Unit 4 Space Exploration
Listening and Speaking & Listening and Talking
Teaching Aims
1. Students can get detailed information about how Yang Liwei became an astronaut and Max’s space life.
2. Students learn to proper listening strategy to get detailed information—listening for numbers and taking notes.
3. Students can learn related sentences or phrases to express their curiosity like “I wish to know...” “I’d love to know...”
4. Students can learn more about the space and astronauts, even be interested in working hard to be an astronaut.
Important Points and Difficult Points
1. Students can get detailed information about how Yang Liwei became an astronaut and Max’s space life.
2. Students learn to proper listening strategy to get detailed information—listening for numbers and taking notes.
3. Students can learn related sentences or phrases to express their curiosity like “I wish to know...” “I’d love to know...”
Teaching Procedures
Part A Listening and Speaking—Talk about how to become an astronaut
Step 1 Lead in—Small talk
Look at the picture on Page 38 and tell your classmates what you can see. Get some students to talk about it.
Step 2 Before-listening
1. As for the space exploration, what do you think about
Answers: space, shuttle, astronaut, spaceship, rocket, space suit, solar system...
2. Can you name any famous astronauts from China or abroad Have Ss name some.
3. Do you know anything about the selection procedure for astronauts Make a list of the possible requirements.
Step 3 While-listening—Task 1
Listen to the interview and tick the correct statements in Activity 2.
Then check the answers in class.
Step 4 While-listening—Task 2
Listen again and fill in the blanks with the correct numbers in Activity 3.
Before listening, go through “Listen for numbers”. Then get some Ss to check their answers.
Step 5 While-listening—Task 3
Listen to the interview again and make a list of the requirements for becoming an astronaut.
Education background: college degree
Experience: rich experience of fighter
Health condition: perfect physical and mental health and body shape; proper height and weight
Courses: English, science and astronomy
Special training: using space equipment; physical and mental training
Step 6 Post-listening—Speaking
Work in pairs. Discuss whether you would like to be an astronaut in the future and give your reasons. Use what you have learnt from the interview to help you.
Go through the example first then practice with your partners.
Then Get some pairs to share the dialogues.
Step 7 Pronunciation
1. Read the poem. Mark the stressed syllables with O and unstressed syllables with o.
2. Then try reading the poem to each other with rhythm. Then get some Ss to read the poem.
3. Listen and repeat after the recording. Check whether Ss’ mark-ups are correct.
Part B Listening and Talking—Talk about life in space
Step 1 Before-listening
Before you listen, look at the pictures in Activity 1 and guess whether they would be useful for astronauts in space. Have Ss discuss and share.
Step 2 While-listening
Max is interviewing Captain Brown about his life in space. Listen to the interview and answer the questions.
1. What did Captain Brown usually wear inside the station
2. How did he prepare his food in space
3. How did he keep himself clean in space
4. How did he spend most of his time in space
5. What did he do during his free time
6. What did he look forward to most during his stay in space
Then check the answers with the class.
Step 3 Talking
Work in groups. Imagine you are going to a space camp and Captain Brown has been invited to give a talk. Discus the questions you would like to ask him and then make a list. Go through the example dialogue first.
Expressing curiosity
●I’d love to know... ●I wonder how/what/why/...
●Well, I’d really like to find out... ●I’d particularly like to know...
●I’m most curious about... ●I’m most interested to discover...
●I’m very keen to know... ●I wish to know...
●I hope you won’t mind me asking about...
Step 4 Homework
Finish the exercises in Workbook.Unit 4 Space Exploration
Discovering Useful Structures
【教学目标】
1. Learn the structure, functions and features of infinitives.
2. Learn to summarize some rules about infinitives to show purpose and modify.
3. Learn to use infinitives in oral and writing English.
【教学重难点】
1. Learn to summarize some rules about infinitives to show purpose and modify.
2. Learn to use infinitives in oral and writing English.
【教学过程】
Step 1 Lead in—Pair work
Look at the following sentences and focus on the italicized infinitives. In pairs, discuss their functions.
1. I trained for a long time to fly airplanes as a fighter pilot.（作目的状语）
2. As we all know, an astronaut needs to be healthy and calm in order to work in space.（作目的状语）
3. First of all, you must be intelligent enough to get a related college degree.（作目的状语）
4. Some scientist were determined to help humans realize their dream to explore space.（作定语）
5. On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world to go into space.（作定语）
Summary:
1.不定式的结构：to+do原形。
2.分析上面的句子，我们知道在描述太空探索时，动词不定式不仅可以用来表目的，还可以用来作定语，表修饰。
Step 2 Functions of infinitives as attribute
Rewrite the sentences by using infinitives as attribute.
1. In 2003, Yuri Malenchenko became the first person who got married in space.
In 2003, Yuri Malenchenko became the first person ______________ in space.
