Unit 12 Fact and fantasy
學習目標
本單元以談論“科學與幻想”為話題,使學生了解科學與幻想的區(qū)別,認識到學習科學的重要性;同時通過對法國科學幻想和冒險小學家儒勒凡爾納(Jules Verne)及其作品的介紹,激發(fā)學生探索宇宙奧秘的興趣。學習英語構詞法。在練習寫幻想短文“創(chuàng)造一個類似人類的生物”的實踐中,培養(yǎng)書面表達能力,同時拓展學生創(chuàng)造性思維。
單元要點
Word study
1.fantasy 2.league 3.distance 4.ballon 5.fiction 6.servant 7.whale 8.hunter 9.collision 10.permanent 11.guest 12.voyage 13.aboard 14.prisoner 15.gentle 16.marble 17.paraphrase 18.matter 19.phenomena 20.attention 21.labour 22.hesitate 23.butcher 24.curtain 25.lip 1.幻想作品;想象的產(chǎn)物 2.聯(lián)盟;里格(舊時長度單位) 3.距離 4.氣球 5.小說;虛構的事 6.仆人;公務員 7.鯨;巨大的人或事 8.獵人;搜索者9.碰撞;沖突 10.永久的;固定不變的 11.客人;客座教授 12.航海;航空 13.在船(飛機、車)上 14.俘虜;犯人 15.溫柔的;有禮貌的 16.大理石 17.意譯;釋義 18.事情;物質(zhì) 19.現(xiàn)象;奇跡 20.注意力;留心 21.努力;勞動果實 22.猶豫;躊躇 23.屠夫;買肉者 24.窗簾;幕 25.嘴唇;唇狀物
Useful
expressions 1.make a sketch 2.science fiction 3.in the far future 4.come true 5.to make a living 6.lay the foundation 7.sea monster 8.set out to do sth. 9.turn out 10.from that day on 11.begin with… 12.extinct volcano 13.instead of 14.search for 15.dream of 16.throw light upon 17.attract one’s attention 18.slow down 19.in height 20.cut up 1.簡單描述;列提綱 2.科幻小說 3.在遙遠的未來 4.實現(xiàn) 5.謀生 6.奠定基礎 7.海生怪物 8.著手做某事 9.結果是 10.自從那天起 11.以……為開始 12.死火山 13.而不是 14.找尋 15.夢到 16.闡明某事;使某事顯得非常清楚 17.引起某人注意 18.使減速慢行 19.在高度上 20.切碎
Sentence
patterns &
Communicative
English 1.Jules spent many years in Paris libraries studying geology, physics and many other subjects.
2.Many of the instruments in his novels will remind the reader of Dr.Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with electricity.
3.By taking the scientific developments of his day one step further, Jules Verne laid the foundation of modern science fiction.
4.He also suggested how inventions could be used in the future to allow man to do things that were considered impossible in his own time.
5.In their efforts to survive, they find themselves on the surface of the monster itself, which turns out to be a submarine.
6.Dressed in diving suits, they walk around in this magic world, lighted by the lamps of the ship.
7.Passing through layers of coal and marble they go deeper and deeper.
8.But I found all that was taught at university very disappointing and decided that I would pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of nature.
9.While unfinished, he was ugly, but now he was a living horror.
10.Under water travel and space travel have many things in common.
Grammar Word-formation
Topics &Writing Write a short passage about man’s great dream of creating life.
語言點講解
1. The French writer Jules Verne wrote famous books, such as 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 days.法國作家儒勒凡爾納寫了很多著名書籍,比如《海底兩萬里》和《八十天環(huán)游地球》。
(1)Jules Verne 儒勒凡爾納。法國科學幻想家和冒險小說家。
(2)such as
①like; for example 像;諸如;例如 eg:
Wild flowers such as orchids and primroses are becoming rare.蘭花和報春花之類的野花越來越少了。
②everything that凡是 eg:
Such as remains after tax will be yours when I die.我死后全部財產(chǎn)除了交稅以外全部給你。
(3)league n.
① former measure of distance (about 3 miles or 4.8 km) 里格(舊時長度單位,約3英里或4.8公里)。 eg:
The horse can run 50 leagues a day. 這匹馬一天能跑240公里。
②group of people or countries combined for a particular purpose 聯(lián)盟;同盟 eg:
The League of Nations is an international organization.國際聯(lián)盟是一個國際組織。
2. Try the small science quiz below to see if you know any better. 試試下面的科學小測驗,看看你是否了解得多些。
any better 更好
any adv. (used with faster, slower, better, etc. , in questions and after if/whether 用于疑問句中,與faster, slower, better等連用;用于if/whether之后)to any degree; at all在任何程度上;絲毫 eg:
I can’t run any faster. 我無法跑得更快了。
Is your father any better? 你父親有所好轉(zhuǎn)了嗎?
3. What is the distance from the earth to the moon? 地球到月球的距離是多少?
(1) distance n. [C, U]
① (amount of) space between two points or places 距離;間距
A good cyclist can cover a distance of over a hundred miles a day.自行車騎得好的人一天可以行駛一百多英里。
②distant place or point 遠處;遠方 eg:
At a distance of six miles you can’t see much.距離六英里以外的東西很難看清。
(2) at a distance (稍)遠處,表示一定的距離,近距離或用以說明具體的距離,其不定冠詞a有時可以略去或改用some。 eg:
This picture looks better at a distance. 這幅畫遠看就好些。
(3) in the distance (far away) 在(較)遠處,強調(diào)距離之遠。 eg:
They were expecting to see in the distance some signs of the enemy.他們期望著發(fā)現(xiàn)遠處敵人的跡象。
(4) keep sb. at a distance 與某人保持一定距離;不愿與某人親近 eg:
He always keeps anyone at a distance. 他總是不愿與任何人親近:
4. How fast does a balloon travel? How about an airplane? How about a space shuttle?
一只氣球能走多快?一架飛機呢?還有一架航天飛機呢?
(1)ballon
①n. brightly-coloured rubber bag that is filled with air, used as a child’s toy or a decoration(用作玩具或裝飾品的)氣球 eg:
They bought their son a lot of balloons yesterday.昨天他們給他們的兒子買了很多氣球。
②v. swell out like a balloon 如氣球一般膨脹 eg:
Her skirt ballooned in the wind. 她的裙子讓風吹得鼓起來了。
③go ballooning 乘氣球 eg:
They like to go ballooning at weekends. 他們周末喜歡乘氣球玩。
(2)How/What about …?……怎么樣?常常用來打聽消息或提出建議,征求對方意見,后接名詞,代詞或動名詞。 eg:
How about your mother? Does she feel better today?你媽媽怎么樣聽?她今天覺得好點兒了嗎?
(3)space shuttle-spacecraft designed for repeated use, eg between earth and a space station or the moon 航天飛機;太空穿梭機 eg:
I have never seen a space shuttle. 我從未看見過航天飛機。
知識點講解
1. Fill in the chart on the next page and make a sketch of the animal as they saw.
填寫下一頁的圖表并按他們看到的動物的樣子給那種動物作一個速寫。
sketch n.
