现代大学英语精读2 lesson14.pptVIP

Unit 14 Space Shuttle Challenger Background This article is in the nature of reportage, written by a newspaper reporter who witnessed the disastrous launch of the space shuttle Challenger in the united states in 1986 It is written in journalistic style and the narration follows the natural sequence of the event In humanity’s search for scientific discoveries, much courage and devotion has been required and displayed. The men and women who gave their lives in this case were not the only people, and they will not be the last Words and expressions Press the press people; all the reporters for newspapers, magazines, radios and television Load sth. into a container to fill some container with sth. the word “load” is also used in the following patterns: to load a truck, to load sth. onto a vehicle, to load a place with sth. to be heavily loaded( to be loaded down with), to carry a heavy load Words and expressions Chatter a friendly informal conversation about sth. unimportant Excess (adj.) (only before noun) much more than necessary, e.g. excess labor, excess luggage, excess capacity Words and expressions Let sth. out to allow sth. to leave a place (said of gas, air, light and water) Build up to increase gradually, e.g. Over the years, a strong resentment had built up among the people against their unfair treatment. The Japanese mass media say that it is still uncertain whether the Prime Minister will be able to build up the necessary support for his refor policies Words and expressions liftoff the moment a space shuttle leaves the ground More compound words like “ liftoff” standoff, buildup, go-between, checkup, slowdown, makeup, printout, standby, get-together, handout remind to remind sb. of (doing) sth. to remind sb. (not) to do sth. to remind sb. that … (clause) to remind sb. what/how/why, etc. Words and expressions Thundered to life were ignited with a terrible roar (“life” here means activity) Cf. to come to life, to roar to life, to splutter t