Lesson SIX LIFE BEYOND EARTH Time Allocation and Teaching Procedure About 4 sessions(8 class hours)are needed for this unit. 1t session:1 The students presentations 2The teacher's comment on the presentations and brief,additional introduction to the text.3The stock of vocabulary related to astronomy and outerspace.4 The students answer some pre-reading questions to get a brief idea of the main theme of the text. 2nd session:Study of the text The teacher's interpretation of the meaning of some difficult sentences,language points,and rhetorical devices Assignment a.Review the part of the text having already discussed b. Preview the left part of the text c.Consider over some questions on the contents on page 96 3 session:Continuation of the study of the text The teacher continues to interpret the meaning of some difficult sentences and language points of the left part of the text. Assignment a.Review the whole text b.Do the exercises after the text from P96 to P99. 4th session:Allow the students some time to ask questions on the text The students answer some questions after the text Explain some useful words and expressions picked out from the text.Do some explanation on the exercises after the text Assignment a.Supplementary exercises:A.Cloze B.Translation I.Obiectives To help the students develop a scientific attitude towards the possible existence of the alien civilization. To make the students learn some important information about the achievement of our human's exploration into the outerspace. .To make the students understand the difference between the life in our earth and the life beyond the earth discussed in the text. .To help the students understand the humorous language and tone the author uses in presenting his attitudes or opinions .To help the students analyze how sentence structure and grammatical function serve the writing purpose. I.Topics For Presentations (based on pre-class group discussion)
Lesson SIX LIFE BEYOND EARTH Time Allocation and Teaching Procedure About 4 sessions (8 class hours) are needed for this unit. 1 st session: 1 The students presentations 2The teacher’s comment on the presentations and brief, additional introduction to the text. 3The stock of vocabulary related to astronomy and outerspace.4 The students answer some pre-reading questions to get a brief idea of the main theme of the text. 2 nd session: Study of the text The teacher’s interpretation of the meaning of some difficult sentences , language points , and rhetorical devices Assignment a. Review the part of the text having already discussed b. Preview the left part of the text c. Consider over some questions on the contents on page 96 3 rd session: Continuation of the study of the text The teacher continues to interpret the meaning of some difficult sentences and language points of the left part of the text. Assignment a. Review the whole text b.Do the exercises after the text from P96 to P99. 4 th session: Allow the students some time to ask questions on the text The students answer some questions after the text Explain some useful words and expressions picked out from the text. Do some explanation on the exercises after the text Assignment a. Supplementary exercises: A. Cloze B. Translation . I. Objectives ⚫ To help the students develop a scientific attitude towards the possible existence of the alien civilization. ⚫ To make the students learn some important information about the achievement of our human’s exploration into the outerspace. ⚫ To make the students understand the difference between the life in our earth and the life beyond the earth discussed in the text. ⚫ To help the students understand the humorous language and tone the author uses in presenting his attitudes or opinions. ⚫ To help the students analyze how sentence structure and grammatical function serve the writing purpose. . II. Topics For Presentations ( based on pre-class group discussion)
What do you know about the achievement of our human's exploration into the outer space? Why is our human being so interested in the life beyond Earth?Do you believe in the existence of the life beyond Earth?Explain your opinions. What kind of attitudes should we take when we discuss on the possible existence of the alien civilizations?Explain. Comment on the significance of the scientific exploration of the outer space by offering some relative facts. .Division of the Text According to the development of the meaning and the organization of the text,the text can be roughly divided into seven parts: 1.Paras.1.-2 the emergence of life 2.Para.3 (transition)What else is alive out there? 3.Paras.4-10 search for life 4.Paras.11-23 search for intelligence 5.Paras.24-42 Mars 6.Paras.43-45 Dyson's argument 7.Paras.46-52 conclusion IV Teaching points Para.1 1.What do you think of the opening paragraph? The author begins the article by announcing a very important event:"Something astonishing has happened in the universe"Such an announcement would immediately arouse the readers'curiosity. 2.What does the author mean by"life"in this paragraph? Life here meansthat property of plants and animals which makes it possible for them to take in food,get energy from it,grow,adapt themselves to their surroundings.and reproduce their kind. 3.In what way is"different from rock? Life is a living thing while rock is inorganic matter. 4.Life discussed in this paragraph doesn't mean the same thing as the"life"discussed in the following paragraphs Para2
