资源简介

(共20张PPT)
Unit 5
Into the unknown
Writing about the unexplained
Learning objectives
1. To know the structure and characteristics of the article writing about the unexplained.
2. To write an article about unexplained phenomenon.
Recognize the locations in the picture.
Egyptian pyramids
Dead sea
Maya pyramid
Sanxingdui
Ancient Babylon
Qomolangma
Lead-in
The 30th Parallel North
Can you tell anything about them
in common？
Look at the pictures and talk about what you know about the mysterious 30th parallel north.
The 30th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 30 degrees north of the Earth’s equatorial plane. It stands one-third of the way between the equator and the North Pole and crosses Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean.
Read the magazine article and answer the questions.
Along a special line of latitude, known as the 30th parallel north, lie numerous sites of ancient civilisations and impressive natural features.
latitude n. 纬度
Para.1
Reading
Ancient civilisations appeared on the parallel, including Babylon, with its famous tower; Egypt, with its pyramids; China, with its Sanxingdui culture, etc. These civilisations appeared at a similar time, and all developed advanced bronze-making techniques. Were they part of a single super-civilisation, as some think
bronze-making techniques青铜制造技术
Para.2
It’s argued that the 30th parallel north is a line of great natural energy, with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This creates amazing natural features, including Mount Qomolangma, the Dead Sea, and rivers, such as the Nile, the Mississippi and the Yangtze. Lacking any concrete evidence, some even claim it was supernatural powers!
concrete evidence 具体的证据
Para.3
Scientists, however, dispute these theories. It’s more likely, they argue, that civilisations arose on the 30th parallel north because the climate there is generally warm and wet. Major tectonic plates meet at this latitude, causing earthquakes, which helped form the Himalayas. The rest, they say, is either coincidence or fantasy.
dispute v. 对……表示质疑
tectonic plates （地球表面的）构造板块
Para.4
Himalayas n.喜马拉雅山
1 Why is the 30th parallel north mysterious
The 30th parallel north is mysterious because it is where numerous sites of ancient civilisations and impressive natural features lie.
2 What are some unusual explanations for it
Some believe that the 30th parallel north is a line of great natural energy, with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and others even claim that its amazing natural features were caused by supernatural powers.
3 What are some possible scientific explanations
Possible scientific explanations for the 30th parallel north include the generally warm and wet climate that made it a good place for civilisations to develop, and the fact that it is where major tectonic plates meet.
Analyze the main function of each paragraph.
Para.1
Para.2
Para.3
Para.4
Overview, what is the unexplained phenomenon？
why is it mysterious
What non-scientific explanations are there
How do scientists explain it
Plan an article about an unexplained phenomenon. Do further research if necessary.
What is the unexplained phenomenon
Why is it mysterious
What non-scientific explanations are there
How do scientists explain it
Writing
What is the unexplained phenomenon
Far below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, in a roughly triangular area known as the Bermuda Triangle, lie more than 50 shipwrecks and 20 plane wrecks.
Why is it mysterious
What makes these wrecks so mysterious is that the cause of their fate remains largely unknown – ships were abandoned without apparent reason, distress signals were never sent and aircraft were lost without trace.
What non-scientific explanations are there
Some believe that supernatural forces are responsible, while others put the accidents and disappearances down to coincidence.
How do scientists explain it
Scientific theories, meanwhile, include pilot error when trying to navigate the area, and huge “rogue waves” caused by terrible storms. Although many ships and planes cross the Bermuda Triangle without incident, the stories behind those doomed vessels’ fates continue to capture people’s imaginations.
Now write your article.
Please keep in mind the four parts to be included in an article about an unexplained phenomenon.
Do further research if necessary.
Work in pairs. Make improvements to each other’s articles and share them with the class.
The Bermuda Triangle
Far below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, in a roughly triangular area known as the Bermuda Triangle, lie more than 50 shipwrecks and 20 plane wrecks. What makes these wrecks so mysterious is that the cause of their fate remains largely unknown – ships were abandoned without apparent reason, distress signals were never sent and aircraft were lost without trace. Some believe that supernatural forces are responsible, while others put the accidents and disappearances down to coincidence. Scientific theories, meanwhile, include pilot error when trying to navigate the area, and huge “rogue waves” caused by terrible storms. Although many ships and planes cross the Bermuda Triangle without incident, the stories behind those doomed vessels’ fates continue to capture people’s imaginations.
One possible version
Homework
Polish your writing.

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