《基础英语》课件 Spring Sowing.pptVIP

Unit Two Spring Sowing About the Author Liam O’Flaherty (1896-1984) was born in Ireland. He wrote in English and Irish. His main works included the novels The Neighbour’s Wife, The Black Soul, and The Informer which was made into a film of the same name. He also published some short story collections. The present text is taken from The Treasury of English Stories edited by Nancy Sullivan and published in New York in 1985. Structure of the Text Part I (Paras 1-3) It introduces the background of the story and the two main characters of the story. Part II (Paras 4-8) After breakfast, the young couple made the preparation for their spring sowing. Part III (Paras 9-30) The young couple worked hard and were full of passion to create their common future on the first day of spring sowing. Part IV (Paras 31-35) They finished the work of the first day of the spring sowing successfully and yearned for the future. Detailed Discussion of the Text Para 1 1. the live coals 1) Language points: live / laiv /: still burning or glowing; not extinct Also: a live spark; a live volcano Outside, cocks were crowing and a white streak was rising from the ground, as it were, and beginning to scatter the darkness.  (1) streak: A streak is a long thin mark, line or band of a different substance or color. Here in the text, this word refers to the ray of early sunlight which was white against the dark sky. (2) as it were: seemingly; in a way; so to speak. E.g. He closed his eyes, trying to relive that happy moment, as it were. Para 2 ... and it was hateful leaving a warm bed at such an early hour. hateful: detestable; disgusting; unpleasant Martin, with his brown hair and eyes, his freckled face and his little fair moustache... (1) fair: light in color; blond (2) freckled: a. covered with small light-brown spots on the human skin有雀斑的；有斑点的 Analysis: The mans fair moustache and freckled face suggest that he is still quite young. ... and his wife looked hardly more than a girl, ... her black h