I. Lead-in Questions

1. Who is Stephen Hawking? Could you name 1. Who is Stephen Hawking? Could you name some other famous scientists and their some other famous scientists and their inventions?inventions?2. What makes Hawking’ s achievement so 2. What makes Hawking’ s achievement so remarkable?remarkable?3. In what way have science and technology 3. In what way have science and technology changed the world we live in? Give exampleschanged the world we live in? Give examples

II. Cultural Notes

1. Stephen Hawking 1. Stephen Hawking

2. Frankenstein :2. Frankenstein :

4. Albert Einstein 4. Albert Einstein

3. The Sky at Night 3. The Sky at Night

1. Stephen Hawking(1942-):1. Stephen Hawking(1942-):

a British scientist who has greatly influenced people’s ideas on the origins of the universe. He has devoted much of his life to probing the space-time described general relativity and the singularities where it break down. And he’s done most of his work while confined to a wheelchair, brought on by the progressive neurological disease. Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge ,a post once held by Isaac Newton.

In the late 1960s ,Hawking proved that if general relativity is true and the universe is expanding ,a singularity must have occurred at the birth of the universe .In 1974 he first recognized a truly remarkable property of black holes ,objects from which nothing was supposed to be able to escape .He has written the international bestseller A Brief History of Time .

2. Frankenstein

a novel (1818) by an English writer Mary Shelley (1797-1851).It is the story of a Swiss scientist, Dr.Frankenstein ,who makes a living creature from pieces of dead bodies .The creature is like a man, but stronger ,and although it is gentle at first ,it later attacks and kills several people close to Frankenstein .

3. The Sky at Night

a popular British television program about the stars and planets, broadcast every month by the BBC since 1957.It is well know for the way in which its presenter ,Patrick More, gives scientific information in an entertaining way.

4. Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

a physicist, born in Germany ,who was possibly the greatest scientist of the 20th century .In 1905 he published his theory of relativity. This led to the equation giving the relationship between mass and energy ,E=MC2,which is the basis of atomic energy Einstein suggested how it could be used for making weapons ,but after World War

he spoke publicly against nuclear weapons. Ⅱ

By 1917,he had become famous all over the world .He was given the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921.When Hitler came to power ,Einstein ,who was Jewish went to live in the US ,becoming a US citizen in 1940.In 1933 he wrote a book called Why War? with Sigmund Freud .He became a professor at Princeton University in 1934,and he spent the rest of his life looking ,without success ,for a theory that combined those of gravitation and electromagnetism. In 1952 he was offered the presidency of the state of Israel ,but did not accept it.

III. Language Points

WordsWords

1. attitude n. manner or way one thinks about, behave toward or

feels toward sb. or sth. (usu. Followed by to\towards ) 看法，态度 eg: The boy has a bad attitude towards his homework. 对于作业，这个孩子态度不认真。 People’s attitude to the Internet varies widely. 人们对于网络的态度迥然。

WordsWords

2.likely adj. 1) probable (When functioning as an a. ,

the word is often used in the following pattern it is likely that …., be likely to do sth.)

可能的 ，有希望的 eg: It is likely that my roommate will win the first- class

scholarship. 我的室友很可能获得一等奖学金。 The terrorist is likely to attack the U.S.A. in a

month or tow. 恐怖主义者很可能在一两个月内袭击美国。

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2) probably (When used as an ad. , the word is often preceded by “most”, ”more than” or “very”. You don’t use it as an ad. on its own.) 可能 eg: She is the most likely girl to win the prize. 她是最有可能赢得奖金的女孩。 The price has very likely risen by 20% these days. 物价这几天有可能上涨 20%。

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3. technology

n. systematic application of knowledge to practical tasks in industry 技术，工艺 eg: The firm has to overcome its resistance to new technology 这家公司必须克服对采用新技术的阻力。 The results of this research can be applied to new developments in technology. 这项研究成果能应用于新的技术开发方面。

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4. inquire/enquire v. seek information by questioning, (followed by of, about or wh-clause) 询问，打听 , 调查

eg: The director inquired of me our work. 领导询问我们的工作。 He inquired whether there been any letters for him. 他问是否有他的信。

