1、Unit 4Astronomy:the science of the stars.阅读AScientists announced on Thursday,February 11,2016,at a press conference in Washington,D.C.that the more than half-century search for gravitational waves finally succeeded.They confirmed that they had detected gravitational waves caused by two black holes m
2、ixing together about 1.3 billion years ago.It had been the first time the phenomenon was directly detected since it was predicted by Albert Einstein 100 years ago.A China-led space gravitational wave detection project is recruiting(招募) researchers from around the world, reported.The Tianqin project
3、was started by Sun Yat-sen University in Zhuhai.It centers on research of key technologies in space gravitational wave detection.To make the project more competitive,global talents in areas such as gravity theory,space gravity experiments and precision measurement are sought with an annual salary of
4、 up to 1 million yuan( $153,000),according to the report.Gravitational waves are not easily detectable.When they reach the earth,an extremely sensitive detector is needed,as other sources of noise can overwhelm the signal.Luo Jun,president of Sun Yat-sen University said the detection of gravitationa
5、l waves is a huge challenge and the project reflects the research competence of China.The 15-billion-yuan project aims to send wave-detection satellites into space in 15 to 20 years with construction of a research center and observatory to be started soon.Researchers will likely cooperate with other
6、 scientists from the European Space Agencys LISA Project.Gravitational waves are ripples (涟漪) in space time generated during the earliest moment of the universe,when the universe experienced a brief but disordered period of expansion.The detection of gravitational waves is believed to help scientist
7、s understand more mysteries of the universe.1.What can we learn about gravitational waves?A.They caused black holes to mix together.B.They came out about half a century ago.C.They were proved true by Albert Einstein.D.They have been discovered recently.2.According to the passage,the Tianqin project
8、is intended to .A.develop technologies to detect space gravitational wavesB.attract talented researchers from across the globeC.conduct various space gravity experimentsD.seek precision measurement in space3.The underlined word “overwhelm” in the third paragraph probably means “”.A.absorbB.replaceC.
9、removeD.cover4.The main purpose of the passage is to .A.explain the importance of the gravitational wave detectionB.present some new findings in space explorationC.introduce a gravitational wave research projectD.encourage international cooperation in scientific research语篇解读:本文是一篇科普说明文,介绍了引力波以及中国启动的
10、引力波研究项目。答案及剖析:1.D细节理解题。根据第一段第一句可知,引力波最近被成功发现。2.A细节理解题。根据第二段第三句“It centers on research of key technologies in space gravitational wave detection.”可知选A项。3.D词义猜测题。根据第三段第一、二句“Gravitational waves are not easily detectable.When they reach the earth,an extremely sensitive detector is needed.”可知,引力波不容易被检测,当
11、引力波到达地球时,需要一个非常敏感的探测器,因为其他噪音源可能会覆盖引力波信号。由此可推测overwhelm意为“覆盖”。4.C写作目的题。通读全文,特别是根据第四段第一句可知,本文主要向人们介绍了一个有关引力波的研究项目。BAn ambitious project to establish a human colony on Mars has attracted applications from tens of thousands of would-be astronauts,just two weeks after applications opened.The mission,a pr
12、ivate venture by the Dutch non-profit organization,Mars One,aims to send a crew to the Red Planet in 2022and,due to the physiological change in the human body after a stay on Mars,thered be no coming back.That hasnt deterred people,though,so far,over 200,000 people have applied to become one of Mars
13、 first immigrants.“This is turning out to be the most desired job in history,” says Bas Lansdorp,co-founder of Mars One.Day-to-day life on Mars will be no picnic.The organization says that the daily routine on the planet would involve construction work on the colony (installing greenhouses,for examp
14、le),maintenance of the settlements systems and research into Mars climate and geological historyall in an inhospitable environment with unbreathable air and an average temperature in the planets mid-latitudes of around -58 .But Mars One says it is not looking for applicants with specific skills,such
15、 as a science degree,which might be useful during an interplanetary posting.Instead,they are looking for people who have a deep sense of purpose,willingness to build and maintain healthy relationships,the capacity for self-reflection and ability to trust.They also want volunteers who are resilient,a
