Self-learning Guide of Hurricane Camille

Theme and Structure

1. What is the type of writing of this lesson? Why？

A. narration     B. description      C. exposition      D. argumentation

2. What is the theme of the text? Can you summarize it briefly?

3. How many parts are there in the text? What’s the main idea of each part?

Cultural Background and General Knowledge

1. What is called hurricane? How is it named?

2. What is called typhoon? What’s the difference between typhoon and hurricane?

3. How to measure the wind speed?

4. How many scales of wind are defined?

5. Is the Salvation Army(Para30) a real army?

6. What does the “Seabees”(Para33) refer to?

Thinking and discussion

1. Can we replace the title with “Hurricane Camille” or “An unforgettable night” or “The Koshaks in trouble”? Why? Make your answer as reasonable as possible!

2. Is it possible to end the story by the end of Para27? Why?

Teaching skills focus

1. Design a special lead-in for this lesson? Try to make it as impressive as possible!(no more than 5 minutes)

2. Choose one of the words or expressions from the language learning part and design a plan to teach it. (about 5minutes)

Language learning

1.      face to face

2.      reason out(para2)

3.      We’re a good 250 yards from the sea. (para3)

4.      We can batten down and ride it out. (para4)

5.      sit out the storm(para6)

6.      Water inched its way up the steps…(para13)

7.      Camille, meanwhile, had raked its way northward(para32)

8.      on the verge of (para14)

9.      her voice trailed away (可否换成tail away, die away, fade away )

10.  A third wall gave way. (para26)

11.  parts of the beach and highway were strewn with dead dogs, cats, cattle. (para28) (可否换成 were filled with 或were stuffed with)

12.  gray clouds scudded in from the Gulf on the rising wind (para6)

13.  the French doors in an upstairs room blew in with an explosive sound(para8)

14.  household and medical supplies streamed in by plane, train, truck and car(para31)

15.  he pitched in with the Seabees in the worst volunteer work of all(para33)

16.  The dog and cat suddenly appeared at the scene, alive and hungry.(para35)

Psychology analysis

1. Why did Grandmother Koshak, at this critical moment, tell her husband she loved him?

2. Why did John Koshak feel a crushing guilt?

3. Why did Grandmother Koshak ask the children to sing?

4. What did Janis understand when John put his arm around her?

5. Why did Janis cry softly a few days after the hurricane?

Useful summary

1.      How many words can be used to refer to wind? List them out.

2.      Many vivid verbs are chosen to describe the force of the hurricane in the text. Can you find them out and take down the sentences containing them.

e.g.: Camille lashed northwestward across the Gulf of Mexico

    It was certain to pummel Gulfport, Missi.

Rhetorical learning

Find out those sentences containing simile, metaphor and personification in the text and pay attention to their difference.