unit 6 the man in the water. pre-reading questions: 1. do you think ordinary persons like you and me...

Unit 6Unit 6

The Man in the WaterThe Man in the Water

Pre-reading questions: Pre-reading questions:

1. Do you think ordinary persons 1. Do you think ordinary persons like you and me can become heroes like you and me can become heroes in certain circumstances? When in certain circumstances? When something dangerous happens, something dangerous happens, what will first come to your mind? what will first come to your mind?

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

no need to be heroes, self-no need to be heroes, self-protection is more realisticprotection is more realistic

doubt with a single person’s power, doubt with a single person’s power, if more people join, me tooif more people join, me too

fight for the weakfight for the weak

2. What’s the motivation behind 2. What’s the motivation behind most heroic behaviors? most heroic behaviors?

Pre-reading questionsPre-reading questions

To be remembered or honored as To be remembered or honored as heroes (a less influential factor now)heroes (a less influential factor now)

Unknown imperativeUnknown imperative sense of justice or readiness to helpsense of justice or readiness to help

New words and phrasesNew words and phrases

element/elementselement/elements blastblast collision/clash/crashcollision/clash/crash rise to the occasionrise to the occasion account foraccount for in the line of dutyin the line of duty


casualtycasualty anonymityanonymity stunningstunning on behalf ofon behalf of likewiselikewise


1. element/elements1. element/elements 1) an element of 1) an element of

surprise/danger/doubt etcsurprise/danger/doubt etc.: a small .: a small amount of a quality or feeling.amount of a quality or feeling.

e.g. There’s always an element of risk e.g. There’s always an element of risk in this kind of investment.in this kind of investment.

2)2) a group of people who form part a group of people who form part of a larger group, especially when of a larger group, especially when the rest of the group does not the rest of the group does not approve of them.approve of them.

e.g. There is a strong right-wing e.g. There is a strong right-wing element in the organization.element in the organization.


3) one part of a whole system, plan, 3) one part of a whole system, plan, piece of writing etc.piece of writing etc.

e.g. Rhyme is just one of the e.g. Rhyme is just one of the elements of his poetry.elements of his poetry.

4) the elements:4) the elements: the weather, the weather, especially bad weatherespecially bad weather

e.g. battling against the elementse.g. battling against the elements


blast n.blast n. A. a sudden strong movement of wind or air. A. a sudden strong movement of wind or air.

[+of][+of] e.g. A blast of cold air swept through the hut.e.g. A blast of cold air swept through the hut. B. an explosion, or the very strong movement B. an explosion, or the very strong movement

of air that it causes.of air that it causes. e.g. Thirty-six people died in the blast.e.g. Thirty-six people died in the blast. C. a sudden very loud noise.C. a sudden very loud noise. e.g. a blast of rock musice.g. a blast of rock music The guard gave a blast on his whistle and we The guard gave a blast on his whistle and we

were off.were off.


D. D. (at) full blast(at) full blast: as strongly , loudly, or : as strongly , loudly, or fast as possible:fast as possible:

e.g. The radiators are on full blast, but it e.g. The radiators are on full blast, but it was sill freezing.was sill freezing.

A radio going at full blastA radio going at full blast

collision/clash/crashcollision/clash/crash collisioncollision

1) an accident in which two or more people 1) an accident in which two or more people or vehicles hit each other while moving in or vehicles hit each other while moving in different directionsdifferent directions


[+with][+with]: The school bus was involved in a : The school bus was involved in a collision with a truck.collision with a truck.

head-on collisionhead-on collision: (=between two vehicles : (=between two vehicles moving directly towards each other.)moving directly towards each other.) 2) a strong disagreement between two people or 2) a strong disagreement between two people or

groupsgroups [+between][+between]: Discrepancies between ideas : Discrepancies between ideas

and collisions between beliefs had to be and collisions between beliefs had to be reconciled and mediated.reconciled and mediated.

（可指具体事物的相撞，也可指抽象意义上的冲（可指具体事物的相撞，也可指抽象意义上的冲突）突）


ClashClash Troops clashed near the border. ( if two Troops clashed near the border. ( if two

armies, or groups of people clash, they armies, or groups of people clash, they suddenly start fighting each other.)suddenly start fighting each other.)

