Unit 8 Conflicts in the World Teaching plan大学体验英语三

1930s and 1940s. The United Nations (UN) voted in 1947 to divide Palestine between the Jews and Arabs, but Arab states rejected the plan. In 1948, when Britain troops left Palestine, the Jews declared the independent state of Israel. The Arab states unsuccessfully attacked Israel, followed by Israeli invasion to Arabic lands. Numerous wars and peace talks later, the Palestinian problem remains unsolved, and Arab-Israeli relations remain hostile.

Step 3 Pre-reading (individual and class work) 1. Try to describe the pictures on the page 166

2. Why did some people oppose Yitzhak Rabin’s efforts to bring about peace? 3. How long is the road to peace between Israel and Palestine?

Step 4 Global-reading (individual and class work) Skimming: Skim the passage and find out the main idea.

Reference Key: The passage is a transcription of Yitzhak Rabin’ last speech, made at a peace rally in Tel Aviv in November 1995.

Step 5 Further-reading (class work) Comprehensive questions on page169

Summary Yitzhak Rabin fought in the Israeli army for 27 years, rising to the rank of General. In 1992 HE BECAME Prime Minister. He was committed to the peace process and negotiated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). He and Yasir Arafat agreed to work together for peace. Although this accord was generally thought to be a very good thing, there were some Jewish hardliners who did not agree with the idea of working together with the PLO. The passage is a transcription of Rabin’s last speech, made at a peace rally in Tel Aviv in November 1995. He states his conviction that peace is possible and acknowledges the role that Egypt, Morocco and Jordan had played in the negotiations. He makes a plea for peace and asks the Israeli people to support the peace process. Ironically he was assassinated by a young Jewish hardliner moments after giving the speech.

Step 6 Language focus

1.compromise: n. a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions e.g. The government has said that there will be no compromise with terrorists. The Union refused any compromise and threatened another strike. 2. rally: n. a large esp. political public meeting

e.g. Rallies are being held across the country to celebrate the victory.

Thousands of people attended the protest rally against racial discrimination. 3. take advantage of: (1) to make use of

e.g. You should learn to take advantage of the mistakes made by your rivals. (2) to make unfair use of

e.g. I think she is taking advantage of his love. 4. erode: v. to rub or be rubbed away gradually

e.g. Wind and rain have eroded the statues into shapeless lumps of stone.

His rude behavior at the party has eroded my respect of him. 5. condemn: v. to criticize strongly, usually for moral reasons

e.g. The terrorist action has been condemned throughout the world. The oil spill at sea was condemned as an environmental crime. 6. aspiration: n. strong desire; ambition

e.g. Mary’s aspirations to help others come from her own misfortune in childhood. 7. engage in: to take part in

e.g. In some countries women still do not have the right to engage in politics. In his spare time, he engages in voluntary work at hospital. 8. prolonged: adj. continuing for a long time

e.g. Prolonged use of the drug is known to have harmful side-effect. The decision was finally made after a prolonged debate. 9. fraught: adj. filled (with); charged

e.g. These negotiations have been fraught with difficulties from the start.

The adventure through the desert was fraught with troubles and dangers. 10. exhaust: v. to use up completely

e.g. The boy exhausted his mother’s patience with too many questions.

It is estimated that some rare mineral resources will be exhausted in a few decades.

Discussion

1. Try to describe the pictures on the page 166

2. Why did some people oppose Yitzhak Rabin’s efforts to bring about peace? 3. How long is the road to peace between Israel and Palestine?

Assignment Review the text

Finish the language focus exercises (page 170-171)