(共33张PPT)
Unit 4
Period 1
Starting out & Understanding ideas
课 堂 学 习
Watch the video and answer the questions.
1 What predictions about the future were made
Were they correct
2 What is your understanding of “the future has
unlimited possibilities”
1
Starting out
1 What predictions about the future were made Were they correct
2 What is your understanding of “the future has unlimited possibilities”
Correct predictions: flying machines, organ transplantation, “perpetual light”, the atom bomb, space stations would broadcast television signals all over the globe
Incorrect predictions: a world market for maybe five computers, nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners
Look at the pictures and answer the questions.
2
1 Have you watched any of these films What stories do
they tell about the future of our world
2 Do you think the events in these films could come true
What do you think the world will be like in the future
1
Read the facts about AI and answer the questions.
Understanding ideas
Milestones in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
1950 Mathematician and logician, Alan Turing devised the Turing Test, a test on the ability of machines to show human-like intelligence.
1955 Computer scientist, John McCarthy coined the term “artificial intelligence”.
1972 Shakey, the first mobile robot able to make decisions according to reason, was completed.
2001 The Electrolux Trilobite, the first robotic vacuum cleaner designed for home use, went on sale.
2015 AlphaGo became the first computer program to beat a human professional Go player.
2017 AlphaGo Zero beat the previous version of AlphaGo by 100 games to nil.
1 What can you learn from the timeline
2 Are you concerned about developments in AI Why or why not
3 How do you think AI will develop in the future
From the timeline, we can learn that AI technology has developed greatly, and can now outperform humans in some aspects.
2
Read the passage to see if it changes your opinion on the future of AI. If so, in what ways
In the words of Professor Stephen Hawking, artificial intelligence will be "either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity". Technology of Tomorrow Forum wants to hear your thoughts on AI. Is it our greatest human achievement so far Or is it the biggest threat to our existence
Artificial Intelligence:
A REAL THREAT
Millenniumbutterfly
1 Thanks to AI, I've got my own super-smart personal assistant built into my phone. She always has an immediate answer for any question I put to her, and even uses my answers to learn more about my preferences. It used to feel like 50 per cent of my time was spent researching new restaurants. In contrast, my PA only needs a few seconds to find the right place. Every recommendation she gives me is great since she can predict if I will like a particular restaurant.
2 And speaking of hanging out, I'm hoping that self-driving cars are available soon. I've been taking driving lessons for over a year, and still haven't got my licence. Self-driving cars can learn to drive in the same way that we do, and can make judgements based on information. And as they won't be susceptible to human error, they'll certainly be a lot safer. The only thing is that there might be a few machine-learning problems when the first cars hit the market, so perhaps I'd better learn to drive first. Still, I do think that developments in AI will on the whole make doing day-to-day things a lot easier.
Popkid
3 The technology you're using and enjoying today is a basic form of AI which can't think independently without programming. Of course, it could be very useful to have a more advanced form of AI - a truly independent form of artificial intelligence, capable of exercising its own judgement, could help us solve many of the world's problems. But have you ever thought about the risks After all, why would an independent form of AI need to consider the opinions and desires of humans We could be seen as a "small" inconvenience that's in the way of a solution to a bigger problem. If we're lucky, AI might think we're valuable enough to keep around. If not, it might wipe us all out!
4 Even if that doesn't happen, there are other risks. Millenniumbutterfly, you say how great it would be to have self-driving cars, but what about all the taxi drivers who would lose their jobs They would just be among the first victims of AI. Nearly every job is potentially at risk in the long run. Even journalists are now being replaced with technology that can write basic news reports. As it is, almost 50 per cent of US jobs are at risk from automation in the next 20 years.
5 The truth is that none of us is prepared for the challenges of AI.
Pink_haze
6 Machine learning is something we have come to accept as a part of our modern world. I believe most of the value of AI lies in its capacity to analyse and interpret vast amounts of data, which means it can even solve problems that are too challenging for human experts.
7 But while super-intelligent AI could be the biggest leap forward in human history, if it goes wrong or falls into the wrong hands, it could also be the most dangerous. However, AI is not going to go away. We have no choice but to embrace it and regulate it. One thing I think we all agree on, though, is that saying "My AI did it!" won't be any excuse for illegal or immoral behaviour!
Read the opinions and match them to the persons. Talk about the opinion you agree with.
3
Millenniumbutterfly
Popkid
Pink_haze
We all need to learn to live with AI technology whether we like it or are concerned about it. We cannot stop the march of progress.
I admit that more advanced AI could be helpful in solving the world’s problems, but there is a high level of risk involved.
I can’t understand why some people worry so much. I hope more breakthroughs in AI will be made soon, so that we can enjoy more and more convenience.
AI can help us save time.
1_________________________
2_________________________
3_________________________, including those too challenging for human experts.
AI might wipe out human beings.
4_________________________
5_________________________
if it falls into the wrong hands.
Organise information from the passage and complete the diagram.
4
AI can make driving safer.
AI can make doing day-to-day
things a lot easier.
AI can solve problems
Jobs are at risk due to AI.
AI could be dangerous
Now come up with more ideas for each point of view and share them with the class.
1 What did Stephen Hawking mean when he said that AI will be “either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity”
2 Do you use AI in your daily life What other roles can AI play in people’s lives
3 How does the diagram help you better understand the passage
Think & Share
He meant that AI could bring us incredible benefits, but only if the technology is managed properly. If we do not manage the technology properly, it could result in human extinction.
1. Are you concerned about developments in AI
你关心人工智能的发展吗
be concerned about... 关心/关注/担心……
e.g. Everybody is concerned about the future of his country.
