Lesson 4 Two Men Who Dared to Dream

What could a poet and a movie director have in common^①? More than you think! Langston Hughes began writing poetry^② in high school and soon became one of America’s greatest poets. Most of his writing reflects his experiences as an African American. He wrote poems about people who struggled^③ through life but still found things to be happy about. He wrote plays and books about justice^④ for all people, and he wrote kids’ books, too. The Sweet and Sour Animal Book is an alphabet^⑤ book of his animal poems. The book was illustrated^⑥ by kids. “Hold fast to dreams” is a line in a famous Hughes’ poem. That’s exactly what he did throughout his life.

When Steven Spielberg was in middle school, he wanted to make a film. He had an idea for a movie，but no money. He started a tree-planting business and made his film with the money he earned. Spielberg never stopped making films,even after many film schools refused him. Today he is one of the most popular and important filmmakers in the world. His movies are about people who are curious,adventurous^⑦, brave, kind, and sometimes bullied. His characters often fight for what is good. Some of his work reflects his Jewish background, such as Schindler’s List. Spielberg once said, “I don’t dream that much at night because I dream for a living.” In different ways, both Hughes and Spielberg have inspired people of all ages to reach for their dreams.

（247 words）

Notes

① in common 共同的；共有的

② poetry ['pəʊɪtrɪ] n. 诗；诗意，诗情；诗歌艺术

③ struggle ['strʌɡəl] vi. 奋斗，努力；挣扎

vt. 使劲移动；尽力使得

n. 努力，奋斗；竞争

④ justice [dʒʌstɪs] n. 正义；司法，法律制裁；法官，审判员

⑤ alphabet ['ælfəbet] n. 初步，字母表，字母系统；入门

⑥ illustrate [ɪləstreɪt] vt. 阐明，举例说明；图解

vi. 举例

⑦ adventurous [əd'ventʃərəs] adj. 爱冒险的；大胆的；充满危险的

Exercises

Ⅰ. How well did you read?

1. [Check the details] What did Langston Hughes do?

A. He was a poet. 　B. He was a director. 　C. He was a teacher.

2. [Note the fact] What did most of Hughes’ writing reflect?

A. His life in high school.

B. Some people who struggled through life.

C. His experiences as an African American.

3. [Check the details] When did Steven Spielberg want to make a film?

A. When he was in middle school.

B. After he finished his middle school.

C. After he earned enough money.

Ⅱ. Read for words.

1. Choose one best paraphrase for the underlined words.

（1） Most of his writing reflects his experiences as an African American. （Para.1, line 3）

A. shows 　B. thinks carefully 　C. throws back

（2） His movies are about people who are curious, adventurous, brave, kind,and sometimes bullied. （Para. 2, line 5）

A. strange and unusual

B. good at something

C. wanting to know about something

2. Choose one best paraphrase for the underlined expression.

（1） “Hold fast to dreams” is a line in a famous Hughes’ poem. （Para. 1, lines 7~8）

A. Have dreams in hand

B. Keep believing in dreams

C. Make dreams come true

（2） In different ways, both Hughes and Spielberg have inspired people of all ages to reach for their dreams. （Para. 2, line 9）

A. have encouraged people by making them feel confident

B. have made people have an exciting feeling

C. have given people the idea for a story

Ⅲ. Writing practice.

1. Who are Steven Spielberg’s movies about?

2. What do you think of Hughes and Spielberg?

language box

___________________________________________________________________