Unit 5 Learning from nature

Section Ⅰ Starting out & Understanding ideas

基础训练

单词拼写?根据首字母或汉语提示，用本部分所学单词的正确形式填空。

1.Jim is always m____Miss Li in class, which makes her quite angry.

2.A____have long had the feeling that the places we live in can affect our thoughts, feelings and behavior.

3.A large amount of solar energy has been c____into electrical energy since amounts of advanced equipment were introduced.

4.Our football players gave a s____performance in the final and we all cheered.

5.Theres a new____(前沿) in 3D printing thats beginning to come into focus: food.

6.The park on the____(滨水地区) is bound to be a good place for rest and entertainment.

7.We once walked across a frozen____(池塘) at two in the morning.

8.All the workers were working day and night to make sure the____(管道系统) system ran smoothly.

选择填空?用方框中所给短语的适当形式填空。

（respond to?take... for granted?live in harmony with?covert... into?meet the needs of）

1.We must never lose sight of the fact that man must ____nature.

2.Traditional teaching methods cant ____the social and economic development.

3.Capturing energy from the sun and ____it ____electricity to run your toaster sounds like magic.

4.We are always been told not ____any emails requesting personal information, no matter how official they look.

5.Dont ____anything _______. You had better know that the harder you work, the luckier youll be.

课文语法填空

Trees, plants and flowers are all around us and we enjoy their beauty every day. Nature is presented in various___1___ (architect) designs as well.

People___2___ interest is exploring the relationship between art and science will enjoy Singapores ArtScience Museum. The building was designed___3___ (show) the connection between nature and the modern city environment. Visitors are often amazed to find themselves in an urban building that so___4___ (true) captures the beauty of natural forms.

Harares Eastgate Centre is___5___ superb example of biomimicry. Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre while___6___ (watch) a nature documentary in which termites were constructing their nests. The design reduces the need for traditional air conditioning and heating systems.

The worlds first algae?-powered building is in Hamburg, Germany, whose surface is covered in panels that contain algae. The panels capture heat___7___ the sun and convert it into energy that___8___ (power) the building. And the algae inside the panels can___9___ (harvest) and used to produce fuel.

___10___ (create) buildings such as these enables us to live in closer harmony with our environment.

1. ____ 2. ____ 3. ____ 4. ____ 5. ____

6. ____ 7. ____ 8. ____ 9. ____ 10. ____

能力提升

閱读理解

Traditionally, robots have been hard, made of metal and other rigid materials. But a team of scientists at Harvard University in the US has managed to build an entirely soft robot—one that draws inspiration from an octopus (章鱼).

Described in science journal Nature, the Octobot could pave the way for more effective autonomous robots that could be used in search, rescue and exploration. “The Octobot is a minimal system which may serve as a foundation for a new generation of completely soft, autonomous robots,” the studys authors wrote.

Robots built for precise, repetitive movements in a controlled environment dont do so well on rough terrains (地形) or in unpredictable conditions. And they arent especially safe around humans, because theyre made out of hard and heavy parts that could be potentially dangerous to their users.

So researchers have been working on building soft robots for decades. Theyve taken inspiration from nature, looking to animals from jellyfish to cockroaches, which are often made up of more flexible matter.

But creating a completely soft robot remains a challenge. Even if engineers build a silicone(硅酮) body, its still a grand challenge to construct flexible versions of essential parts, such as a source of power.

“Although soft robotics is still in its early stage, it holds great promise for several applications, such as search-and-rescue operations and exploration,” Barbara Mazzolai and Virgilio Mattoli of the Italian Institute of Technology Center for Micro-BioRobotics, wrote in a comment. “Soft robots might also open up new approaches to improving wellness and quality of life.”

