The Definition of "Frame" and "Metaphor"

For Frame:


A frame is a structure which we use most frequently in our daily lifes. Just as in the classic definition, a frame should be formed with a skeleton and boundary, but in the lecture given by Professor Lakoff, two parts of a frame were defined. One part is "frame elements" and another is "scenarios." In an institution, such as a hospital, given as an example, all the people such as doctors, nurses and so on, and the space such as operating room, patient room, are all frame elements of a hospital. And the activities done in a hospital such as surgical operations and clinics, are scenarios of a hospital.

For Metaphor:

A metaphor is a link built in one's brain, which, in the case of basic metaphors, was established gradually since one's childhood. Since one's childhood, something meaningful will appear in front of him/her, and when these things repeat to be seen more and more times, the meaning and the phenomena will gradually find the shortest path by brain's activity and the neural circuit will be created. Then we will see something as a kind of metaphor of others.

Chinese Imports and Exports between 2002 and 2006

As can be seen in Figure 1, the Chinese exports and imports did not remain steady in the period. Both exports and imports, although having dips in January 2004, rose sharply and reached a local maximun, to about 38 and 32 billions dollars, in the middle of 2004. Then both declined eventually and reached the low points at about 35 and 30 billions in the end of 2004. After January 2005, the imports, although fluctuating during this period, rose gradually and reached the peak in July 2006. The exports in the same period, however, rose sharply after the middle of 2005 and reached a peak at about 40 billions in the end of 2005. After the peak, the exports suddenly fell off to 37 billions in the beginning of 2006. Before September 2006, the exports fluctuated most of the time.

Task 17 of Unit 4: Letter to Professor - as a TA

Email Title: The Possible Explanation of the Makup Exam's Result

Dear Professor:


I also noticed the big discrepancy between the regular and makeup exam. I prepared the data about the two exams in a table as an attached file. As can be seen, the makeup exam was given at 4 pm on Fri. IMHO, the students who took the makeup exam may have a weekend plan and, as a result, may have not concentrated on the exam. And, they may misunderstand the meaning of the questions without board examples, although I considered them not necessary at that time. Also, the temperature was 28'c, much higher than 20'c, the temperature when the regular exam was given. Maybe this hotter environment made the students feel uncomfortable so that they were not able to focus their attention on the exam very well. What can we do?


Best regards,

Chinfeng Wu

TA of Introductory Biology

Task Ten of Unit 4, on P.129

1. Attractive people have more favorable personal attributes than unattractive people.

In most cases, attractive people have more favorable personal attributes than unattractive people.

2. Economic sanctions are ineffective.

According to the history, most economic sanctions are ineffective.

3. Alcohol causes people to become violent.

Sometimes alcohol causes people to become violent.

4. Passive smoking causes cancer.

Many studies indicated that passive smoking may cause cancer.

5. Recycling is the best solution to the waste disposal problem.

Recycling may be one of the best solutions to the waste disposal problem.

6. Physical exercise prevents depression.

Physical exercise may be useful in preventing depression.

7. Deep tunnels are safer and less vulnerable to earthquake shaking than are shallow tunnels.

Some research shows that deep tunnels are safer and less vulnerable to earthquake shaking than are shallow tunnels.

8. Private schools provide a better education than do public schools.

In some countries, private schools may provide a better education than may public schools.

Move 2 & 3

However, most of the studies have discussed the broader topics about English learners' beliefs and the influential factors of those beliefs. Some studies focused the the research on the difference of beliefs influenced by gender, cultural backgrounds, learning contexts, and so on. Most of these studies have examined learners' beliefs in general, discussing the learners' beliefs influenced by some factors, without considering the differences between other factors. In addition to those factors discussed in those studies, since each academic department requires different English proficiency, the major fields of those students may have effect on their beliefs but not be discussed.

A further study may be conducted on learners' beliefs based on those students with similar cultural backgrounds but different major fields.