Step 1 Pre-reading

1.Why did Stephen Hawking need a PhD?

2.When did Hawking become famous?

3.When did Hawking visit Beijing?

Step 2 Skimming

Match the main idea.

Para 1 dream

Para 2 achievements

Para 3-4 disease

Para 5-6 problems

Para 7 opinions

Step 3 Careful Reading

Para 1

A_______________graduate student ____________ disease

Para 2

Para 3-4

Hawking’s research and achievements:

He makes research into __________________,

eg: _______________________________?

_______________________________?

_______________________________?

In 2002, he visited _________________and Beijing University.

Hawking made discoveries about ________________________ in the early 1970s.

His scientific book ____________________ was written in a way _____________________________________

Para 5-6

People often think that science is about _________________________.

Hawking thinks even the best theory______________________________.

Scientific method

Para 7

What is it that Hawking does not like about his speech computer?

Step 4 Reading Comprehension

1. Why did Stephen Hawking think: “There did not seem much point in working on my PhD”?

A. Because there was no point in being a PhD. B. Because there was no hope of being PhD.

C. Because he thought he would die soon. D. Because he had no place to work.

2. Hawking became famous in the 1970s, because he _______.

A. was disabled B. was a PhD

C. was sitting in a famous chair D. made new discoveries about universe

3. According to the passage, what does “an American accent” mean?

A. Hawking’s accent. B. Hawking’s voice.

C. Sounds translated by the computer. D. Accent of some British people.

4. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the text?

A. Hawking is famous for his new discoveries.

B. People should come to terms with their fate.

C. A scientific theory is always wrong.

D. Anyone with great determination will achieve his success.

5. From the text, we can infer that _____.

A. Hawking got married to Jane Wilde before he fell ill

B. science is always true

C. Hawking is an American

D. great scientists always want to know more

Step 5 T or F

1. Hawking was told that he had an incurable disease when he was just 21 years old.

2. Finally Hawking had to give up PhD and his research.

3. He and Roger Penrose made new discoveries about the Big Bang and black holes.

4. “A Brief History of Time” is too difficult for people to understand.

5. Science is about true facts that never change.

6. When Hawking gives lectures, he always speaks through a computer.

Step 6 Discussion:

1.Suppose Hawking’s Theory of Black Hole was found wrong by himself, would he admit it? Give your reasons.

2.How do you understand the title “No boundaries” ?