1. What is the special feature of Octobot?

A. Its very small.                                               B. Its made of metal.

C. Its soft.                                                          D. Its like an octopus.

2. What is the weakness of traditional robots?

A. Theyre hard to control.                                  B. Theyre too heavy to move.

C. They cant predict conditions.                         D. They cant always behave well.

3. Which is the most challenging part in building Octobot?

A. Its silicone body.                            B. Its complex structure.

C. Its precise movements.                   D. Its flexible power source.

4. What is the possible application of Octobot according to the text?

A. Medical research.     B. Life rescue.             C. Machine operation.            D. House cleaning.

閱读七选五

There is much wisdom to be found on Earth, but perhaps the best teacher of all is nature itself. Here are lessons nature can teach us if we look and listen carefully.

___1___ When a trees branches break, they grow back and give us fruit once again. Trees give lessons about strength in the face of hard times.

Deserts are hot, dry places, where it seems no plants can grow.___2___ They grow up by storing water in their thick stems and leaves. When we learn to adapt, we can get the most from situations and achieve things that seem impossible.

For birds, taking that first flight can be scary.___3___ Like birds, we all need to learn to spread our wings and fly to reach our full potential.

At the end of their lives, salmon return to the freshwater streams in which they were born. To do this, they swim hundreds of kilometers upriver, determined to achieve their goal of returning home. From salmon, we can learn the importance of perseverance in order to achieve our goals.

We can even learn from some of natures smallest creatures.___4___ The individual ant has its responsibility, each of which is necessary for the community to function. Ants teach us to embrace responsibility and always do our best.

___5___ But perhaps the first one is to respect nature, and emulate (仿效) its ways in our lives.

A. Trees swing with the winds of natures storm.

B. We live in nature and live in harmony with it.

C. Of course, we should take advantage of nature.

D. But without taking risks, nothing can be achieved.

E. Ants live and work together, supporting each other.

F. Nature can indeed teach us many important lessons.

G. But some, known as succulents, have adapted to this environment.

1.____2.____3.____4.____5.____

Section Ⅱ Using language

基礎训练

单句语法填空?在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

1.Some____(physician) do believe that there is nothing better than using food as medicine.

2.The rich life experiences and____(wise) of elderly people are treasures.

3.The research team always take their inspiration____the natural world, watching house spiders move up and down their webs.

4.While the adults go out at night for food, the young____(bat) hang out in the cave for four or five weeks.

5.The UN Climate Change Conference brings together experts from around the world to seek solutions____reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

6.The officer suggested that this new technology should____(employ) in related fields as soon as possible.

7.The purpose of education is____(develop) a fine personality in children.

8.Spring is the best season____(sow) seeds while autumn is the season when farmers harvest their crops.

单元语法填空?阅读下面短文，根据上下文语境，结合本单元所学语法知识完成短文。

A fairy was flitting softly through the blue sky when she saw a King and a Queen weeping in a garden.

“___1___ (see) is believing,” the fairy said to herself. “A King or a Queen could be sad sometimes.” The Queen said, “It would be so nice___2___ (have) a child.”

“Indeed. What a joy it would be___3___ (take) care of a child of our own! Is it a good idea___4___ (try) some magic grasses and flowers?” said the King.

Without a word, she looked up at him longingly.

The fairy decided___5___ (do) the couple a great favor.

Soon the Kingdom had a lovely princess. The King invited seven fairies___6___ (be) present at the great event. Suddenly, the gate opened wide.

___7___ (stand) in the middle of the hall was a witch in black. “The King had invited all the fairies but I did not hear from him,” she said coldly to the Queen. The King found it hard___8___ (put) up with that.

“How would it be___9___ (learn) I did not invite you?”

“I dont care,” she turned to the Queen with a smile. “But now I am here. I dont know what___10___ (wear) and how to behave. I dont know whether to laugh or cry at this special moment.”

1. ____ 2. ____ 3. ____ 4. ____ 5. ____

6. ____ 7. ____ 8. ____ 9. ____ 10. ____

能力提升

完形填空

I looked out of the door of my 100-year-old house and saw my newly built garden. I realized nothing is rubbish. I was full of___1___ and appreciation.

