Incredible Chinese Love Story

 

Ex. 1 Read and translate the text.

This is the story of a 70-year-old Chinese man who lived with his wife in a mountain cave for fifty years and hand-carved more than 6000 stairs up the mountainside for her.

It is the story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century. Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojang a 19-year-old boy, fell in love with a 29-year-old widowed mother named Xu Choaqin. In a twist worthy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of age difference and the fact that Xu already had children. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangijn county in southern ChongQing Municipality.

In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountains, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, “Are you regretful?” Liu always replied, “As long as we are industrious, life will improve.” In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over so years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand ‒ carved steps. LioMingSheng, one of their seven children said, “lively parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over so years and never been apart a single day. He hand-carved over 5,000 steps for my mother’s convenience, although she doesn’t go down the mountain that much.”

The couple had lived in peace for over so years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife’s hand even after he had passed away.

“You promised you’ll take care of me, you’ll always be with me till the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?” Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband: black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.

The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

 

Ex. 2 Change these false statements into true statements.

 

1. Liu was 29 years old when he fell in love with Xu.

2. Liu hand-carved 600 steps for the love of his life.

3. Xu had promised to always be there for Liu till the day he died.

4. Their home in the mountain has been pulled down.

 

Ex. 3 Find synonyms in the text for these words.

 

Kids, conserve, brutal, calm, loose, bad

 

Ex. 4 Answer the questions.

1. What other “fantastic” love Stories do you know?

2. What is the story behind them?

 

Unit 8

A friend in Need, Is a Friend Indeed!

Ex. 1 Read and translate10 Quotes about friendship.

1. “Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty.” Sicilian Proverb

2. “A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” Douglas Pagels

3. “A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going Down.” Arnold Glasow

4. “Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait for the Answer.” Author Unknown

5. “A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.” Grace Pulpit

6. “There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.” Author Unknown

7. “A true friend shows love at all times, And is a brother who is born for times of distress.” ‒ Bible book of Proverbs chapter 17. Verse 17.

8 “A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” Attributed to Heather Pryor

9. “It’s not how many friends you can count, it’s how many of those you can count on.” Anthony Liccione

10. It is a good thing to be rich, and it is a good thing to be strong, but it is a better thing to be loved of many friends.” Euripides

 

Ex. 2 Answer or discuss the following questions.

 

1. Which quote did you like the most and why?

2. Do you have many friends?

3. How many true friends have you got?

4. What do you think what is a true friend like?

5. How and where can you find friends?

6. How two people become friends?

7. What qualities should you have so that people want to be your friend?

8. What qualities will make it hard for you to find friends?

 

Unit 9

Teen Stress

Ex. 1 Read and translate the following text.

 

Teenagers today live in a very competitive world. It is more important than ever to succeed at school if you hope to have a chance in the job market afterwards. It’s no wonder that many young people worry about letting down their parents, their peers and themselves. In trying to please everyone, they take on too many tasks until it becomes harder and harder to balance homework assignments, parties, sports activities and friends. The result is that young people suffer from stress.

There are different ways of dealing with stress. Everyone knows that caffeine, whether it is in the form ofcoffee or soft drinks, keeps you awake and alert. But caffeine is a drug which can become addictive. In the end, like other drugs. caffeine only leads to more stress. A better way to deal with stress is to exercise. Research has proved that physical exercise is a good release for stress, because it increases certain chemicals in the brain which calm you down. Making sure you get enough sleep is also an important way of avoiding stress and of staying healthy and full of energy.

Another way to avoid stress is by managing your time effectively. It is better to do a few tasks really well, than lots of tasks badly. Know your limits and try not to take on too much. Finally, if it all gets beyond your control, don’t panic or get hysterical. Find the time to sit down quietly and breathe deeply for ten to twenty minutes. Do this regularly, and it will help you calm down and put things into perspective.

 

Ex. 2 Answer questions according to the information given in the text.

 

1. What are the main causes of stress in young people?

2. Describe three ways in which teenagers can overcome stress?

 

Ex. 3 Are these statements true or false? Justify your answers with the words or phrases from the text.

