Map of the book

Section A Section B
Unit
Structure analysis
Text A Reading skills
and writing

1 Fresh start
p2
Toward a brighter
future for all
A paragraph with a topic
sentence supported by
Previewing
p16
p4 details
p13

2 Loving parents,
loving children
A child’s clutter awaits
an adult’s return
A paragraph of problem-
solution pattern
Reading in thought
groups
p28 p30 p39 p42

3 Heroes of our
time
To feed the world
p56
A paragraph with
statistics
Scanning
p68
p54 p65

4 Social media
matters
Social media: How
much is too much
A paragraph of listing
p91
Understanding signal
words
p80 p82 p94

5 Friendship
across border
Firm belief, eternal
friendship
A paragraph of cause
and effect
Finding the main idea of
a paragraph
and gender p108 p117 p120
p106

6 Winning is not
everything
Cliff Young, an
extraordinary runner
A paragraph of time
order
Skimming
p146
p132 p134 p143

新视野大学英语（第四版）起点词表 p159

XII New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

 Section C
Unit project
Text B Stories of China

What we wish The post-00s looking forward to Writing a letter to introduce your
p18 a colorful life university
p25 p27

Time slows down Bonds of love Conducting a survey: What parents think
p43 p51 of their children
p53

Heroes among us Cering Dandar, a grassroots hero Sharing a story about a hero
p69 p77 p79

Staying connected Chinese people love their social Making a short video about China to share
p96 media apps on social media
p103 p105

Gender variables Picture this: Friends forever Conducting a debate on having a large
in friendship: p129 circle of friends vs. a small circle of
Contradiction or not? friends
p121 p131

Shaping young lives Lessons China can teach us about Writing a letter to the International
with sports fitness Olympic Committee regarding the size of
p147 p155 the Olympic Games
p157

Map of the book XIII

 1 Fresh start
Unit

Learn broadly, examine

closely, ref lect carefully,
discriminate clearly, and
practice earnestly.
— The Book of Rites

博学之，审问之，慎思之，
明辨之，笃行之。
——《礼记》

2 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

Preview
College is a unique mix of freedom and
responsibility. It is hard to express how
profound a change college represents in
the lives of new students: new homes,
new lifestyles, new people, and a wealth
of new learning opportunities. Facing all
of these many changes, you must choose
responsibly and wisely.

College is a fresh start in your life. You

will find your college experience more
rewarding if you consider some important
questions beforehand: What are your
expectations? What does this opportunity
offer? How will you make the most of this
marvelous opportunity and exciting new
experience? How can you prepare yourself
to become a useful person to society and
the country? What will you do to live up
to the expectations for the new era’s
great young generation, a generation
with ideals, a sense of responsibility, grit,
and dedication? Listen to your university
president, your teachers, and your parents,
and see what suggestions they have for you.

Unit 1 Fresh start 3

Section A
Pre-reading activities Text A
1 Look at the title of Text A. Work in groups
and discuss what “a brighter future” means
to you. The following are some hints for you
1

G ood afternoon! As president of the

university, I am proud to welcome you
to this university. Your achievement is the
to consider. triumph of years of hard work, both of your
• Becoming a well-educated person own and of your parents and teachers. Here
• Having a good career at the university, we pledge to make your
• Having a happy family educational experience as rewarding as possible.
• Being a useful person to society
• Contributing to the prosperity of the country 2 In welcoming you to the university, I am
reminded of my own high school graduation
2 As a college student, what can you do to and the photograph my mom took of my dad
prepare yourself for a bright future? The and me. “Pose naturally,” Mom instructed us.
following are some hints for you to consider. “Wait!” said Dad. “Let’s take a picture of me
• Work hard handing him an alarm clock.” The clock woke
• Keep an open mind me up every morning in college. It is still on my
• Study for a larger purpose office desk.
• Develop a strong sense of responsibility
• Keep a balance between learning and 3 Let me share with you something that you may
having fun not expect. You will miss your old routines
and your parents’ reminders to work hard and
attain your best. You may have cried tears of
joy to be finally finished with high school, and
your parents may have cried tears of joy to be
finally finished with doing your laundry! But
know this: The future is built on the strong
foundation of the past.

4 For you, these next four years will be a time

unlike any other. Here you are surrounded by
great resources: interesting students from all
over the country, a learned and caring faculty,
a comprehensive library, great sports facilities,

4 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

Toward a
brighter future for all
and student organizations covering every a better chance of discovering an unsuspected
possible interest – from the arts to science, to passion that will help to shape your future.
community service, and so on. You will have A wonderful example of this is Leonardo da
the freedom to explore and learn about new Vinci, who originally studied painting and
subjects. You will learn to get by on very little sculpture. Over time, Leonardo da Vinci
sleep, meet fascinating people, and pursue new paired his studies in art with his love of science
passions. I want to encourage you to make the and nature, which made him a famous painter,
most of this unique experience, and to use your sculptor, draftsman, engineer, scientist, and
energy and enthusiasm to reap the benefits of architect.
this opportunity.
6 Here at the university, it may not always be
5 You may feel overwhelmed by the wealth of pleasant to have so many new experiences all at
courses available to you. You will not be able once. In your dorm, the student next door may
to experience them all, but sample them widely! repeatedly play the one song, which gives you
College offers many things to do and to learn,
and each of them offers a different way to see
the world. If I could give you only one piece of
advice about selecting courses, it would be this:
Challenge yourself! Don’t assume that you
know in advance what fields will interest you
the most. Take some courses in fields you have
never tried before. You will not only emerge as
a more broadly-educated person, but also stand

Unit 1 Fresh start 5

 a giant headache. You may be an early bird while your roommate is a night owl. And
still, you and your roommate may become best friends. Don’t worry if you become a
little uncomfortable with some of your new experiences. I promise you that the happy
experiences will outweigh the unpleasant ones. And I promise that virtually all of them
will provide you with valuable lessons which will enrich your life. So, with a glow in
your eyes and a song in your heart, step forward to meet these new experiences!

