Ⅰ. Suggested Teaching Plan Objectives
Unit 2 (B4) Smart Cars
Students will be able to: 1. understand the main idea and structure of the text; 2. learn some techniques in expository writing (definition, quotes, a mixture of facts and opinions, etc.); 3. grasp the key language points and grammatical structures in the text; 4. conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking, and writing activities related to the theme of the unit. Time Allotment 1st period Pre-reading; While-reading structure, Part I) (text 2nd period While-reading (Part I, Part II) 3rd period While-reading (PartIII); Post-reading (definition) Pre-reading Tasks 1. T asks Ss the following questions on the song: (5 minutes)
— According to the song, will the world be a better or a worse place in a hundred years’ time? (a worse place)
— According to the song, what are some of the effects of modern science and technology on man in the future? Do you agree? (thoughts and feelings will be shaped by drugs; bodies will waste away; family life will be gone, babies will be born artificially; man may no longer exist) 2. Group discussion(20 minutes)
1) Ss are given ten minutes to free write, beginning with the sentence: “ Even if I could afford a car, I may not actually want to drive one because...”
2) Ss exchange their papers with at least three fellow Ss, noting down reasons given by the others as to why they wouldn’t drive a car.
3) T asks several Ss to report to class the reasons for not driving a car given both by him/herself and by others.
3. T may move on to Text A by saying: Some scientists and engineers have come up with the idea of a “smart car”. Let’s read to find out what this “smart car” can do. (2 minutes)
While-reading tasks
1. T leads Ss through the instructions for Text Organization Exercise 1, and tell them that the main ideas will
be filled in as soon as they finish studying a part. (3 minutes)
2. T explains the language points in Part I and has Ss practice them, (see Language Study) (10 minutes)
3. Ss tell sentences that express opinions from factual statements in Part I. Later, T explains that facts and opinions are often interwoven in expository writing and that one must learn to distinguish them, (see Text Analysis) (8 minutes)
4. Ss summarize the main idea of Part I. (2 minutes)
5. T explains the language points in Part II and has Ss practice them, (see Language Study) (30 minutes) 6. Ss summarize the main idea of Part II. (2 minutes)
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7. Ss do Text Organization Exercise 2. (16 minutes)
8. T explains the language points in Part III and has Ss practice them, (see Language Study) (20 minutes) 9. Ss summarizes the main idea of Part III. (2 minutes)
Post-reading tasks
1. Finding out definitions (20 minutes)
1) Ss work in pairs and re-read the text to provide definitions for “blind spot”, “global positioning system”, “atomic clock”, “telematics” and “automated driver”. 2) Several pairs report to class.
3) T solicits answers to the following questions:
— By what means did you come up with those definitions?
— Besides listing facts and using definitions, what other writing techniques are used in this expository piece of writing?
— Will you use these techniques in your own writing? (see Text Analysis) 2. T guides Ss through some after-text exercises. (30 minutes) 3. T checks on Ss’ home reading (Text B) (3 minutes)
4. Ss do Part IV: Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks. (1 period) 5. T asks Ss to prepare for the next unit: (2 minutes) 1) do the pre-reading task; 2) preview Text A.
Ⅱ.Text Analysis
What jumps out first at a browser of this text may be those terms in quotation marks or with capitalized first letters — “blind spot”, Global Positioning System, “atomic clocks”, “telematics” and “automated driver”. What do they mean? How do we find out?
An efficient reader knows. He/She can make a guess based on knowledge of word-formation or knowledge of the world or the context. For example, when the reader comes across “Should you make a serious driving mistake (e.g., change lanes when there is a car in your ‘blind spot’) the computer would sound an immediate warning”, he or she can guess from the context that a blind spot must be a portion of the road behind a car, which a driver can not observe from the rear-view mirror.
What is the Global Positioning System? From the sentence containing this term (“We already have twenty-four Navstar satellites orbiting the earth, making up what is called the Global Positioning System.”), we know it is a service linked with a satellite. From the following sentence we know its function (“They make it possible to determine your location on the earth to within about a hundred feet.”)
What is an atomic clock? The answer is found in exactly the same sentence. It vibrates at a precise frequency, according to the laws of the quantum theory.
We can guess the meaning of “telematics” from its word formation. The prefix “tele-” means “distant”, the suffix “-matics” may be the end part of “informatics”. Then the sentence in the text— “GPS is actually but part of a larger movement, called ‘telematics’”— tells us more about it.
What is an automated driver? Sentences directly following the term give a detailed explanation — “The plan calls for computers, aided by thousands of three-inch magnetic spikes buried in the highway, to take complete control of the driving of cars on heavily trafficked roads. Cars will be bunched into groups of ten to twelve vehicles, only six feet apart, traveling in unison, and controlled by computer.”