①rough quickly-made drawing, without many details素描;速寫;草圖
②make a sketch of … 作一個……的速寫 eg:
He was good at making a sketch of face. 他擅長作面部素描。
③short account or description, giving only basic details 簡短的陳述或素描
④give a sketch of …概述…… eg:
Please give a sketch of your plans. 請概述一下你的計劃。
2. description n. describing; picture in words 描述;描繪
(1)give sb. a brief description of …向某人簡要地描述…… eg:
Can you give me a brief description of what has happened?你能向我簡要描述一下所發(fā)生的事嗎?
(2)beyond description 難以描述 eg:
Her beauty is beyond description. 她的美貌難以用語言來描述。
(3)give/make a description of …對……加以描述 eg:
He made a description of the thief.他描述了小偷的模樣。
(4)describe v. say what sb./sth. is like; depict sth. in words 描述某人/某事物。常構成describe sb./sth. (to/for sb.) eg:
Words cannot describe the beauty of the scene.那景色之美難以言傳。
3. Why does Sam need to know the time? 為什么薩姆需要知道時間?
need的用法小結:
(1)need作情態(tài)動詞,通常用于疑問句、否定句、條件句、whether/if名詞從句或含否定意義的句子中。 eg:
I do not see why we need discuss it further.我看我們沒有必要討論下去了。
That’s all settled. It needn’t be talked about.那已全部解決了,沒有必要再討論了。
(2)need又是實義動詞,各種變化和用法與普通實義動詞相同。 eg:
①They need a rest after a long walk.長距離行走后他們需要休息一下。
②I need you to work for me, young man! 小伙子,我需要你為我工作!
③I need to consult a dictionary. 我需要查字典。
(3)need接動名詞主動形式,表示被動含義,這時動名詞和主語之間有動賓關系,need doing可轉(zhuǎn)換為need to be done結構,意思相同。
My hair needs washing badly.(=My hair needs to be washed badly.)我的頭發(fā)非常需要洗一洗。
The garden needs watering.(= The garden needs to be watered.)花園需要洗水。
4. fiction n.
(1)[C] sth. invented or imagined 虛構之事;捏造的故事 eg:
The film was very good although it was a fiction.這部電影雖屬虛構,但很好。
(2)[U] (branch of literature concerned with) stories, novels and romances (作為文學之一分支的)小說 eg:
Truth is often stranger than fiction.事實往往比小說還離奇。
(3)science fiction 科幻小說
5. in the future, in future與in the far future.
(1)in the future意思是“將來,今后的時期”,但不一定就是從今立即開始,而是將來的時間。 eg:
No one can know what will happen in the future.沒有人會知道將來會發(fā)生什么事。
(2)in future意思是“從今以后”(=from now on)。 eg:
In future, be careful with your pronunciation. 今后要注意你的發(fā)音。
(3)in the far future 在遙遠的未來 eg:
It is possible for doctors to find a way to keep us young forever in the far future.
在遙遠的未來,醫(yī)生有可能找到一種使我們永遠年輕的辦法。
6. incomplete adj. not complete不完全的 eg:
The passage below is incomplete. Please fill in the blanks using correct prepositions.
下面的文章是不完整的,請用正確的介詞填空。
注:incomplete是在complete前加含否定含義的前綴“in-“構成的,表達與complete相反的含義。
7. work with sb.與work with sth.
(1)work with sb.意為“和某人一道工作” eg:
I like to work with him. 我喜歡和他一塊兒工作。
(2)work with sth. 意為“從事……方面的研究工作”,“用……工作” eg:
Professor Wang had worked with bees for many years.王教授多年從事蜜蜂的研究工作。
I would rather work with the bigger brush.我寧愿用那把大一點兒的刷子干活。
8. (1) beat, defeat, win與gain
①beat和defeat屬一組同義詞,它們的賓語必須是人或一個集體,如a team, a class, an school, an army。defeat尤指在戰(zhàn)場上打敗敵人;beat是游戲、比賽的專門用詞。二者?蓳Q。 eg:
We beat their team by 10 points. 我們贏了他們隊十分。
In the end their army was defeat/beaten. 最后他們的部隊被擊(打)敗。
②win和gain屬一組同義詞。Gain表示獲得需要之物,它常跟的賓語有one’s living, experience, strength, time, knowledge, attention, respect, admiration 等;win表示在較強的競爭中取得勝利,它常跟的賓語有game, war, prize, fame, battle等。 eg:
We shall gain experience through practice.我們將通過實踐獲得經(jīng)驗。
They won the battle but lost many men.他們?nèi)〉昧诉@次戰(zhàn)斗的勝利,但犧牲了很多人。
(2)beat, hit, strike與tap
beat著重“連續(xù)性地擊打”,如毆打或體罰,也指在游戲、競賽或戰(zhàn)爭中擊敗對方。此外,beat還可用來指心臟的跳動。strike通常表示打一下,打若干下等意思,不一定都是有意的,還可指罷工,(鐘)敲響之意。hit指“打中”或“對準……來打”,著重敲打或打擊對方的某一點。tap一般是轟轟拍打的意思。 eg:
The wheat was beaten down by the rain. 麥子被雨水打得伏倒了。
The stone hit him on the head.石頭擊中了他的頭部。
It strikes a bug’s back with is forelegs and feelers.它(螞蟻)用前腿和觸角敲打臭蟲的背部。
It taps on the other’s head with its feelers, using a kind of telegraph code.
它(螞蟻)像使用一種電碼的方式一樣,用觸角輕敲對方的頭部。
9. Doctors may find a way to keep us young forever.醫(yī)生可能會找到一種使我們永遠保持年輕的辦法。
(1)“way”意為“方式,方法”,在其后要用to do或of doing的形式作后置定語。 eg:
Cao chong thought out a way to weigth/of weighing the elephant.曹沖想出了一個稱象的辦法。
(2)此外,如果way之后跟定語從句,那么這個定語從句用in which或that引導,也可省略。 eg:
This was the way that/in which they solved the problem.這就是他們解決那個問題的辦法。
10. believe sb. 與believe in sb.
believe sb.相信某人(所說的話是真的)
believe in sb.信任某人 eg:
I believe him, but I can’t believe in him.我相信他的話是真的,但我不能信任他。
生詞和詞組
1. bulb n.
①(also light bulb) pear-shaped glass container for the filament of an electric light 電燈泡 eg:
If you have time, please change a bulb.如果你有時間的話,請換個燈泡。
②thick rounded underground stem of certain plants(eg the lily, onion, tulip) sending roots downwards and leaves upwards. 鱗莖;球莖(如百合、洋蔥、郁金香的莖) eg:
We cooked onion bulbs for food. 我們烹調(diào)洋蔥莖作為食物。
③object shaped like a bulb 球狀物 eg:
The bulb of this thermometer is broken.這支溫度計的球狀頂端碎了。
2. foundation n.
