Unit 4 Section A I Background Knowledge telecommunications Telecommunications, from Greek, means " communications at a distance Telecommunications through voice, data, and image communication is changing the world The ease of accessing information and people anywhere at anytime is having major impacts on society, business, and finance. Two major trends have occurred in the technology that is applicable to telecommunications. The first trend has been the incredible increase in the equally dramatic increases in complexity, speed and capacity. The second trend has been the explosive growth in transmission capacity through the widespread use of optical fiber across continents and under oceans. These two trends have had impressive long-term consequences for telecommunications around the world the Internet and the world wide web have already created a global system for the access of information. It has become popular that people check flight, weather, and hotels before traveling to a foreign country. E-mail makes it easy to keep in contact instantly with colleagues and friends around the globe. But many of the peoples of the world do not even have a telephone much less access to the Internet and le information. The challenge to the telecommunications industry is to bridge the digital gap and extend the availability of communications to all parts of the planet. 2. optical fiber Optical fiber(or"fiber optic")often refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic wire or fiber. Optical fiber carries much more information than conventional copper wire and is in general not subject to electromagnetic interference and the need to retransmit signals. Most telephone company long-distance lines are now of optical fiber. Transmission on optical fiber wire requires repeater at distance intervals. The glass fiber requires more protection within an outer cable than copper For these reasons and because the installation of any new wiring is labor-intensive, few communities yet have optical fiber wires or cables from the phone company's branch office to local customers( known as local loop). Single mode fiber is used for longer distances multimode fiber is used for shorter distances 3. Information Age When we say that we live in the Information Age, we mean that we live in a time when information is very important and easy to get. The Information Age is an era of fundamental and global change in intellectual, philosophical, cultural and social terms. Today's Information Age began with the telegraph. It was the first instrument to transform nformation into electrical form and transmit it reliably over long distances. New techniques of encoding and distributing digital information are pacing the spread of the Information Age 4. information superhighway The information superhighway can be understood to be a highway which has computer technology and modern communication technology serving as the base of the road and
Unit 4 Section A I. Background Knowledge 1. telecommunications Telecommunications, from Greek, means “communications at a distance”. Telecommunications through voice, data, and image communication is changing the world. The ease of accessing information and people anywhere at anytime is having major impacts on society, business, and finance. Two major trends have occurred in the technology that is applicable to telecommunications. The first trend has been the incredible increase in the processing power of digital computers, namely, dramatic decreases in physical size along with equally dramatic increases in complexity, speed and capacity. The second trend has been the explosive growth in transmission capacity through the widespread use of optical fiber across continents and under oceans. These two trends have had impressive long-term consequences for telecommunications around the world. The Internet and the World Wide Web have already created a global system for the access of information. It has become popular that people check flight, weather, and hotels before traveling to a foreign country. E-mail makes it easy to keep in contact instantly with colleagues and friends around the globe. But many of the peoples of the world do not even have a telephone, much less access to the Internet and the information. The challenge to the telecommunications industry is to bridge the digital gap and extend the availability of communications to all parts of the planet. 2. optical fiber Optical fiber (or “fiber optic”) often refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic wire or fiber. Optical fiber carries much more information than conventional copper wire and is in general not subject to electromagnetic interference and the need to retransmit signals. Most telephone company long-distance lines are now of optical fiber. Transmission on optical fiber wire requires repeater at distance intervals. The glass fiber requires more protection within an outer cable than copper. For these reasons and because the installation of any new wiring is labor-intensive, few communities yet have optical fiber wires or cables from the phone company’s branch office to local customers ( known as local loop). Single mode fiber is used for longer distances; multimode fiber is used for shorter distances. 3. Information Age When we say that we live in the Information Age, we mean that we live in a time when information is very important and easy to get. The Information Age is an era of fundamental and global change in intellectual, philosophical, cultural and social terms. Today’s Information Age began with the telegraph. It was the first instrument to transform information into electrical form and transmit it reliably over long distances. New techniques of encoding and distributing digital information are pacing the spread of the Information Age throughout society. 4. information superhighway The information superhighway can be understood to be a highway which has computer technology and modern communication technology serving as the base of the road and
