unit 15. contents pre-reading questions pre-reading questions pre-reading questions background...

Unit 15Unit 15

ContentsContents

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions Background informationBackground information Structure analysisStructure analysis Comprehension questionsComprehension questions Language points of Text ILanguage points of Text I Grammatical itemsGrammatical items ExercisesExercises Comprehension questions of Text IIComprehension questions of Text II Oral activitiesOral activities Writing practiceWriting practice

Text I Should a public worker accept Text I Should a public worker accept costly gifts?costly gifts?

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

1.What are the possible harms of bribery to our society?

2. What do you think are the roots of bribery and what should we do to eliminate it?

3. Do you know any kinds of bribery?

Background information (1)Background information (1)

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACETRANSLATOR'S PREFACE The first edition of Gandi's Autobiography was The first edition of Gandi's Autobiography was

published in two volumes, Vol. I in 1927 and Vopublished in two volumes, Vol. I in 1927 and Vol. II in 1929. The original in Gujarati which was l. II in 1929. The original in Gujarati which was priced at Re. 1/- has run through five editions, nepriced at Re. 1/- has run through five editions, nearly 50,000 copies having been sold. arly 50,000 copies having been sold.


Mohandas K. Gandhi Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in 1869 to was born in 1869 to Hindu parents in the state Hindu parents in the state of Gujarat in western of Gujarat in western India. He studied law in India. He studied law in London and went to London and went to Southern Africa after Southern Africa after graduation. There he graduation. There he worked ceaselessly to worked ceaselessly to improve the rights of the improve the rights of the immigrant Indians. immigrant Indians.


He joined in the campaign for independence, leading the movement of civil disobedience which eventually overthrew the British rule. He was assassinated in January 1948. In India he is often called Mahatma(“great soul”)


“ “ The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing, would suffice to solve most of the world's problems... ” . ”

~M.K.Gandhi~M.K.Gandhi


"Think Different." Gandhi, in his younger days a so"Think Different." Gandhi, in his younger days a sophisticated and Westernized lawyer, did indeed chanphisticated and Westernized lawyer, did indeed change his thinking more radically than most people do. ge his thinking more radically than most people do. Ghanshyam Das Birla, one of the merchant princes Ghanshyam Das Birla, one of the merchant princes who backed him, once said, "He was more modern twho backed him, once said, "He was more modern than I. But he made a conscious decision to go back than I. But he made a conscious decision to go back to the Middle Ages." This is not, presumably, the revo the Middle Ages." This is not, presumably, the revolutionary new direction in thought that the good fololutionary new direction in thought that the good folks at Apple are seeking to encourage. ks at Apple are seeking to encourage.

Structure analysis of the text (1)Structure analysis of the text (1)

This piece of autobiographic writing can be roughly dividThis piece of autobiographic writing can be roughly divided into four parts. The first part (Paras1-6) describes the sed into four parts. The first part (Paras1-6) describes the situation when the author was to leave the community he hituation when the author was to leave the community he had served and the farewell gifts bestowed by the local peoad served and the farewell gifts bestowed by the local people; the second part (Paras 7-11) tells of the author’s worrple; the second part (Paras 7-11) tells of the author’s worries about the gifts and his decision to return them; the thiries about the gifts and his decision to return them; the third part (Para 12-22) is about how he discussed matter with d part (Para 12-22) is about how he discussed matter with his children an how he persuaded his wife to return the gihis children an how he persuaded his wife to return the gifts; the last part (Para 23-26) concludes the writing with tfts; the last part (Para 23-26) concludes the writing with the final settlement of the gifts. In the third part there are she final settlement of the gifts. In the third part there are several stages that lead to the climax of the conflict. everal stages that lead to the climax of the conflict.

Structure analysis of the text (2)Structure analysis of the text (2) The third part consists of three stages. The first The third part consists of three stages. The first

is a preparatory stage in which the author is a preparatory stage in which the author discussed the matter with children and gained discussed the matter with children and gained support from them. The second stage focuses on support from them. The second stage focuses on his wife’s argument why those gifts should be his wife’s argument why those gifts should be kept and the author’s reason why they should be kept and the author’s reason why they should be returned. The third stage is the wife’s assertion returned. The third stage is the wife’s assertion that her participation in the service also deserved that her participation in the service also deserved the gifts for her contribution, which is the climax the gifts for her contribution, which is the climax of the conflict. of the conflict.

