1、Unit 5Period 1 Starting out&Understanding ideas新 课 导 入thunder and lightningthe earthquakethe solar eclipsethe mirageWatch the video and answer the questions.1 What natural phenomena are mentioned in the video?2 How were these explained in the past?What are the scientific explanations behind them?1课
2、堂 学 习Starting out 1.What natural phenomena are mentioned in the video?The natural phenomena that are mentioned in the video include:the earthquake,the solar eclipse,thunder and lightning,and the mirage.2.How were these explained in the past?What are the scientific explanations behind them?For the ea
3、rthquake:Native Americans used to believe that earthquakes were caused by a struggle between a large bird,called the Thunderbird,and a whale.An ancient Japanese belief was that earthquakes were caused by the movements of a giant catfish that carried the world on its back.Scientists now know that ear
4、thquakes are actually caused by the movement of tectonic plates.For the solar eclipse:In many cultures,there were ancient beliefs that solar eclipses were caused by a creature eating the Sun.In Vietnam,that creature was a giant frog,in Norway,a wolf,and in China,it was a huge dog.In fact,solar eclip
5、ses happen when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun,temporarily blocking the Suns light.For thunder and lightning:In Medieval Europe,people thought that supernatural forces caused thunder and lightning.It was a sign of bad times ahead.Modern science tells us that lightning is an electric charg
6、e moving between clouds,or between clouds and the earth.Thunder is a shock wave of sound caused by lightning.For the mirage:In Ancient China,peolple believed that this was actually caused by the breath of a dragon.These days,people know that a“mirage”happens when layers of air with varying temperatu
7、res cause light to bend.Look at the pictures and answer the questions.21 What do you know about these mysteries?2 What other unsolved mysteries do you know of?3 Which of these do you most want to investigate?AtlantisAtlantis is a legendary city,which is described in the work of the Greek philosopher
8、 Plato.The story of Atlantis with its fabulously wealthy and advanced civilisation which was swept into the sea to be lost for ever has captured the imagination of readers for over two millennia.Nazca linesThe Nazca Lines are a collection of giant geometric patterns and animal shapes.Drawn into the
9、landscapes of southern Peru,the majority of the lines are believed to be the work of the Nazca people around 1AD to 700.Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994,numerous studies and theories have so far not explained the reason why the lines were created.【背景知识】【背景知识】Tunguska eventTunguska eve
10、nt,enormous explosion that is estimated to have occurred at 7:14 am plus or minus one minute on 30 June 1908,at an altitude of 5-10 kilometres,flattening some 2,000 square kilometres and charring more than 100 square kilometres of pine forest near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in Central Siberia,R
11、ussia.Black holeA black hole is a region of space-time exhibiting gravitational acceleration so strong that nothing,not even light,can escape from it.1 Look at the pictures and answer the questions.Do further research if necessary.Understanding ideas 1 What do you know about these ancient civilisati
12、ons?2 What might be the reasons behind their collapse?3 What other ancient civilisations do you know of?Share what you know with the class.Ancient GreeceAncient BabylonAncient Egypt1.What do you know about these ancient civilisations?Ancient Greece has a long history which was made up of many Greek
13、city-states.The ancient Greeks believed in gods,goddesses,and magical creatures.The Greeks built temples to honor their gods.They told wonderful myths about their gods.Ancient Babylon was a massive walled city,and everyone lived inside the walled city.Laws of Babylon were famous.To ensure that the l
14、aws were followed by everyone,one of the kings of Babylon had the laws written down on stone so that everyone would be treated equally under the law.Ancient Egypt had advanced science and technology for the time.Ancient Egyptians built a lot of grand Pyramids,which were the tombs of their kings.Anci
15、ent Egyptians left many works of art,which reflected the collective effort.The colors of the paintings in the rock tombs looked fresh and vivid.2.What might be the reasons behind their collapse?3.What other ancient civilisations do you know of?Share what you know with the class.It might be the wars
16、that led to their collapse.They were conquered by other empires.The Mayan Indians lived in Mexico for thousands of years.The Maya believed in many gods.They built large temples to honor them.Read the passage and find out the possible reasons for the disappearance of Maya civilisation.The Mysteries o
17、f The MAYA1 Intrigued by Maya civilisation from a very young age,15-year-old Canadian William Gadoury thought he had made an incredible discovery from his study of ancient star charts.Through comparison,he found that the locations of the 117 known Maya cities correspond to the positions of the stars
