新编英语教程 4 Unit 8 Antarctica

Unit 8 AntarcticaI. Lead-in Activities: 1. Do you know Antarctica? How did you know it? What kind of news about it are you often informed through the media? Key words: continent, southernmost, expedition: a journey taken by a group of people with a definite objective2. How much do you know about Antarctica? Features of Antarctica: antarctica.map.docWhy Antarctica has not been conquered by man so far and how our tenure of it is questionable even today. Reasons: Great isolation from other land;(ll.13-14) Not inhabited by humans;(ll.18-19) Hardly any plant or animal life;(ll.20-21)Very little rain;( para.5,ll.25-29) intense cold;(ll.15-16,ll.30-36) Howling wind; (para.6) No human child ever born there (l.21) The most tempestuous seas around it (l.14, last para)II. Details: 1. What dose the writer intend to tell the reader about Antarctica by presenting a striking description of it? Use a few words to describe its most distinctive appearace.He intends to enfold the “most spectacular natural phenomenon” on earth.Seen from space, it is a huge ice sheet which radiates light like a great white lantern across the bottom of the world.2. Why do you think people used to regard the Arctic and the Antarctic as much alike? What is the fact about their similarities and differences? Since both are the ends of the earth axis respectively in the north and in the south, covered with a vast and thick layer of ice and snow, Both are extremely cold all year round. However, the fact is that their differences outweigh their similarities. (para.3) A survey of their differences: 1) geographical position: The Arctic is closely _( by) the _ continents of Europe, America and Asia; while the Antarctica is _ , separated from the nearest land by vast _ of the most _ seas on earth. ( hemmed in/ surrounded , populated, isolated, reaches, tempestuous) 2) climate: refer to the text and summarize their climatic difference; 3) rainfall (precipitation): (ll.25-29) 4) vegetation: the only plants are _ on the rock faces. (a handful of mosses and lichens) Animals: the only landlife_(ll.20-21) Population: there is no permanent _ , though there are research stations in Antarctica.3. Why has not no human child ever been born in Antarctica? There is a lack of the basic essentials to life: rainfall, warmth and a degree of stillness. Apart from extreme cold, wind is as injurious to human health as cold. (ll.43-45)4. What was the main drawback to the unveiling of Antarctica? Besides the climate, an even greater drawback which had prevented people from setting eye and set foot on was the nature of the Southern Ocean which surrounds it.iii. Comprehension Exercises: 1. True or False: Textbook P.137-138 2. Difficult Sentences: Workbook P.128-129Language Points: 1. be inclined to do sth.: be likely to, tend to E.g. Tom is inclined to be lazy. No one seemed inclined to help. 2. as regards: regarding, concerning, about, as far asis concernede.g. As regards his ability, we all feel he has great potential. You can rest assured as regards his character. 3. by far: a large amount or degree. Generally used with a comparative or superlative adj. E.g. The new mode of cellphone is by far the best of its kind.4. Have an effect on: affect E.g. Each living thing in an ecosystem has a great effect on many others in many ways. Pollution will have a direct effect on the unexpected change in climate all over the world.5. Small wonder (that): no wonder, not surprisingly E.g. Most young people are inclined to follow the fashion. Small wonder (that) my teen-age niece is so fashion-conscious. A new government policy on forests is due to be unveiled in April. 7. outweigh verb T to be greater or more important than something else:The benefits of this treatment far outweigh any risks. 8. hem sb in phrasal verb Mto surround someone and prevent them from moving or doing what they want to do: When they reached Oxford Circus, the demonstrators were hemmed in by the police.Words and phrases for self-study: a handful of At speed Be described as Be injurious to In isolation Remain inviolate Think of as At times In contrast In length Let alone Set eyes/ foot