⚫ What do you know about the achievement of our human’s exploration into the outer space? ⚫ Why is our human being so interested in the life beyond Earth? Do you believe in the existence of the life beyond Earth? Explain your opinions. ⚫ What kind of attitudes should we take when we discuss on the possible existe nce of the alien civilizations? Explain. ⚫ Comment on the significance of the scientific exploration of the outer space by offering some relative facts. III. Division of the Text According to the development of the meaning and the organization of the text ,the text can be roughly divided into seven parts: 1. Paras. 1-2 the emergence of life 2. Para. 3 (transition) What else is alive out there? 3. Paras. 4-10 search for life 4. Paras. 11-23 search for intelligence 5. Paras. 24-42 Mars. 6. Paras. 43-45 Dyson’s argument 7. Paras. 46-52 conclusion IV Teaching points Para.1 1. What do you think of the opening paragraph? The author begins the article by announcing a very important event: “ Something astonishing has happened in the universe.” Such an announcement would immediately arouse the readers’ curiosity. 2. What does the author mean by “life” in this paragraph? Life here means “that property of plants and animals which makes it possible for them to take in food, get energy from it, grow, adapt themselves to their surroundings ,and reproduce their kind. 3. In what way is “life” qualitatively different from rock? Life is a living thing while rock is inorganic matter. 4. Life discussed in this paragraph doesn’t mean the same thing as the “life” discussed in the following paragraphs. Para 2
1.Life has a way.and yet.in absolute terms *The grammatical function of"and vet".It introduces a contrast. *Paraphrase this sentence:It is not difficult to determine whether a thing has life or not,but when it comes to give"lifea clear,complete,satisfactory definition,people find it extremely difficult. 2.In at least one instance,life has become profoundly self-aware. What sort of life can become self-aware? Only human life can be conscious of its identity.That is because only human being can think.So here life means human life. Why does the author say"in at least one instance So far we only know of the one particular case of human life.But,maybe there is life elsewhere in the universe.So"at least"is used here. Para.3 1.This is a one-sentence paragraph for emphasis.It serves as a transition,leading to life beyond earth 2.What else is alive out there? Is there anything similar to human life in other parts of the universe?Out there means in space beyond the earth. Para.4 1.There may be.to an answer At the turn of the new millennium of a thousand years one may not find anything which is scientifically unknown to human beings so intriguing and yet so difficult to answer as the issue of extraterrestrial life. 2.With instruments.a single inhabited world With the help of advanced technology such as Hubble Space Telescope scientists have discovered a very large amount of cosmic material and yet they have not discovered any life on any other planet. Para.5 1.the late astronomer.in our galaxy alone. By "technological civilizations",the author may mean civilizations with high technology.Carl Sagan,the astronomer who is now dead,predicted that there are a million societies with advanced technology in our galaxy,without taking into account other galaxies
1. Life has a way . and yet . in absolute terms *The grammatical function of “and yet”: It introduces a contrast. *Paraphrase this sentence: It is not difficult to determine whether a thing has life or not, but when it comes to give “life” a clear, complete, satisfactory definition, people find it extremely difficult. 2. In at least one instance, life has become profoundly self-aware. What sort of life can become self-aware? Only human life can be conscious of its identity. That is because only human being can think. So here life means human life. Why does the author say “in at least one instance”? So far we only know of the one particular case of human life. But, maybe there is life elsewhere in the universe. So “at least” is used here. Para. 3 1. This is a one-sentence paragraph for emphasis. It serves as a transition, leading to life beyond earth. 2. What else is alive out there? Is there anything similar to human life in other parts of the universe?Out there means in space beyond the earth. Para. 4 1. There may be . to an answer. At the turn of the new millennium of a thousand years,one may not find anything which is scientifically unknown to human beings so intriguing and yet so difficult to answer as the issue of extraterrestrial life. 2. With instruments . a single inhabited world With the help of advanced technology such as Hubble Space Telescope scientists have discovered a very large amount of cosmic material and yet they have not discovered any life on any other planet. Para. 5 1. the late astronomer . in our galaxy alone. By “technological civilizations”,the author may mean civilizations with high technology.Carl Sagan,the astronomer who is now dead,predicted that there are a million societies with advanced technology in our galaxy,without taking into account other galaxies