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5. initiative n. the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for sb. to tell you what to do 带头，主动，首创精神

eg: The students are able to solve the problems on their own initiative. 学生们能够自主的解决这些问题。 He is shy and does not take the initiative in making acquaintances. 他是个害羞的人，不会主动与别人交朋友。

WordsWords

6. ensurevt. make sure (followed by a n. or that-clause) 保证，确保 eg: The Department of Defense can ensure the president’s safety

国防部可确保总统的安全。We can ensure that the work shall be done in the right way.

我们可以保证这项工作可以按照正确的方法进行

WordsWords

7. democratic a. characterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality 民主的，有民主精神的

eg: If we want to live a peaceful and democratic life, we cannot help object to war. 如果我们要过和平与民主的生活，一定要反对战争。 Many people were elected to take part in democratic involvement. 很多人被选举参与民主管理。

WordsWords

8. inform v. tell , notify （ used in the pattern: inform sb.of\about sth. inform sb. that -clause 把某事告知某人 inform against/on sb. 告发，检举某人） eg: They informed us of their arrival at Harbin Airport. 他们通知我们，他们到了哈尔滨机场。 Have you informed the police that there’s been an accident?

你们是否已经将这件意外事故通知了警方 。

WordsWords

9. audience .n. a group of people who watch and listen to sb. speaking or performing in public (used as a collective countable noun) 观众，听众 eg: The singer called for a member of the audience to join him on stage. 歌手让观众与他同台演出。 His speech won the applause of the audience. 他的讲话赢得了听众的掌声。

WordsWords

10. basis

n. the facts or ideas from which sth. can be developed (followed by for or of) 基础，根据 eg: The research will form the basis of a book.. 这项研究将成为这本书的理论基石。 Don’t evaluate a person on the basis of appearance. 不要以貌取人。

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11. accurate

a. exact 准确的，精确的，正确无误的 eg: His description was accurate. 他的描述很准确。 On the whole the program provided an accurate picture of the effect of AIDS. 整体上来讲，这个节目展示了一幅关于爱滋病影响的生动而准确的画面。

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12. tend v. 1 ） be likely to happen or have a particular characteristic or effect (to /toward)倾向， 趋向 eg: People under stress tend to express their full range of potential. 处于压力下的人容易发挥自己的全部潜力。 Some people tend to get up later at weekends. 有些人倾向于周末晚起。

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2) take care of , attend 照顾 eg: She tended the sick carefully. 她仔细护理病人。 A team of army doctors were tending the wounded. 一队军医正在照顾伤员

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13. conceive v. have the idea for 想象，考虑eg: Can you conceive of such cruelties? 你能想象得出这样的残酷行为吗？In ancient times the world was conceived of as flat.

在古代，人们想象地球是扁的。

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14. sufficienta. as much as is needed (followed by for or to+ infinitive )充分的，足够的 eg: There was not sufficient evidence to prove that he was guilty.没有足够的证据证明他有罪。 Do we have sufficient food for ten people? 我们有足够十人吃的食物吗？

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15. convey

vt.1 ） make (ideas, feelings) known to another 传播 , 表达 eg: I can’t convey my feelings in words. 我无法用语言表达我的感情。 People always use special gestures to convey meaning 人们总是使用特殊的手势来传达意思

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2） take or carry from one place to another 运输，运送 eg: The taxi conveyed us to the train station. 一辆出租车将我们载至火车站。 A vibrating membrane in the ear helps to convey sounds to the brain. 耳膜的震动帮助声音传送到大脑。

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16. entertain vt.1 ） give pleasure to 给…以欢乐 eg: Children’s television programs not only entrain but also teach. 少儿节目不但能给孩子们带来欢乐，还能教育他们。 2 ） have as a guest 招待，款待 He is a warm-hearted man and likes to entertain friends to dinner 他是个热心肠的人，并且喜欢招待朋友吃饭 My husband is in the kitchen; we are entertaining the Smiths this evening. 我丈夫在厨房做饭，今晚我们款待史密斯一家。

