《高级英语》课程授课教案（第五册）Unit 7 How America Lives James A. Michener

Unit 7 How America Lives James A.Michener I.Teaching Aims: 1.To get students know the style of expository essay. 2.To have students understand the major changes happened in American society. 3.To get students grasp the key words and sentence structures. II.Teaching Importance and Difficulties: 1.Understand the author's main purpose of writing the essay 2.Know the writing strategies of the text. 3.Grasp the key language points in the text. III.Teaching periods:6 periods IV.Teaching steps: 1.Pre-reading activities 1)Americans are said to be open,free and frank.What is your opinion? 2)How would you compare Americans with Chinese? 2.Information related to the text: About the author: About the text: 3.Detailed Study of the Text: Text Analysis The whole text can be divided into 4 parts. Part I.(Para.1):It points out and illustrates the reality in America:Americans still follow many of the old ways,and the similarities are far greater than the differences. Part II.(Para.2-Para.4):It clearly states the major changes in American society: Americans are growing conservative;patterns of courtship and marriage in America have changed greatly;American women are changing the old rules and suggesting new ones. Part III.(Para.5-Para.7):It exposes the main problems in American society and explains their reasons. Part IV.(Para.8-Para.9):It explains why America has good prospects and why the American system has survived and should survive. Analysis Part I (Para.1): Discussion questions 1.Which sentences in this part show the main similarities and differences between American life in the present and that in the past? The following sentences show the main similarities and differences."Young people still get married (2.41million couples last year as opposed to only 1.52 million in 1960).Of course,many do get divorced,but they remarry at astonishing rates.They have children,but fewer than before.The:belong to churches,even though they attend somewhat -less frequently,and they want their children to have religious instruction.They are willing to pay taxes for education,and they generously support

Unit 7 How America Lives James A. Michener I. Teaching Aims: 1. To get students know the style of expository essay. 2. To have students understand the major changes happened in American society. 3. To get students grasp the key words and sentence structures. II. Teaching Importance and Difficulties: 1. Understand the author’s main purpose of writing the essay. 2. Know the writing strategies of the text. 3. Grasp the key language points in the text. III. Teaching periods: 6 periods IV. Teaching steps: 1. Pre-reading activities 1) Americans are said to be open, free and frank. What is your opinion? 2) How would you compare Americans with Chinese? 2. Information related to the text: About the author: About the text: 3. Detailed Study of the Text: Text Analysis The whole text can be divided into 4 parts. Part I. (Para. 1): It points out and illustrates the reality in America: Americans still follow many of the old ways, and the similarities are far greater than the differences. Part II. (Para. 2-Para. 4): It clearly states the major changes in American society: Americans are growing conservative; patterns of courtship and marriage in America have changed greatly; American women are changing the old rules and suggesting new ones. Part III. (Para. 5-Para. 7): It exposes the main problems in American society and explains their reasons. Part IV. (Para. 8-Para. 9): It explains why America has good prospects and why the American system has survived and should survive. Analysis Part I (Para. 1): Discussion questions 1. Which sentences in this part show the main similarities and differences between American life in the present and that in the past? The following sentences show the main similarities and differences. "Young people still get married (2.41million couples last year as opposed to only 1.52 million in 1960). Of course, many do get divorced, but they remarry at astonishing rates. They have children, but fewer than before. The: belong to churches, even though they attend somewhat -less frequently, and they want their children to have religious instruction. They are willing to pay taxes for education, and they generously support

