Lesson 6 The sporting spirit 体育的精神

First listen and then answer the following question.

听录音,然后回答以下问题。

How does the writer describe sport at the international level?

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples (the 1936 Olympic Games, for instance) that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could deduce it from 5 general principles.

Nearly all the sports practised nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise: but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most

10 savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators: and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests, and seriously believe---at any rate for short periods—that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.

George Orwell The sporting spirit

New words and expressions 生词和短语

goodwill (1.1) /'gʊdwɪl/ n. 友好

cricket (1.2) /'krɪkɪt/ n. 板球

inclination (1.3) /,ɪnklɪ'neɪʃən/ n. 意愿

contest (1.4) /'kɒntest/ n. 比赛

orgy (1.4) /'ɔːdʒi/ n. 无节制,放荡

deduce (1.4) /dɪ'dʒuːs/ v. 推断

competitive (1.6) /kəm'petɪtɪv/ adj. 竞争性的

patriotism (1.8) /'pætriətɪzəm/ n. 地方观念，爱国主义

disgrace (1.9) /dɪs'greɪs/ v. 使丢脸

savage (1.10) /'sævɪdʒ/ adj. 野性的

combative (1.10) /'kɒmbətɪv/ adj. 好斗的

mimic warfare (1.11) /'mɪmɪk-'wɔːfeə/ 模拟战争

behaviour (1.11) /bɪ'heɪvjə/ n. 行动，举止

absurd (1.13) /əb'sɜːd/ adj. 荒唐的

Notes on the text 课文注释

1 if only the common peoples of the world ..., 这里 if only 引导的一个非真实条件句, if only 作 "只要" 讲 。

2 have no inclination to do,无意做……,不想做……。

3 deduce ... from ..., 从 …… 推断出 ……。

4 You play to win. 句中的 you 是泛指人, 可译作 “人们”。

5 pick up, 随意挑选。

6 and, behind the spectators, of the nations, 在 of the nations 前面省略了 the attitude 。

Unit 1 Lesson 6

East Midlands 'PIX'

参考译文

当我听人们说体育运动可创造国家之间的友谊, 还说各国民众若在足球场或板球场上交锋, 就不愿在战场上残杀的时候,我总是惊愕不已。一个人即使不能从具体的事例(例如 1936 年的奥林匹克运动会)了解到国际运动比赛会导致疯狂的仇恨,也可以从常理中推断出结论。

现在开展的体育运动几乎都是竞争性的。参加比赛就是为了取胜。如果不拚命去赢,比赛就没有什么意义了。在乡间的草坪上, 当你随意组成两个队, 并且不涉及任何地方情绪时, 那才有可能是单纯为了娱乐和锻炼而进行比赛。可是一旦涉及到荣誉问题, 一旦你想到你和某一团体会因你输了而丢脸时, 那么最野蛮的争斗天性便会被激发起来。即使是仅仅参加过学校足球赛的人也有这种体会。在国际比赛中,体育简直是一场模拟战争。 但是,要紧的还不是运动员的行为,而是观众的态度,以及观众身后各个国家的态度。面对着这些荒唐的比赛. 参赛的各个国家会如痴如狂,甚至煞有介事地相信——至少在短期内如此——跑跑、跳跳、踢踢球是对一个民族品德素质的检验。

Comprehension 理解

Give short answers to these questions in your own words as far as possible. Use one complete sentence for each answer.

1 Why, according to the author, do international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred?

2 What, according to the author, do spectators believe when they watch international sporting contests?

Vocabulary 词汇

A Refer to the text to see how the following words have been used, then write sentences of your own using ` these words: amazed (1.1); goodwill (1.1); inclination (1.3); deduce (1.4); utmost (1.7); prestige (1.9); disgraced (1.9); significant (1.11).

B Explain the following phrases as they have been used in the passage: pick up sides (1.7); local patriotism (II.7-8); the most savage combative instincts are aroused (II.9-10); frankly mimic warfare (I.11); absurd contests (I.13).

Unit 1 Lesson 6

Sentence structure 句子结构

A Supply the missing words in the following paragraph. Do not refer to the passage until you have finished the exercise:

You play to win, _____ the game has little meaning _____ you do your utmost to win. On the village green, _____ you pick up sides _____ no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise; but _____ the question of local prestige arises,_____ you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced _____ you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone _____ has played even in a school football match knows this. (ll.6-10)

B Combine the following sentences to make one complete statement. Make any changes you think necessary, but do not change the sense of the original. Refer to the passage when you have finished the exercise: The significant thing is not the behaviour of the players. It is the attitude of the spectators. Behind the spectators, it is the attitude of the nations. They work themselves up into furies over these absurd contests. Running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue. They seriously believe this - at any rate for short periods. (II.11-13)

C Complete the following sentences in any way you wish. Then compare what you have written with the sentences in the passage:

1 I am always amazed when _____ . (1.1)

2 Nearly all the sports practised _____ . (1.6)

D State in a single sentence what you think the author believes about competitive sports.