①[U] act of founding (an institution, organization, etc.) (機構,組織等的)建立,創(chuàng)立,創(chuàng)辦 eg:
He devoted all his energy to the foundation of the university.
他把全部精力都致力于這所大學的創(chuàng)辦。
②[C,U] principle, idea or fact on which sth. is based; basis(作為某事的)基本原則、思想或事實;基礎 eg:
This success laid the foundation of his career.這次成功為他的事業(yè)奠定了基礎。
③foundation course 基礎課
④ foundation-stone 奠基石
⑤found v.建立,創(chuàng)立
⑥founder n. 建立者;締造者
3. servant n.
①person who works in sb. else’s household for wages, and often for food and lodging 仆人;傭人 eg:
He had a lot of servants work for him. 他讓很多仆人為他工作。
②employee, esp. a faithful and devoted one 雇員(尤指忠心耿耿的);公務員 eg:
He was a trusted servant of the company. 他是這個公司里的一個可靠雇員。
4. whale
(1)n. any of several types of very large mammal that live in the sea, some of which are hunted for their oil and flesh 鯨 eg:
A whale is not a fish.鯨不是魚。
(2)have a whale of a time(習語)玩得非常愉快 eg:
The children had a whale of a time at the fairground.孩子們在游樂場玩得很高興。
(3)v. hunt whales 捕鯨 eg:
They are whaling at sea. 他們正在海上捕鯨。
(4)whaler n.捕鯨;捕鯨的人
5. hunter n. person who hunts 獵人;搜索者;搜尋者 eg:
The hunter lost his way in the forest when he went hunting that day.
那個獵人那天去打獵的時候在森林里迷了路。
6. collision n. [C,U]
①(instance of) one object or person striking against another; (instance of) colliding; crash(物與物或人與人)相撞,碰撞,撞壞
常構成:collision with sb./sth. 與某人/某物相撞
collision between A and B A與B相撞 eg:
The collision between two cars caused 3 deaths. 兩車相撞造成三人死亡。
②strong disagreement; conflict or clash of opposing aims, ideas, opinions, etc.抵觸;(相反的目的、看法、意見等的)沖突 eg:
Her political activities brought her into collision with the law.她的政治活動觸犯了法律。
7. overboard adv.
①over the side of a ship or boat into the water 從船上落(或拋)入水中;在船外 eg:
The sailor jumped overboard into the sea. 那位水手從船上跳入水中。
②go overboard (about sb./sth.) 對(某人/某事)極感興趣或過分感興趣 eg:
He goes overboard about ever young woman he meets.他對年輕的女子見一個愛一個。
③throw sth./sb. overboard 拋棄某事物;除掉或不再支持某人 eg:
After heavily losing the election, the party threw their leader overboard.該黨慘敗落選后罷免了黨魁。
8. submarine n. naval vessel that can operate underwater welll as on the surface 潛水艇 eg:
A submarine travels under the surface of the sea.潛水艇在海面下行駛。
9. permanent adj.
①lasting or expected to last for a long time or for ever 永久的;永恒的;長久的;長期的 eg:
She is looking for permanent employment.她正在找固定的工作。
②not likely to change 不大可能改變的 eg:
She wrote down my permanent address. 她寫下了我的固定地址。
10. guest
(1)n. person invited to visit one’s house or being entertained at one’s expense賓客;客人 eg:
We are expecting guests this weekend. 我們本周末要來客人。
(2)n. person staying at a hotel, boarding house, etc.住在旅館、寄宿處等的人;旅客 eg:
This hotel has accommodation for 500 guests.這旅館能接待500位客人。
(3)客座教授 eg:
Professor Wang, our guest tonight, will give us a speech on DNA.
我們的客座教授王教授,今晚要給我們作一個關于DNA的演講。
(4)v. appear as a guest on a television or radio programme(在電視或廣播節(jié)目中)客串 eg:
She often guests on a radio programme.她經(jīng)常在一個廣播節(jié)目中客串。
11. voyage (1)n. long journey, esp. by sea or in space 航行;(尤指)航海,航天 eg:
They made a voyage across the Atlantic.他們作了一次橫越大西洋的航行。
(2)v. go on a voyage; travel 航行;航海;航天飛行 eg:
A plane crashed down when it voyaged through space.一架飛機作航天飛行時墜毀了。
(3)voyager n. 航行者;航海者;航天者
12. aboard adv. On or into a ship, an aircraft, a train or (esp. U.S.) a bus在船(或飛機、車)上;上船;登機 eg:
We went aboard. 我們上了船。
13. prisoner n.
①person kept in prison, as a punishment or awaiting trial犯人;囚犯 eg:
He was kept as a prisoner.他作為一個囚犯被關了起來。
②person that has been captured被抓起來的人;俘虜;失去自由的人 eg:
You are our prisoner now.你現(xiàn)在是我們的俘虜了。
14. gentle adj. mild; kind; careful; not rough, violent or severe 溫和的;慈祥的;小心的;溫柔的;文雅的;輕輕的 eg:
I met a gentle old woman yesterday. 我昨天遇到了一個慈祥的老太太。
15. extinct adj. ①(esp. of a type of animal, etc.) no longer in existence(尤指某種動物等)不再存在的;絕種的;滅絕的 eg:
If we continue to destroy the countryside, many more animals will become extinct.
我們?nèi)衾^續(xù)破壞鄉(xiāng)村環(huán)境,將會有更多的動物絕種。
②(fire or hope) ge out(火,希望等)熄滅了的 eg:
The fire was extinct.火滅了。
16. layer [′leI (r)] n. ① thickness of material (esp. one of several) laid over a surface or forming a horizontal division層(尤指數(shù)層之一) eg:
Several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than a thick one.穿幾層薄的衣服總比穿一層厚的衣服暖和。
②person who lays sth. on… 鋪設者
17. marble
(1)n. types of hard limestone used, when cut and polished, for building and sculpture 大理石 eg:
These steps are made of marble. 這些臺階是大理石建造的。
(2) marbles (pl.) collection of marble sculptures; works of art in marble 大理石雕刻品;大理石藝術品
(3)adj. like marble 像大理石的 eg:
She has marble skin. 她有著大理石般光潔的皮膚。
18. paraphrase
(1)v. express the meaning of (a piece of writing, statement, etc.) in different words, esp. in order to make it easier to understand將(一段文字等)釋義或意譯(尤指為易于理解) eg:
He paraphrased a speech in colloquial English.他用通俗英語意譯了一篇演講稿。
(2)n. rewording of a piece of writing, statement, etc. , especially in order to make it easier to understand
(對一段文字等的)釋義,意義(尤指為易于理解) eg:
The paraphrase of the sonnet is easy to understand.該十四行詩的意譯易于理解。
19. definition [U] n. stating the exact meaning (of words, etc.)(詞語等的)釋義 eg:
Dictionary writers must be skilled in ther art of definition.
