Task 2 Read More for Useful Information
Passage 2
Language points
1. innovation n. (新事物、思想或方法的) 创造；创新
e.g. His greatest innovation was the use of interchangeable parts.
他最大的创新在于使用了可互换的零件。
We must promote originality and encourage innovation.
我们必须提倡创意，鼓励创新。
2. Tesla’s plan is to completely change the way it constructs the battery cells that power its cars.
Translation: 特斯拉的计划是彻底改变其为汽车提供动力的电池的构造方式。
Explanation: the way后it constructs the battery cells that power its cars为定语从句，that power its cars同样为定语从句，先行词为the battery cells.
3. Instead, Tesla’s new batteries use laser-patterned foils that are simpler to make (once the initial engineering is done) and reduces the distance the electrons have to travel, which increases efficiency.
Translation: 特斯拉的新电池使用了激光成型极板，这种极板的制作更简单（一旦完成了初始设计制造），并缩短了电子必须经过的距离，从而提高了效率。
Explanation: that引导同位语从句，which引导定语从句。
initial adj. 最初的；开始的
e.g. My initial reaction was to decline the offer.
我最初的反应是要婉言谢绝这个提议。
We hope to get our initial investment back in the first year.
我们希望我们的前期投资在第一年就能赚回来。
4. Removing the tab also reportedly cuts down production time drastically as the machines don’t have to start and stop to accommodate the extra strips of material.
Translation: 据报道，移除电池极耳还可以极大地缩短生产时间，因为不必开机后又停机即可容纳多余的材料条。
Explanation：as引导原因状语从句。
drastically adv. 彻底地；激烈的
e.g. The domestic political situation changed drastically. 国内政局激变。
We have managed to cut our costs quite drastically. 我们已经设法使成本大大地降低了。accommodate v. 容纳，接纳
e.g. Over 70 minutes of music can be accommodated on one CD.
一张激光唱片可以容纳70多分钟的音乐。
The school was not big enough to accommodate all the children.
学校不够大，容不下所有的孩子。
strip n. (纸、金属、织物等) 条，带
e.g. The runway is simply a strip of grass. 所谓跑道不过是一长条草地而已。
The gold is beaten out into thin strips. 金子被捶打成了薄薄的长条。
5. structural adj. 结构 (或构造) 上的
e.g. Structural reform has made the company take a turn for the better.
体制改革使公司有了柳暗花明的转机。
It is influenced by technological and structural factors.
它受到科技和结构因素的影响。
6. cast v. 浇铸；铸造
e.g. The workers are casting a stainless steel statue. 工人们正在铸造一座不锈钢的雕像。
A clay mould is used for casting bronze statues. 用粘土模具来浇铸青铜塑像。
7. stiff adj. 不易弯曲 (或活动) 的；硬的
e.g. Softer fabrics are much more becoming than stiffer ones. 软面料要比硬面料合身得多。
He rubbed his arms and stiff legs. 他按摩着自己的胳膊和僵硬的双腿。
8. responsive adj. 反应敏捷
e.g. Lily was an easy, responsive little girl. 莉莉是一个随和机灵的小女孩。
We must be more effective, responsive and accountable.
我们必须提高成效和反应速度，并更勇于承担责任。
9. coat v. 给...涂上一层；（用...)覆盖
e.g. A film of dust coated the table.
桌上覆盖着一层灰尘。
The car’s shell must be coated thinly and evenly with priming paint.
必须给汽车外壳均匀涂上一层薄薄的底漆。
10. conductive adj. 导电 (或热等) 的；能传导 (电、热等) 的
e.g. Salt water is much more conductive than fresh water is.
盐水比淡水的传导性强得多。
All metals are conductive. 金属都有传导作用。
11. film n. 薄薄的一层；薄膜
e.g. Everything was covered in a film of dust. 所有的东西都蒙上了一层灰尘。
It can be clearly seen that there is a film of oil on the surface of the water in the cup.
