Reading (1)
Teaching objectives:
1.To reinforce students’ comprehension of the text and improve their other skills by participating in all the activities.
2.To help students know the widespread discussion about cloning and hold their own attitudes towards it.
3.To enable students to master the reading strategy and become more competent in reading articles related to science.
Teaching focus and difficulties:
1. Students can work out the meaning of difficult or unfamiliar scientific terms with reading strategy.
2. Students can hold their own opinions on the base of reading the article.
Teaching aids:
The multimedia
Brief teaching procedures:
Step1 Lead- in
Check the homework. Encourage students to share their sources relevant to cloning technology with the whole class. Tell students that cloning has been the subject of scientific experiments for years. The recent success in cloning animals has resulted in fierce debates between scientists, politicians and public.
Step2 Reading strategy
Get students to go through the reading strategy, and make sure that everyone of them understands how to work out the meaning of these scientific terms.
Step1
Begin by reading the first and last paragraphs for an idea of what the article is about.
Step2
Circle any words you do not now. Question things you do not understand or that do not appear to make sense.
Step3
Read through the article a few times, and make sense of the scientific terms upon further readings.
Step3 First reading—Main idea
Ask students to refer to the reading passage and find out the main idea.
(The reading passage is made up of a newspaper article about cloning and two readers’ letters. We will be given information about how cloning is being researched and the different attitudes towards it.)
Step4 Second reading—Understanding scientific terms
Ask students to circle the unfamiliar words or things they do not understand while second reading. (For example: embryo, tissues and organs, interfere with nature, etc)
Step5 Third reading—Detailed information
Ask students to read only the article carefully, and finish the following exercises:
1. What are the different attitudes towards the success of cloning a human embryo?
On the one hand (valuable tissues and organs can be produced and be used to save human lives)
On the other hand (human beings may be on the way to producing a real-life monster)
Some people consider that (cloning human embryos with the intention to destroy them shows no respect for human life.)
2. Who are the persons in the article related to cloning?
persons
introductions
relations to cloning
Ian Wilumt
a Scottish scientist who created Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned successfully from an adult cell
He was shocked when hearing some scientists were considering cloning human beings. He never intends to create copies of humans. Instead, he thinks the efforts of scientists should be directed towards creating new cells and organs that could be used to cure diseases like cancer.
Faye Wilson
a woman of 41 years old who cannot have a baby.
She is desperate to have a baby of her own, a child that is genetically related to her.
Severino Antinori
an Italian doctor, who is one of the leaders in the cloning research
He has declared that he wants to be the first to clone a human being.
Chinese scientists
who have focused their efforts on cloning animals and stem cells to be used in medical research
China has succeeded in producing clones of cows and goats, and continues to research the ways in which cloning can benefit mankind.
Ask students to read the two letters carefully, and judge whether the statements are true or false:
Pauline Carter thinks:
1. the nature will pay back if we interfere with nature. ( T )
2. we should clone fewer babies to reduce Earth’s population. ( F )
3. the lady who cannot have a baby can adopt an orphan, but not have a cloned baby. ( T )
Coline Jake thinks:
1. the news that the first human embryo has be cloned successfully is very terrible. ( F )
2. scientists have succeeded in challenging questions of morality. ( F )
3. human cloning is a good way to save her daughter who has died. ( F )
Step6 Further discussion
Understanding the scientific terms and reinforcing the comprehension of the text, students are got to form groups of four or six to discuss the further questions:
1. Find the reasons why people are pro- or anti-cloning in the article and letters and write them in the table below
Pro-cloning
Anti-cloning
1. produce valuable tissues and organs that could be used to save human lives
1. may produce a real-life Frankenshtein’s monster
2. cure disease like cancer
2. create more disease in the animal world
3. help those who are unable to have children
3. cloning shows no respect for human life
4. help those who want to clone their dead children
4. human life would no longer be unique
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5. we should be having fewer babies in order to reduce Earth’s population, not cloning more
2. Do you think it would be easy for the cloned baby to accept his/ her social identity as a ‘cloned’ human being?
3. What would the person that had the original cell feel about the cloned baby?
4. Think about the relationship between the title of the unit Science versus nature and cloning technology.
Step7 Homework
Think about the difficult scientific terms underlined before up on the text learning
Reading (2)—Language Points
1. A recent announcement by scientists that they have successfully cloned the first human embryo…
announcement (n.) 宣告，通知，声明
(短语)make/ issue an announcement 发表声明
announce（vt.）宣告，通知，声明
(短语) announce sth. to sb. (不能用announce sb. sth.)
