Unit 7 A Rose Is a Rose
Warm-up activities
Q1. What do you know about flowers? Can you mention any flowers in English? Which are your favorites ----- of course, this question is not only for girls!
(A: rose, daisy, daffodil, iris, tulip, dandelion, chrysanthemum, carnation, orchid, lily, etc.)
Q2.Why do you love them? Do they represent special meaning? Can you give some examples?
Q3. Have you ever sent or received flowers for a special occasion? How do you feel when you receive flowers?
Q4. Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between people in love, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious Saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?
With these questions, we know this section is about the gift of roses on Valentine’s Day, on which lovers open their heart and wallets to show their true devotion.
Part I: Introduction & Background information
1. Valentine’s Day
Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, ordered the Roman soldiers not to marry or become engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay at home with their families rather than fight his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor’s decree(order) and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.
Part II: New words & Expressions
distribute vt.
- supply (goods) in a particular area, esp. to shops （尤指向商店）供应（货物），发售
Through the nationwide sales network of the corporation they can distribute goods easily to various parts of the country.
Most of these are consumer goods to be distributed to shops locally and nationwide.消费品，分销
2. divide and give out among several people, places, etc. 分发，分送，分配
This document will be distributed among the people at the meeting.
Clothes and blankets have been distributed among the refugees.
3. spread out through an area 使分布，散布；撒，播
This new machine distributes seed evenly and quickly over the fields.
This kind of plant is widely distributed.
The president of the USA is the chief executive.
discount
1. [C] a cutting-down in the usual price 折扣
The shop assistant said they could give me a big discount if I bought three at once.
He sold the goods to her at a special discount. 他以特别优惠的价格把货卖给了她。
2. vt. make a discount 打折
If we have to discount these cars we aren't going to make a profit. …，我们就无利可言了。
That store discounted all its unsold merchandise.
3. vt. regard (a story, piece of news, suggestion, etc.) as unimportant or unlikely to be true or valuable Experts have discounted the possibility of a second earthquake in the area.
Much of what he says must be discounted; he imagines things. 他想像力太丰富了。
circulate: v.
1. (cause to) move round or through （使）移动，（使）循环，（使）流通
Here, you have a chance to circulate and chat informally.
The principle is to support the crop above the ground and to allow the air to circulate freely through it.
A buffet meal is more sociable, enabling you to circulate freely.
If our heart is strong and working efficiently, oxygen will circulate all round the body helping to feed and renew our body tissues.
2) (cause to) spread widely （使）流传，散布，传播
The news of the enemy's defeat quickly circulated round the town. 敌人惨败的消息很快传遍全城。
counter
- [C] a flat narrow surface or table in a shop, bank, restaurant, etc. at which
people are served 柜台 OTC: over the counter (非处方药)
There was nobody behind the counter when I went into the bank. 我进银行时柜台后没人。
The shopkeeper put my things on the counter. 店主把我的东西放在柜台上。
2．[C] a person or esp. an electrical apparatus that counts 计算器
3. respond to sb./sth. with a different view, a return attack, etc. 反对，反击，对抗，反驳
I countered by asking whether she actually knew this man. 我反问她究竟认识不认识这个男人。
4. adj, adv. 相反的，相反地
He acted counter to all advice. 他一概不听别人的劝告，偏要那样干。
delivery n.
- [U, C] the act of taking or giving sth. to sb., or the things taken or given
投递，送交；投递的邮件，发送的货物
We get two deliveries of mail a day. 我们每天接收两次邮件。
2. [C, U] the process of giving birth 分娩
Husbands are encouraged to be present at delivery and see the baby being born.
