教师上课笔记超详解

Unit 8

Unit 8 Focus on Global Warming

Section One Pre-reading Activities

Cultural information

1. Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth‗s near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which results from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.

An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts. Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields.

Section Two Global Reading

I Text analysis

1.From which perspectives does the text address the issue of global warming?

The text addresses the issue from three perspectives — the general public concern, its causes and consequences, and practical actions to tackle the problem.

2.What‘s the author‘s purpose of writing?

To raise people‘s consciousness of the potential dangers of global warming, and to suggest some actions to combat it.

II Structural analysis

2. Figure out the sub-ideas in the second part.

1) the causes of the rising concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (Paragraphs 3 and

4)

2) the effect of such concentration on climate change (Paragraphs 5 and 6)

3) the potential threat of global warming to human health and survival (Paragraph 7)

Section Three Detailed Reading

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教师上课笔记超详解

Unit 8

Text I

Focus on Global Warming

John Weier

1Twenty-five years ago if you made a trip to the local library and perused the periodical section for articles on global warming, you’d probably have come up with only a few abstracts from hardcore science journals or maybe a blurb in some esoteric geopolitical magazine. As an Internet search on global warming now attests, the subject has become as rooted in our public consciousness as Madonna2 or microwave cooking.1

2Perhaps all this attention is deserved. With the possible exception of another world war, giant asteroid, or an incurable plague, global warming may be the single largest threat to our planet.2For decades human factories and cars have spewed billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the climate has begun to show some signs of warming. Many see this as a harbinger of what is to come.3If we don’t curb our greenhouse gas emissions, then low-lying nations could be awash in seawater, rain and drought patterns across the world could change, hurricanes could become more frequent, and El Ninos could become more intense.

Our Warming Planet

3What has worried many people now is that over the past 250 years humans have been artificially raising the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Our factories, power plants, and cars burn coal and gasoline and spit out a seemingly endless stream of carbon dioxide. We produce millions of pounds of methane by allowing our trash to decompose in landfills and by breeding large herds of methane-belching cattle.

Nitrogen-based fertilizers, which we use on nearly all our crops, release unnatural amounts of nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere.

4Once these carbon-based greenhouse gases get into the atmosphere, they stay there for decades or longer. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide levels have increased 31 percent and methane levels have increased 151 percent. Paleoclimate readings taken from fossil records show that these gases, two of the most abundant greenhouse gases, are at their highest levels in the past 420,000 years. Many scientists fear that the increased concentrations of greenhouse gases have prevented additional thermal radiation from leaving the Earth. In essence, these gases are trapping excess heat in the Earth’s atmosphere in much the same way that a windshield traps solar energy that enters a car.4

5Much of the available climate data appear to back these fears.5Temperature data gathered from many different sources all across the globe show that the surface temperature of the Earth, which includes the lower atmosphere and the surface of the ocean, has risen dramatically over several decades. Worldwide measurements of sea level show a rise of 0.1 to 0.2 meters over the last century. That’s an increase of roughly 1℃every 4,000 years. Readings gathered from glaciers reveal a steady recession of the world’s continental glaciers. Taken together, all of these data suggest that over the last century the planet has experienced the largest increase in surface temperature in 1,000 years.

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教师上课笔记超详解

Unit 8

6Not surprisingly, many scientists speculate that such changes in the climate will probably result in hotter days and fewer cool days.6According to the IPCC, land surface areas will increase in temperature over the summer months much more than the ocean.

The mid-latitude to high-latitude regions in the Northern Hemisphere — areas such as the Continental United States, Canada, and Siberia — will likely warm the most. These regions could exceed mean global warming by as much as 40 percent.

7As far as human health is concerned, those hit hardest will probably be residents of poorer countries that do not have the funds to fend against changes in climate.7 A slight increase in heat and rain in equatorial regions would likely spark an increase in vector-borne diseases such as malaria. More intense rains and hurricanes could cause more severe flooding and more deaths in coastal regions and along riverbeds. Even a moderate rise in sea level could threaten the coastlines of low-lying islands such as the Maldives. All across the globe, hotter summers could lead to more cases of heatstroke and deaths among those who are vulnerable, such as older people with heart problems. The warmer temperatures may also lead to higher levels of near-surface ozone from cars and factories, which would likely cause more perilous air quality days and hospital admissions for those with respiratory problems.

