Before You Read
1.Have you heard of Renaissance？How much do you know about it？
2.Can you list some representatives of Renaissance？
3.What kinds of music forms does western music include？Which kind of music do you like？Why？
4.Can you list the important western architectural styles？What differences are there compared with Chinese architectural styles？
5.What else do you know about western culture？
Reading 1
Western Culture（Ⅰ）
Western culture，or western civilization refers to a heritage of social norms，ethical values，traditional customs，belief systems，political systems and specific artifacts and technologies that have some origin or connection with Europe.Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of many elements of western culture，with the world's first democratic system of government and major advances in philosophy，science and mathematics.Greece was followed by Rome，which made key contributions in law，government，engineering and political organization.
（旁注：civilization［'sɪvəlaɪ'zeɪʃn］）
（旁注：n.文明；开化；教养）
（旁注：heritage［'herɪtɪdʒ］）
（旁注：n.遗产；继承物）
（旁注：norm［nɔ:m］n.规范；标准）
（旁注：ethical［'eθɪkl］）
（旁注：adj.伦理的；道德的）
（旁注：artifact［'ɑ:tɪ'fækt］）
（旁注：n.典型产物）
（旁注：democratic［'demə'krætɪk］）
（旁注：adj.民主的）
（旁注：Renaissance［rɪ'neɪsns］）
（旁注：n.文艺复兴）
（旁注：massive［'mæsɪv］）
（旁注：adj.大量的）
In the 14th century，Renaissance started from Italy and then spread throughout Europe，there was a massive artistic，architectural，scientific and philosophical revival.Jan van Eyck〔1〕，among other renaissance painters，made great advances in oil painting.Portraits of the nude human male and female in photography，painting，and sculpture are frequently considered to have special artistic characters.Realistic portraiture is especially valued.The ballet is an important western form of performance dance.The soap opera，a popular culture dramatic form，originated in the United States first on radio in the 1930s，then a couple of decades later on television.The music video was also developed in the west in the middle of the 20th century.
Western music includes classical music and pop music.The symphony，concerto，sonata and opera have their origins in Italy.Many important musical instruments were also developed in the West；among them are the violin，piano，pipe organ and saxophone etc.Hip-Hop，Rap，Rock and roll，Jazz，classical pop，folk，country music are very hot genres of popular music in the west countries and even covered the whole world nowadays.
（旁注：revival［rɪ'vaɪvl］）
（旁注：n.复兴；复活）
（旁注：portrait［'pɔ:treɪt］）
（旁注：n.画像；描写）
（旁注：sculpture［'skʌlptʃə（r）］）
（旁注：n.雕塑；雕刻）
（旁注：symphony［'sɪmfənɪ］）
（旁注：n.交响乐）
（旁注：concerto［kən'tʃə:təu］）
（旁注：n.［音］协奏曲）
（旁注：sonata［sə'nɑ:tə］）
（旁注：n.奏鸣曲）
（旁注：genre［'ʒɑ:nrə］）
（旁注：n.类型；流派）
Important western architectural styles include the Ancient Greek architecture，the Romanesque，Gothic，Baroque and Victorian styles which are still widely recognized and used even today in the West.Much of western architecture emphasizes simple styles，straight lines and expansive，undecorated planes.A modern architectural form that emphasizes this characteristic is the skyscraper，first developed in New York，〔2〕London，〔3〕and Chicago.〔4〕
（旁注：architectural）
（旁注：［'ɑ:kɪ'tektʃərəl］）
（旁注：adj.建筑的；建筑学的）
（旁注：Gothic［'gɒθɪk］）
（旁注：adj.哥特式风格的）
（旁注：Baroque［bə'rɒk］）
（旁注：adj.巴洛克式的）
（旁注：plane［pleɪn］）
（旁注：n.水平；平面）
Language Focus
1.refer to：涉及，谈到；关系到
e.g.:He never referred to his sisters in his letters.
他在信里从未提到过他的姊妹。
2.connection with：与……的关系
e.g.:What is her connection with the world of sports you might ask？
你可能会问她和运动世界有什么关系吗？
I gain new information and insight and deepen my connection with others.
我收获了新的知识和顿悟，也深化了我与他人的关系。
3.be considered：被认为是……
e.g.:These are only example scenarios and should not be considered recommended scenarios.
这些仅是示例场景，不应认为是推荐的场景。
If you do not make eye contact，you might be considered impolite.
如果没有眼神交流，你可能会被认为没有礼貌。
4.start from：从……开始
e.g.:We start from doodles and sketches.
我们从涂鸦和草图开始。
The great railway lines of England all start from London.
英国的铁路干线都以伦敦为起点。
5.later on：后来；稍后
e.g.:This nightmare struck him so forcibly that he wrote it down later on.
那场恶梦狠狠地打击了他，使他后来把它记了下来。
Later on，we found out that it was one of our friends playing a prank on us.
后来我们才发现原来那是我们同去的一个朋友在和我们开玩笑呢。
6.among prep.在……中间；在……之中
e.g.:The story circulates among the people.
