Unit 6Text I Atomic Cars

Text II Energy or Extinction

Text I

Text II

Oral Work

Guided Writing

Listening

Pre-reading Activity

Structure

Vocabulary Acquisition

Intensive Reading

Text 1: Atomic Car

1.What is your ideal car?

2.If you were given an atomic car, what would

be your feeling?

1.What is your ideal car?

2.If you were given an atomic car, what would

be your feeling?

Text I Pre-reading Activity

Atomic Cars

Before you read the text, decide which of

the following statements are true and which

are false.

Before you read the text, decide which of

the following statements are true and which

are false.

Text I Pre-reading Activity

1. T 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. F

Now, you are given 3 minutes to read the

text rapidly once and finish the exercises on

P66.

Now, you are given 3 minutes to read the

text rapidly once and finish the exercises on

P66.

Now, please underline the key words or

phrases in each paragraph.

Now, please underline the key words or

phrases in each paragraph.

Text I List of key words of each paragraph

Para.1.

Para.2.

Para.3.

Para.4.

Para. 5

dreams of a car of the future, does not have to be refueled, cost little

The answer is atom.

Theoretically, atom is the answer.

In fact, there are many problems still to be conquered.

Most of the problems of an atomic car can be summed up in one word: radiation.

Now, please underline the key words or

phrases in each paragraph.

Now, please underline the key words or

phrases in each paragraph.

Text I List of key words of each paragraph

Para.6.

Para.7.

Para.8.

a metal, strong enough, light enough, the motoring world will be well on the way to an atomic cartwo other problems: economics and safety

safe to say, eventually, the price will go down

road accident, explosion, equal to that of a very small atomic bomb possible, really safe in every circumstance?

Text I Structure

Introduction(Para. 1-2)

The body(Para. 3-8)

Concluding Paragraph

(Para. 8)

A controversial is dealt with – the possibility and practicability of atomic cars.

Para.3-4 Theoretically, an atomic car is possible

With open-ended question for the reader to answer

Para.5-8 There are some problems which need to be solved.

A. Radiation. B. Metal. D. Safety.C. Economic • Engine

Text I Vocabulary Acquisition

Read the text once and Try to write down the meaning of following words that best fits the context.

1. refuel (L.1) ______________________________________

2. optimistic (L.3) ______________________________________

3. harness (L.3) ______________________________________

4. penetrate (L.18) _____________________________________

5. fatal (L. 18) ______________________________________

6. impracticable (L. 21) __________________________________

7. ease (L.23) ______________________________________

8. basic (L.31) _____________________________________

Fill up again with fuelTaking the hopeful view of things and expecting the best outcome

use a natural force to produce useful power

force a way into

Causing death, disastrous

That cannot be put into practice

Being free from pain, worry or trouble, comfort

Elementary, fundamental

Atomic Cars

Text I

1 Every motorist dreams of a car of the future that does not

have to be refueled every few hundred miles, a car that will

cost little to run because there is no outlay on petrol.

2 "Of course," you hear it said by an optimistic motorist,

"the answer is the atom. Harness atomic power in a car, and

you'll have no more worries about petrol. The thing will run

for years without a refill."

3 And, theoretically, he is right. The answer is the atom. If atomic

power could be used in a car, one small piece of uranium would keep

the engine running for twenty or more years. Of course, this would cut

the cost of running a car by quite a few hundred pounds, depending

upon how much you spend on petrol.

4 But is this science-fiction-like picture of the atom exploding

peacefully beneath the bonnet of a car possible?

In theory it is, since already the atom has been harnessed to drive submarines, and an atomic engine is already in existence. But, say the experts, there are many problems still to be conquered before such an engine can in fact be fixed into a car.

Text I

5 Now what exactly are these problems that stand between you

and a car that you will never have to refuel? Frankly, most of

them can be summed up in one word — radiation. An atomic

reactor, the kind of engine that would produce energy by atom-

splitting, throws off radiation, extremely dangerous radiation.

These rays are just as dangerous as when they are released from

an atomic bomb.

This radiation penetrates anything except the thickest concrete and lead, with fatal results for anybody in its path. Thus, at the moment any car carrying an atomic engine would also have to carry many tons of lead in order to prevent the radiation from escaping.

Text I

6 Since a car made up of tons of lead is rather impracticable, the only answer at the moment seems to be the discovery or invention of a metal that will be strong enough to hold in the rays, but at the same time light enough for a vehicle to carry with ease and economy. Most likely this metal would have to be synthetic, since no natural metal

except lead has yet proved fit for the job. When this light metal is

invented, the motoring world will be well on the way to an atomic

car. However, even after the invention of a protective but light

metal, two other problems still remain, those of economics and

safety.

Text I

7 It is extremely doubtful whether at the beginning a really

economic engine could be made, that is, one cheap enough to

make it worth putting in a car. But it seems safe to say that

eventually, as techniques and mass production come in atomic

engines, the price will go down. This is basic economics, and

manufacturers should eventually be able to produce something

that will at least be cheaper than having to pay for petrol during

the lifetime of the car.