16、daptable,curious,creative and resourceful.“Candidates will receive a minimum of eight years training before leaving earth,” the company says.In addition to people skills,successful applicants must be good fundraisers too:Mars One plans to raise much of the missions $6 billion estimated cost through
17、a reality TV show following the applicants as they undergo preparations for the one-way trip to Mars.5.According to the passage,we cant know about Mars that .A.there is no human beings living on it nowB.there is no air on itC.the mid-latitudes average temperature is lower than that on the earthD.it
18、will lead to physiological change for human beings living on it6.The applicants will on Mars.A.live in cold B.get a desired jobC.do some research D.get a large amount of money7.The applicants are not necessary to .A.have a science degree B.have people skillsC.be good fundraisers D.have a deep sense
19、of purpose8.The underlined word “deterred” in Paragraph 2 means “”.A.prevented B.scaredC.explained to D.informed语篇解读:本文是一篇说明文,主要介绍了一项人类移民火星的计划。答案及剖析:5.B推理判断题。根据第三段中的“all in an inhospitable environment with unbreathable air”可知,火星上没有适合人呼吸的空气,但这并不是说火星上没有空气,故选B项。6.C细节理解题。根据第三段中的“research into Mars clima
20、te and geological history”可知,他们将研究火星的气候和地质历史,即进行研究工作,故选C项。7.A细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中的“it is not looking for applicants with specific skills,such as a science degree”可知,申请者不需要有理学学位。8.A词义猜测题。此句中的主语that是指上句提到的“due to the physiological change in the human body after a stay on Mars,thered be no coming back”,即这是一次
21、有去无回的旅程,然而下文却说已有超过20万人申请移民火星,故deter意为“阻止”。.语法填空(2020山东模考)On the morning of her grandsons wedding,Peg McCormack received some bad news.The 91-year-old was in the hospital after a fall when she found out she would be unable to attend the 1. (celebrate) in Madison,New Jersey.Unknown to McCormack,her gr
22、andson Brian 2. his wife Lauren had made a heartfelt plan 3. (include) her in the days activities.4.(follow) by a wedding photographer,the couple made a surprise visit 5. the hospital before heading to the reception.“She was so excited to watch 6. (we) get married,” the bride said. “She was simply l
23、iving for this wedding.So we brought the wedding to her.”“When we walked into that room,she was 7.(obvious) shocked,” the photographer said.“She just kept 8.(say)I cant believe youre here!and thanking them for coming to see her.The way she held their hands,9.(touch) their faces and just looked at th
24、em,you could tell they had such a special bond.I dont think she released Brians hand 10. entire time that we were in the room.”“It meant the world to bring the wedding to her,”the groom said.“It was such a small portion of the day to trade in for such a special moment.”语篇解读:本文是一篇记叙文。91岁的老人在摔倒后住进了医院,
25、无法参加孙子的婚礼。孙子和妻子把婚礼带到了医院,让老人无比感动。答案及剖析:1.celebration定冠词the修饰名词。此处指庆祝活动,故用celebrate的名词形式celebration。2.andher grandson Brian和his wife是两个人物,中间需要连词连接,故用and。3.including本句中had made是谓语动词,include需要用非谓语动词,与plan是主动关系,所以用including。include sb.in an activity让某人参加活动。4.Followed此处是过去分词短语作状语,与逻辑主语the couple是被动关系,所以用f
26、ollowed。5.to固定短语make a visit to.去拜访/参观。6.us动词watch后需要用人称代词的宾格形式作宾语。故用we的宾格形式us。7.obviously修饰形容词shocked需要用副词形式。8.sayingkeep doing sth.不断地做某事。此处指奶奶不停地说“我不敢相信你们在这里!”,故用saying。9.touched此处与held和looked并列,都是主语she的谓语。所以touch也要用过去式touched。10.thethe entire time.作句子状语,“整个的时间”。此处指他们在病房期间,奶奶都没有松开布莱恩的手。.应用文写作假设你是
27、李华,你国际学校的朋友Paul邀请你下个星期天去他们学校参加文化交流活动并介绍中国传统绘画(traditional Chinese painting),但是你的爷爷生病住院,不得不谢绝他的邀请。请根据下面的要点给Paul用英语写一封回信。要点:1.谢绝Paul的邀请;2.说明你的理由;3.推荐你的同学Anna参加。注意:1.词数80左右;2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;3.信的开头和结尾已为你写好(不计入总词数)。Dear Paul,Thank you very much for your invitation. Yours,Li HuaOne possible version:Dear
28、Paul,Thank you very much for your invitation. Id love to accept it and take this opportunity to introduce traditional Chinese painting to foreign friends,but Im sorry that I cant.My grandpa is seriously ill in hospital and I have to look after him.As for the introduction speech,I strongly recommend
29、my friend Anna to take my place next Sunday.She began to learn painting at an early age and has a broad knowledge of traditional Chinese painting,which,combined with her perfect spoken English,will help to make your activity a success.Sorry again for any inconvenience caused by my absence and all the best wishes to you.Yours,Li Hua