Define American Heroes Superman and Reeve Define American Heroes

Objectives Have some knowledge about American heroes. Discuss what will make a hero. 3. Enlarge vocabulary and master certain language points. 4. Study reading skills — Recognizing Organizational Patterns (3) — Comparison-contrast Pattern.

Which American hero impresses you most?

American heroes and heroism

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Structure Analysis Part I (Para. 1-4) Reeve is the role model of American people. Part II (Para.5-23) Why Reeve is the hero in the eyes of American. Part III (Para.24-end) Conclusion

1. What does Superman played by Christopher Reeve serve as? Christopher Reeve serves as a symbol of strength, the force of good, with the ability to fly and soar over the problems of man. 2. What happened to Christopher Reeve during a riding show? Christopher Reeve fell from his horse during a riding show and landed on his head. The fall broke his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the neck

3. What was Reeve held up as in the face of enormous frustration? Why? In the face of enormous frustration, Reeve was held up as an example of courage. Because although he was not able to move from the waist down, Reeve continued to travel, do public appearances, and serve as a voice for the paralyzed in the United States. 4. What is the stereotype of American heroes? American heroes are usually rugged individuals — plain folks from humble, often rural beginnings who react gracefully to the hands they are dealt or achieve the impossible against the odds.

5. What factors helped Reeve breathe life into the comic book hero Superman? His looks, his fitness and physique and charming humility breathed life into the comic book hero. 6.What is the American citizen-soldier notion that Batmans and Spider-Mans adhere to? The American citizen-soldier notion is that reluctant superheroes are pressed into service by the murder of parents or the happenstance bite of a radioactive insect. They’re self-doubting and intense — but ultimately they prevail.

7. Can you cite some examples of similar heroes in American real life? Abe Lincoln emerged from the Kentucky woods, determined to become a statesman. A frail, deaf kid named Thomas Edison willed himself into being a genius inventor. 8. What captured people’s imaginations and inspired people all over the world about Reeve? It wasn’t just Reeve’s fighting back that captured imaginations, though. It was his unyielding, deeply stubborn attitude that the body could heal with the right therapy and treatment, and that things deemed medically impossible could be achieved through force of will.

10.Who is a hero according to Peter H. Gibbon? 9. What’s people’s response to Reeve’s idea that things deemed medically impossible could be achieved through force of will? Not everyone appreciated the approach — some said it raised patients’ expectations cruelly — but the heroic flavor of his quest resonated. 10.Who is a hero according to Peter H. Gibbon? According to Peter H. Gibbon, a hero is someone who hangs on for one minute more.

Words and Expressions

ground vt. place on or cause to touch the solid surface of the earth Examples The boxer was grounded by his opponent. 那个拳击手被对手打倒在地。 Reeve was grounded tragically, and battled to stand up again. 里弗被悲惨地摔落在地，挣扎着再一次站起来。 to the ground 彻底的 ground someone in something 给某人在某方面打下良好基础 common ground 共同基础，一致之处

personify vt. be a typical example of a particular quality Examples These children personify all that is good with the education system. 这些儿童充分体现了教育体制的优点。 伯莎将被当作善良的化身铭记在人们心中。 Bertha will be remembered as kindness personified. Further Study personal : 私人的 personality ：人格 personnel ：全体人员

rugged adj. determined to succeed in a difficult situation Examples Rugged individualism forged America’s frontier. 坚忍不拔的个人独立精神造就了美国的边疆。 他们喜欢把自己想象成顽强的个人主义者。 They like to think themselves to be rugged individualists.

humble adj. ①from a low social class Examples He has risen from humble origins to amass immense wealth. 他出身卑微，后来积聚了大量财富。 参议员出身卑微，在衣阿华州一个农场里长大。 The senator rose from humble beginnings on an Iowa farm.

