English精简版.docx

Paraphrase （改述）
STEP1 Read the original passage several times until you understand it fully. Look up unfamiliar words, and find synonyms for them. If you need to take notes, write down only one or two words for each idea--not complete sentences.
STEP2 Write your paraphrase from memory. Include as much of the information as you remember. Don't look at the original while you are writing.
STEP3 Check your paraphrase against the original for accuracy and completeness. If necessary, add points you have missed.
STEP4 Name the source of the original passage in parentheses at the end of your paraphrase.

Summaries （总结）
STEP1 Read the original passage several times until you understand it fully. Look up unfamiliar words, and find synonyms for them. If you need to take notes, write down only one or two words for each idea-not complete sentences.
STEP2 Write your summary from memory. Include important points and omit unnecessary details. Don't look at the original while you are writing. Remember that your goal in writing a summary is to restate the main ideas in as few words as possible.
STEP3 Check your summary against the original for accuracy.
STEP4 Put out the source of the original passage in parentheses at the end of your summary.

MODEL
Original Passage:
Language is the main means of communication between peoples. But so many different language have developed that language has often been a barrier rather than aid to understanding among peoples. For many years, people have dreamed of setting up an international, universal language which all people could speak and understand. The arguments in favor of a universal language are simple and obvious. If all peoples spoke the same tongue, cultural and economic ties might be much closer, and good will might increase between countries.
Paraphrase:
Humans communicate through language. However, because there are so many languages in the world, language is an obstacle rather than aid to communication. For a long time, people have wished for an international language that speakers all over the world could understand. A universal language would certainly build cultural and economic bonds. It would also create better feelings among countries.
Summary:
People communicate mainly through language; however, having so many different languages creates communication barriers. Some think that one universal language would bring countries together culturally and economically and also increase good feelings among them.

PRACTICE
Artificial Languages
Since the time of Descartes, it is estimated that no fewer than five hundred attempts have been made to create artificial languages for international use. The most successful by far has been Esperanto, a language constructed around the end of nineteenth century by Dr. Zamenhof of Poland. Esperanto is a language that is extremely easy to learn and speak, with its words drawn mainly from English, German, the Romance languages, Latin, and Greek.
A more recent arrival on the international scene is Interlingua, scientifically constructed by a group of language experts out of Latin, the Romance languages, and English. But whereas Esperanto has a large body of people who actually speak it scattered throughout the world, Interlingua has not yet achieved much popularity.
Notes:
Esperanto: from 16th century--unsuccessful attempts to create artificial languages--end of 19th century--Esperanto created by Dr. Zamenhof, Poland--Esperanto easy to learn, speak--created from English, Romance languages, German.
Interlingua: international scientific language--composed of Latin, Romance languages, German--Interlingua not as popular as Esperanto.
Paraphrase:
Since the 16th century, many attempts were made to construct international artificial languages. Then in the late 19th century, Dr. Zamenhof of Poland created Esperanto, using vocabulary from English, German, and the Romance languages. Esperanto is easy to learn and speak. Interlingua, on the other hand, is an international scientific language constructed from Latin, the Romance languages, and English. It is presently not spoken as much as Esperanto around the world.
Summary:
In the late 19th century, Dr. Zamenhof of Poland constructed Esperanto, an artificial language for international use from English and European languages. Interlingua is an international, scientific language from both English and European languages as well as Latin. Esperanto is more popular than Interlingua as a world language.

Artificial Languages--Objections
The main objection to constructed languages, like Esperanto or Interlingua, is that they have not developed all the thought-carrying machinery and shades of meaning that natural languages have had a chance to work out for themselves over a period of many centuries; also, the artificial languages presented so far lean too heavily in the direction of the western European and American nations, and carry too little in the way of Slavic, Asiatic, and African words and habits of thought.
Notes:
Main objections: unclear expression of thoughts--lack shades of meaning found in natural languages--vocabulary from European and American nations--ignore Slavic, Asiatic, African vocabulary and thought patterns.
Paraphrase:
Artificial languages such as Esperanto or Interlingua are not perfect because they do not clearly express one's thoughts and shades of meaning as accurately as natural languages do. Besides, the artificial languages used today are constructed from the vocabulary of European and American nations. They ignore not only the vocabulary but also the thought patterns of Slavic, Asiatic, and African languages.
Summary:
Artificial languages such as Esperanto and Interlingua do not express one's thoughts clearly, nor do they express shades of meaning accurately. Moreover, today's artificial languages totally ignore both the vocabulary and thought patterns of Slavic, Asiatic, and African languages.