Taking Actions

8Fortunately, we can take actions to slow down global warming.8Global warming results primarily from human activities that release heat-trapping gases and particles into the air. The most important causes include the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, and deforestation. To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides, we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels, use technologies that reduce the amount of emissions wherever possible, and protect the forests in the world.

9We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt to those most likely to occur,9 e.g., through careful planning and other strategies that reduce our vulnerability to global warming.

10But we can’t stop there. We are also advocating policies that will combat global warming over the long term, things like clean cars that run on alternative fuels, environmentally responsible renewable energy technologies, and stopping the clear-cutting of valuable forests.

11Clearly, global warming is a huge problem. It will take everyone —governments, industry, communities and individuals working together to make a real difference.

Fortunately you can be part of them.

Paragraphs 1-2

Questions

1. Why have people shown increasing concern about global warming? (Paragraph 2)

The answer lies in the second paragraph: it is a harbinger of what is to come — the threat to low-lying nations, change of rain and drought patterns, frequent hurricanes and intense El Ninos.

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教师上课笔记超详解

Unit 8

Words and Expressions

1. peruse vt. to read through something, especially in order to find the part you are interested in

e.g. He opened a newspaper and began to peruse the personal ads.

Derivation:

perusal n.

e.g. a brief perusal

He sent a copy of the report to the governors for their perusal.

2. periodical n. a publication that appears at fixed intervals, esp. one of a serious kind

e.g. She has written for several legal periodicals.

Derivation:

period n.

periodic a. occurring or appearing at (esp. regular) intervals 定期的，周期的

periodically ad.

3. come up with to think of an idea, plan, reply, etc.

e.g. No one has come up with a convincing explanation of why dinosaurs died out.

The scientists are beating their brains trying to come up with a solution to the problem.

4. attest vt. / vi. to demonstrate, to declare to be true

e.g. The luxurious furnishings attested to the family‘s wealth.

The perfection of their design is attested by the fact that they have survived for thousands of years.

Collocation:

attest (to) sth.

Derivation:

attestation n.

5. consciousness n.

1) the condition of being awake and understanding what is happening

e.g. When will the patient regain his consciousness?

The blow caused him to lose consciousness.

2) all the ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc. of a person or people

e.g. Love for freedom runs deep in the national consciousness.

This experience helped to change her social consciousness.

Collocation:

consciousness of sth. / that … awareness of sth. / that …

e.g. Her consciousness that she‘s different makes her feel uneasy.

regain / recover consciousness 恢复意识，恢复知觉

lose consciousness 失去意识，失去知觉

Antonym:

unconsciousness

Comparison:

subconscious a.潜意识的

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conscience n.良心

conscientious a.（指人或行为）认真的，尽责的

1. Our ______ mind registers things which our ______ mind is not aware of. (subconscious, conscious)

2. My brother is a ______ student. (conscientious)

3. My ______ would really trouble me if I wore a fur coat. (conscience)

6. deserve vt. to be worthy of

e.g. I‘m glad she got the first prize at the English Speech Contest — she thoroughly deserved it.

I said some cruel things to him, but he deserved it for the way he treated me.

Derivation:

deserving a.

e.g. The money is only given to the most deserving cases — to the people who need it most.

His efforts are certainly deserving of praise.

7. threat n. a strong possibility that something very bad will happen

e.g. With so many new offices being built in the city, a lot of archaeological remains are under threat.

Drunken drivers pose a serious threat to other road users.

Collocation:

be under threat of sth.

e.g. She left the country under threat of arrest if she returned.

Derivation:

threaten v.

threatening a.

8. with the exception of except, not including

e.g. I think every student, with the exception of Helen, will pass the exam.

With the exception of gold, the surfaces of metals are never observed but only their oxides. Collocation:

without exception

have no exception

exception to sth.

make an exception

9. spew vt. to pour out, esp. quickly and violently

e.g. One engine of the plane caught fire and spewed black smoke.

He spewed forth what he had recently learned about the true facts.

Collocation:

spew sth. up: to vomit

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教师上课笔记超详解

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10. harbinger n. something that indicates or foreshadows what is to come

e.g. The crowing of the rooster is a harbinger of dawn.

