2020-2021学年度第11期总第810期
New organ discovered (P6)
广西南宁市第三中学 徐永霞
Prediction
1. What kind of text is it?
An expository essay.

2. What do you expect to read about in this text?
What is the new organ?
How was it discovered?
Read for structure

Read for details
Part 1

1. What is the new organ?
A set of salivary glands.

2. What does it look like?
It is about 3.9 centimeters in length on average.
3. Where is it?
It is located at the intersection of the nose and throat.
4. What is its function?
It lubricates and moistens the upper throat behind the nose and mouth.

Part 2

How was the new organ discovered?
Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute were using a combination of computerized tomography (CT) scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans called PSMA PET-CT to study prostate (前列腺) cancer. PSMA PET-CT scan is particularly good at detecting salivary gland tissue. In the process, they noticed two areas in the head unexpectedly lit up. As they kept scanning patients, they kept finding the same area lighting up.

Part 3

Why could the discovery be important for cancer treatment?
The researchers found that the more radiation the patients had received in the area of the unknown glands, the more side effects they reported from their treatment. If the researchers can best spare the new glands and in which patients, patients may experience less side effects, which will benefit their overall quality of life after treatment.
Read for language features
salivary glands                                                   
torus tubarius
cartilage                                                              
tubarial salivary glands
lubricate                                                              
moisten
positron emission tomography (PET)
computerized tomography (CT)

They are technical terms.
Language feature: scientific

1. Because of their location behind a piece of cartilage…
2. In the process, they noticed two areas …
3. As they kept scanning patients…
4. Since no one knew about the tubarial salivary glands before, no one tried to avoid radiation in that region.

Language feature: logical

1. The newly discovered set is about 3.9 centimeters in length on average.
2. The glands probably lubricate (润滑) and moisten (使湿润) the upper throat behind the nose and mouth.
3. The discovery could be important for cancer treatment.
4. The researchers examined records from more than 700 cancer patients.
5. …patients may have trouble eating, swallowing and speaking.

Language feature: accurate

Features of an expository essay

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