Unit One caring for Our earth Learning objectives 1. first listen to and then talk about environmental problems 2. read about an interview of a group of exports on environmental problems 3. write about what we should do to protect our Earth 4. practice reading skills: word attack strategies 5. practice translating skills: extension nd practice sentence functions 7. learn how to write a letter of invitation to an symposium, forum or conference 8. visit Culture Salon about our environment Passage a Caring for our mother earth L. Pre-reading tasks A Introductory Questions 1. Why should we call the earth we live on our Mother Earth? 2. What is the root of the environmental problems? B Introductory Remarks In an interview for Awareness Magazine, four specialists discuss their views on environmental issues with Dr. McKinley. Leon Nacson is particularly worried about air and water pollution and Walter Semkiw is especially concerned with deforestation and global warming Aman Motwane believes that we have to realize that everything is related, and therefore that every action has a consequence, and Amrit Desai makes a link between consumption and global resources, arguing that human greed poses a serious threat to Mother Earth. The message is that the environment is our responsibility and that we all have a part to play if we want to save our plan I. While-reading activities A. Language points 1. isolate: v. to set apart or cut off from other g 1)Presley's early success isolated him from his friends 2)This policy could isolate the country from other members of the United Nations Translate 洪水使这个村庄与外界隔离了两周 The flood has isolated the village from outside for two weeks 2. (be)blind to: to completely fail to notice or realize something
Unit One Caring for Our Earth Learning Objectives 1. first listen to and then talk about environmental problems 2. read about an interview of a group of exports on environmental problems 3. write about what we should do to protect our Earth 4. practice reading skills: word attack strategies 5. practice translating skills: extension 6. learn and practice sentence functions 7. learn how to write a letter of invitation to an symposium, forum or conference 8. visit Culture Salon about our environment Passage A Caring for Our Mother Earth I. Pre-reading Tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. Why should we call the earth we live on our Mother Earth? 2. What is the root of the environmental problems? B. Introductory Remarks In an interview for Awareness Magazine, four specialists discuss their views on environmental issues with Dr.McKinley. Leon Nacson is particularly worried about air and water pollution and Walter Semkiw is especially concerned with deforestation and global warming. Aman Motwane believes that we have to realize that everything is related, and therefore that every action has a consequence; and Amrit Desai makes a link between consumption and global resources, arguing that human greed poses a serious threat to Mother Earth. The message is that the environment is our responsibility and that we all have a part to play if we want to save our planet. II. While-reading Activities A. Language Points 1. isolate: v. to set apart or cut off from others e.g. 1) Presley’s early success isolated him from his friends. 2) This policy could isolate the country from other members of the United Nations. Translate 洪水使这个村庄与外界隔离了两周。 The flood has isolated the village from outside for two weeks. 2. (be) blind to: to completely fail to notice or realize something e.g
1)They seemed to be blind to the consequences of their decision 2)Davids good looks and impeccable manners had always made rebecca blind to his faults 3. consequence: n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set oi condItions e.g. 1)The safety procedures had been ignored, with potentially tragic consequences 2)Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune 4. evaporate: w to(make) change into vapor g D The water is evaporated by the sun 2)The police failed to find any witness; it seemed that they all evaporated 5. all the way: to emphasize how long a distance is g 1)Football fans came all the way from every corner of the world 2) Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone 6. impact on: to have an important or noticeable effect on someone or something 1) How will this program impact on the local community? 2)Falling export rates have impacted on the country's economy quite considerably 7. priority: n. something that must be dealt with as soon as possible and before other less important things e.g. 1)Agriculture is still a high priority in most developing countries 2) Banks normally give priority to large businesses when decid ing on loans prior adj. preceding in time, order, importance, or value e.g She couldnt go to the party because of a prior engagement 8. the point of no return: the point in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible e.g. I)Something must be done before the situation reached the point of no return 2)If he doesnt have his heart operation very soon he's in danger of reaching a point of no return 9. nurture: w to feed or take care of a child or a plant while it is growing e.g. D)Parents want to know the best way to nurture and raise their childr 2 Nurture your mind with great thoughts. Benjamin Disrael) 10. sit back: to relax and make no effort to get involved in something e.g. 1)Can we just sit back and do nothing when there are so many homeless people the streets 2)Dont just sit back and wait for new business to come to you