每个人都关心自己国家的前途。
【词汇拓展】
concern oneself about... 关心……
show/express concern for/about... 对……表示关心
be concerned for... 关心/担心……
be concerned with 与……有关；涉及
as far as...be concerned 就……而言
Language points
2. Thanks to AI, I've got my own super-smart personal assistant built into my phone. 多亏了人工智能，我才可以在手机中内置个人超级智能私人助手。
assistant 为名词，在此句中意为“助手，助理”；动词为assist，表示“帮助，协助”。
e.g. We’ll do all we can to assist you. 我们会尽全力协助你。
【词汇拓展】
assist sb. with sth. 在某方面给某人帮助
assist sb. in (doing) sth. 帮助某人做某事
assist sb. to do sth. 帮助某人做某事
assistance n.[U] 帮助，协助，援助
with the assistance of 在……的帮助下
come to sb.’s assistance 帮助某人
3. She always has an immediate answer for any question I put to her, and even uses my answers to learn more about my preferences.
我向她提任何问题，她总能立即答复，甚至可以通过我的答案了解更多关于我的个人偏好。
“I put to her”为定语从句，修饰先行词question。
4. It used to feel like 50 per cent of my time was spent researching new restaurants. 过去，我觉得自己有50%的时间花在了研究新餐厅上。
(1) It feels like...为固定句式，意为“感觉像……”，与It seems that...
意思相近。
e.g. She says，“It feels like I've done a lot of work.”
她说：“我感觉自己做了很多工作。”
(2) 本句中的50 per cent of my time was spent 使用了被动语态 ，
spend... (in) doing...是固定搭配，意为“花……(时间/金钱等）做……”，动词spend的主语一般是人。
e.g. She spends all her free time painting.
她把所有的空余时间都用来绘画。
5. Every recommendation she gives me is great since she can predict if I will like a particular restaurant. 因为她可以预测我是否会喜欢某一个餐厅，所以她给我的每一个建议都很棒。
(1) 本句中的she指代my super-smart personal assistant，运用了拟人的修辞手法。本句是一个复合句，she gives me是定语从句，修饰recommendation；since 引导原因状语从句；if引导宾语从句，呈现智能助手能够预测的内容。
(2) recommendation为名词，表示“推荐；建议”，其动词为recommend。
recommend doing sth. 建议做某事
recommend sb. to do sth. 建议某人做某事
recommend that sb. (should) do 建议某人做某事(从句用虚拟语气)
recommend sb. sth. 向某人推荐某物
recommend sth. to sb. 把某物推荐给某人
recommend sb. as...推荐某人为……
6. And speaking of hanging out, I'm hoping that self-driving cars are available soon. 说到出去玩，我希望自动驾驶汽车能很快面世。
(1) speak of 谈到；说到；提到
e.g. Let's never speak of it again. 我们再也不要提这件事了。
(2) hang out 闲逛，挂出
e.g. I can't hang out with my friends tonight.
我今晚不能和我的朋友闲逛。
(3) that引导宾语从句。
7. Self-driving cars can learn to drive in the same way that we do, and can make judgements based on information. 自动驾驶汽车可以学习与我们相同的驾驶模式，并且可以根据信息做出判断。
“that we do”为定语从句，修饰先行词way。
8. And as they won't be susceptible to human error, they'll certainly be a lot safer. 而且由于它们不会受到人为错误的影响，肯定会安全得多。
(1) as引导原因状语从句。
(2) susceptible为形容词，在该句子中表示“易受影响的”，它还有“敏感的，情绪多变的”之意。
【词汇拓展】
be susceptible to 易受……的影响
be susceptible of 能经受某事物；有某种能力
susceptible population 易感人群
9. The only thing is that there might be a few machine-learning problems when the first cars hit the market, so perhaps I'd better learn to drive first. 唯一的问题是，当第一批汽车上市时，可能会有一些机器学习问题，所以也许我最好先学会驾驶。
that引导表语从句，when引导时间状语从句，so引导结果状语从句。
10. Still, I do think that developments in AI will on the whole make doing day-to-day things a lot easier. 不过，我确实认为，总体而言，人工智能的发展将使日常工作变得更加容易。
(1) still 是副词，意为in spite of what has just been said or done.
e.g. The weather was cold and wet. Still, we had a great time.
天气又冷又潮，不过我们仍然玩得很开心。
(2) do在句中起强调作用，以为“的确，确实”；that引导宾语从句。
(3) on the whole是固定搭配，意为“总得看来”
e.g. On the whole, I’m in favour of the idea.
总得来说，我赞成这个想法。
(4) day-to-day 按日计划的；逐日的；每天的；日常工作的；例行的 e.g. Mary has been looking after the day-to-day running of the school.
Mary一直在负责学校的日常管理工作。
11. The technology you're using and enjoying today is a basic form of AI which can't think independently without programming.
你今天正在使用和享受的技术是人工智能的基本形式，没有程序它就无法独立思考。
“you're ... today”为定语从句，修饰先行词technology； which引导定语从句，修饰先行词AI。
12. Of course, it could be very useful to have a more advanced form of AI - a truly independent form of artificial intelligence, capable of exercising its own judgement, could help us solve many of the world's problems.
