Unit 7

Unit 7Unit 7

The Light of the Twenty-first The Light of the Twenty-first CenturyCentury

Long before, put sth to useLong before, put sth to use

1. A scientific discovery is often made long 1. A scientific discovery is often made long before someone is able to put it to use.before someone is able to put it to use.

Long before vs. before longLong before vs. before long They arrived at home long before the rain They arrived at home long before the rain

started.started. The robbers ran away long before he The robbers ran away long before he

realized what had happened.realized what had happened. Before long they finished their task.Before long they finished their task. They were caught in a traffic jam, but before They were caught in a traffic jam, but before

long after it, they arrived at the airport.long after it, they arrived at the airport.

Put sth to usePut sth to use

Put sth to use: start to use sthPut sth to use: start to use sth When shopping, you’d better buy When shopping, you’d better buy

something you would put to use in something you would put to use in real life.real life.

Computers have been put to use in Computers have been put to use in schools since decades ago.schools since decades ago.

He is going to put his experience to He is going to put his experience to good use in his new job. (He is going good use in his new job. (He is going to derive profit from his experience.)to derive profit from his experience.)

UseUse

Come into/get out of use: start/stop Come into/get out of use: start/stop being usedbeing used

Have no use for sb: refuse to Have no use for sb: refuse to tolerate sb; disliketolerate sb; dislike

Have no use for sth: have no Have no use for sth: have no purpose for which sth can be usedpurpose for which sth can be used

Make use of sth/sb: use or benefit Make use of sth/sb: use or benefit from sth/sbfrom sth/sb

Occur, coherentOccur, coherent

2. But sometimes discovery and 2. But sometimes discovery and invention happen at the same time, invention happen at the same time, as occurred more than thirty years as occurred more than thirty years ago with the discovery of coherent ago with the discovery of coherent light and the invention of the laser.light and the invention of the laser.

OccurOccur

Occur: happen; exist, be found; come into sbOccur: happen; exist, be found; come into sb Traffic accidents occur very often Traffic accidents occur very often

nowadays.nowadays. Misspelling occurs every page.Misspelling occurs every page. The disease occurs most frequently in The disease occurs most frequently in

rural areas.rural areas. A good idea suddenly occurred to me.A good idea suddenly occurred to me. Does it ever occur to you that you might be Does it ever occur to you that you might be

able to marry a foreigner?able to marry a foreigner? Occurrence: event, incident, happeningOccurrence: event, incident, happening

CoherentCoherent

Coherent: (of ideas, thoughts, speech, Coherent: (of ideas, thoughts, speech, reasoning, etc) connected logically; be reasoning, etc) connected logically; be consistent; easy to understand; clearconsistent; easy to understand; clear

A coherent analysis, argument, descriptionA coherent analysis, argument, description The government lacks a coherent economic The government lacks a coherent economic

policy.policy. Your writing is coherent.Your writing is coherent. He is not very coherent on the phone.He is not very coherent on the phone. CoherenceCoherence Cohere: (vi.) (Of ideas, reasoning, etc) be Cohere: (vi.) (Of ideas, reasoning, etc) be

connected logically; be consistentconnected logically; be consistent

Stand for, amplify, stimulate, emit, Stand for, amplify, stimulate, emit, radiateradiate

3. The word 3. The word laserlaser stands for “light stands for “light amplification by stimulated amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.”emission of radiation.”

Stand forStand for

Stand for sth: be an abbreviation of sth; Stand for sth: be an abbreviation of sth; represent sth; be in favor of sth, supportrepresent sth; be in favor of sth, support

The shortened form ECNU stands for East The shortened form ECNU stands for East China Normal University.China Normal University.

What does the letter “M” in Chandler M What does the letter “M” in Chandler M Bing stand for?Bing stand for?

He hates fascism and all it stands for.He hates fascism and all it stands for. The Communist party is a party that The Communist party is a party that

stands for racial equality.stands for racial equality. Whose opinion will you stand for as you Whose opinion will you stand for as you

are going to give a speech?are going to give a speech?