Para.6 1.Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence The fact that we do not have evidence showing there is life beyond Earth does not mean that we can come to the conclusion that there is actually no life beyond Earth. 2.But still .starship So far we do not know firmly and dependably that there exists a single microscopic organism in another world,to say nothing of a starship coming from another world,the universe passing the Earth Para.7 1.What is“plausibility arguments”？ It means reasons offered which appear to be convincing but which may not be tru 2.What is"random ought-to-bes"? It means possible things which are chosen without specific aim 3.We don't know.we don't know. We do not know of this life depends on water in liquid form for existence or if it lives in the water like fish or in the air like birds or under the earth like gophers. Para.8 1.This paragraph serves as a transition,moving from speculation to naming the field of research. 2.What is meant by "the enveloping nebula of uncertainties"? It introduces two ideas:the first is the cloud of gas and dust obscures things;the second is,as a result,it is unclear what has been wrapped up in the cloud of gas and dust,what is inside the enveloping nebula Para.9 1.In the past decade.in bizarre,hostile environments. If organism could thrive in conditions in this world similar to hostile conditions in other planets,then the possibility of the existence of alien life increases Para.10 1.Why is"full-scale invasion"? The author uses this phrase in a humorous way,camparing the full-scale investigation and study of Mars to full-scale invasion.With one scientific instrument after another
Para. 6 1. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence The fact that we do not have evidence showing there is life beyond Earth does not mean that we can come to the conclusion that there is actually no life beyond Earth. 2. But still . starship So far we do not know firmly and dependably that there exists a single microscopic organism in another world,to say nothing of a starship coming from another world,the universe passing the Earth. Para. 7 1. What is “plausibility arguments” ? It means reasons offered which appear to be convincing but which may not be true. 2. What is “random ought-to-bes”? It means possible things which are chosen without specific aim 3. We don’t know . we don’t know . We do not know of this life depends on water in liquid form for existence or if it lives in the water like fish or in the air like birds or under the earth like gophers. Para. 8 1. This paragraph serves as a transition,moving from spe culation to naming the field of research. 2. What is meant by “the enveloping nebula of uncertainties”? It introduces two ideas:the first is the cloud of gas and dust obscures things;the second is ,as a result,it is unclear what has been wrapped up in the cloud of gas and dust,what is inside the enveloping nebula. Para. 9 1. In the past decade . in bizarre,hostile environments. If organism could thrive in conditions in this world similar to hostile conditions in other planets,then the possibility of the existence of alien life increases. Para. 10 1. Why is “full-scale invasion” ? The author uses this phrase in a humorous way,camparing the full-scale investigation and study of Mars to full-scale invasion.With one scientific instrument after another
landing in Mars it is like the landing of an invasion army. 2.Europa is extremely cold.Many signs show there might be an ocean below the surface of the planet. Para.11 1.SETI .each year. So far the scientists have not received any message or detected any signal from a civilization in other parts of the universe 2.The optimists.channel Those who are optimistic think that as time goes on,they will some day get the signal sent out by an alien civilization. Para.12 l.Pay attention to the“if not'”pattern Eg.The breakthrough is many years,if not decades,away. We may well be alone in this galaxy if not in the universe Para.13. 