1) They seemed to be blind to the consequences of their decision. 2) David’s good looks and impeccable manners had always made Rebecca blind to his faults 3.consequence: n . something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions e.g. 1) The safety procedures had been ignored, with potentially tragic consequences. 2) Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune. 4.evaporate: v. to (make) change into vapor e.g. 1) The water is evaporated by the sun. 2) The police failed to find any witness; it seemed that they all evaporated. 5. all the way: to emphasize how long a distance is e.g. 1) Football fans came all the way from every corner of the world. 2) Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes all the way to the bone! 6. impact on: to have an important or noticeable effect on someone or something e.g. 1) How will this program impact on the local community? 2) Falling export rates have impacted on the country’s economy quite considerably 7. priority: n. something that must be dealt with as soon as possible and before other less important things e.g. 1) Agriculture is still a high priority in most developing countries. 2) Banks normally give priority to large businesses when deciding on loans prior adj. preceding in time, order, importance, or value e.g. She couldn’t go to the party because of a prior engagement. 8. the point of no return: the point in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible e.g. 1) Something must be done before the situation reached the point of no return. 2)If he doesn’t have his heart operation very soon he’s in danger of reaching a point of no return 9. nurture: v. to feed or take care of a child or a plant while it is growing e.g. 1) Parents want to know the best way to nurture and raise their children. 2 )Nurture your mind with great thoughts. (Benjamin Disrael) 10. sit back: to relax and make no effort to get involved in something e.g. 1) Can we just sit back and do nothing when there are so many homeless people on the streets. 2) Don’t just sit back and wait for new business to come to you
B Sentence Explanation I Look at the relationship between the tree and its environment and you will see the future of the tree If you look at the relationship between the tree and its environment, you will see the future of the tree 2. We have become addicted consumers, which causes industrial waste. We have become used to getting more and more conveniences, comfort and ons. which causes industrial waste 3. Too many of us just sit back and say "I'll let the experts take care of it Too many of us tend to take no actions ourselves and say" I'll let the experts take care of it IIL After-reading tasks: I. Do some exercises after the text 2. Dictation 3. Practice making sentences with the important words or expressions Passage b Frog story L. Pre-reading tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. What happened to the author and the frog? 2. What does the story imply to B Introductory Remarks In this story the author who works with environmental topics is surprised when a tree frog takes up residence in his studio. Puzzled at first by the frogs apparent preference for the stud io rather than with the animal. At first he seems to understand that the frog is attracted by the sound of the compute that resembles the sounds mad by other tree frogs, but them he starts to realize that the frog is there to remind him of his responsibilities to protect the environment IL. While-reading activities Point atop: prep. on top 1)Under the newspaper, atop a sheet of paper, lay an envelope There is a seagull atop the mast 2. vice versa: used when the opposite of a situation that has been just described is also true g 1)He doesn' t trust her, and vice versa 2) Teachers qualified to teach in England are not accepted in Scotland and vice versa
B. Sentence Explanation 1. Look at the relationship between the tree and its environment and you will see the future of the tree. If you look at the relationship between the tree and its environment, you will see the future of the tree. 2. We have become addicted consumers, which causes industrial waste. We have become used to getting more and more conveniences, comfort and possessions, which causes industrial waste. 3. Too many of us just sit back and say “I’ll let the experts take care of it ” Too many of us tend to take no actions ourselves and say “I’ll let the experts take care of it.” III. After-reading Tasks: 1. Do some exercises after the text. 2. Dictation. 3. Practice making sentences with the important words or expressions. Passage B Frog Story I. Pre-reading Tasks A. Introductory Questions 1. What happened to the author and the frog? 2. What does the story imply to you? B. Introductory Remarks In this story the author who works with environmental topics is surprised when a tree frog takes up residence in his studio. Puzzled at first by the frog’s apparent preference for the studio rather than with the animal. At first he seems to understand that the frog is attracted by the sound of the compute that resembles the sounds made by other tree frogs, but them he starts to realize that the frog is there to remind him of his responsibilities to protect the environment. II. While-reading Activities A. Language Points 1. atop: prep. on top of something e.g. 1) Under the newspaper, atop a sheet of paper, lay an envelope. 2) There is a seagull atop the mast. 2. vice versa: used when the opposite of a situation that has been just described is also true e.g. 1) He doesn’t trust her, and vice versa. 2) Teachers qualified to teach in England are not accepted in Scotland and vice versa
