Unit 2 American Homes and British Homes

I. Warm-up Activities Discussion Questions: 1. What is your home like? 2. Where do you prefer to live, in a house or an apartment, in a town or a village? Why?

3. Help students to learn about different houses. (P. 19)

II. Keys points in the text: 1. be of + n. This structure is equivalent to be +adj. n. can be : 1) size, age, shape, length, width, height, depth, color, kind, sort, type … e.g. The stamp is of a strange shape.

He chooses some paper of different colors. 2) n. can be some abstract noun, like use, help, value, importance, significance, necessity … e.g. This book is of great help to me. It is an event of great significance in Chinese history.

2. more or less 1) almost; nearly The job is more or less finished. His condition has more or less improved. 2) about; not exactly e.g. The trip will take 10 days, more or less.

3. afford Vt. Example sentences: 1) Most families in cities can afford a computer at home nowadays. 2) How can you afford (to spend) so much money for an expensive car? 3) I can t afford 3 weeks away from work.

4) We can t afford to upset such an important customer. 5) I can t afford to neglect my boss s instruction. Meanings of afford : 1)& 2): be able to buy or pay for 3) 5): be able to spend, give, do … without loss or damage

4. go up Think about the meanings of go up in the following examples: 1) National income would go up next year by 8.5 percent. 2) There are new houses going up everywhere around here.

3) The whole village went up when it was bombed. 4) Jane s hopes of going to college went up in smoke when his father lost his job. 5) What time does the curtain go up?

Meanings of go up : 1) to rise, increase,, 2) to be built, 3) to explode or be destroyed in fire, 4) go up in smoke: (infml) to have no result, come to nothing 5) (of the curtain on stage) to open and start the performance,

5. senior n. & adj. 1)(someone who is) older He is several years senior to me. He is my senior by two years.

2) (someone of) high or higher rank He is senior to me, though he is younger. a senior officer/ minister seniority n. ; e.g. Harry felt that two years seniority gave him the right to advise his brother.

6. be on the move meaning: move (house) frequently; traveling around; e.g. 1) I don t know where Mike is this week; he is always on the move. 2) Science is always on the move.

7. keep out meaning: to cause to stay away or not enter … / e.g. Warm clothing will keep out the cold. They have shut the door and meant to keep us out.

keep (sb) out of … : not become concerned with … e.g. I try to keep out of their family quarrels. I hope you will keep out of trouble while I m away.

8. give a (wonderful) view of … view: something seen from a particular place, a scene e.g. I d like a room with a view, please. The view from his bedroom window is of a big playground of a school.

9. feed 1) Vt. give food to … e.g. She feeds the baby with a spoon. We have to feed 120 guests after the wedding. 2) Vi. (esp. of an animal or a baby) eat Cows feed on grass.

11. pay back pay (sb/sth.) back: to return, repay e.g. The loan has to be paid back to the bank with interest. Lend me 100 yuan and I ll pay you back tomorrow (or: I ll pay it back to you).

III. Post-reading activity Suppose you and your friend are studying in the U.S and Britain respectively. Now you are on the phone talking to each other. Tell him/her about the American homes and British homes.