I___2___ to look at the things that we usually think of as___3___—plastic bags, polluted water, rubber bands, and newspapers, clothes and furniture we___4___. I also began to think, act and live according to a belief that all things have the___5___ of being reused as long as we try to___6___ it. And I explored the worth of___7___. I mean recycling isnt just about___8___ rubbish like putting glass and paper in___9___ bins. It also requires creativity, commitment and even love.

My neighbors would put the autumn___10___ by the roadside to be picked up by the garbage truck. This didnt___11___ with my newfound concept of recycling trash, so I made a new___12___ with moving boxes and put up a___13___ saying, “Dump (傾倒) leaves here.” I watched carefully through the autumn as my neighbors___14___ the leaves in the new garden. I also watered the leaves___15___ with rainwater and collected dogs waste as fertilizer. Then I___16___ flower seeds. Finally, I had a new___17___ garden, full of colorful flowers.

Nothing has to be really___18___. If you try hard enough, everything can be recycled. I even used my bath water to water my garden, though it might be a little___19___ for my friends. But I think if we all can turn waste, sometimes a little dirty, into___20___, the world will be a much better place.

1. A. joy                             B. sympathy             C. doubt                 D. regret

2. A. hurried              B. expected             C. liked                           D. started

3. A. wealth                       B. garbage               C. investments          D. necessities

4. A. packed up             B. brought out           C. threw away           D. gave away

5. A. value                B. request               C. cost                 D. consequence

6. A. own                 B. find                 C. remember            D. believe

7. A. collecting             B. acting                        C. recycling             D. saving

8. A. sorting               B. picking              C. spotting              D. recording

9. A. moving                     B. clean                          C. limitless              D. separate

10. A. fruit                 B. corn               C. leaves                D. vegetables

11. A. compare             B. deal                            C. meet                           D. fit

12. A. platform             B. garden             C. grocery                       D. bin

13. A. notice                      B. tent                C. sign                  D. picture

14. A. put                           B. swept                         C. ignored                       D. sought

15. A. willingly              B. quietly                       C. seriously              D. freely

16. A. bought                     B. sowed              C. removed               D. kept

17. A. big                           B. popular                      C. imaginative            D. attractive

18. A. useless              B. helpless             C. priceless               D. hopeless

19. A. exciting             B. special              C. annoying                    D. unacceptable

20. A. money               B. treasure            C. pleasure                     D. scenery

語法填空

Do you remember the Greek legend in which Daedalus,___1___ (inspire) by birds, built wings for his son Icarus and himself so they could escape from the tyrant (暴君) Minos? Then you___2___ (sure) remember that this journey did not go so well. The wax (蜡) on the wings melted when Icarus flew too near the sun and he crashed. What is___3___ (interest) about this story is that Daedalus inspiration was Mother Nature,___4___ leads us to the topic of bionics. Nature has been and is a role model for many inventions and achievements,___5___ instance in packaging, technology and architecture.

Take the Sydney Opera House as an example. The large size of the roof construction was a real challenge for which architect Jorn Utzon drew inspiration from palm fronds (棕榈叶) and the roof was not modeled after sails, as popularly___6___ (assume), but rather after orange peel.

Another example is the Multihalle in the Herzogenried Park. It___7___ (call) “the Mannheim marvel” because it is the___8___ (large) self-supporting structure in Europe. It can accommodate 2,600___9___ (visitor) on 10,000 square meters without a single support column. This tent-roof has been made possible by___10___ unique lattice (格子框架) shell construction. Its designer Frei Otto took his inspiration from spider-web structures.

