大学英语IV

汪丽萍

目录

  • 1 必须了解的
    • 1.1 课程大纲、进度计划
    • 1.2 四级真题解析课件
  • 2 unit 1 Urban development
    • 2.1 lead-in, background
    • 2.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 2.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 2.4 language focus and language appreciation
  • 3 unit 2 Secrets to beauty
    • 3.1 lead-in, background
    • 3.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 3.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 3.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 3.5 Chinese Wisdom
  • 4 unit 3 Being entrepreneurial
    • 4.1 lead-in, background
    • 4.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 4.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 4.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 4.5 Chinese Wisdom
  • 5 unit 4 Why culture counts
    • 5.1 lead-in, background
    • 5.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 5.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 5.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 5.5 Chinese Wisdom
  • 6 unit 5 Gender equality
    • 6.1 lead-in, background
    • 6.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 6.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 6.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 6.5 Chinese Wisdom
  • 7 unit 6 Energy and food crisis
    • 7.1 lead-in, background
    • 7.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 7.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 7.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 7.5 Chinese Wisdom
  • 8 unit 7 Passion guides life choices
    • 8.1 lead-in, background
    • 8.2 text analysis, critical thinking
    • 8.3 reading skill and writing skill
    • 8.4 language focus and language appreciation
    • 8.5 Chinese Wisdom
lead-in, background
  • 1 background
  • 2 lead-in

What do you know about “the Millionaire’s Unit”?


It is the nickname for the First Yale Unit, a naval air reserve unit considered to be the first in the United States. It was started by F. Trubee Davison, a Yale sophomore at the time, in 1915. The unit had 29 members who were all wealthy and fascinated by flying. Their intention was to learn to fly airplanes so as to develop American’s military aviation.

2. What do you know about the “hub and spoke” system?



It is a system which makes transportation much more efficient by routing all of the traffic through one or a few central hubs. The FedEx company took advantage of this idea in the 1970s, revolutionizing the way airlines were run. Now the model is extensively used in commercial aviation for both passengers and freight.

3. Frederick Wallace Smith and FedEx 

 Born August 11, 1944, Frederick Wallace Smith is the founder, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corp., the first and most successful overnight express delivery service in the world. The company is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Smith was raised by his mother and uncles after his father, the founder of a restaurant chain and a motor coach company, died when he was only 4. Owing to his great interest in flying, Smith became an amateur pilot as a teen. In 1962, he entered Yale University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree. In his college years, he had an enthusiasm for aviation and played an important role in Yale’s flying club. After graduation, Smith joined the US Marine Corps, serving from 1966 to 1970. As a Marine, he had the opportunity to observe the military’s logistics system first-hand. He carefully observed the procurement (采购) and delivery procedures, fine-tuning his dream for an overnight delivery service.

      On June 18, 1971, Smith founded Federal Express with his $4 million inheritance and money raised in venture capital. His focus was on developing an integrated air-ground system. He developed FedEx on the business idea of a shipment version of a bank clearing house, where one bank clearing house was located in the middle of the representative banks and all their representatives would be sent to the central location to exchange materials.

      Smith used to serve as chairman of the US-China Business Council. He is a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, and was appointed co-chairman of the US World War II Memorial Project. Smith was inducted into the Junior Achievement US Business Hall of Fame in 1998. His other awards include “CEO of the Year 2004” and the “2008 Kellogg Award for Distinguished Leadership”.