Comprehension questions (1)Comprehension questions (1)

How did the author feel when he considered How did the author feel when he considered leaving South Africa?leaving South Africa?

The author had a mixed feeling when he The author had a mixed feeling when he considered leaving South Africa. On the one considered leaving South Africa. On the one hand, he was afraid that his work in South hand, he was afraid that his work in South Africa might be merely money-making and he Africa might be merely money-making and he should be of more service in India; on the other should be of more service in India; on the other hand, he found himself emotionally bound to the hand, he found himself emotionally bound to the community. community.


What was the author’s initial response to all the What was the author’s initial response to all the costly gifts?costly gifts?

His initial response was that he should not His initial response was that he should not accept these gifts( refer to the first two sentences accept these gifts( refer to the first two sentences in Paragraph 7), but he could not find a solution in Paragraph 7), but he could not find a solution to cope with the problem ( refer to the second to cope with the problem ( refer to the second sentence in paragraph 9.sentence in paragraph 9.


What did the author decide to do with these gifts?What did the author decide to do with these gifts? What were his reasons?What were his reasons? He decided that he could not keep these things, aHe decided that he could not keep these things, a

nd he drafted a letter, creating a trust to operate tnd he drafted a letter, creating a trust to operate the fund in favor of the community (paragraph 1he fund in favor of the community (paragraph 11), because he believed that service was its own 1), because he believed that service was its own reward, and he should set an example when exhoreward, and he should set an example when exhorting people to conquer the infatuation for jewellrting people to conquer the infatuation for jewellery.ery.


How did the children respond to the author’s How did the children respond to the author’s decision? What did they agree to do?decision? What did they agree to do?

The children agreed with their father that they The children agreed with their father that they should not keep these gifts, and they would should not keep these gifts, and they would plead with their mother to return them to the plead with their mother to return them to the community.community.


What did the author’s wife insist that they What did the author’s wife insist that they should keep the costly gifts?should keep the costly gifts?

The wife insisted that they should keep these The wife insisted that they should keep these gifts for the sake of their sons, because her gifts for the sake of their sons, because her daughters-in-laws would need them when her daughters-in-laws would need them when her sons got married. Besides, these gifts should be sons got married. Besides, these gifts should be kept for the unpredictable future(“ who knows kept for the unpredictable future(“ who knows what will happen tomorrow”). what will happen tomorrow”).


What did the author think a public worker What did the author think a public worker should do about the costly gifts? Why?should do about the costly gifts? Why?

In the author’s opinion, a public worker should In the author’s opinion, a public worker should accept no costly gifts. He thought that to a accept no costly gifts. He thought that to a public servant service to the people was its own public servant service to the people was its own reward. reward.

Language points of Text I (1)Language points of Text I (1)

press : to try hard to persuade someone.press : to try hard to persuade someone. I want to go home but they all I want to go home but they all pressedpressed me to me to

stay.stay. The senator was The senator was pressedpressed repeatedly to explain repeatedly to explain

what he had done with the money.what he had done with the money.

Press-conferencePress-conference


request: to ask someone to do somethingrequest: to ask someone to do something

The pilot The pilot requestedrequested permission to land, but this permission to land, but this was refused. was refused.


relieve: to take someone’s place in a job.relieve: to take someone’s place in a job.

Can anyone Can anyone relieverelieve Mary? She’s been on duty Mary? She’s been on duty for ten hours without a break. for ten hours without a break.

I want you to go to our base camp to I want you to go to our base camp to relieverelieve Captain Roberts for a few days.Captain Roberts for a few days.


bind: to tiebind: to tie

Shared commercial interestsShared commercial interests bind bind the two the two companies closely.companies closely.

We feel We feel boundbound together by our past experiences. together by our past experiences.


bathe: to spread over with or as if with light, bathe: to spread over with or as if with light, water, etc.water, etc.

