1、Unit 6 Is an Only-Child a Lonely Child?1. Many couples, who already have one healthy, happy child, are facing a dilemma, namely, the issue of whether or not to have a second child. They have demanding jobs and limited time and financial resources, but they are also very keen to ensure that their onl
2、y child does not become a lonely child. So, what are the pros and cons of having a second child? Is an only child a lonely child? That is what so many couples are very much concerned about and eager to understand.2. The issue of whether to have a second child is one of the most difficult issues that
3、 parents nowadays face. A concern that is often heard with regard to single child is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child. Many single-child parents feel a stigma associated with their decision to have only one child. There are no other children in the family for the child to associate
4、 with, and this may lead to the child feeling lonely at times, especially during vacations.3. Another common argument against having just one child is that an only child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others
5、, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships. Some think this may leave the child less capable of interacting well with people his or her own age than one who has been raised with siblings.4. Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasi
6、ng in many parts of the world. In the US, for example, 14 percent of women between 18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. The same trend can be seen in the UK. According to the Family Policy Studies Center, the overall number of British children being born ea
7、ch year has declined. In Japan, the average number of children born per family had declined to 1.42 by 1996, while latest statistics cite less than one child. This has led to government concerns about supporting an increasing population of elderly people in the future; it is predicted that, by 2020,
8、 a third of the population in Japan will be aged 65 or over.5. For some single-child parents, particularly those with busy careers, the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can seem too overwhelming, resulting in them electing to have no more children. For other parents, the finan
9、cial burden of having a second child may be the prime consideration. According to government surveys, many couples in Japan choose not to have large families as the cost of supporting a child up to the age of 18 is estimated to be around 20 million yen, equivalent to around US $160,000.6. Advocates
10、of single-child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well as the parents. With just one child, they suggest, there is no potential for family arguments arising from favoritism or sibling jealousy. Moreover, with only one child, the parents can give, and the child can receive, mo
11、re quality time and attention. This often leads to increased self-esteem which, combined with increased independence, can lead to the child being more confident.7. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child. The circumstances affecting each set
12、of parents are unique, and what is appropriate for one family may not be for another. The important thing, in the end, is to make a decision that both you and your spouse feel confident about.Paragraph 1Words and Expressions1. dilemma n.a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do, beca
13、use each choice has its advantages and disadvantagese.g. The bad weather put us in a dilemma whether to leave or stay.Collocation:be in a dilemmae.g. Im in a dilemma about this job offer.我不知道是否要接受这份工作。2. issue n.a subject or problem that is often discussed or argued aboute.g. Unemployment is not the
14、 issue the real problem is the decline in public morality.I just got a raise, so moneys no longer an issue.Collocation:raise the issue: say that a problem should be discussede.g. We should raise the issue of discrimination with the council.Synonyms: subject, problem3. demanding a.needing a lot of ab
15、ility, effort, or skille.g. Climbing is physically demanding, while studying is mentally demanding.Many people agree that teaching is a demanding profession.Derivation:demand n. sth. that worries youe.g. His main concern is to be able to provide for his family.Collocation:concern about / overe.g. Th
16、ere is growing concern about the effects of pollution on health.concern for sb.e.g. A government spokesman expressed concern for the lives of the hostages.7. stigma n. a mark of shame or disgrace; a shameful feeling or reputatione.g. There is a strong stigma attached to suicide.In the past divorce a
17、nd single parenthood carried a stigma.离异和单亲家庭在过去是令人感到羞耻的。8. at timessometimes but not usuallye.g. At times I wonder if its worth all the effort.Comparison: at no time, at all timesat no time: used to say strongly that something never happened or should never happenat all times: used especially in of
