Unit 6 Man and Animals

Useful Information

Man's relationship with animals has always been ambivalent. On the one hand, animals have been worshipped and attributed with all kinds of mysterious and superior powers. On the other hand, they have been hunted, domesticated, exterminated, and even exploited as a source of entertainment. In many countries, man has also created imaginary creatures that play a major role in popular cultures. The Chinese dragon is perhaps one of the most famous examples.

Comparisons between animals and man have been made throughout the centuries. In some cultures, the sinister and aggressive aspect of man is regarded as the animal side of human nature. Recent research on human behavior, for example, draws parallels between the aggressiveness of modern man to the abnormal behavior of a caged animal. Some scientists believe that unnatural conditions, such as overcrowding and alienating routine jobs, cause people to perform acts of violence. Other scientists feel that aggression is a natural instinct that could be directed towards positive and creative activities.

The idea of an animalistic side of human nature is foreign to the North American Indians who regard animals as equals of man. They are not only equal to man, but they are considered to be the founders and guardians of their tribes. The raven, the eagle, the bear and other animals always appear in stylized forms on their totem poles.

Ever since the dawn of civilization, animals have been used to help and to serve man in many ways. Sheep and goats were bred to provide wool, meat, and fat. Large animals like oxen, water buffalo and horses were used to pull ploughs and carry heavy loads. Capable of sensing water from a great distance and going days without water, camels proved to be the ideal animal for the nomadic people of the desert. The dog, known in English-speaking countries as \best friend,\one of the most versatile animals. Dogs have been bred to hunt, to guard, to herd sheep and cattle, to find people in the snow or in the rubble of earthquakes, to lead the blind, and to sniff for illegal drugs.

For many centuries in the West, it was thought that animals did not feel pain and that there was no such thing as cruelty to animals. It was in England in the eighteenth century that the advocacy of animal rights began. It should be said, however, that respectful treatment of animals had existed in the East for thousands of years as a result of the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism. The first national animal welfare organization was created in England in 1824 under the name of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA, as it is commonly known, now exists throughout the world.

The animal rights movement has grown considerably in recent decades. As a result of protests by animal rights groups, hunting of endangered species has been banned in most countries. Many efforts have been made, for example, to stop the killing of elephants by hunters participating in the ivory trade. Some animal rights groups have focused their attention on the treatment of animals in scientific research and on the use of animals in the testing of beauty products such as perfumes, creams and makeup. Zoos and pet stores are now constantly inspected and criticized by animal rights groups. Many people regard zoos as cruel environments and favor safari parks where animals are free to roam in a more natural setting.

The destruction of forests and other natural habitats has resulted in the disappearance of many species of animals throughout the world. Wildlife protection organizations have conducted educational campaigns drawing public attention to the serious decline in the biological diversity of the planet as more and more species disappear because of pollution and industrial development.

Part One Preparation

1. Word Association

ant, antelope（羚羊）, bat, bear, beaver, bee, bird, bull, butterfly, camel, cat, chicken, cod, cow, crab, crocodile, cuttlefish (乌贼), deer, dog, dolphin, donkey, dragonfly, duck, eagle, eel, elephant, fish, fly, fox, frog, goat, goose, giraffe, hippo (河马), horse, koala, leopard, lion, lizard, mandarin duck（鸳鸯）, monkey, mosquito, mouse, mule, ostrich, owl, ox, panda, parrot, peacock, penguin, pig, pigeon, pony, rabbit, rat, rhino (犀牛), salmon, scorpion (蝎), sea lion, shark, sheep, shrimp, skunk, snail, snake, spider, squirrel, swallow, tiger, tortoise, turkey, turtle, weasel (黄鼠狼), whale, worm, zebra, etc.

2. Test Your Animal Knowledge

Directions: Finish the quiz individually, then compare your answers with your neighbors’.

Part I: What is it?

1) A squirrel 2) An owl 3) A dolphin 4) A tiger 5) A monkey 6) A dog 7) A beaver 8) A lion 9) A penguin 10) An ostrich

Part II: Which is the best choice? 1) B 2) C 3) D 4) C 5) B 6) A 7) D 8) C 9) C 10) C

3. Interesting Facts about Animals (More for teachers’ reference) 1. A newborn kangaroo is about 1 inch in length. 2. Each year, insects eat 1/3 of the Earth's food crop.

3. A rat can last longer without water than a camel can. 4. A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime. 5. The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat. 6. A bird requires more food in proportion to its size than a baby or a cat. 7. The animal responsible for the most human deaths world-wide is the mosquito. 8. There are more than 100 million dogs and cats in the United States. Americans

spend more than 5.4 billion dollars on their pets each year.

4. The Pet Show May: dog, speak, third Beth: bird, jump, first

Kim: snake, roll over and play dead, second

Since the snake rolls over (clue #3) and the bird does not speak (clue #2), the bird must jump. The pet that jumps took first place (clue #4), and the bird is owned by Beth (clue #5), so Beth owns the first-place pet. Since Beth owns the first-place pet and May owns the third-place pet (clue #1), then Kim must own the second-place pet. Since the snake took second (clue #6), it must belong to Kim. If Beth owns the bird, and Kim owns the snake, then May must own the dog. Since the bird jumps and the snake rolls over, the dog must speak. Since May owns the dog, and May’s pet took third, the dog must be the third-place pet.

Part Two Reading-Centered Activities

I. Pre-Reading

– Yes, extremely frightened. I’m terrified of them because I feel they can easily become fierce and nasty. They attack and bite people. They also carry diseases.

– No, not at all. Actually I love dogs and we keep a dog at home. When I’m at home, the dog will be always around me. We often share food at meal time. For example, I have the meat and she’ll eat the bone. We’re very good friends.

When they are threatened; When they are attacked or hurt; When they want to protect their young; When they are cornered.

When they are put in certain situations: in war; in self-defense;

when they are extremely angry; when they lack space and freedom.

4) Fighting, beating, slapping, invasion, war, etc.

II. In-Class Reading

Words, Phrases and Grammatical Points

Some zoologists and psychologists compare modern man to a caged lion.

―compare…to…‖ 除了有―把……比作……‖的意思外，还有―把……与…比较‖的意思（可用 ―compare…with…‖ 来替代）。

I) He compared London to/with Pairs.

II) It was a very small place then compared with/to what it is now. III) This road is quite busy compared to/with ours.

IV) Children seem to learn more interesting things compared to/with when we were at school.

In fact, it is almost impossible for them to behave otherwise.

The word ―otherwise‖ means in a way that is different from what has been mentioned. I) The government claims that the economy is improving, but this survey suggests otherwise.

II) Take approximately 60mg up to four times a day, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

III) All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

IV) There is no way anything would ever happen between us, and believe me I’ve tried to convince myself otherwise.

3. in itself, by itself, to itself, of itself

in itself considered without other related ideas or situation 本身

I) The plan wasn’t illegal in itself but it would lead to some doubtful practices. II) The problem is unimportant in itself, but its long-term effects could be very serious.

by itself 1) alone 单独地

I) The animal had been left in the house by itself. II) The farmhouse stands by itself in the fields. 2) without help 自动地

I) The dog managed to drag the box into the room by itself. II) The door opened by itself. to itself not shared with others

e.g. I) This idea deserves a chapter to itself.

II) The committee kept the results of the survey to itself, fearing a bad public reaction.

of itself 自行地，自然地 The light went out of itself.