institutions like hospitals,museums and libraries." 2.In what ways are Americans generous? They are always ready to pay taxes for education,and they generously support institutions like hospitals,museums and libraries. Language work 1.cling to:stick to,adhere to,be emotionally attached to e.g.: cling to a purpose cling to one's friends cling to the last hope (1)His mother's last words clung to her memory. 2.They belong to churches,even though they attend somewhat less frequently,and they want their children to have religious instruction. They belong to particular groups of Christians,even though they attend religious services a bit less often,and they want their children to receive religious instruction. Part II.(Para.2-Para.4) Discussion questions 1.According to this part,what major changes have taken place or are taking place in American society?Give an account of them. First of all,Americans are growing conservative in terms of their political and social attitudes.In the 1960s and 1970s,Americans broke out of old restraints.But the 1980 election,especially for the Senate and the House of Representatives,signaled a decided turn to the right insofar as political and social attitudes were concerned.Since the beginning of the 1980s,Americans have become more conservative.Secondly, patterns of courtship and marriage have changed radically.When the author was a child,there prevailed an atmosphereof suspicion,repression and Puritanism,and many people in his generation suffered grievously.Now people enjoy much more freedom in terms of courtship and marriage.Thirdly,American women,who are no longer discriminated agains,are changing the old rules.For example,they are bold enough to sue a major corporation for millions of dollars of the men who run the athletic programs and demand a just share of the physical education budget.All this was unimaginable in the past.Nowadays,at work,at play,at all levels of life,women are suggesting new rule. Language work 1.Americans seem to be growing conservative. Americans seem to be increasingly opposed to great or sudden changes. 2.the Senate:the upper house of the law-making assembly in some countries,e.g. France,the USA,and Australia 3.the House of Representatives:the assembly of elected representatives in the central government of the USA,Australia and New Zealand e.g.: (1)The Senate and the House of Representatives make laws and decisions. jealously:adv.watchfully,carefully e.g:

institutions like hospitals, museums and libraries." 2. In what ways are Americans generous? They are always ready to pay taxes for education, and they generously support institutions like hospitals, museums and libraries. Language work 1. cling to: stick to, adhere to, be emotionally attached to e.g.: cling to a purpose cling to one’s friends cling to the last hope (1) His mother’s last words clung to her memory. 2. They belong to churches, even though they attend somewhat less frequently, and they want their children to have religious instruction. They belong to particular groups of Christians, even though they attend religious services a bit less often, and they want their children to receive religious instruction. Part II. (Para. 2-Para. 4) Discussion questions 1. According to this part, what major changes have taken place or are taking place in American society? Give an account of them. First of all, Americans are growing conservative in terms of their political and social attitudes. In the 1960s and 1970s, Americans broke out of old restraints. But the 1980 election, especially for the Senate and the House of Representatives, signaled a decided turn to the right insofar as political and social attitudes were concerned. Since the beginning of the 1980s, Americans have become more conservative. Secondly, patterns of courtship and marriage have changed radically. When the author was a child, there prevailed an atmosphereof suspicion, repression and Puritanism, and many people in his generation suffered grievously. Now people enjoy much more freedom in terms of courtship and marriage. Thirdly, American women, who are no longer discriminated agains, are changing the old rules. For example, they are bold enough to sue a major corporation for millions of dollars of the men who run the athletic programs and demand a just share of the physical education budget. All this was unimaginable in the past. Nowadays, at work, at play, at all levels of life, women are suggesting new rule. Language work 1. Americans seem to be growing conservative. Americans seem to be increasingly opposed to great or sudden changes. 2. the Senate: the upper house of the law-making assembly in some countries, e.g. France, the USA, and Australia 3. the House of Representatives: the assembly of elected representatives in the central government of the USA, Australia and New Zealand e.g.: (1) The Senate and the House of Representatives make laws and decisions. jealously: adv. watchfully, carefully e.g.:

(1)The publishing house is jealously protective of the copyright of all its books. (2)An honorable Chinese citizen should be jealous of his own rights. 5.restraint:n.restriction,sth.that checks or controls e.g.: (1)I sharply feel the restraints of a limited income on the family budget. free from restraint in restraint of keep [put]under restraint place under restraint with/without restraint 6.brake:n.a device for reducing the speed of or stopping a car,bicycle,train,etc.; fig.)restraint on sth e.g.: (1)His brakes failed on a steep hill. (2)The Government is determined to put a brake on public spending. (3)Ignorance acts as a brake to progress. 7.binge:n.(infml)time of wild eating and drinking;excessive indulgence in anything e.g.: a week-end binge (1)He went on a three-day binge. (2)Business slowed down after a week-long shopping binge. 8.It is as if our country spent the 1960s and 1970s jealously breaking out of old restraints and n wishes to put the brakes on,as cautious people often do after a binge. It seems as though during the 1960s and 1970s we Americans made bold efforts to escape from old restrictions now intend to put an end to it,just as cautious people often do after excessive indulgence. 9.reaffirmation:n.an act of stating sth.positively again e.g.: (1)His reaffirmation of loyalty impressed the Queen. (2)His reaffiirmation that he was ready to help touched our hearts. (3)The government's reaffirmation of its principles caused strong responses from all developing countries. 10.pornography:n.describing or showing sexual acts in order to arouse sexual desires;books,films,plays,etc.that do this. e.g.: (1)Many people strongly believe that pornography is dehumanizing. 11.legislation:n.action of making laws;the law made. e.g.: (1)Legislation will be difficult and take time. (2)Legislation is essential in every country. (3)The major function of Congress is legislation. 12.We should expect to see a reaffirmation of traditional family values,sharp restraints pornography,a return to religion and a rejection of certain kinds of social legislation

