外研社八年级英语Module 7 Section 1 Background Readings.doc

MODULE 7 Feelings and impressions
Part 2: Teaching Resources
第二部分 教学资源
Section 1: Background Readings
1. Descriptive Adjective
Adjectives modify a noun or pronoun. Descriptive adjectives describe the noun.
Examples of descriptive adjectives [in bold]:
yellow banana, tall pole, wide door, deep ditch, flowing river, honest man, stormy sky
The suffixes below, when added to a word, will make that word into an adjective.
Suffixes, source, meaning, and example:
-able -ible -from -abilis (Latin) means-that can be - portable, audible
-al from -alis (Latin) means of, like, having the nature of - ornamental
-ate from atus (Latin) means of or having to do with - colligate
-ful from -ful (Old English) means full of - playful
-ive from -ivus (Latin) means of or having to do with - massive
-ous from osus (Latin) means full of - joyous
Here's a list of common adjective endings (suffixes):
-able, -al, -ant, -ary, -ed, -en, -ent, -ful, -ic, -ish, -less, -ous, -some, -y
2. 50 adjectives to describe the personality in English
English
ambitious
annoying
argumentative, quarrelsome
bad-tempered
big-headed
bitchy
brave
cantankerous
carefree
careless
cautious
charming
cheerful
conceited, full of oneself
conservative
conventional
cowardly
crazy, nuts
cruel
dull, boring
flirtatious
friendly
generous
hard-working
honest
kind
laid-back
lazy
loyal
mean
modest
moody
naive
naughty (children)
open-minded:
narrow-minded:
pious
polite
proud
reliable: he’s a very reliable person
self-confident: to be self-confident
selfish
sensible
sensitive
shy - introverted
strict
stubborn
sympathetic (understanding)
talkative
trustworthy
two-faced
weird
3. National Character and the American Myth
America was founded based on the belief in certain freedoms. People have journeyed to America for thousands of years to obtain these freedoms and live the American dream. The pilgrims traveled to the new world to escape religious persecution and to start a new life. We are the cream of the crop, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Our Founding Fathers spent countless efforts to ensure that their beliefs in freedom and fortune lived as long as the country lived. Numerous wars have been fought to maintain our freedom. American soldiers have paved the road to our great nation’s success with their lives. Key characteristics of American people include: patriotism, belief in God, hard work, belief in equality, independence, and hope. Many beliefs have fused together to create the American myth. John Winthrop, John Smith, and Benjamin Franklin all demonstrate the American Myth’s composition in their writings.
Our money is inscribed with the words “In God We Trust.” Our Pledge of Allegiance contains the phrase “one Nation under God.” These facts demonstrate a main belief in strong Christian morals. As small children we are taught to love one another and because of this certain values are instilled in us which help build our character as an American.