Unit 6Unit 6

郧阳师专英语系综合英语教研室

Background knowledgeBackground knowledge Nuclear PowerNuclear Power Nuclear power can come from the fission of Nuclear power can come from the fission of

uranium,uranium,　　 plutonium or thorium or the fusplutonium or thorium or the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Today it is almion of hydrogen into helium. Today it is almost all uranium.ost all uranium.　　 The fission of an atom of The fission of an atom of uranium produces 10 million times the eneruranium produces 10 million times the energy produced by the combustion of an atom ogy produced by the combustion of an atom of carbon from coal. By 1993, there‘d been 1f carbon from coal. By 1993, there‘d been 109 licensed power reactors in the U.S. and a09 licensed power reactors in the U.S. and about 400 in the world. They generate about 2bout 400 in the world. They generate about 20 percent of the U.S.0 percent of the U.S.　　 electricity.electricity.

Four types of the text Four types of the text

Description(Description( 描述描述 ) is painting a p) is painting a picture in words of a person, placicture in words of a person, place, object, or scene.e, object, or scene.

Narration (Narration ( 记叙记叙 )writing includes )writing includes stories , real or imaginary, biogrstories , real or imaginary, biographies, histories, new items, and aphies, histories, new items, and narrative poems.narrative poems.

Exposition(Exposition(说明说明 ) is perhaps the type of writi) is perhaps the type of writing that is more frequently used by a student, ng that is more frequently used by a student, a scientist, or a professional, exposition meaa scientist, or a professional, exposition means expounding or explaining.ns expounding or explaining.

Argumentation(Argumentation(议论议论 ) essay tries to make th) essay tries to make the reader agree with its point of view and supe reader agree with its point of view and support it, to persuade him to change his mind port it, to persuade him to change his mind or behavior, and to approve a policy or a couor behavior, and to approve a policy or a course of action that it proposes.rse of action that it proposes.

Types of the text Types of the text

This is a piece of persuasive writing.This is a piece of persuasive writing. 　　 The The writer deals with a controversial issue--the pwriter deals with a controversial issue--the possibility and practicability of atomic cars. Hossibility and practicability of atomic cars. He wishes to persuade the reader to share his e wishes to persuade the reader to share his own reasoning and conclusion. He considerown reasoning and conclusion. He considers both sides of the controversy realistically. s both sides of the controversy realistically. He presents known facts and bases his hypoHe presents known facts and bases his hypotheses on the facts.theses on the facts. ＴＴ he following shows hohe following shows how the two sides of the problem are put forwaw the two sides of the problem are put forward:rd:

1)Building atomic cars is impracticable. 1)Building atomic cars is impracticable. a). Radiation is extremely dangerous.a). Radiation is extremely dangerous. b). The car will have to carry many tons of lead.b). The car will have to carry many tons of lead. c). The price will be high.c). The price will be high. d). The problem of safety will remain insoluble.d). The problem of safety will remain insoluble. 2)Building atomic cars is practicable.2)Building atomic cars is practicable. a). It is possible to prevent radiation from escapa). It is possible to prevent radiation from escap

ing.ing. b). It is possible to invent a strong but lightb). It is possible to invent a strong but light

synthetic material.synthetic material. c). The price will eventually go down.c). The price will eventually go down. The writer succeeds in convincing the reader The writer succeeds in convincing the reader

step by step, of his conclusion--it is both impstep by step, of his conclusion--it is both impossible and impracticable to make atomic caossible and impracticable to make atomic cars. For even if the problem of penetration of rs. For even if the problem of penetration of radiation and of economy are solved, the prradiation and of economy are solved, the problem of safety still remains unsolved. oblem of safety still remains unsolved.

Development and Development and OrganizationOrganization

1)Introduction (Para.1--2)---The 1)Introduction (Para.1--2)---The problem is set forth clearly.problem is set forth clearly.

2)The body(Para.3--7)---The possibility 2)The body(Para.3--7)---The possibility of making atomic cars is discussed.of making atomic cars is discussed.

3)The concluding paragraph(Para.8)---3)The concluding paragraph(Para.8)---The last sentence is an open-ended The last sentence is an open-ended question which the writer leaves for the question which the writer leaves for the reader to answer.reader to answer.

QuestionsQuestions

1.Explain the following in your own words.1.Explain the following in your own words. 1)...because there is no outlay on petrol.1)...because there is no outlay on petrol.