7 We have confidence that your journey toward self-discovery and your progress toward
finding your own passion will yield more than personal advancement. We believe
that as you become members of our community of scholars, you will soon come to
recognize that with the abundant opportunities for self-enrichment provided by the
university, there also come responsibilities. A wise man said: “Education is simply the
soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” You are the inheritors of
the hard work of your families and the hard work of many countless others who came
before you. They built and transmitted the knowledge you will need to succeed. Now
it is your turn. What knowledge will you acquire? What passions will you discover?
What will you do to build a strong and prosperous future for the generations that will
come after you?

8 We take great pleasure in opening the door to this great step in your journey. We take
delight in the many opportunities which you will find, and in the responsibilities that
you will carry as citizens of your communities, your country, and the world. Welcome!

(778 words)

Culture notes
Leonardo da Vinci: Italian Renaissance artist,
engineer, and scientist. His Mona Lisa is among
the most popular and influential paintings of the
Renaissance.

6 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

 New words 2 [C, usu. pl.] a natural ability, such as the
ability to see, hear, or think clearly 官能；天赋
▲ triumph /9traI@mf/ n. [C] an important victory
▲ comprehensive /8k^mprI9hensIv/ a. complete
or success after a difficult struggle（尤指苦战后
and including everything that is necessary 全面
获得的）胜利，成功，成就
的；综合的；包罗万象的；详尽的
▲ pledge /pledZ/
▲ facility /f@9sIl@ti/ n. (~ies) [pl.] rooms,
vt. make a formal, usu. public, promise that you
equipment, or services that are provided for a
will do sth. 发誓；保证；许诺
particular purpose（为某种目的而提供的）设施，
n. [C] (fml.) a serious promise or agreement,
设备
esp. one made publicly or officially（尤指公
开或正式作出的）誓言，誓约，保证 ▲ community /k@9mju:n@ti/ n. [C]
1 the people who live in the same area, town,
▲ pose /p@Uz/
etc.（同住一地的人所构成的）社区
vi. sit or stand somewhere so that sb. can take a
2 a group of people who have the same
photograph of you or paint a picture of you
interests, religion, race, etc.（由有着相同兴趣、
（为照相或画像而）摆姿势
宗教信仰等的人构成的）群体，团体
vt. create a difficult or dangerous situation 造成，
导致（困难或危险） ▲ explore /Ik9splO:/
vt. examine or discuss a subject, idea, etc.
▲ routine
thoroughly 探讨，研究（主题、思想等）
n. /ru:9ti:n/ [C, U] your usual way of doing
v. travel around an area in order to learn about
things, esp. when you do them in a fixed
it or search for sth. valuable such as oil
order at the same time 例行公事；常规；惯例
勘探；探测；考察
a. /8ru:9ti:n/ happening as a normal part of a job
or process 常规的；例行的；惯常的 ▲ fascinating /9f{s@neItI~/ a. extremely interesting
and attractive 极有吸引力的；迷人的
▲ attain /@9teIn/ vt. (fml.) succeed in achieving sth.
after trying for a long time（通过长时间努力而） ▲ pursue /p@9sju:/ vt.
得到，获得，赢得 1 try to achieve sth. 追求；致力于
2 chase sb. or sth. in order to catch them 追赶；
▲ foundation /faUn9deISFn/ n. [C] the most basic
追逐
part of sth. from which the rest of it develops 基础
▲ passion /9p{SFn/ n.
▲ resource /rI9sO:s/ n.
1 [C] a very strong liking for sth. 强烈的爱好；
1 [C] sth. you can use to help you to achieve
热爱
sth., esp. in your work or study 资源
2 [C, U] a very strong belief or feeling about
2 [C, usu. pl.] things such as coal, trees, and
sth. 强烈的情感；激情
oil that exist in nature and can be used by
people 自然资源 ▲ unique /ju:9ni:k/ a.
1 very special, unusual, or good 特别的；极不
▲ faculty /9f{kFlti/ n.
寻常的；极好的
1 [U] (AmE) all the teachers in a university,
college, or school 全体教员