1.the reasons which sustain the search for alien organism:(1)the universe looks to be a place suitable for the existence of life:(2)if that is the case,life will give out signs of its existence and these can be detected 2.life radiates information about itself:Life snds out signals of its existence,the signal being light or heat or electromagnetic waves or other manifestations. Para.14 1.Why would contact with an alien civilization be an epochal and culturally challenging event? It would be epochal,that is to say,it ushers in an entirely new period in human history because that would be the first time for human beings to have direct communication with civilization on another planet in the universe.It would be culturally challenging because alien civilization might be totally different from anything in human history and night be much superior to our civilization. 2.The long process .true cosmic context The long process of regarding this human inhabited world as only one example of the universe humming with life.Originally we regard our world as the only one in the universe which inhabited by intelligent humans,but we need to change our view and
landing in Mars,it is like the landing of an invasion army. 2. Europa is extremely cold.Many signs show there might be an ocean below the surface of the planet. Para. 11 1. SETI . each year. So far ,the scientists have not received any message or detected any signal from a civilization in other parts of the universe. 2. The optimists . channel Those who are optimistic think that as time goes on,they will some day get the signal sent out by an alien civilization. Para. 12 1. Pay attention to the “if not” pattern: Eg. The breakthrough is many years,if not decades,away. We may well be alone in this galaxy if not in the universe. Para. 13. 1. the reasons which sustain the search for alien organism: (1) the universe looks to be a place suitable for the existence of life; (2) if that is the case,life will give out signs of its existence and these can be detected 2. life radiates information about itself: Life sends out signals of its existence,the signal being light or heat or electromagnetic waves or other manifestations. Para. 14 1. Why would contact with an alien civilization be an epochal and culturally challenging event? It would be epochal,that is to say,it ushers in an entirely new period in human history because that would be the first time for human beings to have direct communi cation with civilization on another planet in the universe.It would be culturally challenging because alien civilization might be totally different from anything in human history and night be much superior to our civilization. 2. The long process . true cosmic context. The long process of regarding this human inhabited world as only one example of the universe humming with life.Originally we regard our world as the only one in the universe which inhabited by intelligent humans,but we need to change our view and
regard this world as one of many in the universe Para.15-20 1.What are the characteristics of extraterrestrial life among us? It is intelligent,technological and capable of eluding detection and confirmation.Descriptions of UFOs and ETs make people believe these aliens walk in a jumpy way and they abduct human beings and take them away in flying sauces in the middle of the night 2.True believers and skeptics rarely go over to the other side. Neither those who genuinely believe that space aliens are lurking in our midst nor those who firmly reject such an idea are likely to change their views and join the other side. 3.I think it's fair.stature. "Stature"functions as a pun,implying physical size but also a status worthy of the respect of mainline science. 4.That so many people.extraterrestrial life That clause+is+a reminder Instead of using a verb,such as"show,which many writers would do the author uses "areminder",which reinforces the emphasis on how many people today do not follow mainline science in relation to this subject. 5.The aliens are.with human beings Starting from modern scientific knowledge people try their imaginations to create aliens,but people also borrow from ancient stories to imagine that aliens would like to come to this world and meddle with human beings In other words aliens are the productsof not only moder seience and technoloy but also ancient and folk stories. Paras.21-23 1.The first sentence on Para.21 is a transitional sentence,leading to the Fermi paradox and the four possibilities,and then to the exploration of Mars 2.What is the Fermi paradox? In 1950,Enrico Fermi asked his colleagues a question:Where is everybody?Why haven't space aliens come to Earth?This is the Fermi paradox 3.The alien is a Hollywood.creation The alien is a character used too much in Hollywood films so it has become hackneyed,but the idea of extraterrestrial life was not first brought up by Holywood