The fields were The fields were bathedbathed in sunlight. in sunlight. The child’s eyes were The child’s eyes were bathedbathed with tears. with tears.


bestow: to give something to someonebestow: to give something to someone

Several gifts were Several gifts were bestowed bestowed on the royal visitors.on the royal visitors. The silver trophy was The silver trophy was bestowedbestowed on the winner. on the winner.


remuneration : money paid for the work remuneration : money paid for the work someone does someone does

The responsibilities of corporation executives The responsibilities of corporation executives are very great, but so is their are very great, but so is their remunerationremuneration..

The total The total remunerationremuneration package, including package, including bonuses and stock options, is worth over bonuses and stock options, is worth over $200,000$200,000


agitated: nervousagitated: nervous

An An agitatedagitated waiter appeared and apologized waiter appeared and apologized profusely.profusely.

agitationagitation


forego: to give upforego: to give up

You shouldn’t You shouldn’t foregoforego the opportunity of hearing the opportunity of hearing this world-famous pianist in a live concert. this world-famous pianist in a live concert.


simplify: to make something simpler or easiersimplify: to make something simpler or easier

The program contains over a thousand lines and The program contains over a thousand lines and I’m trying to find ways to I’m trying to find ways to simplifysimplify it. it.

simplification: n simplification: n


exhort: to urge or advice stronglyexhort: to urge or advice strongly

The general The general exhortedexhorted his men to fight bravely. his men to fight bravely.

Language points of Text I (12)Language points of Text I (12) conquer: to gain control over, to overcomeconquer: to gain control over, to overcome

It took years of therapy for her toIt took years of therapy for her to conquer conquer her her fear of height.fear of height.

Hilton stepped into the room, fighting to Hilton stepped into the room, fighting to conquerconquer his feelings of disgust. his feelings of disgust.


infatuation: the state of having a strong and uncoinfatuation: the state of having a strong and uncontrollable feeling of loventrollable feeling of love

It’s only anIt’s only an infatuation infatuation; she’ll get over it soon en; she’ll get over it soon enough.ough.


consultation: the act of asking someone for consultation: the act of asking someone for advice before making an important decision. advice before making an important decision.

After After consultations consultations with his military advisers, with his military advisers, the President decided to declare war.the President decided to declare war.

We held a hurried We held a hurried consultationconsultation on the stairs on the stairs outside her room. outside her room.


constituteconstitute 1) to give someone authority to hold ( a position, etc.)1) to give someone authority to hold ( a position, etc.) TheyThey constituted constituted him chief adviser. him chief adviser. The company The company constitutedconstituted him their spokesman. him their spokesman. 2) to make up, to form2) to make up, to form Twelve months Twelve months constituteconstitute a year. a year. Terry’s photographs Terry’s photographs constitute constitute an important part of an important part of

exhibition.exhibition.


plead: to make continual and deeply felt requestsplead: to make continual and deeply felt requests

The girl The girl pleaded pleaded with her attackers to let her go.with her attackers to let her go. What do you think if someone What do you think if someone pleadspleads the thief to the thief to

return his money or mobile phone?return his money or mobile phone?


part with: to give uppart with: to give up

He has He has parted withparted with his house, but he would not p his house, but he would not part with his precious books.art with his precious books.


cajole : to persuade by praise or false promisecajole : to persuade by praise or false promise Ted didn’t want to go to the dance, but he got Ted didn’t want to go to the dance, but he got cc

ajoledajoled into by his girlfriend. into by his girlfriend. Although she Although she cajoledcajoled and pleaded, she couldn’t and pleaded, she couldn’t

get Ben to stop everything.get Ben to stop everything.


torrent : a large amount of unpleasant languagetorrent : a large amount of unpleasant language a torrent of a torrent of words and laughterwords and laughter He poured out aHe poured out a torrent torrent of abuse on them. of abuse on them.

torrential rain torrential rain


reinforce: to make stronger, to strengthenreinforce: to make stronger, to strengthen Newspaper Newspaper articles like this tend to reinforce articles like this tend to reinforce

people’s prejudice.people’s prejudice. My first impression of that country was My first impression of that country was

reinforced by its rich cultural heritage as reinforced by its rich cultural heritage as demonstrated by those exhibits in the museum. demonstrated by those exhibits in the museum.


