silent spring rachel carson presented by li qiaohui

Silent SpringRachel Carson

Presented by Li Qiaohui

Silent Spring Rachel Carson

About the Author:

background / works /comments About the Text

warm-up questions/ main idea/ structure/

word study/ useful expressions/ sentence paraphrase/ figures of speech

In-class Discussion Answer to the exercises After-class Activity

About the author Rachel Carson(1907-1964), writer, scientist, and ecologist,

was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania. Influenced by her mother, she developed an intense love for nature which she retained till the end of her life. She studied biology and received her MA in zoology from John Hopkins University. After graduation, she worked for many years as editor and scientist, and wrote many articles as well as books about conservation, natural resources and above all the wonder and beauty of the living world. Carson died in 1964 after a long battle against breast cancer. Her witness for the beauty and integrity of life continues to inspire new generations to protect the living world and all its creatures.

Rachel Carson Biologist, writer, ecologist (1907 - 1964)

"Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war

against himself." -RACHEL CARSON

About the author

Running through all her writings is the view

that human beings are only one part of

nature distinguished primarily by their power

to alter it, in some cases, irreversibly.

About the author

In Silent Spring (1962), she challenged the practices of

agricultural scientists and the government and warned the

public about the long-term effects of misusing pesticides.

When the book first appeared, Carson was bitterly attacked

by the chemical industry and some people in the

government as an alarmist, but she courageously spoke

out against those criticisms.

About the author Some forty years ago, she first sounded the alarm. Today

there is a general consensus that we are facing a very serious ecological problem, and environmental protection has become a worldwide movement.

In the history of human civilization, there have always been some individuals like Carson who are more far-sighted than the average people, who can sense danger before everybody else does, who will give us a warning before it is too late. These people deserve all our admiration and gratitude.

About the textAbout the text

Warm-up Questions

Do you think the environmental problem is becoming extremely acute in China? Can you give some examples?

What can we do to protect the environment?

About the textAbout the textWarm-up questions

Possible Answer Yes. It is generally acknowledged that the e

nvironmental problem is becoming extremely acute in China. Official reports talk about polluted rivers and lakes, frequent acid rains and sand storms, soil erosion, desertification, deforestation, over-fishing, salinization. The list is far from complete.

About the textAbout the text Warm-up questions

Possible Answer Since we are facing a very serious ecological problem, we

cannot develop our economy at the expense of our ecosystem. We must aim at a sustainable growth.

we must do everything possible to keep our water and air clean; to protect our land and soil; to preserve our forests, river, and lakes, marshland, wilderness; to stop the global warming; and to save the endangered species.

We must have a sense of duty or mission.

About the textAbout the text

Main Idea

The text begins with a full page description of a typical American town, which is extremely beautiful until it is destroyed by chemicals. Then the author goes on to explain what she thinks it is that causes the change.

Her central argument is: Human beings are tampering with nature and causing changes that are too many and too quick, so that they cannot adapt to them.

About the textAbout the textstructurestructure

Paras 1-6 A town is assaulted by chemicals.

Paras 7-9 The use of chemicals is responsible for this destruction. (transit

ion) Paras 10-14 Man’s use of chemicals upsets

the balance of nature. Paras 15-18 Why aren’t pesticides a

good solution to the pest problem? Paras 19-24 How did the modern insect problem

come into being? Para 25 Conclusion


Paras 1-6 A town is assaulted by chemicals.

Question □What changes have been brought about by the evil spell? Pay attention to the contrast.

General atmosphere: ___________________________________________

Color Movement Sound Other phrases


Paras 7-9 (transition)

The use of chemicals is responsible for this destruction.

Questions

□What did Carson mean by the “evil spell”?

□ How did the described changes happened?


Paras 10-14 Man’s use of chemicals upsets the balance of nature.

Questions

□What is the feature of the relation between organisms and their surroundings?

□How has man changed the interaction between the two? □What best demonstrates man’s role in this interaction? □Can life adapt to changes in environment? If it can, why sho

uld we worry about man’s change of environment? □ According to Carson, can life on the earth adjust to the chan

ges caused by man? Why or why not?


Paras. 15-18 Why aren’t pesticides a good solution to the pest problem?

Question □Why did Carson say the chemical war is never won?