Text I

8 But then this third problem still remains, that of safety.

Suppose that there is a road accident involving one, or perhaps

two, atomic cars, and that the atomic reactor or its protective

covering were damaged. Any explosion would be equal to that

of a very small atomic bomb. The effects of such an explosion

would be felt for several miles around. As will be realized, this is

perhaps the biggest problem of all to overcome. Is it possible to

make an atomic engine that will be really safe in every

circumstance?

Text I

From an article in Ford Times

refuel vt. & vi.

outlay: (on, for) money spent for a purpose: E.g. House buyers usually have a large initial outlay on carpets and furniture.

v.tr. （及物动词） To supply again with fuel. …给 再加燃料

v.intr. （不及物动词） To take on a fresh supply of fuel.

…给 换新燃料

there is no outlay on petrol.

Please paraphrase this sentence:

You do not need to spend a lot of money on petrol.

Harness atomic power in a car, and you’ll have no more worries about petrol.

harness: v. 1.) a. to put a harness on (esp. a horse) b. to fasten together or fasten t

o a vehicle: E.g. I harnessed the horse to the cart / the oxen to the plough. 2.) to use (a natural force) to produce useful power: E.g. harness the limitless power of the sun(C,U) n. 马鞍，甲胄 E.g. a baby’s harness/ a safety harness

Practice speaking English more, and you’ll improve your oral English quickly.

Travel eastward from Shanghai, and you’ll gain an hour when you reach Tokyo.

theoretically: adv.

1.) in a theoretical way; not practically

E.g. First I’ll explain how it works theoretically, then I’ll give you

a practical demonstration.

2) according to theory but not really

E.g. Theoretically he’s in charge, but not in fact his secretary

takes all the decisions.

a metal lid over the front of a car: to look under the bonnet

bonnet: Br.E = hood （ AE ）

Please paraphrase the sentence:

In theory it is, since already the atom has been harnessed to drive submarines, and an atomic engine is already in existence.

Theoretically it is, now that

atomic energy has been used to

drive submarines and atomic

engine has been made.

This radiation penetrates anything except the thickest concrete and lead, with fatal results for anybody in its path.

penetrate: v. 1.) (into, through) to enter, pass, cut, or force a way (into, through): E.g. The knife penetrated his stomach. The rain had penetrated right through (his clothes) to his skin. 2.) to see into or through: E.g. My eyes couldn’t penetrate the gloom. He had a false beard on, but we soon penetrated his disguise.(=recognized that it was him) 3) infml. To come to be understood: E.g. I heard what you said, but it didn’t penetrate.

This radiation penetrates anything except the thickest concrete and lead, with fatal results for anybody in its path.

fatal: adj.

1) (to, for) causing or resulting in death

E.g. a fatal accident / illness

(fig.) Marriage at this stage could be fatal to your career.

2) (informal) bring danger or ruin, or having

unpleasant results:

E.g. It’s fatal to stay up working late into the night; you

always feel terrible next day.

This radiation penetrates anything except the thickest concrete and lead, with fatal results for anybody in its path.

Please paraphrase this sentence:

This radiation passes through anything except the

thickest concrete and lead, will kill anybody standing

in the direction that it goes

Make up of

Consist of , be constituted, be composed of

Please translate the following sentence ：

这个城市的人口由藏、汉两大民族构成。

The population of the city is made up of Tibetan and Han

nationalities.

synthetic

1) Produced by synthesis, especially not of natural origin.

【化学】 合成的：尤指由非天然原料制成的2) Not natural or genuine; artificial or contrived:

人造的：非天然的或非真的；人造的或不自然的： E.g. “counterfeit rhetoric that flourishes when passions are sy

nthetic” (George F. Will)

“ 当激情非真诚时，虚伪的辞令便滔滔不绝” ( 乔治 F.

威尔 )

…the motoring world will be well on the way to an atomic car.

…the automobile industry will make great progress in the

making of an atomic car.

Please paraphrase this sentence:

The effects of such an explosion would be felt for several miles around.

In various places for several miles around, people would be

affected by the results of such an explosion.

Please paraphrase this sentence:

1. Why is Sir Fred Hole’s book Energy and Extinction riveting? In what respects is it different from other books on the same subject? 2. What did Sir Fred Hoyle say was the only hope for the future? Do you agree with him? 3. For what purpose did Sir Fred Hoyle write the book Energy or Extinction? 4. What do you think is the reason for so much opposition to the development of nuclear reactors? 5. After you have read the whole passage, do you have a better understanding of the title Energy or Extinction? Explain it in your own

words.

1. Why is Sir Fred Hole’s book Energy and Extinction riveting? In what respects is it different from other books on the same subject? 2. What did Sir Fred Hoyle say was the only hope for the future? Do you agree with him? 3. For what purpose did Sir Fred Hoyle write the book Energy or Extinction? 4. What do you think is the reason for so much opposition to the development of nuclear reactors? 5. After you have read the whole passage, do you have a better understanding of the title Energy or Extinction? Explain it in your own

words.