humble adj. ②having or showing low self-esteem Examples Be humble enough to learn from your mistake. 要虚心地从自己的错误中学习。 泰勒的学生们称他是一位谦恭的人。 Taylor’s students describe him as a humble and modest man. Collocation a humble apology 低声下气的道歉 Anson was forced to eat humble pie and publicly apologize to her. Eat humble pie 赔礼道歉

odds n. ①difficulties and conditions that make success unlikely ②chances of something happening Examples Left alone, they were fighting against overwhelming odds. 他们孤军作战，正与巨大的困难作斗争。 The odds of getting hit by a falling satellite are very small. 被坠落的卫星砸中的可能性是极小的。 Collocations by all odds 毫无疑问地 take odds 占优势

状况糟糕的家庭，似乎不可能维持下去，却仍然住在一起。 1. What are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door? 就在门外找到一个停车位的可能性有多大？ 可能性 2.He reckons the odds are against the plan going ahead. 他认为该计划不太可能进行下去。 不大可能成功 3..families in terrible circumstances, who have stayed together against all odds. 状况糟糕的家庭，似乎不可能维持下去，却仍然住在一起。 貌似不可能 (却发生或成功) 不大可能成功 4. The troops will only engage in a ground battle when all the odds are in their favour. 该部队只会在完全可能取胜的情况下进行一场地面战斗。  (某人) 可能会成功 5. He was at odds with the boss. 他与老板不合。  (与某人) 不合

2010-12 Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage.

vulnerability n. [U] state of being easily wounded or harmed Examples Retired people are often the victims of marketing tricks because of their vulnerability. 退休老人由于自身的脆弱常常成为推销骗局的受害者。 财政上的/政治上的脆弱性 financial / political vulnerability Word Building vulnerable adj.

2011- 6 In a press release describing the report, Mr. Annan stressed the need for the negotiations to focus on increasing the flow of money from rich to poor regions to help reduce their vulnerability to climate hazards while still curbing the emissions of the heat-trapping gases. More than 90% of the human and economic losses from climate change are occurring in poor countries, according to the report.

adhere vi. tick to something Examples This sticky compound adheres well on this surface. 这种黏性的化合物能牢牢地粘在这个表面上。 It’s the sort of surface that paint doesn’t adhere to very well. 这种表面油漆不大容易附着。 Collocations adhere to: 拥护，支持，坚信（想法、计划或意见等） adhere to the guidelines 坚持这些指导方针

1. 她的身体不是很好，但是她还是坚持为我们上课 Her health is not very good, but she still adhere to our school. 2. 我们坚持人人都应该被平等对待这一原则。 We adhere to the principle that everyone should be treated fairly. We have always advocated that parties involved should adhere to the principle of mutual respect and settle bilateral or multilateral trade disputes reasonably through  friendly discussions. 我们一贯主张，对于双边和多边经济贸易关系中出现的摩擦和争端，有关方面应当本着相互尊重的原则，通过友好协商谋求合理解决

frail adj. ① physically weak and not very healthy ② not strong and therefore likely to be damaged or broken Examples He is frail, but still manages to walk with a stick. 他身体虚弱，但仍然尽力拄着拐杖行走。 Love is frail at birth, but it grows stronger with age if it is properly fed. 爱在起始阶段是脆弱的，但如果悉心呵护，它会随着时间的推移而牢固起来。 Translation 人性脆弱。 Human nature is frail.

portray vt. ① show or describe someone or something in a particular way ②act a particular role in a film or play Examples Opponents portray the President as weak and ineffectual. 对手们把总统描绘成软弱无能的人。 肖恩•康纳利将饰演他的父亲。 His father will be portrayed by Sean Connery. Translation 他在戏里扮演拿破仑。 He portrayed Napoleon in the play.

unyielding adj. ①strict and not willing to change or accept change2) ②very hard or firm Examples severe unyielding parents 严厉固执的父母 The ground was unyielding beneath their feet. 他们脚下的地面很硬。 Antonym yielding： 柔软的，易弯曲的；服从的，依从的

stubborn adj. ① very difficult to change or defeat② not willing to change their ideas or consider anyone else’s reasons or arguments Examples The proposed law is meeting stubborn opposition. 所提议的法律遭遇到了强烈的反对。 她可以倔得像头骡子。 She can be as stubborn as a mule. Collocations stubborn pride 死要面子 a stubborn resistance to change 顽固抵制变革