Soar vi
1) rise very quickly to a high level 升高，高涨
The temperature soared to 43 degrees centigrade (摄氏) on July 25. 7月25日，气温猛升到43 ºC。
The incident might also cause the price of oil to soar above $50 a barrel and stay there for some months. People in this town starved；several buildings were bombed and crime soared because you had to steal to eat. 2) (of a bird or airplane) rise high in the air while flying without moving the wings or using power 翱翔
The eagle is soaring over the mountains. 老鹰在山巅翱翔。
Inexperienced pilots get into difficulties when they are soaring. 缺少经验的飞行员在滑翔时会遇到困难。
bloom:
1. v. develop very good, attractive, or successful qualities 发展良好
The party bloomed with joy and good fellowship. 聚会充满了欢乐和友好的气氛。
His poetic genius bloomed early and then died away. 他的诗歌才华过早地展现，然后就凋谢了。
2. produce flowers, or (of a flower) open or be open 开花，绽放
The roses in his garden are blooming beautifully these days. 这些天他家花园里的玫瑰花开得正艳。
The plant has a beautiful orange flower, which blooms in May every year.
3 n. a flower on a plant 花
All the wild plants are in bloom. 野生植物正百花盛开。
All roses come into bloom at this time of the year. 所有玫瑰都在每年的这个时间开始绽放。
4. n. the best or most favorable time of sb. / sth. 最佳时期，繁盛时期
Judy is now in the bloom of youth. 朱迪现在正当青春年少。
launch
- v. begin (sth. such as a plan) or introduce (sth. new such as a product)
发起（运动），推出（产品）
Early last year the company researched the possibility of launching a new late-night show.
They launched a special party for the new book. 他们特地为这本新书的发行举行了一次聚会。
2. v. send (a new ship, etc.) into the water or send (a rocket, satellite, etc.) into the sky or space 使（船）下水；发射(火箭、卫星等)
As soon as the alarm was given, the lifeboat was launched. 警报声一响，救生艇立即被放下了水。
Our nuclear missiles can be launched at a moment's notice. 我们的核导弹一接到通知就可以随时发射。
3. n. (sing.) the act of launching 发起；发射
All the pilot can do is to signal if the launch is too fast or abandon the launch if it is too slow.
The rocket had a minor problem during its first launch last October.
release
1. v. allow (news, film, etc.) to be made known or to be shown
发布，发表，发行
The latest developments have just been released to the public. 刚刚向公众公开了最新的进展情况。
The police have released a picture of the man they want to question. 警方公布了他们要审问的人的照片。
2. v. give freedom or free movement to 释放，放开，放松
He was released from prison after serving two years of a five-year sentence.
The zoo keepers released the lions from their cage.
3. [U] the act of setting free or being set free 解脱，释放
Death was a merciful release for him as he had been through unbearable suffering all this time.
Since his release a year ago, he has been prevented from working as a journalist.
3. [C] a book, film, record, piece of news, etc. that has been made available to the public 发行的新书、电影、唱片等；发布的新闻
a press release 新闻稿
The band played their latest release. 乐队演奏了他们最新发行的唱片歌曲。
chase
- vt. force to run away; drive away 驱赶，驱逐
She's always chasing cats out of the garden to protect the birds which come to the bird table.
The peasants were chased from the village. 农民们被赶出了村子。
2. vt. run after in order to get 追捕，追赶
Many men become workaholics, chasing success and often neglecting their wives and children.
The police car was going so fast, it must have been chasing someone.
- [C] an act of chasing sth. 追踪，追捕
Eventually, exhaustion forced the unfortunate man to abandon the chase.
Yesterday it was not clear if the police lost contact with the stolen car during the.
to go out of style
Such exteriors as clothing and hairstyle may fall out of fashion, but the interiors like honesty will never go out of style. 象衣着和发型外在的东西可能回过时，但象诚实这样的内在东西却永远不会过时。
to be no longer a beautiful experience for sb. 对某人来说不在是美差
Once knowledge seeking is no longer a painful experience for a student, he / she will focus more of his / her energy on it. 对一个学生来说，学习不在是一个痛苦的差使，他她就会将更大的精力投入到学习上。
to offer convenience to the busy (L. 9)
He who offers convenience to others in life finds life convenient for himself. 生活中，与人方便，自己方便。
to answer the challenge (L. 12 )
To answer the challenges of the future, many of the youth go back to colleges to recharge themselves with knowledge at their spare time. 为了应付挑战，许多年轻人利用业余时间重新走进大学给自己充电。
to range from…to… (L. 12 )
The development of a country is of many dimensions, ranging from political system and economy to education and the people’s living standards. 一个国家的发展是多方面的，包括…各个方面。
to spend a fortune (L. 23)
Having spent a handsome fortune on a racing car, he immediately became an object of envy to all his friends.
