(四) Lines 22--34
1. Language Points
Material things meant nothing to him. = Material things were of no important to him.
The razor and water do the job. = The razor and water will do.
2. Questions for Discussion
(1) Do material things mean nothing to you? What's your point of view?
---Material things include necessities of life. In this sense, they mean much to most human beings. They also depend on people's concept of value as we discussed earlier.
(2) What does it mean when a person shrugs?
---It may mean "I don't care", "It doesn't matter". "I don't believe", "I can't do it", "I won't do it" and so on.
(3) Why did he revert to using plain water to shave after finishing the shaving cream?
---He accepted the tube of cream as a gift and used it, but wouldn't go out and buy one for himself.
(五) Lines 35--52
1. Language Points
He didn't have the slightest interest in the practical application…
a) not…the slightest : not…any; no
E.g. He didn't feel the slightest pain when the needle went into hie wrist.
that's not it. = That's not right. / That's not what is expected.
2. Questions for Discussion
(1) What does "his quick expression of disapproval" tell us here?
---He wanted to know things by reasoning. He believed and was interested only in theory and he refused to take short cuts.
(2) What do you think of the example?
---He was sort of stubborn, impractical, odd, unique and true to his ideas.
(六) Lines 53--61
1. Language Points
His name was a household world. = His name was well-known to everyone.
2. Questions for Discussion
(1) His theories were capable of exciting relatively few scientists. Why do you think his name was a household word?
---The significance of a theory lies in its real value. Although average people didn't understand his theories, they owed many useful things to his contributions, such as TV. His ideas were put to practical uses. Above all, his ideas created a revolution in science that excited even people who were not scientists.