fiber-optic cables serving as the surface of the road. The"vehicles"are the multimedia machines equipped with computer, television and telephone, and high speed transmission and exchange of various multimedia information forms the web covering the whole nation. If e national superhighways all over the world are linked together, the global information uperhighway will be created Il. Text Analysis The reading passage deals with one of the popular and current topics of today--- telecommunications revolution. The passage explores the topic from different aspects: the advantages of telecommunications technologies, questions that should be considered in developing the new technologies for developing countries, different countries trying to solve different problems with different resolutions, and lastly the conclusions The whole passage can be divided into four parts Part One( Para 1-2 The two paragraphs focus on the overwhelming advantages of telecommunications revolution especially for developing countries Part Two( Para 3) This paragraph puts forward a question for consideration: how fast to develop telecommunications technologies in developing countries Part Three( Para 4-10) This part deals with 6 different countries or regions, such as Russia, China, Hungary, Latin American countries. Thailand and vietnam in the transformation of telecommunications technologies. Different countries have different backgrounds and they seek different ways out of their respective problems to realize telecommunications transformation Part Four( Para ID) The passage comes to the conclusion that developing countries can catch up with Americans and Western Europeans in telecommunications technologies if they persist in their efforts even though they will make mistakes in the process of transformation II. Language points 1. The Telecommunications Revolution Telecommunications: n. the sending and receiving of messages over distance, esp. by telephone, radio and television the telecommunications industry电信工业 telecommunications satellite通信卫星 We will encourage the development of the most modern telecommunications networks 我们将鼓励发展最先进的通信网络 2. A transformation is occurring that should greatly boost living standards in the developing vor Meaning: A change is taking place that should greatly improve and promote standards of living of the developing countries. 3. Places that until recently were deaf and dumb are rapidly acquiring up-to-date telecommunications that will let them promote both internal and foreign investment.(Para. 1) Meaning: Those areas where until recently people were unable to communicate with the
fiber-optic cables serving as the surface of the road. The “vehicles” are the multimedia machines equipped with computer, television and telephone, and high speed transmission and exchange of various multimedia information forms the web covering the whole nation. If the national superhighways all over the world are linked together, the global information superhighway will be created. II. Text Analysis The reading passage deals with one of the popular and current topics of today--- telecommunications revolution. The passage explores the topic from different aspects: the advantages of telecommunications technologies, questions that should be considered in developing the new technologies for developing countries, different countries trying to solve different problems with different resolutions, and lastly the conclusions. The whole passage can be divided into four parts: Part One ( Para 1-2) The two paragraphs focus on the overwhelming advantages of telecommunications revolution, especially for developing countries. Part Two ( Para 3) This paragraph puts forward a question for consideration: how fast to develop telecommunications technologies in developing countries. Part Three ( Para 4-10) This part deals with 6 different countries or regions, such as Russia, China, Hungary, Latin American countries, Thailand and Vietnam in the transformation of telecommunications technologies. Different countries have different backgrounds and they seek different ways out of their respective problems to realize telecommunications transformation. Part Four ( Para 11) The passage comes to the conclusion that developing countries can catch up with Americans and Western Europeans in telecommunications technologies if they persist in their efforts even though they will make mistakes in the process of transformation. III. Language Points 1. The Telecommunications Revolution Telecommunications: n. the sending and receiving of messages over distance, esp. by telephone, radio and television the telecommunications industry 电信工业 a telecommunications satellite 通信卫星 We will encourage the development of the most modern telecommunications networks. 我们将鼓励发展最先进的通信网络。 2. A transformation is occurring that should greatly boost living standards in the developing world. (Para. 1) Meaning: A change is taking place that should greatly improve and promote standards of living of the developing countries. 3. Places that until recently were deaf and dumb are rapidly acquiring up-to-date telecommunications that will let them promote both internal and foreign investment. (Para.1) Meaning: Those areas where until recently people were unable to communicate with the