这个故事在人民中流传。
He identified his baggage among hundreds of others.
他在几百件行李中认出了自己的行李。
*among和between之间的区别：
among一般用于三者或三者以上的“在……中间”，其宾语通常是一个表示笼统数量或具有复数意义的名词或代词。
e.g.:His house is hidden among the trees.
他的房子隐藏在士树林之中。
between一般指两者之间，其宾语往往是一个具体数目的人（物），或者是由and连接的两个具体的人（物）。
e.g.:There was a fight between the two boys.
这两个男孩间发生了一场格斗。
7.a couple of：两个……；几个……；一对……
e.g.:In a couple of days，I will visit Indonesia and Malaysia.
不久我将对印度尼西亚和马来西亚进行访问。
They were a couple of nice humanity.
他们是一对善良的夫妇。
Related Background Information
Renaissance（文艺复兴）
文艺复兴是指发生在14世纪到17世纪的一场反映新兴资产阶级要求的欧洲思想文化运动。
“文艺复兴”的概念在14～17世纪时已被意大利的人文主义作家和学者所使用。当时的人们认为，文艺在古希腊、古罗马时代曾高度繁荣，但在中世纪“黑暗时代”却衰败湮没，直到14世纪后才获得“再生”与“复兴”，因此称为“文艺复兴”。
文艺复兴最先在意大利各城市兴起，以后扩展到西欧各国，于16世纪达到顶峰，带来科学与艺术的革命，揭开了近代欧洲历史的序幕，被认为是中古时代和近代的分界。
Development History of Music Art in the West（西方音乐艺术发展史）
一般讲音乐发展史，应该包括亚、非、拉美在内。但迄今为止，所谓音乐史主要是在欧洲范围内，其他地区涉及很少。应该承认，近代科学文化是从欧洲开始发展的，在音乐方面，至今在世界音乐史上，从巴赫到德彪西的作品仍旧占据相当重要的位置。
西方的艺术可以说是由希腊人带来并开拓的。由于文化的差异，中西方在艺术表现上也是各具特色。以绘画为例，东方是泼墨写意，强调的是一种意境；而西方具有鲜明的现实感和视觉与知觉的朴实性，强调的是写实。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“T”for True and“F”for False.
1.Western culture is also called western civilization.（ ）
2.Western culture originated from Europe.（ ）
3.Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of many elements of western culture.（ ）
4.Renaissance started from Austria in the 14th century.（ ）
5.The Tango is an important western form of performance dance.（ ）
6.The soap opera，a popular culture dramatic form，originated in the United States first on radio in the 1930s.（ ）
7.The music video was developed in the west in the middle of the 19th century.（ ）
8.Western music includes classical music and pop music.（ ）
9.Folk and country music are very hot genres of popular music in the west countries.（ ）
10.Less western architecture emphasizes simple styles，straight lines and expansive，undecorated planes.（ ）
Reading 2
Western Culture（Ⅱ）
A notable feature of western culture is its strong emphasis and focus on innovation and invention through science and technology.97%achievements in the scientific inventories occurred in Europe and North America.By the will of the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel〔5〕，the Nobel Prize was established in 1895.The prizes are in Chemistry，Literature，Peace，Physics，and Physiology.Medicine was first awarded in 1901.The Industrial Revolution〔6〕marks a major turning point in history；almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way.It was the west that first developed steam power and adapted its use into factories，and for the generation of electric power and nuclear power.Communication devices，Internet，pencil，ballpoint pen，camera，photocopier，laser printer were all invented in the west.Westerners are also known for their explorations of the globe and outer space.The first journey to the South Pole〔7〕（1911）and the first moon landing（1969）were completed by westerners.
（旁注：innovation［'ɪnə'veɪʃn］）
（旁注：n.创新；革新）
（旁注：achievement［ə'tʃɪ:vm（ə）nt］）
（旁注：n.成就；完成；成绩）
（旁注：award［ə'wɔ:d］）
（旁注：vt.授予；判定）
（旁注：aspect［'æspekt］）
（旁注：n.方面）
（旁注：adapt［ə'dæpt］）
（旁注：vt.使适应）
（旁注：generation［'dʒenə'reɪʃn］）
（旁注：n.产生；繁殖）
（旁注：device［dɪ'vaɪs］）
（旁注：n.装置；设备）
（旁注：laser［'leɪzə（r）］）
（旁注：n.激光；镭射）
（旁注：exploration［'eksplə'reɪʃn］）
（旁注：n.探险；探索）
（旁注：create［krɪ:'eɪt］）
（旁注：vt.创造，创作；造成）
Sport has been such an important part of western cultural expression that the Greeks created the Olympic Games.The first modern Olympics was held at Athens in 1896.The sport of bullfighting is a tradition of Spain，Portugal，southern France and some Latin American countries.〔8〕The modern game of golf originated in Scotland〔9〕.A number of popular modern sports were played in Britain during the 19th century and obtained global fame—these include ping pong，modern tennis，association football，cricket and rugby and so on.Football（also known as soccer）remains hugely popular in Europe，but has grown from its origins to be known as the world game.