当然，拥有更先进的人工智能形式非常有用，这种更先进的人工智能形式是一种真正独立的人工智能形式，能够运用自己的判断力，可以帮助我们解决世界上的许多问题。
(be) capable of doing sth.为固定搭配，意为“有能力做某事”
e.g. He’s quite capable of getting out of trouble. 他有能力渡过难关。
13. But have you ever thought about the risks 但是你是否考虑过风险
risk 在该句子中为名词，表示“风险”，同时它也可作动词，表示“冒险”，常用于risk doing sth.这一结构，表示“冒险做某事”。
e.g. Dare she risk staying where she was
她敢冒险呆在原地不动吗？
【词汇拓展】
take risks/a risk 冒险
take/run the risk of doing sth. 冒险做某事
at risk 有风险
at the risk of... 冒着……风险
14. We could be seen as a "small" inconvenience that's in the way of a solution to a bigger problem.
我们可能会被视为解决更大问题道路上的一个“小”麻烦。
(1) inconvenience为不可数名词，表示“不方便”，其中in-为否定前缀；其反义词为convenience，表示“便利；方便”。
【词汇拓展】
at one’s convenience 在某人方便的时候
for convenience 为了方便
for the convenience of sb. 为了方便某人
convenient adj. 方便的；便利的
conveniently adv. 方便地；便利地
It is convenient (for sb.) to do sth. (某人)方便做某事。
(2) that引导定语从句，修饰先行词inconvenience。
15. If we're lucky, AI might think we're valuable enough to keep around. 如果幸运的话，人工智能可能会认为我们足够有价值，可以留下来。
(1) if引导条件状语从句。
(2) “we're ... keep around”为省略that的宾语从句。
16. If not, it might wipe us all out!
否则，它可能会扫清我们所有人!
(1) If not为“If we’re not lucky”的省略形式。
(2) wipe out 消灭；摧毁；毁灭；使灭绝
e.g. The disease threatens to wipe out the entire population.
这种疾病有可能毁灭整个种群。
17. Even if that doesn't happen, there are other risks.
尽管还没有发生什么，但确实存在其他的风险。
Even if引导让步状语从句。
18. Millenniumbutterfly, you say how great it would be to have self-driving cars, but what about all the taxi drivers who would lose their jobs
Millenniumbutterfly，你说拥有自动驾驶汽车会很棒，但出租车司机会失业这个问题呢
(1) “how great it would be to have self-driving cars”为宾语从句。
(2) who引导定语从句，修饰先行词drivers。
19. Even journalists are now being replaced with technology that can write basic news reports. 甚至现在的新闻工作者也正在被可以撰写简单的新闻报道的技术所取代。
that引导定语从句，修饰先行词technology。
20. As it is, almost 50 per cent of US jobs are at risk from automation in the next 20 years. 实际上，在未来20年中，美国有将近50%的工作会受到自动化的威胁。
as it is 事实上，实际上（表示实际情况和可能情况的对比）
e.g. I thought conditions would get better, but as it is, they are getting worse. 我认为情况会转好，但事实上反趋恶化。
21. The truth is that none of us is prepared for the challenges of AI.
事实上，我们中没有人做好了面对人工智能的挑战的准备。
that引导表语从句。
22. Machine learning is something we have come to accept as a part of our modern world.
机器学习作为现代世界的一部分，已经成为我们接受的东西。
“we ...world”为省略that的定语从句，修饰先行词something。
23. I believe most of the value of AI lies in its capacity to analyse and interpret vast amounts of data, which means it can even solve problems that are too challenging for human experts. 我认为人工智能的大部分价值在于它分析和解析庞大数据的能力，也就是说它甚至能够解决对于人类专家来说具有挑战性的问题。
(1) “most ... date”为省略that的宾语从句，which引导定语从句，“it ... experts”为省略that的宾语从句，that引导定语从句，修饰先行词problems。
(2) lie in （问题，答案，责任等）存在，在于
e.g. The problem lies in deciding when to intervene.
这个问题在于决定何时介入。
24. But while super-intelligent AI could be the biggest leap forward in human history, if it goes wrong or falls into the wrong hands, it could also be the most dangerous. 虽然超智能AI可能是人类有史以来的最大飞跃， 但如果出错或者落入坏人手中，它同时可能是最危险的。
(1) while为连词，引导让步状语从句，意为although，一般用于句首。
e.g. While I am willing to help, I do not have much time available.
尽管我愿意帮忙，但是我没有多少时间。
(2) if引导条件状语从句。
(3) go wrong为固定搭配，意为“出毛病，出故障”。
e.g. My watch keeps going wrong. 我的手表不断地出毛病。
25. We have no choice but to embrace it and regulate it.
我们别无选择，只能接受它并加以规范。
have no choice but to 别无选择，只能……
e.g. Her parents had no choice but to allow her to go to China to travel alone.
她的父母除了允许她独自一人去中国旅行外别无选择。
【词汇拓展】
have no alternative but to do sth. 别无选择，只好做某事
There’s no alternative... ……别无选择。
have nothing to do but do 除了做……外无事可做
26. One thing I think we all agree on, though, is that saying "My AI did it!" won't be any excuse for illegal or immoral behaviour!
不过，我想大家都认可的一点就是，“这是我的AI做的!”这句话不会成为非法行为或不道德行为的任何借口。
(1) “I think we all agree on”为定语从句，修饰先行词thing；
agree on sth. 对某事（物）有同样看法
e.g. We rarely agree on what to do.
我们很少在要做的事情上看法一致。
(2) that引导表语从句。
Retelling Artificial Intelligence: A REAL THREAT
Millenniumbutterfly
Popkid
Pink_haze
We all need to learn to live with AI technology whether we like it or are concerned about it. We cannot stop the march of progress.
I admit that more advanced AI could be helpful in solving the world’s problems, but there is a high level of risk involved.
I can’t understand why some people worry so much. I hope more breakthroughs in AI will be made soon, so that we can enjoy more and more convenience.(共14张PPT)
Unit 4
Period 3
Listening and Speaking
新 课 导 入
Time travel could result in a paradox – an event that contradicts itself. For example, if a person travelled back in time and prevented an event, that event would never have happened; there would therefore be no reason for the person to travel back in time to prevent it.
Did You Know
课 堂 学 习
1
Listen to the conversation and choose its main idea.
1 Time travel is dangerous.
2 Talking to people in the past can change the future.
3 Anything you say or do in the past can affect the future.
4 Time travel within your own lifetime should be avoided.
2
Listen again and complete the table.
RULE 1 1__________________________________________________
A tourist wants to 2__________________________________________
because 3__________________________________________________.