regard this world as one of many in the universe. Para. 15—20 1. What are the characteristics of extraterrestrial life among us? It is intelligent,technological and capable of eluding detection and confirmation.Descriptions of UFOs and ETs make people believe these aliens walk in a jumpy way and they abduct human beings and take them away in flying sauces in the middle of the night. 2. True believers and skeptics rarely go over to the other side. Neither those who genuinely believe that space aliens are lurking in our midst nor those who firmly reject such an idea are likely to change their views and join the other side. 3. I think it’s fair.stature. “Stature” functions as a pun,implying physical size but also a status worthy of the respect of mainline science. 4. That so many people . extraterrestrial life That clause + is + a reminder Instead of using a verb,such as “show”,which many writers would do,the author uses “a reminder” ,which reinforces the emphasis on how many people today do not follow mainline science in relation to this subject. 5. The aliens are . with human beings Starting from modern scientific knowledge people try their imaginations to create aliens,but people also borrow from ancient stories to imagine that aliens would like to come to this world and meddle with human beings.In other words aliens are the products of not only modern science and technology but also ancient culture and folk stories. Paras. 21—23 1. The first sentence on Para. 21 is a transitional sentence,leading to the Fermi paradox and the four possibilities,and then to the exploration of Mars. 2. What is the Fermi paradox? In 1950,Enrico Fermi asked his colleagues a question: Where is everybody? Why haven’t space aliens come to Earth? This is the Fermi paradox. 3. The alien is a Hollywood . creation The alien is a character used too much in Hollywood films so it has become hackneyed,but the idea of extraterrestrial life was not first brought up by Hollywood
Paras.24-27 1.The main idea of these four paragraphs:the imagination of Martian civilization and the disappointment brought by the evidence collected by the Viking landers in 1976. 2.That seemed to change.canals So the implication is the discovery of the Martian canals which appeared to be true made people that evidence of space had been found.But the whole thing was built on something which might not be true so the confidence might not last.The use of"seem" and"appear"shows the author is trying to make clear this is not a fact but at that time it was thought to be a fact. 3.Why did Lowell think that the Martians would certainly have to be superior to people on Earth? Lowell thought so for two reasons.(1)their globe-spanning engineering projects appeared technologically superior:(2)if they could live harmoniously over the whole of the planet,it would show they had a more advanced character. 4.Comment on the last sentence in Para27:There is a contrast in this sentence fantastic triumph is pitted against a two-decade funk Para.28-34 1.The main idea of this section:the discovery of Martian meteorite ALH 84001 and the debate evolved over the discovery. 2.The organization of Para.28 and 29:The first sentence in Para28 serves as a transition.The last part of the last sentence of Para 28 runs like this:spread to Earth a meteorite,and the first sentence of Para29 reads:which brings up rhe more famous Martian meteorite 3.Everyone realized the historical glory.of being wrong Everyone knew that if what appeared to be microfossils were confirmed to be such then the discovery would be of historic significance.but if they proved to be something else.the adverse effect that followed would be equally dramastic. Para.35-37 1.Para.35 plays two roles:one isto develop the idea put forward by Gibson,the other is to pave the way for Para.36 and 37 by asking the two questions 2.Are the Mars rock? The two questions involve two possibilities:one is the fossils are real and genuine but people are conservative and reluctant to accept revolutionary ideaThe other is they
Paras. 24—27 1. The main idea of these four paragraphs: the imagination of Martian civilization and the disappointment brought by the evidence collected by the Viking landers in 1976. 2. That seemed to change . canals So the implication is the discovery of the Martian canals which appeared to be true made people that evidence of space had been found.But the whole thing was built on something which might not be true so the confidence might not last.The use of “seem” and “appear” shows the author is trying to make clear this is not a fact but at that time it was thought to be a fact. 3. Why did Lowell think that the Martians would certainly have to be superior to people on Earth? Lowell thought so for two reasons: (1) their globe-spanning engineering projects appeared technologically superior; (2) if they could live harmoniously over the wh ole of the planet,it would show they had a more advanced character. 4. Comment on the last sentence in Para.27: There is a contrast in this sentence - fantastic triumph is pitted against a two-decade funk Para. 28—34 1. The main idea of this section: the discovery of Martian meteorite ALH 84001 and the debate evolved over the discovery. 2. The organization of Para.28 and 29: The first sentence in Para.28 serves as a transition.The last part of the last sentence of Para.28 runs like this: spread to Earth a meteorite; and the first sentence of Para.29 reads: which brings up rhe more famous Martian meteorite. 3. Everyone realized the historical glory . of being wrong Everyone knew that if what appeared to be microfossils were confirmed to be such,then the discovery would be of historic significance,but if they proved to be something else,the adverse effect that followed would be equally dramastic. Para.35—37 1. Para.35 plays two roles: one is to develop the idea put forward by Gibson;the other is to pave the way for Para. 36 and 37 by asking the two questions 2. Are the Mars rock fossils . canals? The two questions involve two possibilities: one is the fossils are real and genuine but people are conservative and reluctant to accept revolutionary idea.The other is they
