1、Unit 2 Moments in History Section BNotes and information related to the text1. During the era known by this name, Europe emerged from the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages and experienced a time of financial growth.(Para.2)the Middle Ages: period in western European history that followed the di
2、sintegration of the west roman empire in the 4th and 5th centuries and lasted into 15th century, the period of the renaissance. The ideas and institutions of western civilization derive largely from the turbulent events of the early Middle Ages and the rebirth of culture in the later years.2. In the
3、 feudal structure of the Middle Ages, the nobles who lived in the country provided the king with protection in exchange for land (Para.3)Meaning: in the feudal structure of the ma, the nobles who lived in the country protected the king, and the king gave them land as a reward. Provided with: furnish
4、 or supply sb with (sth need or useful)E.G. these books will provide us with all the information we need.In exchange for: getting sth as a reward; in return forE.G. I gave Mary an orange in exchange for my favorite banana. 3. They began to desire lager, more luxurious homes, fine art for these resid
5、ences, sumptuous clothing to show off their wealth in public, and exotic delicacies to eat (Para.5)Fine art: art produced or intended primarily for beauty rather than utility, or any of the art forms, such as sculpture, painting, and music that are used to create this art.Show off: draw peoples atte
6、ntion toE.G. he always likes show off how well he speaks English.Jim has only driven to the club to show off his new car because he usually walks.4. Most books had been written in Latin, considered the language of scholarship. (Para.7)Meaning: most books had been written in Latin, which was regarded
7、 as the language used in the academic world of time.Note: here “considered” is a past participle used as a postpositional nonrestrictive attribute. It tells us that Latin was considered the language of scholarship at that time. 5. Books also helped to spread awareness of a new philosophy that emerge
8、d When renaissance scholars known as humanists returned to the works of ancient writers. (papra.8)“return to” means “go back to “. Here it means “go back and research the works ancient writers again.”此句意为：书籍也有助于传播新哲学思想，它是在被称为人文主义者的文艺复兴学者们转而研究古代作家的作品时出现的。6 Previously, during the middle ages, scholars
9、 had been guided by the teaching of the church, and people had concerned themselves with actions leading to heavenly rewards.(parpa.8)Meaning: previously, during the middle ages, scholars had been guided by the religious opinions, doctrines, or principles of the church, and people had cared about ac
10、tions which brought them rewards from God.Concern oneself with: involve oneself inE.G. there is no need for you to concern yourself with this matter; and we are dealing with it. 7 To study the classics, humanists learned to read Greek and ancient Latin and they sought out manuscripts that had laid u
11、ndisturbed for nearly 2,000years. (Para.8)seek out: try to look for or findE.G. we sought out the solution to the problem and were praised by our managers. C.F. seek o do sth: try to do sthE.G. I have never sought to hide my views. 8. The Italian poet Petrarch (1304-1374) delighted in studying the w
12、orks of some of his Virgil, two great writers of the roman age, and he modeled some of his own writings on their works. (Para.10)delight in sth/doing sth: take great pleasure or joy from sth/doing sth.E.G. her mother delights in cooking lovely meals.Modelon/after: make sth conform to a chosen standa
13、rdE.G. she modeled her manners on/after her mother.9. As one of the first humanists, and as a writer held in high esteem in his own time, he influenced the spread of humanism first among his admirers, and later throughout the European world. (Para.10)Meaning: as one of the first humanists, and as a
14、writer who was admired very much in his own time, he promoted the spread of humanism - first among his admirers, and later throughout the European world.Hold sb in high/great esteem: respect or admire sb very muchE.G. she is held in high/great esteem by those who know her well.10. Gothic spires and
15、decorations imitating movement towards heaven were replaced by elegant symmetry demonstrating the intellect of man (Para. 12)Gothic: a term generally used to denote the style of architecture, sculpture, and painting. It evolved from Romanesque art and lasted from the mid-12th century to a slate as t
16、he end of the 16th century in Western Europe. The essential character of he gothic period was the predominance of architecture and all the other arts were determined by it. It is characterized by pointed arches, arched roofs, and tall thin pillars.此句意为：哥特式建筑的尖顶和仿制成冲天模样的装饰被优雅的，体现人类智慧的对称式结构所取代。11. In
