解放军文职招聘考试The Origin of Kiss 接吻风俗的起源

  The Origin of Kiss

      接吻风俗的起源

   Over time, the custom of kissing developed as a way for adults to express their love and affection for one another. The roots of this form of affection can date back to primitive times, when mothers fondled (爱抚) their children, much as mothers do today.

   Much later, in the sixth century, society accepted the custom of kissing between adults as an expression of their affection. Not surprisingly, France first accepted kissing in courtship (求爱)and in love. There, figure dancing was the rage, and each dance was sealed with a kiss.                                     

   The custom of kissing swept from France through Europe to Russia, where Russian nobility loved to ape the French. Eventually, the kiss was incorporated into marriage ceremonies, and today lips lock couples into sweet matrimony.

   The custom of kissing today, as well as in ancient times, serves to show respect, and to pay homage (敬意) to another. For example, early Romans kissed each other on the mouth or on the eyes to greet one another in a manner they seemed to be dignified. One Roman emperor even ranked a person’s importance by the body part he was allowed to kiss. He allowed important nobles to kiss his lips, less important ones to kiss his hands, and the least important ones to kiss his feet.

   In Russia, the highest sign of recognition from the crown meant a kiss from the Tsar (沙皇)himself. Today, natives of many African tribes pay homage to their chief by kissing the ground over which he has walked.

I Aims and Demands（教学目的和要求）

To learn a passage about the origin of kiss and let the students know what the practice” kiss” means in the past and at present.

ⅡKey Points and Special Difficulties（重点和难点）

Key points: to grasp some useful words and expressions

origin, affection, surprisingly, eventually, ceremony, rank, date back to

Special difficulties: the origin of kiss and its meanings

Ⅲ Teaching Aids and Approaches（教具及教学方法）

Multi-media, Task-based approach and the integrated approach

Ⅳ Brief Teaching Procedures（教学过程）

Step1 Lead-in （导入新课）

When do people kiss each other? In what situations?

Step2 Fast reading（快速阅读）   

Read the passage quickly and answer the questions below（快速阅读并回答下列问题）:

1) When did the society accept the kissing between adults as an expression of their affection?

2) How do natives of many African tribes show respect for their chief?

Keys（参考答案）:

1) In the sixth century.

2) By kissing the ground over which he has walked.

Step3 Careful reading （细读）    

1. What does a kiss mean? Give some examples to support your ideas.

1) Showing love and affection for one another (mothers fondle their children; adults kiss in courtship and in love)

2) Showing respect and paying homage to another (early Romans kissed each other; African tribes kiss the ground where their chief has just walked)

2. Translate the following sentences and pay attention to the underlined parts.

1) The roots of this form of affection can date back to primitive times, when mothers fondled their children, much as mothers do today

date back to = date from 追溯到……

This sentence means “The custom of kissing began in primitive times, showing love and affection to one another.”

2) The custom of kissing swept from France through Europe to Russia, where Russian nobility loved to ape the French.

This custom which first began in France was spread through Europe to Russia, where it was widely accepted by the Russian.

3) Today, natives of many African tribes pay homage to their chief by kissing the ground over which he has walked.

pay homage to … = show respect for…

Step4 Homework （作业）

Rewrite the passage. (Around 150 words.)

Step5 Assessment（评价）

Words and expressions（词和短语）

1. origin  n. 起源                                           2. affection  n. 喜爱

3. primitive  adj. 原始的                                 4. surprisingly  adv. 令人惊讶地

5. nobility  n. 贵族                                       6. eventually  adv. 最后，最终

7. incorporate  vt. 使并入，使合并                 8. ceremony  n. 典礼

9. rank  vt.  赋予（阶级、名次）                  10. recognition  n. 承认，认可

11. date back to追溯到……