学术英语学术英语 社科社科Academic English for Social Sciences12Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLead-inText A Text BListening SpeakingWritingUnit Contents3Lead-in Reading critically: questions for discussionUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities4Lead-inReading critically: questions for discussionReading critically:Every text is written on a purpose, some are supposed to make you believe. It is important to learn to read critically to get the point. One way of training critical reading is to ask yourself the following questions: l Do you agree with the author? Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl What is the author assuming I will agree with?l What is the author trying to prove?5Lead-inReading critically: questions for discussionl Does the author adequately defend their argument? l What kind of proof do they use?Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl Is there something they leave out that you would put in? l Does putting it in hurt their argument? 6Lead-inReading critically: questions for discussionDiscuss the following questions:l How do you make the decision that you take this course?l What do you consider when you make this decision?Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities7Text A Key terms Critical reading and thinking Difficult sentences English language for academic purpose Specialized vocabulary Collocations Formal and informal English Signpost languageUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities8Text AKey termsl rational people: 理性人理性人 Those people who systematically and purposefully do the best they can to achieve their objectives, given the available opportunities.Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl marginal change: 边际变化边际变化 small incremental adjustments to a plan of actionl marginal benefit: 边际效益边际效益 the additional benefit from an increase in an activity9Text AKey termsUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl marginal cost: 边际成本边际成本 the additional cost from an increase in an activityl marginal decision-making: 边际决策边际决策 the additional cost from an increase in an activityl incentive: 激励激励 something that induces a person to act10How People Make DecisionsEconomists explanation about decision making: There are rules behind peoples decision-making behaviors.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities11l Rational people think at the margin.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesExample 1: standby ticketsWhat a rational airline can do?Situation: Flying a 200-seat plane across the U.S. costs the airline $100,000.Cost of each seat: $500 (Thats to say, never sell a ticket for less than $500.)Suppose: A plane is about to take off with 10 empty seats. A standby passenger will pay $300 for a seat.Question: should the airline sell the ticket?12Answer: Yes.Reason: If the plane has empty seat, the cost of adding one more passenger is tiny. Here the marginal cost is merely the cost of something to eat, like peanuts, coco, etc.Conclusion: As long as the standby passenger pays more than the marginal cost, selling the ticket is profitable.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities13Example 2: water vs. diamondWhy is water so cheap, while diamonds are so expensive?waterdiamondNecessary for survivalThe marginal benefit of an extra cup is small because water is plentiful.Unnecessary for survivalThe marginal benefit of an extra diamond is large because diamonds are rare.Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesText ACritical reading and thinking14Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesConclusion: Rational people think at the margin. (They make decisions by comparing costs and benefits.) Are you a rational person?15Example 1: the price of an appleHow people respond to incentives?When the price rises: It provides an incentive for buyers to consume less; It provides an incentive for sellers to produce more.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl Rational people respond to incentives.16 Example 2: a tax on gasoline How people respond to incentives? Encourage people to drive small, more fuel-efficient cars; carpool take public transportation; live closer to where they work; drive hybrid cars; drive electric cars.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities17 Example 3: a seat belt law American laws require seat belts as standard equipment on new cars.How a seat belt law alters a drivers cost-benefit calculation (Peltzmans analysis):Seat belts reduce the likelihood of injury or death make accidents less costly drive faster and less carefully a large number of accidentsText ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities18Result: These laws produce both fewer deaths per accident and more accidents. Conclusion 1: The net result is little change in the number of driver deaths and an increase in the number of pedestrian deaths.Conclusion 2: When analyzing any policy, consider both the direct effects and less obvious indirect effects.If the policy changes incentives, it will cause people to alter their behavior.Text ACritical reading and thinkingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities19 Rational people know that when they make a decision, it is often not a yes-or-no choice, but requires deliberate consideration of the pros and cons. Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl Rational people know that decisions in life are rarely black and white but usually involve shades of gray. (Para. 2) 20 The most important theory in economic study concerns itself with incentives. Other theories are not as important. “The rest is commentary” is a phrase used in American English to mean “the rest is trivial or less important”. Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl “People respond to incentives. The rest is commentary.” (Para. 6) 21 At first, this discussion of incentives and seat belts might seem like random talk not supported by evidence. Text ADifficult sentencesUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl At first, this discussion of incentives and seat belts might seem like idle speculation. (Para. 12)22Specialized vocabularyl rational peoplel marginal decision-makingl marginal changel marginal benefitl marginal costl net resultText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities23CollocationsText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl achieve the high level of satisfactionl maximize profitsl achieve objectivesl be black and whitel roll roundl blow offl fly standbyl puzzling economic phenomenal take an actionl allocate scarce resourcesl end up with l unintended consequencesl idle speculation24Formal and informal Englishl See Page 9, and do Task 3.Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities25Signpost languagel Show connections between sentences and paragraphs. See Page 9, and do Task 2 Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities26Signpost languageText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activitiesl Signal important parts of academic writing, such as structure, writers position, arguments, conclusionReporting someones view: Some people/researcher(s) maintain(s) / argue(s) / assert(s) / claim(s) / point(s) out27Signpost languageDisagreeing with someones view: I disagree with that The view is open to doubt / not necessarily true / highly debatable One of the main argument against is thatText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities28Signpost languagePointing out a gap in research: However little information These studies have emphasized, as opposed to Although considerable research has focused on, less attention has been given toText AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities29Signpost languageAgreeing with someones view: I agree with when he writes that X is certainly correct in saying that Another point in favour of is A further argument supporting isNB: In the following units of study, more examples will be given. Text AEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities30Task 1 The tree diagram below illustrates the main points of the text. Fill in the blanks according to the text.Text ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesDecision-making behaviors in economic activitiesThinking at the margincomparing marginal _ and marginal _ Responding to _Example 1standby tickets Critical reading and thinkingExample 2_ vs. _Example 1the price of an appleExample 2a tax on _Example 3_costbenefitswaterdiamondsincentivesgasolineseat belts law31Task 2 Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).Text ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesCritical reading and thinkingF_ 1 When rational people make decisions in life, they are very certain of the choice._ 2 At the time of examination, students have to decide how to use all their time studying._ 3 Marginal changes are small gradual changes of the present plan of action._ 4 The example of the standby fly is told to show how cost can be ignored._ 5 Diamonds are more expensive than water because people are more attracted to them.FFFT32Task 2 Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).Text ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesCritical reading and thinkingT_ 6 The quotation of one economist “People respond to incentives. The rest is commentary.” is given to show the importance of incentives._ 7 The example of the apple shows how food prices vary according to market needs._ 8 The gasoline tax has an effect on peoples choice of cars._ 9 When the seat belt is made compulsory, people drive more carefully._ 10 Policymakers need to take into consideration the less obvious indirect effects of a policy.FFFT33Task 1 Specialized vocabularyText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1Match the words in Column A with those in Column B and then translate the phrases you have got into Chinese.Column A Column B1 marginala resource2 scarceb result3 maximizec change4 netd satisfaction5 level ofe people6 rationalf profit34Task 1 Specialized vocabularyText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1 Match the words in Column A with those in Column B and then translate the phrases you have got into Chinese.1 _2 _3 _4 _5 _6 _marginal change边际变化边际变化scarce resources稀缺资源稀缺资源maximize profits最大化利润最大化利润net result净结果净结果level of satisfaction满意度满意度rational people理性人理性人35Task 1 Specialized vocabularyText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up2 Translate the following sentences into English, using some of the phrases above.1 我们明年的目标是获得利润最大化。我们明年的目标是获得利润最大化。 _2 时间是一种稀缺资源，因此如果工人失业，他们的时间就浪时间是一种稀缺资源，因此如果工人失业，他们的时间就浪 费了。费了。 _ _We aim to maximize profits over the next year.Time is a scarce resource, so if workers are unemployed their time is wasted.36Task 1 Specialized vocabularyText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up2 Translate the following sentences into English, using some of the phrases above.3 理性人有非理性的想法吗？