Unit 5 Section A Choose to Be Alone on Purpose

Unit Five Section A Choose to Be Alone on Purpose

Warm-up questions:

When do you usually prefer to be alone?

What are the good and bad points of being alone and staying with others?

Ⅰ. New words:

solitary

a. alone; lonely; without companions

独自的，孤独的

a solitary traveler

一位孤独的旅行者

A solitary tree remained standing after the hurricane.

飓风过后，惟有一棵树孤独地挺立在那儿。

deer

n. [C]a large, grass-eating animal, the male of which has antlers 鹿

a herd of deer 一群鹿

Deer are found throughout the world, except in Africa and Australia.

除了非洲和澳洲，世界各地都有鹿。

wolf

n. [C]a wild animal of the dog family 狼

Wolves kill sheep and sometimes even attack men.

狼群捕杀羊，有时甚至还会攻击人。

Wolves hunt in packs.

狼是成群猎食的。

tame

v. 1）make sb. or sth. easy to control制服，控制并利用

tame a river治理河流

Atomic energy has been tamed and harnessed for useful work.

原子能已被控制并得到实际应用。

2）train an animal or bird not to be afraid of humans and to be obedient驯化，驯服

tame a tiger驯虎

He tamed the wild horse. 他驯服了那匹野马。

a. (esp. of animals) not wild or fierce, either naturally or because of training or long involvement with humans (尤指动物）温顺的，驯化的

The birds in the park are quite tame and will take food from your hand.

公园的鸟很温顺，它们会吃你亲手喂给它们的食物。

pond

n. [C]an area of water smaller than a lake, often artificially made 池塘

a fish pond鱼塘

She has a duck pond at the bottom of her garden.

她在花园深处有个养鸭塘。

inspiration

n. [U, C] (a person or thing that causes) a feeling of wanting and being able to do sth. good, create a work of art, etc. 灵感，鼓舞人心的人或事物

His hard work is a constant inspiration to us all.

他刻苦工作的态度不断地激励着我们每个人。

solitude

n. [U] the situation of being alone without other people 独居，独处

People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude.

人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。

sunlight

n. [U] the light that comes from the sun阳光，日光

The early morning sunlight shone through the curtains.

清晨的阳光透过窗帘照了进来。

benign

a. (fml.) kind and gentle善良的，慈祥的

She is beautiful and benign and the embodiment of all the finest qualities of a loyal and loving wife. 她非常漂亮温柔，体现了一位忠贞可爱的妻子的全部美德。

dictate

v. speak (sth.) aloud for another person or for a machine to record the words said, so that they may be written down 听写，口授

She spent the morning dictating letters to her secretary.

她花了一上午向她的秘书口述信件。

priest

n. 1）[C]a person who has a leadership position in a certain field

（某一领域中）占有领导地位的人，领导者

a high priest of science科学泰斗

a priest of art艺术宗师

2）[C]a person, usu. a man, who has been trained to perform religious duties in the Christian church, esp. the Roman Catholic church, or a person with particular duties in some other religions神甫，牧师，（教教会以外的）神职人员

a Catholic priest 天主教牧师

hut

n. [C]a small, simple building 小屋

a grass hut 茅舍

The workmen put up a hut where they could have their food.

工人们搭了一间小屋，可以在里面吃饭。

laundry

n. 1). [U] the clothes and sheets which need to be or have been washed

要洗的或刚洗好的衣物

When shall we do the laundry? 我们什么时候洗衣服？

2). [C] a business which washes clothes, sheets, etc. for customers 洗衣店

a self-service laundry 自助洗衣房

run a laundry 开洗衣店

ego

n. [C, U]one's idea or opinion of oneself, or a great feeling of one's own importance and ability 自我，自负，自尊心

I'm glad she got the job — she needed something to boost her ego.

我很高兴她得到了那份工作——她需要那份工作来增强她的自尊心。

humble

a. 1） having a low opinion of oneself; not proud 谦逊的，谦虚的

Many famous people are surprisingly humble. 许多名人出人意料地谦虚。

2） not great or important 地位（或身份）低下的，不显要的

We live in a humble little village. 我们住在一个普通的小村庄里。

absent

a. not being somewhere or not existing 缺席的，不在的

He has been absent from school for three days now.

他已经三天没来上课了。

apology

n. [C]a word or statement to say one is sorry for having done sth. wrong or for upsetting sb. 道歉，认错

I made no apology for what I said — it was a fair comment.

我不打算为自己说的话道歉——我的评论是公正的。

soak

v. become thoroughly wet as a result of being placed in liquid or absorbing liquid; make sth. thoroughly wet in this way 浸泡，（使）湿透

soak bread in milk 把面包浸在牛奶中

waterproof

a. not allowing water to go through 防水的，不透水的

waterproof material 防水材料

slippery

a. 1） difficult to hold or to stand on, drive on, etc. 滑的

The roads are slippery after rain. 雨后道路很滑。

2） (infml.) not to be trusted, shifty不可靠的, 狡猾的

Don't lend any money to that slippery person. 不要借钱给那个狡猾的家伙。

choke

v. 1） (make sb.) become unable to speak 说不出话来

The surprise farewell party left them all choked up.

