1、Improvement in AppliancesUnit 9NEW HORIZON ENGLISH COURSES Book Two第1页Unit 9Improvement in Appliances1AroundtheTopic2SectionA3SectionB4SectionCLeading in Exploring the TopicPlus ActivitiesWarming-upText AExercisesBackground InformationReading ThroughExercisesRelated KnowledgeSample ReadingExercisesU
2、seful Terms第2页SectionBSectionCSectionAExploring the TopicPlus ActivitiesAround the TopicAdvancedtechnologycancertainlymakelifemorecomfortableandconvenient.TobeAHigh-TechWomanmightbethedreamofmanyyoungpeople,especiallyyoungofficeladies.Thattypeoflifeisreallyallfunandexcitement!Nowsomeappliance-makers
3、arebuildingappliancesthataresmarterthanmostoftheirowners.Butareyouwillingtobefacedwithatotalof110buttonswhenyouwanttowatchtelevision?Ordoyoureallyneedafridgethatwilltellyou:“Yourmilkisoutofdate?”Remember:Inordertousethattypeoffridge,youllhavetoreadawholebookwrittenintermsthatarebeyondunderstanding!第
4、3页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inPlus ActivitiesAround the TopicYoumusthaveheardofsomeso-called“smart”householdapplianceswithmanynewfeatures,andtheyaresupposedtomakeourlifemorecomfortableandconvenient.NowitissaidthatinWorkinpairsandaskeachotherthefollowingquestionswhilechecking()theanswersandprov
5、idingyourownintheblanks.Pleasenoticethatthequestionsareopen-endedwithnorightorwronganswers.thenearfuturewewouldliveinhomeswhereallappliancesareconnectedtotheInternet.Wouldthisbepossible?第4页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inPlus ActivitiesAround the Topic1.In your opinion,what“smart”appliances would
6、be available in the near future?I think it might beMy partner thinks it might be pamicrowaveoventhatcancookadeliciousdishaccordingtomyorderparefrigeratorthatcanknowwhenitsoutofbreadpacomputerthatcanoperateaccordingtooralinstructionspamicrowaveoventhatcancookadeliciousdishaccordingtohisorderparefrige
7、ratorthatcanknowwhenitsoutofbreadpacomputerthatcanoperateaccordingtooralinstructions第5页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inPlus ActivitiesAround the Topic2.What are the advantages of“smart”appliances?ptheyaredesignedtobesimpleandeasytooperateptheymakethingsconvenientandsaveuslabor(劳力)andtimeptheysaveu
8、smoneybycombiningmanyfunctionsinoneapplianceI think My partner thinks ptheyaredesignedtobesimpleandeasytooperateptheymakethingsconvenientandsaveuslabor(劳力)andtimeptheysaveusmoneybycombiningmanyfunctionsinoneappliance第6页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inPlus ActivitiesAround the Topic3.What are the d
9、isadvantages of“smart”appliances?I think My partner thinks ptheirnewfeaturesareuselessptheycostmorethantheyareworthptheyareeasytobreakdownwithsomanyfunctionsptheyaretoodifficulttooperateptheirnewfeaturesareuselessptheycostmorethantheyareworthptheyareeasytobreakdownwithsomanyfunctionsptheyaretoodiffi
10、culttooperate第7页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicA.Directions:Youwillhearashortpassage.Listencarefullyandanswerthefollowingquestions.1.Do you agree that technology has improved peoples life?2.Has technology brought any disadvantages to our life?keykey第8页SectionBSe
11、ctionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicSuggested answer:No doubt,technology has changed so much of todays world and our life.Due to technology,we are now living more comfortable and convenient lives.The invention of computer had done great help in our daily work and study.With mo
12、dern electric appliances our home life is much more enjoyable than ever.Return第9页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicSuggested answer:However,technology advances have caused some new,complicated,even dangerous problems.Cars and some household appliances are dangerous