(比较) announce/ declare
announce 指对公众或特定的一群关心的人进行宣布；declare指官方的正式宣告
Everyone was silent as he announced the winner of the competition.
This powerful country declared war on that small country.
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2. On the one hand, some scientists point out that if you clone an embryo, you can …
①on (the) one hand…on the other hand…一方面…另一方面…（单独使用on the other hand时，hand不能省略，但与on the one hand连用时，可省略）
On one hand, rapid development of the economy will improve the living conditions of the people. On the other hand, it will speed up environmental destruction.
(短语) at hand 在手边，在附近 by hand 亲手，手工
in hand 手头现有的，正在进行，在处理中
hand in hand手拉手
Hands off! 请勿动手！不许干涉 Hands up! 举起手来！
②point out 指出 He pointed out my mistake. 他指出我的错误。
point to/point at 指着，指向某人或某物（两个词组可互换使用）He pointed at/ to a picture.
point at 对准，瞄准(某人用枪对准某人某物等)
They pointed at her head but she was not afraid.
point to 表明，指向(主语为证据、时针以及宾语为某一方向时)
The evidence points to him as the criminal.
The hands of the clock pointed to half past three.
The compass needle points to the north.
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3. …they may be on their way to producing a real-life Frankensrein’s monster.
on one’s (the) way to doing sth. “正在做某事的过程中”. to是介词，后接名词、代词或动名词短语
(练习) I’ve just heard a warning ______ the radio that a storm may be ______ its way.
a. on, on b. over, in c. on, above d. from, on
(短语) on one’s (the) way to 在去…的途中 by the way 顺便问问，顺便说说
by way of 途经 in a way 在某种意义上，在某种程度上
in one’s (the) way 挡路 in this way 用这种方式
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4. However, in general the scientists were praised for their wonderful scientific breakthrough.
①in general 一般说来，从总体上看，大体上
In general, red is the most popular colour this season.
(短语) in a general way 一般，通常 as a general rule 在一般情况下
②praise (vi.&vt.&n.)表扬，赞扬，表彰
(短语)win high praise 受到高度赞扬 in praise of 赞扬（某人）
beyond all praises 赞美不尽的，赞不绝口的
be loud in sb.’s praise 对某人极力称赞
praise sb. for sth. 因某事而赞美/称赞某人
（练习）He gave a speech in praise of school life.
他做了一个赞美学校生活的演讲。
He is highly praised for his research on genes.
他的基因研究受到了高度赞扬。
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5. However, some people consider that cloning human embryos with the intention of destroying them shows no respect for human life.
with the intention of 为了，以…为目的或意图
He has decided to go abroad to study with the intention of improving his English and finding a better job when he returns.
intention (n.) 目的，打算，意图
（词组）without intention 无意地 make one’s intension clear 说清楚自己的目的
state/ announce one’s intention 声明自己的意图
(练习) I began reading with the ___b___ of finishing the book, but I never did.
a. interview b. intention c. application d. consideration
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6. I don’t want to adopt someone else’s child and I don’t want to use another woman’s egg—I want a child that is generically related to me.
①adopt (vt.) 收养，领养；采用，采纳（议案、意见等）
Can you adopt my new idea?
They adopted a neighbour’s boy.
