Lesson 3 The Superhero Behind Superman 1 Reading

Lesson 3 The Superhero Behind Superman (1) Reading

Superman actor … relationship? wheelchair disabled …

The story of Christopher Reeve’s life is one that is almost impossible to imagine—from a wildly successful Hollywood career, to the horror of life-threatening injury; Reeve experienced both. Thus, not only is he known as a superhero in the Superman films, but he is also regarded as a superhero to many in real life. What do you want to know from this passage?

Possible questions: 1. Is Christopher Reeve the actor of Superman? 2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? 3. How did it feel to act in the movie Superman? 4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? 5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? 6. Why is he regarded as a superhero to many? 7. …

Let’s read the passage to find out: 1. Is Christopher Reeve the actor of Superman? 2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? 3. How did it feel to act in the movie Superman? 4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? 5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? 6. Why is he regarded as a superhero to many? 7. …

Let’s read the passage to find out: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Is Christopher Reeve the actor of Superman? Yes. How did he become successful in Hollywood? How did it feel to act in the movie Superman? What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? Why is he regarded as a superhero to many? 7. …

2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? “He starred in four Superman films from 1978 to 1987. ” (Paragraph 3) star n. 星，恒星 v. to have one of the main parts in a film, play and so on 主演、担任主角

2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? “… and he soon gained a reputation for raising awareness for good causes. ” (Paragraph 3) become famous for; be remembered for let people know more about sth.

2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? “… and he soon gained a reputation for raising awareness for good causes. He visited sick children in hospitals and worked with organisations such Save the Children, speaking out about health, education and child protection to help those most in need. ” (Paragraph 3) charity, helping people in need

2. How did he become successful in Hollywood? He starred in four Superman films and he also gained a reputation for raising awareness for good causes. (Paragraph 3)

4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? causing danger to life; very dangerous

4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? “While horseback riding, he was thrown off his horse and broke his neck. ” (Paragraph 4)

4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? “His injuries were so severe that he had no movement or feeling in his body at all and even needed a machine to help him breathe. ” (Paragraph 4) severe adj. extremely bad or serious

4. What was the “life-threatening injury”? How did it happen? He was thrown off his horse and broke his neck. His injuries were so severe that he had no movement or feeling in his body at all and even needed a machine to help him breathe.

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? Yes, he did.

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? “It was only due to the ongoing support of his wife, family and friends that he eventually found the will to live again. ” (Paragraph 4)

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? because of continuing “It was only due to the ongoing support of his wife, family and friends that he eventually found the will to live again. ” (Paragraph 4) finally, in the end a strong desire or determination to do something

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? commitment n. a promise to do sth. ; the willingness to devote yourself to sth. 承诺；投入，忠诚，奉献 “With a new sense of energy and commitment, Reeve undertook an intense exercise programme to help him achieve this goal. He engaged in a wide range of exercises designed to rebuild muscle, and made remarkable progress. ” (Paragraph 5)

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? start doing sth. and accept responsibility for it “With a new sense of energy and commitment, Reeve undertook an intense exercise programme to help him achieve this goal. He engaged in a wide range of exercises designed to rebuild muscle, and made remarkable progress. ” (Paragraph 5)

5. Did he recover from the injury? What helped him? Yes, he did. The ongoing support of his wife, family and friends gave him the will to live again. The intense exercise programme he undertook also helped him recover physically.

6. Why is he regarded as a superhero to many? “Reeve became a passionate and energetic advocate for people with back injuries and disabilities, raising millions of dollars in support of medical research. ” “His positive attitude inspired many people who were stuck in illness. ” … ?

Unfortunately, in 1995 disaster struck Reeve. (Paragraph 4) the turning point? the disaster in 1995

different stages of Reeve’s life early life Hollywood career the turning point the disaster in 1995 right after the accident later life

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 1. early life 2. before the accident 3. the accident 4. right after the accident 5. later life What happened was born on Sep. 25, 1952…

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 1. early life What happened was born on Sep. 25, 1952… found his passion in acting; a very strong feeling of love or enthusiasm

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 1. early life What happened was born on Sep. 25, 1952… found his passion in acting; starred in his first school play at 8; tried out for the lead role in a Superman film; was given the role. . . compete or perform a test in order to be chosen

Retelling Christopher Reeve was born on Sep. 25, 1952 in the USA. He found his passion in acting and starred in his first school play at the age of 8. Later, he tried out for, and was finally given the lead role in a Superman film. stage 1

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 2. before the accident What happened starred in four Superman films; took the opportunity to be a real-life superman; take the chance

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 2. before the accident What happened starred in four Superman films; took the opportunity to be a real-life superman; gained a reputation for raising awareness…; visited sick children and worked with organisations; speak out about health, education…

Retelling Reeve starred in four Superman films. He also wanted to take the opportunity to be a real-life superman. Soon he gained a reputation for raising awareness for good causes. He visited sick children and worked with organisations, speaking out about health, education and child protection to help people in need. stage 2

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 3. the accident What happened was thrown off his horse; broke his neck; had no movement or feeling in his body at all; needed a machine to help him breathe; didn’t believe that he would survive…

Retelling stage 3 Unfortunately, in 1995, when he was horse riding, he was thrown off the horse and broke his neck. His injuries were so severe that he had no movement or feeling in his body at all. He even needed a machine to help him breathe. At first, his doctor didn’t believe that he would survive.

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 4. right after the accident What happened felt like he had lost all hope; was like a living nightmare; thought of ending his own life; fell into a depression. . . the state of feeling very sad, anxious and without hope

Retelling stage 4 During this period, Reeve felt like he had lost all hope. He had been a healthy and successful young man, but now he was trapped in a broken body. It was like a living nightmare. He admitted that he had thought of ending his own life. He fell into a depression and it lasted for many months.

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage What happened 5. later life found the will to live again; undertook an intense exercise programme; managed to return to his film career and charity; wrote a biography; became a passionate and energetic advocate for…; someone who supports a particular idea or way of doing things

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage What happened 5. later life found the will to live again; undertook an intense exercise programme; managed to return to his film career and charity; wrote a biography; became a passionate and energetic advocate for…; passed away…

Retelling stage 5 Fortunately, his wife, family and friends supported him. And Reeve finally found the will to live again. He undertook an intense exercise programme and made remarkable progress. Shortly after, he managed to return to his film career and charity. He also wrote a biography. He became a passionate and energetic advocate for people with back injuries and disabilities. His positive attitude inspired many people. Sadly, he passed away in 2004.

Life of Christopher Reeve Stage 1. early life 2. before the accident What happened was born on Sep. 25, 1952… starred in four Superman films… 3. the accident was thrown off his horse… 4. right after the accident felt like he had lost all hope… 5. later life found the will to live again…

Life of Christopher Reeve a wildly successful Hollywood career stage 1 stage 2 the horror of life-threatening injury stage 3 stage 4 Can you draw a line to show the ups and downs? stage 5

Life of Christopher Reeve stage 2 stage 5 stage 1 stage 3 stage 4

Useful Phrases find his passion; act on stage; try out for the role; star in the film; give him the opportunity; gain a reputation; raise awareness; visit sick children; work with organisations; break his neck; lose all hope; think of ending his life; fall into a depression; find the will to live; undertake an exercise programme; engage in exercises; write a biography; return to charity work; raise money; inspire people…

Homework 1. Read the passage aloud. 2. Retell Reeve’s life with the help of key words in the table.