They kill indiscriminately, reducing biodiversity. (Para 16)

They contaminate the entire environment. (Para 16) They couldn’t solve the pest problem. (Para 17)

◎Pests can adapt to the chemicals and evolve into super races with resistance to chemicals.

◎Resurgence induced by pesticides.


Paras 19-24 How did the modern insect problem come into being?

Questions □Did Carson mean that we should not control the pest

s? □What principle should the measures of pest control fo

llow? □What are the causes for the modern pest problem?

intensification of agriculture (para 20) invasion of imported species (para 21-23)


Questions □What is the right solution to the pest problem? 　

(Para. 24) to take well-informed measures to promote an even bala

nce, control the power of outbreaks of insects and reduce new invasions rather than seeking in vain to suppressing this plant or that animal

□What is the difference between the natural spreading of species and the man-assisted process?

□How does this process contribute to the pest problem?


Para 25 Conclusion

Questions

□What is the central argument of the passage? Due to his ignorance and lack of concern for the integrit

y of nature, man has been abusing chemicals, causing irrecoverable harms on environment and people.


Questions

□What is the right thing to do with pesticides implied by Carson? have a respect for the integrity of nature; carry

our advance investigation of chemicals’ effect on environment and people; make well-informed, reasonable use of chemicals; promote knowledge of relation of chemicals and ecology

About the textAbout the textword studyword study

bounds n. n. the accepted or further limits e.g. His energy knows no bounds. crossfire n. 1. n. (military) firing of guns from two or more points so

that the bullets, shells, etc cross each other 2. n. (figurative) situation in which two people or groups are

arguing, competing, etc and another is unwillingly involved. e.g. Thus the chemical war is never won, and all life is

caught in its violent crossfire.


resurgence n. n. rising or reviving after destruction, defeat, or

disappearance e.g. a sudden resurgence of interest in Victorian art ► resurgent adj. e.g. a resurgent economy resurgent hope, nationalism


spell n.

1. words which when spoken are thought to have magical power, charm

e.g. The wizard recited a spell.

2. state or condition caused by the spelling of such words (used esp. in the expressions shown)

e.g. be under a spell cast/put s spell on sb

Some evil spell settled on the community.


build-in adj. adj. included as part of sth and not separated from i

t e.g. a build-in wardrobe a build-in advantage/ disadvantage of a system Nature holds the species within bounds by the buil

d-in checks and balances.


damp v. 1. v. make (sth) damp 2. v. ~ sth (down) (a) reduce (noise, etc) e.g. Soft material damps down vibrations. (b) make (sth) less strong; restrain e.g. damp (down) one’s spirits, energy, ardor, etc 3. (phr v) damp sth down cause sth to burn more slowly (b

y adding ash, etc or reducing the flow of air) e.g. We damped the fire down before we went to bed.


sinister adj.

1. adj. suggesting evil, or that sth bad may happen

e.g. a sinister motive, action, place

2. adj. suggesting an evil nature

e.g. a sinister face

sinister looks

deliberate adj. 1. adj. done on purpose; int

entional e.g. a deliberate insult, lie,

act 2. adj. unhurried; careful e.g. The rapidity of change

follows the impetuous pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature.


primary adj. 1. (a) [usu. attrib] earliest in time or order of development e.g. The disease is still in its primary stage. (b) (also Primary) of the lowest or earliest series of

geological strata 2. [usu. attrib] most important, fundamental e.g. The importation of plants is the primary agent in the

modern spread of species. e.g. Primary rocks


modify v. 1. v. change (sth) slightly, esp. to

make it less extreme or to improve it

e.g. The union has been forced to modify its position.

e.g. The heating system has recently been modified to make it more efficient.

2. v. (grammar) (esp. of an adj. or adv.) limit the sense of (another word)

desert v. 1. v. go away from (a place)

without intending ever to return

e.g. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted.