注：标 ▲ 单词为四级词，未做标记单词为六级词，斜体单词为超纲词。

Unit 1 Fresh start 7

 2 not the same as anything or anyone else 不同 vt. write sth. such as a legal document, speech,
的；独特的 or letter that may have changes made to it
before it is finished 起草，草拟（法律文件、
▲ enthusiasm /In9Tju:zi{zFm/ n. [U] the feeling
演讲或信件）
of being very interested in sth. or excited by it
热爱；热情；热心 draftsman /9drA:ftsm@n/ n. [C]
1 (BrE draughtsman) sb. whose job is to
▲ reap /ri:p/
draw the plans for sth. that people are going
vt. get sth. as a result of sth. you have done
to make or build 制图员
收获；获得
2 sb. whose job is to draft official or legal
v. cut and gather a crop such as wheat 收割（庄稼）
documents（官方或法律文件的）拟稿人，起
▲ benefit /9ben@fIt/ 草人
n. [C, U] an advantage, improvement, or help
▲ architect /9A:k@tekt/ n. [C]
that you get from sth. 好处；益处；裨益
1 sb. whose job is to design buildings 建筑师
v. be helped by sth. or help sb. 得益；受惠；使
受益；对…有帮助
2 (the ~ of) the person who has the idea for
sth. such as a plan or policy and makes it
▲ opportunity /8^p@9tju:n@ti/ n. [C, U] a chance to happen 设计师；缔造者
do sth. or an occasion when it is easy for you to
▲ giant /9dZaI@nt/ a. (only before noun) extremely
do sth. 机会；时机
big, and much bigger than other things of the
▲ overwhelm /8@Uv@9welm/ vt. (usu. passive) exist same type 巨大的；特大的
in such great amounts that sb. or sth. cannot deal
owl /aUl/ n. [C] 猫头鹰
with them（数量大得）使无法对付
outweigh /aUt9weI/ vt. be more important or
▲ available /@9veIl@bFl/ a. (not usu. before noun)
valuable than sth. else 比…更重要；比…更有价值
able to be obtained, taken, or used 可获得的；可
利用的；现成的 ▲ virtually /9v%:tSu@li/ ad.
1 almost 实际上；几乎；差不多
▲ assume /@9sju:m/ vt. think that sth. is true,
2 on a computer, rather than in the real world
although you do not have definite proof 假定；
虚拟地；模拟地
假设；认为
▲ enrich /In9rItS/ vt. improve the quality of sth.,
▲ emerge /I9m%:dZ/ vi.
esp. by adding things to it 使丰富；使充实；强化
1 appear or become recognized 出现；为…所公认
2 come out of sth. or out from behind sth. ▲ glow /gl@U/
出现；露出 n. [sing.] a soft steady light 柔和稳定的光
vi. produce or reflect a soft steady light 发出柔
sculpture /9sk"lptS@/ n. [U] the art of making
和稳定的光
objects out of stone, wood, clay, etc. 雕刻艺术；
雕塑艺术 ▲ yield /ji:ld/
vt. 1 produce a result, answer, or piece of
▲ draft /drA:ft/
information 得出（结果等）
n. [C] sth. such as a plan, letter, or drawing
2 produce crops, profits, etc. 出产；产生
that may have changes made to it before it is
vi. finally agree to do what sb. else wants you to
finished（计划、信件或绘画等的）草稿，草案
do 屈从；让步

8 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

▲ abundant /@9b"nd@nt/ a. (fml.) existing or get by (on / with) have just enough of sth.
available in large quantities 大量的；丰富的；充 such as money or knowledge so that you can do
裕的 what you need to do 过活；过得去；勉强应付
▲ responsibility /rI8sp^ns@9bIl@ti/ n. [C] make the most of sth. gain the greatest possible
1 sth. that you ought to do because it is morally advantage from sth. 最大限度地从…获益
or socially right（道德、社会）责任，义务
reap the benefits enjoy the advantages of sth.
2 sth. that you must do as part of your job or
you have worked hard to get 收获益处
duty 职责；任务；义务
in advance before sth. happens or is expected
▲ inherit /In9herIt/
to happen 预先；提前
vt. receive a belief, tradition, or way of life from
people who lived before you 沿袭，秉承（信 stand a chance (of doing sth.) have the
仰、传统或生活方式） possibility of succeeding or achieving sth. 有可
v. receive property or money from sb. who has 能成功；有机会获得

died 继承（财产） over time gradually 逐渐地；慢慢地

inheritor /In9herIt@/ n. [C] all at once
1 sb. who follows an established way of life or 1 at the same time 同时
thinking（生活或思想方式的）后继者，继承人 2 suddenly and unexpectedly 一下子；突然
2 sb. who receives money, property, etc. from
take pleasure / delight in (doing) sth. enjoy
sb. who has just died 遗产继承人
(doing) sth. very much 以（做）…为乐
▲ transmit /tr{nz9mIt/ vt. (fml.) send or pass sth.
open the door to sth. make an opportunity
from one person, place, or thing to another 传送；
for sth. to happen 给…以机会；给…敞开方便之门
传递；传播

▲ acquire /@9kwaI@/ vt.

1 gain knowledge or learn a skill 学到，获得（知
Proper names
识、技能）
2 get or gain sth. 取得；获得 Leonardo da Vinci /8li:@9nA:d@U d@ 9vIntSi/ 列奥纳
prosperous /9pr^spFr@s/ a. (fml.) rich and 多·达·芬奇（1452—1519，意大利文艺复兴时

successful 富裕的；繁荣的；兴旺的 期艺术家、科学家和工程师）

Phrases and expressions

remind sb. of sb. / sth.
1 make sb. remember sb. that they know or
sth. that happened in the past 使…想起
2 make sb. think of sb. or sth. else because
they are similar in some way 使…想起 ( 相似
的 ) 人或事

Unit 1 Fresh start 9

Reading comprehension Language focus
Understanding the text Words in use
1 Answer the following questions. 3 Fill in the blanks with the words given
1 What does the president promise to do at the below. Change the form where necessary.
beginning of his speech? Each word can be used only once.
2 According to the president, what will the
students miss? available benefit comprehensive
3 What does the president call on the students emerge explore inherit pose
to do with the wealth of resources on resource transmit yield
campus?
4 Why does the president advise the students 1 They are planning to spend the money on
to sample the college courses widely? something that will be of great __________
5 What can you learn from the example of to everyone in the community.
Leonardo da Vinci? 2 The research is intended to __________
6 How should the students deal with new and the relationship between the economy and
unpleasant experiences in college? education.
7 How do you understand “Now it is your 3 It was about 30 seconds before Alex
turn” (Para.7)? __________ from the water; we were quite
8 What do you think of the president’s speech? scared.
4 There is no room for more furniture in our
apartment – we’ve used up all the space
Critical thinking __________.
2 Work in pairs and discuss the following 5 There was widespread concern in the
questions. U.S. that the rising unemployment might
1 What are you going to do at university in __________ a threat to social stability.
order to sample courses widely and challenge 6 After a(n) __________ physical exam, my
yourself? doctor said I was in good health except that
2 What role do you think your university my blood pressure was a little high.
education will play in your life? 7 It is well-known that China is a country
3 How do you understand the statement “If you with rich natural __________ and a very
think education is expensive, try ignorance”? long history.
4 How do you think a university education can 8 Some people believe that the earth can
change a person’s life? __________ enough food to support at least
twice its present population.
9 From his grandfather, Jack has __________
a love of reading novels and writing poems.
10 The president’s speech has __________
the message that the university will do
everything to help students prepare for the
future.