Key structures 关键句型

A Study the form of the verbs after if in these sentences:

If only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. (ll.1-3)

If one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred, one could

deduce it from general principles. (ll.3-5)

Some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose. (1.9)

Complete the following in any way you wish:

1 If you play a game to win _____.

2 If only we could afford to _____.

3 You could learn to play golf if you _____.

4 You won't find it difficult if you _____.

B Note carefully the form of the verbs after the phrase as soon as in this sentence:

As soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. (11.8-10)

Supply the correct form of the verbs in parentheses in these sentences:

1 If he _____ (make) any trouble, he will be asked to leave the meeting.

2 You will feel much better when you _____ (stop) smoking.

3 As soon as he _____ (arrive) in New York, he will send me a fax.

4 You can wait here until the rain _____ (stop).

5 When you _____ (move) to your new house, you will be far more comfortable than you are now.

Unit 1 Lesson 6

C Supply the missing words in the following paragraph. Do not refer to the passage until you have finished the exercise:

Anyone who has played even _____ a school football match knows this. _____ the international level, sport is frankly mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behaviour _____ the players but the attitude _____ the spectators: and, _____ the spectators, _____ the nations who work themselves _____

furies _____ these absurd contests. (ll.10-13)

Special difficulties 难点

A Study the following pairs of words and then write sentences of your own to bring out the difference.

1 hear (I.1) - listen

The walls of this house are so thin, you can hear the neighbours cough next door.

I often listen to music.

2 even (1.3) - still

Mr. Wilks is not only working at the age of 95 ; he's even running a company.

Though he's 95, Mr. Wilks still plays bowls.

3 lead (1.4) - guide

Walking just in front, and pausing to check everyone was following, the young man led them to the market place.

(i.e. He went in front)

The doorman drew a quick sketch map to guide us through the narrow streets. (i.e. to show the way)

4 principle (I.5) - principal

A good principle is not to borrow money you can't repay.

He has just been appointed principal of the college.

5 practise (1.6) - practice

I practise lifting every day.

Your tennis will improve with practice.

However, in American English, both the noun and the verb are spelt practice.

6 win (I.6) - beat

Tottenham won the Cup Final.

Tottenham beat Liverpool in the Cup Final.

7 lose (1.9) - loose

Try not to lose your ticket.

The handle on this suitcase is very loose.

8 arise (1.10) - arouse

A serious problem has arisen which will take time to solve.

His behaviour was arousing the interest of his neighbours.

9 level (1.11) - flat

Inflation had dropped to its lowest level in five years.

It is much easier to walk on the flat.

B Explain the meaning of the word peoples in this sentence:

If only the common peoples of the world could meet. (11.1-2)

Write two sentences using the words people and peoples.

C Compare these two expressions:

Instead of saying: The Olympic Games that were held in 1936 ...

We can say: The 1936 Olympic Games ... (II.3-4)

What can we say in place of the phrases in italics?

1 I shall catch the train that leaves at four o'clock.

2 I have a copy of the edition that was published in 1937.

3 The Education Act of 1944 aimed at providing equal opportunities for every child in the country.

4 The revolution of 1917 had important consequences.

D Compare these two sentences:

One could deduce it from general principles. (11.4-5)

You play to win, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win. (II.6-7)

Write two sentences using the words one and you in the ways shown above.

E Explain the words and phrases in italics:

1 It is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise. (1.8)

2 There was a lot of fun and laughter at the party.

3 He didn't mean any harm; it was all in good fun.

4 He's upset because everyone made fun of him.

Multiple choice questions 多项选择题

Choose the correct answers to the following questions.

Comprehension 理解

1 The writer questions the assumption that _____ .

(a) people enjoy sport

(b) there are general principles governing sport

(c) sport makes war less likely

(d) sport is enjoyed by common people

2 According to the writer, the only purpose of competitive games is _____.

(a) beating your opponent

(b) getting plenty of exercises

(c) having fun

(d) doing your best

3 A competitive sportsman is likely to feel _____ if he loses.

(a) patriotism

(b) savage

(c) shame

(d) even more competitive

4 At the international level _____.

(a) the players are at war with each other

(b) the spectators take part in the sporting contests

(c) nations appear to be at war with one another

(d) sport brings out the best qualities in a nation

Unit 1 Lesson 6

Structure 句型

5 If only _____ possible for the common peoples to meet each other. (ll.1-2)

(a) it would be (b) it could be (c) it were (d) it might be

6 You play _____ win. (1.6)

(a) in order to (b) in order that (c) so that (d) for

7 The village green is the _____ you pick sides. (1.7)

(a) the place (b) the time (c) the reason (d) the cause

8 _____ the question of national prestige arises ... (II.8-9)

(a) The moment (b) Just (c) As long as (d) Providing

Vocabulary 词汇

9 If we could meet at football, we would have no _____ to meet on the battlefield. (ll.1-2)

(a) bent (b) feeling (c) opportunity (d) desire

10 You could _____ from general principles that international sporting contests lead to orgies of hatred. (ll.4-5)

(a) include (b) conclude (c) exclude (d) delude

11 If you lose, the _____ combative instincts are aroused. (ll.9-10)

(a) wildest (b) most serious (c) most frightening (d) most dangerous

12 The _____ thing is not the behaviour of the players - (ll.11-12)

(a) important (b) unusual (c) signal (d) obvious