(词组) adopt measures/ new methods/ an idea 采取措施/ 采用新办法/ 采纳意见
adopt a resolution 通过一项议案
an adopted son 养子 adopted words 外来词
(比较) adopt/adapt
adopt收养，领养；采用，采纳（议案、意见等）；adapt使适合，使适应 adapt…to…；改编adapt…for…
She had to adapt herself to local conditions. 她必须使自己适应当地的情况。
This English novel was adapted for the stage. 这部小说被改编成了剧本。
(练习) The couple decided to _____a boy because they had three girls.
a. adapt b. adopt c. receive b. keep
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②be related to 与…有关联；与…有联系
Can you relate what happened in your childhood to your present state of mind?
relate (v) 和…相关，把…与…关联起来
relation (n.) 关系，联系，家属，亲属
relative (adj.) 有关系的，相对的；(n.) 亲戚，亲属
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7. While cloning human embryos is illegal in many countries, some scientists are already pushing ahead with research so as to deliver a cloned human baby.
①while (conj.) 当…的时候，和…同时（while引导的从句要表示一段时间）
John came in while I was typing a letter. 当我正在用打字机打一封信时，约翰进来了。
(conj.) 然而，虽然，尽管
While he was hated by others, I liked him. 他虽受人恨， 但我却喜欢他。
(练习) ______ English can be difficult to learn, it is a very useful tool for communication.
a. Because b. As c. Once d. While
②push ahead with 推进，推行，毅然继续做某事
It is hard to push ahead with such an unpopular policy.
这样一个不得人心的政策很难推行下去的。
(词组) push ahead/ forward/ on with sth. 毅然继续做某事
push sth. forward 提出某事， 迫使他人考虑或注意某事
push sb./ sth. over 使某人/某物倒下；推倒某人/某物
③deliver 在这里“接生，使分娩”之意
Her baby was delivered by an experienced doctor.
该词还有“投递，传送，释放，表达，解救”等意思
(词组) deliver sb. from danger 救某人脱险
deliver sth. to sb. 把某物交付给某人
deliver a message/ a letter 传话/ 送信
deliver a speech 发表演说
be delivered of 生下孩子
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8. China has succeeded in producing clones of cows and goats, and continues to research ways in which cloning can benefit mankind.
①succeed in doing sth. 成功地做某事 （反义词组）fail to do sth.
After practicing more, he succeeded in passing the driving test.
success (n.) successful (adj.) successfully (adv.)
②benefit (n.) 利益，好处；(pl.)救济金
(词组) be of benefit to 对…有裨益 for the benefit of…为了…的利益
It is said Yoga is of great benefit to human health.
(vt.&vi.) 有益于
benefit sb./sth. 有益于某人/某物 benefit from/by 从…中获益
Such foolish behavior will not benefit you.
We all benefited from her success.
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9. We could produce a monster, or even a superhuman race that could one day end up replacing us.
end up 以…而告终，后接现在分词； end up with/in/as 后接名词
At first he refused to accept any responsibility but he ended up apologizing.
The party ended up with a song.
If you continue to steal, you will end up in prison.
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10. Human life would no longer be unique; it would just be a product for sale.
for sale 待售，出售的
The land is now for sale at that price to anyone.
现将那块地按该价出售，任何人都可购买。
on sale （英）出售，（美）廉价出售
Tomato soup that is usually sold at twelve cents a bowl is now on sale for ten cents.
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11. I would like to comment on your article ‘The perfect copy’.
comment (n.& vi.) 评论，评注
(词组) make (a comment)comments on sb./sth.同comment on/ upon/ about sb./sth. 评论某人（某事）
He made several comments on the book.
We would like the audience to comment on our new play.
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12. After all, scientists have been challenging questions of morality for centuries.
after all 毕竟，终究，别忘了
We all though that he would fail, but he succeeded after all.
我们都认为他要失败，可他还是成功了。
(短语) above all 首要，特别是 first of all 首先，首要的是
in all 总共，总计 not…at all 一点儿也不
all the same 仍然，还是 not at all 一点也不，不用客气
all the best 万事如意 all the time 一直
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13. When reading articles related to science, we often come across difficult or unfamiliar words.
come across (偶尔)碰到，遇见，发现; 同义词组run across, run into, meet with
(短语)come about 发生 come to 达到，总计
come on 加油，快点 come over 过来
come up 走上前，走过来
come out 出来，（花）开放，出版，（消息）传出
(练习) Jim was very happy yesterday because he __b__ the book that he wanted.
a. came to b. came across c. came about d. came out
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