大学英语第一册

Part II. Background
2. The generation gap
The term is used to mean differences in ideas, life styles and attitudes between older and younger people, differences which result in a lack of understanding between them and frequently lead to confrontations.
Part III. New Words
3.current: (a.)
(1)of the present time --The woman in blue over there is the current chairperson of our department. --What is the current exchange rate for US dollars? (2)generally accepted or in fashion --The current belief is that human beings evolved from monkeys. --In writing, do not use words that are no longer current. (n.) (1)stream of flowing water, air, gas, etc --The cold currents of air from Siberia influence the climate of China.
大学英语第一册
Unit Four
Part I.background
1. US television---yesterday and today:
A demonstration of was held at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, and during the 1940s networks were established and television sets began to be sold. But, for a while, radio still had complete control of the entertainment industry. It was in the 1950s that television started to take the place of radio in the United States, and in the early 1960s over 750 TV stations were telecasting to about 52 million sets with the result that the American TV audience included almost every family. Today there are a thousand stations all over the country, and in many places there is a choice of 5 or 6 channels, not counting in the cable programs one can buy. The Big Three
Part II. Questions
6.What would happen if the family could spend the quiet hour reading books? 7.What does the author suggest as an alternative to silent reading? 8.What good effects, according to Mayer, might be produced on TV programs if his proposal were accepted? 9.How did Americans use to spend their spare time before TV came to control their lives? 10.What do you think of Mayer’s suggestion? Will it be accepted or not? Why or why not?
Part I. Background
of the networks---the National Broadcasting Company (NBC)---the Columbia (ABC)---introduce a large number of new shows, which are relayed throughout the United States and are often sold abroad. What is generally known as “cable TV” is actually a system of “community antenna television(CATV)”. Cablevision, transmitted via direct cables connected to each television set, offers viewers a large choice of programs, as well as excellent reception.
Part III. New Words
1.worthwhile: worthy of the time, efforts, etc -- The pleasure from success made worthwhile all our hard work over the past years. -- Can you recommend some worthwhile books for me to read? 2.program(n.): (1)list of items for TV or radio broadcast, concerts, operas, and other events --What’s the next item on the theater program?
Part II. Background
The immediate result that arises from the high divorce rate is an increasing number of single parent homes, I.e., homes where children are being raised by only one parent. The breakup of family affects the children most. They fear being deserted or left alone. Many children suffer from a feeling of guilt when their parents divorce. They think that perhaps some of their actions have caused the parents’ separation. Sometimes the children become angry at both parents for changing their lives. Sometimes they may direct their anger at the parent who has left or at the one who stays.
Part II. Questions
1.Some worthwhile programs are mentioned in the Editor’s note. What are they? Can you cite some of them? 2.What does Mayer suggest in his article? 3.During that quiet hour, what might the family do without the distraction of TV? 4.What would be the immediate result if the family members could use that quiet hour to discuss their problems? 5.What other activities could families pursue besides such conversations?
Part III. New Words
--Most newspapers carry TV programs for the day? (2)plan or strategy --According to the government report, the reemployment program is going on well. (3)set of instructions that a computer follows in order to perform a particular task --Bill gates built his company by designing software programs. (V.)Give (a computer) a set of instructions to make it able to perform a particular task --The robot is programmed to do dangerous jobs in place of men.
Part I. Background
3. High divorce rate in the US
Divorce is major problem in the US. At present, it is estimated, about one quarter to one third of all American marriages end in divorce. There is a great difference of opinion as to the causes of this high rate of divorce. But studies indicate that there are more cases of divorce among persons with low incomes and inadequate education and among those who marry at a very young age. Apart from legally divorced cases there are many separated couples.
Part II. Background
The “generation gap” is one of the most widely discussed and controversial problems of recent years. Some doubt whether such a “gap” exists. They don’t believe the younger generation by a wide gap. Many others, on the other hand, insist a gap between parents and children is unavoidable and the generation today, if anything, is worse than it has ever been before. The reason they give is that the tremendous explosion of knowledge in the twentieth century has made life for young people today so very different from life as it was when their parents were young.