(Para.1)(Para.1) 2)...depending upon how much you spend on 2)...depending upon how much you spend on

petrol. (Para.3)petrol. (Para.3) 3)...with fatal results for anybody in its path. 3)...with fatal results for anybody in its path.

(Para.5)(Para.5) 4)...a mental that will be strong enough to 4)...a mental that will be strong enough to

hold in the rays, but at the sane time light hold in the rays, but at the sane time light enough for a vehicle to carry with ease and enough for a vehicle to carry with ease and economy.(Para.6)economy.(Para.6)

5)...But it seems safe to say that eventually ,as 5)...But it seems safe to say that eventually ,as techniques and mass production come intechniques and mass production come in

atomic engine, the price will go down.(Para.7)atomic engine, the price will go down.(Para.7) 6)...in every circumstance.(Para.8)6)...in every circumstance.(Para.8) 2.What kind of structure is the sentence "Ha2.What kind of structure is the sentence "Ha

rness atomic power in a car ,and you'll have rness atomic power in a car ,and you'll have no more worries about petrol"?no more worries about petrol"?

3.What is the function of the word say in the 3.What is the function of the word say in the sentence "But say the experts, there are mansentence "But say the experts, there are many problems still to be conquered before such y problems still to be conquered before such an engine can in fact be fixed into a car"(Paran engine can in fact be fixed into a car"(Para.4) a.4)

Keys to QuestionKeys to Question

1.1)...because there is no need to spend money 1.1)...because there is no need to spend money on petrol.on petrol.

2)...the amount of money you would save by us2)...the amount of money you would save by using atomic power is determined by how much ying atomic power is determined by how much you spend on petrol.ou spend on petrol.

3)If anyone happens to be in an area where the3)If anyone happens to be in an area where there is radiation , it will cost him his life.re is radiation , it will cost him his life.

4)...the metal will be strong enough to prevent 4)...the metal will be strong enough to prevent the rays from escaping but at the same time it wthe rays from escaping but at the same time it will be so light in weight that any vehicle can carrill be so light in weight that any vehicle can carry it without too much difficulty and without costy it without too much difficulty and without costing too much money. ing too much money.

5)We have every reason to say that when new te5)We have every reason to say that when new techniques and methods are introduced and whechniques and methods are introduced and when atomic engines can be produced on a large scn atomic engines can be produced on a large scale, the price, as a result, will be lowered.ale, the price, as a result, will be lowered.

6)under all circumstances6)under all circumstances 2.The sentence may be reworded as "If you can 2.The sentence may be reworded as "If you can

harness atomic power in a car , you'll have n0o harness atomic power in a car , you'll have n0o more worries about petrol".more worries about petrol".

The structure Imperative sentence+ and you'll The structure Imperative sentence+ and you'll is equivalent to a conditional sentence structuris equivalent to a conditional sentence structure formed by If...,you'll...e formed by If...,you'll...

3.Say is the predicate verb of the subject expert3.Say is the predicate verb of the subject experts. The clause say the experts is in inverted ordes. The clause say the experts is in inverted order.r.

Teaching PointsTeaching Points 1)Every motorist dreams of a car of the fut1)Every motorist dreams of a car of the fut

ure that does not have to be refuelled ...(Pure that does not have to be refuelled ...(Para.1)ara.1)

knowledge about word formation:knowledge about word formation: a) derivation: adding prefix or suffix to a sta) derivation: adding prefix or suffix to a st

em ,a new word is produced. e.g.em ,a new word is produced. e.g. re-:refuel, rewrite, retell, reconsiderre-:refuel, rewrite, retell, reconsider im-: imbalance, impolite, improper, immoim-: imbalance, impolite, improper, immo

ral,ral, impatient, impracticableimpatient, impracticable -ist: pianist, motorist, violinist, artist-ist: pianist, motorist, violinist, artist

b) conversion: same word may shift from b) conversion: same word may shift from one part of speech to another. e.g.one part of speech to another. e.g.

harness (n.->v.) ,brake, elbow, glue, finger,harness (n.->v.) ,brake, elbow, glue, finger, paste paste

c) compound words:c) compound words: outlay, overrun, overtake, outbreak, story-outlay, overrun, overtake, outbreak, story-

telling ,atom-splitting, science-fiction-like,telling ,atom-splitting, science-fiction-like, mouse-like mouse-like

d) blending: combining parts of words to pd) blending: combining parts of words to produce a new word.roduce a new word.

smog--smoke+ fog, motel--motor+ hotel, csmog--smoke+ fog, motel--motor+ hotel, chunnel--channel+ tunnel, blog-- web+loghunnel--channel+ tunnel, blog-- web+log

e) Acronym: combining initials of several e) Acronym: combining initials of several words to produce a new wordwords to produce a new word