Democrats clashed with Republicans in a Democrats clashed with Republicans in a heated debate. (if two people or groups of heated debate. (if two people or groups of people clash, they argue because their people clash, they argue because their opinions and beliefs are very different.)opinions and beliefs are very different.)


That purple clashes with your red shirt. (if That purple clashes with your red shirt. (if two colors or patterns clash, they look two colors or patterns clash, they look very bad together.)very bad together.)

Unfortunately the concert clashes with Unfortunately the concert clashes with Ann and Jim’s dinner party. (if two events Ann and Jim’s dinner party. (if two events clash, they happen at the same time in a clash, they happen at the same time in a way that is inconvenient.)way that is inconvenient.)

The cymbals clashed. (if two pieces of The cymbals clashed. (if two pieces of metal clash or if you clash them, they metal clash or if you clash them, they make a loud ringing sound.)make a loud ringing sound.)


Note: Note: ClashClash is often used in preference to is often used in preference to collisioncollision when two or more things come when two or more things come into contact with one another in such a into contact with one another in such a manner that noises of crashing and manner that noises of crashing and jangling are more apparent than the jangling are more apparent than the destruction or ruin wrought:destruction or ruin wrought:

e.g. the clash of swords in battlee.g. the clash of swords in battle （可指两件或两件以上的事情因同时发生而造成（可指两件或两件以上的事情因同时发生而造成

时间上的相互冲突时间上的相互冲突 eg: There is a clash between two classes eg: There is a clash between two classes

held at 3 p.m. on the same day.held at 3 p.m. on the same day. ））


crash n.crash n. a violent accident involving one or a violent accident involving one or

more vehicles: more vehicles: plane/car etc. crashplane/car etc. crash e.g. 41 people were killed in a plane e.g. 41 people were killed in a plane

crash in the Himalayas last week.crash in the Himalayas last week. a sudden loud noise made by a sudden loud noise made by

something falling, breaking etc.something falling, breaking etc. [+of][+of]: Jessica heard the crash of : Jessica heard the crash of

breaking glass behind her.breaking glass behind her.


With a crasWith a crash: There was a loud crack h: There was a loud crack and the branch came down with a crash.and the branch came down with a crash.(( 哗啦声哗啦声 ))

rise to the occasion/challengerise to the occasion/challenge: : to deal successfully with a difficult situation to deal successfully with a difficult situation

or problemor problem e.g. I’m sure that he will rise to the occasion e.g. I’m sure that he will rise to the occasion

when he realizes what is at stake.when he realizes what is at stake. II had never thought much of Jack as a had never thought much of Jack as a

public speaker, but he certainly rose to the public speaker, but he certainly rose to the occasion. occasion.


account for: account for: 1) to be the reason why something 1) to be the reason why something

happens.happens. e.g. recent pressure at work may e.g. recent pressure at work may

account for his behavior.account for his behavior. 2)to give a satisfactory explanation of why 2)to give a satisfactory explanation of why

something has happened or why you did something has happened or why you did something.something.

e.g. How do you account for the e.g. How do you account for the sudden disappearance of the murder sudden disappearance of the murder weapon? weapon?


3)to make up a particular amount or 3)to make up a particular amount or part of somethingpart of something

e.g. Imports from Japan accounted for e.g. Imports from Japan accounted for 40% of the total.40% of the total.

in the line of dutyin the line of duty line: (C usually singular) the kind of line: (C usually singular) the kind of

work someone doeswork someone does line of businessline of business: What line of : What line of

business is he in?business is he in? be in the building/retail etc. linebe in the building/retail etc. line


in the line of dutyin the line of duty: if you do : if you do something in the line of duty, you do it something in the line of duty, you do it as part of your jobas part of your job

e.g. Don’t thank me, madam --- it’s e.g. Don’t thank me, madam --- it’s all in the line of duty.all in the line of duty.

be in sb’s linebe in sb’s line: to be the type of : to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or thing that someone is interested in or good atgood at

e.g. I’m afraid cookery isn’t really e.g. I’m afraid cookery isn’t really in my line.in my line.