(1) The publishing house is jealously protective of the copyright of all its books. (2) An honorable Chinese citizen should be jealous of his own rights. 5. restraint: n. restriction, sth. that checks or controls e.g.: (1) I sharply feel the restraints of a limited income on the family budget. free from restraint in restraint of keep [put] under restraint place under restraint with/without restraint 6. brake: n. a device for reducing the speed of or stopping a car, bicycle, train, etc.; ( fig.) restraint on sth e.g.: (1) His brakes failed on a steep hill. (2) The Government is determined to put a brake on public spending. (3) Ignorance acts as a brake to progress. 7. binge: n. (infml) time of wild eating and drinking; excessive indulgence in anything e.g.: a week-end binge (1) He went on a three-day binge. (2) Business slowed down after a week-long shopping binge. 8. It is as if our country spent the 1960s and 1970s jealously breaking out of old restraints and n wishes to put the brakes on, as cautious people often do after a binge. It seems as though during the 1960s and 1970s we Americans made bold efforts to escape from old restrictions now intend to put an end to it, just as cautious people often do after excessive indulgence. 9. reaffirmation: n. an act of stating sth. positively again e.g.: (1) His reaffirmation of loyalty impressed the Queen. (2) His reaffiirmation that he was ready to help touched our hearts. (3) The government's reaffirmation of its principles caused strong responses from all developing countries. 10. pornography: n. describing or showing sexual acts in order to arouse sexual desires; books, films, plays, etc. that do this. e.g.: (1) Many people strongly believe that pornography is dehumanizing. 11. legislation: n. action of making laws; the law made. e.g.: (1) Legislation will be difficult and take time. (2) Legislation is essential in every country. (3)The major function of Congress is legislation. 12. We should expect to see a reaffirmation of traditional family values, sharp restraints pornography, a return to religion and a rejection of certain kinds of social legislation

We hope and feel confident that traditional family values will be reaffirmed and pornography rigorously restricted,that those who have abandoned religion will come back to it,and that so kinds of social legislation will be turned down. 13.pattern:n.the way in which sth.happens,moves,develops or is arranged; excellent example e.g.: (1)Such behavior patterns are not to be imitated. (2)These sentences have the same grammatical pattern. (3)The company's profit-sharing scheme set a pattern for others. 14.courtship:n.spending time together with a view to marriage;the period of romantic relationship before marriage e.g.: (1)They married after a brief courtship. (2)Their long courtship ended in failure. 15.Patterns of courtship and marriage have changed radically. People have thoroughly changed the ways in which they date and marry. 16.repression:n.restraining or suppressing;being restrained or suppressed;action of forcing desires and urges,esp.those in conflict with accepted standards of conduct, into the unconscious mind,often resulting in abnormal behavior e.g.: (1)His childhood was characterized by repression and solitude (2)They held a discussion about unhealthy sexual repression. 17.Puritanism:n.practices and beliefs of a Puritan,a person who is extremely strict in morals and who tends to regard pleasure as sinful e.g.: (1)Puritans strictly practice Puritanism. (2)Puritanism is not very popular nowadays. 18.husky:adj.big and strong;dry in the throat,sounding slightly hoarse e.g.: (1)Those basketball players are all husky young men (2)Our teacher is still a bit husky after his bad cold. 19.Where sex was concerned,I was raised in an atmosphere of suspicion,repression and Puritanism,and although husky young kids can survive almost anything,many in my generation suffered grievously. With regard to sex,I was brought up in an environment where suspicion,repression and Puritanism dominated.Although stoutly-built young people can endure almost anything,many people in my generation had awful experiences. 20.Without reservation,I applaud the freer pattems of today,although I believe that it's being difficult for some families to handle the changes. I fully praise or approve of the less rigid patterns of courtship and marriage today, despite the fact that,in my opinion,some families are finding it very hard to cope with these changes. 21.Thirty years ago I could not have imagined a group of women employees suing a major corporation for millions of dollars of salary which,they alleged,had been