3. overtake: w to come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise e.g. Something like panic overtook me in a flood 2)The people all over the world were overtaken by the 9-11 attack in New York n a strong wish or need e.g. 1)The people with a powerful urge to compete and succeed are more likely to have heart attack 2)When I was young, I often felt an urge for chocolate 5. at this/that rate: if things continue to happen in the same way as now 1)At this rate, we shall soon be bankrupt 2)At this rate, we'll never be home by midnight 6. focus: w to pay special attention to a particular person or thing instead of others e.g. 1)I cannot focus my attention on my study with such a noise 2) The Tv program focuses on the cause why people take drugs 7. boundary n the official line that marks the edge of town, country etc I)Terrorists operate across national boundaries 2)Conquering any difficulty al ways gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a undary-line and adding to one's liberty 8.subtle: adj. not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention e.g. 1)The two pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them 2) The slow and subtle changes are taking place in all living things 9 I to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and a group of animals or plants which are all similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants of the same kind g D)Panda has been declared an endangered species 2)Some people believe that the Internet is the greatest tool our species has invented 10. for the sake of; because of, or for the purpose of 1)Let's not disagree for the sake of some small details 2) For the sake of historical accuracy, please permit me to state the true facts B Sentence Explanation l I was suddenly overtaken by an urge to know why he was there and not in the greenhouse, where I figured hed live a happier frog life. Suddenly I had a strong urge to know why he was there and not in the greenhouse, where I thought he'd live a happier frog life 2. The ton seemed to hit me right in the center of my mind The tone seemed to attract my intense attention
3. overtake: v. to come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise e.g. 1) Something like panic overtook me in a flood. 2) The people all over the world were overtaken by the 9-11 attack in New York. 4. urge: n. a strong wish or need e.g. 1) The people with a powerful urge to compete and succeed are more likely to have heart attacks. 2) When I was young, I often felt an urge for chocolate. 5. at this/that rate: if things continue to happen in the same way as now e.g. 1) At this rate, we shall soon be bankrupt. 2) At this rate, we’ll never be home by midnight 6. focus: v. to pay special attention to a particular person or thing instead of others e.g. 1) I cannot focus my attention on my study with such a noise. 2) The TV program focuses on the cause why people take drugs. 7. boundary: n. the official line that marks the edge of town, country etc. e.g. 1)Terrorists operate across national boundaries. 2)Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one’s liberty. 8.subtle: adj. not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention e.g. 1) The two pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them. 2) The slow and subtle changes are taking place in all living things. 9. species: n. to continue to exist in spite of many difficulties and a group of animals or plants which are all similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants of the same kind as them e.g. 1) Panda has been declared an endangered species. 2)Some people believe that the Internet is the greatest tool our species has invented. 10. for the sake of: because of, or for the purpose of e.g. 1) Let’s not disagree for the sake of some small details. 2) For the sake of historical accuracy, please permit me to state the true facts. B. Sentence Explanation 1. I was suddenly overtaken by an urge to know why he was there and not in the greenhouse, where I figured he’d live a happier frog life. Suddenly I had a strong urge to know why he was there and not in the greenhouse, where I thought he’d live a happier frog life. 2. The ton seemed to hit me right in the center of my mind. The tone seemed to attract my intense attention
3.“ Understand what?”, my mind jumped in. Understand what?", the question came into my mind 4. The fax said that the earth is warming at 1.9 degrees each decade. The fax said that the earth is getting 1.9 degrees warmer every ten years IIL. After-reading tasks 1. Do some exercises after the text 2. Dictation
3. “Understand what?”, my mind jumped in. “Understand what?”, the question came into my mind. 4. The fax said that the earth is warming at 1.9 degrees each decade. The fax said that the earth is getting 1.9 degrees warmer every ten years. III. After-reading Tasks 1. Do some exercises after the text. 2. Dictation
