2021-2022学年度第1期总第839期

Who’s watching? (Page 6)

吉林毓文中学   赵传彦

I.Lead-in

Do you believe aliens exist? Why or why not?

 

II. Title prediction

III. Read for structure

IV. While-reading

Read the text and answer the questions.

1. What new finding was published in Nature on June 23?

2. According to what Lisa Kaltenegger said, what is her attitude toward aliens?

3. What could tell a planet circling around one of those 1,715 stars that there is life on Earth?

4. Why haven’t we heard from anyone, then?

 

Key:

1. 1,715 stars have had a direct view of Earth since humans have been here.

2. Her attitude is positive and supportive.

3. The oxygen on Earth and the radio waves we have sent out into space.

4. It takes a long time for messages to travel between star systems.

 

V. Read for thinking

After reading the text, answer the following:

•Why did Boss say we should not expect aliens to show up anytime soon?

Key:

Because it takes a long time for messages to travel between star systems.

 

VI. Language study

1. astronomer	天文学家
2. had a direct view of	直视
3. within 326 light-years of Earth	距地球326光年以内
4. is home to	...的家园
5. human-made radio waves	人造无线电波
6. heard from	听说
7. by the time	到那时
8. advanced civilization	先进文明
9. not anymore	不再...
10. exchange	交换

 

Sentence analysis

According to a study published (发布) in Nature on June 23, astronomers have found that 1,715 stars have had a direct view of Earth since humans have been here.

 

Key:

•published (发布) in Nature on June 23过去分词短语做后置定语修饰a study。

•since引导时间状语从句，主句用现在完成时。

•The movie, called Hero, was famous for its special techniques.

•The student dressed in white is my daughter.

 

VII. Further discussion: Fun or Fear: The Choice is Yours

Ask your friends and family this question: If aliens came to our planet, what would be your feeling toward them? Would it be fun, exciting and informative? or frightening and shocking?