The guide told her 4__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
RULE 2 5___________________________________________________
The guide said that 6_________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
RULE 3 7__________________________________________________
A tourist wants to 8__________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.
The guide told him not to because 9_____________________________
___________________________________________________________.
Answers:
1. Don’t talk to anybody.
2. tell her 8-year-old self to buy shares in companies that are profitable today
3. she wants to become rich
4. not to do that
5. Be careful not to break anything.
6. breaking something could also cause a paradox and change your path through life
7. Never give anything from our time to someone in the past.
8. give a present to his father
9. anything that doesn’t belong to that time might have an impact on someone and cause a paradox
Now work in pairs. Take turns to be the guide and explain the rules of time travel.
Amazing! That’s OK, isn’t it
Wow! Are you serious
I can’t wait to... Let me get this straight. You So, what you’re saying is that... mean that...
How about... It’ll be exciting enough to...
Imagine how excited...
Asking for confirmation
Expressing excitement
Amazing!
Wow!
I can’t wait to...
Imagine how excited...
It’ll be exciting enough to...
So, what you’re saying is that...
How about...
That’s OK, isn’t it
Are you serious
Let me get this straight. You
mean that...
3
Complete the boxes with the expressions from the conversation.
4
Read the passage and put the expressions in bold into the boxes.
Besides time travel, we have much to look forward to in the future, thanks to advances in technology. One area that is likely to change dramatically within our lifetimes is medical care. Although I wouldn’t bank on patients feeling confident about seeing a robot doctor any time soon, I’m sure that AI doctors are on the horizon. I think it’s also fair to say that we can get our hopes up when it comes to finding cures for serious diseases, such as cancer. I reckon that nanorobots that can eliminate cancerous cells are just around the corner. Some of these ideas may sound far ahead of their time, but I’m sure they’re bound to happen sooner or later!
Expressions about expectation
Expressions about time
within our lifetimes
any time soon
on the horizon
around the corner
far ahead of their time
bank on
get our hopes up
bound to happen
within our lifetimes bank on any time soon
on the horizon get our hopes up around the corner
far ahead of their time bound to happen
5
Complete the passage with the expressions.
within our lifetimes bank on on the horizon get our hopes up around the corner far ahead of their time bound to happen
Who knows in what exciting ways transport will change 1_______________ Trains that travel at the speed of today’s aeroplanes may sound 2_______________, but scientists are already developing “hyperloop” trains that travel at over 1,000 km per hour. And although we can’t 3_______________ flying cars being the norm 4_______________, there are plans to introduce flying taxis that will be stationed on rooftops around busy cities. Many cities already have elevated cycle paths and I’m sure that these are 5_______________ for many others around the world. As well as faster, safer and more comfortable transport being just 6_______________, we can also 7_______________ about shorter waiting times, with companies intending to provide on-demand services.
Answers:
1. within our lifetimes
2. far ahead of their time
3. bank on
4. any time soon
5. bound to happen
6. on the horizon / around the corner
7. get our hopes up
6
Work in pairs. Talk about another aspect of life in the future using expressions you have learnt in this section.
Now think about how effectively your partner used these expressions, and what you could learn from him or her.
1. Talk about some expressions about expressing excitement, asking for confirmation, time and expectation.
2. Talk about time travel or another aspect of life in the future.(共17张PPT)
Unit 4
Period 5
Writing & Presenting ideas
新 课 导 入
What do you think of robots Will they work for humans in the future
课 堂 学 习
1
Read the story and answer the questions.
1 What happened to the prison and what was the cause
2 What kind of job do you think Carolyn has
3 Are there any sentences that might foreshadow what will happen next Underline them.
Todd cried out in shock and waved his arm at the pale blue screen hovering above the breakfast table. The hologram news paused. “Carolyn,” he called across the kitchen, “did you see this ”
His wife, Carolyn, was collecting her cereal from the breakfast robot. “What is it, honey ” she asked. Todd pointed at the floating blue screen. Carolyn read the headline:
Another prison breakout: faulty robotics blamed.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Carolyn chuckled. “That’s an old facility. The robots there were bound to break down sooner or later. Plus, I know for a fact that they weren’t well maintained,” she added. “Julius was telling me about it. That place isn’t as advanced as ours.”
“But the report says that even new, regularly-maintained robots can break down,” Todd protested. “And in a maximum-security prison like yours, one small error could cause a lot of problems.”
Carolyn smiled at him. “You worry too much,” she said. “Now, I’d better be going or I’ll be late for work.” She grabbed her bag from the kitchen counter and rushed out of the door. Todd heard the aircar start up outside. It was not until an hour later that he noticed that Carolyn had left her emergency call device on the breakfast table.
1 What happened to the prison and what was the cause
2 What kind of job do you think Carolyn has
3 Are there any sentences that might foreshadow what will happen next Underline them.
There was a prison breakout, caused by faulty robotics.
She might be a prison governor.
Another prison breakout faulty robotics blamed.
Julius was telling me about it. That place isn’t as advanced as ours.
But the report says that even new, regularly-maintained robots can break down.
Setting
Time:
Place:
Characters
Plot
Ending
2
Think about what will happen next, based on the examples of foreshadowing you have plete the notes to plan the rest of the story.
Now continue the story.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
Share your story with the class.
Now make comments on your partner’s story and see whether the language style is consistent.
Sample:
Carolyn had a long commute to the prison, even by aircar. When she arrived, everything seemed normal, except for a robot lying at the front gate, motionless. It’s an old model, she thought. They broke down now and again. She passed through the gate, noting that everything else was apparently in order.
