Unit 1

“Future”, is a puzzling word for all the people in this world, including the scientists and the common.
What will the world be like in five hundred year’s time? A thousand years’ time? Or more? Some people are
pessimistic, and fear that things can only get wore because people may be slaves of the developed science
and technology. Others are optimistic, looking forward to a better world and a happy life with the
development of science and technology. In this Unit, we are given two texts about “smart cars”, a kind of
intelligent products that bring so much convenience to people in the future. Then let’s come to Unit2 and
learn something about “smart cars” in about 7 classes.
Objectives in Unit 2:
⒈words and phrases:
alert application capability convert correlate decrease(increase) drastically eliminate expansion
prototype manufacturing in the air take control of get/be stuck in turn(sth.) into/become a reality
appropriate implement outline permanent thereby at the start of by means of in cooperation with
⒉structure:
1 double prepositions
2 V. + it +adj. + to do
3 “” (present or past) is used as adjective to modify noun.
⒊ learn some techniques in expository writing (definition, quote, a mixture of facts and opinions,
etc.)
4. writing: how to write a resume ( need explaining in detail)--- for homework to introduce next unit.
For the first period: (1st ,2nd class) have a revision of Unit 1 and come to Unit 2(words and
phrases)
Text A Smart Cars
ⅠSOME QUESTIONS for group discussion: (30 minutes)
1 What will the world be like in the future? (worse or better) What aspect do you think in the world
will change most?
— Worse: destroyed by the people themselves, war, depend excessively on advanced science and
technology to become lazy, indifferent, lack love between people and people, the Judge Day.
— Better: make good use of science and technology to improve the world, a world garden, a society
like Communist Society, happy life, share
— Aspect: people’s life ,( way of thinking, custom)
2 With the development of science and technology, what will happen to cars? What can be called
“smart cars”?
— In the film “007”, a “smart car ” is described. It was a transportation for Bond and the name was
“the vanish”. It was a car of “adopted camouflage. Tiny cameras on all sides…project the image they see
onto a light-emitting…polymer skin on the opposite side. For the casual eyes, it’s as good as invisible. Plus
all the usual refinements, ejector seat…”
3 Would you like to drive a smart car? Why or why not?
Like—convenient, comfortable, a vehicle avoiding traffic accidents, safe, with many functions that we
can imagine
Do not like—can not enjoy the pleasure of driving a car, too complex
④ Free writing :
(Finish it in ten minutes)
*You may begin with the sentences:
A. If I could afford a car, I will buy one without hesitation because…….
B. Even if I could afford a car, I may not actually want to drive one because…...
*State your viewpoints to the other students in your group
Ⅱ Background information (Introduction of Cars) : (10 minutes)
The invention of cars ─ The first self-propelled car was built by Nicolas Cugnot in 1769 which could
attain speeds of up to 6 kms/hour. In 1771 he again designed another steam-driven engine which ran so
fast that it rammed into a wall, recording the worlds first accident.
 Some famous brands of cars ─ General Motors
Ford Motor Company(Ford Lincoln Mercury Mazda Volvo Jaguar
Land Rover Aston Martin)?
DaimlerChrysler （ 戴 姆 勒 - 克 莱 斯 勒 ） (DaimlerChryslers’ passenger car brands include Maybach,
Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep?, Dodge and smart. Commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz,
Freightliner, Sterling, Western ,Star and Setra)
Toyota (Toyota is a world famous brand of cars. The company is in Japan)
Mercedes-Benz (This brand has stood for more than 100 years. It is a German company.)
From the questions we discussed in the above, we can get a general impression on the future world
and the smart cars in the future. Smart cars that can see, hear, feel, smell, talk, and drive on their own… all
that sounds like a dream maybe become a reality with the help of computer revolution and with the
appearance of smart cars, the modern science and technology will bring some effects on man in the future
possibly. Thereby, let’s look at the first text “Smart Cars”.
Ⅲ TEXT ORGANIZATION: (15 minutes)
Part one paras 1—3 New technology will have a dramatic impact on cars and highways in the
21st century.
Part two paras 4—9 With the aid of advanced technology, smart cars will be designed that they
can help eliminate traffic accidents, determine their own precise locations and warn of traffic jams.
Smart cars are superior to the ordinary cars in many ways: (let the students find answers in this
part)
1 Smart cars can see, hear, feel, smell, talk, and act.
2 They can eliminate most car accidents.
3 They can alert the police and provide precise location if stolen.
4 They can monitor one’s driving and the driving conditions nearby.
5 They can alert the driver who feels drowsy.
6 They can locate your car precisely and warn of traffic jams.
Part three paras 10—13 GPS and “telematics” will make it possible to
build smart highways, which will benefit us in
more than one way.
Ⅳ KEY POINTS in the text: (30 minutes)
Part one
⒈questions: — What are the effects of the computer revolution?
— It brings the development of automobile industry and the
appearance of the smart cars become possible.
⒉language points: ① turn into/become a reality ─ Her dreams of being a college student has turned
into a reality.
