Pre-reading Activities Background Information Main Idea of the Text Expressions & Patterns

1. Pre-reading Activities • Background Information • Main Idea of the Text • Expressions & Patterns • Exercises

2. Pre-reading Questions 1. When and Where was Einstein born? 2. Was he very bright in his early childhood? 3. In what way did Einstein get a good education in science?

3. Pre-reading Questions 4. Was his theory of relativity accepted by many scientists as soon as it was formulated? 5. When did he win the Nobel Prize in physics?

4. Suggestions for pre-reading Qs Albert Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany in 1879. In his early childhood he was slow to learn to talk and did not seem to be very bright. But by the time he was 14, he had taught himself advanced mathematics from textbooks. After his graduation from a technical school in Switzerland, he went to work first as a teacher, then in a government office.

5. Suggestions for pre-reading Qs With the pay he received, he was able to continue his education at the university of Zurich. In 1905, when he was 25, he advanced his theory of relativity. The theory was unheard of and so complicated that very few scientists could understand it at that time. In 1921 Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his work in photoelectric theory.

6. Background information 1 Albert Einstein Albert Einstein is one of the theoretical physicists of all time. He is best known for his theory of relativity, which he first advanced in 1905 when he was only 25. In 1921 Einstein won the Nobel Prize in physics for his pioneer work in photoelectric theory. Einstein is one of the few scientists whose work has changed man’s view of world. During the first half of the century Einstein set forth a number of theories about the physical world. These theories dealt with everything from the inside of the atoms to the farthest region of the universe. They showed that such things as gravity, energy, matter, light, space and time are all related.

7. 2 Yo-Yo The Yo-Yo is a simple toy consisting of a grooved double disk with a string about the center. The player holds the end of the string which unwinds itself as the disk is dropped. Then by a slight jerk on the string, the player causes it to wind itself, and to reel up back to the hand. The toy is said to have been originated in the Philippines, and Yo-Yo is actually a trade-mark.

8. 3 Woolworth’s Woolworth’s is a chain store in the US founded by F.W. Woolworth( 1852-1919). The original Woolworth’s sold items for five and ten cents. Woolworth’s today is known as a variety store. The chain stores no longer sell items for only five and ten cents, but they do offer inexpensive merchandise for everyday use such as toothpaste, razors, sunglasses, cosmetics, school supplies, kitchen utensils, games and puzzles, magazines and best-selling paperbacks. The point in our story is that Einstein does not buy his stationery at a fancy department store or at an expensive stationery store; instead he shops at Woolworth’s.

9. Main idea Einstein is one of the greatest scientists of all time. His ideas and theories have, directly or indirectly, influenced many areas of the world-science, art, and philosophy. In spite of his great achievements and fame, he always remained a simple man: he was honest and open, very easy to get along with; he lived a plain life and had simple habits, caring very little for material well-being. The text, whose author is the son of a close friend of Einstein’s, sheds more light on Einstein’s personality.

10. Expressions and Patterns • modest • having, showing, a not too high opinion of one’s merits, abilities, etc. ---The general was modest about his military career. • Moderate; not large in size or amount ---They bought a modest house in the northern suburb.

11. Expressions and Patterns • At ease free from mental stress; relaxed and comfortable. ---The doctors soon made the worried patient feel at ease. ---Donald was ill at ease at such a big party.

12. Expressions and Patterns • display • (v.), show ---The body-builder displayed his muscles through various poses. • (n.) displaying; show or exhibition ---Are you interested in anything on display？ ---a display of fear/ courage/ bad temper

13. Expressions and Patterns • impress • Have a strong effect on the mind or feelings of ---I was deeply impressed by him. ---He impressed me as a modest scholar. • Press, make a mark by pressing ---Yang Bailao was forced to impress his fingerprint on his daughter’s indenture.

14. Expressions and Patterns • come to terms with accept( sth. usu. disagreeable) as it is; reach an agreement with ---It has taken me a long time to come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be a good writer. ---It seems that the two sides will never come to terms with each other.

