初中进阶 (2234 期 ) A2 版 Solar-powered plane to fly around the world

B EFORE READING Discussion Talk about the following questions with your classmates. 1. How many traditional energy resources are there in the world? 2. If fossil fuels were used up, what other resources could be used as a substitute?

1.Solar energy is a type of renewable resource. 2.The first solar power station was set up in the Australia. 3.Solar energy can be applied in heating and cooling. 4.China is not a country with plenty of solar resource.

1. A plane powered by the sun will attempt an unprecedented flight around the world soon. 2. Two Swiss pilots will take turns at the controls ( 操纵装置 ) in the tiny cabin ( 驾驶舱 ). 3. “ Miracles can be achieved with renewables ( 可再生能源 ) such as solar power. 4. The plane weighs the same as a family car, but has a wingspan ( 翼展 ) equal to that of the largest passenger airliners ( 客机 ). 5. The plane will then cross the Pacific Ocean and fly across the United States and Europe. Word Bank 1. attempt v. 试图做 / n. 尝试，努力 2. unprecedented adj. 史无前例的 3. take turns 轮流，依次 4. miracle n. 奇迹 5. achieve v. 达到，实现 6. equal adj. 相等的，同样的 Grammar 比较 cross, across ：两者意思相近，均有 “ 穿过， 越过 ” 的含义；但区别在于 cross 是动词，而 across 是介词，与动词搭配使用。 c.f. ① It’s dangerous to cross the road without looking at the traffic lights. ② How brave he was to swim across the ocean in such rough weather! W HILE READING

A plane powered by the sun will attempt an unprecedented flight around the world soon. The attempt is going to prove that flying is possible without using fossil fuel ( 化石燃料 ). Solar Impulse 2 ( 阳光动力 2 号 ) is set to take off from Abu Dhabi ( 阿布 扎比 ) with stops in India, Myanmar ( 缅甸 ) and China. The plane will then cross the Pacific Ocean and fly across the United States and Europe. It will complete its journey where it started in late July. During its five-month journey, the plane will be powered only by solar energy. Two Swiss pilots will take turns at the controls ( 操纵装置 ) in the tiny cabin ( 驾驶舱 ). There will also be a crew of 80 technicians, engineers and a communications team on board. “ Miracles can be achieved with renewables ( 可再生能源 ) such as solar power. We want to show that we can fly day and night in an aircraft without a drop of fuel,” said Bertrand Piccard, one of the pilots. The plane weighs the same as a family car, but has a wingspan ( 翼展 ) equal to that of the largest passenger airliners ( 客机 ). “It is not the first solar airplane, but it is the first able to cross oceans and continents,” Andre Borschberg, the other pilot, said. Of course, there will be a lot of unknown challenges, but nothing will stop the journey. “There is a will in humankind to find solutions to climate change and make a better world,” Piccard added.

Comprehension Answer the following questions. 1. How many countries will Solar Impulse 2 stop by? 2. How long will it take Solar Impulse 2 to fly around the world? 3. There will be nobody else except two pilots on board, will there? 4. What is the significant meaning of the flight according to Andre? Three. Five months. Yes, there will. It will be the first solar airplane able to cross oceans and continents.

A FTER READING Vocabulary Complete the sentences with the words or phrases in their proper forms. 1. Weather conditions prevented them from _______________ the flight. 2. Crime has increased at an _______________ speed. 3. There can be _______________when you believe. 4. I have _______________ great success as an artist. 5. The rent is _______________ to half his monthly income. achieveattemptequalmiracleunprecedented attempting unprecedented miracles achieved equal

Discussion What are the advantages and disadvantages of each resource?