Book1Unit3..pptVIP

Unit3 Understanding Science Text A Public Attitudes toward Science Text Analysis This text is the first piece of expository writing in our textbook series. Expository writings usually employ longer paragraphs in which there are longer and more involved sentences. For the purpose of objectivity, third-person narration is often adopted in exposition. Meanwhile, sentences in the passive voice appear regularly for objectivity. A typical piece of expository writing begins with a statement of opinion, then goes on to give supporting details. In this text, an opinion is advanced in Para. 3, i.e. the public needs education in science so as to make informed decisions on their own fate. in the following paragraphs the author details the ways to educate the public. In the last paragraph a conclusion is supplied — human civilization will survive if the public understands science well. Interestingly, if we look closer at Part II of this text, we will find it to be a mini-exposition. Contents Part I Pre-reading Tasks Part II Background Knowledge Part III Comprehension Questions Part IV Language Points Part V Text Structure Part VI Exercises Part I Pre-reading Tasks Question 1: What is your attitude toward science? Which, in your opinion, is more significant, the increase in the living standard brought about by scientific developments or the harm caused by them? (Key: Most students will put more emphasis on the positive effect of science. The teacher, then, can draw their attention to such topics as environmental problems, industrial pollution, the devastating power of nuclear weapons and the oncoming threat of human cloning.) Part I Pre-reading Tasks Question 2: Please try to list some of the scientific and technological discoveries that have changed or will change the way people live, and explain in what ways do these discoveries change our lives for the better and for the worse. (key :electricity, television, telephone,