We hope and feel confident that traditional family values will be reaffirmed and pornography rigorously restricted, that those who have abandoned religion will come back to it, and that so kinds of social legislation will be turned down. 13. pattern: n. the way in which sth. happens, moves, develops or is arranged; excellent example e.g.: (1) Such behavior patterns are not to be imitated. (2) These sentences have the same grammatical pattern. (3) The company's profit-sharing scheme set a pattern for others. 14. courtship: n. spending time together with a view to marriage; the period of romantic relationship before marriage e.g.: (1) They married after a brief courtship. (2) Their long courtship ended in failure. 15. Patterns of courtship and marriage have changed radically. People have thoroughly changed the ways in which they date and marry. 16. repression: n. restraining or suppressing; being restrained or suppressed; action of forcing desires and urges, esp. those in conflict with accepted standards of conduct, into the unconscious mind, often resulting in abnormal behavior e.g.: (1) His childhood was characterized by repression and solitude. (2) They held a discussion about unhealthy sexual repression. 17. Puritanism: n. practices and beliefs of a Puritan, a person who is extremely strict in morals and who tends to regard pleasure as sinful e.g.: (1) Puritans strictly practice Puritanism. (2) Puritanism is not very popular nowadays. 18. husky: adj. big and strong; dry in the throat, sounding slightly hoarse e.g.: (1) Those basketball players are all husky young men. (2) Our teacher is still a bit husky after his bad cold. 19. Where sex was concerned, I was raised in an atmosphere of suspicion, repression and Puritanism, and although husky young kids can survive almost anything, many in my generation suffered grievously. With regard to sex, I was brought up in an environment where suspicion, repression and Puritanism dominated. Although stoutly-built young people can endure almost anything, many people in my generation had awful experiences. 20. Without reservation, I applaud the freer patterns of today, although I believe that it's being difficult for some families to handle the changes. I fully praise or approve of the less rigid patterns of courtship and marriage today, despite the fact that, in my opinion, some families are finding it very hard to cope with these changes. 21. Thirty years ago I could not have imagined a group of women employees suing a major corporation for millions of dollars of salary which, they alleged, had been

denied them because they had been discriminated against Thirty years ago,it would be simply unimaginable that a contingent of women employees should sue a major company for millions of dollars of salary which we their due but was denied them by the corporation just because they were the"weaker sex”. 22.athletic:adj.of athletes or athletics;physically strong,healthy and active e.g.: athletic sports (1)He often goes to an athletic club. (2)He has an athletic figure (3)She looks very athletic. 23.budget:n.an estimate or plan of how money will be spent over a period of time, in relation to an amount of money available;amount of money needed or allotted for a specific purpose e.g.: a family budget budget plan (1)I could not go to the restaurant with you because of my tight budget. (2)She limits herself to a daily budget of ten pounds. 24.Nor could I have imagined women in universities going up to the men who ran the athletic programs and demand ing a just share of the physical education budget. Nor could I have accepted the fact that university women should go up to the men in charge of the sports plans,and ask for an equal share of the amount of money allotted for their physical education. Part III.(Para.5-Para.7) Discussion questions 1.What does James think of American schools? James thinks that American schools are not as good as they once were.According to him,public schools are not very safe,they are not very strict with their pupils,and they do not set rigorous academic demands on them.In his opinion,good public schools are becoming pitifully rare,and private schools do not provide satisfactory education,either,though they are better than public schools. 2.What is James'attitude towards the young people's housing problem in America? James considers the housing problem the young Americans are faced with to be the most serious danger confronting family life in America,and he is appalled that the cond ition has been allowed to develop.In his opinion,for a great nation like America to show itself impotent to house its young people means that it admits a failure that must be corrected. Language work 1.If I had a child today,I would send her or him to a private school for the sake of safety,for the discipline that would be enforced and for the rigorous academic requirements.:Should I have a child of school age today,I would have him or her receive education at a private school,where security for kids is guaranteed,discipline is enforced,and strict scholastic expectations are placed on them