2. v. leave (sb) without help or support, abandon

e.g. He has become so rude that his friends are deserting him.


suppress v. 1. v. put an end to (sth), esp. by force; crush; prevent sth fro

m growing or developing e.g. suppress an uprising, a revolt, etc suppress this plant or that animal 2. v. (a) (usu. derog) prevent (sth) from being known or seen e.g. suppress the truth from sb (b) prevent (esp. one’s feelings) from being expressed e.g. suppress one’s anger, amusement, etc


tamper v. v. ~ with sth meddle or interfere with sth; alter sth with auth

ority e.g. Radiation is now the unnatural creation of man’s tamper

ing with the atom.

throb v. 1. v. ~ (with sth) (of the heart, impulse, etc) beat, esp. faster

or stronger than usual e.g. Her heart was throbbing with excitement. 2. v. ~ (with sth) vibrate or sound with a persistent rhythm e.g. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn

chorus of scores of bird voices there was no sound.


eco- ecological or of ecology

e.g. ecology ecologist ecosystem

-cide 1.person or thing that

kills e.g. insecticide pesticide bioci

de2. act of killing sbe.g. suicide genocide particid

e

About the textAbout the textuseful expressionsuseful expressions

in harmony with in a state of peaceful existence and agreement (para 1)

in the midst of (infml) among (para 1)

white clouds of bloom white clouds that looked like flowers (para 1)

to set up a blaze of color to start an impressive and notice

able show of colors (para 1)


flood of sth a very large number of things or people that appear at the same time (para 2)

e.g. a flood of protests/complaints a flood of immigrants/refugees in floods of tears

to pour through/ in, etc to come or go somewhere continuously in large numbers (para 2)

to fish the streams to try to catch fish in the streams (para 2) e.g. to walk the wooded slope


feeding station a dish-like container fixed on top of a post where people regularly leave sunflower seeds or the like for passing birds to feed on. Feeding stations are generally put up in the backyards. (para 4)

►to feed on sth (of an animal or a bird) to eat sth


physical form and habits the outward appearance and regular behavior (para 10)

to work harm on to produce/bring about harmful effect on (para 11)

to find their way into actual use to manage to break into/ enter the market and be sold to farmers (para 14)


man’s war against nature what a lot of people advocated in the first half of the last century about “conquering nature” (para 15)

to apply sth to to put or spread sth on the surface of (para 16)

e.g. she never goes out without applying sun cream to/ on her face and neck.

to lay down to store for future use (para 16) e.g. It was a good year for apples, and we laid down several

cases.


to be caught up in to become involved in, often against your wishes (para 17)

an endless spiral a process of never-ending, continuous upward movement (para 17)

e.g. If the government doesn’t take effective measures, the country is in danger of getting into an inflationary spiral.

immune to unable to be harmed or affected because of special qualities in yourself ((para 17)

e.g. immune to measles immune to criticism


to gear sth to sth to allow (an activity or course of action) to be dependant on or influenced by (a particular fact or condition) (para 20)

e.g. Production must be geared to public demand. Tertiary education must be geared to what society need

s.

to set the stage for sth to make it possible for sth to happen (para 20)

e.g. Border clashes between the two countries set the stage for a five-year-long war.


to live on sth to eat a particular type of food to live (para 20)

to build up sth to increase, strengthen, develop toward (para 20)

to be devoted to sth to be given to; to throw completely (para 20)

to be intermingled with sth to be mixed together (para 20)

to adapt to to change in such a way that sth/ sb has become suitable for a new situation (para 20)


the explosive power of outbreaks and new invasions

the power of insects to multiply/ breed in large numbers suddenly and quickly and their power to invade new territories (para 24)


subject sb/ sth to sth (written) to make sb/ sth experience, suffer, b

e affected by sth, usually sth unpleasant (para 25)

e.g. Diogenes was constantly subjected to ridicule.

Before launching the new car, they subjected it to severe texts.


Darwin’s principle of the survival of the fittest (paraDarwin’s principle of the survival of the fittest (para17)17)

In his On the Origin of Species (1859), Darwin developed his theory of evolution. According to his theory, plants and animals that naturally suitable for life in their environment will continue to live and develop, while plants and animals that do not have these qualities gradually disappear. This process is called natural selection.

“Survival of the fittest” is a quote from “Principles of Biology” by the English philosopher Herbert Spencer (1820-1903).


Darwin’s principle of the survival of tDarwin’s principle of the survival of the fittest (para 17)he fittest (para 17)

Today the phrase is often used to refer to any situation in which unsuccessful competitors are quickly destroyed or defeated.

About the textAbout the textsentence paraphrasesentence paraphrase

In autumn, oak and maple and birch set up a blaze of color that flamed and flickered across a background of pines. (para 1)

In autumn, the forest turned the oak, maple, and birch trees yellow, red or brown making a beautiful show of colors against the dark green of pine trees.