outside world because of the lack of communications facilities are now getting advanced telecommunications and this will allow them to attract or draw more ivestment from both home and abroad 4. All these developing regions see advanced communications as a way to leap over whole men ara Meaning: All these developing regions regard acquiring and making use of up-to-date communications as a way to ith the advanced countries 5. Widespread access to information technologies, for example, promises to condense the time required to change from labor-intensive assembly work to industries that involve engineering, marketing, and design. (Para. 2) Meaning: A great number of opportunities of using information technologies, for example, will make it possible to lessen or shorten the time needed to change from labor-intensive assembly work to industries that involve engineering, marketing, access to(sth means or right of using, reaching, or obtaining Students need easy access to books 要使学生很方便就能借到图书。 My ex-husband has access to the children at weekends 我的前夫有权在周末同孩子们在一起 The system had been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the equired information 该系统的设计使得用户能够快速简便地获得所需要的信息。 condense: v. 1)( of a gas)to become liquid, or sometimes solid, esp. by becoming cooler When a gas or vapor condenses, it changes into liquid 气体或水蒸气冷凝时变成液体。 2)reduce(esp sth written) to a smaller or shortened form I tried to condense the report into as few words as possible 我努力把报告压缩得尽可能短一些 6. Modern communications "will give countries like China and vietnam a huge advantage over countries stuck with old technology".( Para. 2) Meaning: Modern communications will give countries like China and Vietnam a greater chance of success than countries that still continue to use old technol be stuck with: having to do, have, or deal with, esp unwillingly We were stuck with relatives who came to stay unexpectedl 我们不得不应付那些不期而至住在我们这儿的亲戚 Jim always got stuck with cleaning the garage 吉姆总是不得不干打扫车库的活。 7. How fast these nations should push ahead is a matter of debate. Para 3) Meaning: People have different opinions as to how fast these countries should move ahead 8. Still, there's little dispute that communications will be a key factor separating the winners from the losers. ( Para. 4) Me till, people are almost of th
outside world because of the lack of communications facilities are now getting advanced telecommunications and this will allow them to attract or draw more investment from both home and abroad. 4. All these developing regions see advanced communications as a way to leap over whole stages of economic development. (Para. 2) Meaning: All these developing regions regard directly acquiring and making use of up-to-date communications as a way to catch up with the advanced countries economically. 5. Widespread access to information technologies, for example, promises to condense the time required to change from labor-intensive assembly work to industries that involve engineering, marketing, and design. (Para.2) Meaning: A great number of opportunities of using information technologies, for example, will make it possible to lessen or shorten the time needed to change from labor-intensive assembly work to industries that involve engineering, marketing, and design. access to (sth.): means or right of using , reaching, or obtaining Students need easy access to books. 要使学生很方便就能借到图书。 My ex-husband has access to the children at weekends. 我的前夫有权在周末同孩子们在一起。 The system had been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required information. 该系统的设计使得用户能够快速简便地获得所需要的信息。 condense: v. 1) ( of a gas) to become liquid, or sometimes solid, esp. by becoming cooler When a gas or vapor condenses, it changes into liquid. 气体或水蒸气冷凝时变成液体。 2) reduce (esp.sth.written) to a smaller or shortened form I tried to condense the report into as few words as possible. 我努力把报告压缩得尽可能短一些。 6. Modern communications “will give countries like China and Vietnam a huge advantage over countries stuck with old technology”. (Para.2) Meaning: Modern communications will give countries like China and Vietnam a greater chance of success than countries that still continue to use old technologies. be stuck with: having to do, have , or deal with,esp. unwillingly We were stuck with relatives who came to stay unexpectedly. 我们不得不应付那些不期而至住在我们这儿的亲戚。 Jim always got stuck with cleaning the garage. 吉姆总是不得不干打扫车库的活。 7. How fast these nations should push ahead is a matter of debate.(Para.3) Meaning: People have different opinions as to how fast these countries should move ahead or advance. 8. Still, there’s little dispute that communications will be a key factor separating the winners from the losers. (Para .4) Meaning: Still, people are almost of the same opinion/ almost all people agree that