denied them because they had been discriminated against. Thirty years ago, it would be simply unimaginable that a contingent of women employees should sue a major company for millions of dollars of salary which we their due but was denied them by the corporation just because they were the “weaker sex”. 22. athletic: adj. of athletes or athletics; physically strong, healthy and active e.g.: athletic sports (1) He often goes to an athletic club. (2) He has an athletic figure. (3) She looks very athletic. 23. budget: n. an estimate or plan of how money will be spent over a period of time, in relation to an amount of money available; amount of money needed or allotted for a specific purpose e.g.: a family budget budget plan (1) I could not go to the restaurant with you because of my tight budget. (2) She limits herself to a daily budget of ten pounds. 24. Nor could I have imagined women in universities going up to the men who ran the athletic programs and demanding a just share of the physical education budget. Nor could I have accepted the fact that university women should go up to the men in charge of the sports plans, and ask for an equal share of the amount of money allotted for their physical education. Part III. (Para. 5-Para. 7) Discussion questions 1. What does James think of American schools? James thinks that American schools are not as good as they once were. According to him, public schools are not very safe, they are not very strict with their pupils, and they do not set rigorous academic demands on them. In his opinion, good public schools are becoming pitifully rare, and private schools do not provide satisfactory education, either, though they are better than public schools. 2. What is James' attitude towards the young people's housing problem in America? James considers the housing problem the young Americans are faced with to be the most serious danger confronting family life in America, and he is appalled that the condition has been allowed to develop. In his opinion, for a great nation like America to show itself impotent to house its young people means that it admits a failure that must be corrected. Language work 1. If I had a child today, I would send her or him to a private school for the sake of safety, for the discipline that would be enforced and for the rigorous academic requirements.: Should I have a child of school age today, I would have him or her receive education at a private school, where security for kids is guaranteed, discipline is enforced, and strict scholastic expectations are placed on them

It is necessary to note that this sentence is in the subjunctive mood.The sentence tells us indirectly that American private schools are safe,they impose"strict discipline on their pupils,and that they set rigorous academic demands on them.Therefore,we readers could naturally come to the conclusion that American public schools are not very safe,they do not impose strict discipline,and that they have no rigorous academic requirements. 2.But I would doubt that the child would get any better education than I did in my good public school. This sentence implies that the author is more than certain that even private schools in America today do not provide any better education than the good public school where he received education.In other words,the author believes that even private schools in America today cannot be com-pared with good public schools in the past in terms of the education quality. 3.inadequate:adj.not sufficient or enough;not good enough for a particular purpose; not sufficiently able or confident to deal with a difficult situation e.g.: be inadequate to do sth. (1)The supply is inadequate to meet the demand. (2)These security precautions are totally inadequate in face of terrorism. (3)The war refugees have inadequate supplies. 4.The problem is that good public schools are becoming pitifully rare,and I would not want to take the chance that the one I sent my children to was inadequate. The problem is that nowadays good public schools are becoming fewer and fewer, and I would not run the risk of send ing my kids to one of them. 5.dole sth.out:distribute (esp.food,money,etc.)in small amounts e.g.: (1)The food was doled out to the poor. (2)Allowances are grudgingly doled out to the elderly. (3)The donated money was doled out to the tsunami-stricken victims. 6.Since it seems obvious that our nation can produce all its needs with only a part of the available work force,some kind of social welfare assistance must be doled out to those who cannot find jobs. As it seems quite clear that only a certain proportion of all the available workers are needed to produce sufficient food and goods,etc.to meet the needs of all the American people some kind of social welfare assistance must be provided for those who are not able to find jobs. 7.typical:adj.representative e.g.: (1)At the meeting he lashed the social evils with his typical scathing remarks (2)You can find a typical Chinese town in that part of the country. 8.destitution:n.in a state of poverty;in a condition of being impoverished;being without money,food,and other life necessities e.g.: (1)There are still some people who live in complete destitution