to buy roses in ones (L. 25)
Misfortunes never come in ones; blessings never arrive in pairs.
to be left over
Today’s work should never be left over till tomorrow. 今日事，今日毕。
sb.’s formula for success (L. 32)
Luck is not reliable, because one’s formula for success lies in 99% of hard work plus only 1% of luck.
to hold prices down (L. 32
With some people, hardships do not hold them down, but money and beauty do.
to decline from…to…
As a result of another failure in the English exam, her enthusiasm for English learning declined to zero.
to account for
Human feelings are so complex and subtle that no one can account for them in a satisfactory manner.
to go down (L. 46)
The tourist industry in that country went down sharply because of increasing terrorist attacks. 急剧衰退
to chase sb. out of business (L. 54 )
Any company, if it is run with only profit in mind regardless of morality, is bound to be chased out of business. 任何一家公司，如果其经营惟利是图，不顾道义的话，注定将从改行业中挤出去。
to crush some domestic growers (L. 55)
Under heavy mental stress, some are crushed down while some gain courage to make a success.
在精神重压之下，有的人被压跨，而有的人鼓起勇气获得成功。
to widen our business (L. 57)
In college, students must perform two tasks at the same time: one is to enrich themselves with specialty, and the other to widen their knowledge about society. 在大学里，学生要同时完成两项任务：一是要丰富专业知识，二是要扩大知识面。
to get a break (L. 61)
Treasure your college life, for it is most likely to be a break in your life.
珍惜你的大学生活，因为它极有可能成为你的人生转机。
to be on sb.’s side
Don’t hug yourself for joy when things are on your side; and similarly, don’t give yourself up for lost when everything is not on your side. 一帆风顺时，不可沾沾自喜，同样事事不如意时，也不能自暴自弃。
to operate a business on someone else’s disaster (L. 62)
It is not only immoral but even a crime to build one’s happiness on someone else’s misfortunes.
把自己的幸福建立在别人的痛苦之上，不仅不道德甚至还是一种罪恶。
to long for sth.
I’m longing for a well-off life, and I’m determined to make it with my own hands.
我渴望富裕的生活，我决心用自己的双手去创造它。
range from… to…
1. vary or extend between certain limits 在一定范围内变化或扩展
Prices range from $7 to $10. 价格从7美元到10美元不等。
His feelings on the matter have ranged from bitterness to hope. 他在这件事上的感情由痛苦转为希望。
be left over
- remain after the rest has been used or divided 剩下来，留下来
It's shameful to see so much food left over in restaurants.
When I finished making the dress, I had only a few square inches of material left over.
hold down
1. keep at a low level; keep down （使）保持低水平，（使）不增加，（使）不升高
Most of the food shops have promised to hold prices down until after the new year.
The rate of inflation must be held down. 必须把通货膨胀率控制在低水平。
复习：hold up, hold back, hold on, hold on to, hold out
account for
1. supply the amount that is mentioned 占去
Sales to Europe accounted for 80% of our total sales last year.
Computers account for 5% of the country's commercial electricity consumption.
2. explain or give a reason for sth. 解释
How can we account for these changes? 我们该如何解释这些变化？
I was asked by my boss to account for all the money I had spent.
go down
1. become lower; fall 下降，降低
The world's total supply of oil is going down all the time, as more and more gets used up.
The neighborhood has gone down since those rough people moved in.
get a break
1. have good luck 交好运，时来运转
Keep trying. You're bound to get a break sooner or later.
on sb.’s side
- helping sb. in achieving sth.; holding the same views as sb. 对某人有利；赞同某人的意见
Justice is on our side. Whose side are you on anyway?
The US entered the war on the side of England in 1941. 1941年美国参战支持英国。
Part III: Detailed study of the text
- Nothing says love like a dozen long-stemmed roses on Valentine's Day. (Para. 1)
Meaning: There is no other thing that can deliver the message of love better than a bundle of long-stemmed roses on Valentine's Day.
