unit seven relationships and communication. how well can we listen? text a

Unit SevenRelationships and Communication

How Well Can We Listen?

Text A

Unit Seven Text A:

1. Teaching Aims and Requirements

2. Teaching Focus

5. Abstract of the Text

4. Text organization

6. Text A study

7. Summary of Text A

3.Cultual Background


A. Grasp the main idea and structure of the text.B. Master the key language points and grammatical structure in the text.C. Conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme if the unit.

2. Teaching Focus

a. Grammar Review:There are two types of articles in English: the definite and the indefinite. The is the definite article. A and an are indefinite articles. An is used before a word that begins with a vowel sound and a is used before a word with a consonant sound.

2. Teaching Focus

1) 不定冠词 “ a/an” 的用法归纳 a) 泛指一类人或事物，相当于 a kind of ＊ He is a student. b) 第一次提及到的某人某物，并非特指＊ A girl is waiting for you at the gate. c) 表示 “一”，相当于 one ＊ I have a cat, two dogs and three birds.

2. Teaching Focus

2) 定冠词 “ the” 的用法归纳 a) 表示某一类人或者物＊ The cat is a very clever animal. b) 指上文提到过的人或物，或指双方都知道的人或物＊ She has two children, a boy and a girl. The bo

y’s name is Tomas, and the girl’s name is Lilian.

Would you mind if I open the window. c) 用于独一无二的事物名词前＊ The sun rises in the morning and sets in the e

vening.

2. Teaching Focus

2) 定冠词 “ the” 的用法归纳 d) 用于乐器前＊ I can play the violin/piano/guilar/flate. e) 用于序数词，形容词、副词最高级前＊ Tomas is the tallest in our class. It is the first time I have met him. f) 用于形容词前，表某一类人＊ the rich; the poor; the old; the young g) 用于姓氏的复数前，表示一家人或一对夫妻＊ the Smiths; the Wangs

3. Cultural Background

The Generation Gap:

The term “generation gap” first came into prominence in Western countries during the 1960’s. It was used to describe the cultural differences between the baby boomers (those who were born just after World War II) and their parents.

Several examplesSeveral examples

Several examples of generational differences were prominent during the period. Rock music and soul music ( 灵乐 ), popular among the young, were mostly detested by their elders. Long hair on young males was frequently seen as a shocking act of rebellion against societal norms by their parents. Some traditional mores ( 习俗 ) were crumbling. And many young people “dropped out” into the hippie ( 嬉皮士 ) counterculture. A common catchphrase of the era among young people was “don’t trust anyone over 30.”

4. Text Organization:

Part One Para 1

Part Two Paras 2-4

Part Three Paras 5-7

Part Four Para 8

After reading each part, we’ll sum up the main idea.

Part One: Main Idea

The main idea of Part One:

The rise of the issue:

people’s complaints about others’ not listening; the possible consequences of the problem.

Part Two: Main Idea

Para 2:

Para 3:

Para 4:

Differences in opinion or misunderstanding may account for human conflicts. Technology and opportunity may not necessarily facilitate human communication, and therefore they are not the key factors for good communication. Good listening may contribute greatly to successful communication.

The analysis of the reasons for the failure in communication: misunderstanding resulting from poor listening.

The main idea of Part Two:

Part Three: Main Idea

Para 5:Para 6:

Para 7:

We need to concentrate when we listen.

We shouldn’t skip part of things that we are not interested or concerned

Other psychological factors can also affect people’s listening.

The main idea of Part Three:

How we can be good listeners.

Part Four: Main Idea

The main idea of Part Four:

How we can be good listeners.

Part Four: Main Idea

The main idea of Part Four:

Conclusion: restatement of the importance of listening.

5. Abstract of the Text

Most of us would agree that keeping good relationships with other people, even with those closest to us, can be difficult and requires good communication between one another. Good communication naturally involves both speaking and listening. But while we commonly emphasize the role of speaking in communicating with others, we tend to neglect that of listening. Read the following text and see what it says about the role of listening in improving human relationships.

How Well Can We Listen

Unit Seven Book One

Text A

Paragraph 1:

It is not uncommon to hear people complaining that no one listens to them and no one understands them. Such complaints come not only from kids but also from adults. How often is this a vital cause in the failure of personal relationships? How often does it contribute to broken homes? How often do we hear of a married couple who fail to have communication, or of children who feel deserted? It seems something must have gone wrong.

