2021-22学年度第7期总第756期

Nation of warriors (P4-5)

吉林毓文中学 姜晓琳

Lead-in

Which country has the largest area in the world?

Russia

 

Think about some typical things of Russia: 

Reading for main idea

The article is mainly about _________.

the reason why Russia is called the“warrior nation”

Reading for the structure

What is the structure of the article?

 

Reading for details

Complete the form below.

Language study

Explain the function of the expression “in fact” in the following sentences.

1. Even young children need to learn to harden themselves against the harsh weather. In fact, in a remote Siberian village called Oymyakon, which is one of the coldest places on Earth, classes are only canceled if temperatures drop below -52 C.

2. “In fact, many Chinese people admire Russian character, power, and mentality (意志力),” said Wang Zongnan, 22, from Tsinghua University, “because we share the same memory of our countries as allies (盟友) in World War II.”

3. Though Russians tend to seem a bit tough on the outside, they are, in fact, a kind and welcoming people.

(a) used when you are adding something, especially something surprising, to emphasize what you have just said. sentence 1 & sentence 2

(b) used to emphasize that the truth about a situation is the opposite of what has been mentioned. sentence 3

 

Decide how the phrase is being used in each sentence.

But even 200 years ago, only a few people could live in cities. In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages. （2013 北京）

usage (a)

Between the ages of about 12 and 50, women produce hormones that are involved in fertility (生育能力). These hormones also have a positive effect on the heart and blood flow. In fact, women are less likely to have high blood pressure or to die from heart attacks. (2016 四川）

usage (a)

Frank Hurley’s pictures would be outstanding--undoubtedly first-rate photo-journalism--if they had been taken last week. In fact, they were shot from 1914 through 1916, most of them after a disastrous shipwreck(海滩), … (2016课标)

usage (b)

Lots of people find it hard to get up in the morning, and put the blame on the alarm clock. In fact, the key to waking up early lies in resetting your body clock. (2017 全国III)

usage (b)

 

Extensive reading

What else do you know about Russia? What is the relationship between Russia and China?

Russians are very athletic. In the medal records for every Summer Olympic Games, Russia – or the former Soviet Union – has never finished below fourth place. The country’s long winters have encouraged its people to become good at winter sports, too, including ice hockey, ice skating and skiing.
    The country has also made great achievements in literature and art. You can see them in War and Peace by famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, Swan Lake by composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and the craftsmanship of the country’s traditional nesting dolls.
    Since the 1950s, the former Soviet Union has influenced Chinese culture a lot. Several generations have deep memories of songs like Moscow Nights and books such as And Quiet Flows the Don. But now, the country’s influence on China is becoming more about economic cooperation.
    China has been Russia’s top trading partner for years, according to the Ministry of Commerce. And the Belt and Road Initiative is creating even more ties between the two.

Russia is China’s largest neighbor, and the two neighbors are getting ever closer.