Unit 6 The Green BananaThe Green Banana

Teaching procedures

Ⅰ Warming-up questions Ⅱ Check on pre-class work Ⅲ Background Ⅳ General understanding of the text Ⅴ Detailed study of the text Ⅵ Retelling the text Ⅶ Language Focus Ⅷ Synonymous words to distinguish Ⅸ Exercises

Ⅰ Warming-up questions

1. Did you know any use of green bananas before?

2. What have you known about the use of green bana

nas from the text we’re going to learn?

Ⅱ Check on preclass work P132-134

Find the verb patterns from the text and list them below.

agree with call for consist of

cut in half dawn on sb melt into

point to reflect on regard as

rise up take along talk about

work out

Ⅱ Check on preclass work P132-134

Find the useful phrases and idioms from the text and list them below.

after all all along an armful of

around here at once at that moment

be astonished at for ages for some time

for years in a sense in case

in fact on one’s part in relation to

once more in turn right over there

make sure

Ⅱ Check on preclass work P132-134

Find useful verb + noun collocations and expressions from the text and list them below.

appreciate the special genius doubt one’s claim experience those moments fix the car grasp the significance inspect the car make a breakthrough meet one’s need make the centre of the world pay attention press the cut end reach the destination show ignorance show interest stop the leaks tease sb represent the center of the world encounter these learning moments

Ⅲ Background

1. Multiculturalism vs ethnocentrism Multiculturalism: a situation in which all the different

cultural or racial groups in a society have equal rights and opportunities, and none is ignored or regarded as unimportant.

Ethnocentrism: the belief that one particular race or nationality of people is superior to all others.

Types of ethnocentrism: Afrocentrism, Types of ethnocentrism: Afrocentrism, Americentrism,Americentrism,

Eurocentrism, Sinocentrism, etc.Eurocentrism, Sinocentrism, etc.

Ⅲ Background

2. Four systems of a car engine Combustion( 燃烧系统） , which turns the fuel into t

he power that pushes the car. Lubricating （润滑系统） , which reduces the fricti

on produced by the engine’s moving parts. Electrical( 电力系统 ), which manages the electricity

to keep the engine running. Cooling ( 冷却系统） , which draws the heat away fr

om the engine block. This system consists of a radiator( 散热器）， a water pump, water jeckets （隔热罩） and a fan.

Ⅳ General understanding of the text

1. The main idea of the text

The text is mainly about an American traveler who is enlightened by his experience. From this experience the author understands that every culture has its hidden treasures and every place could be the center of the world for every place has special meaning for people in it. Therefore, looking upon every culture equally and respectfully is the right way to treat different cultures of the world.

Ⅳ General understanding of the text

2. Structure of the text

The text can be roughly divided into three parts. Ⅰ The writer’s experiences in a mountain village in t

he central area of brazil(paras. 1-4) Ⅱ The writer’s reflections on his experiences(paras.

5-7) Ⅲ The writer’s conclusion: each culture has hidden tr

easures to offer to the rest of the world.(para.8)

Ⅴ Detailed discussion of the text

Part one: The writer’s experiences in a mountain village in the central area of Brazil(paras. 1-4)

Questions for this part:

Did you know that green banana could be used to stop the leaking of a car’s radiator? How is it that this secret is known to everybody in the Brazilian village, but not to many other people however well-educated they are?

ⅤDetailed discussion of part one 1. Although it might have happened anywhere, my en

counter with the green banana started on a steep mountain road in the central area of Brazil. (para. 1)

might have done: used to describe what was possible but did not happen in the past

eg I might have finished the housework earlier if the phone hadn’t kept ringing all day.

encounter: a particular type of experience; an occasion when you deal with or experience sth.

eg It was his first close encounter with a young girl.

2. My ancient jeep was straining up through beautiful countryside when the radiator began to leak. (para. 1)

My old jeep was driving with great difficulty up the mountain road, and suddenly the radiator began to leak.

ancient: very old (used humorously here)

strain: try very hard

eg I strained my ears to hear what they were whispering.

I strained my eyes in the darkness, but saw nothing.

When: used to say what was happening or had happened when a particular event happened

eg I was daydreaming when the teacher asked me to answer a question.

They had just arrived home when the telephone rang.