10 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

Word building 4 Fill in the blanks with the words given
below. Change the form where necessary.
-ant Each word can be used only once.

attendant beautify classify

与某些动词结合构成名词，表示“做……
horrify informant notify
的人”、“用作……的东西”或“实施……
pollutant resultant solidify
作用者”。

serve servant 1 The students will learn to __________ rocks

attend attendant by shape and size.
inform informant 2 Many flowers and plants are grown to
pollute pollutant __________ the public areas in the
neighborhood.
3 Sending exchange students can __________
也可以与某些动词结合构成形容词，表示
the friendship between our country and other
“具有……特征的”、“进行……动作的”
countries.
或“处于……状态的”。
4 Last week I was __________ by the
please pleasant publisher that my article was accepted and
result resultant would be published next month.
5 The chemical factory that produced serious
__________ has been shut down by the local
-ify government.
6 We were __________ to discover that the
basement of our house was flooded after the
与某些名词或形容词结合构成动词，表示
heavy rain.
“使……化”、“使变成”或“使感到”。
7 The growing economy and its __________
beauty beautify development in other areas have greatly
class classify motivated people to work harder.
horror horrify 8 I enjoyed flying and meeting different
note notify people, so I wanted to become a flight
solid solidify __________.
9 Some journalists have long-term
relationships with their news __________
注：粗体单词为新学派生词。 from whom they obtain first-hand
information.

Unit 1 Fresh start 11

Banked cloze Expressions in use
5 Fill in the blanks by selecting suitable words 6 Fill in the blanks with the expressions given
from the word bank. You may not use any of below. Change the form where necessary.
the words more than once. Each expression can be used only once.

A acquiring F fascinating K pursue

all at once get by in advance
B attend G fashionable L qualifying
make the most of open the door to
C available H interest M raised
over time reap the benefits
D classify I passion N sampled
stand a chance of take pleasure in
E especially J prosperous O virtually

People go to college for various reasons. A closer 1 We can _______________ with five
look at their reasons for studying at university computers at the moment, but we will need
will enable us to 1) _____ them roughly into more when the new people arrive next
three groups: those who have a(n) 2) _____ for month.
learning, those who see it as a necessary step 2 Many passengers on the subway read books
in their future career, and those who 3) _____ or listen to music to _______________ their
university without a clear purpose yet. time on the way to work.
3 In order to make sure he would be able to
Firstly, there are many students who learn simply attend the meeting, I called him two weeks
because they want to 4) _____ their goal of _______________.
learning. Some read a wealth of novels because 4 Experts say our company is amazing in
they are very interested in literature. Others sit in that its sales have been increasing steadily
front of the computer screen, working on a new _______________.
program, 5) _____ day and night, because they 5 To _______________ of physical exercise,
find computer programming 6) _____, and they you should exercise regularly, and for at least
dream of becoming a computer expert one day. half an hour each time.
6 They tried to talk _______________, and I
Secondly, there are students who work hard for
couldn’t hear anything they said.
a better and more 7) _____ future. It seems that
7 We have been practicing for so long and so
the majority of students fall into this group. After
hard that our team should _______________
admission to the university, they read widely
winning the game.
and take delight in 8) _____ knowledge from
8 Hard work and good preparation will
all of the resources which are 9) _____ to them,
_______________ many opportunities for
hoping that this will help them succeed in the
you in the future.
future job market.
9 He _______________ watching his daughter
Thirdly, there are still some students who learn play the piano in front of his friends.
without a clear goal yet. They take courses,
finish homework, enjoy life on campus, but they
haven’t 10) _____ many courses yet. They are
still uncertain what they will do after graduation.

12 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

Structure analysis and writing
Structure analysis

A paragraph with a topic sentence supported by details

A paragraph often starts with a topic sentence, which expresses the main idea of the paragraph.
The topic sentence is generally followed by specific details to support and explain the main idea.
Sometimes this kind of paragraph may end with a concluding sentence to summarize the paragraph
or leave the reader with something to think about.

In Para. 4 of Text A, the topic sentence is “For you, these next four years will be a time unlike any
other”, followed by specific details to explain the reasons why these four years will be different.
This paragraph concludes with the president’s encouragement “to make the most of this unique
experience, and to use your energy and enthusiasm to reap the benefits of this opportunity”.

For you, these next four years will be a time unlike any other. Topic sentence
Here you are surrounded by great resources: interesting Detail 1
students from all over the country, a learned and caring What resources are
available to you on campus
faculty, a comprehensive library, great sports facilities, and
student organizations covering every possible interest –
from the arts to science, to community service, and so on.
You will have the freedom to explore and learn about new Detail 2
subjects. You will learn to get by on very little sleep, meet What you can do at university

fascinating people, and pursue new passions. I want to Concluding sentence

encourage you to make the most of this unique experience,
and to use your energy and enthusiasm to reap the benefits
of this opportunity.

7 Read Para. 3 of Text A and find the topic sentence, its supporting details, and the
concluding sentence.
Let me share with you something that you may not expect. You will miss your old
routines and your parents’ reminders to work hard and attain your best. You may have
cried tears of joy to be finally finished with high school, and your parents may have
cried tears of joy to be finally finished with doing your laundry! But know this: The
future is built on the strong foundation of the past.

Unit 1 Fresh start 13

Structured writing
Read the sample paragraph and see how it develops with a topic sentence supported by details.