13、 sources which damage our ozone layer(臭氧层臭氧层).In our modern life,ironically we find ourselves being enslaved more and more by technology instead of being freed by it.Return第10页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicB.Questions&Answers1.What“smart”appliances would you li
14、ke to have?2.Do you think“smart”appliances are good or not?keykey第11页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicSuggested answer:A housewife may want to have a microwave oven that can cook delicious dishes according to her order;an engineer may want a computer that can oper
15、ate according to oral instructions.But I would like to have video camera to keep record of the beautiful things in my life.Return第12页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicSuggested answer:Different people have different views on this question.Some think that“smart”appl
16、iances are good because they make things convenient and save us labor and time and save our money by combining manyfunctions in one appliance.While others argue that“smart”appliances are not good because their new features are useless;they cost more than they are worth;they are easy to break down wi
17、th so many functions and they are too difficult to operate.Return第13页SectionBSectionCSectionALeading inExploring the TopicAround the TopicWatch the Video and Brainstorm第14页SectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection ASection A:Im Toast in the Battle Against“Smart”Appliances第15页Text AExercisesSectionBSecti
18、onCAroundtheTopicSection ADo you think machines will be smarter than man?Read the following excerpts from Wikipedia,and discuss your opinion with your classmates.Human-computerchessmatchesChesscomputerswerefirstabletobeatstrongchessplayersinthelate1980s.TheirmostfamoussuccesswasthevictoryofDeepBlueo
19、verthenWorldChessChampionGarryKasparovin1997,buttherewassomecontroversy(争争议议)overwhetherthematchconditionsfavoredthecomputer.第16页Text AExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AIn-threehuman-computermatchesweredrawn.ButwhereasDeepBluewasaspecializedmachine,thesewerechessprogramsrunningoncommer
20、ciallyavailablecomputers.Afterconvincingvictoriesintwomatchesinand,itappearsthatchessprogramscannowdefeateventhestrongestchessplayers.第17页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AImToastintheBattleAgainst“Smart”AppliancesRecently,The Washington Postprintedanarticleexplaininghowtheap
21、pliancemanufacturersplantodrivecustomersupthewall.OfcoursetheydontSAYthatexactly.Para.1“智能”电器,我算服你了最近,华盛顿邮报登载了一篇文章,报道了电器制造商们逼疯用户计划。当然他们原话不是这么说。第18页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AWhattheySAYtheywanttodoistohaveusliveinhomeswhere“allappliancesareconnectedtotheInternet,sharin
22、ginformation”,andthatapplianceswillbe“smarterthanmostoftheirowners”.Forexample,youcouldhaveadishwasherthat“canbeturnedonfromtheoffice”,andarefrigeratorthat“knowswhenitsoutofmilk”.Para.1他们说他们想要做是让我们“全部家用电器都连上互联网方便共享信息”,而且,电器将会“比大多数主人更聪明”。比如说,你能够拥有一个“能在办公室里开启开关”洗碗机和一个“知道什么时候牛奶喝光了”电冰箱。第19页Warming-upExe
23、rcisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection ABut listen,appliance manufacturers:we dontNEEDadishwasherthatwecancommunicatewithfrom the office.If you want to improve ourdishwashers,give us one that senses when peopleleavedirtydishesonthekitchentable,andshouts,“PutthatbowlinthedishwasherrightnoworIllg
24、etyourshoesallwet!”Para.2不过听着,电器制造商们:我们不需要能在办公室里与之交流洗碗机。假如你们想改进我们洗碗机,那就创造出这么一个来:当人们把脏碗盆放在厨房桌子上时,它能感觉到,而且大叫:“马上把碗放到洗碗机里去,不然我就把你鞋弄湿!”第20页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection ALikewise,we dont need a refrigerator thatknowswhenitsoutofmilk.Wealreadyhaveaneffectivesystemfordetermining
25、that:weaskourhusbandsorwives.Arealimprovementwouldbeafridgethatrefusestoletusopenitsdoorswhenitsensesthatweareabouttoeatourfourthpieceofpieintwohours.Para.3一样,我们不需要知道什么时候牛奶喝光冰箱,我们已经有了确定这种情况有效体制:我们能够去问自己丈夫或妻子。真正改良智能冰箱应该在觉察到我们两个小时内吃第四块馅饼时,就不让我们开冰箱门了。第21页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopi
26、cSection AHereiswhatreallydisturbsmeaboutthesenew“smart”appliances:evenifwelikethefeatures,wewontbeabletousethem.Wecantusetheappliance features we have NOW.I have afeature-packedtelephonewith43buttons,atleast20ofwhichIamafraidtotouch.Para.4这些新型“智能”家用电器真正让我烦心是:即使我们喜欢这样特别功能,也不会使用。我们甚至连现在已经有功能都不会用。我有一部
27、全功能电话机,有43个按键,其中至少有20个键我碰都不敢碰。第22页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AMyphoneisprobablyequippedtocommunicatewiththedead,butIdontknowhowtooperateit,justasIdontknowhowtooperatemytelevisionset,whichhasfeaturesrequiringTWOremotecontrols.Onecontrol(44buttons)camewiththetelevision;as
28、econd(66buttons)camewiththeVCR(VideoCassetteRecorder).Para.4我电话机可能有与死人通话功效,可我不知道怎样操作。一样我也不知道怎样操作我电视机,因为它一些功效需要两部遥控器来控制。其中一个遥控器(有44个按键)和电视机配套,还有一个(66个按键)和 VCR(盒式磁带录放影机)配套。第23页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection ASowhenIwanttowatchtelevision,Imfacedwithatotalof110buttons,identifie
29、dbysuchhelpfulnamesasPIP,MTS,DBSandJUMP.ThoughtherearetwoPOWERbuttons,therearetimesespeciallyifmysonandhisfriendshavechangedthesettingswhenIcannotfigureouthowtoturnthetelevisionon.Para.5所以我想看电视时候,我总共要面对110个按钮,上面还标着诸如 PIP、MTS、DBS 和 JUMP 这么有用名称。即使有两个开关键,可有时候尤其是我儿子和他朋友改变了设定之后我连怎么开电视机都搞不懂。第24页Warming-up
30、ExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AIstandthere,holdingtworemotecontrols,pressingbuttonsatrandom,untileventuallyIgiveupandgoturnonthedishwasher.IthashonestlybeenyearssinceIhavesuccessfullyrecordedatelevisionprogramthatishow“smart”myapplianceshavebecome.Para.5我站在那儿,拿着两只遥控器,漫无目标地按着按钮,直到最终不
31、得不放弃,只好去开洗碗机洗碗。老实说,我已经有些年头没有录成电视节目了瞧我家用电器变得何等“聪明”!第25页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AAndnowtheappliancemanufacturerswanttogiveusMOREfeatures.Doyouknowwhatthismeans?Itmeansthatsomenightyoullopenyour“smart”refrigerator,lookingforabeer,andyoullhearacheerfulrecordedvoicedeclar
32、ing,“Yourmilkisoutofdate.”Youwillnotknowhowyourrefrigeratorknowsthis,and,whatsworse,youwillnotknowwhoelseyourrefrigeratorisinformingaboutit.Para.6而现在电器制造商还想要给我们提供更多尤其功效。你知道这意味着什么吗?这意味着有一天晚上,你打开你“智能”冰箱想找一瓶啤酒,而你将听到悦耳录音在宣告:“你牛奶过期了。”你会纳闷这事儿你冰箱怎么会知道,更糟是,你也不知道你冰箱还要把这事儿告诉谁。第26页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSe
33、ctionCAroundtheTopicSection AYet,tomaketherefrigeratorstop,youllhavetoreadawholebookwrittenintermsthatarebeyondcomprehension.Dearcustomers,isthisthekindoffutureyouwant?Doyouwanthouseholdappliancesthataresmarterthanyou?Ofcourseyoudont!Para.7-8不过,要让冰箱住嘴,你得看完整整一本天书一样说明书。亲爱用户,这是你想要未来吗?你想要比你更聪明家用电器吗?不!绝不
34、!第27页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection ASo,Iamurgingyoutolettheapplianceindustryknowthatwhenitcomesto“smart”appliances,yousay“NO!”Butyouneedtoactquickly,becauseasyouarereadingthis,yourmicrowaveissaying“YES!”Para.9 所以,我规劝你快让电器制造商知道:你要对“智能”电器说“不”。但你必须赶快采取行动,因为在你读这篇文章时,你微波炉在说“是”。
35、第28页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A The author expresses her negative opinions about“smart”appliances.Atthebeginningofthetext,theauthortellsusthattheappliancemanufacturerswanttohaveusliveinhouseswhere“allappliancesareconnectedtotheInternet,sharinginformation”.Theauthordire
36、ctlypointsoutthatshedoesnotlikethisidea.Shesupportsherideabytalkingaboutthe trouble she has with her own“smart”appliances.Theexamplesshowthattheyareslowanduselessalthoughtheyhavesomanyfeatures.Thentheauthorgoesontopointoutwhattheappliancemanufacturerswanttodoisjusttogiveusmorefeatureswhileignoringth
37、erealneedofcustomers.Sotheauthorappealstothecustomersnottobuysuch“smart”appliances.Main Idea第29页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection AMain idea:Urgingthereaderstotakeaction:saying“no”tosuchappliances.StructureMain idea:Reasonsagainstsuchappliances:1)Wedontknowhowtousetheappliance