2. Mankind has always been curious about the universe and many people have dreamed that one day they would fly into space.
Mankind has always been curious about the universe and many people have dream ______________ space.
3. But Janis Adkins has the ability and desire that he can do some useful work for the disabled.
But Janis Adkins has the ability and desire ______________ for the disabled.
4. I usually have a lot of meetings which I have to attend next week.
I usually have a lot of meetings______________.
5. We need someone who can go and ask for a doctor.
We need someone _____________________.
6. Anderson gave her his suggestion that she should insist on her task.
Anderson gave her his suggestion _____________________.
Answers: 1. to get married
2. to fly into
3. to do some useful work
4. to attend
5. to go and ask for a doctor
6. to insist on her task
Summary:
动词不定式用作定语，放在被修饰的名词后面。
1.动词不定式作定语常放在名词或不定代词后面作后置定语，表示尚未发生的动作。
We have much homework to do tonight.
2.名词前有first，last，next，only等词以及最高级修饰时，其后要用动词不定式。
She was the first woman to win the gold medal in the Olympic Games.
3.抽象名词attempt，ability，chance，desire，determination，decision，plan，way或不定代词something，nothing等后面常用不定式作后置定语。
Janis Adkins has the ability and desire to do useful work.
4.当名词与定语之间存在动宾关系时。
She is a nice person to work with.
5.当名词与定语之间存在主谓关系时。
We must find a person to do the job.
6.当名词与定语有同位关系时。
We got the order to leave the city.
Step 3 Practice
(1) The airport ______________ (complete) next year will help promote tourism in this area.
(2) Do you have anything _____ (do) tonight
(3) The best way __________ (improve) your English is to join an English club.
(4) Miss Liu is a very nice person__________ (work) with.
(5) China is the third country in the world__________ (send) men into space.
(6) Mary had great determination _____________ (achieve) her goal.
(7) The German girl has the ability ___________ (learn) Chinese well.
(8) I have something important __________ (tell) you.
Answers: (1) to complete
(2) to do
(3) to improve
(4) to work
(5) to send
(6) to achieve
(7) to learn
(8) to tell
Step 4 Functions of infinitives as purpose adverbial
Rewrite the sentences by using infinitives as purpose adverbial.
1. In space, astronauts collect all dirty water so that it can be recycled for later use.
In space, astronauts collect all dirty water ________________ it for later use.
2. Astronauts’ bones and muscles can get very weak in space due to the lack of gravity, so they need to exercise every day, which will help them stay healthy.
Astronauts’ bones and muscles can get very weak in space due to the lack of gravity, so they need to exercise every day_____________________.
3. Astronauts have to use tape to stick everything down while working in space because everything would float off otherwise.
Astronauts have to use tape to stick everything down while working in space ________________.
4. During a spacewalk, astronauts have to move slowly so that they can keep their bodies under control.
During a spacewalk, astronauts have to move slowly___________________.
Answers:
1. so as to/in order to/to recycle
2. so as to/in order to/to keep healthy
3. so as not to/in order not to/not to float off
4. so as to/in order to/to keep their bodies under control
Summary: 不定式作目的状语，常译作“以便……，目的是……”。主要用来修饰动词和形容词，也可用来修饰副词。在句中，不定式可作目的状语、原因状语、结果状语、条件状语等，可表示目的、原因及结果等。
1.目的状语，置于句首或句末，置于句首时常表示强调，为加强语气。
A group of young people got together to discuss this question.
（1）置于句首时只用to do / in order to do。如用于表示否定，用in order not to do或so as not to do形式。
I walked quietly so as not to disturb the baby.
（2）不定式作目的状语可转换为so that/ in order that或so…that…引导的目的状语从句。
He worked very hard to pass the exam.
→He worked so hard that he could pass the exam.
→He worked hard so that/in order that he could pass the exam
2.原因状语，多见于sb. + be + adj. + to do…结构句中。
I was very sad to hear the news.
3.结果状语，多见于too…to…；enough to…；only to do （表示意料之外的结果的发生）；so/such…as to…（意为“如此……以至于……”）结构句中。
He is old enough to go to school.
I’m too tired to do well.
He rushed back, only to find the book missing.
Step 4 Practice
(1) ___________ (work out) the difficult maths problem, I have consulted Professor Russell several times.
________ (learn) more about Chinese culture, Jack has decided to take Chinese folk music as an elective course.
He hurried to the station only ______ (find) the train had left.
We travel on Day 2 to northern France ______ (visit) the World WarⅠbattlefields.
When the gorillas and I frightened each other, I was just glad ______ (find) them alive.
Join us _______ (taste) a variety of fresh local food and drinks.
