Text comprehension

I.                    C

II.                 1. T; 2. F; 3. F; 4. T; 5. T.

III.                

1.       Para.2: whether they should have a second child.

2.       Para.2&3: feel lonely; be more spoiled.

3.       Para.4: A third of the population in Japan will be aged 65 or over by 2020.

4.       Para.5: because the cost of supporting a child up to the age of 18 is around US$160,000.

5.       Para.6: favoritism or sibling jealousy; less quality time and attention to children; decreased self-esteem and self-confidence.

6.       No. No simple answer. Circumstances vary from family to family.

 

IV.                

1.       As for the issue of single children, people are often concerned about whether an only child necessarily means a lonely child.

2.       Some single-child parents feel they are too busy with their work to spend time and energy on a second child. Consequently, they choose to have no more children.

3.       The conditions affecting each couple vary from family to family.

 

I . Vocabulary

I Phrase practice

1. demanding jobs= jobs needing a lot of attention or effort 费力的工作

 

2. with regard to = in connection with; on the subject of 关于，至于

 

3. stigma =sign of shame; feeling of being ashamed 耻辱，受到侮辱

 

4. give-and-take =willingness of each person to satisfy others’ wishes 妥协，互让

 

5. declined = decreased

 

6. sibling jealousy = the feeling of wanting to get what sb else has among brothers and sisters

 

II.

1.       arise from

2.       unique

3.       self-esteem

4.       stigma

5.       overwhelming

6.       interacted

7.       favoritism

8.       prime

9.       involved

10.   despite

 

III. Word / Phrase comparison

1.

with regard to: in connection with

for the purpose of: why you do sth. or why sth. exists

in view of: used to introduce the reason for a decision, action or situation 

in accordance with: according to a rule, system, etc.

2.

ensure: to make certain that sth. happens

entertain: to keep a group of people interested or enjoying themselves

enable: to make it possible for someone to do something, or for something to happen

enquire: if you enquire about something, you ask for information about it

3.

sibling n.: a brother or sister

 

4.

associate with (sb.): to spend time with someone, esp. someone that other people disapprove of

care about: if you care about something, you feel that it is important and are concerned about it

be concerned with: to be about a particular thing or person

touch: to have an effect on someone or something, especially by changing or influencing them

 

5.

at times: sometimes

in time: before the time by which it is necessary for something to be done

on time: at the correct time or the time that was arranged

sometime: at a time in the future or the past which is not known or not stated

6.

result in: to cause a particular situation to happen

result from: if a situation or problem results from a particular event or activity, it is caused by it 

 

7.

Capable of doing / be able to do /

 

8.

cite: if you cite something, you quote it or mention it, especially as an example or proof of what you are saying

site: a place where something is, was, or where something happened, is happening, or will happen 

sight: the physical ability to see

borrow: if you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission

9.

despite: without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by

in spite of: despite,regardless of; not being prevented by (sb./sth.) 

 

10.

equivalent: if one amount or value is the equivalent of another, they are the same

same: exactly like another or each other

related to: things that are related are connected in some way

different to: Things are unlike in nature or quality or form or degree.

 

IV.

1. 负担；装载

a. burden; b. burden; c. loads; d. load.

 

2．选举（人）；选择（物）

a. choose; b. elected; c. choose; d. elected.

 

3．（重大）议题；问题（毛病）

a. issue; b. problem; c. problem; d. issue.

 

4．潮流（倾向）；时尚（时髦）

a. trend; b. trend; c. fashion; d. fashion.

 

 

V. Synonym / Antonym

Give synonyms or antonym s of the word underlined in each sentence in the sense it is used.

1. A concern that is often heard with regard to single children is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child.

Synonyms: only, sole

 

2. Another common argument against having just one child is that an only child may be more spoiled than one with siblings.

Antonyms: uncommon, unusual, extraordinary, exceptional

 

3. Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships.

Synonyms: honor, admire, esteem

 

4. Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in many parts of the world.

Antonyms: decrease, diminish, lessen

 

5. This has led to government concerns about supporting an increasing population of elderly people in the future.

Synonyms: worries, anxiety

 

6. For some single-child parents, the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can seem too overwhelming.

Antonyms: insignificant, weak, feeble, powerless

 

7. For other parents, the financial burden of having a second child may be the prime consideration.

Synonyms: first, chief, main, primary, principal, foremost, leading

 

8. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child.

