9.The poor quality and the dull color provided another illustration for the couple s poverty.10.Della was eager,as well as uneasy,for the return of Jim to give him the wonderful gift.11.Magi: Plural of Latin magus; Greek magoi.The“wise men from the East”who came to adore Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2).The term Magi was originally reserved for a tribe of the Medes who were priests for the Persian empire and the Zoastrian Religion and was being used of any mysterious person who had access to knowledge not normally known to most people.The advent of the Magi caused a great stir in Jerusalem; everybody,even King Herod,heard their quest.Herod and his priests should have been gladdened at the news; they were saddened.It is a striking fact that the priests showed the Magi the way,but would not go that way themselves.The Magi now followed the star some six miles southward to Bethlehem,“and entering into the house,they found the child”. The Magi adored the Child as God,and offered Him gold,frankincense,and myrrh.The giving of gifts was in keeping with Oriental custom.The purpose of the gold is clear; the Child was poor.The giving of this incense to Jesus has been interpreted as symbolizing his priestly office.“The Babe in the manger”refers to Jesus Christ.Ⅳ.Text-Related Practice A.Questions for discussion:
1.What does the title of the story suggest？2.What is the theme of the story？3.What do you think of the ending of the story？B.Word matching:
Match the words in Column A with those in Colum n B.A B.
1) sobs a.worn.
2) coax b.enfold.
3) thin c.mammoth.
4) tremendous d.nimble.
5) still e.yearn.
6) hug f.sniffles.
7) agile g.immovable.
8) crave h.instigate.
9) shabby i.slender.
C.Find out:
1.the words and expressions denoting the couple s poverty and love.2.the similes and metaphors in the story.D.Translate the following into Chinese：The magi,as you know,were wise men-wonderfully wise men-who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.They invented the art of giving Christmas presents.Being wise,their gifts were no doubt wise ones,possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication.And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house.Butin a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.Of all who give and receive gifts,such as they are wisest.Everywhere they are wisest.They are the magi.Text B Early Autumn.
Langston Hughes.
What is love?So many people wonder,yet few really know.Love is blind,but if you are fortunate to find true love,you should cherish it and never let it go because love is ever changing.When Bill was very young,they had been in love.Many nights they had spent walking,talking together.Then something not very important had come between them,and they didn t speak.Impulsively,she had married a man she thought she loved.Bill went away,bitter about women.Yesterday,walking across Washington Square,she saw him for the first time in years.
“Bill Walker,”she said.
He stopped.At first he did not recognize her,to him she looked so old.“Mary ! Where did you come from?”
Unconsciously,she lifted her face as though wanting a kiss,but he held out his hand.
She took it.“I live in New York now,”she said.“Oh,”- smiling politely.Then a little frown came quickly between his eyes.
“Always wondered what happened to you,Bill.”
“I m a lawyer.Nice firm,way downtown.
“Married yet?”
“Sure.Two kids.”
“Oh,”she said.A great many people went past them through the park.People they didn t know.It was late afternoon.Nearly sunset.Cold.
“And your husband?”he asked her.
“We have three children.I work in the bursar s office at Columbia.”
“You re looking very...”(he wanted to say old)
“...well,”he said.She understood.Under the trees in Washington Square,she found herself desperately reaching back into the past.She had been older than he then in Ohio.Now she was not young at all.Bill was still young.“We live on Central Park West,”she said.“Come and see us sometime.”
“Sure,”he replied.“ You and your husband must have dinner with my family some night.Any night,Lucille and I d love to have you.”
The leaves fell slowly from the trees in the Square.Fell without wind.Autumn dusk.She felt a little sick.
“We d love it.”she answered.“You ought to see my kids.”He grinned.Suddenly the lights came on up the whole length of Fifth Avenue,chains of misty brilliance in the blue air.
“There s my bus,”she said.He held out his hand,“Good-bye.”