Ⅲ. Cultural Notes
1. automobile industry: The automobile industry is one of the most important industries in the world,
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affecting not only economies but also cultures. It provides jobs for millions of people, generates billions of dollars in worldwide revenues, and provides the basis for a multitude of related service and support industries. Automobiles revolutionized transportation in the 20th century, changing forever the way people live, travel, and do business.
The automobile has enabled people to travel and transport goods farther and faster, and has opened wider market areas for business and commerce. The auto industry has also reduced the overall cost of transportation by using methods such as mass production (making several products at once, rather than one at a time), mass marketing (selling products nationally and globally rather than locally), and globalization of production (assembling products with parts made worldwide). Between 1886 and 1898, about 300 automobiles were built, but there was no real established industry. A century later, with automakers and auto buyers expanding globally, automaking became the world’s largest manufacturing activity, with more than 53 million new vehicles built each year worldwide.
Automobile manufacturers are among the largest companies in the world. These corporations are often multinational. These companies often share parts, or use parts made in foreign factories. The U.S. automobile industry produced 16.8 million vehicles in 1999. The three major automobile manufacturers in the United States — General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and DaimlerChrysler AG — provide three-fourths of the industry’s total direct employment in the United States.
At the start of the 21st century, the trends of global trade and manufacturing flexibility continue. Computerization continues to be a major part of auto design and manufacture, as do the search for alternative fuels and more efficient automobile designs.
2. Global Positioning System (GPS): space-based radio-navigation system, consisting of 24 satellites and ground support. GPS provides users with accurate information about their position and velocity, as well as the time, anywhere in the world and in all weather conditions.
GPS determines location by computing the difference between the time that a signal is sent and the time it is received. GPS satellites carry atomic clocks that provide extremely accurate time. The time information is placed in the codes broadcast by the satellite so that a receiver can continuously determine the time the signal was broadcast. The signal contains data that a receiver uses to compute the locations of the satellites and to make other adjustments needed for accurate positioning. The receiver uses the time difference between the time of signal reception and the broadcast time to compute the distance, or range, from the receiver to the satellite. The receiver must account for propagation delays, or decreases in the signal’s speed caused by the ionosphere and the troposphere. With information about the ranges to three satellites and the location of the satellite when the signal was sent, the receiver can compute its own three-dimensional position.
As of March 1994, 24 GPS satellites were in operation. Replenishment satellites are ready for launch, and contracts have been awarded to provide satellites into the 21st century. GPS applications continue to grow in land, sea, air, and space navigation. The ability to enhance safety and to decrease fuel consumption will make GPS an important component of travel in the international airspace system. Airplanes will use GPS for landing at fogbound airports. Automobiles will use GPS as part of intelligent transportation systems. Emerging technologies will enable GPS to determine not only the position of a vehicle but also its altitude.
3. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): advanced electronics, communications, and computer systems that increase the efficiency and safety of highway transportation. Originally known as Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems (IVHS), these technologies can provide real-time information exchange between drivers and the roads, giving rise to the terms “smart cars” and “smart highways.” As the technologies have expanded to include public transportation and commercial vehicles, this range of
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technologies has become known as the Intelligent Transportation System. Increasingly, drivers will have access to up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, alternate routes, and directions to unfamiliar destinations. Ultimately, vehicle control may be automated.
Ⅳ. Language Study
1. turn sth. into / become a reality:
Examples: Her dream of being a college student has turned into a reality.
Working at home and communicating with fellow workers via their PCs has become a reality for some.
2. lucrative: producing much money; profitable
Examples: Many ex-army officers have found lucrative jobs in private security firms.
We made a lucrative business deal with the American company on rice imports.
3. presently: (esp US) at the present time, now; after a short time; soon
Examples: We presently have no plans to expand our business overseas, but that may well change in
the future.
“Take it easy,” David said. “You will feel better presently.”
4. manufacture: make goods on a large scale using machinery
Examples: Britain now manufactures approximately 40 per cent of Europe’s desktop computers.
Ford has been manufacturing cars for nearly a hundred years.
5. approximately: fairly correct or accurate but not completely so
Examples: Approximately $150 million is to be spent on improvements on school buildings.
The car accident happened at approximately 7:45 a.m.
6. eliminate: remove, esp. sb./sth. that is not wanted or needed; get rid of (used in the patterns: eliminate
sth.; eliminate sth. from sth.)
Examples: The Chinese government approved a new plan to eliminate illiteracy nationwide by 2006.
The curriculum ignored the natural interests of children and so eliminated the children’s motivation.
If you think you may be allergic to a food or drink, eliminate it from your diet.
7. vapor: a mass of tiny drops of moisture forming a cloud or mist
Examples: The atmosphere always contains some moisture in the form of water vapor.
Pure steam is a dry and invisible vapor.
8. in the air: in the earth’s atmosphere; uncertain, not yet decided Examples: There is a peculiar smell in the air.
Hundreds of birds suddenly rose in the air. Our plans are still in the air.
