1、Unit 2Unit 2 Unit 2 Be sporty, be healthy To learn to describe the changes of the authors interest in tai chi and explain the reasons To form a better understanding of tai chi in terms of its history and the philosophy rooted in Chinese culture To learn some words and expressions What do you know ab
2、out tai chi? Tai Chi, which originated in Yongnian County, north Chinas Hebei Province, was developed from ancient Chinese philosophies and breathing techniques. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a sophisticated system. Tai Chi combines Taoism with fist positions. The movements are slow and th
3、e energy breaks outward from the inside with every move. View a show of tai chi. Look at the title and the picture, guess what the article is about. Its about a young mens experience in studying tai chi. Finding a balance: Finding a balance: my tai chi experiencemy tai chi experience 本文以时间为主线，描述了作者学
4、习太极拳的 经历与感受，介绍了太极拳的起源、派别、练 习要点以及其背后蕴含的中华传统文化。文章 还描述了作者学习太极拳前后生理和心理所发 生的变化。 How I began to study tai chi, and its effect on me Tai chis origin and different styles How to practice tai chi The traditional Chinese culture behind it Tai chis positive effects on me (physically and mentally) Read the pass
5、age fast and choose the graph that best describe the changes of the authors interest in tai chi. interest time interest time interest time interest time A D C B amazed hesitant in the first few classes after learning the basics my love for tai chi returned bored satisfied interest time Read the pass
6、age again, and find adjectives that reflect the authors interest in tai chi in different periods. The word “hesitate”, at the very beginning describes how the author reacted when his friend suggested that they join the Tai Chi Club, because he believed it was for old people. However, after the first
7、 few classes, he found it “fun and easy”, not like what he had thought before. Then after learning the basics of tai chi in those first few classes, the author found himself “bored and aching” from doing the same moves over and over again. Under the guidance of the coach, he felt “satisfied” because
8、 his balance and flexibility slowly improved and his love for tai chi returned stronger. After a year, he felt “happier and more confident” because the experience of practicing tai chi has had a positive effect on his everyday life. What was the authors tai chi experience like? The author used to th
9、ink tai chi was just for old people, and he hesitated about practising it at first. Gradually, he came to find tai chi more and more interesting and eventually fell in love with it. Furthermore, he began to understand the culture behind tai chi and was able to apply its philosophy to his everyday li
10、fe. Read paragraph 2 Why was the author interested in tai chi in his first few classes? Because they were fun and easy, and the moves with descriptive names caught his imagination. white crane spreading its wings Golden rooster standing on one leg Do you know any other moves in tai chi with descript
11、ive names? 左右野马分鬃 Part the Wild Horses Mane on Both Side 揽雀尾 Grasping sparrow tail 手挥琵琶 Hold the Lute What are the two different explanations for the origin of tai chi? Zhang Sanfeng, a 13th-century Taoist, was said to have invented tai chi after drawing inspiration from a fight between a snake and
12、a bird. Nowadays people tend to believe that Chen Wangting, a 17th- century master of Chinese martial arts, developed tai chi based on martial arts skills. Some styles of tai chi: Read paragraph 4 and complete the chart. Essence of tai chi Chinese philosophy of (1) _ the unity of (2) _ the practice
13、of tai chi aims to maintain the balance in the body through (3) _ (4) _ (5) _ (6) _ breathing in and breathing out yin and yang opposites opposite movements forwards and backwards up and down left and right How do you understand “there is no shadow without light”? Why is it used here? Where there is
14、 light, there is a shadow. The author uses this example to explain the unity of opposites, which cannot exist without each other. Can you make up more such sentences to explain the unity of opposites? There is no good without evil. There is no fairness without unfairness. There is no white without b