Topic When choosing a university, you must consider some

How to choose a suitable university key factors. The most important factor is whether the
university can prepare you well for your future. It
Topic sentence should provide up-to-date courses and have qualified
When choosing a university, you professors. Another factor is affordability. You need to
must consider some key factors. be able to afford the tuition fees and living expenses.
Some schools offer scholarships to outstanding students
Details or student grants to those who cannot afford the tuition
Factor 1: Preparing you for your fees. Finally, a good location is also important. An
future ideal school should be located in a quiet place and have
• Up-to-date courses convenient public transportation. You should consider
• Qualified professors these factors carefully in order to find a suitable
Factor 2: Affordability university.
• Affordable tuition fees and
living expenses
• Scholarships or student grants
Factor 3: Good location
• Quiet location
• Convenient public transportation

Concluding sentence
You should consider these factors
carefully in order to find a suitable
university.

14 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

8 Write a paragraph of no less than 100 words on one of the following topics. One
topic has an outline that you can follow.

Topic
How to succeed in college

Topic sentence
There are some things you can do to succeed in college.

Things to do
• Pursuing passions
• Seizing opportunities
• Taking responsibilities

Concluding sentence
You will become successful not only in college, but also in your future career.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

More topics
• How to manage your time in college
• How to become a well-rounded person

Unit 1 Fresh start 15

Section B
Reading skills

Previewing

Previewing is a useful and important reading strategy. Previewing a text before you read it
carefully will help you recognize how information is organized, identify main ideas, and predict
what lies ahead in the text. As a result, you will understand the material better. There are four
steps to follow when previewing a text.

1 Read the title of the text and the subtitles if there are any. The title and subtitles often reveal
the topic or subject of the reading material.
2 Read the first paragraph. The first paragraph is often an introduction to the main idea of the
text.
3 Read the last paragraph. The last paragraph usually summarizes the main content of the text,
so you can get an idea as to what the author thinks is most important.
4 Read the first sentence of each remaining paragraph. Very likely the first sentence of a paragraph is
the topic sentence; in other words, it very likely tells the main idea of that paragraph.

After you finish previewing, you may start reading the text from the beginning to the end. After your
first reading, look at the predictions you have made about the text and see how accurate they are.

For example, when you see the title of Text A “Toward a brighter future for all”, you may ask
yourself some questions and make predictions. The questions may be: What is the text about?
Who is the author? Who is the audience?

By reading the first paragraph and the last paragraph, you should be able to answer these
questions. The text begins with a greeting “Good afternoon!” and ends with “Welcome!”, so it
is most likely a speech or a lecture. The first paragraph shows that it is a university president who
welcomes first-year students. The last paragraph is about opportunities and responsibilities.

Next, read the first sentences of Paras. 2-7, which very likely tell the main ideas of these
paragraphs. After reading the first sentences, you may be able to figure out that the president
talks about his high school graduation day, something students may not expect, the unique
experience of college life, courses available at the university, some unpleasant new experiences,
and his expectations of the students.

By following the above steps and making predictions, you will have a better understanding of
the reading material and the author’s purpose in writing it.

16 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

1 Preview Text B by making predictions about the following questions.
1 What may be the topic of the text?
A Parents’ wishes.
B A child’s wishes.
C A president’s wishes.
2 Who wrote the letter and to whom was it written?
A A father to his child.
B A mother to her child.
C A child to his / her parents.
3 Why did the author write the letter?
A To tell the child to focus on studying and becoming a scientist.
B To give advice to the child on how to be sound in mind and body.
C To show how excited the father was to see his child go to college.
4 Which of the following topics may be discussed in more detail in the text?
A How to be independent.
B The importance of good grades.
C How to make friends in college.
D How to choose courses in college.
E College as a very important time in our life.
F Overcoming homesickness when in college.

2 Now read Text B carefully. Check whether your predictions are accurate or not.

Unit 1 Fresh start 17

Text B

My dear child,

Y ou are about to participate in the next leg of your journey through life. For us,
1

this part is bittersweet. As you go off to college, exciting new worlds will open up
to you. They will inspire and challenge you; you will grow in incredible ways.

2 This is also a moment of sadness. Your departure to college makes it undeniably clear
that you are no longer a child. There has been no greater joy than watching you arrive at
this moment. You have turned our greatest challenge into our greatest pride. Although
we have brought you to this point, it is hard to watch you depart. Remember above all
things, we will miss you.

3 College will be the most important time of your life. It is here that you will truly discover
what learning is about. You often ask, “Why do I need to know this?” I encourage you to
stay inquisitive, but remember this: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten
everything he learned in school.” What you learn is not as important as the fact that you
learn. This is the heart of scholarship: moving from teacher-taught to master-inspired, on
over to the point where you become a self-learner. So, take each subject seriously, and if
something doesn’t immediately engage you, don’t despair. Embrace it as a challenge.
Find a way to make it your own.

4 Of course, you must still take care to sign up for courses which stimulate your passion
and your intellectual capacity. Don’t be bound by what other people think. Steve Jobs
said, when you are in college, your passion will create many dots, and later in your life
you will connect them. So, don’t worry too much about what job you will have; don’t
be too practical. If you like French or Korean, study it even if someone else tells you
that it’s not useful. Enjoy picking your “dots”. Be assured that one day, you will find
your own meaningful career, and you will connect a beautiful curve through those dots.

5 You know that we always want you to do your best, but don’t let the pressure of grades
get to you. We care only that you try your very best, and that you learn. It is better that
your greatest effort earns a lesser grade than that no effort earns you a decent or higher
grade. Grades in the end are simply letters fit to give the vain something to boast about,
and the lazy something to fear. You are too good to be either. The reward is not the
grade but what you learn.