Words and Expressions:

complain:

Workers who had lost their jobs complained Workers who had lost their jobs complained bitterly about the way they had been treated.bitterly about the way they had been treated.

1. vi. express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment

2. vt. express dissatisfaction or resentmentThey complained that the price of books had increased.

员工们抱怨工资过低而且福利差。

The employees complained that the wages were too low and the benefits were inadequate.

NB: complain → complaint n.


extremely important and necessary for something to succeed or exist

Regular exercise is vital for your health.

The samples could give scientists vital information about long-term changes in the earth’s atmosphere.

The tourist industry is of vital importance to the national economy.

NB: vitality n. 生命力，活力

vital: adj.


Irrigation was vital to early civilization.

Impartiality is essential to a judge.

It is vital that leaking gas pipes are fixed immediately.

It is essential to read any document carefully before you sign it.

强调指维持生命、活力必不可少的，或生死攸关的。例如：

强调必不可少，暗含某物如缺少某部分则失去本质特征的意味。例如：

这两个形容词均有“重要的，必需的”之意。

CF: vital & essential

vital

essential


desert: vt.

The price rise caused many readers to desert the magazine.

Mrs. Smith was deserted by her husband and had to support four children on her own.

Many people deserted their homes during the food shortage.

许多人在饥荒中逃往他乡。

leave at a difficult time or in a cruel way, esp. with the intention of not returning

Paragraph 2:

Experts tend to resort to the term “generation gap” to explain the conflicts between parents and children. Can this term be applied to the cases mentioned above? Though there might be room for hesitation in the adoption of it when “generation” is taken into account, it is far from wrong to borrow the rest in making an analysis. There are bound to be differences, or gaps, in the opinions of two people that give rise to conflicts, and ways to reduce them are by no means easy to be sought, but it is equally true to say that there is bound to be a solution to every problem. Part of the solution to human conflicts is to avoid misunderstanding.


resort:

Many homeless teenagers resort to stealing when their money runs out.

1. vi. (usually followed by to) make use of; turn to (often something bad) for help

2. n. a place frequented by people for relaxation or recreation

We were joined there by George and Mary and we all went off to the skiing resort.

到休养圣地去疗养一个月肯定会使你恢复健康。

A month of rest in the health resort will certainly bring you around.


a place of great resorta health resorta pleasure resorta summer resort a tourist resort

Collocation:

人们常去的热闹地方疗养地游乐胜地避暑地旅游胜地

He described the situation as not critical and said military force would be used only as a last resort.

3. n. the act of turning to something for aid or relief; recourse


NB: adopt, adapt 和 adept 这三个词形似，易混淆。 adopt 为动词，意为“采用、采纳、领养”； adapt 为动词，意为“调节、使适应”，常用于词组 adapt … to ； adept 为形容词，意思是“熟练的，灵巧的”。常用于词组 be adept at/in 。

adopt: vt.

Their purpose is to influence government to adopt policies favorable to them.

1. take and use as one’s own; begin to have (a quality or appearance)

2. take into one’s family through legal means and raise as one’s own child Teenagers who discover they were adopted often search for their biological parents when they are old enough.

adoption: n.


(also take account of/take into consideration) consider or include particular facts or details when making a decision or judgment about something

I trust that he will take account of the road safety problems that are inherent in his policy.

These figures do not take into account the changes in the rate of inflation.

take into account:


(pl. analyses) examination of something together with thoughts and judgments about it

The article provides a detailed analysis of various research designs.

You’ll get the results when the analysis is complete.

NB: analyze vt. analysis n. analytic adj. analyst n.

analysis: n.

Sentence Structure:

Though there might be room for hesitation in the adoption of it when “generation” is taken into account, it is far from wrong to borrow the rest in making an analysis.

The Text Sentence:

When we use the term “generation gap” to explain communication problems mentioned above, the word “generation” may not be readily applicable as there may not be a generation gap between the people involved. But we can still analyze such problems from this perspective.

Paraphrase:

Paragraph 3:

Misunderstanding often arises from a lack of communication. Curiously enough, in a modern society where not a few advanced technological means of communication such as the mobile phone and pager have been developed, people are still confronted with this problem. Investigations show that technological inventions do help facilitate human communication. They also show that while there are more opportunities for personal contact, especially through verbal communication, many people still find their listeners do not listen to them. Clearly, something is wrong with their listening ability.