辭書編纂者必須精于給詞語下定義的技巧。
20. misbehave v. behave badly or improperly 行為不端;舉止不當 eg:
She misbehaved. 她行為不端。
21. subtitle n. (usu. pl. 通常作復數(shù)) (esp. cinema 尤用于電影)
words printed on a film that translate the dialogue of a foreign film, give those of a silent film or (on television) supply dialogue for deaf viewers 字幕 eg:
Without the subtitles I would not understand the film.沒有字幕的話我就理解不了這部電影。
22. interchangeable adj. that can be interchanged, esp. without affecting the way in which sth. works 可交換的,可互換的,可交替的(尤指不影響操作的) eg:
The two words are interchangeable. 這兩個單詞是可互換的。
23. underpants n. short undergarment worn by men and boys covering the lower part of the body(男用)內(nèi)褲 eg:
He stood there in his underpants. 他只穿內(nèi)褲站在那兒。
24. study law study 研究;學習;求學。 study law意為“研究法律”,law前不加冠詞,類似的用法還有study medicine“研究醫(yī)學”。 eg:
He wanted to study law. 他想學法律。
25. make a living與make one’s living意為“謀生”,這里的make也可換成earn/gain/get。在表達“靠做……以謀生”之意時,常用短語earn/gain/get/make a/one’s living by doing sth./as a…。 eg:
Before liberation, her grandfather made a/his living by working for a land owner.解放前,她爺爺靠給一個地主干活為生。
26. …allow man to do things … ……允許人類做……, allow可構成以下結構:
allow sb. to do sth.→被動:sb. be allowed to do sth.
allow doing sth.允許做某事 eg:
Mother doesn’t allow me to go out at night. 媽媽不允許我晚上外出。
They didn’t allow smoking here. 這兒不允許吸煙。
類似用法的動詞還有:advise, permit, forbid等詞。
27. set out與set off
(1)set out意為“出發(fā)/啟程”,表達“動身去某地”時用“set out for sp.”此時可與“set off for sp.”互換。 eg:
They set out for town at dawn.他們在拂曉動身進城了。
(2)set out to do sth.意為“開始做某事”。 eg:
When everything was ready, the doctor set out to perform the operation.一切準備就緒,醫(yī)生就開始動起手術來了。
28. on board上船(或飛機、火車、汽車等);在船上(或飛機上、火車上、汽車上)。 eg:
As soon as we went on board, our ship left the port.我們一上船,船就出港了。
29. from that day on從那天起,“from+時間+on”表示“從……時候起”,如“from then/now/1998 on”表示“從那時/現(xiàn)在/1998年起”之意。可與現(xiàn)在、過去、將來的時態(tài)連用。 eg:
From then on she knew she would win. 從那時起她就知道她將取勝。
30. defend … against/from …保護/保衛(wèi)/防御……抵御/免遭 eg:
The soldiers defended their country against enemies.戰(zhàn)士們保衛(wèi)他們的祖國抵御敵人。
It is the nature of a mother to defend her child from harm.保護自己的孩子不受傷害是一個母親的天性。
同、近義詞辨析
1. electric與electrical
(1)electric電的;用電的;帶電的;發(fā)電的
an electric current/torch/iron 電流/電筒/電熨斗 eg:
He bought an electric torch yesterday.昨天他買了一個手電筒。
(2)electrical關于電的
electrical engineering電機工程學 eg:
He majored in electrical engineering in the college.他在大學里主修電機工程學。
2. discover, find out與invent
(1)discover指“發(fā)現(xiàn)”某種本來存在,而以前未被發(fā)現(xiàn)的事物或未為人所知的東西。
(2)find out常用來指“弄明白、搞清楚、查出(某一真相)”,做“發(fā)現(xiàn)”講時,是指發(fā)現(xiàn)一種無形而隱藏的東西。
(3)invent表“發(fā)明”之意,意思是發(fā)明出以前沒有的東西,往往是物質(zhì)性的東西。 eg:
Gilbert discovered electricity, but Edison invented the light bulb.吉伯特發(fā)現(xiàn)了電,而愛迪生發(fā)明了燈泡。
Think over and you’ll find out that you are wrong.仔細想想,你就會發(fā)現(xiàn)你錯了。
3. instead與instead of
instead是副詞;instead of為介詞短語,后接名詞,代詞,動名詞或介詞短語,從句等形式。一般情況下,含有instead of的句子可以改寫為含有instead的句子。 eg:
He stayed in bed all day instead of going to school.
=He didn’t go to school. Instead, he stayed in bed all day.他沒去上學,而是在床上躺了一整天。
I didn’t drink water. I drank juice instead.
=I drank juice instead of water. 我沒有喝水,而是喝的果汁。
4. late, lately, latest, later與latter
(1)late指比預料的或正常的時間晚。 eg:
I was late for work again.我上班又遲到了。
(2)lately“近來”,常用于疑問句,否定句,或與only連用或用于as lately as中?隙ň渲杏胷ecently。 eg:
Have you seen her lately?你最近看到過她嗎?
(3)latest adj.“最近的”、“最新的” eg:
Have you got the latest news about him? 你有他最近的消息嗎?
(4)later“后來”,“較晚的時候”,也可和段時間連用,表示從過去或?qū)砟骋粫r間起,多長時間以后。 eg:
Later the boy found his mother. 后來那個男孩找到了他媽媽。
(5)latter用來表示兩事物之間的順序,意為“后一個/后者”,與the former(前者)相對。 eg:
Of these two men the former is dead, but the latter is still alive.此二人中前者已死,但后者仍活著。
5. at the beginning與in the beginning
(1)at the beginning通常接of短語,表示“在……初”,“在……開始的時候”,它的反義短語是at the end of。 eg:
Great changes took place at the beginning of the century.在那個世紀初發(fā)生了巨大的變化。
(2)in the beginning表示“起初”,“開始的時候”,不與of介詞短語連用。但at the beginning偶爾也可單獨使用,在意思上與in the beginning區(qū)別不大。 eg:
In the beginning nobody took any notice of his words.起初沒人理睬他的話。
6. finally, at last與in the end
(1)finally一般指一系列事物或論點按排列的最后一項內(nèi)容,或用在動詞前,表示等了好久才……,沒有感情色彩。 eg:
Finally, let’s do some exercises.最后我們來做一些練習吧。
(2)at last往往表示經(jīng)過一番努力或曲折的過程之后的意思,常常有較濃的感情色彩。 eg:
At last, he got hold of the elephant’s tail. 他最后終于抓住了大象的尾巴。
(3)in the end可與finally和at last通用。 eg:
The war lasted four years before the North won in the end.
