Web novels get big (P1)

太原市外国语学校    王丽媛

 

Lead-in 

Have you read or seen Harry Potter? Do you like it? Why ? 

How about The Lord of the Rings? Have you seen it? What do you think of it? 

Are there any commonalities between these two works? Do you know any similar Chinese literary works? What are their names?

 

Fast reading 

1.Which of the following options are mentioned in the article?

•Online novels are now looked down upon by Chinese readers.

•The readers of web novels have turned out to be aspiring youths.

•The appeal of China’s online literature  has extended its reach to millions of readers worldwide.

• It’s difficult to imagine how curious foreign readers will feel about China’s

    online literature.

 

2. Match the divisions of the article to the main idea of each division.

 

 

Detailed reading 

Para.1-4

1.  What did people in China think of online literature in the 1990s?

When online literature first came out in the 1990s, it was considered low-quality, “fast food” content, with cheap plots and stereotypical characters. Most serious fans of literature looked down upon it.

 

2. In what forms can you see the most popular online literary works now?

The most popular works may get published in print or adapted into games, movies and TV series.

 

Para.5-6

What features do online literary works have?

(1)Over the past decades, online literary works have developed into relatable stories, and authors now write with more imagination.

(2)Most online novels are essentially coming–of-age stories about the protagonist’s endeavors. 

 

Why do Chinese youth like online literature?

Most online novels are essentially coming-of-age stories about the protagonist’s endeavors, so young people can project their hopes and dreams on the characters, by identifying with them.

 

Para.7-11

What kind of online novels are most popular overseas?  

 

 

Why is it not hard for foreigners to understand China's web novels?  

 

 

How will foreign readers feel about China’s online literature as implied in this article?  

 

 

Post-reading

What do you think of the web novels in China? 

 

Discussion

The Jade Dynasty movie was recently released. It sold many tickets. Have you seen it? Did you like it? Why or why not? 

Who do you like most in the movie? 

Why do you like him or her? 

What would you do if you were in his/her position? 

What do you think of China's online literature, which has Jade Dynasty as a representative?

Have a discussion of these questions with your group members and share your ideas with them.

 

Mini-composition

Write a composition on China's online literature according to your group discussion. Use no more than 100 words  

 

Language focus

1.Now serialized on websites and mobile apps, making them easy to access, online novels are being embraced by Chinese readers. 

serialized在句中是过去分词短语作状语，与省略的主语online novels之间是被动关系； 

making在句中是现在分词引导结果状语从句，表伴随。 

意为：如今，网络小说在网站和手机应用程序上连载，便于阅读，受到了中国读者的欢迎。

 

2.The number of readers accessing literature online reached 455 million, making up 53 percent of Chinese internet users.   

accessing在句中是现在分词作定语，因主语readers与access之间是主动关系，故用access的现在分词形式做修饰； 

making up在句中是现在分词短语作状语，作补充说明。 

意为：网络文学阅读人数达到4.55亿人次，占中国网民总数的53%。

 

3.The massive (巨大的) appeal of China’s online literature, which revolves around (围绕) universal themes, has also extended its reach to millions of readers worldwide. 

which引导定语从句，修饰先行词China’s online literature。 

意为：中国网络文学的主题具有普遍性，其巨大的魅力也吸引了全球数以百万计的读者。

 

4.The most popular novels with overseas audiences tend to be classified as xuanhuan, which means fantasy stories that feature adventures and warfare. 

which引导定语从句，修饰先行词xuanhuan；

that引导定语从句，修饰先行词fantasy stories；

意为：最受海外读者欢迎的小说往往被归类为玄幻小说，即以冒险和战争为特色的奇幻故事。

 

5. With more translation forums flourishing, it’s not difficult to imagine how curious foreign readers will feel about China’s online literature, just as Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings were first introduced to China.   

how在句中引导宾语从句；

as在句中引导方式状语从句。

意为：随着越来越多的翻译论坛蓬勃发展，不难想象外国读者会对中国的网络文学感到多么好奇，就像《哈利波特》与《指环王》首次被介绍到中国一样。

 

 

Avoid phones during breaks (P6)

邯郸市第一中学 王永仙

 

Lead in 

What do you usually do to relax during break time at work or school?

Does it really help?

Let’s find the answer together.

 

Read for main idea

What is the passage mainly about?

Although it might seem like a good time, looking at your cellphone during your break time may damage your mental power.

Read for details

Read again and answer questions.

1.What does the recent psychological study from Rutgers University show?

Looking at your cellphone may damage your mental power, according to a recent psychological study from Rutgers University.

psychological ：adj.心理学的

2. Why do cellphones have such an effect?

Cellphones may have this effect because even just seeing your phone activates thoughts of checking messages, connecting with people, access to ever-refilling information and more, in ways that are different than how we use other screens, like computers and laptops.

3. Why does the author mention a 2017 study from the University of Chicago?

To support the result from of the study by Rutgers University.

4. What does the author suggest we doduring our next break?

So, during your next break, try putting your smartphone away. Go out for a walk, get to know your classmates or even take a nap (小憩). You may be surprised by the results!

 

Read for language

•1. Although it might seem like a good time, looking at your cellphone may damage your mental power, according to a recent psychological study from Rutgers University.

Although 引导让步状语从句

looking at your cellphone 动名词短语作主语

 

2. Interestingly, the group that used their cellphones during the break went back to work feeling the most tired and least motivated to continue.

that引导让步定语从句，修饰先行词the group

feeling the most tired and least motivated to continue分词作伴随状语，与逻辑主语the group 是主动关系。

 

3. Terri Kurtzberg, co-author of the study, explained that they assumed looking at cellphones during a break would be no different from any other break – but instead, the phone may cause increasing levels of distraction (分心) that make it difficult to return focused attention to work tasks.

第一个that引导宾语从句，作explain的宾语

looking at cellphones during a break动名词短语作主语

第二个that引导定语从句，修饰先行词distraction

 

VI. Discussion

•What else can you do to relax during breaks? Surf on the Internet and find more information. You can also consult your parents. Introduce them to the class. 

 

Homework

Write a summary to report the study next class.