AmplificationAmplification

Amplify: increase sth in size or Amplify: increase sth in size or strength; add details to a story, strength; add details to a story, make fullermake fuller

Amplify the sound, electric current, Amplify the sound, electric current, signalsignal

Can you amplify your narration?Can you amplify your narration? Amplifier Amplifier 扬声器，扩音器扬声器，扩音器

StimulatedStimulated

stimulate: make sb or sth more active stimulate: make sb or sth more active or alert, arouse sb/sthor alert, arouse sb/sth

Usually praise can stimulate one to Usually praise can stimulate one to make greater efforts.make greater efforts.

The exhibition stimulated interest in The exhibition stimulated interest in the artist’s works.the artist’s works.

What has stimulated him to work so What has stimulated him to work so hard?hard?

Stimulant Stimulant 兴奋剂，含兴奋剂的饮料；起兴奋剂，含兴奋剂的饮料；起刺激、激励作用的活动刺激、激励作用的活动

EmissionEmission

emit: give or send outemit: give or send out The volcano emits smoke, lava and The volcano emits smoke, lava and

ashes.ashes. She emitted a cry of pain.She emitted a cry of pain. The cheese was emitting a strong The cheese was emitting a strong

smell.smell.

RadiationRadiation

radiate: send out rays of light or heatradiate: send out rays of light or heat The room is heated by the warmth The room is heated by the warmth

radiating from the stove.radiating from the stove. Nuclear wastes can sometimes Nuclear wastes can sometimes

radiate some harmful rays that radiate some harmful rays that influence the environment.influence the environment.

Radiation therapy Radiation therapy 放射疗法；放射疗法；radiation sickness radiation sickness 辐射病，放射病辐射病，放射病

In contrast, spread outIn contrast, spread out

4. In contrast, incoherent light, like 4. In contrast, incoherent light, like the light from the sun or a light the light from the sun or a light bulb, moves away from its source bulb, moves away from its source in all directions, so its strength is in all directions, so its strength is very spread out.very spread out.

ContrastContrast

In contrast, by contrast, in contrast In contrast, by contrast, in contrast with/to:with/to:

She had almost failed the exam, but She had almost failed the exam, but her sister, by/in contrast, had done her sister, by/in contrast, had done very well.very well.

In contrast with their system, our In contrast with their system, our system is quite old-fashioned.system is quite old-fashioned.

His white hair was in sharp contrast His white hair was in sharp contrast to his dark skin.to his dark skin.

Spread outSpread out

Spread out: (cause sth to) become Spread out: (cause sth to) become distributed; extend the surface distributed; extend the surface area, width or length of sth by area, width or length of sth by unfolding or unrolling itunfolding or unrolling it

Don’t all sit together, and spread Don’t all sit together, and spread yourselves out.yourselves out.

The bird spread out its wings.The bird spread out its wings. He spread the map out on the floor.He spread the map out on the floor.

TranslateTranslate

5. In this process, the atoms of a 5. In this process, the atoms of a certain substance, such as a crystal certain substance, such as a crystal or a gas, are excited in such a way or a gas, are excited in such a way that they produce coherent light. A that they produce coherent light. A person working with a laser can person working with a laser can aim this coherent light, called a aim this coherent light, called a laser beam, in any direction. laser beam, in any direction. (Translate)(Translate)

ApplicationApplication

6. As soon as the laser was developed, 6. As soon as the laser was developed, scientists began thinking of practical scientists began thinking of practical applications for it.applications for it.

Apply: make a formal request; put or spread Apply: make a formal request; put or spread sth onto sth; make practical use of sthsth onto sth; make practical use of sth

You can apply to the headmaster for a key You can apply to the headmaster for a key of this teaching building.of this teaching building.

The teacher helped the students apply the The teacher helped the students apply the glue to the surface of posters.glue to the surface of posters.

The results of this research can be applied The results of this research can be applied to new developments in technology.to new developments in technology.

ApplicationApplication

ApplicationApplication Keys are available on application to Keys are available on application to

the headmaster.the headmaster. The board received thousands of The board received thousands of

applications for the post.applications for the post. Lotion for external application only, Lotion for external application only,

three applications per daythree applications per day That invention can have a variety of That invention can have a variety of

applications in industry.applications in industry.