15. Expressions and Patterns • function • (v.) work ---Both high and low temperature affect computers’ functioning. • (n.) special purpose or activity of a person or a thing ---As one grows older, there is usually something wrong with body functions.

16. Expressions and Patterns • frustrate cause to have feelings f of annoyed disappointment; defeat ---He was frustrated when the girl he loved announced her marriage. ---Heavy rain frustrated their plan.

17. Expressions and Patterns • ambition strong desire for success, power, riches, etc. ---His political ambition still burns. ---A frustrated parent frequently has great ambitions for the child. ---His ambition to become a millionaire has come true.

18. Expressions and Patterns • Be immune to be free from or unaffected by ---Vaccination makes people immune to smallpox. ---It seems to me that few people are immune to vanity or jealousy.

19. Expressions and Patterns • Correspond with exchange letters with ---Will you correspond with me while I am away? ---We have corresponded with each other for years.

20. Expressions and Patterns • Mean nothing/ everything to be of no/ great importance or value ---Material things meant nothing to Einstein, but to some people they mean everything. ---Your friendship means everything to me

21. Expressions and Patterns • So much so that to such an extent that ---He longed to visit Paris, so much so that he often dreamt about it. ---I was worn out , so much so that I thought I would never recover.

22. Expressions and Patterns • argue • Give reasons for or against something ---The Pope argued against divorce while many others argued for it. • persuade ---she was argued into accepting the award. ---they argued the ailing Pope out of taking a long journey.

23. Expressions and Patterns • finally at last ---The Red Army finally reached the end of their Long March. ---The detective finally tracked down the suspect.

24. Expressions and Patterns • present give ---She presented the Queen with a bouquet on behalf of the girl students. ---It is my honor to present you the token of our thanks.

25. Expressions and Patterns • Beam( with) smile happily or cheerfully( because of) ---Our teacher beamed with satisfaction at the prizes the students won. ---The young girl beamed with joy in anticipation of the Christmas party.

26. Expressions and Patterns • Revert to go back to( a former condition or habit) ---The stress he felt made him revert to his old habit of smoking. ---My thought reverted to my childhood days.

27. Expressions and Patterns • exclusively only, completely ---Eton College is an exclusive male public school in Britain. ---The report was written exclusively for the country’s top leaders.

28. Expressions and Patterns • application • Putting to practical use ---Researchers now pay more attention to their research outcome. • Making of a request ---Why was my application for visa rejected? ---They signed the application for grants.

29. Expressions and Patterns • pursue • Work at; be busy with ---John will pursue graduate studies after obtaining his B.A. degree. • Go after ---It is illegal for hunters to pursue extremely young animals. ---How the police pursued the criminals was broadcast live on TV.

30. Expressions and Patterns • Take apart separate into parts ---The professor spent the whole afternoon taking apart his old car. ---Nick took apart the clock and spread the bits all over the carpet.

31. Expressions and Patterns • approach (n.) method of doing sth. ---It is up to the manager to decide which approach to the problem is more cost effective. way; path ---All approaches to the park were blocked after the explosion. coming near( to) ---The squirrel jumped away at our approach. ---The pop star is easy/ difficult of approach.

32. Expressions and Patterns • approach (v.) come near( to) ---As night approaches, nightingales start singing. ---Hush! I heard someone approaching.

33. Expressions and Patterns • Work out solve, find the answer to ---John worked out his math problems all by himself. ---You seemed to have the problem nicely worked out.

34. Expressions and Patterns • profound deep; needing much thought or study to understand. ---Philosophy is profound and beyond the reach of ordinary people. ---The Bermuda Triangle holds one of the world’s most profound mysteries.

35. Expressions and Patterns • Capable of having the ability or power for ---He is capable of doing such a difficult job. ---I didn’t expect him to be capable of such mean things. ---This computer is capable of storing millions of bits of information.

36. Expressions and Patterns • fortune (1) luck ---He considers it his good fortune to win her love. ---The young son went out west to try his fortune. (2) wealth ---He came into a fortune when he was 18. ---There is a story on today’s newspaper about how he made his fortune.