18、.Based on this,he believed he had spotted an unknown Maya city buried deep in the jungle._22 It isnt difficult to see why.Extending south from parts of what we now know as Mexico into Central America,_ The Maya built impressive palaces and temples,incuding their representative step pyramids.What is
19、most extraordinary about these complex structures is how they were built without the use of wheels,metal tools or even animal power.The Mayas understanding of mathematics and astronomy was also quite amazing.They applied this understanding to the Maya calendar,which was accurate to within 30 seconds
20、 per year.On top of all this was an achievement unique in the Americas at that time:a true writing system.It contained more than 800 characters,with some signs representing animals,people and objects and others representing syllables.It was a writing system so compliated that,so far,no one has been
21、able to interpret it completely.3 The fact that Maya society was technologically primitive makes its achievements all the more incredible and mysterious._ By 700 AD,Maya cvilisation was at its peak.Yet,within just a couple of generations,it began to mysteriously decline.The cities were left to be ta
22、ken back by the jungle.When Europeans arrived in Central America in the early 16th century to claim its riches,the remaining Maya people were living in small settlements.4 Why Maya civilisation collapsed remains a mystery.Was it a natural disaster?A deadly disease?Conflicts between cities?Or was it
23、a combination of several different factors?_ They had turned wetlands into fields for growing grains,and had dug huge canal systems.As their population expanded,yet more land was needed for agriculture and more trees for construction.By changing the landscape in this way,it is possible that the Maya
24、 people unknowingly reduced their ability to deal with natural disasters.5_Some recent studies have found that there were far fewer tropical cyclones than usual between 700 AD and 1000 AD.This is likely to have led to a series of droughts,each lasting for a couple of years,inchuding a“megadrought”ar
25、ound 900 AD.Many scientists believe that these droughts were the main reason why Maya civilisation began to collapse at different rates in different places.These droughts would have led to food shortages,conflicts and,ultimately,the downfall of the cities.6 Whatever the reasons,Maya civilisation lar
26、gely disappeared within the deep jungle.Its once great cities fell into ruin,leaving various mysteries for later people to solve._Now check your findings:The way that the Maya people changed the landscape around them may have been one of the reasons behind the disappearance of their civilisation.Tur
27、ning wetlands into fields for growing grains,digging huge canal systems and cutting down more trees for construction reduced their ability to cope with natural disasters.When those natural disasters,such as droughts,struck,the Maya would have faced food shortages,conflicts and,eventually,the downfal
28、l of their cities.Choose the topic sentences and write them on the lines to complete the passage.3a Maya civilisation has been surrounded by mystery since its rediscovery in the 19th century.b But the greatest mystery of all is what caused the Maya to abandon most of their great cities.c Although hi
29、s theory has been dismissed by scholars,it shows how powerful the secrets of Ancient Maya civilisation are among people.d Research also suggests that those natural disasters may have led to the decline of the Maya.e Meanwhile,the rise and fall of this civilisation must also leave us thinking about o
30、ur own past,present and future.f Some research seems to indicate that the Maya people themselves may have played a part in their downfall.1-c 2-a 3-b 4-f 5-d 6-e Try to figure out the structure of the passage.PartsPara.(s)Main ideaPart 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Para.1Para.2Para.3Para.s 4-5Para.6Intro
31、duce the topicThe achievements of Maya civilizationThe decline of Maya civilizationThe reasons for the collapse of Maya civilizationThe mysteries of Maya civilization remain to be solvedOrganise information from the passage and complete the file of Maya civilisation.4 MAYA CIVILISATIONTimeLocationPo
32、ssible reasons for collapsearound 1800 BC to 1100 ADfrom 1_ to 2 _1 human causes-reduced the ability to deal with 3_4_ 5_huge expansion of the 6_2 natural causes-a series of 7_ between 700 AD and 1000 AD,each 8_.Mexico Central America natural disasters turning wetlands into fields digging huge canal
33、 systems population droughts lasting for a couple of yearsComplete the cultural comparison with information from the passage.5Comparing the highly-sophisticated civilisations of the Maya and Ancient China reveals some surprising similarities.They both possessed a detailed understanding of 1_ and ast