1. ____ 2. ____ 3. ____ 4. ____ 5. ____

6. ____ 7. ____ 8. ____ 9. ____ 10. ____

Section Ⅲ Developing ideas

基础训练

单词填空?用所给词的适当形式填空。

1.The poet has a hope of life and the ____heart, living in harmony with nature, and gaining happiness and spiritual ____. (pure)

2.In the morning, Simon ____for Russia. But fortunately I saw him shortly before his____. (depart)

3.I need a job that really ____me, and I can get great joy and ____from it. (fulfil)

4.Some of us ____agreed to go with her. But some are still ____to do that. (reluctant)

5.It is unavoidable ____by others, though these feelings of ____and hurt wont go away immediately. (reject)

6.He was a man full of ____, and he is older and ____after ten years in the business. (wise)

单句表达?根据括号内提示翻译句子。

1. Jane很随和，我们和她在一起很自在。（at ease with）

2. John在毕业前一年就退学了。（withdraw from）

3. Nina不是一个向困难屈服的姑娘。（resign oneself to）

4. 离开了朋友们，他感到很孤独。（depart, 现在分词作状语）

5. 走少有人走的路需要很大的勇气。（It takes... to do...）

提示写作

选用所给词汇或句型造句并组成一段连贯的短文（80词左右）。

（wonder?achieve?try hard to?in the same way?go through

too... to...?... so that...?It takes... to do...）

————————————————————————————————

能力提升

阅读理解

A

I live in a second-floor flat with an ancient tree right on the corner of the house. The house and the tree have been here, side by side, for well over a century. No one really knows how old the tree is, but it was already there when builders started on the house at the beginning of the 1900s.

It was still rather young and flexible back then, so it easily welcomed the new structure into its path. It bent and adjusted itself to make room, and to find the space to grow big and strong and wise, which means that some hundred years later, the solid, strong branches of the tree reach around two full sides of my home. Its covered in moss (苔蘚), which is, in turn, crawling with all sorts of insects. I have never seen the insects, by the way, I just know that theyre there because of all the birds trying to pick them out. They are always hopping around, looking for this and that and singing songs.

I feel like I have become part of the ecosystem. When Im eating breakfast or making dinner in the kitchen, I can look out and see a bird hopping around skillfully. When Im sitting in the living room, reading or drinking tea, I can suddenly find myself face to face with another bird. Well be staring at each other and being at ease with each other. Even as I write this—a white feather comes floating down by my side, probably from one of the resident pigeons.

As I dont have the luxury (奢侈) of a garden, this tree makes me feel connected to the outdoors. Such is an ancient tree, a tree that is itself home to many other creatures—that feels different. It is as if it has adopted me and made me a part of its world, without ever asking for something in return. But if needs be, I know that it can count on me and I will protect it with all my strength.

1. What can we learn about the flat the author lives in?

A. Its built in an ancient tree.                 B. Its hugged by a giant tree.

C. Its decorated with branches.                D. Its surrounded by a garden.

2. What can we infer from the authors description in Paragraph 3?

A. Birds keep her warm company.                  B. She has adopted the resident pigeons.

C. Moss makes her flat nice and cool.              D. She has been bothered by the insects.

3. What does the author really treasure?

A. The close-to-nature life.                     B. The luxurious garden.

C. The spacious house.                         D. The sociable neighbor.

4. What word can best describe the authors feeling?

A. Excited.               B. Surprised.                                                C. Content.           D. Peaceful.

B

Sea urchins (海膽) are small creatures, but whats really remarkable about them is that they eat anything that happens to float by. They have really sharp teeth they use to rid rocks of algae, which makes them pretty valuable especially in places like Hawaii where algae are threatening the coral (珊瑚) reefs. In the summer of 2019, 500,000 of them were used to deal with the algae.

The problem started when non-native algae were introduced to the ecosystem of Kaneohe Bay in the 1970s. Because they had no enemies, they ended up taking over the bay, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The algae stopped sunlight from reaching the coral, which in turn affected the local fish because they changed the chemistry of the water.

Thats when the NMFS turned to sea urchins that loved todevourthe algae. But they had to grow to the size of a cherry tomato before they could be used. Since 2011, sea urchins have been grown and used to handle the algae problem. Some of the funds are available due to an unfortunate incident.