Americans
Despite its ethnic diversity, the United States has managed to absorb bits and pieces of many cultures and weave them into a unique culture that is strikingly consistent and distinct. You can pick out Americans anyplace in the world, often very quickly, because of their behavior. Among their most observable traits are openness, friendliness, informality, optimism, creativity, loudness, and vitality.
Notes:
American culture--unique--based on ethnic diversity, cultures--Americans distinguishing features worldwide--open minded, friendly, informal, optimistic, creative, loud, lively.
Paraphrase:
The United States is a country of ethnic diversity; therefore, American culture is a unique blend of the many cultures represented by its multi-racial population. Americans can easily be identified anywhere in the world because of the way they behave. They are known for their openness, friendliness, informality, optimism, creativity, loudness, and vitality.
Summary:
The United States, a country of ethnic diversity, has a unique culture, which is a blend of the many cultures represented by its multi-racial population. American are recognizable worldwide because they are not only friendly, informal, optimistic, and creative but also loud and lively.

The Work Ethic of Americans and Europeans
Europeans often observe that Americans schedule everything except time for relaxation. This is particularly true of American executives, who drive themselves hard, often at the expense of their families and their health. Americans have fewer holidays and take shorter vacations than do Europeans. In the opinion of many German and French executives, American executives are obsessed with work; they're workaholics. Most Europeans do not accept working on weekends or holidays; they reserve these times for themselves and their families.
Notes:
Americans--schedule all activities--don't relax--American executives: driven, families and personal health ignored--Americans: fewer holidays, shorter vacations--workaholics; Europeans: weekends/holidays--no work--special family time
Paraphrase:
Americans and Europeans have different work ethics. Americans schedule everything and leave no time to relax. For example, American executives spend so much time working that they ignore not only their families but also their health. They are workaholics. In contrast, most Europeans observe holidays and weekends for leisurely activities for themselves and their families.
Summary:
According to Europeans, American executives are workaholics who disregard their health and families by taking fewer holidays and shorter vacations. Most Europeans, however, observe holidays and weekends as time to relax for themselves and their families.

A Less Social Society Becoming Shy
Growing numbers of those people standing silently in line at the automatic teller machine (ATM) or pumping their own self-service gas are probably victims of America's silent, anonymous epidemic. They're shy-and the rapid technological and social changes rippling through America are increasing their numbers rapidly, says the world's pioneering researcher into shyness....The increasing numbers of shy people mean Americans are lonelier, more alienated, and in worse shape, both mentally and physically. That is hardly a prescription for a healthy society.
Stanford University professor Philip G. Zimbardo places the blame for the rising tide of shyness on three factors. First ,automation, as exemplified by ATMs and self-service gas pumps that take credit cards, "robs many of us of one more small opportunity for social contact." Second, the revolution in personal computers and home electronic entertainment means couch potatoes and cyber-surfers have less reason for social interaction. "E-mail means you don’t have to talk to people, even over the telephone," Zimbardo commented. Third, the changing nature of family life and rising fear of crime are shutting people off from each other. "You don’t see kids in the streets anymore. All play is organized for them, so they don’t develop the give-and-take and the leadership skills of the playground," he warned. With some 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce and with most parents working, children are robbed of the nurturing communication they once enjoyed with their parents and extended families.
Notes:
America's silent epidemic: shy, lonely people--causes: high technology growth, social changes--effects: increasing numbers of shy Americans: lonely, alienated, physically/mentally burned out(fatigued)--an unhealthy society.
Summary:
America is facing a serious, silent epidemic--shyness. People have fewer opportunities for human interaction due to high technological growth and social changes. Americans, therefore, feel both lonely and alienated and physically and mentally burned out, which is not a formula for a healthy society.
Notes:
Philip G. Zimbardo, Stanford University professor: causes of shyness: automation--(1) ATMs, self service gas pumps (2) personal computers, home electronic entertainment--E-mail (3) family life changes: children--less freedom and interaction with peers; organized play--no playing on the streets, playgrounds--one in two marriages divorce, working parents
Summary:
Professor Philip Zimbardo of Stanford University blames the increase in shyness to three factors, all of which are the result of less human interaction. The first factor is automation and credit cards at ATMs and self-service gas pumps. Another factor is the use of personal computers, home electronic equipment and E-mail. The final factor affects family life. Because of the fear of crime, children do not play in the streets and playgrounds, which prevents them from interacting with their peers. Moreover, one in two marriage ends in divorce, and most parents work. Therefore, children miss opportunities to communicate with their busy parents and extended families.