高二2019-2020学年度第40期总第793期
3D tech heads to space (P6)
山东省烟台第二中学 赵娜娜

Lead-in
What kind of technology is used in this picture?
 
3D printing
What is 3D printing?
   3D printing is a family of processes that produces objects by adding material in layers that correspond to successive cross-sections of a 3D model. Plastics and metal alloys are the most commonly used materials for 3D printing, but it can work on nearly anything—from concrete to living tissue.

The US military is actually printing reusable plastic N95 face masks to ease the country’s medical supply shortage caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Title prediction
3D tech heads to space
Read the title and predict what the passage is about.

Fast-reading
Read the passage quickly and choose the main idea of the passage. 
A. China has taken its first 3D printer into space
B. The importance of 3D printing
C. The future of 3D printing
(Key: A)

While-reading
Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.
• 1. What has been already made by the 3D printer?
a honeycomb-shaped (蜂窝状的) structure
an emblem (徽章) of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC)

• 2. What is special about the 3D printing system?
• Special material is used
It uses carbon fiber-reinforced (纤维增强的) composites which are the best material for spacecraft structures due to its lightweight and high-strength features as well as its strong resistance to high and low temperatures, according to Xinhua News Agency.
• completes all tasks autonomously
 
• 3. What’s the prospect of this space-based 3D printing technology?
• It can extensively benefit space programs since astronauts will be able to create components (组件) quickly and conveniently in space instead of having to wait for resupply flights, which could take weeks or even months.
• The technology will save future space journeys considerable resources and costs.

Language  study
 
 
Sentence analysis
Onboard China’s Long March 5B carrier rocket, which was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on May 5, there is a 3D printer, developed and built by the China Academy of Space Technology.
Which在这引导非限制性定语从句，修饰前面的先行词rocket。developed和built在这作后置定语，修饰前面名词printer，和所修饰名词间为被动关系。

The US military is actually printing reusable plastic N95 face masks to ease the country’s medical supply shortage caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The printer, named the Space-Based Composite Material 3D Printing System, uses carbon fiber-reinforced (纤维增强的) composites.
这里的caused和named都是非谓语动词作后置定语，和所修饰名词shortage和printer之间是被动关系。

Exercise
1. Sorry , there is no room ____(leave) in my car.
2.  He found a note _____(pin) to the door, _______(say) when the shop will open again.
3.  The producer comes regularly to collect the cameras ________( return) to our shop for quality problems.
4. The government will take some effective measures to control the heavy smog  ________(blanket) Northern China.
(Key: left; pinned; saying; returned; blanketing)

Post-reading
Retell the passage covering the following aspects.
• the Space-Based Composite Material 3D Printing System
• innovative features
• promising prospect

Homework
Write a passage introducing the Space-Based Composite Material 3D Printing System.