But just as she closed her office door behind her, a loud alarm sounded. Carolyn’s blood froze. She had only ever heard that sound during drills. It can’t be! she thought. A general systems failure! She looked out of the reinforced glass of her office window into the prison below. Sure enough, the robots were out of control. Most had stopped moving at all. Some spun aimlessly around and around. But others were randomly operating things, including the cell gates, and she could see prisoners rushing out to freedom. “Grab the robots’ weapons and run!” shouted the prisoners.
Carolyn opened her bag and reached for her emergency call device. Her heart sank as she realised she had left it at home. I need to call in the police, she thought. But how Without the device, she couldn’t communicate. Nothing in the prison would work properly now.
There was a voice behind her. “Looking for one of these ”
Carolyn gasped. “Julius!” There was her second-in-command, holding an emergency caller in his hand. “What are you doing in my office ”
“It should be my office!” snarled Julius. “I’ve worked here for forty years... and the City Commissioners gave you the job as prison governor! But now you’ll pay. You’ll all pay! I can make every robot in every prison in the city go crazy. The prisoners will escape, and the city will burn!”
Then the door burst open, and the room was suddenly flooded with riot police. And there was... Todd!
“I took the aircar over here to bring you this,” he said quietly, winking as he pushed the emergency call device secretly into her hands. I could see there was trouble, so I activated it to call in the police.
“It was Julius,” said Carolyn, watching the police bundle Julius out of the door. “He’s gone mad.”
“Sure,” said Todd. “But now we know how easy it is to cause a mass robot breakdown. You’ll have to write a report. Make some recommendations to upgrade the robots.
“I know.” Carolyn slid from Todd’s hug and walked towards the door. She could see the police rounding up the prisoners. But right now, I’ve got a prison to run.
4
Look at the pictures about the future and answer the questions.
1 What are the people doing in each picture
2 Imagine and describe their daily lives. Would you like to live like this
1 What are the people doing in each picture
2 Imagine and describe their daily lives. Would you like to live like this
Picture 1 The robot is displaying some information to a girl. Perhaps
the girl is being taught by the robot.
Picture 2 A girl is sitting on the robot. She looks like she is controlling
the robot with a device. She seems to be playing.
Picture 3 The robot is helping a mother look after her child.
5
Work in groups. Discuss how other daily activities be different in the future and complete the table.
Activities Descriptions
Studying
Eating
Socialising
Having fun
...
6
Design your own ideal day in the future. Consider the following:
1 Is it a weekday or weekend What activities will you do
2 Who do you want to spend the day with
3 In what ways is it different to your present daily life
7
Share your ideal day in the future with the class.
1. What sci-fi stories do you know
2. Talk about your ideal day in the future.(共36张PPT)
Unit 4
Period 4
Reading
新 课 导 入
1
Watch the video and answer the questions.
1 How does Asimov set out the relationship between humans and robots
2 Have you read any of Asimov’s novels If so, share one story you’ve read with the class. If not,
would you like to read them Why or why not
1 How does Asimov set out the relationship between humans and robots
2 Have you read any of Asimov’s novels If so, share one story you’ve read with the class. If not, would you like to read them Why or why not
He puts forward the Three Laws of Robotics, which ensure that robots should always obey and protect humans.
1. 能通过阅读课文，理解课文内容，能清楚地叙述故事梗概，并能够理解课文中的伏笔，欣赏文学作品。
2. 能在理解课文内容的基础上，感悟文章主题，加深对单元主题意义的认识，形成积极接受但辩证地看待技术创新的情感态度。
课 堂 学 习
2
Complete the table to compare life on Earth with life on the Moon.
Life on Earth
Wear ordinary clothes and change according to the seasons.
Breathe the air freely.
Have to make an effort to jump high.
Keep pets, such as dogs, cats, etc.
Life on the Moon
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Now read the passage and find out what life on the Moon is like in the novel.
A Boy's Best Friend
1 Mr Anderson said, “Where's Jimmy, dear ” “Out on the crater,” said Mrs Anderson. “Robutt is with him. Did he arrive ” “Yes. He's at the rocket station, going through the tests. I haven't really seen one since I left Earth 15 years ago.”
2 “Jimmy has never seen one,” said Mrs Anderson.
3 “Because he's Moon-born and can't visit Earth. That's why I'm bringing one here. I think it's the first one ever on the Moon.”
4 Jimmy was out on the crater, as his mother had said. His arms and legs were long and agile. He looked thicker and stubbier with his spacesuit on, but he could handle the lunar gravity as no Earth-born human being could. The outer side of the crater sloped southward and the Earth, which was low in the southern sky, was nearly full, so that the entire crater-slope was brightly lit. The slope was a gentle one and even the weight of the spacesuit couldn't keep Jimmy from racing up it in a floating hop that made the gravity seem nonexistent.
5 “Come on, Robutt,” he shouted. Robutt, who could hear him by radio, squeaked and bounded after.
6 Jimmy, expert though he was, couldn't outrace Robutt, who didn't need a spacesuit, and had four legs and tendons of steel. Jimmy couldn't go wrong while Robutt was around, tripping him when he was too near a rock, or jumping on him to show how much he loved him, or circling around and squeaking low and scared when Jimmy hid behind a rock, when all the time Robutt knew well enough where he was.
7 He heard his father's voice on his private wavelength. “Jimmy, come back. I have something to tell you.”
8 Mr Anderson was smiling. “We have something for you, Jimmy. It's at the rocket station now, but we'll have it tomorrow after all the tests are over.”
9 “From Earth, Dad ”
10 “A dog from Earth, son. The first dog on the Moon. You won't need Robutt any more. We can't keep them both, and some other boy or girl will have Robutt.” He seemed to be waiting for Jimmy to say something, then he said, “You know what a dog is, Jimmy. It's the real thing. Robutt's only a mechanical imitation, a robot-mutt. That's how he got his name.”
11 Jimmy frowned. “Robutt isn't an imitation, Dad.”
12 “Robutt's just steel and wiring and a simple positronic brain.”