 

1.Nowadays a teenager must have a solid and good education if he wants to find a good job.

2. Try not to drink too much coffee if you want to relax.

3. A teenager needs very little sleep every night to keep healthy.

4. Teenagers are recommended to take on as many tasks as possible regardless of time or personal limitations.

Ex. 4 Give one synonym for:

chance, stress, activity, healthy, panic, release, suffer.

Ex. 5 Give an adverb with the same root as:

physical, perspective, effectively, addictive, hysterical.

Unit 10

What Is Mindfulness?

 

Ex. 1 Read and translate the text.

 

Mindfulness is the short term for mindfulness meditation practice. This is a form of self-awareness training adapted from Buddhist mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness is about being aware of what is happening in the present, moment-by-moment, without making judgments about what we notice. Mindfulness meditation practice is key ingredient in a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Why should I practice mindfulness? Our minds can be focused on things in the past, present or future. We often find ourselves ruminating about events that have already happened, or worrying about things that could happen. These habits of thought are often distressing. Mindfulness is a practice which encourages us to attend to the present moment. There is good evidence that mindfulness practice can help people cope more effectively with a wide variety of feeling-states such as depression and anxiety, but also with physical health conditions including and chronic pain and illness.

Why do I need to practice? Can’t I pay attention to the present moment already? We can all pay attention to the present moment, at least for a short while. If you haven’t tried meditation before, though, you might notice that your attention wanders and is not easily controlled. Mindfulness strengthens our ability to pay attention in the present moment, but also increases our awareness of how our minds fluctuate, often in unhelpful ways. People who practice mindfulness regularly find that it helps their ability to stay in the present moment without being deflected.

What does it mean to ‘cultivate a non-judgmental attitude’? Shakespeare said “there is nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”, and this is a core idea in therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy. Making judgments about our own experiences can often lead to us becoming quite distressed. For example, thoughts like “this is horrible”and “I can’t take any more”are both judgments associated with distress. Practicing mindfulness teaches us to accept more of our experience without judging it. This has been shown to help people live more fulfilling lives. Some helpful quotes about mindfulness.

“If you let cloudy water settle, it will become clear. If you let your upset mind settle, your course will also become clear.”‒ Jack Kornfield, Buddha’s Little Instruction Book (1994).

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”‒ John Kabat-Zinn, Whevere You Go, There You Are (1994).

“The non-judgmental observation of the ongoing stream of internal and external stimuli as they arise.”‒ Ruth Baer, Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice (2003).

“Keeping one’s consciousness alive to the present reality.”‒ Thich Nath Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness (1975).

“Mindfulness is simply the knack of noticing without comment whatever is happening in your present experience.”‒ Guy Claxton, The Heart of Buddhism (1990).

Unit 11

Depression

Ex.1 Read and translate the text.

 

What is depression?

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.

What are the different forms of depression?

There are several forms of depressive disorders. Major depressive disorder, or major depression, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often a person may have multiple episodes.

Dysthymic disorder, or dysthymia, is characterized by long-term (2 years or longer) symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but can prevent normal functioning or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.

Minor depression is characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depres-sion are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. However, not every-one agrees on how to characterize and define these forms of depression.

Psychotic depression, which occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).

Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. They include:

‒ Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings.

‒ Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism.

‒ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.

‒ Irritability, restlessness.

‒ Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex.

‒ Fatigue and decreased energy.

‒ Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions.

‒ Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping.

‒ Overeating, or appetite loss.

‒ Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts.

‒ Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

What illnesses often co-exist with depression?

Other illnesses may come on before depression, cause it, or be a consequence of it. But depression and other illnesses interact differently in different people. In any case, co-occurring illnesses need to be diagnosed and treated.

Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, often accompany depression. PTSD can occur after a person experiences a terrifying event or ordeal, such as a violent assault, a natural disaster, an accident, terrorism or military combat. People experiencing PTSD are especially prone to having co-existing depression.

Alcohol and other substance abuse or dependence may also co-exist with depression. Research shows that mood disorders and substance abuse commonly occur together.

