内容正文:
Unit 3 Fascinating Parks
Discover Useful Structures: -ing Form as the Subject
Selective Compulsory Book 1 | Period 2 | 1 period (45 minutes)
I. Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
● Recognise different functions of the -ing form in the reading passage, especially when it acts as the subject of a sentence.
● Rewrite sentences that use "It is…to do…" into more dynamic sentences with the -ing form as the subject.
● Use the -ing form as the subject correctly in your own writing, when describing a place for a school trip.
II. Key Points and Difficult Points
Key Points:
● Understand the form and meaning of -ing clauses used as the subject of a sentence.
● Recognise when to use the -ing form as the subject in writing, instead of the "It is…to do…" pattern.
Difficult Points:
● Tell the difference between -ing as the subject and other functions of -ing (attribute, adverbial, object complement) in real sentences.
● Use the -ing subject naturally in your own writing, not as a forced grammar exercise.
Part 1 Observe and Discover: Where does the -ing form work?
Task 1 Find and sort: four functions of -ing
Let's go back to the reading passage about Sarek National Park. Find as many -ing forms as you can, and sort them into the four functions below. Work with your partner.
Function
Sentences from the text
Attribute (modifies a noun)
Subject (acts as the subject of the sentence)
Adverbial (tells when/why/how)
Object complement (follows the object)
Task 2 Notice the difference: rewrite and compare
The following sentences all use the "It is + adjective + to do" pattern. Rewrite each one using the -ing form as the subject instead. After rewriting, think about: which version sounds more direct and dynamic?
● (1) It is both challenging and rewarding to study abroad.
● (2) It would hardly be possible to go hiking in Sarek in winter because of the extreme cold.
● (3) It can be both exciting and terrifying to explore a vast unknown land.
● (4) It is good to keep a positive attitude even when things are hard.
● (5) It is highly recommended to hire local guides, since they know the area well.
Part 2 Controlled Practice
Task 1 Fill in the blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct -ing form of the verb in the box.
Verbs: ski cry learn finish get talk
● (1) ____________ is one of the most popular winter sports in northern China. Can you name three other winter sports?
● (2) ____________ over spilt milk will not change anything. What can help instead?
● (3) ____________ English as a second language opens up a lot of job chances.
● (4) Just ____________ your homework is not enough to get a top grade. What else should you do?
● (5) ____________ into a good university takes a lot of hard work.
● (6) ____________ on the phone while driving is against the law in most countries.
Task 2 Famous sayings: match the beginnings
Match the left column with the right column to complete the famous sayings. Notice how each saying starts with an -ing subject.
● (1) ____________ robs you of the excitement of life. — Unknown
● (2) ____________: her secret is patience. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
● (3) ____________ would teach people the quality that youngsters find so hard to learn — patience. — Edward P. Weston
● (4) ____________ is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. — Helen Keller
● (5) ____________ should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives. — Thomas Berry
● (6) ____________ as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit. — Henry David Thoreau
Options:
● A. Adopt the pace of nature
● B. Teaching children about the natural world
● C. Live in each season
● D. Avoiding danger
● E. Losing your sense of wonder
● F. Walking
Part 3 Use in Real Context
Task 1 Read about Xixi Wetland Park
Read the short passage about Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou. Fill in each blank with the correct -ing form of a verb from the box. After each blank, write down whether the -ing form acts as the subject or as an attribute.
Verbs: combine cover grow take limit walk experience
Xixi National Wetland Park, (1) ____________ 10 square kilometres in western Hangzhou, is China's first national wetland park. (2) ____________ city life, nature, and wetlands together makes the park a favourite destination for both tourists and local people. At Xixi, (3) ____________ a boat tour, (4) ____________ along the wooden paths, and (5) ____________ the local village customs are among the top activities visitors enjoy. With trees and colourful flowers (6) ____________ along the riverbanks, the park looks different in every season.