18 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

6 More importantly, make friends and trust others. The friends you make
in college can be the best ones you will ever have. During these years,
when you move into adulthood, the friends you make in college live
closer to you than your family. You will form bonds of friendship
that will blossom over many decades. Pick friends who are genuine
and sincere. Select a few and become truly close to them. Don’t worry
about their hobbies, grades, or looks. Instead, trust your instincts when
you make new friends. You are a genuine and sincere person; anyone would
enjoy your friendship. So be confident, secure, and proactive. If you think you
like someone, tell them. You have very little to lose. Don’t be afraid to trust. Give others
the benefit of the doubt, and don’t reduce anyone to stereotypes. Nobody is perfect; as
long as others are genuine, trust them and be good to them. They will give back.

7 Remember also that your youth is full of strength and beauty, something that you will
not comprehend until it is gone. You must guard and cultivate your strength and
beauty. A healthy body and a sound mind are the greatest instruments you will ever
possess. Enjoy life. Dance if you feel like it. Don’t be afraid of what other people think.
But also keep yourself safe and sound. Don’t let the range of new experiences take your
innocence, health, or curiosity away from you. Treasure your youth and the university
experience before you.

8 College is the time when you have:

the first taste of independence,
the greatest amount of free time,
the most f lexibility to change,
the lowest cost for making mistakes.

Approach these years enthusiastically! Make the most of your time. Become the great
9

thinker you were born to be. Let your talents evolve to their fullest potential. Be bold!
Experiment! Learn and grow! We are enormously proud that you’ve made it this far,
and we can’t wait to see what you will become.
Love,
Your father

(776 words)

Unit 1 Fresh start 19

 New words ▲ stimulate /9stImj@leIt/ vt.
1 encourage sb. by making them excited about
▲ participate /pA:9tIs@peIt/ vi. (fml.) take part in an and interested in sth. 激发；鼓励；激励
activity or event 参加；参与 2 encourage or help an activity to begin or
develop further 刺激；促使；促进
▲ incredible /In9kred@bFl/ a.
1 extremely good, large, or great 极好的；极大的 ▲ intellectual /8Int@9lektSu@l/ a. relating to
2 too strange to be believed or very difficult to the ability to understand things and think
believe 不可相信的；难以置信的 intelligently 智力的；脑力的
▲ deny /dI9naI/ vt. say that sth. is not true, or that ▲ capacity /k@9p{s@ti/ n.
you do not believe sth. 否认；否定 1 [C, U] sb.’s ability to do sth. 能力；才能
2 [sing.] the amount of space a container,
undeniably /8"ndI9naI@bli/ ad. in an
room, etc. has to hold things or people 容量；
unquestionable or obvious manner 不可否认地；
容积；容纳人数
无可争辩地
▲ bind /baInd/ vt. (bound, bound)
▲ depart /dI9pA:t/ v. leave, esp. when you are
1 (often passive) limit what sb. is allowed to
starting a journey 离开；启程；动身
do by making them obey a rule or agreement
▲ inquisitive /In9kwIz@tIv/ a. 使受（规则或协议）约束
1 keen to learn about a lot of different things 2 tie sb.’s hands or feet together so they cannot
好学的；好问的 move 捆；绑
2 asking a lot of questions about things, esp.
▲ connect /k@9nekt/ vt.
things that people don’t want to talk about
过分好奇的；过于好问的；好打听的
1 join two or more things together 联结；连接
2 realize or show that a fact, event, or person
▲ engage /In9geIdZ/ (fml.) is related to sth. 联系；关联
vt. attract and keep sb.’s interest or attention
吸引住（某人的兴趣、注意力） assured /@9SU@d/ a. confident and certain 有把握
的；自信的；肯定的
vi. (~ in / on / upon) be doing or become
involved in an activity 参加，参与（活动） ▲ curve /k%:v/ n. [C] a line that gradually bends
like part of a circle 曲线；弧线
▲ despair /dI9spe@/
vi. (fml.) feel that there is no hope at all 绝望； ▲ decent /9di:sFnt/ a.
感到无望 1 (usu. before noun) of a good enough standard
n. [U] a feeling that you have no hope at all 绝望 or quality 可接受的；相当好的；像样的
2 following moral standards that are acceptable
▲ embrace /Im9breIs/
to society 正派的；规矩的
vt. (fml.) eagerly accept a new idea, opinion,
religion, etc. 欣然接受，乐意采纳（新思想、 ▲ boast /b@Ust/ v. talk too proudly about your
意见、宗教等） abilities, achievements, or possessions 夸口；夸
v. put your arms around sb. and hold them in a 耀；吹嘘
friendly or loving way 抱；拥抱

