Internet has fun with gravity (P37)
南京市第十三中学  王雨婷
I. Lead in  
Think and discuss:
What can a broom be used for? cleaning? magic?...
 
Can you imagine that there is a connection between “broom” and “NASA”?
 
II. Structure Analysis
Read the passage, divide it into several parts and summarize its main idea.
 
III. While-reading
What does the word “sweep” in paragraph 1 refer to?
A. clean
B. wipe
C. spread
D. remove
(Key: C)

Judge whether the following statements are True/ False
1. NASA stopped people worldwide trying the trick for themselves.
2. A standing broom has nothing to do with a special gravitational pull on a certain day.
3. A broom has a higher center of gravity.
4. It's possible to stand a broom upright as long as the bristles are positioned just right.
(Key: FTFT)

Why does the author use informal expressions like “Of course” and “Yes” in paragraph 2?
(Key:
to serve as a natural transition from the introduction to the explanation;
to explain the truth of the meme in an entertaining and relaxing way.)

Why is the relationship between the “moon” and “tides” mentioned in NASA's response in paragraph 3?
(Key:
It's a typical contrast;
By listing the fact that tides are created by the moon's gravity, NASA strongly disproves the claims that special gravity affects upright brooms.)

 
IV. Post-reading
Critical thinking:
 Should we trust all the information from the Internet? Why?
What message can you get from the article?
(Key:  ①Seeing is not believing.
②Think twice before believing.
③Explore the truth from different perspectives.)

V. Language Focus
Key phrases and expressions:
 
Fill in the blanks with expressions from the article.
1. This latest craze _________ (来源于) with a tweet (推文) on Feb 10,_________ that NASA said a broom could stand up on its own because of the gravitational pull that day.
(Key: originated; claiming)

Originate: v. 发源；来自；产生；创始；开创
        When something originates or when someone      originates it, it begins to happen or exist.
e.g. The disease originated in Africa.
       这种病源于非洲。
e.g. All carbohydrates originate from plants...
        所有的碳水化合物均来自植物。
claim
vt.
1. 声称, 断言
    e.g. They claim to have discovered a cure for the disease.
            他们声称已经发现了治疗此病的一种药物。
2. 需要, 值得
   e.g.  There are several matters that claim my attention.
             有几件事值得我注意。
3. 要求(应得权利)；要求给予
   e.g.  Every citizen may claim the protection of the law.
            每个公民都可以要求受到法律的保护。
4. 要求承认(权利、所有权等)；声称有权，拥有；索取，认领
   e.g.   Does anyone claim this luggage?
             有人认领这件行李吗?
vt. & vi.
1对…提出要求, 索取
     e.g. I claim payment from my friend.
             我要求我的朋友付款。
Cn.
1. 主张, 断言
     e.g.His claim to own the house is valid.
           他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
2. (根据权利而提出的)要求
    e.g.You have no claim on my sympathies.
           你无权要求得到我的支持。

2. The standing broom craze should _________ a warning to not believe everything you see on the internet, especially social media. 
(Key: serve as)
serve as 充当, 担任
e.g The general had served as a soldier in the earlier war.
        在早期的战争中, 这位将军曾当过士兵。
e.g. We found that birch bark could serve as paper.
       我们发现桦树皮可以作纸用。