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新视野大学英语读写教程第一册unit3-a A Good Heart to Lean On

所属教程:新视野大学英语读写教程第一册

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Unit 3

Section A

Pre-reading Activities

First Listening
Having ideas about a story before you read it is an important reading skill. Please listen to a very short piece of recording.

Second Listening
Now listen to the recording for the second time and try to the best of your ability to answer the following questions.
1. Why do you think people stared at the father and the son?
2. What do you think a "good heart" is?
3. What is the difference between how the son felt about his father as a youth and how he feels many years later?
4. Now read the story below. How close did you come to knowing the answers before you read the whole story?

A Good Heart to Lean On

More than I realized, Dad has helped me keep my balance.

When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was severely crippled and very short, and when we walked together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. I would inwardly struggle at the unwanted attention. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to coordinate our steps — his halting, mine impatient — and because of that, we didn't say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, "You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you."
Our usual walk was to or from the subway on which he traveled to work. He went to work sick, and despite nasty weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make to the office even if others could not. A matter of pride.
When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., on a child's wagon with steel runners to the subway entrance. Once there, he would cling to the hand-rail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept free of ice. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home.
When I think of it now, I am amazed at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to subject himself to such shame and stress. And at how he did it—without bitterness or complaint.
He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a "good heart", and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.
Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don't know precisely what a "good heart" is. But I know the times I don't have one myself.
Unable to engage in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. When a local baseball team found itself without a manager, he kept it going. He was a knowledgeable baseball fan and often took me to Ebbets Field to see the Brooklyn Dodgers play. He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching.
On one occasion a fight broke out at a beach party, with everyone punching and shoving. He wasn't content to sit and watch, but he couldn't stand unaided on the soft sand. In frustration he began to shout, "I'll fight anyone who will sit down with me! I'll fight anyone who will sit down with me!"
Nobody did. But the next day people kidded him by saying it was the first time any fighter was urged to take a dive before the fight began.
I now know he participated in some things through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he "played" too. When I joined the Navy, he "joined" too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, "This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different." Those words were never said aloud.
He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about trifles, when I am envious of another's good fortune, when I don't have a "good heart."
At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, "You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you."

Words: 694

NEW WORDS

lean
vi. 1. rest on sth. in a listing position for support 倚;靠
2. be in a listing position; bend 倾斜;倾向;偏向

balance
n. 1. even sharing of weight; even; equal 平衡;均衡
2. condition that exists when two opposites are equal or in even lots or percents 均势,平衡
v. 1. (cause to) be even and keep in balance (使)平衡,(使)均衡
2. consider in relation to something else; compare 权衡;比较

severe
a. 1. very bad, intense, difficult, etc 非常恶劣的;紧张的;困难的
2. strict or hard in thinking or treatment; using strict discipline 严格的;严肃的;严厉的

severely
ad. in a severe or strict way 严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地

▲cripple
vt. 1. make a person unable to walk or move properly because of damage to the back or legs 使跛;使残废
2. damage or reduce strength (sth.) seriously 严重地损坏;削弱
n. [C] someone who is unable to use one or more of his body parts, esp. the legs 伤残人(或动物)

inward
a. 1. located within; inside (esp. in the mind or spirit) 在内的;内部的(尤指在头脑中、精神上)
2. turned toward the inside 向内的

inwardly
ad. in mind or spirit 内心或精神方面

coordinate
vt. cause (different parts, body parts, etc.) to work together very well 使协调

halt
v. stop; interrupt 暂停;中断;中止
n. a stop or pause 暂停;中断;中止

impatient
a. 1. unable to deal calmly with sth./sb. or to wait for sth.; easily annoyed by sth./sb.; not patient 不能冷静地对待或等待的;易烦躁的;不耐心的
2. very eager to do sth. or for sth. to happen; anxious 急切的;渴望的

pace
n. 1. speed, esp. of walking or running (尤指走或跑的)速度
2. speed of progress or development, esp. of an activity 进步或发展的速度(尤指某项活动的速度)
vi. walk with slow, regular, even steps 踱步,慢步走

adjust
v. 1. (to) become or make suited (to new conditions); change 使适应(新环境);适应
2. (to) change (sth.) by a small bit so that it will fit or be right for use; make regular 调整;校准;调准

subway
n. 1. [C] a railway under the ground in a city(城市中的)地下铁道
2. [C] a tunnel for walking under the ground, esp. one under a road or railway (尤指马路或铁路下方的)地下通道;人行隧道

despite
prep.without being influenced by (the points mentioned) 尽管;不管

▲nasty
a. 1. unpleasant; horrible; disgusting 令人不快的;令人厌恶的
2. unkind; hostile 不友善的;恶意的

wagon
n. 1. a kind of toy handcart for children 儿童手推车
2. a four-wheeled box for carrying heavy loads, usu. pulled by horses or oxen 四轮运货马(牛)车
3. a railway goods or passenger car 铁路货车(或客车)车厢

