UNIT 14

MEN AND WOMEN: SOME DIFFERENCES

Objectives
After learning this unit, students are expected to be able to:
1. unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words;
2. identify the various kinds of dependent clauses.

Pre-reading Activities
Discuss these following questions with the class:
1. What are the differences between men and women?
2. Why do you think they are different from each other?
3. Do you think husband and wife should play equal role in rearing their child/children?

Unlocking the Meaning of Unfamiliar Words

Even though you have studied a lot of vocabulary words, you may still come to a word that you
dont know. What should you do then? Rather than stop and use your dictionary, you should try to
figure out the new word by using other words in the sentence. These are called context clues. The
clues can be found in the same sentence, an adjoining sentence, or anywhere in the paragraph. The
clues can also be found in your own background knowledge.
If you always stop to look in a dictionary when you come to a new word, you slow down your
reading speed, and you dont comprehend the reading as well as you could. When you practice reading
comprehension skills, you should not stop reading to look up new words. After all, you cant use a
dictionary during the test. You can use your dictionary while you are studying vocabulary, to check up on
your knowledge. But dont rely on that dictionary when you are reading. It will slow you down. What
you want to learn is how to read faster.
There are two kinds of context clues: direct and indirect clues.
Direct : a definition or description of the word in the same sentence:
Commas: Solar energy, energy from the sun, is now ..
Words in a series : The people were unhappy with the government, so they were working to
change the statutes, laws, and regulations.
Verb: is, are, was, etc..: The Dimensions of the box are 2 x 3 x 6
Indirect Clues: the clue words are in an opposing word or an opposing idea. This type of
sentence will have words like although, but, in contrast, even though, or while.
e.g. Although the material was made of synthetic fiber, it felt just like natural material.

 Inference and Background Knowledge

e.g. After eating a delicious banquet, my appetite was satiated, I felt sleepy.
clue: How do I feel after I eat a big meal?

Reading Selection
Text 1

Men and Women: Some Differences

Men cannot manufacture blood as effectively as women can. This makes surgery riskier for men.
Men also need more oxygen because they do not breathe as women. But men breathe more deeply and
this exposes them to another risk. When the air is polluted, they draw more of it into their lungs.
A more recentand chillingfinding is the effect of automobile and truck exhaust fumes on
childrens intelligence. These exhaust fumes are the greatest source of lead pollution in cities.
Researchers have found that the children with the highest concentration of lead in their bodies have the
lowest scores on intelligence tests and that boys score lower than girls. It is possible that these low
scores are connected to the deeper breathing that is typical of the male.
Mens bones are larger than womens and they are arranged somewhat differently. The
feminine walk that evokes so many whistles is a matter of bone structure. Men have broader shoulders
and a narrower pelvis, which enables them to stride out with no waste motion. A womans wider pelvis,
designed for childbearing, forces her to put more movement into each step she takes with the result
that she displays a bit of a jiggle and sway as she walks.
If you think a man is brave because he climbs a ladder to clean out the roof gutters, dont forget
that it is easier for him than for a woman. The angle at which a womans high is joined to ger knees
makes climbing awkward for her, no matter whether it is a ladder or stairs or a mountain that she is
tackling.
A mans skin is thicker than a womans and nearly as soft. The thickness prevents the suns
radiation from getting through, which is why men wrinkle less than women do.
Women have a thin layer of fat just under the skin and there is a olus to this greater fat reserve.
It acts as an invisible fur coat to keep a woman warmer in the winter. Women also stay cooler in
summer. The fat layer helps insulate them against heat.
Ment mens fat is distributed differently. They do not have that layer of it underneath their skin.
In fact, they have considerably less fat than women and more lean mass. Forty-one percent of a mans
body is muscle compared to thirty-five percent for women, which means that men have more muscle
power. When it comes to strength, almost 90 percent of a mans weight is strength compared to about
50 percent of a womans weight.
The higher proportion of muscle to fat makes it easier for men to lose weight. Muscle burns up
five more calories a pound than fat does just to maintain itself. So, when a man goes on a diet, the
pounds roll off much faster.