2. More than a million roses will be sold during this festival for lovers, the biggest day of the year for the nation's rose industry. (Para. 1)
Meaning: More than a million roses will be sold during the Valentine's Day this year.
Valentine's Day is a festival for people in love, and also the biggest day of the year for the nation's rose industry.
3．Yes, a rose is a rose is a rose. (Para. 2)
是的，玫瑰就是玫瑰，依然红艳。The sentence is quoted from the famous American female writer Gertrude Stein (1874-1946). Her writing is characterized by repetition with slight changes.
What’s in a name? A rose is a rose by any other name. ------William Shakespeare
4. Studies show more people are buying roses in ones, twos and threes these days. (Para. 5)
Meaning: Studies show that these days more people buy one or two or three roses at a time.
Note here the present continuous tense is used to indicate the repetition of buying roses.
5. … U.S. rose growers are going bankrupt amid severe foreign competition. (Para. bankrupt: a.
1) unable to pay what one owes
He is going bankrupt if he can not pay off the loan that becomes due soon.
2) lacking in some good quality
He believes that modern society is morally bankrupt. 他认为现代社会已丧失道德观念。
n. a person who is bankrupt
He was declared by the court to be a bankrupt last year. 去年他经法院宣告破产。
go bankrupt: become unable to pay one's debts
The company went bankrupt owing millions of pounds. 公司欠了数百万英镑的债，破产了。
6. Imported roses are sold across the entire breadth of the industry, from big flower shops to street-corner stands. (Para. 7)
Meaning: Imported roses are sold throughout the flower industry, from big flower shops to street-corner stands.
breadth: n. the distance from one side to another
Mr. Smith has traveled through the length and breadth of his country. 史密斯先生走遍了他的国家。
We should develop our national economy in breadth and depth. 应在广度和深度上发展我们的国民经济。
7. Then "overseas people" began unloading carnations, he says, and virtually chased U.S. carnation growers out of business. (Para. 10)
Meaning: Then "overseas people", that is, the foreign growers, began selling carnations in large numbers in America, he says, and practically drove U.S. carnation growers out of business.
8. It's hard to operate a business on someone else's disaster… (Para. 12)
Meaning: "It's hard to run a business by taking advantage of someone else's disaster," Johnson says.
9. "It generates attention," says one rose seller. (Para. 13)
Meaning: "It draws attention," says one rose seller. Here "it" refers to arranging and delivering every Valentine's Day bundle of flowers.
10. Then everybody cranes their necks to see, and wonders who sent them to her. (Para. 13)
Meaning: Then everybody stretches their necks to see what's happening, and wonders who sent the flowers to her.
Part IV. Text structure analysis
One dominant writing technique that runs throughout the essay is a problem-solution pattern, which serves one central theme: the rose business must adapt to changing conditions in the marketplace in order to succeed.
The whole passage can be divided into 4 parts:
1. The first part is Paragraph 1. The paragraph deals with the general situation of the passage.
2. The second part of the passage is a complete problem-solution pattern. The part consists of 5 paragraphs, from Paragraph 2 to Paragraph 6. Paragraph 2 presents the problem … (ask student the question). Paragraph 3 is about one example of rose selling companies dealing with the problem…Paragraph 5 presents the second solution to the rose selling problem…Paragraph 6 is about the third solution…
3. The third part of the passage is another complete problem-solution pattern. The part is made up of 6 paragraphs, from Paragraph 7 to paragraph 12. Paragraph 7 presents the problem for rose growers. Paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 are about one example of rose growers dealing with the problem. Paragraphs 11 and 12 are about the solutions that Johnson Flowers have adopted in order to succeed.
4. The fourth part is made up of two paragraphs, Paragraph 13 and Paragraph 14. The two paragraphs present the conclusion to the reading passage.
Please note that the second part and the third part are running parallel to each other as both of them are structured in a problem-solution pattern. Both of them start with a problem, then one example of dealing with the problem followed by their solutions.
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