理性人有非理性的想法吗？ _4 满意度调查结果表明游客对某些服务不满意。满意度调查结果表明游客对某些服务不满意。 _ _Do rational people have irrational thoughts?Research into satisfaction level has found that tourists are not satisfied with some of the services.37Task 2 Signpost languageText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1 Match the signpost language from Text A with the purpose each of them serves. Signpost languagePurposes 1 as we will seea explanation2 at the same timeb time sequence3 by contrastc giving examples4 for exampled comparison and contrast5 in other wordse coherence6 in this case1 _ 2 _ 3 _ 4 _ 5 _ 6 _ebdcae38Task 2 Signpost languageText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up2Complete the following sentences using the signpost language listed above.1 He is not well-known for his respect for factual accuracy, _, he was lying.2 Offices can easily become more environmentally-friendly by, _, using recycled paper.3 We dont like the situation. But _, we have to deal with this problem.in other wordsfor exampleat the same time39Task 2 Signpost languageText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up2Complete the following sentences using the signpost language listed above.4 Their economy has expanded enormously, while ours, _, has declined.5 _, in this chapter there is no general formula for the solution to this question.6 The whole team dont want to lose him. _, he needs to realize that company regulations must be obeyed.by contrastAs we will seeIn this case40Task 3 Formal EnglishText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with the more formal ones from Text A.1 As you study economics, you will come across firms that decide how many workers to hire and how much of their product to manufacture and sell to maximize profits. Key: _2 The reason is that a persons willingness to pay for any good is based on the marginal benefit that an extra unit of the good would produce. Key: _encounteryield41Task 3 Formal EnglishText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with the more formal ones from Text A.3 An incentive is something that persuades a person to act, such as the prospect of a punishment or a reward. Key: _4 Many policies change the costs or benefits that people face and, therefore, change their behavior. Key: _5 For example, consider public policy about auto safety. Key: _inducesalterregarding42Task 3 Formal EnglishText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up1Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with the more formal ones from Text A.6 The decline in safe driving has a clear, bad impact on pedestrians. Key: _7 At first, this discussion of incentives and seat belts might seem like an idle guess. Key: _8 When a person wears a seat belt, the likelihood of surviving an auto accident rises. Key: _adversespeculationprobability43Task 3 Formal EnglishText ASuggested answersUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesLanguage building-up2Complete the sentences with some of the answers you have got in the above exercise.1 Stress can have a(n) _ effect on peoples health.2 This doesnt _ the fact that what you did was wrong.3 He warned us that we might _ a lot of opposition at the very beginning.4 Some believe that surgery could _ a heart attack.5 He has very little to say _ the new EU regulations.6 Knowing about the past doesnt necessarily _ solutions to current problems.adversealterencounterinduceregardingyield44Text B Critical reading Difficult sentences English language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities45New Airport Landing Fees Delayedl See Page 14, and do Task 1 and Task 2 Text BCritical readingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities A new federal policy: allowing airports to charge higher landing fees during peak periods Reason for formulating this policy: encourage airlines to arrange flights more evenly throughout the day, thus reducing flight delays46Text BCritical readingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesCostsBenefitsAirportsAirlines47Text BCritical readingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesYour reflections on this policy:It will work: It wont work:48l , which last month called the proposal “congestion pricing disguised as an airport fee”. (Para. 13)Text BDifficult sentencesUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities , which claimed that the proposal was actually charging fee for congestion rather than for the airport. 49l “Because the central policy issue at stake here influencing airline market decisions through airport pricing is inherently complex and historically has been controversial, we believe that it merits additional time to fully develop comments reflecting the views of industry stakeholders,” (Para. 14) Text BDifficult sentencesUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities “The central policy issue which is how to influence airline market decisions through airport pricing has always been complex and controversial. Hence it is necessary to allow more time for the parties involved in the industry to phrase their opinions that most clearly express their views.”50Collocations l reduce / address congestionl charge higher landing feesl peak periodsl reduce delaysl take effectl implement measuresText BEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities51Collocations l traffic volumel on-time arrival ratel be supportive ofl accommodate requestsl clear up ambiguityl go into effectText BEnglish language for academic purposeUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities52Listening Prediction strategies Listening tasksUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities53Prediction strategiesl Prediction Instead of relying on the actual words or sounds, you use background information and common world knowledge to develop expectations about what you will hear and then confirm or reject them as you listen. ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities54l Prediction strategiesListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesPrediction strategies Use visual information including titles on the board, on slides, or in a PowerPoint presentation. Think about what you already know about the topic. Ask yourself questions that you think the speaker might answer. Listen for specific phrases.55Task 1 Before listening, look at the first sentence of the lecture you are going to hear and predict what will follow. Write down your expectation.ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesBusinesses are structured in different ways to meet different needs.The simplest form of business is called an individual or sole proprietorship. The proprietor owns all of the property of the business and is responsible for everything.Listening tasks56Task 2 Listen to the lecture again and complete the following table according to what you have heard.ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic ActivitiesListening tasksForms of businessOwnership Responsibility for debtsLength of existence_Proprietorship_owner fully responsible_Partnership_an unlimited lifetimeIndividual / soleCorporation sole owner limited liability partnershipshares of ownership by stock holderspartly responsibleshare holders not responsibleexist only for as long as the owners remain aliveexist only for as long as the partners remain alive57Task 3 Listen to the lecture a third time and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities1 Which of the following descriptions fits an individual proprietorship?A The owner has to pay any debts alone.B The company goes bankrupt when the owner dies.C The owner keeps all the profits with his family.D The owner cannot borrow money.Key: _Listening tasksA58Task 3 Listen to the lecture a third time and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities2 What is a must when two people go into business together?A They must share equal responsibility.B They must not be husband and wife.C They must decide how to share the partnership.D They must be doctors, lawyers or accountants.Key: _Listening tasksC59Task 3 Listen to the lecture a third time and choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.ListeningUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities3 What is true of a corporation?A It is owned by directors.B It always sells stocks.C It pays its shareholders rewards every year.D It is an independent legal being.Key: _Listening tasksD60Speaking Useful expressions ResearchingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities61Useful expressions1. Can you go over the bit about again? Could you go over the bit about again?2. Could you repeat? I wonder if you could repeat?See more on Page 19, and do Task 1 and Task 2.SpeakingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities62ResearchingForm groups of 4-5 and research the policies concerning traffic jam in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, London, Tokyo, and New York. Write a summary of your findings and present it to the class.SpeakingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities63SpeakingUnit 2 Economist Ask Ss to discuss criteria of an effective presentation, then decide on the criteria to evaluate each others presentations. You can consider the following:The message Remember the ultimate end of a presentation is the message. Structure Organize your talk in a clear way and indicating or showing the structure to the audience is very important and helpful to make an effective presentation because that makes comprehension easier. Making an effective presentation 64SpeakingUnit 2 EconomistMaking an effective presentation Timing Learn to put how much into whatever a time slot is always an important skill for a speaker. Communication with audience Are you having eye contact with the audience? Are you just reading out your writing? 65SpeakingUnit 2 EconomistMaking an effective presentation Visual Aids Are the PPT slides too fancy, distracting? Are they meaningful?Signpost Language Do you use signpost language to help the audience? Language Do you use the language precisely?66Writing Choosing a topicUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities67Choosing a topicLearn the writing strategies on Page 20. Do Task 1 on Page 20. Find some topics from academic journals and make comments after class.WritingUnit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities68Do the following tasks:1. Find out the main points of Text A.2. Make comparison between economists and scientists in terms of how they work. 3. Mark the specialized vocabulary and explain them.4. Underline the collocations you think important.Get ready for Unit 2Unit 1 Decision-Making Behaviors in Economic Activities69若有不当之处，请指正，谢谢！70