heal v. ① make or become sound or healthy again ②make somebody feel happy again Examples This will help to heal your cuts and scratches. 这个会有助于治好割伤和擦伤。 They believe that they have healed themselves using the “power of mind.” 他们相信他们已经通过“心灵的力量”治愈了自己。

flavor n. [U] characteristic quality [C] particular taste food or drink has Examples The foreign visitors added an international flavor to the occasion. 外宾们给这次活动增添了国际特色。 鲜姜使这道菜具有东方风味。 Fresh ginger gives an eastern flavor to the dish. Collocations a distinctive / delicate / subtle flavor 独特的/清淡的/少许的味道

quest n. [C] long difficult search vi quest n. [C] long difficult search vi. go about in search of something，esp. of dogs seeking game Examples Industries are still engaged in a quest for increased productivity. 工业部门仍然在致力于提高劳动效率。 His questing fingers found the light switch. 他用手指摸到了灯的开关。 Collocations quest for gold 淘金 to quest hidden treasure 寻找宝藏

depict vt. ① portray in words; describe ②represent in drawing or painting etc. Examples He was depicted as a hero who died for his beliefs. 他被描绘成为自己的信仰而牺牲的英雄。 这幅画描绘的是维纳斯的诞生。 The painting depicts the birth of Venus. Synonym describe portray sketch

renew vt. ①begin something again after a pause or an interruption ② make something valid for a further period of time Examples We have to renew our efforts to attract young players. 我们只好重新开始努力吸引年轻队员 我想续借这几本图书馆的书。 I’d like to renew these library books. Collocation 续签合同 renew a license / lease / contract

quote v. repeat or copy word from vt quote v. repeat or copy word from vt. give something as an example to support what you are saying Examples She claimed to be quoting from an official report. 她声称是援引自一份官方报告。 The figures quoted in this article refer only to Britain. 本文引用的数字仅指英国。 Word Building quotation n. quote out of context 断章取义

Reading skills

Recognizing Organizational Patterns (3) — Comparison-contrast Pattern Reading skills Recognizing Organizational Patterns (3) — Comparison-contrast Pattern This pattern relates two things, one to another, by showing either how they are alike or how they are different. Within one paragraph, an author may use comparison, contrast or a combination of both to relate one idea to another.

Recognizing Organizational Patterns (3) — Comparison-contrast Pattern Reading skills Recognizing Organizational Patterns (3) — Comparison-contrast Pattern The comparison-contrast pattern can be visualized in several ways. For material that considers both similarities and differences, the following map might be effective.

Reading skills Exercise Reading 1 Read the following paragraphs and decide which pattern is used in each to relate the main idea to the supporting details. Underline the correct pattern in the parentheses, then give reasons for your choice. Reading 1 Everyone knows how strongly this idea resonates, not just because most adults have experienced adolescent powerlessness themselves, but because it offers an awful reminder of Columbine, Colo., where two alienated teenage outcasts took revenge on their more popular classmates in a bloody high school rampage.

Reading skills Exercise Reading 1 Operating from the same impulse, Spider-Man takes the sense of powerlessness in its audience and displaces it onto the screen, providing catharsis. In effect, it is the sunny antidote to teenage alienation, the other side of Columbine…. (Unit 6 B) (comparison, contrast) Organizational pattern: comparison Reason: There is a word “same” which indicates the comparison.

Reading skills Exercise Read the following paragraphs and decide which pattern is used in each to relate the main idea to the supporting details. Underline the correct pattern in the parentheses, then give reasons for your choice. Reading 2 Unlike the father figure of his later years who left his hair uncut, helped little girls with their math homework and was a soft touch for almost any worthy cause, Einstein is found as a man whose unsettled private life contrasts sharply with his serene contemplation of the universe. He could be alternately warmhearted and cold;

Reading skills Exercise Reading 2 a loving father, yet aloof; an understanding, if difficult, mate, but also an extremely bad flirt. “Deeply and passionately concerned with the fate of every stranger,” wrote his friend and biographer Philipp Frank, he “immediately withdrew into his shell” when relations became intimate. (Unit 5 A) (comparison, contrast) Organizational pattern: contrast Reason: There are words “unlike” and “contrasts” which indicate the contrast.