新视野大学英语视听说教程 3 Unit 6-5

IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1   Nursing home abuse is a national epidemic¹.
John: Nora, what are you doing? What are these notes about?
Nora: Well, they are for a 1,000 word essay on abuse on the elderly, due Monday.
John: That’s a big topic. What made you decide to write about that subject?
Nora: Granny’s going into a nursing home. And this essay is driving me crazy.
John: Narrow down the topic. Pick one aspect, like nursing home. Do an outline.
Nora: You mean list the ideas under headings: Introduction, Body, and the Conclusion?
John: Yes. In the Introduction, say people live longer now, crowing nursing homes.
Nora: Then maybe in the Body I can explain how the owners try to save money on food and care.
John: Right. Here I see a good quotation²: “Nursing home abuse is a national epidemic.”
Nora: I have statistics: 500 homes inspected; in one-third, care was substandard.
John: Mention government offices and lawyers who’ll help in cases of abuse.
Nora: Then, I think I can summarize the main ideas about the helpless elderly in the Conclusion.
John: Good. When you’ve written a first draft, read it aloud to eliminate awkward spots.
Nora: I’m feeling a lot better about this essay and a lot less worried about Granny now.
John: The essay is a piece of cake; but ensuring Granny’s OK is a lot harder.

1 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

2 quotation   

n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情

参考例句：

• He finished his speech with a quotation from Shakespeare.他讲话结束时引用了莎士比亚的语录。
• The quotation is omitted here.此处引文从略。