▲cling
vi. 1. (to) hold on tightly to sb./sth. 抱住;抓紧
2. (to) be unwilling to let go of sth.; refuse to give sth. up 坚持, 坚守;拒不放弃;抱定

rail
n. 1. [C] 横挡;栏杆;护栏
2. [C](火车或电车的)铁轨

hand-rail
n. [C] (楼梯等的)扶手

tunnel
n. [C] a passage under the ground, e.g. for a road or railway through a hill or under a river or the sea 地下隧道;(为公路或铁路穿过山岭、河流或海底的)隧道

▲basement
n. [C] the lowest room or rooms in a building, partly or wholly below ground level 地下室

amaze
vt. fill (sb.) with great surprise or wonder 使大为惊讶;使惊愕

stress
n. 1.demands or worry (resulting from mental or body problems, difficult situations, etc.)(由于精神、体力不适或困境等造成的)压力;忧虑;紧张
2. special pushing or importance 强调;重视
vt. 1. give particular importance to; push 强调;重视
2. give force to (a word or word-part) when speaking 重读,读重音

complain
vi. (about, of) say that one is not satisfied or unhappy 抱怨;诉苦
complaint
n. 1. the act of saying that one is not satisfied or unhappy 抱怨;诉苦
2. a report of lack of satisfaction 控告;投诉;抱怨

envy
n. (of, at, towards) feeling of lack of worth caused by sb. else's good fortune or success, esp. when one wishes this for oneself 妒忌;羡慕
vt. feel envy of (sb.) or at (sth.) 羡慕;妒忌

envious
a. (of) full of envy; feeling, showing or expressing envy 妒忌的;羡慕的

owner
n. a person to whom sth. belongs 物主;所有人

precise
a. 1. stated clearly and accurately 精确的;准确的;明白的;无误的
2. exact; particular 正好;就在

precisely
ad. exactly; just 准确地;精确地;正好;恰恰

engage
v. 1. (in) (cause sb.to) take part in or be occupied in sth.(使)从事;(使)忙于
2. employ sb.; hire sb. 雇用;聘用
3. use or attract (sb.'s thoughts, time, etc.) 使全神贯注;引起(注意);占用(时间)

local
a. belonging to a particular place or district 地方的;当地的;本地的
n. someone who lives in the area 当地居民

baseball
n. 棒球运动;棒球

occasion
n. 1. [C] a particular time (at which an event takes place)(事件发生的)特定时刻;时机
2. [C] a suitable or right time (for sth.); an opportunity (适当的)时机;机会

punch
v. 1. strike (sb./sth.) hard with the fist 用拳猛击
2. use a punch to cut (a hole) in (sth.) 用打孔机打孔

▲ shove
vi. push (sb./sth.) roughly 推;挤;撞

aid
n. [U] help 帮助;援助;救护
vt. give support to; help 帮助,援助

unaided
a. without help; by one's self 无助的;独力的

kid
vi. 1. make fun of (sb.) 开玩笑
2. deceive (sb.), esp. through playing; fool 欺骗;哄骗
n. a child or young person 小孩或年轻人

urge
vt. 1. try hard or repeatedly to persuade (sb.) 力劝
2. encourage or excite sb. to do sth. 鼓励;催促;鞭策
n. a strong wish or need 强烈愿望,迫切需求

dive
n. (American slang)a pretending to be struck down to the ground in boxing (美俚)(拳击中)假装被击倒
vi. throw oneself head first into the water 跳水,潜水

navy
n. 1. (一国的)海军
2. 一个国家的军舰及其全体官兵

reluctant
a. unwilling and therefore slow to work with sb. or to agree, etc. 不愿意的;迟迟不合作的;不同意的

reluctance
n. [U] not willing to do sth. 不愿;勉强

worthy
a. 1. having respect or careful thought 值得尊敬的;值得考虑的
2. (of) owning sth. or to do sth. 值得……的;应……的;足以……的

unworthy
a. 1. not owning 不值得的;不配的
2. not suited to the nature of sb./sth.(与……的身份、资格、性质)不适合的;不相称的

▲trifle
n. a thing, question or activity that has little value or importance 无价值的或不重要的东西、问题、行动、琐事,小事
v. (with) treat without the necessary seriousness or respect 轻视,小看