可以明显地看到杯子里的水上面有一层油。
参考译文
特斯拉的新电池技术有望开辟更便宜的电动汽车之路
特斯拉（Tesla）首席执行官埃隆·马斯克（Elon Musk）作出了很多承诺——其中一些实际上已经实现。在最近的特斯拉股东大会上，马斯克登台谈论了该公司，并放出有关其即将推出的电池创新的一些信息。如果一切顺利，新的电池制造技术可能导致电动汽车效率大幅度提高。
特斯拉的计划是彻底改变其为汽车提供动力的电池的构造方式。新的设计是“无极耳式电池”，这意味着每个电池内部卷起的极板之间不需要金属极耳纵向连接来实现行充电和放电的功能。
取而代之的是，特斯拉的新电池使用了激光成型极板，这种极板的制作更简单（一旦完成了初始设计制造），并缩短了电子必须经过的距离，从而提高了效率。根据马斯克的说法，新的4680型电池（顺便说一下，这些数字指的是电池的尺寸）比当前的型号要大一些，但提供的能量密度却是其五倍，容量是其六倍，这意味着仅仅这个改变就使续航里程增加了16%。
据报道，移除电池极耳还可以极大地缩短生产时间，因为不必开机后又停机即可容纳多余的材料条。整个产品可以以最快的速度完成工厂里的生产。
与目前的工序相比，新的电池技术将节省大量成本。最终，马斯克相信，成本的降低将使特斯拉实现制造像Model 3这样零售价低于25,000美元的纯电动汽车的目标。
作为寻求扩大电动汽车续航里程的措施之一，特斯拉计划改变车的构造。现在，电池组将不再像需要搬运的货物一样，而是成为车辆本身的结构件。为了做到这一点，特斯拉开发了自己的铝合金，这种铝合金无须额外的热处理即可铸模。这样一来，工厂就可以将汽车的前部和后部制造成与电池结构相连的坚固部件。
这一改变使车身更坚固，驾驶时响应更快。而且，通过将电池集中在汽车中心附近，可以减少侧面碰撞时电池破裂的机会。
特斯拉计划进行若干工艺升级。其中一种改进是采用电池干涂工艺，该工艺涉及将沙子转化成导电膜。这些技术将导致特斯拉汽车的价格更低，能效更高。
☛ Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage you’ve read.
(F) 1. The New battery manufacturing tech of Tesla has already lead to big jumps in electric vehicle efficiency.
(F) 2. In the word “4680 cells”, 4680 refers to the power rate.
(F) 3. With the new battery tech, the machines will have to start and stop to accommodate the extra strips of material.
(T) 4. Tesla prefers building the battery pack as a structural part of the car to carrying it like a cargo.
(F) 5. By concentrating the batteries near the center of the car, it reduces the chances of a car accident.
After-reading activity Build a Word Bank
☛ Following words are all about medicine, guess their meanings.
1. D 2. A 3. E 4. I 5. C 6. B 7. F 8. J 9. H 10. G
☛ Translate the following sentences into Chinese.
1. The New battery manufacturing tech could lead to big jumps in electric vehicle efficiency if everything works out.
如果一切顺利，新的电池制造技术可能导致电动汽车能效大幅度提高。
2. Tesla’s plan is to completely change the way it constructs the battery cells that power its cars.
特斯拉的计划是彻底改变其为汽车提供动力的电池的构造方式。
3. As part of its quest for increased electric car range, Tesla plans to change up the way it builds its cars.
作为寻求扩大电动汽车续航里程的措施之一，特斯拉计划改变车的构造。
4. Rather than treating the battery like cargo that needs carrying, the battery pack will now be a structural part of the vehicle itself.
现在，电池组将不再像需要搬运的货物一样，而是成为车辆本身的结构件。
5. Tesla is planning several procedural upgrades.
特斯拉计划进行若干工艺升级。