Lesson 10 Wilson Bentley (1865—1931)

1、You’ve heard the saying that “no two snowflakes① are alike.” How does anyone know this? We know because of the life and work of a quiet Vermont farmer who loved snow.

2、As a boy, Wilson Bentley was interested in many things. One thing he likes to do was look at objects② under a microscope③. He had the idea of looking at snowflakes, and he discovered how beautiful they were, and how different.

3、As Bentley got older, he wanted to show this beauty to others. He figured out a way to take a picture through a microscope. During the next 45 years, he took pictures of more than 5,000 snowflakes. Though he never made much money,“Snowflake” Bentley was always happy to share the beauty and the mystery④ of snowflakes with others.

(137 words)

Exercises

Ⅰ . How well did you read?

1. [Note the fact] What did Bentley do when he wasn’t looking at snowflakes?

A. He was a scientist.

B. He was a teacher.

C. He was a farmer.

2. [Check the details] How did Bentley get a good look at snowflakes?

A. He looked at them through a camera.

B. He looked at them through a microscope.

C. He looked at them through glasses.

Ⅱ . Read for words.

Choose one best paraphrase or Chinese meaning for the underlined words or expressions.

1. You’ve heard the saying that “no two snowflakes are alike.” (Para. 1)

A. 相似 B. 喜欢 C. 比如

2. As a boy, Wilson Bentley was interested in many things. (Para. 2)

A. 有利益的 B. 感兴趣的 C. 熟知的3. He had the idea of looking at snowflakes, and he discovered how beautiful they were, and how different. (Para. 2)

A. 覆盖 B. 寻找 C. 发现

4. He figured out a way to take a picture through a microscope. (Para. 3)

A. 想出 B. 算出 C. 塑身

Ⅲ . Writing practice.

What challenges might Bentley have met while trying to take pictures of snowflakes?

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