adamant: firm and immovable in purposeadamant: firm and immovable in purpose I didn’t want to go to the party, but he was I didn’t want to go to the party, but he was adamadam

ant ant and we ended up going.and we ended up going. The company’s managing director is The company’s managing director is adamant adamant thth

at there will be no compromise with the union. at there will be no compromise with the union.


deprive of : to take away fromdeprive of : to take away from The management has threatened to The management has threatened to deprivedeprive unio unio

n members n members ofof their new privileges. their new privileges. The trees outside the windows The trees outside the windows deprive deprive the house the house

of of light. light.


fancy: to imagine (used to express surprise)fancy: to imagine (used to express surprise) FancyFancy working in this heat every day. working in this heat every day. FancyFancy her saying a thing like that. her saying a thing like that.


rejoin: to say (something) in reply, esp, rudely or rejoin: to say (something) in reply, esp, rudely or angrilyangrily

““Not at all,” he Not at all,” he rejoinedrejoined rudely. rudely.


render: to giverender: to give

You will be expected to You will be expected to renderrender an account of an account of money that is owed. money that is owed.

If we can at any time If we can at any time render render you a smile service, you a smile service, we should be glad to do so.we should be glad to do so.


toil and moil: to work extremely hard with little toil and moil: to work extremely hard with little pleasurepleasure

It will be a lot more expensive to take them out It will be a lot more expensive to take them out but, on the other hand, I don’t like to think of but, on the other hand, I don’t like to think of you you toiling and moilingtoiling and moiling in the kitchen and day to in the kitchen and day to produce a dinner for 12 people. produce a dinner for 12 people.


extort: to obtain by threatsextort: to obtain by threats They accused him of trying to They accused him of trying to extortextort money with money with

threats.threats. The former vice-president of the company was The former vice-president of the company was

charged with charged with extortingextorting thousands of dollars from thousands of dollars from the building construction. the building construction.


deposit: to place in a bank or safedeposit: to place in a bank or safe Our records show that you Our records show that you depositeddeposited $200 in $200 in

your account on the 17your account on the 17 thth of January. of January.

apposite: withdrawapposite: withdraw


draw upon : to make use of a supply of draw upon : to make use of a supply of

A writer has to A writer has to draw upondraw upon his imagination and his imagination and experience.experience.

Journalists Journalists draw upondraw upon both published and both published and unofficial information from many different unofficial information from many different sources. sources.


requisite: necessaryrequisite: necessary If the proposed piece of legislation fails to get thIf the proposed piece of legislation fails to get th

ee requisite requisite two-thirds majority in Parliament, it c two-thirds majority in Parliament, it cannot become law.annot become law.

He hasn’t got the He hasn’t got the requisite requisite qualifications for the qualifications for the job.job.


intact: whole because no part has been used, intact: whole because no part has been used, touched or brokentouched or broken

Our furniture survived the long journey more or Our furniture survived the long journey more or less less intactintact..

He dealt the door a tremendous blow but it He dealt the door a tremendous blow but it remainedremained intact intact. .


accumulate: to grow into a mass accumulate: to grow into a mass

Over a period of years the drug will Over a period of years the drug will accumulateaccumulate in the body and damage the nervous system.in the body and damage the nervous system.

He gradually He gradually accumulated accumulated an impressive an impressive collection of paintings. collection of paintings.

accumulation accumulation


Service was its own reward (paragraph 10) This Service was its own reward (paragraph 10) This is a twist of the proverb “virtue is its own is a twist of the proverb “virtue is its own reward’, which means that one should not expect reward’, which means that one should not expect a reward for doing something that is truly a reward for doing something that is truly virtuous. Here the sentence means that one virtuous. Here the sentence means that one should not expect a reward for serving the should not expect a reward for serving the people, for the satisfaction that one gets for people, for the satisfaction that one gets for serving the people is reward enough. serving the people is reward enough.


To constitute them my attorneys. (paragraph 12)To constitute them my attorneys. (paragraph 12) The verb “constitute” means to give somebody a The verb “constitute” means to give somebody a

certain position. The phrase here means the certain position. The phrase here means the author decided to ask his sons to persuade his author decided to ask his sons to persuade his wife. (i,e to act for him like attorneys for his wife. (i,e to act for him like attorneys for his clients). clients).


