大学英语Unit 3 Weather.doc

Unit 3 WeatherPart AListening StrategyListening for Important Details Besides understanding the main idea of a listening text, we often find it necessary to grasp the important details as well. What counts as important details depends on the kind of information we want. Generally speaking, if we are listening to the narration of an event, we need to sharpen our ears not only for what happened, but also when and where, how and why it happened. In listening to a weather report, on the other hand, the important details we should watch out for are the current weather conditions, temperature, and weather outlook. Youre going to hear two short passages about weather. While listening, pay attention to such details as the weather conditions, temperature, weather outlook, damage caused by bad weather and so on, and write them down in note form. Then complete the exercises in your book.1. a. General weather conditions for today: Fine and pleasant.b. Temperature: High: 18 C (64 F)c. Weather outlook: Mostly cloudy with heavy showers moving in from the west.2. a. When did the storm start and how long did it last? It started around 8 p.m. and lasted for about three hours.b. How damaging was the storm? It caused four deaths and serious damage including a widespread power failure.Script:1. The weather today: a fine day is in store nearly everywhere, with the best of the sunshine in southern and central areas of Britain. A pleasant day, then, with long sunny periods developing. There will be light winds with a maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Look at the outlook for the next few days: it will become mostly cloudy with heavy showers moving in from the west.2. A storm in Changchun, capital of Northeast Chinas Jilin Province, claimed four lives on Sunday. The storm lasted about three hours from around 8 p.m. The winds reached speeds of over a hundred miles an hour, causing serious damage and a widespread power failure.PartBListening TasksDid You Hear the Weather Forecast?Word Bankannual a. once a year 年度的shade n. shelter from direct sunlight 荫participate in to take part in 参加doze off to have a short sleep, esp. during the day 打瞌睡cool . off to cause . to become less hot 使凉下来Script:Alan: Oh, look at the sky, Michelle! Its starting to get cloudy.Michelle: I see it. I hope it doesnt rain. I thought it was going to be a fine day today.Alan: Thats certainly what the department was hoping for when they chose today as the date for the annual picnic.Michelle: You cant have a picnic without good weather. You need sunshine for all the eating and games and entertainment.Alan: Yeah, sunshine but not too much! Do you remember last year?Michelle: I sure do. It was so hot all we did was look for shade, look for ways to escape from the sun.Alan: And no one wanted to participate in any of the planned activities. All we wanted was cold drinks. And then we dozed off.Michelle: If there had just been the tiniest breeze to cool us off.Alan: But there wasnt. Just that burning sun, without a cloud in the sky, and the temperature just seemed to climb higher and higher.Michelle: Well, we dont have that problem this year, apparently. Alan, did you hear the weather forecast? Is it supposed to rain?Alan: I dont know. I didnt catch the weather report. But maybe if it rains, it will only be a short shower which cools things off a little. That might not be bad.Exercise 1Listen to the conversation and choose the right answers to the questions.1. What are Alan and Michelle mainly doing?a. They are planning a picnic for the department.b. They are wondering what the weather will be like at the annual picnic.c. They are discussing how to escape from the sun.d. They are having cold drinks and talking about the weather.2. What do you know about Alan?a. He thinks the department has misjudged the weather situation for the day.b. He dismisses the idea of having an annual picnic as silly.c. He dislikes pre-arranged activities and would rather go somewhere on his own.d. He prefers a short little sleep after drinking.3. What can you infer from the conversation?a. Alan is expecting a gentle breeze to cool things off.b. They havent had much sunshine recently.c. Much to their delight, the weather turns out to be just fine for the picnic.d. The annual department picnic is usually held on a summer day. Exercise 2Listen to the conversation again. Then write down answers to the following questions.1. What happened to Alan and Michelle last year?They went to the department picnic but their fun was spoiled by the hot weather.2. Why wont Alan worry even if it rains? Because he thinks itll only be a short shower that cools things off a little.Part CShort ConversationsYoure going to hear five short conversations. Listen carefully and choose the right answers to the questions you hear.1. a. Snowy and windy.b. Cold and rainy.c. Snowy and icy.d. Windy and rainy.2. a. It will get warmer soon.b. It may get even colder.c. This is the coldest winter ever.d. The weather has never been so bad before.3. a. The man is sure the weather will be fine soon.b. According to the forecast the weather will be fine soon.c. If it keeps raining, they will cancel what they have planned to do.d. If it rains hard, they will postpone what they have planned to do.4. a. Its cold in New York now.b. Its very hot in New York now.c. The woman thinks New York and Beijing have similar weather.d. The man is going to visit New York.5. a. Theyd better change their mind about playing tennis tomorrow.b. They shouldnt change their plan.c. They can play tennis in the morning.d. They wont play tennis long.Script:1. W: Its been freezing for the last few days.M: Yes. And the forecast says there will be more snow next week, accompanied by strong winds.Q: What will the weather be like next week?2. M: We havent had such a severe winter for a long time, have we?W: No, and the forec