are only the result of wishful thinking and constitute one more example of believing is seeing. 3.Why is the loss of atmosphere so important? Because oxygen,nitrogen and other gases in the atmosphere are necessary for life. Paras.38-42 1.What Paul Davies said"we have not discovered the Life Principle",what did he mean? What,according to Davies,was the Life Principle? He meant that we still did not know under what kind of conditions a collection of chemical could form themselves into life and what the process would be.In other words,we are still not clear about the origin of life on Earth.Was there a principle guilding the formations of life?If there was one,then perhaps we could create conditions to produce life 2.I've never met anyone.the second time around. No one I have met believes that if evolution on Earth were to take place a second time.a human being who is genetically similar to us would be the result of such evolution.In other words,people I have met think that another evolution on Earth would produce something different from the current human being Paras.43-45 1.The main idea of this section:the theory put forward by Allen Tough and the author's conclusion that there is much to learn about our own little solar system.This conclusion paves the way for the final part of this article. 2.What is the provocative theory put forward by Allen Tough? His theory is that alien probes have aready been with us for a long time and we may be able to perceive their messages on the World Wide Web. 3.What if,some guerrilla radioradio broadcaster beat everyone to it? Why do you think is this possibility mentioned?What danger is involved? Guerrillas,to Western minds today.are equivalent to terrorists.So if they are the first to send an answer,they might provoke the aliens of advanced civilization to attack us,bringing disaster to our globe. 4.Bioastronomy also has its more down-to-Earth side. (1Why does the word"earth"begin with a capital letter? Usually,down-to-earth should not be capitalized.Here,the author is turning the phrase into a pun,meaning both practical and dealing with issues of this world. (2)What did the author really mean by this statement?
are only the result of wishful thinking and constitute one more example of believing is seeing. 3. Why is the loss of atmosphere so important? Because oxygen,nitrogen and other gases in the atmosphere are necessary for life. Paras.38—42 1. What Paul Davies said “we have not discovered the Life Principle”,what did he mean? What,according to Davies,was the Life Principle? He meant that we still did not know under what kind of conditions a collection of chemical could form themselves into life and what the process would b e.In other words,we are still not clear about the origin of life on Earth.Was there a principle guilding the formations of life? If there was one,then perhaps we could create conditions to produce li9fe. 2. I’ve never met anyone . the second time around. No one I have met believes that if evolution on Earth were to take place a second time,a human being who is genetically similar to us would be the result of such evolution.In other words,people I have met think that another evolution on Earth would produce something different from the current human being. Paras.43—45 1. The main idea of this section: the theory put forward by Allen Tough and the author’s conclusion that there is much to learn about our own little solar system.This conclusion paves the way for the final part of this article. 2. What is the provocative theory put forward by Allen Tough? His theory is that alien probes have already been with us for a long time and we may be able to perceive their messages on the World Wide Web. 3. What if, . some guerrilla radio radio broadcaster beat everyone to it ? Why,do you think,is this possibility mentioned?What danger is involved? Guerrillas,to Western minds today,are equivalent to terrorists.So if they are the first to send an answer,they might provoke the aliens of advanced civilization to attack us,bringing disaster to our globe. 4. Bioastronomy also has its more down-to-Earth side. (1) Why does the word “earth” begin with a capital letter? Usually,down-to-earth should not be capitalized.Here,the author is turning the phrase into a pun,meaning both practical and dealing with issues of this world. (2) What did the author really mean by this statement?