Incision, with no danger of…Incision, with no danger of…

7. Laser can be used in surgery to open 7. Laser can be used in surgery to open and close incisions with no danger of and close incisions with no danger of infection. infection.

With no danger of infectionWith no danger of infection He knew that he was with no danger He knew that he was with no danger

of being harshly punished.of being harshly punished. With no danger of being drowned, she With no danger of being drowned, she

swam freely.swam freely. In danger of extinction, many species In danger of extinction, many species

have been protected in certain areas.have been protected in certain areas.

Leave sb/sth behindLeave sb/sth behind

8. A laser beam can completely 8. A laser beam can completely destroy a cancerous growth without destroy a cancerous growth without leaving behind any dangerous leaving behind any dangerous cancer cells that could start a new cancer cells that could start a new tumor.tumor.

Leave sth/sb behind: fail or forget to Leave sth/sb behind: fail or forget to bring or take sb/sth; cause signs of bring or take sb/sth; cause signs of one’s actions, an event, etc, to one’s actions, an event, etc, to remainremain

Leave sb/sth behindLeave sb/sth behind

Wait! Don’t leave me behind.Wait! Don’t leave me behind. You can leave your umbrella behind You can leave your umbrella behind

since it won’t rain.since it won’t rain. The riot left a trail of destruction The riot left a trail of destruction

behind.behind. She left the virtue of benevolence She left the virtue of benevolence

behind by helping others all in her behind by helping others all in her life.life.

Discoloration, discolorDiscoloration, discolor

9. More recently, lasers have been used 9. More recently, lasers have been used to remove skin discolorations like to remove skin discolorations like freckles, age spots, and birthmarks.freckles, age spots, and birthmarks.

Discolor: change or spoil the color of Discolor: change or spoil the color of sth; (of color) change or be spoiltsth; (of color) change or be spoilt

Smoking discolors the teeth.Smoking discolors the teeth. My favorite jean trousers discolored My favorite jean trousers discolored

after years of use.after years of use.

Enough to…, focus on, trap, slow …Enough to…, focus on, trap, slow …downdown

10. A laser beam can be made narrow 10. A laser beam can be made narrow enough to focus on a single cell, on enough to focus on a single cell, on part of a cell, or even on individual part of a cell, or even on individual atoms and molecules. In fact, lasers atoms and molecules. In fact, lasers are now being used to “trap” atoms are now being used to “trap” atoms and slow them down, letting and slow them down, letting scientists study the ways atoms and scientists study the ways atoms and molecules move during chemical molecules move during chemical reactions.reactions.

TrapTrap

Trap: keep sb in a place from which he wants to Trap: keep sb in a place from which he wants to move but cannot; keep sth in a particular move but cannot; keep sth in a particular placeplace

He’s trapped in the lift and nervously waiting He’s trapped in the lift and nervously waiting for someone to help him out.for someone to help him out.

They were trapped in the burning hotel.They were trapped in the burning hotel. This pajama is made of a special fabric that This pajama is made of a special fabric that

raps body heat.raps body heat. She was so young that she was trapped into a She was so young that she was trapped into a

marriage of no love at that time.marriage of no love at that time. He was trapped into telling the police all he He was trapped into telling the police all he

knew.knew.

A variety of…, convert … into…A variety of…, convert … into…

11. This technique is being used in a 11. This technique is being used in a variety of research projects—for variety of research projects—for example, to study how plants example, to study how plants convert sunlight into energy convert sunlight into energy through the process of through the process of photosynthesis and to take a photosynthesis and to take a “snapshot” of the chemical reaction “snapshot” of the chemical reaction that is the first step in vision, when that is the first step in vision, when light hits the retina of the eye.light hits the retina of the eye.

ConvertConvert

Convert …into…: change sth from one Convert …into…: change sth from one form or use to anotherform or use to another

That ancient castle was converted That ancient castle was converted into a prison years after its owner into a prison years after its owner died.died.