Considering the whole span of earthly time, the opposite effect, in which life actually modifies its surroundings, has been relatively slight. (para 10)

When we think of the long history of life on earth, the degree living things affect their environment has been insignificant as compared with the effect of the environment on plant and animal life. (Carson implies that in recent years the human race has affected and spoiled much of its environment.)


…but it has changed in character. (para 11)…but the nature of this power to alter the en

vironment has changed. In the past, to survive humans made use of what nature offered, for example, cutting down trees, damming rivers; now they create things that did not exist, for example, chemicals and unnatural radiation.


…lie long in soil, entering into living organisms, passing from one to another in a chain of poisoning and death. (para 11)

…(chemicals) stay in soil for a long time because they don’t break down there. They are likely to enter birds and animals in food, and then pass out in waste matter from their bodies, get into the soil and are absorbed by the plants that grow on it. When birds and animals and people eat the plants, these substances again are taken into their bodies. This process goes on and on endlessly, poisoning plant and animal life alike. In short, the chemicals tend to be endlessly recycled in the food chains.


But in the modern world there is no time. (para 12)

But in the modern world when man’s power to tamper with nature has become so great and he is so eager to change nature for short-term benefits, he does not think of the long-term interest of his own species.


The rapidity of change follows the impetuous pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature. (para 13)

Man is changing the nature of his world rapidly while nature adjusts to the changes slowly. Therefore adjustment can never keep up with change, and a new balance between living things and their environment can hardly be reached.

※ Note the antithesis used in this sentence: the rapidity of change vs. the deliberate pace of nature


The chemicals are the synthetic creations of man’s inventive mind, having no counterparts in nature. (para 13)

Nature does not produce such things as chemicals. They are man-made and the result of man’s creative power.


And even this, were it by some miracle possible, would be futile, for the new chemicals come from our laboratories in an endless stream. (para 14)

It would take some magic power to make living things adjust to these chemicals in the life of generations. Even if this were possible, it would be useless, because new chemicals are continuously being created and produced.


…all this though the intended target may be only a few weeds or insects. (para 16)

…all these serious consequences come about perhaps just because man wants to destroy a few weeds or insects.


The whole process of spraying seems caught up in an endless spiral. (para 17)

The more insecticides are sprayed, the less effective they will become in destroying the “pests”. Then more deadly chemicals will be developed to kill them. This process will go on endlessly.


…destructive insects often undergo a “flare-back”, or resurgence (para 17)

Often the “pests” return in even larger numbers after spraying

Thus the chemical war is never won, and all life is caught in its violent crossfire. (para 17)

Therefore, this fight between man and “pests” can never come to an end, and all living things are affected by or fall victim to this chemical war.


Nature…holds the species within bounds by the build-in checks and balances. (para 20)

Nature keeps living things in proportion, regulating their number through the check and balance mechanisms of itself. (In other words, when the population of one species is too big/ small, Nature has a way of making it decrease/ increase.)


Such a system set the stage for explosive increases in specific insect populations. (para 20)

Such a way of farming creates favorable conditions for the rapid increase of particular insects.

Thus it is no accident that most troublesome insects are introduced species. (para 46)

That’s why the most trouble-making insects in this country are not native but introduced.

About the Text

Figures of Speech metaphor

a blaze of color a white cloud of bloom a cloud of dust a flood of migrants a dawn chorus of bird voices …

About the Text

Figures of Speech antithesis

The rapidity of change follows the impetuous pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature. (para 13)

About the Text

Figures of Speech rhetorical question

Can anyone believe it is possible to lay down such a large number of poisons on the surface of the earth without making it unfit for all life? (para 16)

In-class Discussion

What can you infer about Carson’s view of the relation between man and nature?

Was her view common in her time? How do you arrive at this inference?

In-class Discussion Carson must have believed that man is only a very

tiny part of a vast and incredible universe/ nature which is distinguished by a mysterious and wonderful unity/ integrity.

Her time was dominated by the view of man as the master of all the earth’s inhabitants. The common approach to nature is to beat it into submission or to conquer it.

Carson’s respect for the integrity of nature and her perception of man as a tiny part of nature is shown by the way she contrasted nature and man and her choice of words.

