Module 4 Music Born in America
词汇短语园地
1.technique n.（尤指艺术或科学方面的）技巧；手法，技术
If you want to learn to paint， I suggest you study Raphael’s technique.
如果你想学绘画，我建议你学习拉斐尔的手法。
Let me introduce some of the applications of this technique.
请允许我介绍一些该技术的应用程序。
2.approach n. 接近，靠近；道路，入口；方法；步骤v. 走进，靠近；接洽，交涉
（1） approach作名词时，意为“接近，靠近；道路，入口；方法；步骤”等。
Our approach drove away the wild animals.
我们一走近，野兽全都跑开了。
All approaches to the town were blocked.
通往这座城镇的所有道路都被封锁了。
However， we found some problems in this approach to the language teaching.
不过我们发现语言教学的方法上存在一些问题。
（2） approach作动词时，意为“走进，靠近”等。
As you approach the town， the first building you see is the church.
当你走近那座城镇的时候，首先看到的就是教堂。
Before trying to solve the puzzle， let us consider the best way to approach it.
要想解决这一难题，我们先来考虑一下如何着手才好。
3. decline n. 下降，衰退，减少
v. 衰退，下降
（1） decline作名词时，意为“下降，衰退，减少”。
There has been a sharp decline in the sales number of this year.
今年销售量大幅降低。
We are studying the decline of ancient Rome.
我们在研究古罗马的衰落。
（2） decline作动词时，意为“衰退，下降”。
Her influence declined after she lost the election.
她落选后影响力大为降低。
4.touch v. 触动；感动；使心动；碰到，触摸，与……接触
His sad story touched us and we nearly cried.
他的悲惨遭遇深深打动了我们，我们几乎哭了出来。
He swore he’d never touch a drink again.
他发誓以后滴酒不沾。
touched adj. 感激的，受感动的
touching adj. 令人同情的，感人的
5.arise v.（由……）引起（产生），呈现，发生
Some unexpected difficulties have arisen here.
这儿出现了一些意想不到的困难。
The problem may not arise， but there’s no harm in keeping our powder dry.
问题不一定会发生，但有备无患并无害处。
辨析：比较arise，raise和rise
arise作不及物动词时，用来表示困难、问题、机遇等出现；raise作及物动词时，表示举起、抬起某物，还可表示抚养、养育；rise作不及物动词时，表示某物上升、升起、升高、上涨。
I was raised by my aunt on a farm.
我是在农场由姨妈抚养长大的。
The smoke was rising from the chimney.
烟正从烟囱里升起来。
6.beg v. 请求，恳求；乞求，乞讨（尤指食物、金钱等）
He begged that he should be sent home.
他请求将他送回家去。
I beg your pardon.
请您原谅。
beg for 乞求，请求
The homeless man has to beg for money.
那个无家可归的人不得不为了钱而乞讨。
7. be bored with 厌烦
Matt was bored with the whole digging project.
马特对整个挖掘工作感到厌烦了。
Don’t be afraid to tell your supervisor that you are bored with what you’re doing and would like a new challenge.
不要害怕告诉上司你对目前的工作感到无聊，并希望接受新的挑战。
8. take advantage of 利用
They took full advantage of the hotel’s facilities.
他们充分利用旅馆的设备。
You should take advantage of the fine weather to paint the fence.
你应该利用好天气给篱笆上油漆。
have the advantage of 有……的有利条件
She had the advantage of a good education.
她具有受过良好教育的有利条件。
9. rather than 而不是
I think I should have a cup of milk rather than coffee.
我想我应该喝一杯牛奶而不是咖啡。
Keep positive by talking about what you like rather than what you dislike.
谈论自己喜欢的事物而不谈自己不喜欢的，可以保持乐观的情绪。
辨析：比较rather than， other than和prefer to do... rather than do/would rather do... than do
（1）rather than意为“而不是，而没有”，常连接两个并列成分。
（2）other than意为“除了……”，一般用于否定句中。
You can’t get there other than by boat.
除了坐船，你无法到那里去。
（3）prefer to do... rather than do和would rather do... than do均意为“宁愿做……而不愿做……”。
I prefer to read rather than watch TV.
我更愿意读书而不是看电视。
He would rather play than do homework.
他宁愿玩也不愿做作业。
幽默小故事
I Can’t Let Him Get Away
A male crab met a female crab and asked her to marry him. She noticed that he was walking straight instead of sideways. “Wow， ” she thought， “this crab is really special. I can’t let him get away.” So they got married immediately.
The next day she noticed her new husband walking sideways like all the other crabs， and got upset. “What happened？” she asked. “You used to walk straight before we were married.”
“Oh， honey，” he replied， “I can’t drink that much every day.”
跟踪导练（一）
阅读理解
Although classical music has had fame at times for being old-fashioned or difficult to get into， it has become clear in recent years that the classical style has a widespread influence on music， pop culture and people in general.
Some people think that classical music has a positive influence on the brain development. Although there isn’t any real scientific evidence to support a direct connection， there are a few positive effects of playing classical music at home for a baby. Most babies tend to fall asleep faster when listening to classical music. And sleep is beneficial for child brain development. In addition， if the other members enjoy the music， the baby’s environment will probably be happier and more peaceful.