17、works from the middle ages, artists and biblical figures are arranged in unnatural, geometric groups, and backgrounds are nothing more than washes of gold(Para.13)Nothing more than: nothing but, onlyE.G. it is nothing more than a made up story.Wash: a light tint or hue; a thin layer of color spread
18、on a drawing E.G. the poet was attracted by a wash of red sunset in the western sky. Section cThe hundred years war and Joan of arcNotes and information related to the text1. At the Battle of Crecy, Edwards army of 12000 faced a French army of 36000 across a battle time line 2000 yards wide. (Para.1
19、)the Battle of Crecy: it took place on august 26,1346,near Crecy in northern France, and was the first decisive battle of the Hundred Years War in the battle, the English under Edward III defeated the French under King Philip VI, even through the English forces were greatly outnumbered. The English
20、gained the advantage because their archers were armed with longbows. English got the upper hand in the first phrase of the Hundred Years War against the French.2. Ten years later, at Poitiers, the British defeated the French again, with French knights and their horses falling in heaps. (Para.2)Poiti
21、ers: a French place. The battle of Poitiers was fought between England and France on September 19, 1356, resulting in the second of the three great English victories of the Hundred Years War: Crecy, Poitiers, and Agincourt. Note: here the preposition “with” introduces an absolute structure. Also, th
22、e word “with” can be omitted.3. The English captured and held for ransom the French king, john II and many French nobles, - captivity and ransom, a major goal and source of wealth for combatants. (Para.3)Note: the object of the verb “held” is “the French king, John II and many French nobles”, which
23、is placed postpositionally because it is too long.此句意为： 英军俘虏了法王约翰二世及许多法国贵族，并索要赎金这是战争的主要目的和财富来源。4 Rather than confront the English in head-on battles, the French employed hit and run raids, wearing down the English. (Para.3)Raid: n. surprise attack designed for swift specific action or effectE.G. the
24、 bombing raid practically leveled the town.The police ran a lightning raid on a gambling den.此句意为：法国人没有和英军面对面地交战， 而是使用奇袭快攻，拖垮英军。5 French knights charged at the British and were compassed by the terrain, with Englands archers dropping the leading wave and fallen horses preventing other knights from a
25、dvancing. (Para.4)Charge (at): (also charge against) rush forward and violently attack sb, or sth.E.G. Suddenly the wild animal charged at us.One of our strikers was violently charged by a defender of the opposite side in the football match.此句意为：法国骑士向英军发起猛攻，却被围困在不利的地形中，英国弓箭手从高地向下射击，倒下的马匹也妨碍了其他骑士的前进的
26、步伐。6. No longer needed in battle, the knights would take refuge in the tournaments that were merely staged pageantry. (Para.4)Take refuge in: find shelter in some place for safe or comfort E.G. the bird took refuge from the cat in the tree.Because of the war in Afghanistan, many Afghans have to take
27、 refuge in Pakistan. 此句意为：由于战争不再需要骑士， 他们只得委身于为盛世庆典而举行的比赛之中。7Joan heard voices, and in 1428, at the age of sixteen, a voice told her that the English had to be expelled from France.(Para.5)Meaning: it was said that Joan heard voices from the saints, and in 1428, at the age of sixteen, a voice of the
28、saints told her that the English had to be driven out of France. Note: here “voices” were from the saints and God. It was usual at that time to use religion as a tool to make people believe something. 8. Society was not as densely populated as it would be in the 21st century, and Joan was noticed. (
29、Para.6)Meaning: at that time, there was not so large a population as there would be in the 21st century, and therefore, Joan could capture a lot of attention and become outstanding because of her miracle. 9. The English, suffering from attacks by forces under Joans command, had come to see her truly
30、 as a witch and as an agent of the devila common view of adversity in this age. (Para.6)此句意为：屡遭贞德麾下军队袭击的英军渐渐地把她看作使真正的女巫， 魔鬼的使者这是那个时代对不顺的事的普遍观点。10. Here recantation a failure, Joan was charged with sorcery (witchcraft) and burned to death in the marketplace at Rouen. (Para.7)Charge sb with sth: say i
31、n a law court, etc. that someone has done wrong E.G. the police charged the man with car theft.He was charged with murder.此句意为：人们劝她悔过无果，她被控使用巫术罪并被活活烧死在鲁昂城的集市上。11Cannon and handguns were used with more regularity, although the handguns were less accurate and had less range than archery and often as threatening to its user as to the target. (Para.8)此句意为：大炮和手枪的使用也更寻常，尽管手枪的准确度和射程都逊于弓箭，且对枪手和目标都有同样的威胁性。