Bioastronomy is meant to deal with life in space but here these scientists are discussing matters concerning this earthly world.Hence the"down-to Earth side' of bioastronomy.This idea is expressed in a humorous way. Paras.46-52 1.The main idea of this section:This section contains the key message of the article.The message has two parts:one is"our first order of business,as a species,is to make our civilization last as long as possible".the other is "what we want is to find a better version of ourselves"From this we can see the author's attitude towards alien life and the enthusiasm in looking for extraterrestrial life.He thinks that it would be much better to address problems in the world,to get rid of human defects and to make the world a better place to live in. 2.So before we worry.closer to home. Since there is so much work (scientific study)we need to do here in this world (since there are so many issues we need to address in this world).let us first concentrate on doingme soid research(on addressing these issues)and drop discussions about drafting messages to another civilization out there.We'd better do some solid. practical work in this world rather than wasting time on empty talk about answering message from alien civilization. 3.What is the argument of Freeman Dysen? His argument is humans may engineer new forms of life and send them to live in the universe.He calls such projects the work of a midwife. 4.Humans in their modern anatomy.or so. Humans came to have their modern shape and structure only some 125,000 years ago.It was only a recent thing that humans had evolved into their modern shape and structure.The time is estimated as at 125,000 years before now. 5.Why does the author say it may not be a long-term advantage for us to have brains? Does he really mean it? He is being sarcastic here.He means that humans have brains but with brains,there come wars,pollution,man-made disasters.In that case,the world may be better off if humans have not had brains of our kind.This is a bitter attack on human vices. 6.What does the author want to convey in the last sentence? He wants to stress that the important thing for us is to concentrate on improving the human race,to rid it of those vices which are destroying this world. 7.Concluding remark This is not a piece dealing purely with extraterrestrial life.The author's purpose is to
Bioastronomy is meant to deal with life in space but here these scientists are discussing matters concerning this earthly worl d.Hence,the “down-to Earth side” of bioastronomy.This idea is expressed in a humorous way. Paras. 46—52 1. The main idea of this section: This section contains the key message of the article.The message has two parts:one is “our first order of business,as a species,is to make our civilization last as long as possible”;the other is “what we want is to find a better version of ourselves”.From this we can see the author’s attitude towards alien life and the enthusiasm in looking for extraterrestrial life.He thinks that it would be much better to address problems in the world,to get rid of human defects and to make the world a better place to live in. 2. So before we worry . closer to home. Since there is so much work (scientific study) we need to do here in this world (since there are so many issues we need to address in this world),let us first concentrate on doing some solid research (on addressing these issues) and drop discussions about drafting messages to another civilization out there.We’d better do some solid, practical work in this world rather than wasting time on empty talk about answering message from alien civilization. 3. What is the argument of Freeman Dysen? His argument is humans may engineer new forms of life and send them to live in the universe.He calls such projects the work of a midwife. 4. Humans in their modern anatomy . or so. Humans came to have their modern shape and structure only some 125,000 years ago.It was only a recent thing that humans had evolved into their modern shape and structure.The time is estimated as at 125,000 years before now. 5. Why does the author say it may not be a long-term advantage for us to have brains? Does he really mean it? He is being sarcastic here.He means that humans have brains but with brains,there come wars,pollution,man-made disasters.In that case,the world may be better off if humans have not had brains of our kind.This is a bitter attack on human vices. 6. What does the author want to convey in the last sentence? He wants to stress that the important thing for us is t o concentrate on improving the human race,to rid it of those vices which are destroying this world. 7. Concluding remark: This is not a piece dealing purely with extraterrestrial life.The author’s purpose is to
show the readers that fantasy after all is fantasy and our first order of business is to improve ourselves and our world.His concern is with the problems of this world. V.Useful Words and Expressions notoriously,in absolute terms,replicate,be resistant to,inhabit,speculative,alien, random,be aswarm with,infuse with,hostile,full-scale,parachute into,conceivably, abiding,inextricably,elude,mainstream,skeptic,irrational ,concede,artifact
show the readers that fantasy after all is fantasy and our first order of business is to improve ourselves and our world.His concern is with the problems of this world. V. Useful Words and Expressions notoriously, in absolute terms , replicate , be resistant to , inhabit , speculative , alien , random , be aswarm with , infuse with , hostile , full-scale , parachute into , conceivably , abiding , inextricably , elude , mainstream , skeptic , irrational ,concede , artifact