Unit 5 : Part AUnit 5 : Part A

A Time for Memories

Unit 5Unit 5

• Pre-Reading Activities

• Background information

• Intensive Study

• After-reading

Pre-reading Activities: video watchingPre-reading Activities: video watching

Directions: Watch the video and fill in the blanks.Directions: Watch the video and fill in the blanks.

Pre-reading Activities: video watchingPre-reading Activities: video watching

Back when I was a childBefore life removed all the innocenceMy father would me high And dance with my mother and me and thenSpin me around till I fell asleepThen up the he would carry meAnd I knew for sure I was lovedIf I could get another chance

• Another • Another dance with him• I’d play a song that would never, ever end• How I love, love, love• To with my father again• When I and my mother would disagree• To get my way I would run from her to hi

m• He’d make me laugh just to me

Pre-reading Activities: listeningPre-reading Activities: listening

Then finally make me do just what my mama saidLater that night when I was asleepHe left a dollar under my Never dreamed that he would be gone from meIf I could steal one final glanceOne final One final dance with himI’d play a song that would never, ever end’Cause I love, love, loveTo dance with my father again

• Sometimes I’d listen her door• And I’d hear how my mother cried for him• I for her even more than me• I for her even more than me• I know I’m praying for much too much• But could you send back the only man she love

d• I know you don’t do it usually• But dear Lord she’s • To dance with my father again• Every night I fall asleep this is all I ever dream

1. Do you think that your parents are the

most important people in your life?

Why or why not?

2. What is the ideal relationship between

parents and their children in your

view?

Pre-reading Activities:Pre-reading Activities:. Discussion

• 3. Some parents believe that they raise children so that their children will look after them when they are old. Do you accept this view?

• 4. Some parents are often willing to sacrifice a lot for their children. Do you think it is good for them to do so? Please elaborate your position with examples.

Pre-reading Activities:Pre-reading Activities:. Discussion

Senior Prom

1. Definition: A prom is a formal dance at a school or college, usually held at the end of the academic year. A senior prom usually refers to a formal dance party held at the end of the final year of high school.

2. Preparation for a Senior PromDirections: Listen to the following paragraphs and fill

in the blanks given below.1) Planning for the prom begins . Shadi

Sakr, 23, was on his high school prom committee, but later decided to leave, and did not attend the prom either. “

people were getting their licenses, deciding on they wanted to wear, reserving their s

ix months in advance for the ,” he says.2) Proms are not . Depending on

parents’ and individual teens’ , hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on the prom.

• 3) This is usually for the following items: for girls, ; for boys, renting tuxedos ( 男士无尾半正式晚礼服 ); the actual

• ; renting a hotel room; renting a limousine ( 豪华轿车 ) or some other car; beauty salon for girls to get their done and the after-prom party.4) In some places, there is almost an entire day pre-prom preparation, with a to commemorate the event.

Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas

1 1~8

2 9~13

The writer recalls the days when she and her mother would meet and chat about life under a pine tree in the park nearby.

After the writer’s mother died, the writer still brought her sons to the same spot which brought back fond memories of her mother. Such visits and gatherings under the tree had created a close bond between her and her sons.

Structure Analysis

Questions and Answers1.What did the family often do under the

pine tree when the writer’s mother was alive?The family used to have picnics and gatherings quite often under the pine tree in the park.

2. What did the writer and her mother usually talk about under the tree?They usually talked about what was happening in their respective lives.

3. Why did Mother look unusually solemn one day and ask her daughter strange questions?

Mother acted unusually that day because her heart disease was deteriorating and she was dying.

True or False

1,The writer’s sons come to the pine tree often after their grandmother died because their grandmother used to take them there.

2,The writer always brings her sons to the pine tree and talk to them about family picnics, gatherings and their grandmother.

( )

( )

3,Her son rarely hugs her, and when he does, it is like a special treat — something that gives her great pleasure and delight.

4,The park with the pine tree is a meaningful place for the writer.

5,The writer visits the pine tree after her mother’s death occasionally only because she misses her mother.

( )

( )

( )

Unit 5

When people die, they cease to exist in

this world physically. But for the author of

this essay, a pine tree in a nearby park

brings back fond memories of her dead

mother and she knows clearly that love and

memory will never “die.” Now, she brings her

sons to the same place.