Columbia Broadcasting System: CBSColumbia Broadcasting System: CBS Federal Bureau of Investigation: FBIFederal Bureau of Investigation: FBI f) Clipping: abbreviation of longer wordsf) Clipping: abbreviation of longer words gymnasium: gym, refrigerator: fridge, gymnasium: gym, refrigerator: fridge,

mathematics: maths mathematics: maths 2....every few hundred miles :at intervals o2....every few hundred miles :at intervals o

f a few hundred miles(Para.1)f a few hundred miles(Para.1) e.g.Please write on every other line.e.g.Please write on every other line. Take medicine every four hours.Take medicine every four hours.

3....cut the cost of running a car by 3....cut the cost of running a car by quite a few hundred pounds,(Para.3)quite a few hundred pounds,(Para.3)

by: to the amount of ;to the extent of; by: to the amount of ;to the extent of; to the degree of, e.g.to the degree of, e.g.

The big rock missed him by five inches.The big rock missed him by five inches. The output of steel in that factory has The output of steel in that factory has

increased by 30 percent in the first increased by 30 percent in the first quarter of this year.quarter of this year.

The cost of the new atomic power The cost of the new atomic power station has reduced by 80%.The station has reduced by 80%.The production of consumer goods is to go production of consumer goods is to go upon by 76% every year.upon by 76% every year.

4.economy, economic, economical, econom4.economy, economic, economical, economicsics

economy: an abstract noun meaning "thrift economy: an abstract noun meaning "thrift and frugality", e.g.and frugality", e.g.

We are better off now, but we still have to prWe are better off now, but we still have to practise economy.actise economy.

economic: an adjective meaning "having to economic: an adjective meaning "having to do with economics", e.g.do with economics", e.g.

Economic crises are sure to occur in the capiEconomic crises are sure to occur in the capitalist world from time to timetalist world from time to time..

economical: an adjective meaning "thrifty, economical: an adjective meaning "thrifty, not wasting money or time“ ,e.g.not wasting money or time“ ,e.g.

The writer is famous for his economical stThe writer is famous for his economical style.(=the style of using few lines or words)yle.(=the style of using few lines or words)

We all like economical stoves.We all like economical stoves. 5).Harness atomic power in a car, and yo5).Harness atomic power in a car, and yo

u'll have no more worries about petrol.(Pau'll have no more worries about petrol.(Para.2)ra.2)

More examples illustrating the structure: More examples illustrating the structure: Practise speaking English more, and you'll Practise speaking English more, and you'll

improve your oral English quickly.improve your oral English quickly. Travel eastward from Shanghai, and you'll Travel eastward from Shanghai, and you'll

gain an hour when you reach Tokyo.gain an hour when you reach Tokyo.

6).Suppose there is a road accident involving o6).Suppose there is a road accident involving one ,or perhaps two atomic cars,...(Para.8)ne ,or perhaps two atomic cars,...(Para.8)

involve: to cause somebody to become connectinvolve: to cause somebody to become connected or concerned; to get somebody into a complied or concerned; to get somebody into a complicated or difficult conditioncated or difficult condition

More examples:More examples: A hitch-hiker may sometimes get involved in a cA hitch-hiker may sometimes get involved in a c

rime case when the driver happens to be on the rime case when the driver happens to be on the run from the police and wants to use him as an run from the police and wants to use him as an alibi, or when the police wants him as a witness.alibi, or when the police wants him as a witness.

William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens werWilliam Shakespeare and Charles Dickens were both great men of letters, but the former was e both great men of letters, but the former was aa

comfortably off man and the latter was socomfortably off man and the latter was sometimes deeply involved in debts.metimes deeply involved in debts.

DiscussionDiscussion

A Discussion on the Nuclear Power StationA Discussion on the Nuclear Power Station A nuclear power station is being built near tA nuclear power station is being built near t

he city where Geoge and Mary are living. Onhe city where Geoge and Mary are living. One day they meet and the nuclear power statioe day they meet and the nuclear power station becomes the centre of their talk. They begin becomes the centre of their talk. They begin to argue about the pros and cons heatedly. n to argue about the pros and cons heatedly. Suppose you and your partner were Geoge aSuppose you and your partner were Geoge and Mary .After pair work, one of you will repnd Mary .After pair work, one of you will report to the class the result of your discussion.ort to the class the result of your discussion.