Convert rags into paper, a house into Convert rags into paper, a house into flats, dollars into yensflats, dollars into yens

He’s converted to Catholicism.He’s converted to Catholicism. conversion, convertibleconversion, convertible

Bring sth to…, be based on…Bring sth to…, be based on…

12. Over the past twenty years, 12. Over the past twenty years, personal computers have brought personal computers have brought tremendous changes to the home tremendous changes to the home and the workplace, and many of the and the workplace, and many of the most important developments in most important developments in computer technology are based on computer technology are based on lasers.lasers.

Bring sth to …Bring sth to …

Be based on …Be based on … 以以…………为基础为基础

Harden, price codesHarden, price codes

13. In factories, lasers are used to cut 13. In factories, lasers are used to cut cloth and harden metals. In cloth and harden metals. In supermarkets, a laser at the supermarkets, a laser at the checkout counter reads the price checkout counter reads the price codes on packages.codes on packages.

HardenHarden

Price codesPrice codes

Make a difference, instead of, sound Make a difference, instead of, sound waveswaves

14. Lasers have also made a big 14. Lasers have also made a big difference in the way telephones difference in the way telephones work. Instead of changing sound work. Instead of changing sound waves to electricity that travels waves to electricity that travels through copper wire, the most through copper wire, the most modern telephone technology modern telephone technology works by changing sound waves works by changing sound waves into pulses of laser light that travel into pulses of laser light that travel through hair-thin glass fibers.through hair-thin glass fibers.

Make a differenceMake a difference

Make a difference: have an effect on sthMake a difference: have an effect on sth Do you think his philosophy can make Do you think his philosophy can make

a difference in our practical life?a difference in our practical life? Superpowers like the USA try to make Superpowers like the USA try to make

a difference in the way the world runs.a difference in the way the world runs. What her parents said made no What her parents said made no

difference in her decision.difference in her decision.

Lessen, scarceLessen, scarce

15. An added benefit is that this 15. An added benefit is that this technology lessens the need for copper, technology lessens the need for copper, a scarce and valuable natural resource.a scarce and valuable natural resource.

Lessen: become less, reduceLessen: become less, reduce The pain was already lessening.The pain was already lessening. We should lessen the negative impact of We should lessen the negative impact of

human activities on the environment.human activities on the environment. The rescue team tried to lessen the The rescue team tried to lessen the

likelihood of more deaths or injuries.likelihood of more deaths or injuries.

Frame 1: how to make a complaintFrame 1: how to make a complaint

Some ways to complain:Some ways to complain: It was supposed to have been ready It was supposed to have been ready

last week.last week. I was told that it would be ready by I was told that it would be ready by

now.now. I was led to believe that it would be I was led to believe that it would be

ready in a week.ready in a week. Is there a reason why it’s not ready?Is there a reason why it’s not ready? Is there some problem?Is there some problem?

Frame 1: how to make a complaintFrame 1: how to make a complaint

Some excuses:Some excuses: The parts have ordered, but they The parts have ordered, but they

haven’t come in yet.haven’t come in yet. Two of our repair people are out Two of our repair people are out

sick.sick. We’re a little behind schedule at the We’re a little behind schedule at the

moment.moment. Please be patient. We’re doing the Please be patient. We’re doing the

best we can.best we can.

The passive with present perfect verbsThe passive with present perfect verbs

They haven’t fixed my radiator.They haven’t fixed my radiator.

My radiator hasn’t been fixed.My radiator hasn’t been fixed. We have notified the landlord. We have notified the landlord.

The landlord has been notified.The landlord has been notified.

Sense verbs with like, as if, and as Sense verbs with like, as if, and as thoughthough

Your car sounds like a motorboat at full Your car sounds like a motorboat at full speed.speed.

Your new TV isn’t working right. The Your new TV isn’t working right. The picture looks like a snowstorm.picture looks like a snowstorm.

You’re afraid to ride your motorcycle You’re afraid to ride your motorcycle because the engine smells like burning oil.because the engine smells like burning oil.

Your cassette player hasn’t worked right Your cassette player hasn’t worked right for the last few days. It sounds like a for the last few days. It sounds like a thunderstorm.thunderstorm.