13 “He does everything I want him to do, Dad. He understands me.”
14 “No, son. Robutt is just a machine. It's just programmed to act the way it does. A dog is alive. You'll see the difference once he gets here.”
15 Jimmy looked at Robutt, who was squeaking again, a very low, slow squeak that seemed frightened. Jimmy held out his arms and Robutt was in them in one bound.
16 Jimmy said, “What will the difference be between Robutt and the dog ”
17 “It's hard to explain,” said Mr Anderson, “but it will be easy to see. The dog will really love you. Robutt is just adjusted to act as though it loves you.”
18 “But, Dad, we don't know what's inside the dog, or what his feelings are. Maybe it's just acting, too.”
19 Mr Anderson frowned. “Jimmy, you'll know the difference when you
experience the love of a living thing.”
20 Jimmy held Robutt tightly. He was frowning, too, and the desperate look on his face meant that he wouldn't change his mind. He said, “But what's the difference how they act How about how I feel I love Robutt and that's what counts.”
21 And the little robot mutt, which had never been held so tightly in all its existence, squeaked high and rapid squeaks - happy squeaks.
(Adaptation of excerpts from “A Boy's Best Friend" by Isaac Asimov)
Now read the passage and find out what life on the Moon is like in the novel.
Life on Earth
Wear ordinary clothes and change according to the seasons.
Breathe the air freely.
Have to make an effort to jump high.
Keep pets, such as dogs, cats, etc.
Life on the Moon
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Wear spacesuits whenever outside.
Breathe from an air supply.
Jump high easily.
Keep robots as pets.
3
Complete the summary of the story.
Title
Author
Setting
Time:
Place:
Characters
Jimmy, a Moon-born boy
A Boy’s Best Friend
Isaac Asimov
In the future
On the Moon
Mr Anderson, Jimmy’s father
Mrs Anderson, Jimmy’s mother
Robutt, a mechanical dog, Jimmy’s pet
Plot
Jimmy’s parents get a dog from Earth. They want to give it to Jimmy as a pet. But...
Different attitudes towards Robutt
Parents:
Jimmy:
Jimmy already has a robot pet named Robutt. His parents think it would be good for Jimmy to have a real dog, and that he would like it. They want to send Robutt to another family. To his parents’ surprise, Jimmy refuses to accept the real dog, because he loves Robutt and he believes Robutt loves him too. For Jimmy, Robutt is not just a mechanical dog, but a real friend.
They think Robutt is a mechanical imitation of a real dog.
He loves Robutt and treats him like a real dog.
Now talk about your attitudes towards the story.
Learning to learn
Foreshadowing is when the author gives a clue as to what is to come later in the story. This often appears at the beginning of a story, or a chapter, and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming event in a story.
Think Share
1 What are the similarities and differences between Robutt and a real dog
2 Is there any foreshadowing of Jimmy’s final decision Find clues in the reading passage.
3 What other sci-fi novels about robots can you think of Share one with the class.
4 The two reading passages in this unit show us different aspects of technology in the future. Which of these do you most expect to encounter in your lifetime
1 Similarities:
Both are able to respond to orders given by human beings.
Both can outrace human beings.
Both can guide and protect human beings.
Differences:
They have different appearances.
A real dog is a living creature, while Robutt is a machine.
A real dog loves human beings as a result of its nature, while Robutt is just adjusted to act as though it loves human beings.
2 Yes, there is.
At the beginning of the story, we know Jimmy has never seen a real dog. It also seems that he spends a lot of time with Robutt. Jimmy plays with Robutt enthusiastically, shouting “Come on, Robutt”. In the middle of the passage, we are told that “Jimmy couldn’t go wrong while Robutt was around”, indicating that Robutt protects Jimmy well.
4
Work in groups. Give a talk on whether it is possible to have a real friendship with a robot.
1 Answer the questions to help to form your point of view.
Why do Jimmy and his parents have different feelings towards Robutt
If you were Jimmy, which one would you choose, Robutt or a real dog
2 Organise the main points you would like to cover and complete the table.
3 Give your talk to the class.
Point of view
Arguments
Supporting details
Conclusion
Why do Jimmy and his parents have different feelings towards Robutt
Because Jimmy was born on the Moon, he has never seen a real dog. He has been getting along well with Robutt, and thus has developed an affection for him. He cannot figure out why a real dog is better than a mechanical dog, despite his father’s explanation. While Jimmy’s parents have seen real dogs before they left Earth. They know what real dogs look like. They think Robutt is just a machine.
Now vote for the best speaker. Ask them to share their experiences.
Language points
1. He's at the rocket station, going through the tests.
它在火箭站，正在接受测试。
(1) “going through the tests”为现在分词短语作伴随状语。
(2) go through 在该句子中表示“经历”之意，此外，它还有“查阅；浏览；完成；通过；审查；用完；仔细检查”的含义。
e.g. He went through a bad period. 他经历了一段艰难的时期。
【词汇拓展】
go after 追寻；追踪；设法得到 go ahead 前进
go against 背叛；违背；违反；不利于 go wrong 出故障
go in for 爱好；酷爱；从事 go by (指时间)过去
go over 越过……；温习
2. I haven't really seen one since I left Earth 15 years ago.
自从15年前我离开地球后，就从没见过真正的狗了。
since引导时间状语从句。
3. That's why I'm bringing one here.
所以我要带过来一只。
why引导表语从句。
4. I think it's the first one ever on the Moon.
我觉得这应该是月球上有史以来的第一只狗。
“it's the first one ever on the Moon”为宾语从句。
5. Jimmy was out on the crater, as his mother had said.
正如吉米妈妈所说，他在外面的环形山上。
as引导非限制性定语从句。
6. The outer side of the crater sloped southward and the Earth, which was low in the southern sky, was nearly full, so that the entire crater-slope was brightly lit. 环形山外侧向南倾斜，南面天空下方的地球全部显现出来，因此整个环形山山坡明亮了起来。
(1) 本句是一个复合句，其中and连接两个并列句，which引导非限制性定语从句，so that引导结果状语从句。
(2) southward是副词，意为“向南方”。以-ward结尾的副词都有“向……方向”的意思，如forward意为“向前”，northward意为“向北方”。
7. The slope was a gentle one and even the weight of the spacesuit couldn't keep Jimmy from racing up it in a floating hop that made the gravity seem nonexistent. 山坡非常平缓，即使吉米穿着厚重的太空服，也不能阻碍他跳着跃向山坡，就好像引力不存在一样。
(1) keep sb. from doing sth. 阻止某人做某事 = stop sb. from doing sth.
e.g. These worries kept her from sleeping properly.
