武汉工程大学：《综合英语》Unit Eight

Unit Eight Text l: Why Nothing Works

Unit Eight Text I: Why Nothing Works

Background Information e Murphy's law is a popular adage in Western culture, which roughly states that things will go wrong in a technical system. it is often roughly stated as"if anything can go wrong, it will The original Murphy's law reads If there are two or more ways to do something and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it

Background Information Murphy‘s law is a popular adage in Western culture, which roughly states that things will go wrong in a technical system. It is often roughly stated as “if anything can go wrong, it will”. The original Murphy's law reads: If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it

Background Information It was then a principle of defensive design anticipating the mistakes the end-user is likely to make. For example, no competent designer would make a symmetrical two-pin plug and then label it " THIS WAY UP if it matters which way it is plugged in, the design should be asymmetrical so it can' t be plugged in wrong

Background Information It was then a principle of defensive design: anticipating the mistakes the end-user is likely to make. For example, no competent designer would make a symmetrical two-pin plug and then label it "THIS WAY UP"; if it matters which way it is plugged in, the design should be asymmetrical so it can't be plugged in wrong

Background Pomo Indians and their basketry The Pomo Indians / belong to a North American tribe that forms the second largest tribal group in California, U.S.A. The name Pomo?comes from a suffix that the pomo people add to many words in their language The Pomo women's fine basketry is the artistic triumph of the people. Pomo basketry includes small masterpieces as well as large, colorfully decorated containers, and is considered among the world's finest

Background Pomo Indians and their basketry The Pomo Indians belong to a North American tribe that forms the second largest tribal group in California, U.S.A. The name “Pomo” comes from a suffix that the Pomo people add to many words in their language. The Pomo women’s fine basketry is the artistic triumph of the people. Pomo basketry includes small masterpieces as well as large, colorfully decorated containers, and is considered among the world’s finest

Eskimo skin boat In the summer Eskimos used this kind of boat for hunting and travel The kayak was decked over except for a manhole that accommodated one person. Such craft had frames made of pieces of driftwood bound together

Eskimo skin boat . In the summer, Eskimos used this kind of boat for hunting and travel The kayak was decked over except for a manhole that accommodated one person. Such craft had frames made of pieces of driftwood bound together

Words and expressions savant: a man of learning, especially a person with detailed knowledge in some specialized field corollary: an immediate inference from a proved proposition forestall: defeat, prevent by prior measures commitment: a pledge to follow certain beliefs or a certain course of action; devotion(to duty etc artifact: a usually small object (as a tool or an ornament)showing human workmanship that has special historical interest evoke: bring to mind

Words and expressions savant: a man of learning, especially a person with detailed knowledge in some specialized field. corollary: an immediate inference from a proved proposition forestall:defeat, prevent by prior measures commitment:a pledge to follow certain beliefs or a certain course of action; devotion (to duty etc.) artifact:a usually small object (as a tool or an ornament) showing human workmanship that has special historical interest evoke: bring to mind

projectile point: the tip of a weapon that is thrust forward; spear or arrowhead band: a group of people formed for some common purpose and often with a leader barter: trade by exchanging one commodity for another alienation a withdrawing or separation of a person from an object or position of former attachment; a feeling of not belong ing to or being part of one's surroundings

projectile point: the tip of a weapon that is thrust forward; spear or arrowhead band:a group of people formed for some common purpose and often with a leader barter: trade by exchanging one commodity for another alienation:a withdrawing or separation of a person from an object or position of former attachment; a feeling of not belonging to or being part of one’s surroundings

Skimming reading 1. What is the main purpose of the passage? To trace the cause of the shoddy goods problem 2. Do exercise 2 on p101 AnswerTFFTT

Skimming reading 1. What is the main purpose of the passage? To trace the cause of the shoddy goods problem. 2. Do exercise 2 on P101 Answer: T F F T T

Language points 1. corollary--an idea, an argument,or a fact naturally follows something else corollaries to Murphy's Law/ suggest themselves as clues to the shoddy goods problem, -From Murphy' s Law We may find answers to the problem of badly made goods

Language points 1. corollary—an idea, an argument, or a fact naturally follows something else corollaries to Murphy’s Law suggest themselves as clues to the shoddy goods problem. – From Murphy’s Law we may find answers to the problem of badly made goods

2. until a decent interval has elapsed until a sufficiently long period of time has passed. The basic meaning of decent is“ proper; socially acceptable,” e.g., decent behaviour, decent clothing In this context, a decent interval suggests that the amount of time should be long enough for people to accept as proper elapse--the passing of time e.g. three weeks/four months/two years have elapsed

2. until a decent interval has elapsed— until a sufficiently long period of time has passed. The basic meaning of decent is “proper; socially acceptable,” e.g., decent behaviour, decent clothing. In this context, a decent interval suggests that the amount of time should be long enough for people to accept as proper. elapse—the passing of time e.g.: three weeks/four months/two years have elapsed