节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-01-03
难易度:Low
关键字:billion, permanently, temperature, work of art, molecule, snowflake,
crystal
We've been talking about Snow today.
Of course, you already learned that there was a record 15-inch snowflake that
fell in Montana over a century ago.
And of course, snowflakes are formed in the clouds at freezing temperatures.
Well, we have more to learn.
So let's get started with our second reading for today.
Snow.
Snowflakes are groups of ice crystals that fall from a cloud.
Many people believe that every snowflake is unique.
However, scientists have discovered two snowflakes that look exactly the same.
In addition, snow is not really white - it's clear!
Different factors in the environment can also make the snow look blue, green,
yellow or even pink!
With all of the different colors and designs, snow really is a work of art!
Well, snowflakes certainly do sound beautiful with all the different colors they
can be.
Now if we look at the beginning of our reading, we see that snowflakes are
groups of ice crystals that fall from a cloud.
So snow falls down from a cloud in crystal form.
And many people believe every snowflake is unique.
And "unique" means that something is very special, and there is nothing else
like it.
But, oh, Nathanael, in the next sentence, what do scientists say about
snowflakes?
Well, scientists have discovered two snowflakes that look exactly the same.
Two... we usually think of snowflakes as being all different, all being unique.
But in this case, it sounds like actually there's a snowflake that is just like
another.
Oh, man.
A snowflake that is just like another?
So we are going to have to start thinking about snowflakes in a different way.
We used to be able to compare humans with snowflakes.
Everyone is unique.
Now we know that snowflakes aren't all unique.
Well, we continue.
In addition, snow is not really white - it's clear!
And we see those words there, "in addition;" in addition to something.
You could also say "also" or "moreover." There's different words to use there -
in addition.
I could say I've got lots of homework tonight.
I've got science homework.
In addition, I've got math homework, English homework.
I have lots of homework.
How else could you use this phrase, Carolyn?
Well, I could say that my sister really likes to play tennis.
In addition, she likes to play basketball.
So she like many different kinds of sports.
In addition, she likes to play basketball.
Well, what about you, Nathaniel?
In addition.
Oh. I had a long day yesterday.
I worked 12 hours; and then I had to help my friend move to a different house.
In addition, you had to help your friend move to a different house.
Well, how would you use this phrase, "in addition"?
Try it today.
We find that snow is not actually white, it's clear.
It's kind of surprising.
Nathanael, what color do you think of when you think of snow?
Well, I almost always think of white.
Sometimes I see dirty snow that's brown or gray or black, but almost always
white.
Right. So do I.
I think we usually think of snow as being white.
But why is it clear, Carolyn?
Well, in the article we see that different factors in the environment can also
make the snow look blue, green, yellow or even pink!
So different factors or different things that happen in the environment around
the snow can make it change colors.
But usually, there isn't anything to change the color.
And it just looks white when all of those crystals come together.
That's true, that beautiful white.
Well, we continue on.
With all of the different colors and designs, snow really is a work of art!
I like those words there from the Word Bank: work of art.
A work of art - that's kind of a cool expression to talk about something that is
beautiful or well-designed, a work of art.
What comes to your mind when you think of this phrase, a work of art, Nathanael?
Well, this is kind of an interesting phrase.
It says "work." And I think of maybe a writer who has written many different
works.
Sometimes we can say that.
They're all works of art.
Hmm, they're all works of art.
I've been to Yosemite National Park a couple of times.
I always love talking about Yosemite.
I think the... the landscape there, the mountains, the rocks, everything there
is a work of art.
Because I believe someone created it so it's a work of art.
Carolyn, what about you?
How do you use this phrase?
Well, I also think about creation when I hear this phrase.
And I think of people being a work of art because each person is beautiful and
unique.
They are their own individual work of art.
And of course as we can see, snowflakes truly are a work of art.
And so was this article, quite a work of art.
Right now it's time for us to continue learning something with Steve and Ken in
the Information Cloud.
Here we go.
Hey, guys.
Hey.
Hi.
So snowflakes, what do you think of them, Steve?
I think they're beautiful and very unique, like our lesson says.
But Ken, let's talk about another kind of snowflake.
You know, a person might be called a snowflake sometimes.
Oh, yeah, as in: Leslie thinks she's a unique snowflake, but she is just like
everybody else.
That's right.
That's an informal usage of snowflake, which refers to someone who thinks
they're unique, but they're actually quite ordinary.
And we often say it with a sarcastic tone of voice.
Now there's another word, "flake," but that has a different meaning, doesn't it?
That does have a different meaning.
A flake is an unreliable person.
If someone agrees to do something but never follows through, then you might call
that person a flake.
So if Mary says she's going to be a volunteer at the charity this weekend, and
she never shows up, then Mary would be...
A real flake.
Or a flaky person.
Yes. "Flaky" is the adjective form of flake.
So anyone who is unreliable, careless or lazy, you can describe that person as
flaky.
In other words, someone who doesn't keep their word.
They might tell you that they'll meet you somewhere and show up an hour late!
Or maybe they don't show up at all.
But Ken, we need to remind the students that these are all informal expressions,
and we should avoid using them in formal situations.
Good reminder!
(Chinese).
Thank you, gentlemen.
Well, it's true.
There are many different kinds of flakes.
I really enjoyed learning about flaky people.
Do you ever use those words, Nathanael, a flaky person?
Uh, I don't say "flaky person" very often, but you know what I do say.
I have corn flakes almost every day for breakfast.
That's another use of that word "flake." Yes. There is a cereal called corn
flakes.
I personally like frosted corn flakes a little better.
Do you like corn flakes?
I do like corn flakes.
And usually I have corn flakes with maybe some fruit or some nuts.
And it's quite tasty!
All right. Well, there's lots of different kinds of flakes out there.
Right now it's time for us to join someone who is not a flake.
Her name is Michelle, in the Language Lab.
(Chinese).
And back to you, teachers.
We've learned a couple of cool facts about snow today.
And I just wanted to point your attention to the fact that there are more things
you can learn about snow in your magazine.
There are some snow words that you could know.
Carolyn also mentioned one earlier.
At the very beginning of our lesson, you said something about snow days.
What are snow days?
Oh. A snow day is when there's so much snow on the ground that it's too
dangerous to drive, so they have to cancel school, and you can stay home.
And many times they also cancel work.
So everyone gets to stay at home together and enjoy some time with your family,
and maybe play out in the snow, build a snowman, something like that.
Well, it seems like snow days can actually be a little bit of fun.
I would probably sit home and watch a movie and drink some hot chocolate on a
snow day.
Well, today we also talked about the fact that no two snowflakes are alike,
except that some scientists have discovered there are two snowflakes at least
that are alike.
Nathanael, how is this different from humans?
Well, every person is different.
Every person is unique.
And if someone tells you you're just the same as everyone else, don't believe
them.
Everyone is special.
That doesn't make them the same.
That's right.
So people used to be able to compare snowflakes to people, but now we can't.
People indeed are all unique.
Well, thank you for joining us today in our lesson about Snow.
And we'll see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
Goodbye.