Frost is a harbinger of winter.

Collocation:

harbinger of sb. / sth.

11. curb vt. to stop something that is harmful

e.g. This government has made pioneering strides towards curbing air pollution.

The only way to curb the spread of the disease is by immunizing the entire population.

12. emission n. the act of sending forth; discharge

e.g. The Green Party have called for a substantial reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases by the UK.

Derivation:

emit v.

e.g. The alarm emits infra-red rays which are used to detect any intruder.

The machine emits a high-pitched sound when you press the button.

Activity: Discussion

What kind of periodical do you usually peruse? Why do you like that periodical? What thoughts do you come up with after reading that periodical? Share your favorite periodical with your group

Sentences

1. As Internet search on global warming now attests, the subject has become as rooted in our public consciousness as Madonna or microwave cooking. (Paragraph 1)

Paraphrase: An Internet search on global warming proves that the subject has got fixed in people‘s mind, just like Madonna or microwave cooking.

Translation: 而今因特网上搜索的结果足以证明，全球气候变暖这个话题就像麦当娜和微波炉烹饪一样深入人心。

2. With the possible exception of another world war，a giant asteroid，or an incurable plague，global warming may be the single largest threat to our planet. (Paragraph 2)

Translation: 除了可能再一次发生的世界大战，一颗巨大的行星撞击地球或是一场无法医治的瘟疫侵袭之外，全球变暖差不多是我们星球面临的最大威胁。

3．Many see this as a harbinger of what is to come. (Paragraph 2)

Translation: 很多人都将此视为一种不祥的征兆。

5. El Nino (Paragraph 2)

Explanation: El Nino is an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting

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教师上课笔记超详解

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the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years, characterized by the appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off northern Peru and Ecuador, typically in late December.

Paragraph 3

Words and Expressions:

13. concentration n.

1) the relative amount of a particular substance contained within a solution or mixture or in a particular volume of space

e.g. The pesticide has reached a dangerous concentration in the lake water.

2) (power) of concentrating (on sth.)

e.g. I find that yoga improves my powers of concentration.

Collocation:

concentration on / of sth.

14. decompose v.

1) (cause to) decay

e.g. The meat began to decompose after some time in the sun.

2) to separate into components or basic elements

e.g. Microbes decompose organic waste into a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Derivation:

decomposition n.

Synonym:

decay, rot, break down

Antonym:

compose

15. breed

vi. (of animals) produce young

e.g. The blackbird, like most birds, breeds in the spring.

vt . 1) to keep animals for the purpose of producing young animals in a controlled way

e.g. His main income comes from breeding cattle.

2) to cause something to happen, usually something bad

e.g. Unemployment breeds social unrest.

Collocation:

born and bred: born, brought up and educated (in a specified place or manner)

e.g. He was born and bred a gentleman.

Derivation:

breed n.

breeder n.

breeding n.

16. release vt. let a substance spread into atmosphere, esp. as part of a chemical reaction

e.g. Oil was released into the sea.

An explosion is caused by the very rapid release of a large amount of energy.

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教师上课笔记超详解

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Collocation:

release something into something

Derivation:

release n.0

Paragraphs 4-5

Questions

How does the rising concentration of greenhouse gases cause the change in climate? (Paragraph 4) The rising concentration of greenhouse gases, which is primarily caused by high levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, is trapping excess heat (from the sun) and preventing it from leaving the Earth, hence creating global warming.

Words and Expressions

17. abundant a. more than enough

e.g. There is abundant evidence of continuing racial prejudice in society.

Yunnan has abundant hydropower resources.

Derivation:

abundantly ad.

abundance n.

e.g. There was an abundance of wine at the wedding.

18. excess a. extra or additional (to the usual or permitted amount)

e.g. A company which makes high profits must pay excess profits duty to the government. Collocation:

excess fare 补票费

excess baggage / luggage超重的行李

Comparison:

excessive a. greater than what is normal or necessary; extreme 过分的，过度的

e.g. Excessive exercise can sometimes cause health problems.

Derivation:

excess n.

exceed v.

e.g. The success of our campaign has exceeded our wildest expectations.

excessively ad.

19. recession n.

1) (of water, glacier, etc.) the process of moving back from an area that it was covering

e.g. The rainfall is likely to delay the recession of the floodwater.

