1. Unit 6 The Human Touch Text A The Last Leaf

2. Group discussion or debate ---- Charity begins at home. Group discussion or debate ---- Charity begins at home. Interpret the saying Interpret the saying Is it enough only to help those people we know? Is it enough only to help those people we know? Divide you into a pro side and a con side. Divide you into a pro side and a con side. Discuss with neighbors and list key arguments on a sheet of paper. Discuss with neighbors and list key arguments on a sheet of paper.

3. Who is the author? ----O. Henry American writer of short stories, best known for his ironic plot twist and surprise endings. American writer of short stories, best known for his ironic plot twist and surprise endings. Most famous stories: Most famous stories: The Gift of the Magi---- A husband sells his watch to buy his wife a Christmas present of a pair of hair combs; but she cuts and sells her long hair to buy him a Christmas present of a new chain for his watch. The Gift of the Magi---- A husband sells his watch to buy his wife a Christmas present of a pair of hair combs; but she cuts and sells her long hair to buy him a Christmas present of a new chain for his watch.

4. What are the scenes in the story? Work in pairs to list the names of characters in each paragraph A story is composed of scenes. Normally a change of characters indicates a change in scene. Divide the text into scenes according to the change in character. Refer to Text Organization 2 to see whether your way of division is correct. Characters in the story and their relationship

5. What is the main idea of each part? Part 1 ( paras 1-2) Sue ’ s roommate Johnsy caught pneumoniaPart 1 ( paras 1-2) Sue ’ s roommate Johnsy caught pneumonia Part 2 ( paras 3-8) The doctor told Sue that Johnsy needed a strong will to live on.Part 2 ( paras 3-8) The doctor told Sue that Johnsy needed a strong will to live on. Part 3 ( paras 9-17) Johnsy decided that she would die when the last ivy leaf fell.Part 3 ( paras 9-17) Johnsy decided that she would die when the last ivy leaf fell. Part 4 ( paras 18-21) Sue told Behman about Johnsy ’ s fancy.Part 4 ( paras 18-21) Sue told Behman about Johnsy ’ s fancy. Part 5 ( paras 22-33) As Johnsy was encouraged by the last leaf that wouldn ’ t give in to the weather, her will to live returned.Part 5 ( paras 22-33) As Johnsy was encouraged by the last leaf that wouldn ’ t give in to the weather, her will to live returned. Part 6 ( paras 34-37) The doctor told Sue that Johnsy would recover, but Behrman caught pneumonia himself and his case was hopeless.Part 6 ( paras 34-37) The doctor told Sue that Johnsy would recover, but Behrman caught pneumonia himself and his case was hopeless. Part 7 ( paras 38-39) Sue told Johnsy that Behrman had performed a kind deed without any thought of self.Part 7 ( paras 38-39) Sue told Johnsy that Behrman had performed a kind deed without any thought of self.

6. What is the main idea of the text? Old Behrman saved Johnsy’s life at the expense of his own.

7. Language points the last sentence in the first paragraph 1.t aste in sth. : his taste in clothes 2. i n tune: in harmony / harmonious 1) be in tune with sth e.g. His ideas are in tune with the times. 2 2) be out of tune with sth. e.g. Her character is quite out of tune with her beauty.

8. 3. joint j joint account / a joint venture /Thanks to our joint effort, the activity is very successful

9. 4. stalk = track The criminal stalked the victim. The criminal stalked the victim. When the night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city. When the night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city.

10. 5. scarcely = hardly = barely I can scarcely/hardly/barely move / walk. I can scarcely/hardly/barely move / walk. Scarcely had I sat down to eat when the phone rang. Scarcely had I sat down to eat when the phone rang. scarce a. scarce resources scarce a. scarce resources

11. 6.Subtract subtract A from B subtract A from B Subtract the tax from the income Subtract the tax from the income Three subtracted from ten equals seven. Three subtracted from ten equals seven. Add, subtract, multiply, divide Add, subtract, multiply, divide

12. 7. Backward (para 9) -ward -ward Go forward/backward/sideways Go forward/backward/sideways

13. 8. Bare Bare hand / foot / hill Barefoot doctors Bare / empty / blank /vacant ___ bottle / ___ words A ___ sheet of paper / fill in the ___ a ___ wall A ___ seat

14. 9. dreary=dull=gloomy He looked dreary. Spend a dreary day

15. 10. Ten to one (line 44) =very likely to happen Ten to one he won’t be there tonight.

16. 11. By doing sth. (line 58, para 18) He tried to get help by screaming.

17. 12. To excess (line 59)=to an extreme degree Drink / smoke / eat to excess

18. 13. For the rest The book contains some beautiful illustrations. For the rest, it is rather dull. For the rest And the rest=and so on

19. 14. fierce 1. violent and angry Fierce doges / winds / storm/attacks Look fierce / have a fierce look 2. intense; strong Fierce concentration / loyalty/hatred 3. fierce competition / opposition Fierce hot

20. 15. Mock (at) sb. /sth. They mocked (at) him and called him a coward. They mocked (at) him and called him a coward. Make fun of / tease / poke fun of Make fun of / tease / poke fun of