Issue 520 For junior 2

北航实验学校中学部 姜瑶

Dickens’ realistic novel p(3)

I. Lead in

What does a novel consist of?

Plot is what happens in the story and the order it happens in.

Characters are the people appearing in the novel.

Setting is the background of a novel, which often means the place and the time the story happen in.

Language

Ideas are what is reflected or shown in the novel by the writer, often related to values.

What could you interest you most in a book? And why?

About Charles Dickens:

Charles Dickens(1812 –1870) : One of the  most famous writers in the world.

He was an English writer and social critic (社会批评家). He created some of the world‘s best-known fictional characters (虚拟角色) and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era (维多利亚时代).

By the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognized him as a literary genius (天才). His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

II. While-Reading

Choose the answer:

1. Who’s the main character in Great Expectations?

A. Charles.                   B. Pip.   

C. Mrs. Joe.                  D. Joe Gargery.

2. Which period of time is the novel about?

A. From 1860 to 1861.  B. Nowadays.

C. Victorian England.           D. Elizabeth England.

3. From Paragraph 3 we learn that _____.

A. the book is a must-read for students of all grades in England

B. Dickens’ works are boring and don’t have any interesting parts

C. Dickens liked to use hard words to show off his writing skills

D. some social problems in the book can still be found today

4. Why were Dickens’ stories so realistic according to the passage?

A. Because he put what he found in society into the novels.

B. Because he could get along with both the rich and the poor.

C. Because he liked social criticisms and gothic fiction books.

D. Because he didn’t lead a happy and rich life during his lifetime.

5. What of the following is NOT the writer’s opinion towards the book?

A. It is a book that can be added in your must-read list.

B. You can find something new each time you read it.

C. It is a good book to learn about Victorian culture and social life.

D. The Chinese version is better than the English one.

III. Post-reading

What is social criticism?

The term social criticism often refers to a mode of criticism that locates the reasons for bad conditions in a society considered to be in an imperfect social structure.

What is a gothic fiction?

Gothic fiction, which is largely known by the genre of Gothic horror and gothic fiction, is a genre or mode of literature that combines fiction, horror, death and Romance.

Learn more about Dickens’ great works.

1 Oliver Twist (《雾都孤儿》)

2 Hard Times (《艰难时世》)

3 A Tale of Two Cities (《双城记》)

Could a total stranger look like your twin? P(5)

I. Pre-reading

1. How do you recognize your friend?

By clothes?

By voice?

Or by look?

2. Do they look the same?

The girl on the left is from China, named Starr.

The girl on the right is from Japan, named Yasuko.

They’re of the same age!

3. What decides a person’s look?

DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce. These instructions are found inside every cell, and are passed down from parents to their children.

II. While-Reading

Choose the answer:

1. What does “doppelganger” mean?

A. A phenomenon when people often mistake a stranger for a friend.

B. A phenomenon that there are lots of twins in the world.

C. Two strangers who look like to each other.

D. Twins who live in different places.

2. Why did professor Sheehan mention cards in a deck?

A. Because he wanted to draw the readers’ attention.

B. Because he loved to play cards very much.

C. Because he knew the secret of the genes.

D. Because he found cards and genes similar.

3. Lifestyle choices that can change one’s looks include the following EXCEPT _____.

A. a haircut

B. eating habits

C. clothing style

D. genes

4. According to Daniele Podini, _____.

A. Sheehan’s view is completely wrong

B. there are no true doppelgangers

C. people see the world in similar ways

D. it’s difficult to tell similar looking people apart

III. Post-Reading

What else do you know is decided by genes?

Personality, height, figure, gender…

Think before you act out p(6)

I. Pre-reading

There is an old saying in China, which has the similar meaning to “think before you act out”. Can you name it?

Why should people think before acting out?

Because recklessness may cause something bad to happen, such as quarrel, argument or misunderstanding. This could hurt the one you love and make you unhappy too.

II. While-reading

Choose the answer:

1. What was Dad doing when Tyler was drawing?

A. He was shopping in the store.

B. He was playing out.

C. He was talking on the phone.

D. He was hanging up the wallpaper.

2. Why did mum call Tyler’s full name?

A. To make him heard.

B. To show her anger.

C. To find Tyler quickly.

D. To surprise Tyler.

3. Why did mum flood with tears?

A. Because she was moved.

B. Because she was angry.

C. Because she was tired.

D. Because she was surprised.

4. What happened to the wallpaper at last?

A. It was replaced by a new one.

B. It was covered with paint.

C. It was put away in the closet.

D. It was made into a picture.

5. What is the message of the story?

A. It’s never too late to show love to our families.

B. Love from your mother often hides in small things.

C. It’s important to believe in each other among family members.

D. We sometimes need to take time to learn from others’ mistakes.

III. Post-reading

A reminder for everyone: Take the time to read the handwriting on the wall.

What do you get by reading the handwriting of Tyler on the wall?

Remember: 

There’s nothing more expensive than love, even an expensive wallpaper.

Love is always behind something, for you to discover.