3. The over-heated engine forced me to stop at the next village, which consisted of a small store and a few houses that were scattered here and there. (para. 1)

over-heated: too hot. The prefix “over-” here means “too much”.

More examples: overdressed, overeat, oversleep, overkill, overload, overcharge, overvalue, etc.

More collocations:

over-heated economy, an over-heated room, over-heated discussion, etc.

4. He sent a boy running for some green banana. (para. 1)

He told a boy to go and fetch some green banana.

send sb doing sth: to cause sb to do sth; to cause sth to happen

eg. The movie sent many people crying.

The icy sent several people slipping and

falling.

5. He patted me on the shoulder, assuring me that everything would work out.

to pat me on the shoulder: to pat my shoulder Similar examples: to wound sb in the leg, to hit sb in the back, to seize sb

by the arm, to knock sb on the head, to take sb by the hand assure sb that: to tell sb that sth is sure to happen or is definitely true More examples: I can assure you that he will be all right. The mechanic assured me that the car would be good for another five ye

ars. work out: ( of a problem or difficult situation) to gradually get better or get

solved eg Don’t worry, things will work out in the end. Have you worked out the answer/ sum yet? The cost works out at about 390 yuan per person. I’ve drawn up the main outlines ( 提纲） , and we’ll work out the details later. I wonder how their ideas worked out in practice.

6. I did not ask them, though, as that would show my ignorance--- (the meaning and the part of speech of ‘though’)

though ： adv, meaning “ in spite of the fact”, not used at the beginning of a clause.

eg: It’s hard work; I enjoy it though.

He’s a bad manager. There is no reason , though,

to dismiss him.

( “Although” can only be used as conj; “though” can either be used as conj and adv)

7. He, in turn, inspected me carefully, as if to make sure I grasped the significance of his statement. (para. 3)

in turn : as a result eg Our parents take care of us when we are young. And

we in turn should take care of them when they are old. as if to make sure…: an elliptical adverbial of manner; the

missing part is “he wanted” More examples: She cleared her throat as if to speak. He stood as if to leave. “as if” can also be followed by a present participle. eg He was standing by the window as if waiting for some

body. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

8. The occasion called for some show of recognition on my part.

call for: need or require Examples: 1)Those poor areas call for our special attention. 2) I don’t think the situation calls for any alarm. on one’s part: done or shown by sb. It was a mistake on John’s part to sign the contract without

reading it. The project calls for hard work on everyone’s part. recognition: agreement that sth is true or important eg The teacher’s smile is recognition of our effort. The new republic is trying very hard to achievement international recognition.

9. …trying to show interest if not complete acceptance.(para. 3)

…trying to show interest if not complete acceptance.(para. 3)

If not: used to introduce an even stronger alternative to what has just been said.

eg The rescue team saved hundreds of lives if not

thousands.

The little boy runs as fast as his elder brother if not (even) faster.

10. …pressed the cut end against the radiator jacket. cut : past participle used as attributive modifier More examples: a heated discussion, a forced smile, spoken englis

h, a broken car, a marked place, an astonished look, educated people, an experienced doctor, used books, clenched fists, a calculated move

11. I was so astonished at this that I must have looked rather foolish.

must have done: used to say that a person believes that he or someone else has done sth in the past, but is not absolutely sure

More examples:

I must have left my keys at home. I can’t

find it in my bag.

You must have done a lot of research. Your

presentation is wonderful.

12. …give me extra bananas to take along in case my radiator should give me trouble again. (para. 4)

In case: a conjuction used to introduce a reason clause indicating a possible future situation which is your reason for doing sth

More examples: Take a raincoat in case it rains. They decided to search the plane in case there should be a bom

b. should: used to say that you believe sth is likely to happen in the f

uture. More examples: You can always come to me if you should need help. Say that you don’t know if they should ask.

Part The writer’s reflections on his Ⅱexperiences(paras. 5-7)

Questions for this part

1) Do you agree that in a sense there are numerous centers of the world? In what sense? Why does the author think it important for us to realize this?

2) Is it easy for people to realize that their family, village, town or region is not the only center of the world ？ Why does the author say that we have to make a conscious breakthrough? What must we be “ conscious” of ?

