2021-2022学年度第17期总第854期(6版)
Learning from space (P6)
河北省献县第一中学 曹堪娟 王红娟 刘巍

I. Lead-in
• How do you feel about physics class?
• What experiment impressed you most?
• How about a physics class in space?
• What experiments would you expect to be done there?
• Who is she? What is she doing?
 

II. Before reading
What information can you get from the title, photos and caption? 
• What is the topic of the article?
• What does “learning from space” mean? 

III. While reading
What’s the article mainly about?
The science lecture given by Chinese astronauts from the Tiangong space station and the scientific knowledge behind the lessons.

Read the article and answer the following questions.
1. Why did Chinese astronauts conduct experiments in space?
Scientific experiments like cell observation and maintaining plant life are part of the astronauts’ work in the space station. Because the conditions in space are different from earth, it means that a laboratory in space can find different results. 
Apart from that, the experiments were also conducted to popularize scientific knowledge.

2. What experiment did Ye Guangfu demonstrate and what did he want to study? 
He demonstrated experiments related to cell growth in a weightless environment.
He compared the growth and shape of cells in artificial gravity and zero-gravity to study their changing rules and mechanisms in space.

3. What was Wang Yaping’s experiment about? How did she demonstrate it? 
It was about surface tension in space.
She illustrated how a paper flower “bloomed” on the surface of the water in Tiangong space station to show that the surface tension of water is magnified in space due to zero gravity.

4. Why did the author mention detergent formulations and paints in paragraph 9?
To show that surface tension has been commonly used in product development.

5. What does the word “ignite” probably mean in the last paragraph? 
It means “arouse” or “excite feelings and passions”.

IV. Read for structure
Read the text and fill in the blanks.
 
Key:
 

V. Language study
Words and expressions
Look for a “friend” from the box for the underlined words and expressions in the sentences.

1. She explained that the surface tension of water is magnified in space due to zero gravity.
2. In the lecture, Ye demonstrated experiments related to cell growth in a weightless environment. 
3. Surface tension plays a key role in product development.
4.The three astronauts, Zhai Zhigang,Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu, showed life in space and conducted experiments in microgravity.
5. Its goal is to popularize space science.
6. This was not the first time that China has tried to cultivate plants in space.
7. The space lecture was “an eye-opening experience that would ignite students’ interest in science”
Keys 
1. ①because of 
2. ②have... to do with,
3. ④play an important part in  
4. ③carry out  
5. ⑥make... popular
6. ⑦grow
7. ⑤arouse one’s interest in 

Sentence
He compared the growth and shape of cells in artificial gravity and zero-gravity to study their changing rules and mechanisms in space.
释义：叶光富对比了人造重力和零重力下细胞的生长和形状，以研究细胞在外太空的变化规则和机制。
主句：He compared the growth and shape of cells...
目的状语: to study their changing rules and mechanisms in space.