这一意外的告别聚会令他们激动得说不出话来。

2）stop or partly stop breathing 窒息

The smoke almost choked the fireman. 消防队员几乎被烟熏得透不过气来。

parcel

n. [C]an object or collection of objects wrapped in paper, esp. so that it / they can be sent by post 包裹

Because it was her birthday she got several parcels and lots of cards.

因为过生日，她收到几个包裹和好多贺卡。

supreme

a. 1） highest in rank or position （地位、权力等）最高的，至上的

a supreme ruler 最高统治者

2）highest in degree （程度上）最大的，极度的

Soldiers who die for their country are said to have made the supreme sacrifice.

为国捐躯的将士被认为是做出了最大的牺牲。

justice

n. 1） [C] a judge in a law court 法官

The justice found him guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison.

法官判他有罪,入狱5年。

2） [U] fairness between people 公正，正义

All men should be treated with justice.

所有的人都应受到公正对待。

3） [U] the putting of the law into action 司法，审判

Never expect that you can escape from justice. 不要以为你能逍遥法外。

steak

n. [C, U]meat, esp. from cattle, usu. sold as a thick slice, which can be cooked quite quickly 牛排

How would you like your steak？ 你的牛排要几分熟？

skate

n. [C]a boot with a thick metal blade on the bottom that is used for skating 滑冰鞋

an ice skate 冰鞋

a roller skate 旱冰鞋

v. move, dance, etc. on skates 溜冰，滑冰

The ice on the river is thick enough to skate on.

河上的冰有足够的厚度可以（让人）在上面滑。

skater

n. [C]a person who skates溜冰者，滑冰者

He is a very skilled ice skater. 他是溜冰好手。

seal

v. 1） close an entrance or a container with sth. that stops air, water, etc. from coming in or going out 密闭，闭紧，钉住

2.） close an envelope, pack, etc. by using sth. sticky to hold its edges in place 封，密封

He sealed the envelope and put a stamp on it. 他封上信封，然后贴上邮票。

ⅡPhrases:

on purpose

purposely 故意，特意

If you joke with him, he'll think you're insulting him on purpose.

如果你和他开玩笑，他会认为你在故意羞辱他。

on the other hand

used to show the other side of an argument 另一方面，而

He is clever, but on the other hand, he makes many mistakes.

他很聪明，可另一方面，他犯了很多错。

cast out

make sb. leave a place, or refuse to accept sb. as part of a group 赶出，驱逐

He was cast out of the best society. 他为上流社会所摈弃。

speak highly of

express a good opinion of (sb. or sth.) 对……给予高度评价，赞扬

They spoke highly of his behavior. 他们对他的行为赞颂备至。

seek out

find (sth. or sb.) by looking hard 找出，搜寻出

The magazine is seeking out readers' opinions.

这本杂志正在征求读者的意见。

set forth

start a journey 启程，动身

Columbus set forth with three small ships. 哥伦布率领三只小船出发了。

stretch out

lengthen (sth.) by pulling; (cause to) reach forward, as with the hands

拉长，伸长，伸出

The process often stretches out to years, even decades.

这一过程常要延续好几年，甚至几十年。

He stretched out on the grass. 他手脚伸开着躺在草地上。

stay up late

remain late out of bed, as at night 熬夜

You've got class tomorrow. I don't want you staying up late.

你明天有课，我不想让你熬夜。

rise and fall

increase and decrease in a kind of pattern 涨落，盛衰

Toby has spent his life comparing the way cililiza- tions rise and fall.

托比一生都在比较各种文明是怎样兴盛衰亡的。

back up

1）increase and decrease in a kind of pattern（使）积压，（使）拥塞

The port was backed up. 港口拥塞。

2）support, esp. in an argument 支持

The policeman wouldn't have believed me if you hadn't backed me up.

如果你当时不支持我，是不会相信我的。

at length

for a long time or in great detail 长久地，详尽地

He talked at length about his work and family. 他详细地谈了他的工作和家庭。

in line

in a row of people standing one behind the other while waiting for sth.

（排）成一行，（排）成一队

The children stood in line. 孩子们排成一队。

settle down

become quiet and calm or make sb. do this; start to feel happy and confident with a new situation 安静下来，安下心来，适应（或习惯于）新环境

He settled down to do his homework. 他安下心来做家庭作业。

for the time being

for a short period of time from now, but not permanently 暂时，眼下

He wanted to stop but decided to continue for the time being.

他原想停止，但又决定暂且继续干下去。

might as well do sth.

do sth. because it seems best in the circumstances, though often reluctantly

最好做某事，不妨做某事

Since you can't win the race, you might as well quit.

既然你赢不了这场赛跑，倒不如退出比赛。

Ⅲ. Language Points

1. …all 22 million of us by recent count, alone in our rooms,… (Para. 1)

by count: by calculating the number of units in a group

By our count that's the fifth cake you've eaten.

我们数了一下，这是你吃的第五块蛋糕。

Compare:

at the last count

The number of students was 665 at the last count.