20 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

▲ bond /b^nd/ 2 prepare and use land for growing crops and
n. [C] sth. that unites two or more people or plants 耕；耕作；开垦
groups, such as love, or a shared interest or ▲ range /reIndZ/ n. [C, usu. sing.] a number of
idea（两个或多个人或团体之间的）纽带，联
people or things that are all different, but are all
系，契合，关系
of the same general type 一系列
vi. develop a special relationship with sb.（与某
人）培养一种特殊的关系 ▲ innocence /9In@sFns/ n. [U]
1 lack of life experience or knowledge of the
▲ blossom /9bl^sFm/ vi. develop and become more
bad things in the world 阅世不深；天真；单纯
successful 发展；成长；繁盛；兴旺
2 the fact of being not guilty of a crime 清白；
▲ decade /9dekeId/ n. [C] a period of 10 years 无罪
十年；十年期
▲ curiosity /8kjU@ri9^s@ti/ n. [sing., U] the desire to
▲ genuine /9dZenjuIn/ a. know about sth. 好奇心
1 honest, friendly, and sincere 真诚的；诚挚的 ▲ flexibility /8fleks@9bIl@ti/ n. [U] the ability to
2 real, rather than pretended or false 真正的；
change or be changed easily to suit a different
非伪造的
situation 灵活性
▲ instinct /9InstI~kt/ n. [C, U] a natural tendency ▲ approach /@9pr@UtS/
to behave in a particular way or a natural ability
vt. deal with a situation or problem in a
to know sth., which is not learned 本能；直觉；
particular way 处理；对付
天性
v. move closer to sb. or sth. 接近；靠近
▲ secure /sI9kjU@/ a. n. [C] a particular way of thinking about or
1 feeling confident and safe 自信的；有把握的； dealing with sth. 方式；方法；态度
安心的
▲ enthusiastically /In8Tju:zi9{stIkli/ ad. in a way
2 safe from attack, harm, or damage 安全的
that shows enthusiasm 热心地；热衷地
proactive /pr@U9{ktIv/ a. taking action and ▲ talent /9t{l@nt/ n. [C, U] a natural ability to do
making changes before they need to be made,
sth. well 天资；天赋；才能
rather than waiting until problems develop 积极
的；先发制人的 ▲ evolve /I9v^lv/ v.
1 develop and change gradually over a long
stereotype /9steri@taIp/ n. [C] a very firm and
period of time 逐步发展；逐渐演变
simple idea about what a particular type of
2 if an animal or plant evolves, it changes
person or thing is like 模式化的思想；旧框框
gradually over a long period of time 进化；
▲ comprehend /8k^mprI9hend/ v. (not in 进化形成
progressive) understand sth. that is complicated ▲ potential /p@9tenSFl/
or difficult 理解，领悟（复杂或困难的事物）
n. [U] the possibility to develop or achieve sth.
▲ cultivate /9k"ltIveIt/ vt. in the future 潜力；潜能
1 work hard to develop a particular skill, a. (only before noun) possible or likely in the
attitude, or quality 培养，养成（技能、态度或 future 可能的；潜在的
素质）

Unit 1 Fresh start 21

▲ bold /b@Uld/ a. not afraid of taking risks and give back give sth. to sb. or do sth. for them
making difficult decisions 果敢的；敢于冒险的； because they have helped you in the past 回报
大胆的
feel like (doing) sth. (spoken) want to have
enormously /I9nO:m@sli/ ad. very or very much sth. or do sth. 想要做
非常；极其
safe and sound unharmed, esp. after being in
danger（尤指经历危险后）安然无恙的
take sb. / sth. away remove sb. or sth., or
Phrases and expressions
make sth. disappear 拿走；带走；使消失
be about to do sth. be going to happen or do be born to be / do sth. be very suitable for a
sth. very soon 正要发生；即将做 particular job, activity, etc. 天生适合做…；有成
leave a place, esp. in order to do sth. 为某类人的天赋
go off
离开，走（尤指为了做某事） make it
open up if opportunities open up, or a new 1 be successful at sth., e.g. in your job 获得成功
situation opens them up, they become available 2 succeed in getting somewhere in time for sth.
or possible（机会、新情况）出现，产生 or when this is difficult（尤指在困难情况下）
准时到达，赶上
turn (sb. / sth.) into sth. become sth. different,
or make sb. or sth. do this（使）变成 sb. can’t wait (spoken) used to emphasize that
sb. is very excited about sth. and is eager for it
above all things more than everything else
to happen 某人急着 / 等不及（用于强调对即将发
比其他任何事情都重要
生的事感到兴奋和迫不及待）
take sb. / sth. seriously believe that sb. or sth.
is worth your attention or respect 认真对待
sign up put your name on a list for sth. Proper names
because you want to take part in it 报名
Steve Jobs 史蒂夫·乔布斯（1955—2011，美国
get to sb. (infml.) make sb. feel annoyed or 企业家，苹果公司创始人之一）
upset 使生气；使烦恼
give sb. the benefit of the doubt accept what
sb. tells you, even though you think they may be
wrong or lying but you cannot be sure 虽有怀疑
但还是相信某人；姑且相信某人

reduce sb. to sth. force sb. into a particular

unpleasant state or situation 使陷入（不利境地）
as long as used to say that one thing can
happen or be true only if another thing happens
or is true 只要

22 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

Reading comprehension 5 What advice does the father give to his child
about grades?
A Don’t care about grades at all.
Understanding the text B Don’t care too much about grades.
3 Choose the best answer to each of the C Earn decent grades to prove yourself.
following questions. D Make a great effort to have good grades.
1 Why does the father say college will be the 6 According to the father, what kind of people
most important years of his child’s life? make good friends?
A Because a college education is very A People who live close to you.
important. B People who have decent grades.
B Because college opens up exciting new C People who have similar interests.
worlds. D People who are genuine and sincere.
C Because the child will find out what 7 According to the father, what are the most
learning is about in college. important instruments we will ever possess?
D Because the child will acquire the A New experiences.
necessary knowledge and skills to B Strength and beauty.
succeed. C College life and education.
2 How do you understand the statement D A healthy body and a sound mind.
“Education is what remains after one has 8 What is the father eager to see?
forgotten everything he learned in school” A What his child will develop into.
(Para. 3)? B How his child makes full use of free time.
A You should engage in lifelong learning. C Whether his child will become a great
B You should forget all you have learned in thinker.
school. D How his child enjoys the first taste of
C You should learn how to learn and think independence.
on your own.
D You should know what to remember and
what to forget. Critical thinking
3 According to the father, what kind of courses 4 Work in pairs and discuss the following
should be taken? questions.
A Courses that are popular. 1 How did you feel when you were leaving
B Courses that are very practical. your parents for college?
C Courses that suit one’s intellectual level. 2 What expectations do your parents have for
D Courses that can stimulate one’s passion. you?
4 What does the word “dots” refer to in Para. 4? 3 What courses do you think can stimulate
A New and seemingly unconnected things. your intellectual capacity?
B Courses that are useful for one’s future 4 The father encourages his child to enjoy
career. picking “dots” (Para. 4). What will you do
C Small round marks connected to form a to pick your dots at university?
curve.
D All things that students will learn from
professors.