A Time for MemoriesSharon Wright

One warm and pleasant summer afternoon, I sat on an old blanket under a pine tree chatting with my mother. For years, we had been coming to this park for family picnics and gatherings, and my mother and I often sat in this same spot.

In recent years, we usually just talked about life, but sometimes we recalled events from my childhood. Like the time I was thirteen and had my first date, when Mother brought me to this spot under the tree and told me about the facts of life.Or

the time a few years later, when my hair turned out pink for my senior prom and she’d held me while I cried. But the

most special event that occurred next to this tree was when I told Mother I was getting married.

Tears filled her eyes and this time I held her while she cried. She told me she was sad to lose her little girl but happy to see that I had turned into a beautiful young woman.

Over the years, we’d watched the pine trees in this park grow tall and straight until their needles seemed to touch the clouds. Each year of their growth seemed to match our increasingly close relationship and the deepening love we had for each other.

• On this particular sunny afternoon, Mother and I sat quietly breathing in the scent of freshly mown grass. She was unusually solemn and took me by surprise when she asked me, “Who will you bring here after I’m gone?”

• I gave her one of my arched-eyebrow inquiries, then smiled. After a few moments, when she didn’t return my smile, I began to wonder what made her ask such a disturbing question. Mother picked up a blade of grass and began to shred it with her fingernail. I’d become well acquainted with my mother’s habits, and this particular one indicated she had something serious on her mind.

•

For several minutes, we sat in silence gathering our thoughts. A couple of blue birds squawked nearby and an airplane flew overhead, but they didn’t ease the awkward moment between us. Finally, I reached over and took my mother’s hand in mine. “There’s nothing you can’t tell me, Mother,” I said. “We will handle this together, like we always have.”

She looked into my face, and her eyes filled with tears that spilt down her cheeks — cheeks that were alarmingly pale. Even before she said it, I knew what was coming. Mother was dying.

I held her tightly while she told me that her heart condition was worsening and couldn’t be repaired. I think I had known for quite a while but had not been willing to admit it to myself. She’d had several heart attacks and, a few years ago, even open-heart surgery.

• What I didn’t know, and what she had kept from me, • was that her condition wasn’t improving. We talked

about her options, which were few; we cried, held each other and wished for more time together.

That was many years ago now. Mother died soon after that day, before my sons had a chance to know her. I still come to the park, but now I bring my boys. I still sit under that same sturdy pine tree on an old blanket and talk to my sons of family picnics, gatherings and the grandmother they never knew. Just as my mother did with me, I tell my children about their youthful funny

Behaviors and praise them for their accomplishments as young adults. We come to this special place to create our own memories — memories that I know would make my mother smile with pride.

•Not long ago my oldest son wanted to come to the park and talk, so we came and sat under our tree. He hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, then he finally told me he was getting married. I cried tears of joy as my son hugged me — his hug a rare and special treat. I told him how proud I was of the man he had become.•As I sat there that cool April afternoon soaking up the sun and the smell of freshly mown grass, I felt I had come full circle under this giant pine tree. Holding my son in my arms, I was happy for him, just the way I knew my mother had been happy for me all those years ago when I told her I was getting married.

Looking over my son’s shoulder, I saw that several young pine trees had been planted recently. As these trees grow straight and tall, I thought, will the lives of my family continue to grow with them? I wanted to share this spot with my grandchildren, too.

• The branches above were swaying in the breeze and in them I heard a whispering voice: Who will you bring here when I’m gone? It was my mother’s voice, and I tightened my arms around my son.

Or the time a few years later, when my hair turned out pink for my senior prom and she’d held me while I cried.

1. Paraphrase the sentence.

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

A few years later, when I dyed my hair for a formal dance party at high school, it ended up being pink rather than the color I had expected, I felt very sad and cried in my mother’s arms.

又如几年以后，我的发型在高中毕业舞会显得不太合时宜，母亲让我在她怀中哭泣。

Tears filled her eyes and this time I held her while she cried.

1. Pay attention to the usage of the word “fill”. More examples:

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

… and her eyes filled with tears that spilt down her cheeks … (Para. 7)Laughter filled the room. 房间里充满了欢笑。The thought fills me with pleasure. 这个想法使我很高兴。

当时她热泪盈眶。这次是她在我的怀里哭了。

Over the years, we’d watched the pine trees in this park grow tall and straight until their needles seemed to touch the clouds.

1. What’s the symbolic meaning of the growth of the pine trees?

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

It symbolizes the increasingly close relationship between mother and daughter.

