Unit 5 Lesson 1 学案
A Sea Story: A Descent into the Maelstrom
Learning Objectives
1. Reading Comprehension: Understand the plot, characters, and themes of the short story.
2. Vocabulary: Master key words related to sea adventures (e.g., whirlpool, survive, float).
3. Grammar: Use relative clauses (when, why, where) accurately in writing and speaking.
4. Critical Thinking: Analyze the relationship between humans and nature.
Part 1: Activate and Share
Task 1: Vocabulary & Picture Description
Use the words below to describe the following scenes. Write full sentences.
Words: fisherman, fishing boat, whirlpool, waves, escape, survive a storm, float, wild
1. A man holding a net on a small boat.
Example: A fisherman is trying to survive a storm.
2. A circular current pulling objects underwater.
3. A wooden boat tossed by high water.
4. A person clinging to a barrel in the sea.
Part 2: Read and Explore
Task 2: PreReading Questions
Answer the questions based on the Fact File in the text.
1. What is the "Moskoestrom"
2. Who wrote the story
3. Predict: What do you think will happen in the story
Task 3: Reading Comprehension
Read the text and answer the questions:
1. Who are the main characters
2. Who is telling the story
3. When and where did the story happen
4. How did the storyteller’s appearance change after the event
Task 4: Story Structure
Complete the flowchart below with key events and the storyteller’s feelings.
Situation Key Events Feelings
Returning from the islands Sky darkened → Storm began → Brother fell Fear, panic
Near the whirlpool Boat circled → Observations made → Decision Curiosity → Calmness → Hope
After escaping Waves carried → Rescued Exhaustion, disbelief
Part 3: Focus on Language
Task 5: Relative Clauses Practice
A. Identify Relative Clauses
Underline the relative clauses and circle the words they refer to:
1. That was the day when it took only six hours to break my body and soul.
2. The reason why I’m here is that I made the right decision.
3. The waves carried me to an area where fishermen were.
B. Sentence Combining
Rewrite the sentences using relative clauses (when, why, where).
1. I’ll never forget the day. On that day, I met my best friend.
→ I’ll never forget the day when I met my best friend.
2. This is the city. I was born in this city.
3. He didn’t explain the reason. He was late for the reason.
C. Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with when, why, or where:
1. The house ______ I grew up is now a museum.
2. Do you know the reason ______ she quit her job
3. Summer is the season ______ we go swimming.
Part 4: Critical Thinking & Discussion
Task 6: Group Work
Discuss the following questions:
1. What were the three observations the storyteller made in the whirlpool
2. Why did the storyteller survive while his brother did not
3. What does “it took only six hours to break my body and soul” mean
4. What lessons can we learn about human resilience and nature’s power
Task 7: Synonyms & Antonyms Hunt
Find 3 pairs of synonyms and 3 pairs of antonyms from the text.
Example:
Synonyms: terrible – horrible
Antonyms: black – white
Part 5: Express Yourself
Task 8: Storytelling
Work in pairs. Prepare a short story about a scary/unusual experience using relative clauses.
Example:
My story happened on a rainy night when I was walking home alone...
Task 9: Creative Writing
Write a diary entry from the perspective of the storyteller’s brother. Include:
His feelings during the storm
His reaction to the whirlpool
Why he refused to leave the boat
Part 6: Review & Summary
Task 10: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the summary using words from the text:
The storyteller experienced a Moskoestrom which broke his 1________. One day, he was fishing with his brothers when the sky 2________. A huge 3________ covered the boat, and his younger brother 4________. The boat entered the 5________. The storyteller observed that round objects fell faster, while 6________shaped ones fell slowly. He 7________ to a barrel. His brother was too 8________ to follow. Finally, the storyteller 9________ the storm.Answer
Task 1: Vocabulary & Picture Description
1. A fisherman is trying to survive a storm.
2. A whirlpool is pulling the boat underwater.
3. The fishing boat is tossed by wild waves.
4. A man is floating on a barrel to escape.
Task 2: PreReading Answers
1. A powerful tidal whirlpool in the Norwegian Sea.
2. Edgar Allan Poe.
3. (Open answer)
Task 3: Reading Answers
1. The storyteller, his two brothers.
2. The survivor of the whirlpool.
3. Three years ago, in the Norwegian Sea.
4. His hair turned white; he looked much older.
Task 4: Story Structure (Example)
Feelings column: Fear → Curiosity → Relief
Task 5: Language
B. Sentence Combining
2. This is the city where I was born.
3. He didn’t explain the reason why he was late.
C. Fill in the Blanks
1. where 2. why 3. when
Task 6: Group Work
1. Larger objects fall faster; round objects fall faster; tubeshaped objects fall slower.
2. He used a barrel; his brother stayed in the heavy boat.
3. The trauma aged him physically and mentally.
Task 7: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: rapid – fast; fearful – frightened
Antonyms: safe – dangerous; calm – wild
Task 10: Summary
1. body and soul 2. clouded over 3. wave 4. fell into 5. whirlpool
6. tube 7. tied himself 8. frightened 9. survived