It is necessary to note that this sentence is in the subjunctive mood. The sentence tells us indirectly that American private schools are safe, they impose" strict discipline on their pupils, and that they set rigorous academic demands on them. Therefore, we readers could naturally come to the conclusion that American public schools are not very safe, they do not impose strict discipline, and that they have no rigorous academic requirements. 2. But I would doubt that the child would get any better education than I did in my good public school. This sentence implies that the author is more than certain that even private schools in America today do not provide any better education than the good public school where he received education. In other words, the author believes that even private schools in America today cannot be com- pared with good public schools in the past in terms of the education quality. 3. inadequate: adj. not sufficient or enough; not good enough for a particular purpose; not sufficiently able or confident to deal with a difficult situation e.g.: be inadequate to do sth. (1) The supply is inadequate to meet the demand. (2) These security precautions are totally inadequate in face of terrorism. (3)The war refugees have inadequate supplies. 4. The problem is that good public schools are becoming pitifully rare, and I would not want to take the chance that the one I sent my children to was inadequate. The problem is that nowadays good public schools are becoming fewer and fewer, and I would not run the risk of sending my kids to one of them. 5. dole sth. out: distribute (esp. food, money, etc.) in small amounts e.g.: (1)The food was doled out to the poor. (2) Allowances are grudgingly doled out to the elderly. (3)The donated money was doled out to the tsunami-stricken victims. 6. Since it seems obvious that our nation can produce all its needs with only a part of the available work force, some kind of social welfare assistance must be doled out to those who cannot find jobs. As it seems quite clear that only a certain proportion of all the available workers are needed to produce sufficient food and goods, etc. to meet the needs of all the American people some kind of social welfare assistance must be provided for those who are not able to find jobs. 7. typical: adj. representative e.g.: (1) At the meeting he lashed the social evils with his typical scathing remarks. (2) You can find a typical Chinese town in that part of the country. 8. destitution: n. in a state of poverty; in a condition of being impoverished; being without money, food, and other life necessities e.g.: (1) There are still some people who live in complete destitution

(2)After his death,his family was plunged into destitution. 9.In the bad old days she might have known destitution,but with family assistance she was able to hold her children together and produced three fine,tax-paying citizens. In the bad old days she might have experienced or lived in abject poverty,but with welfare assistance for families she managed to keep her three children under her care and nurtured them into v,citizens that made contributions to their country. 10.compassionate:adj.sympathetic;being filled with pity inclining one to help e.g.: a compassionate judge compassionate allowance (1)Most people are compassionate beings,but there are some who never know compassion. (2)The compassionate teacher showed lenience to the student who committed cheating for the first time. 11.America is essentially a compassionate society. America is,in its true nature,a society filled with pity for others'sufferings and inclined to help others. 12.appall:vt.fill sb.with horror or dismay;shock sb.deeply e.g: (1)The newspaper reports about starving children appalled me. (2)We were appalled at the prospect of having to miss our holiday. 13.and I am appalled that the condition has been allowed to develop .and I am shocked that this dreadful condition should have been allowed to exist and deteriorate. 14.Well,this dreadful social sickness has now overtaken the United States,and for the same reasons. Well,America has now been seized by this terrible social illness,and for the same reason. 15.The builders in our society find it profitable to erect three-bathroom homes that sell for 220,000 with a mortgage at 19 percent but find it impossible to erect small homes for young marrieds. The builder in our society find it lucrative to buildup apartments or houses with three bathrooms that sell for 220,000 with a mortgage at 19 percent but find it less profitable to put up small homes for young married people. Part IV.(Para.8-Para.9) Discussion questions 1.Why does James say that America has good prospects despite its problems? He believes that America has chances that are at least as good as those of any other nation and probably better,and that Americans have a physical setting of remarkable integrity,the world's best agriculture,a splendid wealth of minerals,great rivers for irrigation and an unsurpassed system of roads for transportation.America boasts a magnificent blend of peoples from all the continents with varied traditions and strengths,and that most of all,America has a unique and balanced system of