②para1 phrase “remain unchanged” 保持一种状态 Keep warm
remain untouched remain silent
para2 rank as: put…in a class 被列为…
They all agree to rank Addison as a great essayist.
…as among… (double preposition. Exercise 1 for structure)
para3 key (to): sth. that provides an answer (to a problem or a mystery)
General Motors Corporation 通用汽车公司
ITS program: 智能运输系统 Intelligent Transportation System program
ITS improves transportation safety and mobility and enhances productivity through the use of advanced
communications technologies.
Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) encompass a broad range of wireless and wire line
communications-based information and electronics technologies.? When integrated into the transportation
system's infrastructure, and in vehicles themselves, these technologies relieve congestion, improve safety
and enhance American productivity.?
Homework: ① review the key points we have leaned in the part one.
② preview the following text, find the difficult sentences, try to memorize the words and
expressions in the vocabulary.
For the second period: (3rd ,4th class)
Part two
⒈questions: ① ─In what aspects are the smart cars superior to the ordinary cars? (text organization 2)
② ─What new technology have already been adopted in developing the cars? ─We have had the
cars that can monitor one’s driving and the driving conditions nearby; We have had the cars that can
determine how sleepy you are as you drive; and in Japan cars with navigational capability have been built.
⒉ language points: para4 ① don’t bother to do: take trouble 麻烦 Don’t bother to get dinner for me
today; I’ll eat at a restaurant in town.
② via (prep.) 通过 by way of
4 in the air : uncertain— My plan are still quite in the air.
There is a peculiar smell in the air.
Para 5 ① scan for
② Should you make a serious mistake,… (subjunctive mood)
If you should make a serious mistake,…
Para 6 ①MIT: 麻省理工学院 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world’s leading research
universities, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1865, the school was opened in Boston by geologist William
Barton Rogers who became its first president. Throughout its history MIT has held a worldwide reputation
for teaching and reach.
② underestimated/overestimated
Para 7 question: what are the two of the most frustrating things about driving a car? And how to
overcome it ? ()
1 tune to
2 They make it possible to determine your location…
V. + it +adj. + to do
Exercise 2 for structure
Para 8 convert (to) ─change from one form or use to another (followed by into/to)
The signal will be converted into digital code.
Para 9 correlate ─have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on
another (followed by with/to)
A mothers smoking in pregnancy correlates with low birth weight in her baby.
Part three:
⒈questions: How to use GPS and “telematics” in automobile industry in the future? What are the
benefits?
—Blind individuals could use GPS…the list of potential uses is endless; put the smart cars on smart high
ways
—This could prove to be an environmental boon as well, saving fuel, reducing traffic jams, decreasing
air pollution, as serving as an alternative to highway expansion.
⒉ language points: ①be poised to do: (be ready to do) The automobile company is poised to
launch its new advertising campaign.
②…as the price of microchips drops to below a penny a piece…
double preposition (exercise on page52)
③ GPS: 全 球 性 定 位 系 统 The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system
made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the . Department of Defense. GPS was originally
intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian
use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no
subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
Homework: ① review the whole text, especially the key points. Learn to analysis and translate some
long sentences if necessary.
② finish the exercises.
For the third period: (5th class)
Have a dictation and explain the rest exercises of text A, especially the words, phrases and translation,
help the students memorize all the language points.
Dictation: turn it into reality automobile industry manufacturing industry start up the engine
alert the police get stuck in traffic a precise frequency decreasing air pollution highway expansion
send put a radio signal application approximately eliminate lucrative convert
______changed the world during the 20th century, _______in the United States and other
industrialized nations. They are indeed of great use to us, but they have brought some______ as well, such
as noise and air______, and highway______. It is reported that automobile accidents _____among the
leading causes of death or injury throughout the world. Fortunately modern innovators are reinventing the
automobile. New propulsion systems, fuels, designs, and means of ______cars have all developed rapidly in
the past decade. For example, by using the _____-aided global positioning system (GPS), a computer in the
automobile can _____the vehicle’s precise position, and with the application of sensors, smart cars can
_____most cars accidents.
(Automobiles, particularly, hazards, pollution, fatalities, rank, manufacturing, satellite, locate, eliminate)
Explain the exercises together, especially vocabulary, structure, cloze .
(6th class) come to text B
Text B Intelligent vehicles
Objectives:
1. This text is used as a fast reading to practice student’s ability for reading comprehension.
2. Try to grasp the new words and phrase listed in the box.
3. learn to comprehend the sentences and translate them into Chinese.
Step one: give students 15 minutes to read the text and at the same time finish the following
questions (for first seven N, Y and NG, the next three brief answer s)
 We only eliminate the more that ten percent of the traffic crashes that are caused by human errors
by driving the intelligent car. (N)
 We can infer that the author believes that human drivers cannot travel close behind other vehicles.
(Y)
 The author mentions the Futurama as an example to explain a failed attempt at automation. (N)
 Visual systems for observing the road are better than magnetic systems because they do not need
special equipment buried in the road. (Y)
 For observing other vehicles, laser systems are preferred in the USA. (NG)
 Onboard computers are better than roadside computers for setting lane speed. (N)
 The author’ attitude towards the future development of automatic transport system is positive. (Y)
 The distances and closing rates to preceding vehicles can be measured by a _____or a _________.