Antonyms: fortunately, luckily

 

VI. Word derivation

Fill in the blank in each sentence with an appropriate form of the given word in brackets.

1.       She is famous for her advocacy of human rights. (advocate)

2.       When the time for parting came, he shook hands with everyone respectfully. (respect)

3.       It is estimated that China has enormous potential for economic development in the coming year. (potentially)

4.       The job of a surveyor is to examine the condition of a building, or to measure and record the details of an area of land. (survey)

5.       The British Air Force succeeded despite overwhelming odds against them. (overwhelm)

6.       The association between the two companies dates back to the last century. (associate)

7.       There is no English equivalent for “bon appetite,” so we have adopted the French expression. (equivalence)

8.       I thought his remark was highly inappropriate, given the circumstances. (appropriate)

 

1.       advocate (v.) 提倡，主张，拥护

advocation (n.) 拥护，支持，辩护

   advocator (n.) 提倡者，拥护者

advocatory (a.) 拥护者的，有关拥护者的

advocacy (n.) 拥护，主张，辩护

 

2.respect (v.) 尊敬，尊重；遵守

respectable (a.) 人格高尚的，值得尊敬的

 respectful (a.) 恭敬的，礼貌的

 respective (a.)分别的，各自的

 

3.  potential (n.) 可能性，潜能

potent (adj.) 有效的，强有力的，有权势的

 

4.       survey（v.）监督，监视

surveillance (n.) 监督，监视

surveyor (n.) 测量员，检验员

 

5.       overwhelm (v.) 压倒，淹没，受打击

overwhelming (adj.) 压倒性的，势不可挡的

   overwhelmingly (adv.) 压倒性地，不可抵抗地

 

6.       associate（v.）结交，交往

association (n.) 协会，联盟，社团

associative (adj.) 联合的，联想的，组合的

associator (n.) 社员，伙伴，会员

 

7.       equal (adj.) 相等的，胜任的，平等的

equality (n.) 平等，相等

equation (n.) 等式，方程式

equivalent (adj.) 相等的，等价的，同意义的

   equivalence (n.) 等值，相等

 

8.       appropriate ( adj.) 适当的

appropriately (adv.) 适当地

inappropriate (adj.) 不适当的，不相称的

II. Grammar

1. Simple prepositions and complex preposition

1) The prepositions, such as in, of, at, and to, are all single words. We call them SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS.  

2) COMPLEX PREPOSITIONS consist of two- or three-word combinations acting as a single unit. Here are some examples: according to, but for, except for, in terms of, in point of, with regard to, in the case of, etc.

 

I．Replace the that-clause by a prepositional phrase.

1. convince sb of sth: of his innocence.

2. be sure about/of sth: about/of Simon’s disappearance?

3. be sorry about: about Lawler’s resignation.

4. assure sb of sth: of my willingness to….

5. persrade sb of sth: of their need for more troops.

6. inform sb of sth: of the change of the plans?

7. remind sb of sth: of your responsibility towards your friends.

8. tell sb of sth: of these problems.

 

II. Complete the following sentences with the appropriate complex prepositions listed below.

 

1. We would have arrived two hours ago __but for__ the traffic jam. (but not because of… / if not because of) 但是出了……/如果没有……

2. _Except for__ a few spelling mistakes, it is on the whole a good composition. 除了……

3. in the case of = in the circumstance of / with regard to 至于……情况

4. What with = because of 这怎么办/因为这

5. _In terms of___ money, they’re quite rich. (Concerning… / as to) 在……方面/从方面来说

6. In view of (Considering…) 考虑到……

7. by way of (as a way of) 作为一种方式

8. in point of fact (as a matter of fact / in fact) 在……上/方面

 

2. Conjunctions

Conjunctions are used to express a connection between words. There are two types of conjunctions. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (or simply COORDINATORS)并列（对等）连词 connect elements of equal相等的 syntactic status.

On the other hand, SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (or SUBORDINATORS)从属连词 connect elements of unequal不平等的 syntactic status.  

 

 

III.

