新编英语教程 7 Unit 14.ppt

Unit 14.Text I Reading the River Mark Twain I. Pre-reading and Brainstorming: 1. Please refer to the note about the author – life experience and literary works. 2. What does the author compare to the river? Have you read some essays describing a river? 3. Can you imagine what a river looks like at sunset or on a moonlight night? Do you think you would enjoy the scene? About the author Mark Twain,?pseudonym?of?Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), American writer and humorist, whose best work is characterized by broad, often irreverent humor or biting social satire. Twain’s writing is also known for realism of place and language, memorable characters, and condemnation of hypocrisy and oppression. Did You Know Mark Twain, the pseudonym used by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, first appeared on February 3, 1863, in a piece he contributed to the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. Prior to adopting Mark Twain as his pen name, Clemens wrote under the pen name Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass for three humorous pieces he contributed to the Keokuk Post. On the Mississippi River, mark twain meant two fathoms deep.‘ Twain received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University in 1907.To pay off debts accumulated as a result of failed business ventures, Twain toured the world as a lecturer, publishing his experiences in Following the Equator (1897). About the river The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North AmericaFlowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for 2,320 miles (3,730?km)to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippis watershed drains all or parts of 31 U.S. states between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains and even reaches into southern Canada. The Mississippi ranks fourth longest and tenth largest among the worlds rivers. Dictionary Work without reserve —without holding anything back; openly and freely void of interest —without any interest