最后一次点数时，学生的人数为665人。

2. Some of us divorced, some widowed, some never yet committed. (Para. 1)

Meaning: Some of us live alone after divorcing marriage partners, some of us live in solitude because the marriage partners passed away, some solitary conditions result from the fact that some of us have not yet married.

3.The solitary hunter or explorer…(Para. 2)

solitary: a. (of a person or an animal) enjoying being alone, frequently spending time alone; alone, with no other people or things around

a solitary existence隐居生活

a poor and solitary life 孤苦伶仃的生活

The solitary boat looked tiny in the sea. 孤舟在大海上显得很渺小。

4. ... needs no one as they venture out among the deer and wolves to tame the great wild areas. (Para. 2)

venture out: risk going somewhere that might be dangerous or unpleasant

I'd rather not venture out in pouring rain if I don't have to!

如果不是非出去不可，我可不愿冒着倾盆大雨出去。

5. Thoreau, alone in his cabin on the pond, his back deliberately turned to the town.Now, that's character for you. (Para. 2)

Meaning: Thoreau stayed alone in his cabin on the pond, with the intention of rejecting the life among others in the town. Now this has become the lifestyle of ordinary people.

6. Thoreau, alone in his cabin on the pond,…(Para. 2)

pond: n. an area of water smaller than a lake, often artificially made

The ice was thick on the pond. 池塘里的冰结得很厚。

7. Inspiration in solitude is a major commodity for poets and philosophers. They're all for it. (Para. 3)

Meaning: Inspiration in solitude is the most useful thing for poets and philosophers. They are all in favor of it.

8. They're all for it. (Para. 3)

be for: support; favour

I'm for the chairman's plan. 我赞成的计划。

9. They all speak highly of themselves for seeking it out,… (Para. 3)

speak highly of: express or have a high opinion of

She speaks highly of the new teacher. 她对这位新教师评价很高。

Compare:

speak ill /well of: express a bad /good opinion of

Don't speak ill of the dead. 别说死者的坏话。

10.They all speak highly of themselves for seeking it out,… (Para. 3)

seek out: find (sth. or sb.) by looking hard

How can we seek out a really good person for the job? 我们如何才能寻找到真正适合这项工作的人？

11. No doubt about it, solitude is improved by being voluntary. (Para. 5)

Meaning: Undoubtedly, one can even find pleasure in living alone if he or she chooses to stay alone of his or her own free will.

12. …before they silently creep away, so he can create poetry. (Para. 6)

creep away: leave rather slowly and quietly, or carefully in order to avoid being noticed

They crept away in order not to wake the baby.

为了不弄醒婴儿，他们蹑手蹑脚地走开了。

13. …before they silently creep away, so he can create poetry. (Para. 6)

poetry: n. poems in general as a form of literature

The actor will be reading from contemporary poetry and prose.

这演员将朗诵当代诗歌和散文的选段。

Compare:

poem: n. a piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their sound and the images and ideas they suggest, not just their obvious meaning, and the words are arranged in separate lines, often ending in rhyme

The poet will recite some of her recent poems. 这位诗人要背诵她最近写的几首诗。

14. …he calls the girls to come back and write it down while he dictates. (Para. 6)

write down: record (sth.) in writing

Make sure that you write down every word the speaker says.

你一定要保证把演讲者讲的每个字都记下来。

15. … these artistic types… (Para. 7)

Meaning: … these artistic people…

The word \"type\" refers to a person of a stated kind.

16. Thoreau had his own self-importance for company. (Para. 10)

Meaning: The reason for Thoreau's holy life was the thought that he was more important than other people, which accompanied him and helped expel the disturbance from the world outside.

17.If you live with other people, their temporary absence can be refreshing. (Para. 11)

Meaning: If other people keep you company in daily life, their short period of leaving can be pleasantly new.

18.…ice cream at one sitting,…(Para. 11)

at one sitting: a period of time that a person spends sitting and doing an activity

I read the book at one sitting. 我坐着一口气把书读完了。

19. …moving at your own pace. (Para. 11)

at one's own pace: at the speed at which sb. does sth. as fast as or as slow as he can

He prefers to work at his own pace. 他更喜欢按照自己的节奏工作。

20. The condition of loneliness rises and falls, but the need to talk goes on forever. (Para. 12)

Meaning: A person's feeling of loneliness keeps changing, now strengthens, now weakens, but he always has the need of talking to others.

21.It's the daily succession of small complaints and observations and opinions that backs up and chokes us. (Para. 12)

Meaning: It's the daily series of our complaints and observations and views on various issues that stuffs us and makes us feel uneasy, filling us with the desire to talk to others.

22. It may not be where we expected to be, but for the time being we might as well call it home. (Para. 16)

Meaning: We may not be content with the condition we are now in, but at present there is no harm in calling the place where we live home.

IV. Text Structural Analysis

Part I (Para1): Living alone is a common social phenomenon.

Part II (Para2): What people think of living alone.

Part III (Paras3-10): The story of 3 famous literary giants who choose to be alone and tell us what can draw from the people who choose to be alone.

PartⅣ{paras.11-16}: The author’s comments on living alone.