15、lack. There is no beauty without ugliness. There is no success without failure. How do you understand the unity of opposites? How can you put it into your life? Just as the article says, the unity of opposites cannot exist independent of each other. Opposites are there to keep balance and if broken,
16、 an imbalance may occur, which could cause many problems. Two such opposites that I have experienced in my life are success and failure. Instead of seeing them as two separate aspects of my life, I see them as two opposites that rely on each other to form a whole. That means my failure can help me s
17、ucceed because it teaches me what I need to learn in order to succeed. Read paragraph 5 The benefits brought by practicing tai chi are: sleep better feel happier and more confident relax in mind stay cool in stressful situations Do you think tai chi will get more popular among teenagers? Why or why
18、not? Yes, I think tai chi will definitely become more popular among teenagers, because I believe young people are becoming more aware of the importance of physical and mental health. Tai chi is great because it helps with both. This should make it a good choice for teenagers who want to take up exer
19、cise. Also, as a traditional Chinese form of exercise, tai chi will probably get a lot of support from the government, schools and other bodies. hesitate v. to pause before saying or doing sth. because you are nervous or not sure 犹豫；踌躇；迟疑不决 hesitate to do sth. 迟疑做某事；不愿做某事 hesitate about/at/over 对犹豫不
20、决 hesitate (about) wh-从句/ wh-+to do sth. 对犹豫不决 eg Dont hesitate to contact me if you need any more information. 1. When my friend first suggested that we join the new Tai Chi Club at school I hesitated. 【拓展】 hesitation n. 犹豫；踌躇 without hesitation 毫不犹豫 have no hesitation in doing sth. 毫不犹豫地做某事 do sth
21、. without hesitation 毫不犹豫地做某事 eg I would have no hesitation in recommending Philip for the position. The boy followed without hesitation. admit v. 1) to say that you have done sth. wrong 承认；招认 admit sth. /doing sth. /having done sth. 承认某事/做了某事 admit .to be. 承认是 eg Greene admitted causing death by re
22、ckless driving. After questioning, he admitted to the murder. 2. I had to admit that I had been wrong about tai chi. 2) to allow sb to enter a public place; to allow sb to join an organization, club etc. 允许进入；成为中的一员 admit sb to/into 允许某人进入 be admitted as. 作为被接受; as后接表 示成员的名词。 eg Only ticket-holders
23、will be admitted into the stadium. 【拓展】 admission n. 准许进入；承认；入场费 3. Practising tai chi has inspired me to explore the Chinese culture behind it. inspire v. 1) to encourage someone 激励；鼓舞 2) to make someone have a particular feeling or react in a particular way 激起，唤起；启示 inspire sb. to do sth 激励某人做 ins
24、pire sb. with sth. /inspire sth. in sb. eg He inspired many young people to take up the sport. 【拓展】 inspiration n. 启示；灵感；启发灵感的人 inspiring adj. 鼓舞人的；吸引人的 inspired adj. 卓越的；激动人心的 eg She was an inspiration to all of us. Her inspiring speech yesterday made us encouraged. She was one of the most inspired
25、 people Ive met. 4. No wonder some tai chi moves are named after animals no wonder + (that) 从句 不足为奇，并不奇怪 该句型是“Its no wonder + that从句”的省 略 形式。it是形式主语，that从句是真正的主语 ，no wonder作表语。 (Its) no/ little/ small wonder 难怪/并不奇怪/当然 eg Its no wonder youre hungry; you didnt have any breakfast. 5. Neither can exist
26、 independent of the other; exist vi. to be real or alive 存在; 生存 exist on 靠生活/生存 exist in 存在于中 There exists/existed. 某地有；存在 eg The custom of arranged marriages still exists in many countries. 【注意】 exist没有被动语态，也没有进行时。 【拓展】 existence n. 存在；生存 come into existence 产生；成立；开始存在 in existence 存在 existing adj.
27、 (仅用于名词前)目前的，现存的 eg The organization has been in existence for 25 years. The existing system needs to be changed. 6. Eventually, tai chi brings about a state of physical balance and mental peace. bring about: to cause sth to happen 导致；引起 eg Many new changes will be brought about in Chinas industry 【
28、拓展】 bring up 抚养；提出；呕吐 bring forward 提出 bring back 把送回；使回想起 bring down 降低；击倒 bring out 显示出来，出版，生产 【语境应用】用适当的副词填空。 1. I know it happened, but I cannot bring it _ to my mind. 2. She brought _ her children to be considerate of others. 3. With one shot he brought _ the tiger. 4. Our teacher will bring a new book _ next month. back up down out As is shown in the passage, the authors interest changes with time. If there were a tai chi club in your school, would you join it? Why? Write down your answers.