To protect the area, (7) ____________ human impact on the wetland was a key goal of the park designers. All new buildings were built in traditional style to fit the natural environment. With reeds (8) ____________ in the shallow water, the wetland acts as the "green lungs" of Hangzhou, providing clean water and fresh air.
Task 2 Translate: a trip to Arctic Norway
Translate the Chinese in brackets into English, using the -ing form as the subject where possible.
(1) ____________ (在隆冬季节去寒冷黑暗的北极挪威旅游) can be (2) ____________ (令人激动的), especially for those (3) ____________ (寻找完全不同的体验). (4) ____________ (意识到) the lack of daylight and transport difficulties is very important. Last January, several mountain roads were closed, so (5) ____________ (四处走动) was not easy, but (6) ____________ (欣赏) the northern lights was an unforgettable experience.
(7) ____________ (在线预订交通和住宿) saved us a lot of trouble. (8) ____________ (琢磨怎么在弱光下拍照) actually took us quite some time during our (9) ____________ (筹备) stage. Finally, (10) ____________ (雇一位当地导游) turned out to be very helpful.
Part 4 Write and Share: Our School Trip Destination
Imagine your class is planning a school trip. Choose a place in your city or town that you think would be a great destination. Write a short paragraph (about 80 words) introducing it.
Try to use at least three -ing forms as subjects in your writing. You may follow these steps:
● Step 1: Name the place and say where it is.
● Step 2: Describe two or three activities students can do there.
● Step 3: End with one -ing subject sentence saying why it is a good choice for the trip.
After writing, share your paragraph with your partner. Count how many -ing subjects you used, and give your partner one suggestion.
Appendix Answer Key
Part 1 Task 1: Functions of -ing
● Attribute: the wind buffeting the cloth of my tent; a few reindeer feeding on grass.
● Subject: telling whether it is morning or night is impossible; getting here is quite difficult; looking after reindeer was a way of life; being in such a beautiful place makes me feel blessed.
● Adverbial: spreading out before me, branches flow through the valley; the ice melted, leaving behind about 100 glaciers; following their reindeer into the valleys, living in tents; breathing the fresh air, enjoying the adventure.
● Object complement: some berries that I found growing near my tent.
Part 1 Task 2: Rewritten sentences
● (1) Studying abroad is both challenging and rewarding.
● (2) Going hiking in Sarek in winter would hardly be possible because of the extreme cold.
● (3) Exploring a vast unknown land can be both exciting and terrifying.
● (4) Keeping a positive attitude is good even when things are hard.
● (5) Hiring local guides is highly recommended, since they know the area well.
Effect: Putting the action at the beginning makes the sentence feel more direct and dynamic, with the action as the focus.
Part 2 Task 1: Fill in the blanks
● (1) Skiing (2) Crying (3) Learning (4) finishing (5) Getting (6) Talking
Part 2 Task 2: Famous sayings
● (1) E (2) A (3) F (4) D (5) B (6) C
Part 3 Task 1: Xixi Wetland Park
● (1) covering (attribute)
● (2) Combining (subject)
● (3) taking (subject)
● (4) walking (subject)
● (5) experiencing (subject)
● (6) growing (attribute)
● (7) limiting (subject)
● (8) growing (attribute)
Part 3 Task 2: Arctic Norway translation
● (1) Travelling to cold, dark Arctic Norway in mid-winter
● (2) fascinating / exciting
● (3) looking for a completely different experience
● (4) Realising
● (5) moving around / getting around
● (6) watching / admiring the northern lights
● (7) Booking transport and accommodation online
● (8) Figuring out how to take photos
● (9) planning / preparation
● (10) hiring a local guide
Sample writing: School trip to Danxia Landform Park
Taking a school trip to Danxia Landform Park in Zhangye, Gansu is a wonderful idea. The park is famous for its colourful rock mountains that look like a painting spread across the hills. Walking along the wooden paths lets students see red, yellow and orange rock formations up close. Taking photos of the beautiful views will be the highlight of the trip. Visiting the park is not only fun but also a great chance to learn about nature and geography.
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