1.         In spite of 让步（普通） the city’s many attractions,

2.         Despite 让步（正式） the clear scientific evidence, people…

3.         with all 让步（口语化） his immense fortune.

4.         For all 让步（口语化） your huge secretarial staff, it…

5.         because of 原因（强） the heavy rain.

6.         for 原因/目的（弱） money.

 

IV.

1．  Although… *make sb understood：使某人被理解

2．  Despite living in… / Despite the fact that *despite prep + n.介词带宾语: 即使是……

3．  … in spite of having all… *in spite of prep phrase + n.介词词组带宾语: 即使是……

4．  …except around Christmas, when… 除了在圣诞节期间

5．  But for the millions of dollars’ worth of aid from governments around the world, most people…. *but for prep. + n.介词词组带宾语: 要不是……

6．  The Prime Minister… because of growing…. *because of prep phrase + n.: 因为

7．  …because… *because conj + clause: 因为

8．  …even though… *conj + clause: 即使…… pull out: 退缩/撤出

 

V. In each sentence, insert an appropriate conjunction from the list below.

whenever        where             as          because        since              although           or else          wherever

 

 

 

 

1. The burglar took to走向 his profession ______ he wasn’t much good at anything else. because

2. Bill works _as___ foreman at Whiting’s Corporation. 作为

3. __Although____ the sun was shining, he went out wearing a coat.

4. It’s curious; _____ Dick says something silly, he laughs. Whenever无论何时/每次

5. Take your passport with you _______ you go. wherever无论哪里

6. It’s a long time ________ I last heard from Albert. since自从引导时间状语从句，主句一般用完成时。

7. Plant your fig-tree _________ there is plenty of sunshine. where在……地方

8. Take your medicine regularly __________ you won’t get well. or else/otherwise否则/不这样做的话/另外的方法做的话……

 

VI．what引导的主语从句的功能与作主语的名词短语相当/宾语从句。

*what is appropriate for on family = the circumstances appropriate for one family = the appropriate circumstances

*what is acceptable in one culture = the value acceptable in one culture = the acceptable value

 

 

III. Translation

I．

1．家里没有别的孩子和他交往， 这就使得孩子有时感到孤独，尤其在假期里。

2．许多人认为独生子女不善于与其他人沟通，也就不会尊重/看重在各种关系中相互谦让的精神。

3．对有些独生子女的家长——尤其是那些事业繁忙的家长——来说，要将时间和精力奉献给第二个孩子所带来的压力似乎太沉重了，于是他们作出再也不要其他孩子的选择。

4．因为只有一个孩子，所以由于父母偏爱或兄弟姐妹之间的妒忌而引起家庭争端的可能性就小了。

 

II．

1．    让她感到为难的是，要不要把丈夫得了不治之症的真相告诉他。(dilemma进退两难/为难)

The dilemma she is facing is whether to tell her husband the truth about his fatal disease.

 

2．啃老：depend on parents；羞耻: stigma/shame/ashamed。

Don’t you think it a sort of stigma that you, already in your thirties, still have to depend on your old parents?

 

3. 全世界几乎所有的政府都十分关注这个金融问题。(be concerned about关心/关注/担心)

Almost all the governments in the world are very much concerned about the financial issue.

 

4. 至于英语教学研讨会，我建议本周末召开。(with regard to至于/关于某方面) 建议/要求/命令引导的祈使句性质，动词用原形，前面有可以省略的should。

With regard to the seminar on English teaching, I suggest that it be held on the coming weekend.

 

5．要不要：whether or not

Whether to go abroad for further education or not is entirely up to you.

 

6．引起/造成/导致: lead to/ result in/cause

Just a single spark can lead to an explosion in a room filled with gas.

 

7．无论：no matter + wh—

No matter what efforts the government has made, the price for housing has barely declined.

 

8．为了：in order to + v.；devote…to介词+宾语。

In order to pass TOEFL, he has devoted almost every minute of his spare time to English studies.

 

9. 凭借他的表演潜力，这个小伙子有可能成为娱乐界的超级明星。(potential) 凭借/具有with

With his acting potential, the young man is likely to be a superstar in the field of entertainment.

10．妒忌/嫉妒：jealous adj.；jealousy n.

It is believed that sibling jealousy exists more in a rich family than in a poor one.