Directions: Here is a passage Stephen Hawking wrote about his disease and use the words in the form to complete the passage.
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Not knowing what was going to happen to me, or how rapidly the disease would develop, I was bored. The doctors told me to go back to Cambridge and carry on with the research. But I was not making much (1) . And, anyway, I might not live long enough to (2) my PhD.
My dreams at that time were rather (3) . Before my condition had been diagnosed(诊断), I had been very (4) with life. There had not seemed to be anything worth doing. But shortly after I came out of hospital, I dreamt that I was going to be put to death. I suddenly (5) that there were a lot of meaningful things I could do if I (6) longer. Another dream that I had several times, was that I would give up my life to (7) others. After all, if I were going to die anyway, it might as well do some good. But I didn't die. In fact, although there was a cloud (8) over my future, I found to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research, and I got (9) to a girl called Jane Wilde, who I had met just about the time my condition was diagnosed. That engagement changed my life. It gave me something to live for. But it also (10) that I had to get a job if we were to get married. I therefore applied for a research fellowship(奖学金)at Cambridge. To my great surprise, I got a fellowship, and we got married a few months later.
Task 1 Who are they?
Directions: In the form are the names of some famous scientists. Guess who they are and what they are famous for.
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English names |
Chinese names |
What they’re famous for |
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Archimedes |
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Aristotle |
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Nicholas Copernicus |
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Marie Curie |
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Charles Darwin |
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Thomas Alva Edison |
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Albert Einstein |
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Ben Franklin |
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Galilei Galileo |
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Isaac Newton |
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Other:_________ |
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Task 2 Do you really want to turn into a genius?
Directions: work in groups and discuss the following topic. Refer to other people’s opinions before you get down to work.
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Topic |
最近科学家研究发现人类大脑中有"天才按钮"，只要刺激特定区域，常人也能有非凡的算术、艺术等能力。你愿意开启这个"按钮"吗？ |
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Your choice |
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Yes |
Reasons |
No |
Reasons |
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Shelly: I would just like to be a normal person. As far as I know, some talented people are strange. They may be good at one thing but not talented in other areas. For example, Einstein had a gift for physics but found it hard to communicate with others.
Eric: I'm willing to turn on such a "button" in my brain, if it really exists. I could become skilled at science, art or economics (经济). But I would make sure this "button" couldn't do me any harm before turning it on.
Marie: If more people became geniuses, it may lead to an increase in high-tech crime (犯罪), such as stealing money through the Internet and creating harmful computer viruses. It is hard to imagine what the world would be like if all the criminals were very clever.
Judy: In my opinion, such a "button" can do a lot of good. It may help us to develop our abilities so that we can make new discoveries. As a result, we could solve many problems and have a more comfortable life. If possible, I am eager to become a genius.
Helen: Although it is convenient, I don't think its right to become cleverer in this way. If someone wants to be successful in math or art, he or she should work hard. I believe success requires hard work as well as natural gifts.
Sam (teacher): Just imagine what it would be like to become a genius overnight. In my opinion, most of us would treasure such a chance to make our lives easy and interesting. However, at the same time, we should make good use of these abilities and contribute (贡献) to society and mankind.