38、features.(Paras.4and5)2)Manufacturerswanttogiveusmorefeatures.(Paras.6,7and8)Main idea:1)IntroducingtheproblembyquotinganarticlefromTheWashingtonPost.(Para.1)2)Statingtheauthorsposition:“Wedontneed”such“smart”appliances.(Paras.2and3)Part II:Para.4-8Part III:Para.9Part I:Para.1-3第30页Warming-upExercis
39、esSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A1Meaning:Im completely defeated in the battle against the new appliances that are smarter than their owners.2Meaning:Lately,The Washington Post printed an article which explained how the firms that produce appliances plan to make customers angry or even mad.I
40、mToastintheBattleAgainst“Smart”AppliancesRecently,TheWashingtonPostprintedanarticleexplaininghowtheappliancemanufacturersplantodrivecustomersupthewall.第31页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A3Meaning:Of course the appliance manufacturers dont use the words“drive customers up th
41、e wall”.4Meaning:What the appliance manufacturers declare is that they want to provide the customers with household appliances that are all connected to the Internet,that can share information with their owners,and that are cleverer than most of their users.OfcoursetheydontSAYthatexactly.WhattheySAY
42、theywanttodoistohaveusliveinhomeswhere“allappliancesareconnectedtotheInternet,sharinginformation”,andthatapplianceswillbe“smarterthanmostoftheirowners”.第32页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A5Meaning:For example,you could have a dishwasher at home which you can turn on even wh
43、en you are in the office,and a refrigerator that would let you know when there is no milk left in it.6Meaning:But let me tell you,appliance manufacturers:We dont NEED a dishwasher that can be operated when we are in the office.Forexample,youcouldhaveadishwasherthat“canbeturnedonfromtheoffice,”andare
44、frigeratorthat“knowswhenitsoutofmilk”.Butlisten,appliancemanufacturers:WedontNEEDadishwasherthatwecancommunicatewithfromtheoffice.第33页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A7Meaning:If you want to make our dishwashers better,give us one like this:When people forget to put the dirt
45、y dishes into the dishwasher to be washed,it knows and will then urge them to do so in a loud voice,“Put that bowl in the dishwasher at once,Otherwise I will make your shoes completely wet!”Ifyouwanttoimproveourdishwashers,giveusonethatsenseswhenpeopleleavedirtydishesonthekitchentable,andshouts,“Put
46、thatbowlinthedishwasherrightnoworIllgetyourshoesallwet!”第34页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A8Meaning:In addition,we dont need a refrigerator that knows when there is no milk left,either.9Meaning:We already have a good way to get to know if there is any milk left in the refr
47、igerator:We ask our husbands or wives,and they will tell us.Likewise,wedontneedarefrigeratorthatknowswhenitsoutofmilk.Wealreadyhaveaneffectivesystemfordeterminingthat:Weaskourhusbandsorwives.第35页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A10Meaning:A fridge that is really better than w
48、hat we have now is one like this:When we are going to eat our fourth piece of pie in two hours,it will know we are eating too much and will refuse to let us open its doors.11Meaning:even if we like the special qualities of the appliances,we will find it difficult to use them.Arealimprovementwouldbea
49、fridgethatrefusestoletusopenitsdoorswhenitsensesthatweareabouttoeatourfourthpieceofpieintwohours.evenifwelikethefeatures,wewontbeabletousethem.第36页Warming-upExercisesSectionBSectionCAroundtheTopicSection A12Meaning:We cant even use the features of the appliances we already have at present(let alone
50、the ones the manufacturers are going to develop in the future).13Meaning:I have a telephone with too many features;it has 43 buttons,but I dare not touch at least 20 of them.WecantusetheappliancefeatureswehaveNOW.Ihaveafeature-packedtelephonewith43buttons,atleast20ofwhichIamafraidtotouch.第37页Warming