Answer to the exercises

vocabulary 1.translate. 1) From Chinese into English. （ 1 ） to mold youngster’s thinking （ 2 ） to restrain one’s impulse （ 3 ） to spread butter （ 4 ） to set the stage （ 5 ） to contaminate the environment （ 6 ） to undergo great sufferin

gs （ 7 ） to spray paint （ 8 ） to still the noises （ 9 ） to modify the tone （ 10 ） to work unknown harm （ 11 ） to work miracles （ 12 ） to acquire power （ 13 ） to desert one’s friends （ 14 ） to desert the city （ 15 ） to settle the dispute （ 16 ） to settle the matter （ 17 ） to delight the eye （ 18 ） to invade that country （ 19 ） to invade someone’s privacy （ 20 ） to sink a well


vocabulary

2) From English into Chinese. （ 1 ）妖魔所施的魔法或所下的咒语（ 2 ）焦黄枯萎的草木（ 3 ）严峻的现实（ 4 ）空气的污染（ 5 ）致命的武器（ 6 ）人工合成的材料（ 7 ）有创造力的头脑（ 8 ）品牌名（ 9 ）化学战（ 10 ）事先的调查（ 11 ）生死斗争（ 12 ）外来的物种（ 13 ）自然保护区（ 14 ）农业的精耕细作


vocabulary 4. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate wo

rd.

1 ） A 4 ） D 7 ） A 10 ） D 13 ） A

2 ） B 5 ） C 8 ） B 11 ） A 14 ） D

3 ） A 6 ） B 9 ） A 12 ） B 15 ） C


vocabulary 6. Choose the right words in their proper forms. 1 ）（ 1 ） exchanged （ 2 ） change （ 3 ） exchanged ， changed （ 4 ） an exchange ， an exchange 2 ）（ 1 ） except （ 2 ） Besides （ 3 ） beside （ 4 ） except 3 ）（ 1 ） used to ， is used to （ 2 ） am used to （ 3 ） used to 4 ）（ 1 ） shaking （ 2 ） shivering （ 3 ） trembled/ shook


grammar 2. Choose the right preposition for each of the blank

ets. 1 ） at 2 ） on 3 ） At 4 ） In 5 ） by 6 ） at 7 ） For 8 ） at 9 ） before ， in front of 10 ） in front of 11 ） before/ in front of 12 ） in the front of ， before/ in front of 13 ） in ， off 14 ） from 15 ） from


grammar 3. Complete the sentences by translating the Chinese in bracke

ts using prepositional phrases. 1 ） by Friday 2 ） with great presence of mind 3 ） on their adventurous journey 4 ） to sports 5 ） at gunpoint by a hitchhiker 6 ） in the country 7 ） from the east coast to the west coast without any money 8 ） by birth, of his own free will 9 ） Disillusioned with the society he lived in 10 ） in his way


grammar 4. Study and learn how the word “such” and “so” are

used. 2 ） complete these sentences with the right word o

r phrase. （ 1 ） such a windbag （ 2 ） so hard （ 3 ） such that （ 4 ） so （ 5 ） so fast that （ 6 ） so familiar （ 7 ） no such （ 8 ） such that （ 9 ） in such a way as to （ 10 ） so few tickets


grammar

6. Complete each of the following sentences with the most likely answer.

1 ） B 3 ） D 5 ） C 7 ） C 9 ） A 11 ） B 13 ） B （ 15 ） A

2 ） C 4 ） D 6 ） B 8 ） D 10 ） D 12 ） C 14 ） D

After-class Activity Translate the following into English.

小时侯雷切尔•卡森喜爱小鸟、草木和动物。她深信它们将永远会是人类在地球上的同伴。可是后来她发现她这样想是错了。作为一位科学家，她的工作和研究使她看到一个令人担心的事实：世上万物是相互有联系的，她了解到像 DDT 这样曾经用来消灭农作物害虫的杀虫剂对人和人的环境也是有害的。作为一个有责任心的科学家，无论她的发现怎样令人不快，甚至惊慌，她从不对公众隐瞒真相。 1962 年，她在《寂静的春天》一书里发出了警告：人类滥用杀虫剂正危及并将进一步危及地球上的一切物种，包括人类自己。这本书首次注意环境保护这个重要问题。今天此书被普遍看成是人类努力拯救地球的一个里程碑。

THE END !

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