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1. cut off: stop providing 切断 ; 删去

eg: Their phone ha been cut off because they haven’t paid the bill . 因为没交电话费，他们的电话被停机了。The editor cut off the last paragraph. 编辑删去了最后一段。

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2. bring about ： make sth. happen 带来，造成

eg: What brought about his illness? 他这病怎么得的。The reform an open policy has brought about great changes in China. 改革开放给中国带来很大变化。

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3. slow down: become slower or make sb. or sth. Slower（使）变慢

eg: It seems likely that the economy will slow down over the next twelve months. 明年的经济发展可能要慢下来。The driver slowed the bus down when he saw a boy standing in the road . 看见一个男孩站在路上，司机减慢了车速。

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4. at the moment: now , at the present moment 现在，目前

eg: At the moment ,no one is talking to me . 现在没有任何跟我说话。I’m busy at the moment . 我现在很忙。

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5 . in terms of : as regards ;expressed as 从…方面来说，按照 根据

eg: He thinks of everything in terms of money. 他对任何事都是从钱的角度来考虑。In terms of customer satisfaction, the policy can’t be criticized. 从顾客满意的角度出发，这个政策不应该受到指责。

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6. put across ： cause to be understood 使理解

eg: You should try to put your idea across to the public. 你应当努力让你的想法被公众理解。He put his thought across badly. 他词不达意。

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7. fit into ： be part of a situation, system, or plan

适合，符合，配合

eg: The gear doesn’t fit into the machine. 齿轮与机器不配。I don’t fit into the scenery around here. 我和这里的环境不相称。

IV. Comprehension IV. Comprehension

122

1. 1. Text Organization Text Organization

Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas

Part 1 Paras1-3 To ensure the correct change and make informed decisions, the public needs a basic understanding of science.

Part 2 Paras4-6 What can be done is to teach the public about scientific background and its framework..

Part 3 Paras7 With an informed public, human civilization will survive.

2. Main Idea2. Main Idea

.

As we all know, science has caused a great influence on human society, so the author argues that the public needs to have a basic understanding of science to make informed decisions. But what can be done to educate the public in science? The author points out three ways. They are: science education in schools, replacing equations with words and diagrams and making use of popular media such as newspapers, magazines and above all TV. At last the author concludes that civilization will survive if the public understand science well

3. 3. Paraphase Paraphase .

1) Moreover,one cannot stop inquiring minds from thinking about basic science.

In addition, one can never cease the process of pondering minds concerning fundamental science.

2) At the moment, the public is two minds about science :

Now the public can’t decide whether they need science or not.

3) Only television can reach a truly mass audience.

Unlike popular books and magazine articles. television science programs have a really large audience.

4) Maybe I would have sold twice as many copies without it .

If my popular book had not included Einstein’s equation, maybe I would have sold twice as many copies

5) It is also an important element behind support for the Green parties

The public’s distrust of science is also an important factor leading to support for the political parties whose main concern is to protect the environment.

4. Grammar 4. Grammar .

1) as many as 修饰可数名词的复数形式as much as 修饰不可数名词。

e.g. My income is now twice as much as I used to earn two years ago.

我现在的收入是两年前挣的两倍。 I am wearing only half as much as I

usually do because of the warm weather. 由于天气热，我只穿了平时着衣的一

半。

2) as+ 名词构成的短语有时可用“ as+be+p.p” 来代替。

e.g. As is shown by the growth rate of GDP in the last two decades, china’s reform and open policy is a great success.

过去二十年的国内生产总值增长率说明，中国的改革开放是非常成功的。

As is predicted by some newspapers, there will be a substantial cut in tax on imported cars in the coming year.

一些报纸预言，明年对进口轿车的税收将有大幅度削减。

V. Post-reading Discussions

1. Should cloning of human beings 1. Should cloning of human beings be banned?be banned?2. How does the scientific 2. How does the scientific discovery change our lives?discovery change our lives?3. Discuss the importance of 3. Discuss the importance of school educationschool education