师范学院《综合英语》教案 Unit 8-1.docVIP

Unit 8 FOURTEEN STEPS Page  PAGE 4 of  NUMPAGES 4 教学课题Unit 8 FOURTEEN STEPS施教时间2011.6.16/17教学目标思想： 知识：Master the new words and expressions 能力：Learn to analyze and appreciate the text教学难、重点Topic discussion; text analysis; words and expressions教学准备topic教学过程PRE-READING DISCUSSION Can an invalid lead a happy life? Please explain. How would you show your appreciation if somebody helps you when you are in trouble? Cultural background American’s Underlying Kindness Some of the journalists see in the stiffness of the Americans the ties to their religious roots and an unwavering commitment to honesty and civil service. Underlying these traits is also a genuine, heartfelt kindness that is frequently complimented by all the travelers. Combe observes: “We have found the servants and landlords in the inns of New England cold and reserved in their manners”. However, he goes on to attest to their intrinsic amicability and overall kindness and sees their serious manner as a remnant of their Puritan origins. In the same way, Alexander Farkas sees the removal of artificiality and the political responsibility that is part of being a citizen in a democratic nation as the main reasons for the Americans’ stiffness. “They are unschooled in the nuances of etiquette, their bodies are stiff, unbending; they do not know how to express joy or sorrow in their facial expression. But in spite of coldness or awkwardness there is something in their eyes and demeanor which hints at a simple inner dignity. The kindness one senses is the kind of genuine sentiment that cannot be acquired by artifice.” Juxtaposed to this personal austerity is a pervasive social informality. The travelers recognized the lack of decorum as the direct result of a pragmatic, democratic society. However, they never saw its conflict with the stern personalities of the Americans. Alexander Farkas is astonished and pleased with what he regards as a lack of “surface veneer”. When he pays a visit to President