英语二自学教程

Contents

Unit 1 The Power of Language (2)

Text A Critical Reading (2)

Text B The Language of Confidence (3)

Unit 2 Mistakes to Success (4)

Text A Split Milk (4)

Text B The Cake (5)

Unit 3 Friendship and Loyalty (6)

Text A Reflections: Friendship and Loyalty (6)

Text B A Tribute to the Dog (7)

Unit 4 The Joy of Work (8)

Text A Works Is a Blessing (8)

Text B How to Start Your Own Business (9)

Unit 5 Keep your Dreams Alive (10)

Text A Life Is Difficult (10)

Text B Begin Again (11)

Unit 6 The Value of Money (12)

Text A Teaching Children to Spend Pocket Money Wisely (13)

Text B The Importance of Money in Life (13)

Unit 7 Inner Voice (15)

Text A Your Inner Voice (15)

Text B Make a Good First Impression (16)

Unit 8 The Great Minds (17)

Text A Life without Limits (17)

Text B An Unwanted Baby, Steve Jobs (18)

Unit 9 Facing Life’s Challenges (20)

Text A: 300 Hurdles (20)

Text B A Violin with Three Strings (21)

Unit 10 Ode to Public Transportation (22)

Text A: The Importance of Public Transportation (22)

Text B: Personal Advantages of Taking Public Transportation (24)

Unit 11 Cyber World (25)

Text A Cyber Love (25)

Text B The Impact of the Internet on Society (27)

Unit 12 A Break from Life (28)

Text A Feeling Free (28)

Text B Self-esteem and Body Image (29)

Unit 1 The Power of Language

A Famous Quote

Language is the dress of thought.

------Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), British man of letters, one of the most outstanding figures of the 18th century in England. He made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicog rapher. Johnson has been described as “arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history.”

Text A Critical Reading

Pre-reading Questions

1. Do you usually challenge the idea an author represents? What do you think is active reading?

2. What suggestions do you expect the author will give on reading critically?

Critical reading applies to non-fiction writing in which the author puts forth a position or seeks to make a statement. Critical reading is active reading. It involves more than just understanding what an author is saying. Critical reading involves questioning and evaluating what the author is saying, and forming your own opinions about what the author is saying. Here are the things you should do to be a critical reader.

Consider the context of what is written. You may be reading something that was written by an author from a different cultural context than yours. Or, you may be reading something written sometime ago in a different time context than yours. In either case, you must recognize and take into account any differences between your values and attitudes and those represented by the author.

Question assertions made by the author. Don’t accept what is written at face value. Before accepting what is written, by certain that the author provides sufficient support for any assertions made. Look for facts, examples, and statistics that provide support. Also, look to see if the author has integrated the work of authorities.

Compare what is written with other written work on the subject. Look to see that what is written is consistent with that others have written about the subject. If there are inconsistencies, carefully evaluate the support the author provides for the inconsistencies.

Analyze assumptions made by the author.Assumptions are whatever the author must believe is true in order to make assertions. In many cases, the author’s assumptions are not directly stated. This means you must read carefully in order to identify any assumptions. Once you identify an assumption, you must decide whether or not the assumption is valid.

Evaluate the sources the author uses. In doing this, by certain that the sources are credible. For example, Einstein is a credible source if the author is writing about landmark achievements in physics. Also be certain that the sources are relevant. Einstein is not a relevant source when the subject is poetry. Finally, if the author is writing about a subject in its current state, be sure that the sources are current. For example, studies done by Einstein in the early 20th century may not be appropriate if the writer is discussing the current state of knowledge in physics.