The Unit Two Home Reading The American Character.docVIP

The Unit Two Home Reading The American Character Language Points: 1. undertake: v. to accept that you are responsible for a piece of work and start to do it Eg: She undertook full responsibility for the new changes. Undertake to do sth: to promise or agree to do sth Eg: He undertook to pay the money back in six months. 2. distinguish: v. to be able to recognize and understand the difference between two similar things or people Eg: Dogs can distinguish a greater rang of sounds than human. 1 distinguish between 2 distinguish sb/ sth from Distinguished: adj. very successful and therefore respected and admired Synonym: famous, outstanding, first-rate Distinguished for: Eg: The Chinese nation is distinguished for its diligence and courage. 中华民族以勤劳勇敢著称。 3. outgoing: adj. 1 sociable Eg: an outgoing personality 2 former, retiring Eg: the outgoing president 3 falling Eg: the outgoing tide 4. lump: v. combine Lump together Eg: Please lump all these items together under the heading “sundry expenses”. 把这些费用一并列入“杂费”项目。 5. congregate: v. to come together in a group Eg: Crowds began to congregate to hear the President’s speech. Synonym: assemble, converge Congregation: n. 6. onus: n. burden 7. strive: v. to make a great effort to achieve sth 1 strive for/ after Eg: We must continue to strive for greater efficiency. 2 strive to do sth Eg: The film studio is striving to improve its public image. Synonym: struggle 8. reject: v. refuse to accept Eg: Tom rejected his brother’s offer of help. 9. alien: adj. foreign, strange 10. menace: n. something or someone that is dangerous Menace to: Eg: That man is a menace to society. Synonym: danger 11. prominent: adj. 1 distinguished, eminent 2 bulging, sticking out 3 conspicuous, obvious Eg: a prominent landmark Prominence: n. 12. overcome: v. to fight and win against someone or something Eg: They overcame the enemy after a long battle. Synonym: defeat 13. impoverish: v. to make someone very poor Eg: Many peasa