（旁注：originate［ə'rɪdʒɪneɪt］）
（旁注：v.引起；创作；发源）
（旁注：obtain［əb'teɪn］）
（旁注：vt.获得；得到）
（旁注：cricket［'krɪkɪt］）
（旁注：n.板球）
（旁注：rugby［'rʌgbɪ］）
（旁注：n.橄榄球）
Language Focus
1.focus on：使（光线等）聚焦于；以（某事物）为重点；集中注意力于……上
e.g.:If you focus the sun's rays on dry wood with a burning-glass，it will start burning.
如果你用取火镜使太阳光线聚焦在干木头上，木头就会燃烧起来。
Our meeting focuses on the question of women's right.
我们会议的重点是妇女权利问题。
2.by the will of：根据，按照
e.g.:Governments should be constituted by the will of the people.
政府应当按照人民的意志成立。
3.It was the West that first developed steam power and adapted its use into factories...
*句中It+be+被强调部分（通常是主语、宾语或状语）+that/who（当强调主语且主语指人）+其他部分是强调句型。
e.g.:It was because her mother was ill that she didn't go with us.（强调状语）
她妈妈病了，因此她没和我们一起去。
It was a film that I saw in the Youth Palace last night.（强调宾语）
那部电影是我昨晚在青年宫观看的。
4.Sport has been such an important part of Western cultural expression that the Greeks created the Olympic Games.
*句中such...that如此……以致……，连接一个表示结果的状语从句。
e.g.:It is such a fine day that nobody wants to stay at home.
天气如此晴朗以致于没人愿意待在家里。
They are such good students that the teacher likes them very much.
他们如此优秀以致于老师非常喜欢他们。
5.be known as和be known for的区别
be known as：被认为是，以……著称，后面加的是一个职业或称号；be known for：因……而众所周知，后面加的是出名的原因。
e.g.:Work in this new vein has come to be known as experimental philosophy.
这种形式的研究被称为实验哲学。
Those actors are known for fighting and martial arts.
那些演员都因功夫与武打而成名。
Related Background Information
The Nobel Prize（诺贝尔奖）
诺贝尔奖，是以瑞典著名的化学家、硝化甘油炸药的发明人阿尔弗雷德·贝恩哈德·诺贝尔（Alfred Bernhard Nobel）的部分遗产（3100万瑞典克朗）作为基金于1895年创立的。在世界范围内，诺贝尔奖通常被认为是所颁奖领域内最重要奖项。诺贝尔奖以“诺贝尔奖基金会”每年的利息或投资收益授予世界上在物理学、化学、生理学或医学、文学、和平等领域对人类做出最重大贡献的人。Olympic Games（奥林匹克运动会）
奥林匹克运动会发源于两千多年前的古希腊，因举办地在奥林匹亚而得名。古代奥林匹克运动会停办了1500年之后，法国人顾拜旦于19世纪末提出举办现代奥林匹克运动会的倡议。1894年成立奥委会，1896年举办了首届奥运会，1924年举办了首届冬奥会，1960年举办了首届残奥会，2010年举办了首届青奥会。奥林匹克运动在当代世界的政治、经济、哲学、文化、艺术和新闻媒介等诸多方面产生了一系列不容忽视的影响。奥林匹克运动不仅构成了现代社会所特有的体育文化景观，还以其特有的文化魅力愉悦人们的身心，更以其强烈的人文精神催人奋进，生生不已。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.What is the notable feature of Western culture？
A.Its strong emphasis and focus on innovation and invention through science and technology.
B.Its strong emphasis and focus on innovation through science.
C.Its strong emphasis and focus on innovation through technology.
D.Its strong emphasis and focus on invention through science and technology.
2.Where did 97% achievements in the scientific inventories occur？
A.Africa. B.Asia.
C.Europe and North America. D.Latin America.
3.When was the Nobel Prize established？
A.1901. B.1895. C.1890. D.1911.
4.When was the Nobel Prize first awarded in Medicine？
A.1901. B.1895. C.1890. D.1911.
5.What marks a major turning point in history according to the passage？
A.The Industrial Revolution.
B.Renaissance.
C.Developing of science and technology.
D.None of the above.
6.According to the passage，which country first developed steam power and adapted its use into factories？
A.The East. B.The West. C.The South. D.The North.
7.Which of the following things are invented in the West？
A.Communication devices and Internet. B.Pencil and ballpoint pen.
C.Camera，photocopier and laser printer. D.All of the above.
8.Which country held the first modern Olympics in 1896？
A.Germany. B.France. C.Britain. D.Athens.
9.Which sport is a tradition of Spain，Portugal，southern France，and some Latin American countries according to the passage？
A.Soccer. B.Basketball. C.Bullfighting. D.None of the above.
10.Where did the modern game of golf originate？
A.Scotland. B.England. C.North Ireland. D.London.