Astronomy:

the science of the

starsWarming up and reading

Have a look at the universe objects.

How much do you know about the universe?

What are the names of the eight planets that circle the sun? What is their order from the sun?

水星

金星

地球 ______

火星 ______

木星 ______

土星 ________

天王星 _______

海王星 _______

Earth

Jupiter

Mars

Mercury

Neptune

Saturn

Uranus

Venus

THE SOLAR SYSTEMTHE SOLAR SYSTEM

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. It is the scientific study of celestial( 天空的） objects (such as stars, planets and comets) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It is concerned with the evolution （演化） , physics, chemistry, as well as the formation and development of the universe.

1. How old is the universe?

2. How old is the earth?

3. Which were the first creature or plants

on earth?

Several billion years ago.

Between 4.5 and 3.8 billion years ago.

Very small air-breathing creatures.

Free Talk

Fast reading

Read the passage quickly and find the main idea.

A brief introduction on how the universe developed and how life began on the earth.

Para 1: earth, atmosphere and water

Para 2:Para 3:Para 4:

life development

Para 5: human beings

Careful reading

Para 1:

Para 2:Para 3:Para 4:

Para 5:

A widely accepted theory about the formation of the universe.

The formation of the earth.The importance of water for life.

The development of plants and animals on the earth.

The arrival of humans and their impact on the earth.

Read the passage carefully and analyse its structure.

1. What is the original earth’s atmosphere made up of? 2. Why did scientists believe water is fundamental to the

development of life?3. How did water come into being on the earth?4. Which kind of life-being first appeared on the earth,

plants or animals? Why?5. Why were mammals different from all life forms in

the past?

Answer the following questions.

Carbon, nitrogen, water vapour, and other gases.

2. Why did scientist believe water is fundamental to the development of life?

Because water allowed the earth to dissolve harmful gases and acids into the oceans and seas to ensure a following chain reaction, which made it possible for life to develop.

1. What is the original earth’s atmosphere made up of?

3. How did water come into being on the earth?The explosion of the earth produced water vapor, which turned into water when the earth cooled down.

4. Which kind of life-being first appeared on the earth, plants or animals? Why?

At first, small plants began to appear on the surface of the water, they produced oxygen, which encouraged the later development of early shellfish and all sorts of fish.

5. Why were mammals different from all life forms in the past?

They were different because they produced their young from within their bodies and produce milk to feed them.

• （ ） 1 Insects and amphibians appeared.• （ ） 2 Dinosaurs appeared.• （ ） 3 The earth became a solid ball.• （ ） 4 Small plants grew on the water. • （ ） 5 Reptiles appeared.• （ ） 6 Plants began to grow on dry land.• （ ） 7 The earth was a cloud of dust.• （ ） 8 Water appeared on the earth.• （ 9 Shellfish and other fish appeared.• （ ） 10 The universe began with a “Big Bang”.• （ ） 11 Clever animals with hands and feet appeared.• （ ） 12 Mammals appeared.

8

7

5）

6

4

1

10

3

9

2

Put the order of development of life.

12 11

Work out the meaning of the new words and phrases through context.

violentin time atmosphere

unlikeharmfulexist

prevent … from

very strong and suddennot latethe mass of air surrounding the Earth

different fromable or likely to do harm

to be present in a place or situation; to livestop … from …

Make sentences with the new words and phrases.

Post reading

Discuss the following questions.

1. Why was the earth different from the other planets?

3. Why is it wrong to show films with dinosaurs and people together?

2. Why did the plants grow before the animals came?

Because the water remained on the earth.

Because dinosaurs died out long before human beings developed on the earth.

Because plants provided oxygen for animals to breathe.

4. There used to be nine planets in the solar system.

Recently scientists have decided that one of them

can no longer be considered a planet. Do you

know the name of it? Do you know why they

removed it?

5. What problem is caused by human beings?

Its name is Pluto. Scientists now think it is too small to be called a planet.

Global warming.

Let’s review the evolution of life on the earth.

After the “Big Bang”, the earth was full of water.

Original( 最早的） cells appeared in the ocean.

The cells in the water began to separate. Marine animals came into being.

Some animals (amphibian & insects) came to land.

Reptile appeared.

dinosaurs dinosaurs

mammals

Man had evolved from apes.

We are making the world better.

We are making the world worse.

Discussion

solar energy

plant trees

recycle rubbish

save water

purify air

What can we do to take care of the earth?

Whether life will continue on the earth depends on human beings.

Only if we care will we help;only if we help shall all be saved!

Homework

1. Collect more information about the

development of life and make a poster with

your group members.

2. Read and retell the passage to learn the

important and difficult language points.