In 2005, a ship was grounded on a shallow reef near Kaneohe Bay. When the ship was removed, 20 acres of reefs have been damaged. When there is environmental damage, the NMFS and other agencies receive funds from the wrongdoers and the funds are used to restore the damage. Some funds were spent on other projects like the sea urchins. When they are large enough, divers carefully place them on the reef.

Algae isnt the only thing that threatens the coral reefs. Climate change and the effects of fishing and tourism in the area also endanger the coral reefs. But turning to sea urchins instead of man-made solutions seems like the best way to go.

5. Why are sea urchins regarded as outstanding creatures?

A. They are tiny but have teeth.                     B. They can keep the ocean clean.

C. They help remove algae.                               D. They grow on coral reefs with algae.

6. What happened after non-native algae arrived at Kaneohe Bay?

A. They helped the coral reefs to survive.           B. They spread to every corner of the bay.

C. They failed to fit in with the surroundings.    D. They fought against other species to get food.

7. What does the underlined word “devour” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. Eat.                            B. Block.                        C. Destroy.                     D. Attract.

8. What does the author suggest doing to save coral reefs?

A. Raising more funds.                                    B. Restricting fishing and tourism.

C. Employing divers to deal with algae.            D. Letting nature take care of nature.

完形填空

Before I went to Nature High Summer Camp, I didnt have many opinions about the environment—I___1___ the environment was for other people to worry about. That___2___ didnt last long at the camp. I___3___ learned about land use and forest management and started to___4___ the world around me.

The person who___5___ me most was Diane. She had worked in the___6___ for twenty years and was by far the most___7___ professional there. When she started talking, I hung on her every___8___  and thought that everything she said made sense.

Diane___9___ me by suggesting that putting out forest fires isnt___10___ a good thing—in fact, the cycle of nature makes it___11___ that fires take place because they clear out dead materials and enrich the___12___. Because the Forest Service put out all the fires in the past, the accumulation(堆積) of dead materials meant that a forest fire would grow bigger and consume___13___.

Diane said that___14___ logging (伐木) would actually help the area because it would clear out the___15___ trees and allow new trees to grow. Diane added that luckily necessary logging consumption had increased, which could___16___ the environment.

Ive___17___ a lot from Diane. I___18___ that humans should protect the environment. There are other___19___ for us to do the environment a favor, such as planting trees,___20___ paper and recycling water.

1. A. disagreed               B. imagined                   C. appreciated            D. considered

2. A. intention               B. course                 C. explanation                D. opinion

3. A. finally                 B. normally              C. secretly              D. unwillingly

4. A. argue about             B. care about             C. hang around           D. sail around

5. A. supported               B. trusted                       C. influenced            D. worried

6. A. forest                   B. factory               C. school               D. city

7. A. polite                   B. experienced           C. satisfied              D. curious

8. A. invitation               B. role                 C. choice                 D. word

9. A. warned                 B. informed             C. shocked                D. encouraged

10. A. likely                  B. merely                       C. always                D. ever

11. A. necessary              B. easy                  C. worthless             D. possible

12. A. ecosystem               B. vegetation                 C. situation              D. soil

13. A. fewer                       B. more                  C. harder                 D. better

14. A. complete               B. endless                C. selective              D. free

15. A. dead                    B. thick                  C. newborn              D. sick

16. A. help                   B. ignore                 C. change                        D. destroy

17. A. borrowed               B. learned                C. suffered               D. asked

18. A. promised              B. regretted               C. realized                D. admitted

19. A. reasons                B. materials                   C. resources               D. ways

20. A. cutting         B. saving              C. making            D. using

Writing

話题表达指导

话题介绍

话题：自然的启示。要求我们通过对本单元核心知识的学习，能够描绘我们在日常生活中观察到的某个自然现象，感悟这种自然现象带给我们的启示，写一篇具有启发性的短文。

建议体裁：夹叙夹议。

注意事项：选取的主题应与自然相关且具有生活意义或富有哲理，比如适应、毅力、勤奋、生存等。同时，要清楚地阐述自然现象带给我们的启示，并说明我们在生活中如何运用它。另见下表：

