Unit 1 The Power of Language

Text A Critical Reading

Exercises

I. Checking Your Comprehension

1.Reading non-fiction writing critically involves_______. A.supporting the author’s opinion B.developing your own opinions C.understanding what is written D.reading without any imagination

2.Before accepting what is written in an article,you should be sure that______. A.enough support for the assertions has been given B.your values and attitudes have been reflected in it C.it has been checked form an authoritative source D.you have found the differences in the writing styles

3.If there are some inconsistent points in the artic1e,you should______. A.insist on your own opinion an confirm it B.avoid mentioning the inconsistencies C.emphasize the work of authorities

D.examine the author’s supportive statements

4.Einstein is a relevant source when the article is about______. A.physical breakthroughs B.the subject of poetry C.studies in current physics D.credible writing sources

5.The author believes that by being a critical reader you can______. A.remember what is written clearly B.eliminate your own discrimination C.have much more knowledge D.spend more time in reading II.Bui1ding Your Vocabulary Section A

Directions:Comp1ete each of the following sentences with the correct choice of the words given in the brackets.

1.These results are______with the findings of the previous study.(consistent,consistency)

2.We were not surprised by their______that the train services would be reduced.(state,statement) 3.The statistics______a change in people’s spending habits.(reflect,reflection) 4.I’m afraid your driving license is______in Eastern Europe.(valid,invalid)

5.Twenty-five dollars was______more than be had expected to pay.(considerable,considerably) 6.Direct______between the two languages is not possible.(compare,comparison)

Section B

Directions:Fill in the blanks with the words given below.Change the form where necessary. assumption critical represent credible landmark evaluate identify appropriate

1.In my opinion,there was no______evidence against him. 2.Evan the smallest baby can______its mother by her voice.

3.People tend to make______about you based on your appearance. 4.This new report______the current situation in our schools. 5.The performance of each employee is______once a year.

6.We need to ensure that the teaching they receive is______to their needs. Section C

Directions:Complete each of the following sentences with a suitable word. 1.That bit of the form is for UK citizens--it doesn’t apply______you. 2.Arguments were put______for changing some of the rules of the game. 3.When judging his performance,don’t take his age______account. 4.He’s universally recognized as an authority______Russian affairs. 5.Just compare the one that has been cleaned______the others. 6.Education should be relevant______the child’s needs. III.Bridging the Gap

Directions:Fill in the blanks with a word or a phrase that best completes the passage.You may choose a suitable one from the list given.

powerful define action tears express shape internally respond to personal good

Language is one of the things that sets us apart as beings,one of the things that essentially ______us as humans.When language is used well it can elicit very deep feeling in others,motivate others to _______and define the nature of our relationship.Sometimes in poetry the juxtaposition(并列)of two words or a certain phrase can bring______to the eyes,call up a whole host of imagery and move us deeply.We have seen language recently used in the politics of persuasion,used for______or ill--depending on your viewpoint.When we use language to_______our true feelings to someone it can open and deepen the connection between us.Language is a very______tool.How we use language shapes our world both______and externally.How you use self-talk--what you say to yourself about yourself an about the world directly______your experience of both yourself and the world.How you deliver communication shapes the way the world______you.We can use language more effectively in both spheres:internal and external and directly influence the health an power of our______relationships and our business relationships. IV.Translation Section A

Directions:Translate the following sentences into English,using the words or phrases in the brackets.

1.Urban planners in practice have to_______________________________________________(考虑到不同社会群体的利益).(take...into account)

2._________________________________________(把近期工作与先前的工作相比较)and you Will see how much you have improved.(compare...with...)

3.What the witness said in court___________________________________________(与他对警察的陈述不一致).（be consistent with）

4.What he said_________________________________________(与正在处理的事件无关).(be relevant to)

5.________________________________________(你的情况有任何改变，请告知我们)when you are away from home.(inform...of...) Section B

Directions:Translate the following paragraph into Chinese.

To become a flexible reader,you need to know how to select and use a reading style that is consistent with your purpose for reading.Knowing when and how to use different reading styles will make you a flexible reader.Study reading is the reading style used by flexible readers when their purpose is to read difficult material at a high level of comprehension.When using the study reading style,you should read at rate that is slower than your normal reading rate.Furthermore,as you read you must challenge yourself to understand the material.Study reading will often require you to read you to read material more than once to achieve a high level of comprehension.Sometimes,reading the material aloud will also help you improve your comprehension.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ V.Organizing Your Ideas

Directions:Put the following sentences in the proper order so that they make a complete paragraph.

1.For instance,the word”kick”can mean many different things depending on how it is used in a phrase.

2.Learning how phrases come together in English will come with continued submersion in the language.

3.On the other hand,you could say,”I get a kick out of that TV show.”

4.This means that you enjoy the TV show,and has nothing to do with striking something with a foot.

5.As you learn the language,focus not only on the words an their meanings,but also on the way the words come together to make phrases.

6.When you say,”He kicked the ball,”you are using the word as a verb that means to strike the ball with the foot.

VI.Reflecting on the Text

Some people argue that the purpose of reading is to seek information and gain knowledge by memorizing the statements within a text. It is not necessary to develop the ability to read critically,since this ability is assumed to be present only in scholars and to be learned in academic institutions.Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?Give reasons and examples to support yourself.