casualtycasualty n. someone who is hurt or killed in n. someone who is hurt or killed in

an accident or battlean accident or battle e.g. First reports of the air crash e.g. First reports of the air crash

tell of more than 50 casualties.tell of more than 50 casualties. heavy casualties=a lot of people heavy casualties=a lot of people

hurt or killedhurt or killed


anonymity anonymity n.n. anonymous adj. anonymous adj. 1) unknown by name1) unknown by name e.g. The benefactor wishes to remain e.g. The benefactor wishes to remain

anonymous.anonymous. 2) done, sent, or given by someone 2) done, sent, or given by someone

who does not want their name to be who does not want their name to be knownknown

e.g. an anonymous donation of $5,000e.g. an anonymous donation of $5,000 anonymous phone call/letter etc.anonymous phone call/letter etc.


stunningstunning adj. 1) extremely attractive or adj. 1) extremely attractive or

beautifulbeautiful e.g. You look absolutely stunning e.g. You look absolutely stunning

in that dress.in that dress. 2) very surprising or shocking2) very surprising or shocking e.g. stunning newse.g. stunning news


on behalf of (also in behalf of)on behalf of (also in behalf of) instead of someone, or as their instead of someone, or as their

representative:representative: e.g. On behalf of everyone here, may e.g. On behalf of everyone here, may

I wish you a very happy retirement.I wish you a very happy retirement. The president can not be here The president can not be here

today, so I’m going to speak in his today, so I’m going to speak in his behalf.behalf.


likewiselikewise 1) (formal) in the same way; similarly1) (formal) in the same way; similarly e.g. I was up at dawn, and my host e.g. I was up at dawn, and my host

likewise.likewise. Nanny put on a shawl and told the Nanny put on a shawl and told the

girls to do likewise.girls to do likewise. 2) (spoken) used to return someone’s 2) (spoken) used to return someone’s

greeting or polite commentgreeting or polite comment e.g. “You’re always welcome at our e.g. “You’re always welcome at our

house.”house.” ““likewise.”likewise.”


acknowledge :acknowledge : 1). to accept or recognize sth.1). to accept or recognize sth. Eg: he is acknowledged to be the Eg: he is acknowledged to be the

cleverest boy in the class.cleverest boy in the class. We acknowledged her to be/ as the We acknowledged her to be/ as the

best singer in China.best singer in China. 2). to accept the truth of sth., to admit 2). to accept the truth of sth., to admit eg: He acknowledged that he had eg: He acknowledged that he had

done wrong.done wrong. She refuse to acknowledge her fault.She refuse to acknowledge her fault.


3). to express thanks for sth. 3). to express thanks for sth. (acknowledge applause/ compliments/ (acknowledge applause/ compliments/ help)help)

eg: She acknowledged the gift with a eg: She acknowledged the gift with a pleasant letter.pleasant letter.

The prize-winner stood up to The prize-winner stood up to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd. acknowledge the cheers of the crowd.

4). to show that one has noticed or 4). to show that one has noticed or recognized sb. by a smile, nod or recognized sb. by a smile, nod or greeting.greeting.


commitmentcommitment: Here: a strong sense of : Here: a strong sense of responsibility or loyaltyresponsibility or loyalty

eg: We have a strong commitment to eg: We have a strong commitment to follow WTO rules.follow WTO rules.

commit v. commit v. ~sb/oneself to sth /to ~sb/oneself to sth /to doing sth doing sth

make it impossible for sb. or oneself make it impossible for sb. or oneself not to do sth.not to do sth.

Eg. WTO commits China to giving Eg. WTO commits China to giving national treatment to all foreign national treatment to all foreign business people.business people.


be committed to do sthbe committed to do sth: promise to do : promise to do sthsth

Eg: China is committed to lower its tariffs.Eg: China is committed to lower its tariffs.

go undergo under to sink; to be drownedto sink; to be drowned eg: In a fierce competition, these poorly eg: In a fierce competition, these poorly

managed enterprises will go under. (fail)managed enterprises will go under. (fail) In case of an economic recession, these old In case of an economic recession, these old

and weak people will be the first to go and weak people will be the first to go under.under.


The captain hoped that help would The captain hoped that help would come before the ship went under.come before the ship went under.

go at:go at: to attack; to start to fight to attack; to start to fight Those companies went at each Those companies went at each

other like hungry wolves.other like hungry wolves.


set sb against sbset sb against sb: to make sb start to : to make sb start to fight or quarrel with another person, fight or quarrel with another person, esp. a person with whom they had esp. a person with whom they had friendly relations before.friendly relations before.

Eg: There were outside forces who Eg: There were outside forces who were trying to set one tribe against were trying to set one tribe against another. That was why there were another. That was why there were endless civil wars in that country.endless civil wars in that country.