37. Expressions and Patterns • Single out separate or choose from a group for special treatment or notice ---All of us did a good job but the teacher singled him out for praise. ---He considered it an honor to have been singled out to represent the school on the celebration ceremony.

38. Exercises Fill the blanks with the words or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary. ambition argue at ease modest work out application pursue observe approach take apart fortune single out a series of come to terms with 1. I now have a better understanding of Einstein’s special theory of relativity after attending _____lectures on the topic. A series of 2. Many educators are giving up traditional methods of teaching in favor of more modern ________. approaches

39. Exercises 3. Both of her daughters _____ their studies abroad now, one in German the other in China. are pursuing 4. This boy is very intelligent, but his lack of ________ prevents his success. ambition 5. She _____logically that the new regulations would harm the poor. argued 6. He found it quite difficult to ____ his parents’ death. come to terms with

40. Exercises 7. I consider it proper to leave it to the committee to _____ the details of the plan. work out 8. Philip is good at writing. Last week his composition was once again ________ for special praise. singled out 9. As far as I am concerned, some days are lucky while others seem marked by bad _____. fortune 10. This machine is very complicated indeed. Once ____, it can hardly be put together again. taken apart

41. Exercises 11. Tom felt quite _____ when he stayed with his aunt, a good-natured old lady. at ease 12. The ability to _____ keenly and in detail is necessary for anyone who wishes to be a scientist. observe 13. He was a _____ person in spite of his great success. modest 14. The ____ of scientific reasoning to study of human behavior is one of the major principles of psychology. application

42. Exercises Rewrite each of the following sentences, using the words given in brackets. 1. He doesn’t write for any newspaper except the Washington Post. (exclusively) He writes exclusively for the Washington Post 2. The friendship your people have for our people made a deep impression on me during my visit in your country. (impress) The friendship your people have for our people impressed me deeply during my visit in your country.

43. Exercises 3. Joe would no longer be able to go sailing again, and it took him a long time to accept this reality. (come to terms with, the fact that) It took Joe a long time to come to terms with the fact that would no longer be able to go sailing again. 4. Jim’s grandfather feels certain that fresh air and exercise are more valuable than medicine. (believe in) Jim’s grandfather believes more in fresh air and exercise than in medicine.

44. Exercises 5. He failed in his attempt to find a good job owing to his poor education. (frustrate) Owing to his poor education he was frustrated in his attempt to find a good job 6. In terms of population most American cities are not as large as Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing. (relatively, when compared to) Most American cities are relatively small in terms of population when compared to Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

45. Exercises Turn the following sentences into passive structures. Model: What the professor said made me feel at ease. I was made to feel at ease. 1. They saw John’s father return after dark. John’s father was seen to return after dark.

46. Exercises 2. I heard the wind roar through the trees. The wind was heard to roar through the trees. 3. I don’t think the boss can made Tom take his orders. I don’t think Tom can be made to take the boss’s orders. 4. People saw the young man enter the building next to the bank. The young man was seen to enter the building next to the bank

47. Exercises 5. When she was in Shanghai we heard the actress say she had long thought the city as her second home. When she was in Shanghai the actress was heard to say she had long thought the city as her second home

48. Exercises 6. After the minister of education had finished speaking at the press conference, they made him answer all kinds of questions. After the minister of education had finished speaking at the press conference, he was made to answer all kinds of questions.

49. Exercises Translate the following sentences into English. 1. 那小女孩跑得太快，身体一下子失去平衡，跌倒了。 The little girl ran so fast that she was thrown off balance and fell over/ down. 2. 他致力于研究工作的精神给我留下了深刻的印象，但我对他那些深奥的理论丝毫不感兴趣。 I was impressed by his devotion to his research but I have the slightest interest in his profound theories.

50. Exercises Translate the following sentences into English. 3. 千万别说可能会被别人误解的话。 Be sure not to say anything capable of being misunderstood. 4. 我被他们互相矛盾的意见搞糊涂了，不知如何去做才是。 I was so bewildered by their conflicting advice that I did not know how to act.