Unit 1 The Power of Language
Text A
Pre-reading Questions
1. Do you usually challenge the idea an author represents? What do you think is active reading? 2. What suggestions do you expect the author will give on reading critically?
Critical Reading
Critical reading applies to non-fiction writing in which the author puts forth a position or seeks to make a statement. Critical reading is active reading. It involves more than just understanding what an author is saying. Critical reading involves questioning and evaluating what the author is saying ,and forming your own opinions about what the author is saying. Here are the things you should do to be a critical reader.
批判性阅读
批判性阅读适合于那种作者提出一个观点或试图陈述一个说法的纪实类写作。批判性阅读是积极阅读。它不仅仅包括理解作者说了些什么，还包括质疑和评价作者的话，并对此形成自己的观点。成为一名批判性阅读者需要做到以下几点。
Consider the context of what is written. You may be reading something that was written by an author from a different cultural context than yours. Or, you may be reading something written some time ago in a different time context than yours. In either case, you must recognize and take into account any differences between your values and attitudes and those represented by the author.
考虑写作背景。你所读的可能是与你有不同文化背景的人所写的，或者是与你有不同时代背景的人多年以前所写的。无论哪种情况，你都必须注意并考虑你的价值观和态度与作者所代表的价值观和态度有何不同。
Question assertions made by the author. Don’t accept what is written at face value. Before accepting what is written, be certain that the author provides sufficient support for any assertions made. Look for facts, examples, and statistics that provide support. Also, look to see if the author has integrated the work of authorities.
质疑作者的论点。不要轻信作品的表面意思。在接受作者观点前，首先要确定作者作出的每一个论点都有足够
1 / 60
的论据支持。找出能支持该论点的事实、实例、和数据。另外，注意作者是否参考了权威著作。
Compare what is written with other written work on the subject. Look to see that what is written is consistent with what others have written about the subject. If there are inconsistencies, carefully evaluate the support the author provides for the inconsistencies.
与同主题文章进行比较。查看该作者的文章与其他作者关于同一主题的文章是否有一致性。如果存在不一致性，对不一致的地方背后的论据支持要进行仔细甄别。
Analyze assumptions made by the author. Assumptions are whatever the author must believe is true in order to make assertions. In many cases, the author’s assumptions are not directly stated. This means you must read carefully in order to identify any assumptions. Once you identify an assumption, you must decide whether or not the assumption is valid.
分析作者提出的假设。假设是作者认为具有正确性的前提，基于这些前提作者才能提出论点。很多时候作者的假设并没有直接说明，这就意味着你必须通过仔细阅读来发现这些假设。一旦发现某一假设，你必须判断这一假设是否合理。
Evaluate the sources the author uses. In doing this , be certain that the sources are credible. For example, Einstein’ is a credible source if the author is writing about landmark achievements in physics. Also be certain that the sources are relevant. Einstein is not a relevant source when the subject is poetry. Finally, if the author is writing about a subject in its current state, be sure that the sources are current. For example, studies done by Einstein in the early 20th century may not be appropriate if the writer is discussing the current state of knowledge in physics.
鉴别文章出处。鉴别时要确保文章出处真实可信。例如，如果文章是关于物理学里程碑式的成就，那么爱因斯坦的论述就是可靠的出处。此外还要确保出处具有相关性。如果文章主题是诗歌，那么爱因斯坦的论述就不是相关出处。最后，如果作者写的是某个主题当前的情形，那就要确保出处来源也是当前最新的。例如，如果作者讨论的是物理学知识的现状，那么爱因斯坦在二十世纪早期进行的研究可能就不适合作出处了。
Identify any possible author bias. A written discussion of American politics will likely look considerably different depending on whether the writer is a Democrat2 or a Republican. What is written may very well reflect a biased position. You need to take this possible bias into account when reading what the author has written. That is, take what is written with “a grain of salt.”
甄别作者可能带有的偏见。有关美国政治的书面论述可能因作者是共和党人或民主党人迥然而异。作者所写的内容很可能反映其带有偏见的立场。阅读时要考虑到这种偏见存在的可能性。也就是说，要对文章内容“半信半疑”。
2 / 60
By being a critical reader, you will become better informed and may change your views as appropriate.
