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1、(全新版)大学英语综合教程第一册 Unit 3 Understanding ScienceI. Cultural Notes1. Stephen Hawking (1942 -): a British scientist who has greatly influenced peoples ideas on the origins of the universe. He has devoted much of his life to probing the space-time described by general relativity and the singularities wher
2、e it breaks down. And hes done most of his work while confined to a wheelchair, brought on by the progressive neurological disease. Hawking is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, a post once held by Isaac Newton. In the late 1960s, Hawking proved that if general relativity is true an
3、d the universe is expanding, a singularity must have occurred at the birth of the universe. In 1974 he first recognized a truly remarkable property of black holes, objects from which nothing was supposed to be able to escape. He has written the international bestseller A Brief History of Time. The b
4、ook spent more than four years on the London Sunday Times bestseller list the longest run for any book in history.2. Frankenstein: a novel (1818) by an English writer Mary Shellgy (1797-1851). It is the story of a Swiss scientist, Dr. Frankenstein, who makes a living creature from pieces of dead bod
5、ies. The creature is like a man, but stronger, and although it is gentle at first, it later attacks and kills several people close to Frankenstein. There have been many films based on the story and variations of it: Everybody was dressed up as a ghost, a vampire or Frankensteins monster.3. The Sky a
6、t Night: a popular British television program about the stars and planets, broadcast every month by the BBC since 1957. It is well known for the way in which its presenter, Patrick Moore, gives scientific information in an entertaining way. II. Language Study1. attitude: manner or way one thinks abo
7、ut, behaves toward, or feels toward sb. or sth. (usu. followed by to/ towards) Examples: 1) The boy has a bad attitude towards his schoolwork. 2) His sons attitude to work made him angry. 2. likely: 1) probable (When functioning as an a., the word is often used in the following patterns: it is likel
8、y that., be likely to do sth.) Examples: a) It is likely that my roommate will win the first-class scholarship. b) An earthquake is likely to strike the area in a year or two. c) Economists say that the quick economic growth is likely to continue throughout the 2010s. 2) probably (When used as an ad
9、., the word is often preceded by “most“, “more than“, or “very“. You dont use it as an ad. on its own.) Examples: a) It is reported that another sandstorm will very likely come in the next 24 hours. b) We will most likely stay home during the Spring Festival. 3. do without: manage to survive, contin
10、ue, or succeed although you do not have sth. you need. want, or usu. have Examples: 1) Youll have to do without your dinner if you dont get back in time. 2) I cant afford a car, so I guess Ill have to do without. 4. highly: 1) very Examples: a) Mr. Smith was a highly successful salesman. b) It seems
11、 highly likely that she will take the job. 2) to a high level or standard Examples: a) Most of the people present at the meeting are highly educated women. b) The chairman of the department was the most highly paid member of faculty. 5. anyway: (used to change the subject of a conversation or to sup
12、port an idea or argument) anyhow Examples: -“Ive got a terrible cold.” - “Have you? Oh, dear. Anyway, so youre not going to go away this weekend?“ 6. put/turn the clock back: return to a situation that used to exist, usually because the present situation is unpleasant Examples: 1) The employment bil
13、l in which women are not allowed to take jobs will put the clock back fifty years. 2) Forget all about it and look to the future; you cant turn the clock back. 7. cut off: stop providing (sth.) Examples: 1) Water and electricity supplies in the city have been cut off because of the American air atta
14、cks. 2) Their phone has been cut off because they havent paid the bill. 8. bring about: make (sth.) happen Examples: 1) Some educators are hoping to bring about major changes in the educational system. 2) Jealousy in a relationship is often brought about by a lack of trust. 9. moreover: in addition
15、to what has been said; further; besides Examples: 1) Local people would like a new road. Moreover, there are good economic reasons for building one. 2) She saw that there was a man immediately behind her. Moreover he was observing her strangely. 10. inquire: seek information by questioning; ask (also spelled “enquire“; sometimes followed by about or wh- clause) Examples: 1) “Is something wrong?