1. Unit Three Out of Step

2. Contents A. Text one I. Pre-readingI. Pre-reading: (I). Warm-up questions (II). Background information II. While-reading: Text Analysis (I) Structure analysis (II) Comprehension questions (III) Language points (IV) Difficult sentences III. Post-Reading: (I) Grammatical items (II) Translation Exercises (III) Oral activities (IV) Writing practice B. Text two （ I ） Questions for text comprehension （ II ） Language points （ II ） Language points Text Ⅰ Out of Step

3. I. Pre-readingI. Pre-reading: (I). warm-up questions (I). warm-up questions I. Pre-reading(I). warm-up questions 1. It is said that the United States is a nation on a wheel. Could you introduce the pertinent information, such as the number of vehicles, the use of vehicles, the driving license and so on? 2. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of using the car?

4. This is an exposition that presents the absurdity of the Americans’ dependence on cars. The Americans, being so accustomed to using cars, have almost forgotten the existence of their legs. Wherever they go, they go in their cars. As a result, pedestrian facilities are neglected in city planning or rejected by the inhabitants. II. While-reading: Text Analysis (I) Structure analysis

5. Text Structure First part: Para 1-6 The author introduces his idea with an anecdote. Second part: Para 7-12 The author presents the fact that the Americans are habituated to using cars for everything. Third part: Para 13-20 The author explains the pedestrian facilities are neglected or discarded.

6. Text Analysis Introduction: Para.1-6 Comprehension 1. What kind of town is it? 2. What is considered the author’s “eccentric behavior”? 3. Why would drivers “depart reluctantly, even guiltily” when their offer was declined? 4. Paraphrase “It is, in short, an agreeable, easy place to go about one’s business on foot, and yet as far as I can ell, virtually no one does.” (P.2)

7. Language Points sedate: adj. calm, serious, and formal v. to make calm or sleepy, especially with a drug sedation; sedative curb: v. a line of raised stones separating the footpath from the road to control or limit sth. in order to prevent it from having a harmful effect

8. Part Two Para.7-12 Comprehension 1. What is the main idea of the part? 2. How does the author support this idea in this part? 3. Why are the examples described in detail? 4. Paraphrase “We will go through the most extraordinary contortions to save ourselves from walking.” (P.8)

9. Language Points habituate contortion SELF-STUDY: distort; twist; deform; contort; warp

10. habituate : v. to accustom by frequent repetition or prolonged exposure You must habituate yourself to reading aloud. By the end of the school term, the students had been habituated /accustomed / used to rising at five o'clock.

11. contortion: n. movement of the body or face into an unusual shape or position The spectators cannot but admire the contortions of the gymnasts. contort :v. (to cause something) to twist out of its natural shape

12. Part Three Para.13-20 Comprehension 1.Why did the author say “Actually, I’m surprised it was that much”? 2.Why did Laconia change its downtown pedestrian mall to one with parking lots? 3.Paraphrase “… I was possibly the only person ever to have entertained the notion of negotiating that intersection on foot.” (P.17)

13. Language Points 1.bring sth. home to sb.---come home to sb.: to make you realize how serious, difficult, or dangerous sth. is drive/hit/hammer sth. home to sb.: to make sure that sb. Understands what you mean by saying it in an extremely direct and determined way 2.negotiate: succeed in getting past or over a difficult place 3.coo: to make soft quiet sounds, or to speak in a soft quiet way 4.anew: adv. (formal) start/begin anew: to begin a different job, start to live in a different place especially after a difficult period in your life

14. Rhetorical Feature 1. Self-debasement She looked at me as if I were tragically simple-minded. (P.12) Find more examples in the text. 2. Ridiculous contradiction in a particular act I’m sure he jogs extravagant distances and plays squash and does all kinds of healthful things,but I am just as sure that he drives to each of these undertakings. (P.9) Find more examples in the text.

15. III. Post-Reading: After-class Discussion Do you prefer cars or public means of transport if you are an urban dweller? Do you think the city you live in should promote private cars or public means of transport? Have a debate with your classmates.

16. 1. 约瑟夫 (Joseph) 在婚礼上的古怪 行为惹恼了新娘和她的家人。 The bride and her family were exasperated by/at Joseph’s eccentric behavior at the wedding ceremony. 2. 司机顺利开过了道路的急转弯处，在公园前 停下来。 The driver negotiated a sharp turn of the road and pulled up in front of the park.

17. 3. 玛格丽特 (Margaret) 借口不习惯抛头露脸 拒绝了参加记者招待会的邀请。 Margaret declined the invitation to a news conference with the excuse that she was not habituated to public life/the limelight. 4. 这次讲座使大家认识到合理安排学习、休闲娱乐时 间的重要性。 The lecture brought home to us the importance of budgeting our time for study and recreation.

18. 5. 清晨海港边停满了准备扬帆远航的渔港。 Early in the morning, the port is teeming with fishing boats that are ready to unfurl the sails and get under way. 6. 看到逃犯举枪向他瞄准，侦探闪身躲到树后。 The detective dodged behind the tree the moment the escaper raised and aimed a pistol at him.

19. 7. 奢华铺张的生活销蚀了他的进取心，使他 一事无成。 His extravagant way of living ate away his enterprise and got him nowhere.