2) temporary decline in economic activity or prosperity

e.g. The economy is in recession and will remain so for at least another year.

During severe recession, companies are often forced to make massive job cuts in order to survive.

在严重的经济萧条期，公司通常会被迫大规模裁员以维持运转。

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Derivation:

recessionary a.

Sentences

4．In essence, these gases are trapping excess heat in the Earth‘s atmosphere in much the same way that a windshield traps solar energy that enters a car. (Paragraph 4)

Paraphrase: In essence, excess heat is kept in the Earth‘s atmosphere by these gases; this phenomenon is just like solar energy is kept within a car by a windshield.

Translation: 本质上，这些温室气体留住了地球大气层中过量的热量，正如汽车的挡风玻璃将进入汽车内部的太阳能阻留在车内一样。

5. Much of the available climate data appear to back these fears. (Paragraph 5)

Paraphrase: There is plenty of climate data which could support these fears.

Translation: 大量现有的对气体的研究资料可以证实我们的担忧不是多余的。

Paragraphs 6-7

Words and Expression:

20. speculate vi. to make guesses

e.g. We don‘t know why the prehistoric stone circles were built. We can only speculate.

That spokesperson declined to speculate on the cause of the air crash.

那位发言人拒绝猜测此次飞机坠毁的原因。

Derivation:

speculation n.

e.g. The papers are full of speculation about who is likely to be the next prime minister.

21. fend vi. to defend oneself from a blow, attack, or attacker

e.g. The minister managed to fend off some awkward questions from reporters.

He tried to fend off the attacker with a stick.

So long as the local people work hard and take effective steps, they will fend against poverty.

只要当地人民埋头苦干并采取有效措施，就一定能战胜贫困。

Collocation:

fend sth. / sb. off抵御或抵挡

fend for oneself 照顾自己；独立生活

e.g. You are 22 now. It is time you left home and learnt to fend for yoursel

f.

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教师上课笔记超详解

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22. moderate a.

1) average in amount, intensity, quality, etc.; not extreme

e.g. a moderate performance 不好不坏的演出

Imposing sanctions is a moderate action when you consider that the alternative is military intervention.

2) of or having (usu. political) opinions that are not extreme

e.g. The party leader is an extreme left-winger, but her deputy is more moderate in her views.

3) keeping or kept within limits that are not excessive

e.g. He is a moderate drinker.

Derivation:

moderately ad.

moderation n.

e.g. Grape wine can be good for you if taken in moderation.

23. vulnerable a. to be weak and easily affected by illness

e.g. Elderly people, living alone, are especially vulnerable.

It was no place to raise a child with lungs so vulnerable to infection.

Collocation:

vulnerable to sth. / sb.

Derivation:

vulnerability n.

vulnerably ad.

Antonym:

invulnerable

24.perilous a.dangerous or risky

e.g. The first leg of the perilous journey was over.

But to neglect the town was equally perilous.

Derivation:

perilously ad.

peril n.

Sentences

6. Not surprisingly, many scientists speculate that such changes in climate will probably result in hotter days and fewer cool days. (Paragraph 6)

Translation: 毫不奇怪，科学家们推测这种气候变化很可能导致天气更加炎热而凉爽的日子变得越来越少。

7．As far as human health is concerned, those hit hardest will probably be residents of poorer countries that do not have funds to fend against changes in climate. (Paragraph 7) Translation: 就人类的健康而言，受影响最严重的恐怕是那些没有足够资金防御气候变化的贫穷国家的居民。

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教师上课笔记超详解

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Paragraphs 8-11

Questions

1. What does ―adapt to those most likely to occur‖ mean? (Paragraph 9)

It means ―do things to get ourselves prepared for the situations that are most likely to occur.‖2. What are the immediate actions that we should take? (Paragraph 8)

We should take such immediate actions as a) cutting our consumption of fossil fuels, b) using technologies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and c) protecting our forests.

3. What are the long-term policies that should be worked out? (Paragraph 10)

We should encourage people to use environmentally clean fuels and technologies, and stop the clear-cutting of forests.

Words and Expressions

25. take action to do sth. to begin to act

e.g. We must take action to deal with the problem before it spreads to other areas.