(arose, arisen) [usually followed by from, out of] come into being or begin to be noticed; happen; appear

It would be best to deal with these issues at once, before a crisis arises.

When a conflict arises in the workplace, you should aim to repair the relationship as quickly as possible.

arise: vi.


come face to face with, especially with defiance or hostility

Only when the police confronted her with evidence did she admit that she had stolen the money.

Overall, there are several major issues confronting us on the media front right now.

confront: vt.


CF: confront & face这两个动词均含“面对”之意。

confront 多用于书面语，多指勇敢、冷静地面临某种问题、困难或任务等。例如：

She confronted the vital question of being bankrupt.

Let’s face the facts instead of evading them.

多用于口语，含义广，强调有勇气、决心或自信心去面对。例如：face


the act of investigating something; an official attempt to find out the truth about or the causes of something

Prison officials are carrying out a full investigation after two prisoners escaped from a prison vehicle.

The psychologists are conducting an investigation about the impact of violent TV programs on children.

investigation: n.


make easy or easier; help

The new underground railway will facilitate the journey to all parts of the city.

Dividing students into small groups usually helps facilitate discussion.

It would facilitate matters if you were more co-operative.

facilitate: vt.


verbal: adj. 1. spoken, not written

The blind learners act appropriately on receiving verbal instructions or requests.

2. of, relating to, or associated with words

The conference sponsors claimed that there was never even a verbal agreement, and refused to pay.

Even though he never physically abused me, the verbal abuse was frightening. Some people are very mathematically inclined, while some others excel in verbal skills.

Sentence Structure:

Curiously enough, in a modern society where not a few advanced technological means of communication such as the mobile phone and pager have been developed, people are still confronted with this problem.

The Text Sentence:

This sentence implies that advanced technological means of communication are not an adequate solution to the problem of lack of communication among people. It seems that the technologies invented to facilitate communication do not work and the problem is still there.

Paraphrase:

Paragraph 4:

People may wonder why their listening ability is undesirable when their hearing ability is physically sound. This is a basic mistake we often make. Very often hearing is confused with listening, as they are so closely related. Believing that hearing is a physiological function, which comes to us naturally, we take it for granted that listening does not require much effort. Experts in the field of communications are quick to attack this belief. In their view, listening requires hard work and energy. When people are listening, they have quicker heartbeats and faster blood circulation. Good listening, they think, is not as simple as it might seem.


not likely to please; not wanted; objectionable

Environmentalists claim that the development will have undesirable effects on the wild animals in the area.

The drug is effective, but has undesirable side effects, and long-term use can result in liver damage.

The incident could have undesirable consequences for the government.

undesirable: adj.


sound: adj.

What you want to know is: Is the building structurally sound and weatherproof?

1. in good condition; without disease or damage

2. sensible and likely to produce the right results Even when commenting on the poor service in the hotel he genuinely attempts to offer sound advice.3. physically or mentally healthy

We are of sound mind and understand perfectly well that if we attack you, you will respond in the same way.


Yesterday I did the labor work the whole day and had a sound sleep in the night.

4. deep and peaceful (in sleep)

a sound foundationa sound economysound reasoninga sound sleepa sound mind

Collocation:

牢固的基础殷实的经济符合逻辑的推理酣睡健全的头脑


circulation: n.

The improved blood circulation enables practitioners to perform tasks in a more vigorous and healthy manner.

1. the flow of gas or liquid around a closed system, esp. the movement of blood through the body

2. the passing of something, such as money or news, from place to place or person to person

The Wall Street Journal boasts the largest daily paper circulation, a little less than two million.

The Treasury Department plans to remove old coins from circulation and replace them with new ones.

Sentence Structure:

People may wonder why their listening ability is undesirable when their hearing ability is physically sound.

The Text Sentence:

This sentence implies that listening ability is quite different from hearing ability. Therefore, the fact that there is no problem with one’s ears does not mean one is good at listening.