I’m not going to set myself against my I’m not going to set myself against my own classmates. own classmates.

Distinction among Distinction among synonyms:synonyms:

1. assure, ensure, insure, guarantee1. assure, ensure, insure, guarantee assure vt. “assure vt. “ 使使…………确信”，常用结构为确信”，常用结构为

assure sb. of sth.assure sb. of sth. （深信不疑地对某人（深信不疑地对某人说或使人确信和放心），有时也作“保证说或使人确信和放心），有时也作“保证给”，但不如给”，但不如 ensure ensure 常用。如：常用。如：

I assure you that there is no I assure you that there is no danger.danger.

I assure you of his ability to do the I assure you of his ability to do the work.work.


ensure vt. “ensure vt. “ 保证”，后接名词或保证”，后接名词或 that that 从句，指从句，指把某事确定下来或对某事作出许诺。如：把某事确定下来或对某事作出许诺。如：

I can’t ensure that he will be there in time.I can’t ensure that he will be there in time. The medicine will ensure you a good The medicine will ensure you a good

night’s sleep.night’s sleep. insure vt. “insure vt. “ 保险”，指保险公司为生命、财产等保险”，指保险公司为生命、财产等

作保险。如：作保险。如： Insurance companies will insure ships and Insurance companies will insure ships and

their cargoes against loss at sea.their cargoes against loss at sea. I insured my house against fire.I insured my house against fire.


guarantee vt. “guarantee vt. “ 保证”，通常指书面形式或负保证”，通常指书面形式或负责地作出保证。如：责地作出保证。如：

The radio is guaranteed for half a year.The radio is guaranteed for half a year.

ExerciseExercise 1) I tried to 1) I tried to that everybody that everybody

understood the instructions.understood the instructions. 2) The doctor 2) The doctor her that she would get her that she would get

well soon.well soon. 3) Have you taken the precaution of 3) Have you taken the precaution of

your house against fire?your house against fire? 4) They 4) They the computer for there years. the computer for there years.


KeyKey 1) ensure 2) assured 3) insuring 4) 1) ensure 2) assured 3) insuring 4)

guaranteeguarantee

2. dumb, mute, silent, speechless2. dumb, mute, silent, speechless dumb a. “dumb a. “ 哑的”，主要指由于语言器官有哑的”，主要指由于语言器官有

缺陷而不能说话，有时还可指大脑反应迟钝，缺陷而不能说话，有时还可指大脑反应迟钝，该词还可像该词还可像 speechlessspeechless 一样，指一时说不一样，指一时说不出话来。如：出话来。如：


I was struck dumb with horror.I was struck dumb with horror. The child was dumb because of The child was dumb because of

deformed vocal cords.deformed vocal cords. mute a.mute a. “ “ 哑的”，指由于出生以后耳聋没有听过哑的”，指由于出生以后耳聋没有听过

说话，而不能说话，还可指拒绝说话而沉说话，而不能说话，还可指拒绝说话而沉默、不作声。如：默、不作声。如：

The teacher tried to teach the The teacher tried to teach the mute children to speak in spite of mute children to speak in spite of their deafness.their deafness.


silent silent a. “a. “ 沉默的，（保持）安静的”。如：沉默的，（保持）安静的”。如： He was prudently silent on that He was prudently silent on that

matter.matter. speechless a. “speechless a. “ 不会说话的，说不出话不会说话的，说不出话

的”，主要用在因强烈的情绪影响而一时的”，主要用在因强烈的情绪影响而一时说不出话来或无话可说。如：说不出话来或无话可说。如：

She was speechless with surprise.She was speechless with surprise.


ExerciseExercise 1) A donkey is not 1) A donkey is not but it is but it is .. 2) You’d better be 2) You’d better be and listen to and listen to

me.me. 3) You seem very 3) You seem very today; what’s today; what’s

the matter?the matter? 4) I was 4) I was with rage. with rage.


KeyKey 1) mute, dumb 2) silent 3) silent 1) mute, dumb 2) silent 3) silent

4)speechless4)speechless

unit 6 the man in the water. pre-reading questions: 1. do you think ordinary persons like you and me...

Documents

phrases blast

blast of cold air

group of people

strong movement of air

new words

blast of rock music

water slide

line of duty slide