Answers: (1) To work out
(2) To learn
(3) to find
(4) to visit
(5) to find
(6) to taste
Step 5 More about infinitive as purpose adverbial
现在分词与不定式作结果状语的区别
（1）动词不定式作结果状语强调的是一种意想不到的结果。
Anxiously, she took the dress out of the package and tried it on, only to find it didn’t fit.
（2）现在分词作结果状语强调的是一种顺承的，必然造成的结果。
His father passed away, leaving him a little money.Unit 4 Space Exploration
Reading and Thinking
【教学目标】
1. Read quickly to get detailed information according the timeline; read carefully to summarize the main idea.
2. Learn the reading skills—finding the timeline and summarizing the main idea by finding the words or ideas.
3. Have a passion for our country and be proud of the space exploration.
4. Learn to think critically about the space exploration.
【教学重难点】
1. Read quickly to get detailed information according the timeline; read carefully to summarize the main idea.
2. Learn the reading skills—finding the timeline and summarizing the main idea by finding the words or ideas.
【教学过程】
Step 1 Lead in—Small talk
Watch a video about Space experiment and discuss what you have learnt from it.
Step 2 Before reading—Predict the content
Space: the final frontier
Chinese meaning: 太空：最后的边境
Frontier: the border, which might mean the human’s recognition edge or exploration edge.
From the title and the pictures and the title, we can know that the article might be about the development of space exploration. It broadens us human’s recognition edge or exploration edge. So it is an exposition.
Step 3 While reading—Task 1
Read the text. Several sentences have been removed from it. Choose the correct sentences A—D to fill each gap in the text.
A. Although scientists try to make sure nothing goes wrong, accidents can still happen.
B. They also really wish to discover other planets that are suitable enough to support life.
C. The future of space exploration remains bright.
D. After many experiments, they succeeded in making rockets that could escape Earth’s gravity.
Answers: BDAC
2. Scan the text and match the main idea.
Para 1 A．China has made great progress in exploring space.
Para 2 B．The future of space exploration remains bright.
Para 3 C．The achievements that the USSR and America made.
Para 4 D．People have always wanted to explore space.
Para 5 E．The desire of people to explore the universe never died.
Answers: DCEAB
3. The main idea of the passage is the space exploration of humankind.
Step 4 While reading—Task 2
Read the text and fill in the table
time events
On 4 October 1957 The Sputnik 1 satellite was 1.launched by the USSR and successfully 2.orbited around Earth.
On 12 April 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first person in the world 3.to go (go) into space.
On 20 July 4.1969 Armstrong stepped onto the moon，saying，“That's one small step for a man，one giant 5.leap for mankind.”
On 5 September 1977 America launched Voyager 1 to study 6.deep space，and it still 7.transmits data today.
In 8.2003 China became the third country in the world to 9.independently send humans into space and Yang Liwei successfully orbited Earth in the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft.
Step 5 While reading—Task 3
Read the text again and answer the following questions. Then have Ss share their answers.
Q1: Who was the first person in the world to go into the space
Q2: Who was the first man to orbit Earth in Shenzhou 5 spacecraft
Q3: In which satellites all the astronauts died during their missions
Q4: What is the function of the International exploration
Q5: What can you learn from Para 4
Q6: What is the attitude to the space exploration
Step 6 Post reading
1. Retell
Have some Ss try to retell the text.
2. Critical thinking
Q1: What do you think of the space exploration
I think it is beneficial to us. Through further study of space, people will make full use of it in the future, such as the space experiments by Wang Yaping in Tian Gong 1.
Q2: If you are determined to be an astronaut, what should you prepare at present
First of all, I should study hard to get a related college degree. Besides, I must keep mental and physical healthy.
Step 7. Homework
Try to summarize the structure of the article by a mind map.Unit 4 Space Exploration
Reading for Writing
【教材分析】
The topic of this part is “Present an argument about space exploration”.
This section is about an argument about introducing different benefits of exploring space. Argumentative essays have a stable structure. The first paragraph always presents a certain phenomenon or topic. The body always has the structure of putting up with the supportive or opposing views and their reasons or specific cases. The end always draws a conclusion. In the first paragraph, the author put forward the discussed topic—the benefits of exploring space. In paragraph 2 to paragraph 4, he or she gave 3 pieces of supportive opinions and the reasons or the specific cases. In paragraph 5, we can come to the conclusion—exploring space provides the world with many different benefits.
Therefore, students should be guided to learn the structure and write an essay like this after reading the argumentative essay. But before doing this, students should understand the main ideas about the article and find the topic sentences of each paragraph.