這場戰(zhàn)爭持續(xù)了四年,最后北方取得了勝利。(但in the end可預卜未來。)
知識點講解
1. Jules spent many hours in Paris libraries studying geology, physics and many other subjects.
儒勒在巴黎圖書館花費很長時間研究地質(zhì)學,物理學和許多其他的學科。
spend“花費”,常用于下面的結構:
spend money/time on sth./(in) doing sth. 在某事/做某事方面花費錢/時間
eg: He does not spend much time on his homework.他在做作業(yè)上花費不了多少時間。
注意區(qū)別spend與take。
Take的用法是:It takes/took/will take sb. Some time to do sth.“做某事花費某人多少時間” eg:
It took him two hours to finish the work. 完成這份工作花費了他兩個小時。
2. Many of the instruments in his novels will remind the reader of Dr Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with electricity. 他小說里所提到的許多設備會讓讀者想起本杰明富蘭克林用電做的實驗。
remind提醒;使想起;可構成以下結構:
(1)remind sb. of sth./sb. 使某人想起某事/某人 eg:
Please remind me to answer that letter.請?zhí)嵝盐一貜湍欠庑拧?/p>
(2)remind sb. of sth./sb. 使某人想起某事/某人 eg:
He reminds me of his brother. 他使我想起他哥哥。
(3)remind sb. that從句。 提醒某人某事 eg:
He reminded me that I didn’t finish my work.他提醒了我,說我沒完成自己的工作。
3. By taking the scientific developments of his day on step further, Jules Verne laid the foundation of modern science fiction. 通過將他所處時代的科學發(fā)展向前推進一步,儒勒凡爾納奠定了現(xiàn)代科幻小說的基礎。
by在本句是介詞,說明手段或方式,可譯作“通過,用,以,由于”等,其后常跟名詞或動詞-ing形式。 eg:
This pair of shoes is made by hand. 這雙鞋是手工做的。
By helping them we are helping to save ourselves. 幫助他們就等于救了我們自己。
注意by表達這種含義時與with和in的區(qū)別;表示使用有形的工具或器官時要用with,其后的名詞前一般應用冠詞。使用某種語言,表示用墨水、顏色、顏料等“原料”或“材料”都用in,且名詞前不用冠詞。 eg:
It is my practice(習慣) to do my writing with a pencil. 我習慣用鉛筆寫。
Can you sing this song in English? 你能用英語唱這首歌嗎?
It is impolite to write a letter in red ink. 用紅墨水寫信是不禮貌的。
4. In their efforts to survive, they find themselves on the surface of the monster itself, which turns out to be a submarine. 在他們努力求生時,發(fā)現(xiàn)自己就在怪獸身體的表面上,結果怪獸竟然是一艘潛水艇。
(1)這里的which引導一個非限制性定語從句,修飾先行詞the monster itself。
(2)in their efforts中的in表示“正在進行的動作或狀態(tài)”。 eg:
He is always in action.他總是在行動中。
W seem to be in agreement on the matter.在這件事上我們的意見看來是一致的。
(3)turn out to be“結果是……”,“最后情況是……” eg:
Though it looked like rain this morning, it has turned out to be a fine day.盡管今早看起來要下雨,最后卻是晴天。
The meeting turned out to be very successful. 結果那個會議很成功。
5. They are taken on board and Captain Nemo decides not to kill them but makes them his permanent guests.
他們被帶到了艇上。尼莫船長決定不殺死他們而是使他們成為他永久的客人。
(1)decide to do sth. 決定做某事;decide not to do sth.決定不做某事 eg:
We decided not to go abroad for the time being. 我們決定暫時不出國了。
(2)not…but…“不是……而是……”,連接兩個并列成分,如連接兩個并列賓語,兩個并列表語或兩個并列主語等。注意當not…but…連接兩個并列主語時,句子的謂語動詞要采用就近一致的原則,即與but后的主語保持一致。 eg:
He can speak not Chinese but Japanese.他不會講漢語會講日語。
He is not a poet but a writer. 他不是詩人而是作家。
Not I but he is fond of football. 不是我而是他喜歡足球。
(3)…makes them his permanent guests中的his permanent guests用來作them的補足語。
6. The furniture is precious and huge glass windows that can be opened and closed give a view of the underwater world. 擺設很精致,巨大的玻璃窗可以打開或關上,讓人看到水下世界。
(1)這里的that引導一個定語從句(that can be opened and closed)用于修飾先行詞huge glass windows.
(2)a view of …“……的景色”或“看;眺望;觀察”之意。 eg:
There’s a view of the river from my windows.在我的窗前可看到河上風光。
If you stand here you’ll get a better view of the procession.如果你站在這里,就可以更清楚地看到游行隊伍。
7. All that is needed for life on board comes from the ocean.艇上所有生活所需全部來自于海洋。
That is needed for life on board是定語從句,修飾先行詞all。
注:(1)當先行詞是不定代詞all, everything, few, little, much, something, anything, nothing等時,賓語從句只能由that引導。 eg:
The boy handed in everything that he had picked up in the street to the police. 那個男孩把他在大街上撿到的一切東西都交給了警察。
(2)all that=what eg:
All that the said was true.=What he said was true.他所說的一切都是真的。
8. Dressed in diving suits, they walk around in this magic world, lighted by the lamps of the ship. 他們穿著潛水衣,在船上燈的照射下在這個魔幻世界中四處走動。
(1)dress ①vt. “給某人穿衣服”用于“dress sb.”結構中。dress oneself意為“給自己穿衣服”;be dressed in意為“穿著……”。 The gentleman is dressed in a modern coat.那位先生穿著一件很新潮的衣服。
②vi. “穿著/打扮”之意 eg:
She dressed well. 她穿得很好。
(2)walk around四處走動 eg:
He walked around in the room. 他在房間里走來走去。
9. (1)They find themselves surrounded by colorful rocks, fishes, shells and plants, all waving and moving slowly in the blue waters. 他們發(fā)現(xiàn)自己被彩色的巖石、魚、貝殼和植物包圍著,這些東西在藍色的海域中慢慢地搖曳移動著。
(2)But at other moments you will find him gentle and weak, when he cries about the lost lives of people drowned in ships that have sunk. 但是在其他時刻,當他為了那些隨著沉船一起被淹死的人而哭泣時,你又會發(fā)現(xiàn)他溫柔又脆弱。
上面兩句中的find themselves surrounded和find him gentle and weak都是find的常見用法。這里surrounded是過去分詞,gentle和weak是形容詞,它們都用來做賓補。find的此種用法可歸納為:find+sb./sth.+adj./介詞短語/doing/done/adv./n. 。 eg:
I found the ground covered with snow when I opened the door.當我打開門的時候我發(fā)現(xiàn)地面鋪滿了雪。
When he came in, he found a thief stealing his money.他進來的時候,他發(fā)現(xiàn)一個小偷天在偷他的錢。
10. Passing through layers of coal and marble they go deeper and deeper. 穿過煤層和大理石層他們走得越來越深了。
deeper and deeper越來越深
這種“比較級+and+比較級”結構表達“越來越……”之意。 eg:
summer comes, the weather is hotter and hotter.夏天已經(jīng)到了,天氣越來越熱了。
典型病句診斷
1.病句:We are not allowed playing with fire.
診斷:We are not allowed to play with fire.
點撥:把句中的playing改為to play。本句使用的是allow sb. to do sth.的被動語態(tài),應該是sb. be allowed to do sth.
2.病句:He has set out to Beijing.
診斷:He has set out for Beijing.
點撥:把句中的to改為for。“動身去某地”用“set out for sp.”是固定搭配。
3.病句:This machine has an electric fault.