Radar, laser rangefinder
 The _______ of these driver muscle functions are electromechanical devices installed in the
automated vehicle. Equivalents
 The luxury of being chauffeured to your destination might be enjoyed by all, not just
the__________. Wealthiest individuals
Step two: Text Organization─
Part one (1—2) the benefit to be gained from the intelligent vehicles─
eliminate the traffic crashes, reduce antisocial driving behavior, the entire population can enjoy
it, reduce the pollution and fuel consumption
Part two (3—15) the way intelligent cars work and the remaining changes as to their application.
1. it is a realistic prospect to have intelligent cars in the near future.
2. it is possible to determine accurately a vehicle’s position and orientation relative to the
lane’s center.
3. The distances and closing rates to preceding vehicles can be measured by a radar or a
laser rangefinder.
4. the electromechanical devices control the car completely.
5. Computers in the vehicles and those at the roadside decide when and where to
change the course.
6. There remains a number of difficulties to be overcome, technical ones especially.
 Part three (16) the promising future of intelligent cars.
Homework：preview the text； read the text in detail
For the forth period:
Step three: key points─
1. outline / deadline/ headline/ online/ underline
2. implication─ n. implication for sb./sth.
The new report has far-reaching implications for the future of broadcasting.
这一新报告对广播业的前途有些意味深长的暗示。
V. imply His silence implied agreement.
3. feasible: possible
It is not feasible to follow your proposals.
n. feasibility
We should do a feasibility study before adopting the new proposals.
4. in cooperation with: This report is produced by the Government in cooperation with the chemical
industry.
V. cooperate adj. cooperative
5. diverse: on different kinds, varied people from diverse cultures
V. diversify diversify one’s skills
n. diversity a wide diversity of opinions
6. permanent: lasting/ everlasting/ durable/ enduring
impermanent/ temporary
: adj. ~ for/to sth. His formal style of speaking was appropriate to the occasion.
You will be informed of the details at the appropriate time.
v. take sth. for one’s own use, without others’ permission 挪用，窃用
He was accused of appropriating club funds.
8. means: way, method All possible means have been tried.
By means of ─ lift the load by means of crane
By all means ─ yes, of course, certainly
By no means ─ not at all She is by no means poor.
9. perceive: become aware of, notice, observe
The patient was perceived to have difficulty in standing and walking.
~ sth. as sth.
I perceived his comment as a challenge. 我认为他的批评是对我的激励。
Some sentences that needs paying attention:
① These are vulnerable to weather problems and provide less accurate measurement, but they do not
require special roadway installations, other than well-maintained lane markings.
“be vulnerable to” 易受影响的，
“other than ” 除了， He never speaks to me other than to ask for something.
这类系统易受气候变化的影响，提供的信息将不够准确， 但它们不需要特别的道路设置，只需将路面标
志维护好就行了。
② However, it should not take long for the costs to become affordable to a wide range of vehicle
owners and operators, especially with many of the enabling technologies already being commercialized for
volume production today.
“it takes some time for sb. to do sth. ”句型
affordable: sth. that can be able to afford
然而， 不用多久，其成本就能为广大车辆拥有者和驾驶者所接受，尤其是目前不少可以应用的技术已经
走向市场，开始了批量生产。
③ The largest impediment to introduction of electronic chauffeuring may turn out to be the general
perception that it’s more difficult and expensive to implement than it really is.
电子驾驶应用的最大障碍可能在于一种普遍的观念， 认为这一技术的应用比实际情况更困难， 更昂贵。
④ Given all of this experience in implementing safe automated transportation systems, it is not such a
large leap to develop road vehicles that can operate under automatic control.
“given”─ prep. taking (sth.) into account 考虑到（某事物）
Given the government’s record on unemployment, their chances of winning the election look poor
考虑到所有这些安全运用自动化交通运输系统的经验，开发由自动控制操纵的公路车辆算不上什么大的飞
跃。
Finish Text B, and then come to Page 66, for essay writing. ( how to write a resume). Help the student
to write a resume for homework.
Dictation for this Unit:
1. At the beginning of the race, the runners were bunched together on the track, but later some of
them got ahead and left the others behind.
2. Our vacation was a disaster: the food was terrible, and the weather was awful as well.
3. Medical evidence shows that smoking and lung cancer are correlated.
4. At the beginning of the reform period, approximately 11,000 students went aboard to pursue
further study.
5. The United Nations Environment Program works in cooperation with other UN bodies.
6. American culture possesses an unusual mixture of patterns and forms forged from among its
diverse peoples.
7. Recent innovations in software have enabled animators to create a more realistic sense of
movement.
8. Standard language is usually more appropriate in formal situations because people have come to
expect it on those occasions.
9. All countries subject their banks, however owned, to government regulation and supervision,
normally implemented by central banking authorities.
10. The Security Council of the United nations has 15 members; five of which hold permanent seats.