(2) After his death, his family was plunged into destitution. 9. In the bad old days she might have known destitution, but with family assistance she was able to hold her children together and produced three fine, tax-paying citizens. In the bad old days she might have experienced or lived in abject poverty, but with welfare assistance for families she managed to keep her three children under her care and nurtured them into v, citizens that made contributions to their country. 10. compassionate: adj. sympathetic; being filled with pity inclining one to help e.g.: a compassionate judge compassionate allowance (1) Most people are compassionate beings, but there are some who never know compassion. (2)The compassionate teacher showed lenience to the student who committed cheating for the first time. 11. America is essentially a compassionate society. America is, in its true nature, a society filled with pity for others' sufferings and inclined to help others. 12. appall: vt. fill sb. with horror or dismay; shock sb. deeply e.g: (1) The newspaper reports about starving children appalled me. (2) We were appalled at the prospect of having to miss our holiday. 13. . and I am appalled that the condition has been allowed to develop. . and I am shocked that this dreadful condition should have been allowed to exist and deteriorate. 14. Well, this dreadful social sickness has now overtaken the United States, and for the same reasons. Well, America has now been seized by this terrible social illness, and for the same reason. 15. The builders in our society find it profitable to erect three-bathroom homes that sell for $ 220,000 with a mortgage at 19 percent but find it impossible to erect small homes for young marrieds. The builder in our society find it lucrative to buildup apartments or houses with three bathrooms that sell for $ 220,000 with a mortgage at 19 percent but find it less profitable to put up small homes for young married people. Part IV. (Para. 8-Para. 9) Discussion questions 1. Why does James say that America has good prospects despite its problems? He believes that America has chances that are at least as good as those of any other nation and probably better, and that Americans have a physical setting of remarkable integrity, the world's best agriculture, a splendid wealth of minerals, great rivers for irrigation and an unsurpassed system of roads for transportation. America boasts a magnificent blend of peoples from all the continents with varied traditions and strengths, and that most of all, America has a unique and balanced system of

government. Language work 1.We also have a magnificent mixture of peoples from all the continents with varied traditions strengths.But most of all,we have a unique and balanced system of government. In our country,the citizens,who have come from all parts of the world and possess a variety of traditions and advantages,mingle together and live in harmony,constituting a great people.Above all,ours is a government with an unparalleled and stable system. 2.I think of America as having the oldest form of government on earth,because since we our present democracy in 1789,every other nation has suffered either parliamentary change or revolutionary change. I regard America as possessing the oldest form of government on earth,because since we started our present system of government in 1789,every other n has painfully experienced either governmental changes or fundamental changes.parliamentary change:change of or relating to parliament;change in the assembly that make laws of a country;change in the law-making body of a country 3.It is our system that has survived and should survive,giving the maximum number of people a maximum chance for happiness. It is none other than our system that has continue should continue to exist,because it offers the greatest number of people the greatest possibility to pursue and enjoy happiness

government. Language work 1. We also have a magnificent mixture of peoples from all the continents with varied traditions strengths. But most of all, we have a unique and balanced system of government. In our country, the citizens, who have come from all parts of the world and possess a variety of traditions and advantages, mingle together and live in harmony, constituting a great people. Above all, ours is a government with an unparalleled and stable system. 2. I think of America as having the oldest form of government on earth, because since we our present democracy in 1789, every other nation has suffered either parliamentary change or revolutionary change. I regard America as possessing the oldest form of government on earth, because since we started our present system of government in 1789, every other n has painfully experienced either governmental changes or fundamental changes. parliamentary change: change of or relating to parliament; change in the assembly that make laws of a country; change in the law-making body of a country 3. It is our system that has survived and should survive, giving the maximum number of people a maximum chance for happiness. It is none other than our system that has continue should continue to exist, because it offers the greatest number of people the greatest possibility to pursue and enjoy happiness