18、ficial notices or announcements to say what always happens or should always happenPractice:1) _ did I tell you that you could use my car. (At no time)2) Identification badges must be worn _. (at all times)3) _ even the most talented athletes lose their motivation. (At times)9. sibling n.(fml) a brot
19、her or sistere.g. A child with siblings seldom gets lonely.Most young smokers are influenced by their elder siblings smoking habits.10. negotiate v. discuss sth. in order to reach an agreement, esp. in business or politicse.g. Union leaders have negotiated an agreement for a shorter working week.Col
20、location:negotiate withe.g. The government refuses to negotiate with terrorists.Derivations:negotiation n.negotiable adj.11. interact v.1) (people) talk to each other and understand each othere.g. He interacts well with other children in the class.2) (things) have an effect on each other and work to
21、gethere.g. Social and economic factors are interacting to produce a recession.Derivations:interaction: n.interactive: adj.Sentences:1. Many single-child parents feel a stigma associated with their decision to have only one child. (Paragraph 2) Paraphrase: Many single-child families have a strong sen
22、se of shame in their decision to have only one child.Translation: 许多只有一个小孩的父母都为自己只生一个小孩的决定感到羞愧。2. this may lead to the child feeling lonely at times, ? (Paragraph 2):Explanation: lead to sb. doing sth.: cause sth. to happen to sb. or cause sb. to do sth.e.g. His actions could lead to him losing his
23、job.Paraphrase: such a situation will probably result in the child having a sense of loneliness from time to time, ?Translation: 这样一种环境可能经常会让孩子感到孤独。3. Another common argument against having just one child is that an only child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. (Paragraph 3): Explanation: s
24、poil: make sb., esp.a child, selfish from having too much attention or prais Paraphrase: Another reason some people usually hold against having only one-child is that an only child is more likely to be given too much love and care than one that has brothers and/or sisters.Translation: 另外一个常用于反驳只养育一个
25、孩子的理由是：一个孩子获得的溺爱要比那些有兄弟姐妹的孩子多得多。4. respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships (Paragraph 3): Paraphrase: realize the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding between themselves and other people in various situationsTranslation: 认识到在各种关系中合作与相互了解的重要性Paragraphs 4-5Words and Expr
26、essions12. decline: v.1) decrease in quantity or importancee.g. Spending on information technology has declined.2) become gradually worse in qualitye.g. Do you think standards of education have declined in recent years?Synonym: decreaseDerivation:decline: n.13. cite: v.1) mention something as an exa
27、mple, esp. one that supports or explains an idea or a situatione.g. Several factors have been cited as the cause of the student unrest.2) give the exact words of something that has been written, esp. in order to support an opinion or prove an ideae.g. The writer cited many quotations from different
28、scholars.Synonym:quoteDerivation:citation: n.14. overwhelming: adj.1) having such a great effect on you that you feel confused and at a loss what to doe.g. She felt an overwhelming desire to hug her child.The sheer size of the place seems overwhelming and confusing at first.2) (numbers, odds, etc.)
29、very largee.g. An overwhelming majority of the members were against the idea.Derivation:overwhelm: v.15. elect to do sth. : (fml) choose to do somethinge.g. You can elect to delete the message or save it.Translation:Purchasers can elect to pay in monthly installments.购买者可选择按月分期付款。16. prime: adj. mai
30、n; most importante.g. Smoking is the prime cause of lung disease.Our prime concern is providing jobs for all young school leavers.Synonym:majorDerivations:prime: n.prime: v.17. equivalent: adj. having the same value, purpose, etc. as a person or thing of a different kinde.g. We could give you an equ
31、ivalent amount in company shares.Collocation:be equivalent toe.g. This is a qualification which is equivalent to degree.Comparison: equivalent, equalequal: being the same in size, value, amount, number, etc. as something elsee.g. Jennifer cut the cake in to six equal pieces.Derivation:equivalence: n
32、.Sentences:1. , 14 percent of women between 18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. (Paragraph 4)Explanation: Use percent only with a number, e.g. 30 percent, 9 percent, etc. If you mean “an amount expressed as part of a total,” use percentage.e.g. A high perc
33、entage of the population was illiterate.Translation: 在 18 至 34 岁的女性中， 14%的女性希望生育一个孩子，而且这一比例预计会更高。2. while latest statistics cite less than one child (Paragraph 4) Paraphrase: while latest statistics show that the average number of children born per family has declined to less than one child然而最新的统计数据