Unit 1 Fresh start 23

Collocation More
language
exercises

5 The following are conversations between a

A collocation is a pair or a group of words that are
teacher and a few college freshmen. Fill in
often used together. These combined words sound
natural to native speakers, but learners of English the blanks with either do or make.
have to make a special effort to learn them because
collocations are not always logical or guessable. 1 Student: The college offers so many
courses. How can I decide which courses
Collocations are sometimes tricky for non-native to take?
speakers. Does the combination make homework Teacher: I believe that you are smart
or do mistake sound awkward? Of course! You may enough to 1) ________ your own
probably understand what they mean, but they are decisions. If I could offer you a piece of
definitely not acceptable usage in English. advice about selecting courses, it would
be this: Challenge yourself!
Read the following email message that Maggie
wrote to her friend Jessie. Pay attention to the 2 Student: Professors are very busy. What if
collocations with the verbs do and make. I want to meet a professor for a question?
Teacher: You are welcome to ask
professors questions! Professors will be
To: Jessie
From: Maggie happy to 2) ________ an arrangement to
Hi Jessie,
meet you.

The first few days as a university student are both Student: I hear that students of humanities
3
interesting and challenging. In the welcome speech,
will need to 3) ________ some research
our university president advised us to do our best,
projects.
just as what my dad has always told me. My dad
Teacher: Yes, indeed. And you will love it!
always encourages me to make the most of my time
to enjoy university life. He often reminds me that it
is important to make friends at university. Actually, 4 Student: By the way, can I cook in our
although I’m an early bird and my roommate is a dormitory?
night owl, we have already become good friends. Teacher: Yes, you can 4) _______ a
simple breakfast. Your dormitory is
In addition, the university offers so many courses
equipped with necessary facilities for you
for students to choose from that I need to make
decisions. For disciplines in humanities, we
to 5) _______ some basic cooking, like
will write a lot of essays. We will also do quite heating milk or toasting bread.
a few research projects in our senior years. For
disciplines in engineering, we will need to do many 5 Student: I know we should make every
experiments after class. Whatever I am to choose, effort in our studies. The problem is
there will be a huge amount of homework to do. sometimes we don’t have enough time.
By the way, do you know how to make a simple
Teacher: That might be true. But you’ll
breakfast? I want to learn to do some basic cooking. have to 6) ________ your best. Just as our
president said in his speech: Make the
Love,
most of your time!
Maggie

24 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

 Section C
Stories of China

The post-00s looking

forward to a colorful life

S tuffed toys ( 毛绒玩具 ), guitars, swimming

suits, hometown snacks, and books – with
these items packed in their luggage, China’s
poems, and taking photos in an ancient
Chinese style. I’m sure I can find quite a few
friends who share my interests.”
post-00s long for a colorful college life.
Liang Yixin, a biotechnology major, is
Zhang Yueru is one of the post-00s. Majoring looking for a dance club. “I have always loved
in photoelectric ( 光电的 ) information science dancing. I’d like to join a dance club in college
and engineering, she plans to join clubs on to improve my dancing and make friends,” she
traditional Chinese culture. “I like ancient said.
poetry,” she said. “Many post-00s enjoy
traditional Chinese cultural activities, such as Many of the post-00s have had various art
wearing traditional clothing, reciting ancient classes since early childhood, such as piano,

Unit 1 Fresh start 25

 violin, dancing, and painting. “The post-00s “We, the post-00s, have access to the Internet
really know much more than we post-80s,” at an early age and are full of imagination. I
said Zhao Fengjiao, a university teacher. believe I can make farmers’ jobs easier,” Yang
said.
Although they spend a lot of time on their
hobbies and interests, the post-00s pay more In Wang Leshan’s case, she plans to become
attention to their studies. Sun Beibei, a a volunteer to teach in remote areas in Gansu
university counselor ( 辅导员 ), receives many Province. “Our senior schoolmates have been
calls from students who want to know what doing this for more than 10 years, and we
they need to prepare for their university studies post-00s should carry it on,” Wang said.
before the semester begins. “They really care
about their studies,” Sun said.

According to a survey, 89.4 percent of the

surveyed post-00s think that success depends
on hard work. Yang Jingpei, a freshman who
comes from a family of farmers, aims to
reduce his parents’ workload through his study
of agricultural mechanization and automation. Exercises

Translation
Translate the following sentences into English.
1 孔子（Confucius）是中国历史上著名的思想家、教育家，是儒家学派（Confucianism）的创始人。

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2 《论语》（The Analects）收录了孔子的思想。它是中国古代文化的经典著作（classic），对后来
历代思想家和文学家产生了很大影响。

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3 如今，孔子的学说不仅受到中国人的重视，也越来越得到整个国际社会的关注。

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

26 New Horizon College English Fourth Edition

 Unit project
Writing a letter to introduce your university

Every university is unique and this can be seen from their mottos. Do you know
any university mottos? What is your university motto? How much do you know
about the history and achievements of your university? In this unit project, you are
going to learn about the mottos of some famous universities and write a letter to
an international exchange student to introduce your university.

Step 1 Work in groups. Read the following mottos of some famous universities
and discuss which impresses you the most.

From here, light and sacred

Truth
draughts
— Harvard University
— University of Cambridge

Self-Discipline and Social

Gratitude and Responsibility
Commitment
— Shanghai Jiao Tong University
— Tsinghua University

Learn, so as to instruct others;

Mind and Hand
Act, to serve as example to all.
— Massachusetts Institute
— Beijing Normal University
of Technology

Step 2 Work in groups and talk about the motto of your university. Think
about:
• What does the motto imply?
• How are you inspired by the motto?

Step 3 Write a letter to an international exchange student at your university.

You may include the following points:
• The campus environment of your university
• The motto of your university
• The history of your university
• The achievements of your university

Unit 1 Fresh start 27