这些烦恼使她睡不好觉。
(2) 本句中的racing up，in a floating hop等描述非常生动。
(3) that引导定语从句，修饰先行词hop。
8. Robutt, who could hear him by radio, squeaked and bounded after.
靠电波辨认声音的罗布特发出叫声，跳着跑向吉米。
who引导非限制性定语从句。
9. Jimmy, expert though he was, couldn't outrace Robutt, who didn't need a spacesuit, and had four legs and tendons of steel.
论速度，吉米虽然是个能手，但他比不过罗布特，因为它有四条腿和钢铁做的肌腱，还不用穿太空服。
本句是主从复合句。though在这里意思是"虽然"，引导的让步状语从句，expert though he was采用了倒装句式，though引导让步状语从句时句子可用正常语序，也可把表语、状语或谓语动词提前构成倒装。提前的名词前不带冠词；“who didn't need a spacesuit, and had four legs and tendons of steel”为非限制性定语从句，who是关系代词，在定语从句中作主语，指代主句的宾语。
10. Jimmy couldn't go wrong while Robutt was around, tripping him when he was too near a rock, or jumping on him to show how much he loved him, or circling around and squeaking low and scared when Jimmy hid behind a rock, when all the time Robutt knew well enough where he was. 当罗布特在身边时，吉米就没有危险。当吉米过于靠近一块岩石，它会扑倒他；罗布特还会扑向他，以表达爱意；当吉米藏在岩石后，罗布特就原地打转，低吼，战战兢兢，不论什么时候，罗布特都对吉米的位置了如指掌。
(1) while引导时间状语从句；三个when都引导时间状语从句；“how much he loved him”为宾语从句；“where he was”为宾语从句。
(2) trip 把（某人）绊倒
e.g. He didn’t notice me and stretched out his foot suddenly, almost tripping me. 他没注意到我，突然伸出脚，差点把我绊倒。
11. You know what a dog is, Jimmy. 你会知道什么才是真正的狗，吉米。
“what a dog is”为宾语从句。
12. That's how he got his name. 这就是他名字的由来。
how引导表语从句。
13. He does everything I want him to do, Dad.
爸爸，我想让它做什么，它都能做到。
“I want him to do”为定语从句，修饰先行词everything。
14. It's just programmed to act the way it does.
它的反应只不过是按照编好的程序去做而已。
“it does”为定语从句，修饰先行词way。
15. You'll see the difference once he gets here.
等小狗来了，你就会明白二者的不同之处了。
once引导时间状语从句。
16. Jimmy looked at Robutt, who was squeaking again, a very low, slow squeak that seemed frightened. 吉米看着又在吼叫的罗布特，它的叫声非常低沉缓慢，好像受到了惊吓。
who引导定语从句，修饰Robutt；that引导定语从句，修饰squeak。
17. Jimmy held out his arms and Robutt was in them in one bound.
吉米伸出双臂，罗布特一跃跳了上去。
(1) hold out意为“伸出（手或手里的东西）”。
e.g. She held out her hand to him. 她向他伸出手。
(2) bound n. 跳跃
e.g. With one bound the dog was over the fence.
那条狗一个跳跃就跃过了篱笆。
18. Robutt is just adjusted to act as though it loves you.
罗布特只是设定好，假装很爱你。
as if引导方式状语从句。
19. But, Dad, we don't know what's inside the dog, or what his feelings are.
但是，爸爸，我们并不知道小狗真正想的是什么，它是什么感觉。
or连接两个并列的what引导的宾语从句。
20. Jimmy, you'll know the difference when you experience the love of a living thing. 吉米，当你体验到一个生命体对你的爱时，你就会明白其中的不同。
when引导时间状语从句。
21. He was frowning, too, and the desperate look on his face meant that he wouldn't change his mind. 吉米紧紧抱着罗布特。他也皱着眉头， 脸上的坚定表明他不愿改变心意。
(1) desperate为形容词，意为“绝望的”，同时它还有“拼命的”意思。 其副词为desperately；名词为desperation。
e.g. With nobody to turn to, she found herself in a desperate situation.
没有人可以求助，她发现自己陷入了绝望的境地。
be desperate for sth. 渴望某物
be desperate to do sth. 很想做某事
in desperate need of 急需
in desperation 在走投无路的情况下；不顾死活地
(2) that引导宾语从句。
22. But what's the difference how they act 那它们在行为上有什么不一样？
“how they act”为定语从句，修饰difference。
23. How about how I feel 那我的想法呢？
“how I feel”为宾语从句。
24. I love Robutt and that's what counts. 我爱罗布特，我觉得这是最重要的。
(1) “what counts”为表语从句；
(2) count在此为不及物动词，表示“重要；有关系”，它还有“认为，算作；数数”的含义。
e.g. What really counts is whether you have good computing skills.