9. start up: begin or begin working, running, happening, etc;
Examples: Peter looked in his mirror and started up the engine.
Put the key in the ignition and turn it to start the car up.
10. alert: warn sb. that there may be danger, trouble, etc.(used in the patterns: alert sb.; alert sb. to sth.)
Examples: Why weren’t the police alerted?
The manager alerted the staff to the crisis facing the company.
The teacher alerted the students to the danger of swimming in the river.
11. lane: a division of a road, street, or highway wide enough for a single line of motor vehicles Examples: The newly-built highways have two lanes for each direction of travel.
There are many different types of roads, from multilane freeways and expressways to two-way country roads.
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12. prototype: the first model or design of sth. from which other forms are copied or developed
Examples: Bell uttered to his assistant the words, “Mr. Watson, come here; I want you,” using a prototype telephone.
Toyota released its small-car prototype in 1947.
13. monotonous: dull and never changing or varying; constant and boring
Examples: Robots are used in repetitive, monotonous tasks in which human performance might
degrade over time.
In the 1970s we had a monotonous diet of rice and vegetables.
14. hazard: a thing that can be dangerous or cause damage; a danger or risk
Examples: The research has confirmed that tobacco smoke presents a hazard to health.
Smog developed into a major health hazard by the 20th century.
15. get / be stuck in (sth.): be unable to move or to be moved
Examples: I was stuck in the traffic yesterday for about one hour.
That’s why I missed the plane. I was stuck at home with flu
16. satellite: an electronic device that is sent into space and moves round a planet
Examples: Engineers have developed many kinds of satellites, each designed to serve a specific
purpose or mission.
The first artificial satellite was launched in 1957.
17. They make it possible: Pay attention to the structure v + it + adj. + to do (see Structure
Exercise 2)
18. to within about a hundred feet: double prepositions (see Structure Exercise 1)
19. vibrate: (cause sth. to) move rapidly and continuously backwards and forwards; shake
Examples: Microwave ovens operate by agitating the water molecules in the food, causing
them to vibrate, which produces heat.
The whole house vibrates whenever a heavy truck passes.
20. frequency: the rate at which sth. happens or is repeated, usu measured over a particular period
of time
Examples: Fatal road accidents have decreased in frequency over recent years. My
computer broke down with increasing frequency.
21. send out: transmit (a signal, etc.) by radio waves
Example: The yacht sent out a distress signal which was picked up by a passing steamer. 22. convert: change from one form or use to another (followed by into / to)
Examples: Solar cooking requires a dark pot to absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into heat
energy.
The signal will be converted into digital code.
23. correlate: have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another (followed by with/to)
Examples: Obesity correlates with increased risk of stroke.
A mother’s smoking in pregnancy correlates with low birth weight in her baby.
24. application: the action or an instance of putting a theory, discovery , etc to practical use
Examples: Multimedia applications usually require more computer memory and processing power.
They have made a new invention which will have a variety of applications in industry. The application of the new invention will bring great profits to the company.
25. be poised to (do): be ready to take action at any moment
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Examples: The automobile company is poised to launch its new advertising campaign.
It is reported that US forces are poised to attack Iraq.
26. highway: a main road that links towns and cities
Examples: Traffic along major highways in some cities is monitored by remote cameras, radar, or sensors
in the roadway.
Automated vehicle-control technologies are currently under development to improve highway safety.
27. mount: fix (sth.) in position for use, display or study; put (sth.) into place on a support Examples: Some automobiles were designed with a transmission mounted on the rear axle.
The first gas-powered vehicles looked like horse buggies with engines mounted underneath.
28. magnetic: having the properties of a magnet
Examples: Rubber is not magnetic.
I have a magnetic strip ID card.
29. take control of: control
Examples: The new manager didn’t know how to take control of his company.
The government has taken control of all the newspapers.
30. bunch: group together (both active and passive)
Examples: They bunched together to allow others to squeeze into the crowded elevator.
The runners were still bunched together on the track.
31. incorporate: make (sth.) part of a whole
Examples: His newly published book incorporates his earlier essay.
They laid down a health club incorporating a gym, sauna and steam room.
32. as well: too
Examples: She wanted to produce the play and to direct it as well.
Ellen’s face paled with disappointment; perhaps with anger as well.
33. decrease: become or make sth. smaller or fewer
Examples: A single solar cooker can save a ton of firewood per year and decreases carbon dioxide
emissions.
To decrease the overall weight of cars, designers are using materials such as aluminum and plastic.
34. pollution: the process of polluting or the state of being polluted
Examples: One of the greatest challenges caused by air pollution is global warming.
Along with greater mobility and job creation, the automobile has brought noise and air pollution.
35. expansion: the process of becoming greater in size, extent or importance
Examples: Modern cosmologists are continuously calculating the age, density, and rate of expansion
of the universe.
Under heat the metal undergoes considerable expansion.
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