Depression also may occur with other serious medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. People who have depression along with another medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have co-existing depression. Treating the depression can also help improve the outcome of treating the co-occurring illness.

What causes depression?

Most likely, depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain. Longstanding theories about depression suggest that important neurotransmitters ‒ chemicals that brain cells use to communicate ‒ are out of balance in depression. But it has been difficult to prove this.

Brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people who have depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain involved in mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior appear different. But these images do not reveal why the depression has occurred. They also cannot be used to diagnose depression.

Some types of depression tend to run in families. However, depression can occur in people without family histories of depression too. Scientists are studying certain genes that may make some people more prone to depression. Some genetics research indicates that risk for depression results from the influence of several genes acting together with environmental or other factors. In addition, trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Other depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.

How do women experience depression?

Depression is more common among women than among men. Biological, life cycle, hormonal, and psychosocial factors that women experience may be linked to women’s higher depression rate. Researchers have shown that hormones directly affect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. For example, women are especially vulnerable to developing postpartum depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming.

Finally, many women face the additional stresses of work and home responsibilities, caring for children and aging parents, abuse, poverty, and relationship strains. It is still unclear, though, why some women faced with enormous challenges develop depression, while others with similar challenges do not.

How do men experience depression?

Men often experience depression differently than women. While women with depression are more likely to have feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt, men are more likely to be very tired, irritable, lose interest in once-pleasurable activities, and have difficulty sleeping.

Men may be more likely than women to turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed. They also may become frustrated, discouraged, irritable, angry, and sometimes abusive. Some men throw themselves into their work to avoid talking about their depression with family or friends, or behave recklessly. And although more women attempt suicide, many more men die by suicide in the United States.

How do older adults experience depression?

Depression is not a normal part of aging. Studies show that most seniors feel satisfied with their lives, despite having more illnesses or physical problems. However, when older adults do have depression, it may be overlooked because seniors may show different, less obvious symptoms. They may be less likely to experience or admit to feelings of sadness or grief. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish grief from major depression. Grief after loss of a loved one is a normal reaction to the loss and generally does not require professional mental health treatment.

Older adults also may have more medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, or cancer, which may cause depressive symptoms. Or they may be taking medications with side effects that contribute to depression.

Although many people assume that the highest rates of suicide are among young people, older white males age 85 and older actually have the highest suicide rate in the United States. Many have a depressive illness that their doctors are not aware of, even though many of these suicide victims visit their doctors within 1 month of their deaths.

How do children and teens experience depression?

Children who develop depression often continue to have episodes as they enter adulthood. Children who have depression also are more likely to have other more severe illnesses in adulthood.

A child with depression may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die. Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative and irritable, and feel misunderstood. Because these signs may be viewed as normal mood swings typical of children as they move through developmental stages, it may be difficult to accurately diagnose a young person with depression.

Before puberty, boys and girls are equally likely to develop depression. By age 15, however, girls are twice as likely as boys to have had a major depressive episode. Depression during the teen years comes at a time of great personal change ‒ when boys and girls are forming an identity apart from their parents, grappling with gender issues and emerging sexuality, and making independent decisions for the first time in their lives. Depression in adolescence frequently co-occurs with other disorders such as anxiety, eating disorders, or substance abuse. It can also lead to increased risk for suicide.

How can I help myself if I am depressed?

If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. It may be extremely difficult to take any action to help yourself. But as you begin to recognize your depression and begin treatment, you will start to feel better.

To help yourself:

‒ Do not wait too long to get evaluated or treated. There is research showing the longer one waits, the greater the impairment can be down the road. Try to see a professional as soon as possible.

‒ Try to be active and exercise. Go to a movie, a ball-game, or another event or activity that you once enjoyed.

‒ Set realistic goals for yourself.

‒ Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priori-ties and do what you can as you can.

‒ Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.

‒ Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immedi-ately. Do not expect to suddenly “snap out of” your depression. Often during treatment for depression, sleep and appetite will begin to improve before your depressed mood lifts.

‒ Postpone important decisions, such as getting mar-ried or divorced or changing jobs, until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

‒ Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment.

Unit 12