真正重要的是，你是否拥有良好的计算机水平。
【词汇拓展】
count...in 把……计算在内，包括……
count...out 不包括
count on/upon 依赖，依靠；指望
count for much/little 价值大/不大
count...as... 把……看作……
count up (=add up) 把……加起来
25. And the little robot mutt, which had never been held so tightly in all its existence, squeaked high and rapid squeaks - happy squeaks. 小小的机器狗自出现以来从未被抱得那么紧，它发出尖细且急促的叫声，那是快乐的叫声。
(1) which引导非限制性定语从句。
(2) existence为名词，表示“存在；生存”，常为不可数名词，它由
动词exist加名词后缀ence构成。
e.g. Reading programmes that use therapy dogs have been in existence for more than ten years.
使用治疗犬的阅读项目已经存在了十多年。
【词汇拓展】
come into existence 产生；成立；开始存在
exist vi. 存在；生存 exist in 存在于……之中
exist on 靠……为生 There exists... 某地有/存在……
Retelling A Boy's Best Friend(共13张PPT)
Unit 4
Period 2
Grammar
课 堂 学 习
Subject-verb agreement (2)
1
Look at the sentences from the reading passage and answer the questions.
a ... 50 per cent of my time was spent researching
new restaurants.
b Every recommendation she gives me is great...
c ... almost 50 per cent of US jobs are at risk from
automation in the next 20 years.
d ... none of us is prepared for the challenges of AI.
1 Why is 50 per cent singular in sentence (a) but plural in sentence (c)
Because in sentence (a), the part “50 per cent” is followed by the uncountable noun “time” while in sentence (c), the part “50 per cent” is followed by the countable noun “job” in its plural form.
2 What are the subjects in sentences (b) and (d) Are they singular or plural
In sentence (b), the part “Every recommendation” is the subject. In sentence (d), the part “none of us” is the subject. Both are singular.
Now Look for more sentences following this rule in the reading passage, and summarise the use of subject-verb agreement in your own words.
1. Nearly every job is potentially at risk in the long run.
2. The truth is that none of us is prepared for the challenges of AI.
3. I believe most of the value of AI lies in its capacity to analyse and interpret vast amounts of data, which means it can even solve problems that are too challenging for human experts.
【语法讲解】
主谓一致是指主语和谓语在人称和数等方面的一致，当主语是不定代词或含有修饰语时，谓语动词的形式要依据主语所表达的单、复数概念而定，而不仅仅是取决于简单的外在形式。
1）当主语被分数（百分数）、表示量的词汇等修饰时，谓语动词的形式要依据主语本身进行判断，如果主语本身是可数名词单数或者不可数名词，则谓语动词要用单数形式；如果主语是可数名词复数，或主语加上修饰语后整体表达的意义是复数概念，那么谓语动词要用复数形式。
e.g. a. About one-third of the books in the library are donated by students who graduated from the school.
图书馆里大约三分之一的书都是由这所学校的毕业生捐赠的。book是可数名词，在句中是复数形式，并且句中着重于书的数量而不是将书视作整体，因此“三分之一的书”表达的意义是复数概念，谓语动词用are。
b. Around 10 per cent of the forest is destroyed each year.
每年大约有10%的森林被毁。
本句中的the forest 为可数名词的单数形式，泛指森林，因此“10%的森林”视作一个整体，谓语动词用is。
c. A large number of people have applied for the job.
许多人都申请了这份工作。
本句中的people为集体名词，表示复数概念，因此谓语动词用have。
2）当主语被不定代词修饰或主语本身是不定代词时，谓语动词的形式需要根据主语加上修饰语后整体表达的意义来进行判断。
e.g. a. Every means has been tried out without much result.
所有的方法都试过了，却没有什么效果。
every means 强调每一种方法，故谓语动词用单数形式。
b. All of the work is done by me.
所有的工作都是我做的。
work表示“工作”时为不可数名词，故all of the work 视作
整体，谓语动词用单数形式。
3）当主语被否定词修饰或主语本身是否定词时，谓语动词一般用单数形式。
e.g. a. Nobody has got a ticket. 谁都没有票。
b. Nothing was available. 没有可用的。
注意，当none作主语或主语被none修饰时，谓语动词一般用单数形式，但如果主语为可数名词复数，在非正式表达中，谓语动词也可用复数形式。
e.g. a. None of the pizza is left. 披萨一点都没有剩下。
b. None of the passengers was/were aware of the danger.
没有乘客意识到危险。
2
Complete the passage by choosing the singular or plural form.
Nowadays, some companies offer genetic testing for children’s talents. A large number of clients have / has been attracted to it. They are parents, eager to know what talents their children may have in the future. The process is simple. Every child provide / provides a small sample of blood or body tissue. This is / These are analysed. Each of the children is / are given a report showing their possible talents. A recent example cited on the website is that one of the testing companies compare / compares the talents of twins Bobby and Benny. Bobby was assessed and his talents was / were revealed to be mostly scientific: a 66% chance of success in chemistry and 54% in physics was / were shown. Meanwhile, Benny’s highest score was / were shown to be in an arts subject: the test gave him 68% for literary studies. Is genetic testing reliable Some scientists say that more evidence is / are needed.
3
Complete the description according to the charts, paying attention to subject-verb agreement.
Three quarters of the surface is made up of land, ...
Last week, we asked you to design
your ideal planet for people on Earth
to live on in the 22nd century. We have
received over 500 entries and have
been amazed by your imaginations!
Here's one of the designs.
Sample:
Three quarters of the surface is made up of land, while the rest is sea, covering 25% of the surface.
Half of the land is covered with trees. Residential area and arable land both account for the same proportion, 20% of the total land. The rest is desert, covering 10% of the total land.
There are three kinds of people. Fifty per cent of the people are original residents, 30% are from Earth and 20% are from other planets.
4
Describe another planet for the future, paying attention to subject-verb agreement.
1. Talk about the use of subject-verb agreement.
2. Make some sentences with subject-verb agreement.
