Unit 5

Learning Points grasp the theme of the text. get a list of new words and structures and use them freely in conversation and writing. be aware of style of the narration and the methods the author used to achieve this effect.

Text One Dealing with AIDS What kind of disease do you know AIDS is? What’s the most important way of protecting ourselves from being infected by AIDS?

Structural analysis of the text This text, apiece of factual narration, tells us about a true and unforgettable story the writer experienced. The writer records the actual events in a chronological sequence. It is to be noted that the first person narration is employed, and that the narration of the events is coupled with the writer’s psychological activities. Also, it is worth mentioning that the beginning and the end echo each other.

Part One: (Paragraphs 1) –the beginning part of the text. The first sentence asserts the beneficial result from dealing with AIDS, which may be considered the enlightening message of the text. This paragraph also makes clear the exact date when the word AIDS came into the writer’s life. Besides, the writer tells us that he had been the most carefree boy in the world until AIDS became known to him.

Part Two: (Paragraphs 2-4): these paragraphs form the second part of the text. –Paragraph 2 tells us how the writer had tried to get in touch with David, his best friend, and how the writer finally got to know that his friend was suffering from AIDS. –Paragraph 3 describes how the writer felt about his friends fatal diseases, and how his friend caught the disease. It also points out that even his parents could not do anything about his friend’s illness and that he had to deal with it all on his own. –Paragraph 4 describes how others responded to David’s disease, what attitude the writer adopted towards it and why others stay away from both David and the author.

Part Three: (paragraph 5-7) –this part tells us that the writer kept an active and positive attitude for the sake of his friend David and showed great concern for him. To be more specific, the writer contained his emotions in front of his friend; he went to doctor after doctor with him, brought him stuff from the ocean, his favorite place; he spend every hour he could accompanying his friend in the hospital where his friend wad being treated until David’s last breath.

Part Four: (paragraph 8) –the concluding part point out the specific date that marked the end of David’s life, describes the writer’s emotions towards David’s death, and informs us how the writer keeps his friends memory alive.

Dealing with AIDS: –Take actions against AIDS Strengthen: – Become or make strong or increase the strength of –E.g. Steel prices strengthen as demand continues moving up. –EN is a useful affix to form verbs. –E.g. encourage, enlarge, widen, deepen

bond: –1) a uniting force or tie; sth. that unites two or more people or groups – E.g. the trade agreement strengthened the bonds between the two countries. – 2)a written agreement or promise that has legal force –E.g. We entered into a solemn bond with them.

mature: 1) fully grown or developed mentally or physically E.g. In China, a person over 18 years old is considered mature. He is not mature enough to be given too much responsibility. 2) (of thought, intentions, etc.) careful and thorough E.g. After mature consideration I entered the competition.

Carefree –Free from anxiety; having no worries or problems –E.g.After finishing our exams we all felt happy and carefree. I was just living life up –I was enjoying life to my heart’s content.

…so we didn’t hang out as much – So we did not spend a lot of time together as we had done before we got into high school. bother 1) disturb or anger, especially by minor irritations; annoy E.g. Don’t bother me while I’m writing my composition. 2) take the trouble; concern oneself E.g. When she was ill, her husband even didn’t bother to see her.

So I called him and he hung up on me. –So I phoned him, but he refused to talk to me on the phone by replacing the receiver./ So I rang him up, but he put back the receiver because he did not want to have a telephone conversation with me. –Hang up (on sb.) end a telephone conversation by replacing the receiver. –E.g Last night I called him, but as soon as he heard my voice, he hung up on me.

I confronted him as to why we were not friends any more. –I faced him bravely (came face to face with him), challenging him why we were not friends any more. Confront: –come face to face with, especially with defiance or hostility –E.g. I wish to confront my accuser in a court of law. –Come up against; encounter –E.g. Walking in such a jungle, you will confront danger at every turn.

Question for consideration The text tells us a true story of the writer and his friend David. The writer did everything he can to help his friend David overcome the AIDS, although they failed at last, their efforts are quite moving. Can you say something about the real friendship in your mind after having read the story?