34、ronomy,which helped them maintain an accurate 2_ and a complex 3_ that used signs to represent sounds and meanings.mathematicscalendarwriting systemIt can therefore be difficult to explain why,despite their excellent construction skills,the Maya never learnt to use 4_,while the ancient Chinese did.F
35、acts such as these add to the mystery surrounding Maya civilisation,driving people to find out why it 5_ while others,such as Ancient China,survived and thrived.wheels,metal tools or even animal powerdisappeared1 What is the authors purpose in starting the passage with the story about William Gadour
36、y?2 What other things do you think could destroy a civilisation?Share an example with the class.3 What lessons can you learn from the collapse of Maya civilisation?How can this information help the development of todays society?4 Which of the arguments in the passage did you find the most convincing
37、?Give your reasons.Think Share1.What is the authors purpose in starting the passage with the story about William Gadoury?The story about William Gadoury shows how the secrets of Ancient Maya civilisation have captured peoples imaginations.2.What other things do you think could destroy a civilisation
38、?Share an example with the class.Maybe the wars.Ancient Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire.3.What lessons can you learn from the collapse of Maya civilisation?How can this information help the development of todays society?We cant destroy the balance of the ecosystem.Humans should live in harm
39、ony with nature.Only if we care for nature can we better protect our living environment.4.Which of the arguments in the passage did you find the most convincing?Give your reasons.Megadrought.It might cause food shortage,conflicts and the downfall of the cities.1.Intrigued by Maya civilisation from a
40、 very young age,15-year-old Canadian William Gadoury thought he had made an incredible discovery from his study of ancient star charts.十五岁的加拿大少年威廉.加杜里自幼便对玛雅文明着迷，他认为自己通过研究古老星象图有了惊人发现。Paraphrase:Fifteen-year-old Canadian William Gadoury was fascinated by Maya civilisation from a very young age，and he
41、thought he had discovered something amazing while studying ancient star charts.本句中的intrigued by是过去分词短语作原因状语，表示“被所吸引”。e.g.Intrigued by the heated debate,he kept watching for two hours.他被这场激烈的辩论吸引住了，一直看了两个小时。Language points 2.Through comparison,he found that the locations of the 117 known Maya cities
42、correspond to the positions of the stars.通过比较，他发现117个已知玛雅城市的位置与星星的位置相对应。【归纳拓展】correspond to 与相符；相当于correspond with 与通信；与相符in correspondence with 与通信；与一致3.Based on this,he believed he had spotted an unknown Maya city buried deep in the jungle.据此，他相信自己发现了一座隐藏于丛林深处的未知玛雅城市的位置。【归纳拓展】bury.in.把埋到里bury ones
43、 face/head in sth.把脸/头埋在某物里面be buried in/bury oneself in 埋头于，专心于4.Extending south from parts of what we now know as Mexico into Central America,Maya civilisation has been surrounded by mystery since its rediscovery in the 19th century.玛雅文明从我们现在所知的墨西哥向南延伸到中美洲，自19世纪被重新发现以来，玛雅文明一直被神秘所包围。【词汇拓展】expand(.)
44、into （把）扩展/发展成expansion n.扩大；增加；膨胀contract(反义词)vi.收缩【易混辨析】expand指范围、体积的扩大、膨胀；enlarge指面积、体积的扩大extend指长度、宽度的延伸及时间的延长spread指物种、疾病、思想、文化等的传播、延伸。5.What is most extraordinary about these complex structures is how they were built without the use of wheels,metal tools or even animal power.这些复杂建筑最不同寻常之处在于，在没
45、有使用机轮、金属工具甚至畜力的情况下，玛雅人是如何建造它们的。【句式分析】What is most extraordinary about these complex structures 由what引导的主语从句;how they were built without the use of wheels,metal tools or even animal power 由how引导的表语从句6.They applied this understanding to the Maya calendar,which was accurate to within 30 seconds per yea
46、r.他们将这一认识应用到了玛雅历中，该历法精确程度极高，每年误差不超过30秒。【归纳拓展】apply to.适用于 apply(to sb.)for sth.（向某人）申请某物apply oneself to(doing).致力于，专心于e.g.This rule applies to everyone.这条规则适用于每个人。7.On top of all this was an achievement unique in the Americas at that time:a true writing system.除此之外，还有一项当时美洲独有的成就：一个真正的文字系统。Paraphras
47、e:In addition to all this,the Maya established a true writing system,which was an achievement unique in the Americas at that time.句子中On top of all this was an achievement为介词短语位于句首引起的完全倒装。on top of sth.意思是“除之外（还）”。e.g.He gets commission on top of his salary.他除了薪金之外还拿佣金。e.g.Among these people was his
48、friend,Jim.他的朋友吉姆就在这些人当中。8.The fact that Maya society was technologically primitive makes its achievements all the more incredible and mysterious.玛雅社会的科技水平十分原始，这一事实使得玛雅的种种成就更加令人难以置信、神秘莫测。(1)all the more 更加，愈加（用于强调）e.g.Several publishers rejected her book,but that made her all the more determined.几家出
49、版商拒绝了她的书，但这让她更加坚定了决心。(2)【句式分析】Maya society was technologically primitive 同位语从句;在makes its achievements all the more incredible and mysterious中，make+宾语+adj作宾语补足语9.But the greatest mystery of all is what caused the Maya to abandon most of their great cities.但最大的谜团是为何玛雅人抛弃了绝大部分的大城市。abandon v.离弃，逃离；抛弃，遗
50、弃；放弃，中止；陷入搭配：abandon oneself to.沉湎于 e.g.They abandoned their research due to lack of funds.由于缺乏资金，他们放弃了研究。He abandoned himself to grief.他陷入了悲伤之中。【词汇拓展】abandoned adj.废弃的，被丢弃的；被抛弃的，被遗弃的an abandoned house 废弃的房子an abandoned child 弃儿10.Some recent studies have found that there were far fewer tropical cyc