Cajoled, … to your tune. (paragraph 17)Cajoled, … to your tune. (paragraph 17) They have been talked into saying and doing They have been talked into saying and doing

what you want them to. what you want them to.

Grammatical items (1)Grammatical items (1)

Translate the following sentences into Chinese:Translate the following sentences into Chinese: 1. I’m too pleased with my new car.1. I’m too pleased with my new car. 2. The day passed all too quickly.2. The day passed all too quickly. 3. You cannot be too carefully.3. You cannot be too carefully. 4. She was only too pleased to help you.4. She was only too pleased to help you. 5. He’s too much of a coward to fight.5. He’s too much of a coward to fight. 6. You’re too kind. 6. You’re too kind.

Grammatical items (2)Grammatical items (2)

1.1. 我对我的新车非常满意。我对我的新车非常满意。2.2. 这一天过得太快了。这一天过得太快了。3.3. 你再小心也不过分。你再小心也不过分。4.4. 她非常乐意帮助你。她非常乐意帮助你。5.5. 他胆子太小，不会去打仗。他胆子太小，不会去打仗。6.6. 你真是太好了。你真是太好了。

Exercises (1)Exercises (1)Translation exercisesTranslation exercises 我们搬进新房子后就开始倒霉了。（我们搬进新房子后就开始倒霉了。（ come upcome up

onon ）） Bad luck has come upon us ever since we moved Bad luck has come upon us ever since we moved

into the new house.into the new house. 重新修缮你的房子很可能是件费钱耗时的事重新修缮你的房子很可能是件费钱耗时的事情。（情。（ renovate, costlyrenovate, costly ））

Renovating your house can be a costly and time-Renovating your house can be a costly and time-consuming business.consuming business.

Exercises (2)Exercises (2)

政府正计划简化税收法以便更容易操作。（政府正计划简化税收法以便更容易操作。（ ssimplifyimplify ））

The government is planning to simplify the tax lThe government is planning to simplify the tax laws so that they are easier to operate.aws so that they are easier to operate.

移居国外之前他不得不舍弃收藏多年的最喜移居国外之前他不得不舍弃收藏多年的最喜欢的书。（欢的书。（ part withpart with ））

Before moving abroad, he had to part with the Before moving abroad, he had to part with the

favorite books that had been kept for years.favorite books that had been kept for years.


铁路系统被剥夺了它们需要用于现代化的资铁路系统被剥夺了它们需要用于现代化的资金。（金。（ deprive ofdeprive of ））

The railways have been deprived of the fund theThe railways have been deprived of the fund they need for modernization.y need for modernization.

这么多年来他都是辛辛苦苦为别人干，现在这么多年来他都是辛辛苦苦为别人干，现在他很高兴有机会为自己干。（他很高兴有机会为自己干。（ toil and moiltoil and moil ））

After so many years toiling and moiling for otheAfter so many years toiling and moiling for other people, he was glad to have the chance of workr people, he was glad to have the chance of working for himself.ing for himself.


你可以把贵重物品存放到旅馆的保险柜里。你可以把贵重物品存放到旅馆的保险柜里。（（ depositdeposit ））

You can deposit your valuables in the hotel safe.You can deposit your valuables in the hotel safe. 我将不得不动用我的存款去支付修理费。我将不得不动用我的存款去支付修理费。（（ draw upondraw upon ））

I have to draw upon my savings to pay for the reI have to draw upon my savings to pay for the repairs. pairs.

Exercises (5)Exercises (5) Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the Fill in the blank in each sentence with a word or phrase taken from the

box in its appropriate form.box in its appropriate form.

accumulate plead cajole reinforcebestow on deprive of trust deposit draw upon consultation


Sand had __________ at the mouth of the river Sand had __________ at the mouth of the river and formed a bank which boats could not pass.and formed a bank which boats could not pass.

The _________ of her argument was that all The _________ of her argument was that all company interference in employees was wrong.company interference in employees was wrong.

We are grateful for the benefits that nature has We are grateful for the benefits that nature has ____________.____________.

accumulate

trust

bestowed on


The department of education promised The department of education promised ____________ with teachers before changing ____________ with teachers before changing the school calendar.the school calendar.