communications will be crucial in deciding who are the winners and who are the lose 9. To lick this problem, Russia is starting to install optical fiber and has a strategic plan to pump $40 billion into various communications projects. ( Para. 4) leaning: To overcome this problem, Russia is beginning to install optical fiber and has a strategic plan to put $40 billion into various communications projects in order to 10. But its economy is stuck in recession and it barely has the money to even scratch the surface of the problem. Para. 4) Meaning: But its economy is deeply involved in a difficult time and it has almost no money to solve even a small part of the problem stick in: remain in( a place, or situation), unable to move The poor cat has been stuck in the top branches all morning 这只可怜的猫整整一上午都困在高高的树枝上,动不了 He was stuck awkwardly in the middle 他处于进退两难的尴尬境地 11. Wireless demand and usage have also exploded across the entire width and breadth of Latin America.( Para. 8) Meaning: There is a sudden popularity of mobile phones all over the countries in Latin erica 12. For wireless phone service providers, nowhere is business better than in Latin America-having an operation there is like having an endless pile of money at your disposal.(Para. 8) Meaning: For wireless phone service providers, business is the more profitable in Latin America than in other countries, and if you have an operation there, you are sure to make a lot of money without any risk. 13. So mobile phones have become the rage among businesspeople, who can remain in contact despite the traffic jams. Para 9) Meaning: So having mobile phones has become popular and fashional e amo who work in business because mobile phones can keep them in touch with other people even when they are caught in traffic jams rage: 1)infiml a very popular fashion the latest rage(非正式)最时髦的东西 Dresses like this used to be all the rage. very fashionable) 像这样的衣服曾经风靡一时。 2)a feeling of violent anger that is difficult to control His suggestions have been greeted with rage by his opponents 对他的建议,他的对手们的反应是勃然大怒。 14.... to keep pace with anyone..(Para. 10) She works so fast I cant keep pace with hers keep pace with change quickly in response to sth that is changi 她工作的很快,我跟不上她的速度 Earnings have not kept pace with inflation 收入的增长赶不上通货膨胀
communications will be crucial in deciding who are the winners and who are the losers. 9. To lick this problem, Russia is starting to install optical fiber and has a strategic plan to pump $40 billion into various communications projects. (Para.4) Meaning: To overcome this problem, Russia is beginning to install optical fiber and has a strategic plan to put $40 billion into various communications projects in order to make these projects successful. 10. But its economy is stuck in recession and it barely has the money to even scratch the surface of the problem. (Para. 4) Meaning: But its economy is deeply involved in a difficult time and it has almost no money to solve even a small part of the problem. stick in: remain in ( a place, or situation), unable to move The poor cat has been stuck in the top branches all morning. 这只可怜的猫整整一上午都困在高高的树枝上，动不了。 He was stuck awkwardly in the middle. 他处于进退两难的尴尬境地。 11. Wireless demand and usage have also exploded across the entire width and breadth of Latin America. (Para. 8) Meaning: There is a sudden popularity of mobile phones all over the countries in Latin America. 12. For wireless phone service providers, nowhere is business better than in Latin America—having an operation there is like having an endless pile of money at your disposal. (Para. 8) Meaning: For wireless phone service providers, business is the more profitable in Latin America than in other countries, and if you have an operation there, you are sure to make a lot of money without any risk. 13. So mobile phones have become the rage among businesspeople, who can remain in contact despite the traffic jams. (Para. 9) Meaning: So having mobile phones has become popular and fashionable among the people who work in business because mobile phones can keep them in touch with other people even when they are caught in traffic jams. rage: 1) infml a very popular fashion the latest rage （非正式）最时髦的东西 Dresses like this used to be all the rage. ( very fashionable) 像这样的衣服曾经风靡一时。 2) a feeling of violent anger that is difficult to control His suggestions have been greeted with rage by his opponents. 对他的建议，他的对手们的反应是勃然大怒。 14. … to keep pace with anyone… (Para.10) keep pace with: change quickly in response to sth. that is changing She works so fast I can’t keep pace with her. 她工作的很快，我跟不上她的速度。 Earnings have not kept pace with inflation. 收入的增长赶不上通货膨胀