34、表明平均每个家庭孩子出生率已经低于一Paragraph 6Words and Expressions18. advocate: n. someone who publicly support someone else or somethinge.g. He is a strong advocate of “English only” in class.Synonym:support: U the people who support somethingsupporter: C someone who supports somethingDerivation:advocate: v.19. po
35、tential: n. the possibility that something will develop in a certain way, or have a particulareffecte.g. The potential for abuse in such a system is enormous.Synonym:potentiality: (fml) possibilityDerivations:potential: adj.potentiality: n.20. arise: v. begin to happene.g. A crisis has arisen betwee
36、n the two countries.Collocation:arise from: be caused or started by a situation, event, etc.e.g. Can we begin by discussing matters arising from the last meeting?Comparison: arise, riserise: increase in number, amount or valuePractice:1) House prices are likely to _ towards the end of this year. (ri
37、se)2) During the night a great storm _. (has arisen)21. jealousy: n. anger and unhappiness because someone has something you wish you hade.g. Polly felt a sharp pang of jealousy when she saw Paul with Suzanne.Derivation:jealous: adj.22. self-esteem: n. the feeling of being satisfied with your own ab
38、ilities, and that you deserve tobe liked or respectede.g. You ought to raise your self-esteem.Playing a sport can boot a girls self-esteem.Synonym: self-respectAntonym:self-doubt: the feeling that you and your abilities are not good enoughParagraph 7Words and Expressions23. unique: adj. the single o
39、ne of its kinde.g. Each persons fingerprints are unique.Comparison: unique, onlyunique: having features or qualities that make it different from anything elseonly: being the only one of something available in a particular place at a particular timePractice:1) She was the _ woman doctor in the distri
40、ct. (only)2) I am in a rather _ position, as my job is different from anyone elses. (unique)Derivation:uniqueness: n.24. spouse: n. (fml) a husband or wifee.g. The writers opinion is that you make a decision that both you and your spouse feel confident about.e.g. He never mentioned his spouse.Senten
41、ce:The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique, (Paragraph 7)Paraphrase: The conditions that affect parents decisions concerning child-birth vary from family to family, Translation: 那些影响父母做出决定的因素各不相同。Consolidation ActivitiesI . Vocabulary 1 Phrase practice 1. demanding jobs= jobs need
42、ing a lot of attention or effort 费力的工作e.g. Being babysitter is really a demanding job, which requires love, patience and the skills. 看护婴儿确实是一项费力的工作，它需要爱心、耐心，还有技巧。2. with regard to = in connection with; on the subject of 关于，至于e.g. With regard to your health, you must quit smoking right now. 考虑到你的健康，你
43、必须马上戒烟。With regard to the financial difficulties, the company decided to cut its expense. 考虑到财政困难，公司决定压缩支出。3. stigma =sign of shame; feeling of being ashamed 耻辱，受到侮辱e.g. The stigma has deprived him of all joy and fun in those days. 那些日子里，他心中的耻辱使他的生活没有了任何快乐。4. give-and-take =willingness of each perso
44、n to satisfy others wishes 妥协，互让e.g. Give-and-take is the secret of successful friendship. 付出和给予是成功的友谊的秘密。2. Word / Phrase comparison 1. with regard to: in connection with e.g. I am writing to you with regard to your letter of 15 March.for the purpose of: why you do sth. or why sth. exists e.g. I ca
45、me to Brighton for the express purpose of seeing you.in view of: used to introduce the reason for a decision, action or situation e.g. In view of his conduct, the club has decided to suspend him.in accordance with: according to a rule, system, etc. e.g. Use this product only in accordance with the m
46、anufactures instructions.2. ensure: to make certain that sth. happens e.g. We must ensure the purity of drinking water.entertain: to keep a group of people interested or enjoying themselves e.g. We hired a magician to entertain the children.enable: to make it possible for someone to do something, or
47、 for something to happen e.g. Our main goal is to enable healthy change and growth.enquire: if you enquire about something, you ask for information about it e.g. He was so impressed that he enquired the young shepherds name.3.associate with (sb.): to spend time with someone, esp. someone that other
48、people disapprove ofe.g. He may have been associating with the criminals.care about: if you care about something, you feel that it is important and are concerned about it e.g. Does anybody know were here, does anybody care about it?be concerned with: to be about a particular thing or person e.g. Tod
49、ays lesson is concerned with punctuation.touch: to have an effect on someone or something, especially by changing or influencing them e.g. He has touched the lives of many people.4. at times: sometimes e.g. Life is hard at times.in time: before the time by which it is necessary for something to be done e.g. Will you be able to finish it in time?on time: at the correct time or the time that was arranged e.g. Jack was worried about whether hed be able to get there on time.sometime: at a