年复一年，我们看着公园里的松树长得巍峨挺拔，直至高耸入云。

She was unusually solemn and took me by surprise when she asked me, “Who will you bring here after I’m gone?”

What can we infer from the sentence?

There was probably something serious to happen, because mother used to be kind, not at all the way she behaved that day.

I gave her one of my arched-eyebrow inquiries, then smiled.

1. What does “arched-eyebrow” mean in the sentence?

When one makes a facial expression by making one’s eyebrows arched, one is usually disapproving or doubtful.

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

我皱起了眉头，狐疑地看了她一眼，然后微微笑了。

What I didn’t know, and what she had kept from me, was that her condition wasn’t improving.

1. Analyze thesentence structure.

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

“What I didn’t know” and “what she had kept from me” are two paralleled clauses used as subject.

但有一点我一无所知，而且她也一直瞒着我，那就是她的情况毫无好转。

I felt I had come full circle under this giant pine tree.

1. What’s the meaning of the sentence?

2. Translate the sentence into Chinese.

Under the special big pine tree, what I did with my sons was just what my mother did with me. Life had repeated itself like a circle here.

我坐在那里，觉得自己回到了原地，就在这棵巨大的松树下。

Holding my son in my arms, I was happy for him, just the way I knew my mother had been happy for me all those years ago when I told her I was getting married.

What’s the grammatical function of “Holding my son in my arms”?

“Holding my son in my arms” is a present participle phrase used as adverbial.More examples: Looking over my son’s shoulder, I saw that … (Para. 12)Hearing the news, they all jumped with joy.Lying under the apple trees, Newton was thinking and thinking.

cease: v. stop something

Workplace nurseries will cease to be liable for tax.

公司已经决定明年停止一切在英国的运作。

The company has decided to cease all UK operations after this year.

CF: cease, pause & stop

stop

pause

cease

普通用词，指迅速或突然中止某行为、活动或状态。指短暂的中断或停止，含再进行下去的意味。

正式用词，侧重逐渐结束某活动或状态，含永远结束的意味。这些词均含有“中止，停止”之意。

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the words above. Change the form where necessary.

1. Whether the protests will remains to be seen.

2. I to pick up a letter that I’d dropped.

3. He and thought for a moment. 4. Apparently she drinking. 5. The dying man soon to

breathe.6. Why don’t you just somewhere

and ask for directions?7. She to get her breath back and

then carried on jogging.

_ _____ ____

________

physically: adv.

with regard to body

Special holidays are available for physically handicapped/disabled people.

他看上去身体很健康。

He looks physically fit.

NB: physically 的反义词是 mentally ，意为“精神上，智力上，在内心”。

The protestors had to be physically removed from the room.

spot: n.1. a particular place

This looks like a nice spot for a picnic.

This is the spot where the accident happened.

2. a point of interest

Spain is our favorite holiday spot.

这座古城有许多可供参观的名胜。 There are a lot of spots to vis

it in the old city.Collocation:

in spots 有时；到处；偶尔on the spot 现场，当场

recall: v.remember, call back sth.

I can’t recall his face/seeing him/that he came/where he lives/how to do it.

听到有人叫我名字，我才清醒过来。

The sound of my name recalled me to myself.

CF: memorize, remember & recall

remember

memorize

recall

这些动词均有“记忆，记住，回忆”之意。指有意识地下功夫把某事的整个细节都记在脑子里。

含义较广，多指无意识地回忆起往事，也可指通过主观努力去记忆。

比 remember 文雅，指想方设法回忆已经遗忘之事。

prom: n.

a formal party given for students by a high school or college class

Who are you taking to the Senior Prom?

她穿长裙去参加聚会。

She wore a long dress to the prom.

occur: vi.

(esp. of unplanned events) happen, take place

Almost half of all fatal accidents occur while landing.

We hope this won’t occur again.

CF: happen, occur & take place

occur

happen

take place

这些词语都可表示“发生”之意。是普通用词，泛指一切客观事物或情况的发生，强调动作的偶然性。

是较正式用词，可指意外事件的发生，也可指意料中事件的发生。

多指通过人为安排事件的发生。

scent: n.a pleasant natural smell

When you are choosing which flower to plant, appearance and scent should both be considered.

玫瑰的芳香

the sweet scent of roses

mow: vt. cut (grass, corn, etc.)