15. For countries that have lagged behind for so long, the temptation to move ahead in one jump is hard to resist. Para 11) Meaning: For countries that have been backward for a long time it is hard for them to resist the temptation to leap over whole stages for economic development lag behind: to move or develop more slowly than others He lagged behind the rest of the children because he kept stopping to look in hop windows 他由于不断地停下来看商店橱窗,所以落在其他孩子的后面 Why is this country lagging behind in the development of space technology? 为什么这个国家在发展太空技术方面落后了呢? ⅣV. Writing Comparing and contrasting, or thinking about similarities and differences, is an activity that we do everyday wherever we have to make decisions. When buying a new car, you compare and contrast several cars before choosing one. When thinking about what classes to take next semester, you compare and contrast the teachers and the class hours before making your choices. Even deciding where to eat involves comparing and contrasting We also frequently make comparisons and contrasts in writing. In the business world, you may have to evaluate proposals from two companies who want to do business with you, or you may have to evaluate two jobs applicants, two computer systems, or two health insurance plans A comparison and contrast essay can be organized in the following way The thesis statement in a comparison- contrast essay should clearly name the topics of the comparison. It should also indicate that this is going to be a comparison- contrast analysis. The thesis statement sometimes also names the points on which the topics are going to be compared and contrasted The concluding paragraph of a comparison-contrast essay can follow the same pattern conclusions: concluding sentence() followed by the writer's final thoughts When you want to compare something within a sentence or between two sentences, comparison structure words and phrases are useful. These words and phrases connect the two parts of a comparison of two items, places, persons, and COMPARISON STRUCTURE WORDS AND PHRASES Similarly, likewise, also, too, and . (too)as, just as, just like, the same, alike, similar to, the same as, equally, both-and, not only. but also, to compare.. with, in comparison with, be different from, on the contrary, unlike Sample One Typhoons and Earthquakes Typhoons and earthquakes are relatively common in Southeast Asia, both of them can be very destructive and frightening When a typhoon hits, there is usually enough time to issue a warning. People are told to go inside. They should close the windows and lock the doors. Anything left loose may blow away a typhoon is a very powerful storm with strong winds and lots of rainfall. It blows down signs, trees, telephone poles and anything else it can. A very strong typhoon is often followed by floods that destroy houses. After a typhoon there is often a lot of damage to repair
15. For countries that have lagged behind for so long, the temptation to move ahead in one jump is hard to resist. (Para.11) Meaning: For countries that have been backward for a long time, it is hard for them to resist the temptation to leap over whole stages for economic development. lag behind: to move or develop more slowly than others He lagged behind the rest of the children because he kept stopping to look in shop windows. 他由于不断地停下来看商店橱窗，所以落在其他孩子的后面。 Why is this country lagging behind in the development of space technology? 为什么这个国家在发展太空技术方面落后了呢？ IV. Writing Comparing and contrasting, or thinking about similarities and differences, is an activity that we do everyday wherever we have to make decisions. When buying a new car, you compare and contrast several cars before choosing one. When thinking about what classes to take next semester, you compare and contrast the teachers and the class hours before making your choices. Even deciding where to eat involves comparing and contrasting. We also frequently make comparisons and contrasts in writing. In the business world, you may have to evaluate proposals from two companies who want to do business with you, or you may have to evaluate two jobs applicants, two computer systems, or two health insurance plans. A comparison and contrast essay can be organized in the following way: The thesis statement in a comparison- contrast essay should clearly name the topics of the comparison. It should also indicate that this is going to be a comparison- contrast analysis. The thesis statement sometimes also names the points on which the topics are going to be compared and contrasted. The concluding paragraph of a comparison-contrast essay can follow the same pattern as other conclusions: concluding sentence(s) followed by the writer’s final thoughts. When you want to compare something within a sentence or between two sentences, comparison structure words and phrases are useful. These words and phrases connect the two parts of a comparison of two items, places, persons, and so on. COMPARISON STRUCTURE WORDS AND PHRASES Similarly, likewise, also, too, and…(too) as, just as, just like, the same, alike, similar to, the same as, equally, both—and, not only…but also, to compare…with, in comparison with, be different from, on the contrary, unlike Sample One Typhoons and Earthquakes Typhoons and earthquakes are relatively common in Southeast Asia, both of them can be very destructive and frightening. When a typhoon hits, there is usually enough time to issue a warning. People are told to go inside. They should close the windows and lock the doors. Anything left loose may blow away. A typhoon is a very powerful storm with strong winds and lots of rainfall. It blows down signs, trees, telephone poles and anything else it can. A very strong typhoon is often followed by floods that destroy houses. After a typhoon there is often a lot of damage to repair