診斷:This machine has an electrical fault.
點撥:把句中的electric改為electrical。Electric是“用電的/帶電的/發(fā)電的/電的”之意,而electrical表達“有關于電的”之意。根據(jù)本句之意,應表達“有關電的毛病”,所以要把electric改為electrical。
4.病句:Columbus found out America.
診斷:Columbus discovered America.
點撥:found out表示“弄明白,搞清楚”之意。而“哥倫布發(fā)現(xiàn)了美洲”很明顯應是發(fā)現(xiàn)本來就存在而以前未能發(fā)現(xiàn)的美洲,應用discover表達這種含義。
5.病句:We’ll have a party in the open air instead in the house.
診斷:We’ll have a party in the open air instead of in the house.
點撥:instead是副詞,而介詞短語instead of后面才能跟介詞短語。若用instead,上句可改為:We won’t have a party in the house. Instead we will have it ni the open air.。
6.病句:What have you been doing latest?
診斷:What have you been doing lately?
點撥:“l(fā)atest”是adj. ,表達“最新的;最近的”之意,而句中需要一個副詞表達“最近”之意。
7.病句:I took 3 hours doing my homework.
診斷:I spent 3 hours doing my homework.
點撥:spend表“花費”之意,其結構是“sb. spend(s)/spent/will spend some time on sth./(in) doing sth.”。而take當“花費”講時,結構是“It take/took/will take sb. some to do sth.”。
8.病句:These old pictures reminded me my childhood.
診斷:These old pictures reminded me of my childhood.
點撥:remind不能跟雙賓語,即不能構成remind sb. sth.結構,表達“提醒某人某事”時要用“remind sb. of sth.”結構。
9.病句:What have you done by the old things?
診斷:What have you done with the old things?
點撥:by之后加手段或方式,with之后加有形的工具或器官。The old things是工具,所以用with。其次,do with還有“處理”,“放置”之意。
10.病句:All which she did made us very surprised.
診斷:All that she did made us very surprised.
點撥:當先行詞為不定代詞時,定語從句應由that引導,不能用which。all為不定代詞。其他的不定代詞如everything, something, little, much等也符合這種用法。
單元語法知識歸納:構詞
在英語中,詞的構成方法主要有三種,即合成、轉(zhuǎn)化和派生。
1.合成法:把兩個或兩個以上獨立的詞合成一個新詞的方法叫合成法,也叫合詞法。
(1)合成名詞highway 公路
(2)合成形容詞hand-made 手工制作的 good-looking相貌好看的 dark-blue 深藍
(3)合成動詞ill-treat 虐待 mass-produce 大規(guī)模生產(chǎn) safe guard 保衛(wèi)
(4)合成副詞however 然而 downstairs 在樓下
(5)合成代詞 anybody nobody something
2.轉(zhuǎn)化法:轉(zhuǎn)化是指詞由一種詞類轉(zhuǎn)化為另一種詞類。
(1)動詞轉(zhuǎn)化為名詞
常用give, take, have, make等動詞與其搭配構成動詞詞組,表示一個動作。 eg:
give a smile 微笑 give a tick 踢 take a seat 就座
take a bath 洗澡 have a swim 游泳 have a talk談話 make a wish 許愿
(2)形容詞轉(zhuǎn)化為副詞
How long is the road?那條路有多條?(形容詞)
How long have you been working there? 你在那里工作了多久?(副詞)
(3)形容詞轉(zhuǎn)化為動詞 eg:
The storm slowed down to half its speed. 風暴速度減慢了一半。
The girls gradually quieted down. 女孩子們慢慢安靜了下來了。
(4)名詞轉(zhuǎn)化為動詞 eg:
The hall can seat two thousand people.大廳能坐2000人。
The passengers have booked their plane ticket.旅客們已經(jīng)訂了飛機票。
(5)形容詞轉(zhuǎn)化為名詞
Something has gone wrong with the tool.工具出了點毛病。(形容詞)
Little children didn’t know the difference between right and wrong.小孩子不能辨別是非。(名詞)
3.派生法
派生是由詞根加詞綴(前綴、后綴)構成新詞。除少數(shù)前綴外,前綴一般只改變詞的意義,不改變詞性;后綴一般只改變詞性,不引起詞義的變化。
前 綴 例 詞
a-構成形容詞、副詞 Alive(活著的), abroad(在國外), alone
dis-(否定) discourage, disagree
en-(使可能) enrich, enable(使成為可能),endanger
in-(ill, im-, ir-)(不,非) invisible(看不見), illogical(不合邏輯的), impossible, irregular(不規(guī)則的)
inter-(相互,之間) international, interchange
mis-(誤) mislay, misunderstand(誤會),mislead(誤導)
re-(重復,再) recycle(循環(huán)),remarry, rewrite
tele-(遠程) telephone, telegraph, telecommunications(電信)
un-(不),non-(不,非) unfair, unknown, noon-conductor(非導體)
后 綴 例 詞
名
詞 -er……者 foreigner, traveler, speaker, reader
-ese……地方的人 Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese
-ian 精通……的人,……地方的人 musician, technician(技術員), African, Asian
-ist 專業(yè)人員 pianist, physicist, scientist, violiinist
-ment性質(zhì),狀態(tài) movement(運動), development, encouragement
-ness性質(zhì),狀態(tài) illness, shyness, sadness, business
-or器具,……者 tractor, visitor, professor, actor
名
詞 -tion表示動作、過程、結果 ageneration(世代),suggestion, invention, action
形
容
詞
practical(實用的),international, final
American, Italian, Australian
southern, northern, eastern
helpful, useful, harmful
reasonable, capable, eatable
foolish, British, English selfish
active, native(本族的),expensive, adoptive
windy, sleepy, healthy, sunny
careless, selfless(無私心的),harmless, useless
動
詞 -fy使……化 simplify(簡化), terrify(恐嚇), satisfy
-ize使……成為 realize(實現(xiàn)), organize, stabilize, modernize
副
詞 -ly表示方式、程度 badly, truly, angrily, suddenly
-ward(s)表示方向 toward(s), backward, outward(s)(向外)
數(shù)
詞 -teen十 fourteen, eighteen, thirteen
-ty整十位數(shù) forty, fifty, eighty, twenty
-th序數(shù)詞 twelfth, twentieth, fourth
知識記憶
1.collision n.碰撞,沖突
a head-on collision正面沖突或相撞
He was killed in a car collision.他在一次汽車相撞中死亡。
His car had a collision with a bus.他的車與公交車相撞了。
A collision with Parliament could ruin the government’s plans.與議會的沖突可能會破壞政府的計劃。
be in collision (with)/come into collision (with)(與……)沖突,相撞,發(fā)生矛盾
The two ships came into collision.那兩只船相撞了。
People with revolutionary ideas may find themselves in collision with the forces of the law.
