1、Lesson 1 The Last LeafComprehending To read for general understanding and specific information Grasp the general idea of the passage. To recognise the point of view of multiple characters in a piece of literatureHow much do you know about O. Henry? Find some background information about him. Search
2、online if necessary.1 Where was O. Henry from? a UK b France c USA2 As a writer, he was most famous for _. a novels b short stories c poems3 He started the writing style of _. a surprise endings b humorous starts c sad endingscbaBorn: September 11, 1862 Greensboro, North Carolina Died: June 5, 1910
3、(aged 47) New York City, New YorkNotable Works:The Last LeafThe Gift of the MagiThe Furnished RoomMovement/ Style: local colourWho is the man?O. HenryIntroductionO. Henry, pseudonym of William Sydney Porter, original name William Sidney Porter, American short-story writer whose tales romanticized th
4、e commonplacein particular the life of ordinary people in New York City. His stories expressed the effect of coincidence on character through humour, grim or ironic, and often had surprise endings, a device that became identified with his name and cost him critical favour when its vogue had passed.“
5、The Last Leaf” is one of O. Henrys most famous short stories. Read the story quickly and then filling the forms.Task 1Text structureMain characters1._a patientSueBehrmana painterTime in 2._Placein Greenwich VillageThe processof the storyJohnsy was 3._ badly.She counted the 4._ out the window.She tho
6、ught she must go when the last leaf 5._.Three days later the last leaf remained on the vine.The endingof the storyThe last leaf was 6._ on the wall by Behrman.But he died.JohnsyNovemberillleavesfellpaintedThelastleafTask 2Careful reading1.What attitude did Johnsy hold to her illness at first?A.Uncar
7、ing. B.Optimistic. C.Positive. D.Pessimistic.2.What can we learn from Paragraph 3?A.People put their hopes on johnsy.B.The chancws of johnsys survival are slim.C.Johnsy needs to think about her future more.D.People should enocurage Johnsy more.3.Whats the main idea of the last paragraph?A.Behrman di
8、ed helplessly.B.Behrman finished his masterpiece.C.Behrman sacrificed his life to save Johnsy.D.The janitor found the truth.4.Where can you read this passage?A.A novel. B.A magazine. C.A guidance book. D.A travel booklet.Task 3 Answer the questions.1 When Sue began a pen drawing in Johnsys room, wha
9、t did Johnsy do?2 When Sue told Mr Behrman about Johnsys belief, what was Mr Behrmans response?Johnsy started to count the ivy leaves when Sue began a pen drawing in Johnsys room.Mr Behrman cried with disbelief and thought that Johnsys belief was foolish.3 Behrman said, “This is not a place in which
10、 Miss Johnsy shall lie sick. Someday I will paint a masterpiece, and we shall all go away.” What did he mean?4 How did Johnsy change her attitude?5 What did the janitor find?Mr Behrman realised that Johnsy would become better, and that he would paint his masterpiece before they all died.She saw that
11、 the last leaf remained brave and realised that she was wrong to want to die.The janitor found Mr Berhman in bed wearing wet clothes and in terrible pain. 6 Why did Mr Behrman get pneumonia?Mr Berhman got pneumonia because he was outside in the cold rain painting the leaf on the wall.Find the releva
12、nt information for each of the characters according to the story.A. lay in her bed B. waited to see the last leaf fall C. began a pen drawing to raise her friends spirits D. asked for some food E. stared out the window and counted the leaves F. asked the neighbour to be her model G. had never produc
13、ed a masterpiece H. was ill only for two days I. painted the masterpiece on the wall J. were wet through K. asked for the curtains to be openedSue: _Johnsy: _Behrman: _CFABDEKGHIJ1.What kind of person is Sue?kind,determined and brave2.What can we learn about Mr Behrman? brave and kind,sacrifice hims
14、elves.According to the above statement, answer the following questions.Think and share.1 What do you think Sues comment “its Behrmans masterpiece” means?It was painted true to life that Johnsy didnt even find it was a picture. It is the best art he ever painted because it kept Johnsy hopeful and ali
15、ve.2 What do you think the story is trying to express?3 Does the ending of the story surprise you? If yes, how? What do you think of such an ending?The story is trying to express how people love and take care of each other. It also invites readers to think about attitudes towards life.It is surprisi
16、ng because the reader expects Johnsy to either die or recover, but the reader does not think that Mr Berhman would be affected by Johnsys sickness.Summary:Sue and Johnsy were 1._(friend) and they lived in one studio.Unfortunately，Johnsy suffered from Pneumonia and 2._ (lie) on the bed，staring out th
17、e small window and counting backwards “Ten，nine，eight，seven.” She said feebly she must go when the last leaf fell.The doctor told Sue to encourage her to think 3._(hopeful) thoughts，about the future，about living. At the same time，she went to fetch Mr Behrman 4._ was a failed painter to be a model fo
18、r her drawing. A cold rain was falling, friendslaymore hopefulwho5._(mix) with snow.The next morning there was still one leaf. And another terrible night，it was still there.Johnsy lay for a long time,6._(look) at it.Then she saw the life energy and wanted 7._(live).With the help of the doctor and Su
19、e，Johnsy was out of danger 8._(gradual).But the bad news was 9._ Mr Behrman died.And they knew the secret that the last leaf was just a painting drawn by him 10._ that terrible night.返 回mixedlookingto livegraduallythatonWhat typical writing features have you noticed in “The Last Leaf”? Give examples.Personification. 作者采用了拟人的修辞手法，形象地描绘了肺炎作者采用了拟人的修辞手法，形象地描绘了肺炎病毒病毒的无情的无情以及人们面对这种疾病时的无助与弱小。以及人们面对这种疾病时的无助与弱小。