题例导学

题目

假定你是李华，你校英文报正在开展主题为“Observing Nature”的征文活动。请写一篇短文投稿，内容包括：

1. 背景介绍；

2. 观察到的自然现象；

3. 获得的启示。

注意：

1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

思路引导1·要点分析

1. 背景：简单说明你是怎么发现这一自然现象的（在什么情况下或正在做什么时）；

2.自然现象：滴水穿石、蚂蚁搬家、燕子筑巢、小草再生、早鸟觅食等，重点描述你所观察的对象做了什么，有什么样的反应，最终获得怎样的一种结果等；

3. 启示：向自然学习，在面对生活中的种种问题或困难时，也应做到团结、勤奋、顽强不屈、坚持不懈等。

思路引导2·本单元语言知识运用

根据汉语意思及提示翻译句子。

1. 我和父母在院子里谈话时，看到一只燕子朝我们家飞来。（be doing... when...）

_______________________

2. 就在那时，我意识到它将在我们的屋檐下筑巢。（It was... that...）

_______________________

3. 它每次只能带一点泥，这让我怀疑它是否能完成这项任务。（carry, which）

_______________________

4. 有这样一个邻居真的让我的家人很开心。（非谓语做主语）

_______________________

5. 一开始似乎不可能做成那件事。（it 作形式主语）

_______________________

思路引导3·连句成篇

___________________________________+

范例展示

On a spring morning, I was talking with my parents in the yard when I saw one swallow flying toward our house. When I got closer, I saw it carrying mud with its mouth. It was then that I realized it would build a nest under our roof.

I notice that it could only carry a little mud at a time, which made me doubt whether it could complete the task. However, it kept carrying mud every day and after three days, a beautiful nest was completed. Having such a neighbor really made my family happy.

From the swallow I learn that we can achieve things as long as we are determined, and have the spirit of perseverance though it may seem impossible to do that in the beginning.

话题表达

假定你是李华。在学习了本单元后，你们班准备举办一场主题为“Learning from Nature”的班会活动，要求同学们发言分享。请写一篇发言稿，内容包括：

1. 背景介绍；

2. 观察到的自然现象；

3. 获得的启示。

注意：

1. 词数100左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Section Ⅳ Presenting ideas

核心短语与句型回顾

短语

1.____认为……理所当然

2.be ____to 目的是……，旨在……

3.be based ____以……为基础，基于……

4.____a similar way 以相似的方式

5.be fed ____用……喂养

6.____... into... 将……转化为……

7.respond ____对……做出回应

8.____the beauty of 捕捉……之美

9.live ____with 与……和谐共处

10.reduce ____减少对……的破坏

11.____寻求……的解决方案

12.____从……中获得灵感

13.____into being 形成

14.in return ____作为对……的回报

15.reaction ____对……的反应/回应

16.____from 从……中退出

17.____the needs of 满足……的需求

18. be critical ____批评，批判

19. ____oneself to 致力于

20.____with 不拘束，放松

21.____oneself to 使自己顺从（做）某事

22.____sb a step closer to 使某人更接近……

句型

1.so... that...引導结果状语从句

In fact, we are ____(如此习惯于它们以至于) we may even take them for granted...

2.不定式作主语

____(满足现今的需求) while protecting the world of tomorrow may be a challenge...

3.现在分词作状语

____(看见一个口子) in the pupa, he realised that the butterfly was ready to emerge.

4.It takes (sb)... to...

____(拒绝……需要相当大的勇气) the easy and familiar and instead try to live closer to nature...

5. while引导时间状语从句的省略

Zimbabwean architect Mick Pearce was inspired to create the Centre ____(在观看……的自然纪录片时) in which termites were constructing their nets.

开放式表达

请根据提示，运用本单元核心知识就“人与自然的关系”的话题，谈谈你的看法。

提示：需用以下句型。

1. The relationship between human beings and nature is...

2. We can learn from nature which helps us...

3. At the same time, nature needs our protection. So we should...