想革命的人會發(fā)現(xiàn)他們自己與法律的勢力水火不相容。
2.permanent adj.永久的,固定的,長期不變的
permanent peace 長久的和平
a permanent job 固定的職業(yè)
The drug may cause permanent brain damage.這種藥可能會引起永久性的腦部傷害。
This is my permanent address.這是我的固定居所。
After doing odd jobs for a week, he got a permanent job.做了一個星期的零工后,他找到了一份固定工作。
3.voyage n.航海,航行
The ship set out on a long voyage.那艘船出發(fā)進行長途航行。
The voyage to England took seven days.這次去英國的航行時間是七天。
We made a voyage to Australia.我們航行到了澳大利亞。
He is now on the voyage home.他正在返航途中。
David went on a voyage around the world.大衛(wèi)作了環(huán)游世界的航行。
When I give up work I shall make/take a long sea voyage.我離職后要作一次長途航海旅行。
4.aboard adv.在船(飛機、車)上,上船,上飛機
All aboard! 各位請上船(飛機、車)!
Welcome aboard! 歡迎大家乘船(飛機、車)!
All 257 aboard died in the airliner crash.那次飛機失事中,機上的257名乘客全部遇難。
We got aboard though the boat was crowded.雖然船上很擁擠,我們還是上了船。
He came running along and climbed aboard just as the train was to pull out.
就在火車即將開動時,他跑過來了并爬上了火車。
5.gentle adj.溫和的,溫柔的,有禮貌的,文雅的
Mothers are always gentle with their children.母親對待孩子總是溫柔體貼。
My new teacher is both gentle and encouraging toward me.我的新老師對我既溫和又鼓勵。
Mary is very gentle; she never talks roughly.瑪麗很文雅,她從來不說粗話。
She was small, and gentle in her voice and movements.她小巧玲瓏,聲音溫柔,動作文雅。
She gave the baby a gentle pat on the back.她在小孩的背上輕輕地拍了一下。
6.throw light on/upon使……顯得非常清楚
The modern scientific development has thrown light on this question.現(xiàn)代科學的發(fā)展已使這個問題明朗化。
Can you throw any light on the problem? 你能把這個問題闡述清楚嗎?
The information throws light upon the mystery of Dr Bake.這個信息可以解開貝克醫(yī)生之迷。
7.matter n.事情,問題[C];物質(zhì),內(nèi)容[U]
a private matter 私事
the matter under discussion 討論中的問題
Political matters interest him greatly.他對政治問題深感興趣。
It’s no laughing matter.這不是開玩笑的事。
The world is made up of matter.世界是由物質(zhì)組成的。
Matter exists in three states: solid, liquid and gas.物質(zhì)以三種形態(tài)存在,即固體、液體和氣體。
The matter in your essay is excellent.你文章的內(nèi)容寫得很好。
8.phenomena n.[pl.]現(xiàn)象,奇跡(單數(shù)形式是phenomenon)
Rain and snow are phenomena of the weather.下雨和下雪是天氣現(xiàn)象。
The phenomena were observed by astronomers throughout the world.全世界的天文學家都觀測到了這種現(xiàn)象。
That’s a natural phenomenon.那是一種自然現(xiàn)象。
An eclipse is an interesting phenomenon.日食是很有趣的現(xiàn)象。
Beethoven was a phenomenon among musicians.貝多芬是音樂家中的奇才。
A child who can play the piano at the age of two would be called a phenomenon.兩歲就能彈鋼琴的小孩可稱為奇才。
9.labour n.努力;勞動,勞動果實
mental labour 腦力勞動 physical labour 體力勞動
Workers are paid for their labour.工人以勞動獲得報酬。
His new book is the product of some three years’ labour.這本新書是他大約三年努力的成果。
It is labour to read the Bible through.讀完圣經(jīng)是件相當吃力的工作。
10.hesitate vi.猶豫,遲疑,躊躇
She hesitated before picking up the phone.她在拿起聽筒前猶豫了一下。
She’s still hesitating about sending her son to college.她對于要不要送兒子進大學一事仍然猶豫不決。
We seldom hesitate about where to stay in Paris.去巴黎要住哪兒,我們很少有拿不定主意的情況。
Don’t hesitate to tell me if you have any requests.如果你有什么要求,請告訴我,不要猶豫。
I hesitate to ask you, but will you recommend me for the post?
向你提要求真不好意思,請你推薦我去擔任那項職務好嗎?
hesitation n.猶豫,躊躇
without hesitation毫不猶豫
I had no hesitation in telling the truth.我毫不遲疑地說出了實情。
發(fā)散思維
1.distance n.距離
當詢問距離是多少時,要用what提問。
What’s the distance to London? 到倫敦的距離是多少?
distance的修飾語常用some,good,great,long,short等。
It’s a good distance away.離得很遠。
The villagers have to walk a long distance to get water.村民們要走很遠去取水。
distance常構成下列短語:
within walking distance“在步行可及的地方,幾步之遙”
The park is within (easy) walking distance of my house.公園離我家只有幾步之遙。
My parents live within walking distance of me.我父母住在我家附近。
at/from a distance (of)“從遠處”
This picture looks better at a distance.從遠處看,這張畫更好看。
Now and then he stepped back to look at his work from a distance.他不時地退后幾步從遠處看一看他的作品。
One can see the ancient ruins at/from a distance of 20 miles.人們從20英里之處就能看到這個古跡。
in the distance“在遠處,遠方的”
A ship could be seen in the distance.可以看到遠方有一艘船。
I made out three figures moving in the distance.我看到遠處有三個黑影在活動。
keep sb.at a distance “與某人保持一段距離,不很親密”
Mr.Smith is kind to the workers in his store, but after work he keeps them at a distance.
史密斯先生對他商店的工人很好,但下班后卻與他們不很親密。
It was difficult to get to know her because she always kept everyone at a distance.
很難搞懂她,因為她總是與人保持一定的距離。
2.attention n.注意力,注意,留心,關心
It is difficult to hold the students’ attention for more than an hour.
要讓學生們持續(xù)集中注意力達一個小時以上,真是很難。
This matter requires our close attention.這件事我們必須密切注意。
He drew attention to the rising unemployment.失業(yè)率日漸升高引起了他的注意。
We listened with attention to what he said.我們傾聽他所說的話。
My grandfather is over eighty and needs a lot of attention.我的祖父年過八十,需要經(jīng)常照顧。
The patient needed immediate attention.這位病人需要立即治療。
常構成的短語:
pay/give attention to 注意 attract/catch/draw/get one’s attention 吸引某人的注意
focus one’s attention on 集中注意力于 devote one’s attention to 專心于
turn one’s attention to 將注意力轉(zhuǎn)向
背景知識
Jules Verne
Jules Verne(1828~1905),French writer and pioneer of science fiction,whose best known works today are Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea(1870)and Around the World in Eighty Days(1873).
Jules Gabriel Verne was born on February 8,1828,in Nantes,France.His parents were of a seafaring tradition,a factor which influenced his writings.As a boy,Jules Verne ran off to be a cabin boy on a merchant ship,but he was caught and returned to his parents.In 1847 Jules was sent to study law in Paris.While there,however,his passion for the theatre grew.Later in 1850,Jules Verne’s first play was published.His father was outraged when he heard that Jules was not going to continue law,so he discontinued the money he was giving him to pay for his expenses in Paris.This forced Verne to make money by selling his stories.