For all mens muscularity they do not have the energy reserves women do. They have more
start-up energy, but the fat tucked away in womens nook and crannies provides a rich energy reserve
that men lack.
Cardiologists at the University of Alabama who tested healthy women on treadmills discovered
that over the years the female capacity for exercise far exceeds the male capacity. A women of sixty
who is in good health can exercise up to 90 percent of what she could do when she was twenty. A man
of sixty has only 60 percent left of his capacity as a twenty-year-old.
Match each word or expression in italics in column A with the meaning in column B that comes closes
to it. Column B has some extra meaning.
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
1. they draw more of it into their lungs.
a. having babies
2. A more recentand chillingfinding
b. have lines in their skin
3. which enables them to stride out with no waste motion.
c. silly
4. A womans wider pelvis, designed for childbearing,
d. frightening
5. she displays a bit of a jiggle and sway as she walks.
e. difficult
6. The angle at which a womans thigh is joined to her knees
f. get tired
7. makes climbing awkward for her,
g. movement from side to side
8. men wrinkle less than women do.
h. understanding children
9. The fat layer helps insulate them against heat.
i. top part of leg
j. place in body where air goes
when you breathe in
k. hide
l. put a leg forward to walk
m. protect
n. cold
From: Genuine Articles, 1986, pp.72-74
Text 2
Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Stimulated
emission is a variation of spontaneous emission, a process that occurs in atoms when an electron in a
ground, or unexcited state, is knocked into a higher state when energy is aplied to the system. As the
electron drops back into ground state, a photon, or particle of light, is released. As de-excitation occurs
in millions of atoms, photons are released in random fashion, and light is emitted in every direction.
Stimulated emission, however, causes an increase in the number of photons travelling in a particular
direction. An optical cavity, the space formed by two reflective surfaces facing each other, is used to
control the direction of the beam. There are solid-state, gas , and liquid lasers, and by subjecting lasing
materials to various tupes of energyelectrical, magnetic, or sonicscientists have been able to control
the laser output to suit various functions and applications.
In industry, the laser has proven to be a very versatile tool, particularly for cutting and welding.
Lasers are now also used in high-speed printing and in the creation of three-dimensional images, called
holograms. Laser tracking and ranging systems have been developed, using light signals to measure

distance rather than the radio signals or radar. The use of the laser in biological and medical applications
is also rapidly surgical procedures. In the field of communication the laser, used in conjunction with
fiber-optic networks, is capable of carrying much more information than conventional wires and is
setting the stage for the electronic superhighway of the near future.
1. The main topic of the second paragraph is
A. the applications of the laser
B. fiber-optic networks
C. measuring distances with lasers
D. the uses of lasers in the medicine
2. It can inferred from the passage that lasers are rapidly becoming
A. obsolete in todays world
B. more limited in scope
C. a vital part of modern society
D. less flexible in their uses
3. According to the passage, scientists have been able to control laser output by
A. controlling the direction of the beam
B. subjecting lasing materials to various types of energy
C. increasing the number of photons traveling in aparticular direction
D. using a variety of lasing materials
4. What happens when an electron drops back into ground state?
A. A particle of light is released.
B. Excitation occurs.
C. Energy is aplied to the system.
D. There is an increase in the number of photons traveling in one direction
5. In paragraph 2, the words in conjunction with could best be replaced with wich of the following
phrases?
A. At acrossroads
B. Aside from
C. In combination with
D. In addition to
6. The author mentions all of the following types of lasers EXCEPT
A. solid-state
B. sonic
C. gas
D. liquid