I love the smell of new-mown hay.

我们割地里的牧草给牛提供饲料。

We mowed the field so as to provide the cattle with fodder.

Pattern:mow down 铲除；战胜mowing machine 割草机，收割机

solemn: adj.

serious and without any amusement

就职典礼是一件严肃的事情。

The inauguration was a solemn event.

a solemn face/voice 阴沉的面孔 /声音solemn music 庄严的音乐

inquiry/enquiry: n.

request for help or information (about sb./sth.)

It isn’t polite to make many inquiries into other people’s affairs.

It isn’t polite to make many inquiries into other people’s affairs.

他们有没有问起我的情况？

Have they made any inquiries after me?

disturb: vt.

interrupt what someone is doing

I’m sorry to disturb you so late, but my car’s broken down and I was wondering if I could use your phone.

CF: bother, disturb & trouble

disturb

bother

trouble

这些词均有“使人不安或烦恼”之意。指烦恼引起的紧张不安或感到不耐烦。较正式，多用被动态。指扰乱，使人不能平静或妨碍别人工作、思维或正常秩序，烦恼程度较深。

指给人在行动上带来不便或在身心上造成痛苦。

shred: vt.

cut or tear sth. roughly into thin strips

Shred the lettuce (莴苣 ) and arrange it around the edge of the dish.他的工作之一是检查并撕毁成百捆的文件。

One of his jobs was to check and shred hundreds of bundles of papers.

shredded cabbage 切碎的白菜

become/be acquainted with: know or be familiar with sb./sth.

I am not personally acquainted with the gentleman in question.

I am already acquainted with the facts.

indicate: vt.

1. show a need for; suggest

The change in his illness indicates the use of stronger drugs.

症状表明急需外科手术。

The symptoms indicate immediate surgery.

2. show the way to or the direction of; point out

Please indicate which free gift you would like to receive.

她示意我什么也别说。

She indicated to me that she didn’t want me to say anything.

be willing to (do sth.):be happy to do sth. if it is needed

If you’re willing to fly at night, you can get a much cheaper ticket.

显然，约翰愿意让我们使用花园。

Apparently John is willing for us to use his garden.

surgery: n.the performing of such an operation, usu. including the cutting open of the skin

The condition is serious; it will need surgery.

The patient had/underwent surgery on his heart.

sturdy: adj.1. strong and firm, esp. in body

It’s made of sturdy stainless steel.

He is short and sturdy.

2. determined in action

He is a sturdy fighter for national independence.

a sturdy table 结实的桌子sturdy legs 健壮的腿a sturdy friend 忠贞不渝的朋友

youthful: adj.having the qualities that are typical of young people

At the time I admired his youthful enthusiasm.一位年轻的总统对国家的士气很有好处。A youthful president can be good for a country’s morale.

sb.’s youthful days 某人的青年时期youthful impatience 年轻人的急躁a youthful dancer 舞蹈新手a very gay and youthful spirit 非常愉快且朝气蓬勃的精神

create: vt.bring (something) into existence

The Bible says that God created the world.

CF: create, invent & make

invent

create

make

这些动词均有“创造”，“制作”之意。 侧重创造出来的东西以前并不存在，或者指独具特色的创作。

主要用于科技领域，指通过思考、研究或实验制造出前所未有、极为有用的东西。也可用于表示 “捏造；虚构”。

最普通，指任何创作或制造。

soak: v.

1. (of liquid) enter (a solid) through the material of a surface

You’d better wipe up that red wine you’ve spilt before it soaks into the carpet.

2. remain in the liquid, esp. to become soft or completely wet

Soak the fruit in brandy for a few hours before you add it to the mixture.

那阵大雨把我淋得全身衣服都湿透了。

That shower has completely soaked my clothes.

share:

1. v. have or use sth. at the same time as someone else

Let’s share the sweets (out) among/between everyone.

2. n. the part belonging or owed to or done by, a person

He had a large share in bringing it about, but no share of the credit.

你该分担的费用是 5 英镑。Your share of expenses is five pounds.

share sth. with sb. share sb.’s trouble as well as sb.’s joys for sb.’s share go shares

与某人共享某物与某人同甘共苦至于某人，就某人而言分享，分担，合伙经营

tighten: v.

make or become tighter, firmer or less easy to move

As he struggled, the ropes tightened even more.

Tighten the straps so they don’t rub.