Confucius

(551BC-479BC)

Mencius (372BC-289BC)

Mozi (376BC-390BC)

Module 5

Reading and Vocabulary

Philosophers of Ancient China

Read the passage and match the words with the definitions

1 P42

Fast reading

1.an idea that influences the way you behave __________2.to start an organisation or philosophy __________3.the feeling that something is true and exists __________4.when people obey laws and rules and do not ca

use trouble __________5.to look after children until they are adults __________

principle

found

belief

order

bring up

order (n.) bring up found (v.) principle belief

Read the passage again . Choose the correct answers.

1 The Chinese people _________ for over 2,000 years.

A followed Confucius’s teachings

B influenced Confucius

2 Mencius believed that people are _______ important than rulers.

A less B more

3 Mozi did not agree with __________ .

A kindness B war

1. 同…… 处于战争状态

2. 在社会中

3. 强调……的重要性

be at war with…

stress the importance of…

Important phrases

in society

Para 1

1. 与……相似 2. 抚养 ， 养育 3. 听从某人的建议

4. 从一个国家到另一个国家

5. 虐待某人

be similar to

bring up

from state to state

follow one’s advice

treat sb. badly

Para 2

Para 3

be famous for

in some ways

as a result

1. 因为 …… 而著名

2. 在某些方面 / 在某种程度上

3. 结果

1. Confucius lived in a country where there was no war a long time ago.2. Confucius was a philosopher whose influe

nce has been the greatest for more than 2000 years.

3. Mencius was a student taught by Confucius.

4. Some rulers followed the advice which was given by Mencius.

5. Mozi was a man who lived an unusual life.

True or false questions

Post reading Complete the following form.Philosopher

Born time

Teachings

Confucius

Mencius

Mozi

551BC

372BC

476BC

He stressed the importance of kindness, duty and order in society.

If the government was kind, then people would be good. People were more important than rulers.

We should love all human beings and look after those who are weaker than ourselves.

There were many great ____________ in Ancient China. Confucius’s ideas have been ___________ China till now . He ______ the importance of _________, _______ and _____ . Mencius , who believed the reason ______ man is different from animals is that man is good , taught and spread his _______ . He believed that man would be _______ if the __________ was kind and people were ________ important than ________ . Mozi was another famous thinker , whose beliefs were ______ to ______ of Confucius , but he taught that we should love all _______ ______ and look after those who are weaker than ourselves.

philosophers

influencingstressed kindness duty

order why

teachingsgood government

more rulers

similar those

Retell this passage with the words we have learned:

human beings

Attributive clauses:1.Ancient China was a place where states were often at war with each other.2.But it was also a time when there were many great philosophers.3. Confucius is the philosopher whose influence has been the greatest.4.Moncius was a thinker whose teachings were very similar to those of Confucius.5.Mencius believed that the reason why man is different from animals is that man is good.6.Mozi was another teacher who was very influential .7.He came from a family which was very poor.8.He spent many years trying to find a state where people would follow his teachings.9.Mozi taught that we should love all human beings and look after those who are weaker than ourselves.

Complete each sentence with these words. who which when where whose why

1. Mencius wrote a book _____ many people have read.

2. Mencius came form a part of the world _____ chang

e was happening fast.

3. Confucius was a man _____ was extraordinary.

4. The reason ______ Mencius resigned was that the ru

ler was not following his advice .

5. Mozi was a man _____ behavior was often unusual.

6. Today is a period( 时期 ) ____ many people become

interested in Confucius’s teachings.

which

where

who

whose when

why

Discussion Do we still need Confucian thought in modern society ? Why ?

上个星期你班同学就“现代社会是否需要孔子精神”进行了一次讨论，讨论情况如下表所示。请你根据表中的内容写一篇 120-150 词的英语短文。 正方： 60% 的同学认为，世界各国对孔子的研究愈来愈热，反映了人们对其思想的重视；孔子思想推动了世界和平的发展。 反方： 40% 的同学认为，孔子思想诞生于几千年前，早已过时；孔子思想在某种意义上限制了社会的发展。 你的观点 注意： 1. 可适当发挥，以使行文连贯； 2. 参考词汇：孔子思想 Confucian thought                    重视 treasure                    过时的 outdated 。