Text II Extensive Reading Questions

Energy or Extinction

Text II Practice

Workbook, Page 81, Comprehension

Oral Work

A Discussion on the Nuclear Power Station

A nuclear power station is being built near the city

where George and Mary are living. One day, they meet

and the nuclear power station becomes the center of the

talk. They begin to argue about the pros and cons

heatedly.

Oral Work

A Discussion on the Nuclear Power Station

Here are some expressions which can be used to make

suppositions:: What would happen if…

Just imagine if…

Suppose …

Just supposing …

If…, what would people do?

Difficult to say, but I think...

Well, of course, such things are unlikely to happen, because…

Oh, I suppose…

Précis Writing

Paragraph Writing

Letter Writing

Précis Writing

Practice: write précis of Atomic Cars

A.Working in groups of two or three, choose the

opening sentence from among the following on

P75.

B.Working in groups and decide which of the

following details are necessary for the précis.

Paragraph Writing

Argument: P75

1) What is the usage of argument?

2) How many courses are there in an argument?

Letter Writing

Asking a Favor: P76

Write a letter asking a favor.

Writer,

Addressee,

Introduction,

Purpose,

Conclusion,

Ending…

Listening Comprehension

Dictation A

Dictation B

Listening

Key

Key

Listening

1. Atomic power stations __________________ than coal –burning one

s.

2. The power station building can ____________ look more beautiful if

____________________.

3. Bright colours will give you a feeling that ______________________

as you approach the station.

4. The two small chimneys on the roof of Calder Hall are used to _____

___________________ high into the sky overhead.

5. People both inside and outside the power station would be harmed if

_________________________ happened to mix with _____________.

Workbook Page 88

Complete the following sentences:

are cleaner

be made to

if there is no dirt

you are seeing something new

pass the cooling air

dirt from inside the atomic pile dirt outside

Listening

1. Coal-burning power station have big chimneys which pass out

smoke and steam.

2. A small amount of dirt that happens to mix with the atomic fuel

won’t do much harm to the reactor.

3. Old power stations and new power stations are just the same

except for one thing—the old ones use noisy machinery while the

new ones don’t.

4. The new age means the age of power stations.

5. It is exceptionally important for atomic power stations to be clean.

Workbook Page 89

B: True or False?

T

F

F

F

T

Listening Dictation A

A Kind Neighbor Mr. and Mrs. Jones’ apartment was full of luggage, packages, furniture and boxes. Both of them were very busy when they heardthe doorbell ring. Mrs. Jones went to open it and she saw a middle-aged lady outside. The lady said she lived next door. Mrs. Jones invited her to come in and apologized because there was no place for her to sit. “oh, that’s OK, ”said the lady. “I just come to welcome you to your new home. As you know, in some parts of this city neighbors are not friendly at all. There are some apartment houses where people don’t know any of their neighbors, not even the ones next door. But in this building everyone is very friendly with everyone else. We are like one big happy family. I’m sure you’ll be very happy here.” Mr. and Mrs. Jones said, “But madam, we are not new dwellers in this apartment. We’ve lived here for two years. We’re moving out tomorrow. (163 words)

Listening Dictation

Useful Words and Expressions: 1) luggage n. 行李 , 皮箱 a piece of luggage 一件行李 check one’s luggage 寄存行李 , 打行李票 luggage-rack( 火车上的 ) 行李架 excess luggage 超重行李 hand luggage 手提行李 ( 旅客随身携带 ) personal luggage 随身 ( 小件 ) 行李2) package n. 包裹 , 包3) dweller n. 居住者 , 居民 dwell in the country 住在乡下 dwell in someone’s mind 留在某人脑海里 dwell in joy 沉浸于欢乐之中

Listening Dictation B

That Isn’t Our Fault Mr. and Mrs. Williams got married when he was twenty-three, and she was twenty. Twenty-five years later, they had a big party, and a photographer came and took some photographs of them. Then the photographer gave Mrs. Williams a card and said, “They’ll be ready next Wednesday. You can get them from studio. ” “No, ”Mrs. Williams said, “please send them to us.” The photographs arrived a week later, but Mrs. Williams was not happy when she saw them. She got into her car and drove to the photographer’s studio. She went inside and said angrily, You took some photographs of me and my husband last week, but I’m not going to pay for them. ” “Oh, why not?” the photographer asked. “Because my husband looks like a monkey, ”Mrs. Williams said. “Well,”the photographer answered, “that isn’t our fault. Why didn’t you think of that before you married him?’’(148 words)

Listening Dictation

Useful Words and Expressions: 1 ） fault n . 过错 , 缺点 , 毛病 ---Who broke the cup? 谁把杯子摔了 ? ---It’s my fault. I dropped it. 这是我的过错 , 我摔的。

2 ） photographer n. 摄影师

3 ） photograph n . 照片 take a photograph of 拍摄

4 ） studio n. 照相室 , 工作室 , 画室 art studio 美术工作室 broadcast studio 播出演播室 , 广播播音室 TV studio 电视演播室 film studio 电影制片厂 , 电视制片演播室 radio studio 播音室