7. The word versatile in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

A. flexible
B. stimulating
C. energetic
D. worthless
8. According to the passage, the electronic superhighway
A. will replace the laser
B. has nothing to do with lasers
C. will utilize lasers
D. will be in competition with lasers
From: TOEFL Reading Flash,1997, pp.114-115.
Text 3
The United States Constitution established a political system comprising a national and federal
government. The new federal system accommodated the thirteen original state governments while
establishing new bodies and powers designed to address national concerns. The national govenment
created by the union of states stood above the state governments in specific national matters while
acknowledging the role of the states or sharing power with them in other areas. State officials were
required to take an oath to support the Constitution, and state courts were required to recognize the
Constitution and the laws and treaties made under it as the supreme law.
The Constitution, a veritable work of genius, greatly enhanced the power of central government
but carefully divided its functions into three distinct branches-executive, legislative, and judicial. The
ptinciple of separation of powers was applied throughout the document. Carefully measured checks and
balances were inserted to prevent the acquisition or concentration of power in any one branch and also
for the purpose of protecting minority rights from the potential rule of the majority. In their powers to
amend the Constitution and to elect the president and members of the Senate, the states also gained a
role in applying checks and balances.
9. In paragraph 1, the word them refers to
A. national matters
B. the states
C. state officials
D. national and federal government
10. According to the passage, state officials were required to take an oath to
A. recognize the Constitutions as a work of genius
B. share power with the federal government
C. support the Constitution

D. protect minority rights

11. The word amend in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by
A. change
B. balance
C. enhance
D. construct
12. The author of the passage is probably an expert in
A. social science
B. minority issues
C. public housing
D. political science
13. It can be concluded from the passage that the authors of the Constitution
A. intended above all to preserve the the unty of the states
B. wanted to avoid usurpation of power by any individual or body
C. provided the states with the most power to government
D. didnt believe that the state and federal branches of the government could work well together
14. What is the authors main purpose in the passage?
A. to discuss one of the principal elements of the Contitutions
B. to mention the roles of state officials in government
C. to persuade state legislators to support the Constitution
D. to summarize the role of the Senate
From: TOEFL Reading Flash, 1997, pp. 138-139

Grammar Focus
Review: Dependent Clauses
Dependent Clause Exercise
Exercise 1
Each sentence contains a clause in CAPITAL letters. Decide whether this clause is dependent or
independent.
1. TOMORROW I WILL GO ON A TRIP if the car is in good working order.
(dependent/independent clause)
2. SINCE THE TIRE IS FLAT, we had better get it fixed before traveling.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

(dependent/independent clause)
I want to see the Corning Glass Museum BECAUSE I AM INTERESTED IN GLASS BLOWING.
(dependent/independent clause)
When we get there, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE DISPLAYS.
(dependent/independent clause)
I would like to leave home early UNLESS THE TRAFFIC IS SLOW.
(dependent/independent clause)
HE TOLD ME THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED ON MONDAYS, though it wasn't listed on the schedule.
(dependent/independent clause)
Even though it takes a long time to get there, WE WOULD STILL LIKE TO GO.
(dependent/independent clause)
WHEN WE DROVE THERE, we got lost.
(dependent/independent clause)
SINCE THE DISPLAYS WERE GREAT, I am glad we went.
(dependent/independent clause)
IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING HOW WE GOT THERE, I will give you our map with the directions.
(dependent/independent clause)

Exercise 2
Find the adjective, adverb or noun clauses in these sentences.
1.If the manager is unable to help, try the assistant manager.
2.The mayor is the person to whom you should write the letter.
3.The man whose neck was broken has recovered completely.
4.The scientist said that the ozone levels were dangerous.
5.The city council objected when the mayor changed his mind.
6.It is unfortunate that Mr. Jones will not return.
7.Why you don't do your work is ridiculous to me.
8.This cemetery is where your Grandfather is buried.
9.The report that the island is under water is very misleading.
10. We offered whoever told the truth clemency.

Summary
1. There are two kinds of context clues: direct and indirect clues.
2. Dependent clause can never stand alone; it needs an independent clause.

Reflection
Take one subtitle in a textbook of your major, and find the direct and indirect clues. Then, identify all
kinds of clauses. Last, complete this table.
Objectives

Achieved

More practice needed

To unlock the unfamiliar

words
To name the dependent
clauses

These are several sites where you can practice more:

http://books.google.co.id/books?id=1FycOFCkB7wC&pg=PT18&lpg=PT18&dq=exercise+on+unlocking+u
nfamiliar+words&source=bl&ots=09aNhttp://www.leakyroofproductions.com/DataFiles/Shelmerdine_Latin/chapters_1620/chapter_18/ch.18.depend.clause.htm