1.成为一名批判性阅读者，你的思路会不断拓宽，观点会更加合理。
2.通过做一个有批判性的读者，你会成为一个更加有见识和学问的人，并可能适当的改变你自己的观念。
Text B
Pre-reading Questions
1. Are there any words that make you feel confident or diffident?
2. Do you believe that language can influence people’s thought? Give some examples.
The Language of Confidence
The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language gives us a great degree of mastery over our lives and our destinies. It is important to use the language in the best way possible in order to dramatically improve our quality of life.
自信的语言
语言能影响我们的大脑。掌握语言就能在很大程度上掌握我们的生活和命运。将语言发挥到极致可以极大地改善我们的生活质量，这一点至关重要。
Even the smallest of words can have the deepest effect on our subconscious mind, which is like a child, and if doesn’t really understand the difference between what really happens and what you imagine. It is eager to please and willing to carry out any commands that you give it – whether you do this knowingly or not is entirely up to you.
再短的单词也能对我们的潜意识产生深远的影响。我们的潜意识就像一个孩子，分不清真实发生的事和自己想象的事。它渴望取悦，乐意听从你给它的任何命令，而你是有意还是无意地做这些完全取决于你。
“Try”
It is a small word yet it has an amazing impact upon us. If someone says, “I’ll try to do that” you know that they are not going to be putting their whole heart into it, and may not even do it at all. How
3 / 60
often do you use the word try when talking about the things that matter to you? Do you say “I’ll try to be more confident” or “I’ll try to do that” or “I’ll try to call”?
“尽力”
这是一个简单的词，却能对我们产生不简单的影响。如果有人说“我会尽力做这件事的”，你知道他其实并不打算全心全意做这件事，甚至可能根本不会去做。你有多少次在谈论对于你非常重要的事时使用了“尽力”这个词?你是否说过“我会尽力做到更加自信”、“我会尽力去做这件事”或者“我会尽力去呼喊”?
Think about something that you would like to achieve, and say it to yourself in two different ways. Firstly say, “I’ll try to … “ and notice how you feel. Next say, “ I will do … “ and see how you feel.
想一件你想完成的事情，然后用两种不同的方式对自己说。首先说“我会尽力去做……”，然后注意你会有什么感受。再对自己说“我要做……”，然后看你又会有什么感受。
The latter makes you feel better than the first one, doesn’t it ? It gives you a sense of determination, a feeling that it will be done. Listen to the people around you and when they say they will try notice if it gets done or not. Eliminate the word try from your dictionary and see how your life improves.
后一种方式给你的感受要比前一种好，不是吗?它给你一种坚定感，一种事情一定会完成的感觉。听听你身边的人怎么说，如果他们说他们会尽力，看看事情最后是不是完成了。从你的词典里删除“尽力”这个词，看看你的生活会如何改善。
“Can’t”
This is another small word with a big impact. It disempowers us, makes us feel weak and helpless, and damages our self-esteem. It limits our infinite abilities and stifles creativity. Rub it out from your internal dictionary and replace it with something that makes you feel great.
“不能”
这又是一个简单却影响巨大的词。它让我们失去力量，让我们感到脆弱与无助，让我们的自尊心受到伤害。它限制了我们无限的才能，扼杀了我们的创造力。把这个词从你内心的词典里擦去吧，换一个让你感到伟大的词。
Instead of saying you can’t, why not say something like “I choose… “ or “ I choose not to … “. Using words like this allows you to take back your power and to be in control of your life.
不要说你“不能”，为什么不换一个别的说法，比如“我选择……”或者“我选择不……”。使用这些词能让你恢复力量，掌控自己的生活。
Words may appear small and insignificant, yet they can have a deep and lasting effect on us. Mastering your language gives you the power to live whatever life you desire.
一些词语或许看似简单、微不足道，却能对我们产生深刻而持久的影响。掌握你的语言能让你获得力量去实现你渴望的生活。
4 / 60
相关推荐：
loading