visit this great country, I have had an excellent opportunity to renew old friendships and establish new contacts.
When we established our friendly and cooperative relations, we did so on the understanding that we would develop our friendship on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and mutual benefit. These are the principles on which we seek friendship with all peoples of the world. It is absolutely vital that all nations, big or small, strong or weak, should conduct their relations with each other on these principles.
We, therefore, welcome the interest and understanding that China has shown regarding the problems of and positions taken by small and developing countries. China’s support is a constant source of encouragement to us in the pursuit of the goals of developing and maintaining the independence of our country.
It is my sincere hope that we can develop further, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, the links and the friendship that exist between our two countries. As we are both developing countries, having a common aspiration in improving the standard of life of our peoples, I look forward, in the nest few days, to the opportunity of learning something from your endeavors and experience in promoting economic and social development in the service of your people.
I’d like to take this opportunity to extend to Your Excellency an invitation to visit my country, so that we will have an opportunity to return the warm welcome and generous hospitality you extended to us.
In closing, may I say again how delighted and privileged we are to be in your country. We are deeply grateful for what you have done for us since our arrival in your country.
May I propose a toast
To the health of Your Excellency,
To the health of all the Chinese friends,
To our lasting friendship.
Cheers!
2. Words and Expressions
Words Explanations
Respected Your Excellency 尊敬的阁下
cradle of civilization 文明的摇篮
renew old friendships 重温旧情
in the pursuit of 追求
a common aspiration 一个共同愿望
endeavor 努力
in the service of 为而服务
in closing 在结束时
privileged 特权的
propose a toast to 为…而干杯
3．Sentences in Focus
(1). Permit me first of all to thank you, our host, for your extraordinary arrangements and hospitality.
(2). Thank you very much for your gracious words of welcome. This is a happy and memorable occasion for me personally as well as for all the members of my delegation.
(3). To come to China, one of the early cradles of civilization, has long been my dream and therefore, I feel very honored to be your guest.
(4). We have acquired a keen sense of the diversity, dynamism, and progress of China under the policies of reform and opening to the outside world.
4. Topics for oral presentation
(1). Talk about the advantages of the reform and opening policy
(2). Talk about the importance of the electricity.
Unit 8
1. Text Celebrating the Spring Festival
My distinguished guests,
On this most beautiful moon-lit evening, on behalf of General Manager Ms. Mei and all my colleagues of the company, I wish to thank all the people here for taking the time off their busy schedule, at the busiest time of the year, to come to our Chinese New Year’s party. We really appreciate your presence here tonight with us.
In particular, we are very fortunate tonight to have the attendance of our friends with the Benson’s Electronics Company, who came here all the way from Canada. I feel very proud and honored to have such a distinguished group of guests with us, in our celebration of our Spring Festival.
We did and will continue to do our best to make this evening most relaxing, most enjoyable and most memorable for you. I hope you will have a good time tasting the traditional Chinese cuisine and drinking the unique Chinese wine to your heart’s content. So help yourself.
Later on, you will enjoy the authentic Chinese entertainment performed by some talented young employees from our company. We will have a lot of fun tonight. While at work in the company, we, Chinese as well as overseas staff of the company, hardly get to sit down and talk to each other. I hope this party will give us an excellent opportunity to get to know each other better in a more informal way and increase personal friendships.
Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to thank you again for coming to the party. And I wish every one of you good health and the very best luck in everything in the new year.
2. Words and Expressions
Words Explanations
distinguished guests 嘉宾
moon-lit evening 明月当空的夜晚
all my colleagues 全体同仁
take the time off your busy schedule 从百忙中
Spring Festival Evening Party 春节联欢晚会
tasteto your heart’s content 尽情品尝
talented young people