3) The author says, “ once a conscious breakthrough to a second center is made, a lifelong persepctive and collection can begin.” what perspective is he talking about? What can we begin to “collect”?

ⅤDetailed discussion of part two 1. As a product of American education I have never paid the sli

ghtest attention to the green banana except to regard it as a fruit whose time had not yet come. (para. 5)

be a /the product of sth ( a particular background or experience): (of a person of his quality) to be typical of that background or the result of that experience

eg My father is a product of his times—1960s.(= My father is like other people who grew up in the 1960s.) His good manners are the product of a good upbringing. cf be a/the product of sth: (of sth) to be the result of sth The book is the product of three years of research. The place is only the product of the poet’s imagination.

2. I had at first doubted their claim, as I knew for a fact that the center was located somewhere else in New England. (para. 6)

Why? know for a fact: to be sure ; to believe that sth is true More examples:

I know for a fact that she is married.

I know for a fact that he’s older than my parents.

3. We all tend to regard as the center that special place where we are known, …

This is often the source of provincialism, regionalism, chauvinism, racism and imperialism.

The existing ethnocentrism calls for a special warning. Unless people are all ready to understand and respect other cultures, the world will not live in peace.

Translation: 我们都习惯于把一个特殊的地方看成是世界中心，在那里，我们为人所知，我们也认识其他人，那里的一切对我们都有非凡的意义，在那里我们知道自己是谁，活得也有意义，因此，无论是家庭，还是学校，城镇还是当地地区，都可能是我们心目中的中心。

4. But once a conscious breakthrough to a second center is made , a life-long perspective and collection can begin. （ para. 7 ）

The ‘‘second center” refers to the other center than your own.

Once you make a serious effort to overcome your prejudice and go out to encounter different cultures, for the rest of your life your mind will keep broadening as you experience and benefit from more and more treasures of other cultures/nations.

Translation: 而且一旦有意识地突破一个你为之熟悉的中心去发现第二个中心，那么你就会开始拥有一个持续终身的的观察视角和人生积累了。

Part The writer’s conclusion: each cuⅢlture has hidden treasures to offer to the rest of the world.(para.8)

Questions for this part Do you agree that cross-cultural communication is becom

ing increasingly important today? If so, What do you think are some of the barriers standing in our way?

Detailed discusion of part three

1. The clutures of the world are full of unexpected green bananas with special value and meaning. (para. 8)

Here the green bananas have become a symbol of hidden treasures from every culture.

In the central area of Brazil, steep mountain

road

My jeep stopped. The radiator began

to leak. Stopped for help went on

reached destination

Special potential of green bananas

importance of the rock?

Cultural Cultural

relativismrelativism

Ⅵ Retelling the story

Ⅶ Language focus 1. Key words: to see, time, to agree 2. word formation noun suffixes: -ful, -er, -or, -ar 3. Idioms and expressions after all all along an armful of around here at once at that moment be astonished at for ages for some time for years in a sense in case in fact on one’s part in relation to once more in turn right over there make sure

Ⅶ Language focus

4. Verb phrases

agree with call for consist of

cut in half dawn on sb melt into

point to reflect on regard as

rise up take along talk about

work out

Ⅶ Language focus

5. Verb + noun collocations appreciate the special genius doubt one’s claimexperience those moments fix the cargrasp the significance inspect the carmake a breakthrough meet one’s needmake the centre of the world pay attentionpress the cut end reach the destinationshow ignorance show intereststop the leaks tease sbrepresent the center of the worldencounter these learning moments

Ⅶ Language focus

6. Grammar

1) verbs that take two objects

2) result clause and reason clause introduced by in case and time clause with sudden and when

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1. chatter, chat, gossipchatter ---to talk for a long time about things that are not important.chat --- to talk to someone in a friendly informal way.gossip--to talk about other people's private lives2. thin, slender, skinny, slim, leanthin---(of the body) with little flesh and fat on the bones; not fat

slender: (apprec) delicately or gracefully thin in the body.lean—( of a person, esp a man or an animal) not having much fles

h, healthily thin.skinny– (derog) very thin, esp in a way that is unattractive.

Ⅷ. Synonymous words to distinguish

Ⅸ Exercises

Omitted.

The Green Banana

The end