After spending many hours in Paris libraries studying geology,engineering,and astronomy, Jules Verne published his first novel Five Weeks in a Balloon(1863).Soon he started writing novels such as Journey to the Center of the Earth(1864),From the Earth to the Moon(1866),and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea(1873).
Because of the popularity of these and other novels,Jules Verne became a very rich man.In 1876,he bought a large yacht and sailed around Europe.His last novel The Invasion of the Sea appeared in 1905.
Jules Verne died in the city of Amines on March 24,1905.
課文譯文
儒勒凡爾納:科幻小說的鼻祖
儒勒凡爾納在1828年出生于法國。他的父親送他去巴黎學習法律,但儒勒卻對戲劇產(chǎn)生了熱愛。為了謀生,儒勒不得不從事寫作并賣掉自己的作品。凡爾納花了好多時間在巴黎圖書館研究地質(zhì)學、物理學和其他學科。在他的書中他應用了他那個時代最新的理念和科學發(fā)明。他小說中出現(xiàn)的好多工具都會使讀者想起本杰明富蘭克林有名的關于電的實驗。通過把他那個年代的科學發(fā)展再往前推一步,儒勒凡爾納奠定了現(xiàn)代科幻小說的基礎。他還提出發(fā)明在將來會得到怎么樣的應用,而這些用法在他那個年代是被認為不可能的。儒勒凡爾納死于1905年,遠遠早于他任何一個夢想的實現(xiàn)。
在《海底兩萬里》這本書的一開始,那是他的一部有名的小說,世界各地的船只突然失蹤,而且這被認為是一只大海怪造成的。艾瑞納克斯博士,他的仆人以及一位加拿大的捕鯨者開始去尋找那個怪物。在好幾個月的搜尋之后,他們終于找到了它。在隨后的搏斗中他們?nèi)齻人被扔進水中。在他們掙扎求生當中,他們發(fā)現(xiàn)自己在一個怪物的表面上,而那怪物其實是一艘潛水艇。他們被帶上船,尼莫船長不打算殺掉他們,相反卻和他們結成永久的朋友。從那天起,他們就計劃逃離。
尼莫船長帶著他們在海洋里航行。諾特拉斯是一只非凡的船。里面的家具非常的珍貴。大大的窗戶可以打開也可以關閉,這使我們能欣賞到海底世界。這只船還非常結實,外面被厚厚的鐵板保護著。船上所需要的一切都來自于海洋。電被用來照明,取暖,提供動力和使船抵御外來襲擊。
身穿潛水衣,被船的燈光照明,他們行走在這個魔幻世界里。他們發(fā)現(xiàn)自己被五彩的巖石、各種各樣的魚、貝類和海底植物所包圍。這些海底生物在碧藍的海水中搖曳和慢慢移動。
自從這本書一出版,讀者們就對尼莫船長的性格感到撲朔迷離。你很難說喜不喜歡他。你或許認為他是一個殘酷的人,因為他不僅把艾瑞納克斯和其他人囚禁起來,還破壞船只。然而在其他時候,比如說當他為在沉船中溺死的人哭泣的時候,你又會認為他很溫柔和脆弱。
另外一部精彩小說是《地心探險記》。這部小說是以一部古書里的古老文獻的發(fā)現(xiàn)為開始的。他向人們解釋了怎樣發(fā)現(xiàn)去地心的路。兩位男子決心去冰島冒險,在那里他們通過一個死活山口走進了地底。他們的導游帶著他們穿越一個狹長的通道來到了地下。經(jīng)過一個煤層和大理石層,他們已經(jīng)走得越來越深了。他們喝地下河流的沸騰的水。幾天過后,他們來到了地下湖和地下海洋。沿著它們的岸邊走,他們穿越了一個大森林,里面的蘑菇和植物已經(jīng)在地球上生存了幾百萬年了。為了穿越海洋,他們造了一個小筏子但是在海上還是受到了古代海怪的襲擊。最后,他們的小筏子被卷入了急流。伴隨著越來越高的速度和溫度,他們被位于意大利南部的火山口噴出。
弗蘭肯斯坦的故事
沒有人會比我有一個更加快樂的童年。不同于其他孩子的玩耍和冒險,我有一種強烈的求知欲。我對于語言結構和法律一點都不感興趣。我想知道地球和天空的奧秘。我的父親沒有科學方面的專業(yè)知識,所以我必須在沒有人指點迷津的基礎上自己去尋找出路。我開始尋求智慧,并夢想找到治愈我疾病的辦法。
我閱讀了所有有關這件事的書籍。我研究了數(shù)學和物理還有其他知識淵博的作者的書。在我17歲的時候,我的父母送我上了大學。但是我發(fā)現(xiàn)大學里所教的東西非常地令人失望。因而我決定開創(chuàng)一種新的方法,探索未知的力量,并把大自然最為神奇的秘密揭示給世人。
一個吸引我注意力的現(xiàn)象是人類的身體構造,和任何活著的動物的身體構造。我經(jīng)常問自己,生命的法則是來自于哪里呢?在無數(shù)個日日夜夜的極辛苦勞碌中,我發(fā)現(xiàn)了人類的起源和怎樣從死去的物質(zhì)中創(chuàng)造新生命。
當我發(fā)現(xiàn)我手中擁有這樣神奇的力量之后,我猶豫了好久究竟應怎樣用它。盡管我知道怎樣創(chuàng)造生命,怎樣為這個生命準備好它的肌肉和器官,這仍然是一項困難的工作。一開始我還猶豫是否要創(chuàng)造一個像我一樣的人,或者只是幾個簡單的器官。但是很快我便什么也不想,只想創(chuàng)造一個像人一樣完整和神奇的生物。
正是懷著這些情感我開始了我創(chuàng)造人的過程。由于人的身體的各部分過小延誤了我的速度,我決定把這個人的尺寸做的比平常人更大一些:高有八尺。在這種想法的引導下,花了好幾個月搜集和整理材料,我才真正開始。
誰能想到我這項秘密工作的恐怖?我從墳墓里搜集死人的骨頭,并把死人的尸體切開。我的好多工具都是來自于肉鋪和醫(yī)院。是在一個11月份的夜晚,我看到了我工作的結果。我把我的器具放在我的身旁,用這些器具,我可以使我腳底下的這個死了的生物復活。直到第二天一早,我的蠟燭快熄滅的時候。我才看到那個生物睜開他那黃色污濁的眼睛。
我看著我創(chuàng)造的這個怪物。它揭開了床單,而且它的眼睛,如果能被稱之為眼睛的話,看著我。他的頭發(fā)很黑,牙齒像雪一樣白,但是皮膚焦黃。當它的薄薄的黑色嘴唇張開的時候,只有一些怪異的聲音發(fā)出。當他還沒被完工的時候它就夠丑陋的了,而現(xiàn)在它就是一個活生生的活著的夢魘。