26. consumption n. the amount of electricity, gas, etc. that sb. or sth. uses

e.g. As a nation, our consumption of junk food is horrifying.

We need to cut down on our fuel consumption by having fewer cars on the road. Derivation:

consume v.

consumer n.

27. mitigate vt. to make an unpleasant situation or its effect less serious and less difficult to bear

e.g. We need to do everything we can to mitigate the distress caused by the disaster.

Their extreme poverty is mitigated slightly by the fact that Rosa has a part-time job. Derivation:

mitigating a.

e.g. the mitigating effect of pain-killing drugs 镇痛药物的缓解作用

mitigation n.

28. adapt to change in order to deal with a new situation

e.g. The immigrants gradually adapted to the tough living conditions.

29. advocate vt. support

e.g. Most of the Chinese people advocate the policy of reform and opening-up.

He advocated the creation of a permanent United Nations.

Synonym:

support, back, promote

Antonym:

discourage

29. combat vt. / vi. fight (against)

e.g. The schools were fighting endlessly to combat truancy.

The president emphasized the importance of combating international terrorism.

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Derivation:

combatant n.

combative a.

Collocation:

combat against / with sb. / sth.: fight or struggle against sb. / sth.

30. alternative

a. other, different from the usual

e.g. The alternative country to study abroad is Britain which has rich education resources.

Electricity companies were criticized for failing to develop alternative energy sources.

n. choice of two or more possibilities

e.g. As you move along Plan A of your career, maintain a Plan B as well — an alternative course

to rely.

Derivation:

alternatively ad.

Synonym:

replacement, substitute

Activity: Discussion

Facing the severe ecological crisis, we have to take action to protect our earth. What specific actions can we take? Discuss with your partner. The following words and phrases may be useful

Sentences

8. Fortunately, we can take actions to slow global warming. (Paragraph 8)

Translation: 所幸的是，我们可以采取行动减缓全球变暖的进程。

9. We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt to those most likely to occur. (Paragraph 9)

Translation: 我们还可以采取措施减轻全球变暖带来的负面影响，并适应可能发生的各种变化。

Section Four Consolidation Activities

I . Vocabulary Analysis

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1 Phrase practice

1. with the exception of: except, apart from 除……之外，不包括……在内

e.g. All his novels are set in Italy with the exception of his last. 他的小说除了最后一部，全是以

意大利为背景。

2. wherever possible: whenever it is possible 只要可能

e.g. Use computer wherever possible. 只要可能，就利用电脑。

Young people need to be, wherever possible, rehabilitated rather than punished. 年轻人需要尽可能地挽救而不是惩罚。

3. in essence: essentially, basically 本质上，根本上

e.g. In essence, your situation is the same with mine. 从本质上讲，你我的情况是一样的。

Though different in form, the two slogans are in essence the same. 两个口号形式上虽有不同，实质上却是一致的。

4. over the long term: over a long period 从长远看

e.g. Over the long term we will make a profit. 从长远来看我们是会有盈利的。

2 Word derivation

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the given words.

1. Her natural good sense was improved by the perusal (peruse) of the best books.

2. Efforts to reach the injured men have been intensified (intense) because of a sudden deterioration of weather conditions.

3. I knew he deserved to be punished but making him stay in every night for a year is a little excessive (excess).

4. Theories of the origin of life are partly speculative (speculate), since there is so little direct evidence available.

5. This is a book that contains an abundance (abundant) of valuable information.

6. The cost of the flights, accommodation and car rental is two thousand dollars inclusive (include).

7. When an iron object is heated in a fire, it glows red and emits (emission) radiation.

8. We hardly ever go into London. Whatever we need we can buy locally (local).

1.peruse v. 熟读，精读

perusal n. 熟读，精读；仔细研究

e.g. 他每天都要读各种报纸。

He perused the newspapers every day.

2.intense a. 强烈的，剧烈的，热烈的

intensify v. 增强，强化；加剧

intensive n. 强烈的；密集的

intensification n. 增强，加强，强化

e.g. 我的工作非常紧张，以至于我没有时间休息。

My work is so intense that I even have no time to take a rest.

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我的初次失败更坚定了我成功的信念。

My first failure only intensified my desire to succeed.

我们有十天的强化训练。

We have ten days of intensive training.