【教学目标】
1. Read quickly to get the main idea; read carefully to get the detailed information.
2. Learn the characteristics or structures of argumentative essays.
3. Learn to write an argumentative essay.
4. Learn to correct others’ writing.
【教学重难点】
1. Learn the characteristics or structures of argumentative essays.
2. Learn to write an argumentative essay.
【教学过程】
Step 1 Lead in—Small talk
Space exploration has a great number of benefits, but there are also great risks and a large amount of money to spend. So some people support space exploration because they think it has brought a lot of benefits to humans. But on the other hand, some people think there are a lot of questions to be solved like hunger and diseases. Why don’t we spend more money and effort on them What is your idea and why
I think we should be in favor of it because a lot of space technologies have already provided service for us common people, like GPS.
I think we should stop it because we need more money and effort to help the poor, the disabled. What’s worse, there are a lot of risks in space exploration, like the Challenger accident.
Step 2 While reading—Task 1
1. Find the topic sentence of each paragraph.
Para 1 Present an argument whether exploration space is a waste of time and money.
Para 2 Exploring space has contributed great to the fight against world hunger.
Para 3 Space exploration has already promoted technological improvement.
Para 4 Sending astronauts into space has furthered understanding of the world’s problems and figuring out ways to solve them.
Para 5 Draw a conclusion that exploring space is of great benefit, so we should continue.
2. The main idea of the passage is about an argument about introducing different benefits of exploring space.
Step 3 While reading—Task 2
Read the text and answer the following questions.
Q1: Why are some people against space exploration according to the passage
Q2: What are the benefits of exploring space
Q3: What did the picture of Earth from space make people realise
Q4: What’s the author’s attitude to exploring space
Step 4 Post reading—Summary
Answers: 1. shallow
2. made a difference
3. promoted
4. think about
5. continue
Step 5 Before writing—Words and phrases
Translate the phrases from the text.
①launch a satellite发射卫星
②collect data收集数据
③explore space探索太空
④make a difference有很大影响
⑤result in导致
⑥benefit from从中受益
⑦advanced technology先进的技术
⑧meet the requirements满足要求
⑨change our lives改变我们的生活
⑩limited resources有限的资源
be close to靠近；接近
provide for提供生活所需
promote technological improvement促进技术改进
provide solutions to problems提供解决问题的办法
Step 6 While writing
最近，你班同学就“太空探索是否值得”这一话题展开了一场讨论。请你根据下表提供的信息，用英语写一篇短文介绍讨论的情况，并谈谈自己的看法。
30%的同学认为： 70%的同学认为：
1.不值得探索 2.离我们及我们的日常生活太遥远 3.浪费金钱。这些金钱本可用来解决地球上的饥饿、污染等问题 1.值得探索 2.已使用卫星进行通讯传播、天气预报 3.有望解决地球人口问题、地球能源短缺问题
Step 7 While writing—the outline
Paragraph 1：Recently, students in our class have had a discussion on whether space is worth exploring.
Paragraph 2：30% of us think space exploration is not worthwhile.
Paragraph 3：On the other hand, 70% think space is worth exploring.
Paragraph 4：As far as I am concerned, it is worthwhile to explore the space.
Step 8 While writing—words and phrases
①have a heated discussion 举行热烈的讨论
②be worth doing 值得做
③hold different ideas 持有不同的观点
④be far away from 离……很远
⑤be used to do 被用来做……
⑥benefit a lot from... 从……受益良多
⑦communication n．交际
⑧weather forecast 天气预报
⑨energy shortages 能源短缺
⑩as far as I’m concerned 在我看来
Step 9 While writing—make sentences
①用于太空探索的资金可以用来解决地球的饥饿和污染等问题。（过去分词作定语）
And the money spent on space exploration can be used to solve the earth’s problems such as starvation and pollution.
②30%的同学认为不值得探索。30% of us think space exploration is not worthwhile.
③他们认为太空探索离我们及我们的日常生活太遥远并且浪费金钱。
They think space is too far away from us and our daily life and is a waste of money.
④70%的人认为太空值得探索，因为我们从中受益匪浅。(because)
70% think space is worth exploring because we have benefited a lot from it.
⑤总有一天，我们可以搬到其他星球去解决人口问题。(by doing)
We may solve the population problem by moving to other planets one day.
⑥太空研究将使我们能够找到新的能源来解决地球上的能源短缺问题。（不定式作目的状语）
Space research will enable us to find new sources to solve the problem of energy shortage on the earth.
⑦在我看来，探索太空是值得的。As far as I am concerned, it is worthwhile to explore the space.
Step 10 Writing—draft
Have the Ss write their own drafts.
Step 11 Pair work
Exchange drafts with a partner. Use this checklist to help your partner revise his/her draft.
1. Does the writer explain why he/she changed/wanted to change
2. Does the writer tell how the changes have improved or will improve his/her life
3. Is the text well-organised
4. Does the writer use words and expressions to show similarities and differences
5. Are there any grammar or spelling errors
6. Does the writer use correct punctuation
Step 12 Homework
Put up your revised draft in the classroom or read it to your class.