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

grow up
develop from being a child to being a man or woman 成长,长大

start out
begin a journey 出发

make it
arrive in time 及时赶到

even if
although 即使,虽然

subject to
cause to experience or suffer 使……遭受

now that
because (something has happened) 既然

even though
in spite of the fact that, even if 虽说,即使

in some way
in a certain manner 以某种方式

have a good time
enjoy oneself (by doing sth.) 过得愉快

break out
begin suddenly and often violently 爆发,突然发生

on leave
spending time away from work or duty 休假

see to
take care; make sure 照料;务必做到,务须

PROPER NAMES
Brooklyn
布鲁克林区(美国纽约市行政区名)

Manhattan
曼哈顿区(美国纽约市行政区名)(由曼哈顿岛等构成)

Ebbets Field
埃贝茨球场

Dodgers
道奇队

    可依赖的 “好心”
    我没有完全意识到,正是父亲帮助我保持心理平衡
    还在我未成年时,如果有人看到我和父亲在一块儿, 我就觉得很难堪。他腿瘸得十分厉害,个子又矮。我们在一起走路时,他的手搭在我的臂上以保持平衡,人们就会盯着看。对于这种讨厌的注视,我打心眼里感到别扭。 如果他注意到这些或感到不安,他从不表露出来。
    我们的步伐难以协调一致--他常常停下脚步,而我的步子却显得不耐烦--正因如此, 我们一路很少说话。 但每次出门时,他总说:"你按你的步速走,我跟着你。"
    我们通常就在地铁口和家门口之间来回, 那是他上班的路线。 他生病或气候恶劣时也坚持上班,几乎从不缺勤。他总是准点到办公室,尽管别人做不到。这是可以引以为荣的事。
    当路上覆盖冰雪时,即使有人搀扶,他也难以行走。 这种时候,姐妹们或我就用一辆儿童雪橇拉着他穿过纽约布鲁克林的街道到地铁站口。 一到那儿,他就紧抓着地铁通道口的扶手一直往下走,因为地铁内空气暖和,下面几级台阶没有冰雪。 曼哈顿的地铁站正是他们办公楼的地下室, 他不用出站。下班回家时,我们会去布鲁克林的地铁站口接他。
    现在回想起来,我感到十分惊叹。像他那么一个成年人,得有多大的勇气才能经受这样的屈辱和压力, 而当时他却显得毫无痛苦和怨言。
    他从不说自己可怜,也从不表现出对那些比他幸运或健康的人的羡慕。 他从别人那儿寻找的是一颗"好心"。一旦找到了,那人在他心目中就是个大好人。
    现在我长大成人了,我开始相信这正是判断一个人的恰如其分的标准,虽然我还没有确切理解什么是"好心"。 但我知道有时候我自己没有拥有一颗"好心"。
    虽说很多活动父亲都不能参加,但他还是试着通过某种方式去参与。 当地一个棒球队缺少一个经理时,是他使球队正常运转。 他是一个见多识广的棒球迷,常常带着我到埃贝茨球场观看布鲁克林道奇队队员的比赛。 他喜欢参加各种舞会和聚会,虽然在那儿他只能坐着观看,却也可享受一番乐趣。
    记得在一个沙滩聚会上,发生了一场殴斗,人人都挥拳上阵,相互推撞。 他不满足只是坐着观看。然而在松软的沙地上如果没人帮助,他又站不起来。 于是在极度无助中,他高声喊道:"谁愿意坐下来和我对打!谁愿意坐下来和我对打!"
    没有人坐下来和他对打。第二天,人们对他开玩笑,说是第一次听到在人们还没有打起来前,竟会有人要求他们收手。"
    如今我知道他是通过我,他惟一的儿子,间接地参与了一些事情。 我打球时(球技很糟),他也在"打";后来我加入了海军,他也"加入"了。 我休假回家时,他一定要让我去参观他的办公室。 在介绍我时,他实际上在说:"这是我儿子,但也是我。如果我没瘸,我也会和他一样。"这些话他从没说出声过。
    如今父亲已去世多年,但我时常想起他。 不知他当时是否留意在我们同行时,我不愿意被人看到。若他确实注意到了, 那我真惭愧当时没能对他说我是多么对不起他,我是个多么不孝的儿子, 我是多么后悔。而现在,每当我因一些琐事而怨天尤人的时候,每当我嫉妒别人运气比我好的时候,每当我没有一颗"好心"的时候,我就会想起他。
    每逢此时,我就设想我将手搭在他的臂上,重新找回我自己的平衡,我会说:"你按你的步速走,我跟着你。"

 

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