Paraphrase:

Paragraph 5:

To become a good listener begins with concentration. That looks easy on the surface. In too many cases, we have to listen to other people with physical and mental distractions around us. The ring of the telephone, the slam of a door or other human voices are some of the common physical distractions. The mental distractions in one’s own mind, on the other hand, are much more difficult to overcome, for many reasons. A speaker may not be able to keep pace with the working of the listener’s mind. The average person’s rate of thinking is faster than the average rate of speech. With much free time left at their disposal, the listeners are likely to be carried away by their own thoughts and they soon lose their way. That is where the problem lies: listening too quickly.


something or someone that distracts, esp. an amusement

More importantly, urban development was regarded as a distraction from the real issues of environment and development.

Mrs. Smith planned to finish the final draft of her paper, but her baby’s constant crying drove her to distraction.

There are too many distractions in the dorm for me to concentrate on my study.

distraction: n.


move, increase, change, etc. at the same speed as sb./sth.

The supply of materials cannot keep pace with the demand. Pensions and benefits had not risen to keep pace with the rate of inflation, especially in the 1970s.

Are wages keeping pace with inflation?

keep pace with:

Sentence Structure:

Believing that hearing is a physiological function, which comes to us naturally, we take it for granted that listening does not require much effort.

The Text Sentence:

Hearing is quite different from listening. Contrary to the common belief, listening does require some effort. .

Paraphrase:

Paragraph 6:

Sometimes, the listener tends to skip part of what is being said unconsciously. Since each person has his own range of interests, when the speaker talks about something that is of no personal interest or concern to him, he would “switch off the talking.” Though he might nod his head or respond with gestures, his mind is wandering. This automatic control exercises its influence especially when the topic is too boring.


unconsciously: adv.

Mary watched the TV program in silence, unconsciously rubbing her hand on her dress.

without conscious control; without realizing; involuntarily or unintendedly

In conversation, some people unconsciously imitate the people they are speaking with.

NB: conscious adj. 有知觉的；有意识的 → unconscious adj. 无知觉的；无意识的 → consciously adv. 有知觉地；有意识地 → unconsciously adv. 无知觉地；无意识地 → consciousness n. 知觉；意识 → unconsciousness n. 无知觉；无意识

Sentence Structure:

Since each person has his own range of interests, when the speaker talks about something that is of no personal interest or concern to him, he would “switch off the talking.”

The Text Sentence:

No longer listen to what is being said to him, as if he had turned it off.

What does “switch off the talking” mean?

Paragraph 7:

Other psychological factors also come into

play. A person’s feeling towards the speaker can affect his listening ability. If he has a poor impression of the speaker, because of his appearance or whatever, it is quite natural that he would not tune in to the words of the speaker.


any of the forces, conditions, influences, etc. that act with others to bring about a result

Money will be the key factor when we decide to buy a new house.

Race should never be a deciding factor in a hiring decision.

internal factors 内因external factors 外因adverse factors 不利因素contributing factors 促成因素

Collocation:

factor: n.


(usually followed by on) an image or effect that is produced in the mind by a person, event, experience, etc.

His family had been very poor when he was young, and it had left a lasting impression on him.

Nothing creates a worse impression than people who are late for meetings.

When it comes to job interviews, first impressions are important.

impression: n.

Sentence Structure:

… it is quite natural that he would not tune in to the words of the speaker.

The Text Sentence:

Listen carefully and be aware of.

What does “tune in to” mean?

Paragraph 8:

Verbal communication is a good means for

people to understand each other. What has to be borne in mind is that, to ensure that good communication takes place, talking and hearing are just not enough. When we hear people complain that no one listens to them or no one understands them, we should be able to provide an acceptable explanation.


make (something) certain to happen

Having a positive attitude about your progress will ensure you have continued success.

We can ensure that the work will be done in the right way.

ensure: vt.

Sentence Structure:

What has to be borne in mind is that, to ensure that good communication takes place, talking and hearing are just not enough.

The Text Sentence:

We should remember clearly that to accomplish successful communication, just talking and hearing are inadequate; more is needed.

Paraphrase:

7. Summary of Text A

Most of us would agree that keeping good relationships with other people, even with those closest to us, can be difficult and requires good communication between one another. Good communication naturally involves both speaking and listening. But while we commonly emphasize the role of speaking in communicating with others, we tend to neglect that of listening. Read the following text and see what it says about the role of listening in improving human relationships.

unit seven relationships and communication. how well can we listen? text a

Documents

main ideathe main idea

teaching aims

main ideapara

teaching focus2

text aunit

text organization6

good listening

young people