(共30张PPT)
Unit 5 Into the unknown
Writing about the unexplained
To read the text and learn the structure of it.
To be able to write about the unexplained.
Learning objectives
The Loch Ness Monster
Do you know some mysteries in the world
Crop Circle
Warming up
Shennongjia Savage
UFO
pyramid
The Big Foot
The Yeti
Watch the video about gold masks in China and know about the Sanxingdui.
Recent archaeological discoveries, including a golden mask, unearthed at the Sanxingdui Ruins in China's Sichuan Province have amazed netizens worldwide.
These gold masks may originally have been attached to the bronze heads at Sanxingdui and would have shone like the sun. But what was their significance Sanxingdui was a Bronze Age city that flourished 3000-5000 years ago in Southwest China. Sanxingdui was the capital of the State of Shu and is one of modern China’s greatest archaeological finds.
Look at the pictures and talk about what you know about the mysterious 30th parallel north.
The 30th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 30 degrees north of the Earth’s equatorial plane. It stands one-third of the way between the equator and the North Pole and crosses Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean.
There is much about our world that we still do not understand. Scientists tell us that natural mysteries abound in every corner of the Earth, from the lifeless desert of Chile to the bottomless depths of the Pacific, there are things we simply do not comprehend.
Read the magazine article and answer the questions.
A LONG LINE OF MYSTERIES
1 Why is the 30th parallel north mysterious
The 30th parallel north is mysterious because it is where numerous sites of ancient civilisations and impressive natural features lie.
2 What are some unusual explanations for it
Some believe that the 30th parallel north is a line of great natural energy, with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and others even claim that its amazing natural features were caused by supernatural powers.
3 What are some possible scientific explanations
Possible scientific explanations for the 30th parallel north include the generally warm and wet climate that made it a good place for civilisations to develop, and the fact that it is where major tectonic plates meet.
Plan an article about an unexplained phenomenon. Do further research if necessary.
What is the unexplained phenomenon
Why is it mysterious
What non-scientific explanations are there
How do scientists explain it
Now write your article.
Make improvements to each other’s articles and share them with the class.
The monster of ... is back in the news.
It is known to all that ...
It lies in ...
It looks like a(n) ...
Some people saw it in ... for the first time.
Some scientists think that ...
Other scientists consider ...
Some people believe in its existence, because ...
By recent research, we can learn that ...
Personally, I (don’t) believe ...
The Bermuda Triangle
Far below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, in a roughly triangular area known as the Bermuda Triangle, lie more than 50 shipwrecks and 20 plane wreck. What makes these wrecks so mysterious is that the cause of their fate remains largely unknown — ships were abandoned without apparent reason, distress signals were never sent and aircraft were lost without trace.
Some believe that supernatural forces are responsible, while others put the accidents and disappearances down to coincidence. Scientific theories, meanwhile, include pilot error when trying to navigate the area, and huge “rogue waves” caused by terrible storms. Although many ships and planes cross the Bermuda Triangle without incident, the stories behind those doomed vessels’ fates continue to capture people’s imaginations.
【写作任务】
假定你是李华，你的美国网友Tom给你发来邮件，想了解楼兰古城的相关情况。请根据提示，用英语给他回一封电子邮件。要点包括：
1. 位于罗布泊西部，曾是古丝绸之路上的一个小国；
2. 在古代丝绸之路上占有极为重要的地位；
3. 公元630年神秘消失，现今只留下一片废墟。
注意：1. 词数100 左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
介绍神秘现象
Practice
一、审题定调
本写作任务要求给网友回一封电子邮件，介绍楼兰古城的相关情况，
属于应用文。其中，邮件主体介绍楼兰古城的部分则属于说明文。
二、谋篇布局
此类写作可以分为三部分：
第一部分：引出话题，说明写信目的；
第二部分：详细介绍楼兰古城；
第三部分：结束全文。
三、组织语言
第一部分：说明写信目的。
I was extremely thrilled when I received your e-mail.
Please allow me to give you a glimpse of ...
I’d like to offer you some information about ...
第二部分：详细介绍楼兰古城。
... located west of ... used to be a small country on the Silk Road.
Historically, as an important center of trade, it linked China and the west.
In 630 AD, this great city disappeared mysteriously.
What people can see nowadays is only its ruins.
Though scientists worldwide are still attempting to get to the bottom of this problem, no hard proof has been able to throw light on it so far.
第三部分：结束全文。
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to turn to me.
Dear Tom,
I was extremely thrilled when I received your e-mail. Please allow me to give you a glimpse of the ancient City of Loulan.
The ancient City of Loulan located west of Lop Nor used to be a small country on the Silk Road. Historically, as an important center of trade, it linked China and the west. In 630 AD, this great city disappeared mysteriously.
What people can see nowadays is only its ruins. Though scientists worldwide are still attempting to get to the bottom of this problem, no hard proof has been able to throw light on it so far.
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to turn to me.
Yours,
Li Hua
There is a profound charm in mystery.
—Chatfield
假定你是李华，你的英国笔友Mary对新疆的喀纳斯湖水怪很感兴趣，发来邮件向你询问相关情况。请根据提示用英语给她回一封电子邮件。
要点：
1. 喀纳斯湖位于新疆北部的阿尔泰森林中；
2. 据传该湖中有水怪常吞噬河边饮水的马匹；
3. 至今尚无科学解释。
注意：1. 词数100 左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Homework
Dear Mary,
I was extremely thrilled when I received your e-mail. Please allow me to give you a glimpse of the monster in the Kanas Lake.
The Kanas Lake is located in the forest of Altai Mountains, the north of Xinjiang. It’s said that there is a giant called the Kanas monster in the lake, and the horses drinking water from the lake are often dragged into the water.
Though scientists worldwide are still attempting to get to the bottom of this problem, no hard proof has been able to throw light on it so far.
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to turn to me.
Yours,
Li Hua