His technique is to _________ his staff rather His technique is to _________ his staff rather than threaten them.than threaten them.

consultation

cajole

Comprehension questions of Text II (1)Comprehension questions of Text II (1)

How important do you think business ethics are? How important do you think business ethics are? Open to discussion.Open to discussion. How many categories of payment are discussed in the How many categories of payment are discussed in the

article? What are they?article? What are they? In this article three categories of bribery are discussed, In this article three categories of bribery are discussed,

i. e. “substantial payments made for political purpose i. e. “substantial payments made for political purpose or to secure major contracts” (Paragraph 5), payments or to secure major contracts” (Paragraph 5), payments made to obtain quicker official approval of some made to obtain quicker official approval of some project, to speed up the wheels of bureaucracy” project, to speed up the wheels of bureaucracy” (Paragraph 7) and payments made in countries where (Paragraph 7) and payments made in countries where it is traditional to pay people to facilitate the passage it is traditional to pay people to facilitate the passage of a business deal” (Paragraph 8)of a business deal” (Paragraph 8)


Do you think that bribery can be eliminated for Do you think that bribery can be eliminated for good?good?

Open to discussionOpen to discussion

Do you agree that “industry is caught in the Do you agree that “industry is caught in the web of bribery” and “everyone is on the take” web of bribery” and “everyone is on the take” are exaggerations? Give your reasons. are exaggerations? Give your reasons.

Open to discussionOpen to discussion


What does the author regard as the main value of What does the author regard as the main value of giving children examples?giving children examples?

Children have a natural power to learn and Children have a natural power to learn and through the examples, they can begin to become through the examples, they can begin to become more aware of man’s relationship to his more aware of man’s relationship to his environment.environment.

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issue.and discuss the following issue.

As a public servant, one should be self-As a public servant, one should be self-disciplined and honest in performing one’s disciplined and honest in performing one’s official duties. But nowadays bribery is so official duties. But nowadays bribery is so widespread. Is it an inevitable evil? What do you widespread. Is it an inevitable evil? What do you think is the root cause?think is the root cause?

Oral activitiesOral activities

Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and Organize yourselves into groups of five or six and discuss the following issuediscuss the following issue

If you were a public servant, what would you do If you were a public servant, what would you do about the bribes that come upon you? Suppose about the bribes that come upon you? Suppose you were a businessman, do you think you you were a businessman, do you think you would try bribing an official so that he would act would try bribing an official so that he would act in your interests?in your interests?

Writing practice (1)Writing practice (1)Bribery--An Inevitable Evil? What are the major forms of Bribery--An Inevitable Evil? What are the major forms of

bribery? bribery?

Bribery can be classified into three broad categories. The Bribery can be classified into three broad categories. The first category consists of large amounts of money paid first category consists of large amounts of money paid for political purposes or to serve major contracts. For for political purposes or to serve major contracts. For example, a certain American company offered big sums example, a certain American company offered big sums of money to support a U.S. presidential candidate when it of money to support a U.S. presidential candidate when it was under investigation. Also in order to get big was under investigation. Also in order to get big contracts, such payments are often made to ruling contracts, such payments are often made to ruling families or their close advisersfamilies or their close advisers. . ..

Writing practice (2)Writing practice (2)

The second category covers payments made to obtain The second category covers payments made to obtain quicker official approval of some project. In such cases, quicker official approval of some project. In such cases, the money is often paid to key government officials the money is often paid to key government officials concerned. concerned. The third category involves payments made in certain The third category involves payments made in certain countries to make a business deal easy to get approved. countries to make a business deal easy to get approved. For instance, a foreign company may pay to get For instance, a foreign company may pay to get permission to import equipment. A common type of this permission to import equipment. A common type of this category is the facilitating payment to clear cargoes. category is the facilitating payment to clear cargoes. These are smaller sums of money paid to customs These are smaller sums of money paid to customs officials.officials.

Good bye!Good bye!

unit 15. contents pre-reading questions pre-reading questions pre-reading questions background...

Documents

gandhi slide

mahatmagreat soul slide

farewell gifts

costly gifts

roots of bribery

kinds of bribery

possible harms of bribery

local people