Unit 4 The Girl in the Fifth Row

Detailed Study of Paras1-3 (1) Why was the writer seized with panic at the beginning of his first lecture? Because he entered the classroom with a great deal of anxiety and his large class responded to his awkward smile and brief greeting with silence. No one seemed to be listening.

 (2) How did the girl in the fifth row help the writer regain his confidence and enthusiasm?  The girl remained poised and attentive. Her animated expression and warm smile encouraged the writer to go on. When he said something, she would nod, or say, "Oh, yes!" and write it down. She emanated the comforting feeling that she cared about what he was trying so haltingly to say. He began to speak directly to her, and she responded actively. As a result, his confidence and enthusiasm returned, and the other students had begun listening and taking notes.

Detailed Study of Paras 4-12  (1)Why did Liani jump to her death?  From the context we can infer that the girl had not felt that she had been loved, though in fact she had been loved, and that she felt terribly lonely, disappointed, and weary of life.

Detailed Study of Paras  (1)What necessary information is supplied about the Love Class?  It was a non-credit course. The teaching methods were quite special: the teacher and students shared their reading, their ideas, and their experiences. Few students missed even one session of the love course. The sessions were scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and end at 10, yet they often continued well past midnight.

 (2)Which sentences tell us that the students were interested in the love course and that it became very popular at the university?  "Few missed even one session of Love Class. I had to crowd the students closer together as they brought mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, husbands, wives --- even grandparents. Scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and end at 10, the class often continued until well past midnight." These sentences clearly tell us that the love course was very attractive and popular.

Detailed Study of Paras  (1)In what ways were the love assignments beneficial?  They were beneficial not only to the people who received love actions but also to those who performed the love actions. Therefore, the love assignments were mutually beneficial, and in turn were a positive influence on society.

(1) Do you agree that love needs to be expressed physically?  Yes, I do. The importance of touching is beyond any shadow of doubt. As human beings, we all need care and love. This is especially true of people who are dear to each other, or of those who are close to or on very good terms with each other. Hugging is one of the ways that we express love. Husbands and wives often hug each other to show their love for each other. Children and parents often hug each other to demonstrate their affection. In China, colleagues and friends, employees and bosses, teachers and students, doctors and patients, masters and apprentices all shake hands when they see each other again after a period of time or when they say good-bye to each other. In Western countries, people often hug to show their good feelings or profound affection for each other. It is true that love needs to be expressed physically. On the other hand, we should be aware that the ways to express love physically vary from culture to culture.

Detailed Study of Paras  (1) Do you think it necessary and important to express clearly in words your love to those you love? Why?  Yes, I do. I do think that it is necessary and important to do so, and it will make the people you love feel very happy. If you know that you are loved, you naturally feel very pleased or very happy. Otherwise, you may feel disappointed. This is particularly true of lovers and dear ones.

 (2)Why is it important to know that you are special and that you yourself are great?  If you don't know that you are special and unique in this world, you may feel that you are inferior to others, and you may look down on yourself. Some people commit suicide because they are obsessed with a sense of inferiority. Only if we know that we are great and special, can we have a good sense of self worth and take care of ourselves. Only if we know that we are great and special, can we make great efforts to prove our own worth. And only if we love and care for ourselves, are we able to love and care for others.

Detailed Study of Para 39  (1)Why did the writer say that Liani presented him with the challenge and that he took it up?  Obviously, it was Liani's good qualities and her death that gave him the inspiration for his love class. And to offer this course successfully was a great challenge. He was encouraged to take it up and he succeeded in this course.

 (2)Why does the writer say his love for Liani has somewhat mysteriously reached her?  Probably, he believes that he has done his best to preach, spread and practice love in general and that he has reaped bumper harvests in this respect. And he believes that Liani would be satisfied if she were alive.