3.excess a. 过量的，额外的

excessive a. 过多的，过分的

e.g. 这个胖男孩节制饮食以减轻过量的体重。

The fat boy went on a diet to get rid of his excess weight.

4.speculate v. 推测，好奇

speculation n. 沉思，推测；投机

speculative a. 推测的，推理的；投机的

speculator n. 投机者，投机商人

e.g. 我猜想的全错了。

My speculations proved totally wrong.

他是一个冷酷的投机者。

He is a ruthless speculator.

5.abundant a. 丰富的，充裕的

abundance n. 丰富，充裕

abundantly ad. 大量地，丰富地

e.g. 今年的农产品很丰富。

The agricultural commodities are abundant this year.

这个国家拥有丰富的资源。

This country has an abundance of valuable resources.

6.include v. 包括，包含

including prep. 包含，包括

inclusive a. 包含……在内的，包罗广泛的

e.g. 账单中包含服务费。

The bill includes service.

他们有很多宠物，狗就有三只。

They have many pets, including three dogs.

7.emission n. 散发；发射

emit v. 发出，放射；吐露

e.g. 干酪散发出强烈的气味。

The cheese was emitting a strong smell.

8.local a. 地方性的；当地的，局部的

locally ad. 在本地，在当地

e.g. 当地大多数的居民靠打渔为生。

Most of the local population depend on fishing for their income.

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3 Synonym / Antonym

Give a synonym or an antonym of the word underlined in each sentence in the sense it is used.

1. Global warming results primarily from human activities that release heat-trapping gases and particles into the air.

Synonym: mainly, basically, firstly

2. Fortunately, we can take actions to slow down global warming.

Antonym: unfortunately, unluckily

3. The most important causes include the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, and deforestation.

Antonym: exclude

4. Twenty-five years ago if you made a trip to the library and perused the periodical section for articles on global warming, you‘d probably have come up with only a few abstracts from hardcore science journals or maybe a blurb in some esoteric geopolitical magazine.

Synonym: part, division

5. That‘s an increase of roughly 1°C every 4,000 years.

Antonym: decrease, lowering

6. Much of the available climate data appear to back these fears.

Antonym: unavailable

7. All across the globe, hotter summers could lead to more cases of heat stroke and deaths among those who are vulnerable, such as older people with heart problems.

Synonym: weak, insecure, unsafe

8. … things like clean cars that run on alternative fuels, environmentally responsible renewable energy technologies, and stopping the clear-cutting of valuable forests.

Antonym: irresponsible

4 Prefix

Write in each space one word that has the same prefix as underlined in each given word.

1. centigrade centimeter

2. kilogram kilometer

3. synopsis synthetic

4. supervise superior

5. submarine submerge

6. astronaut astronomy

7. microbiology microwave 8. overwork overload

1. Explanation:

centi-: one hundredth

e.g. centigram, centiliter, centimeter

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教师上课笔记超详解

Unit 8

2. Explanation:

kilo-: one thousand

e.g. kilowatt, kilobyte, kilohertz

3. Explanation:

syn-: synonymous

e.g. synonym, synonymy, synchronous

4. Explanation:

super-: extremely, more or better than normal

e.g. superhuman, supercomputer, superconductor, superego

5. Explanation:

sub-: below; less than; under

e.g. sub-zero, subway, subset

6. Explanation:

astro-: connected with the stars or outer space

e.g. astrophysics, astrology, astronomer

7. Explanation:

micro-: small; on a small scale

e.g. microchip, micro-organism, microbe, microcosm

8. Explanation:

over-: more than usual; too much

e.g. overconfident, overanxious, over-optimistic

II Grammar Exercises

1. The present perfect tense vs. the simple past tense

The simple past refers to the definite past. The present perfect refers to ―the past with present relevance.‖The action or state denoted by the present perfect tense, though referring to some indefinite happening in the past, has some connection with the present. Hence, if an action or state happened in the past and has no connection with the present, it will have to be expressed by the simple past.

Compare: His father has been a teacher all his life. (His father is still alive.)

His father was a teacher all his life. (His father is now dead.)

Practice: Complete the following sentences using the appropriate verb forms.

1.He ______________ (invent) hundreds of things. He is one of the most productive inventors of

our generation.

2.A: Is your father at home?

B: No, I‘m afraid he _____________ (go) out.

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