Mika McKinnon is a geologist and physicist in Canada. She also works as a science adviser. We asked her some questions.
Q: How did you get interested in science?
A: I watched too much Star Trek as a kid. When I asked my mum why the sky was blue, she would make me research it and actually learn the answers. So I learnt science is something you can study anywhere, any time.
Q: How did you start working in the movies?
A: A movie company came to my university looking for a “string theorist”. I figured they were saying “string theorist” because that was the smartest scientist they could think of. I said, “You don’t need a string theorist. You need me!” So I went to work.
Q: What do you do at work?
A: I first worked on the TV show Stargate, in the prop(道具) department. They would lend me out to people who decorated sets and did special effects, and anybody who wanted to ask a scientist questions. Then I worked with a movie company to create story ideas. Most science fiction stories are about “what if” questions. What if the speed of light were different? What if we had a colony on Mars? I realized how useful it was for storytellers to be able to ask all those what-ifs and actually get answers.
Q: Why does it matter to get the science right in a made-up story?
A: A writer told me that by getting things right, you get everyone to believe in your world and your story. It allows storytellers to have more surprising plots. I also think real science
is often more interesting than fiction. There are so many things that are stranger than we imagine. So telling the truth can actually be a way of stretching belief.
任务一 阅读理解。
1. What made Mika interested in science?
A. Her mother’s science research.
B. Her love for Star Trek and Mum’s guidance.
C. Her work in a movie company.
D. Her university teacher’s influence.
2. Why is it important to get the science right in movies according to Mika?
A. It can make movies more surprising and believable.
B. It helps cut down the cost of making movies.
C. It lets writers make up any stories freely.
D. It makes actors understand stories better.
3.（创新考法·行文方式）How does the writer organize the passage?
A. By telling a lifetime story of Mika.
B. By asking and answering questions.
C. By comparing different movies.
D. By showing different science reports.
任务二 阅读与回答问题。
1. What does Mika do in Canada?
She is a geologist, physicist and a science adviser.
2. Where did the movie company go to look for a “string theorist”?
They went to Mika's university.
3. What are most sci-fi stories based on?
Most sci-fi stories are based on “what if” questions.
4. What does Mika think of real science compared with fiction?
She thinks real science is often more interesting than fiction.
5. What can you learn from Mika’s work?（请自拟一句话作答）
We should be curious about science and connect it with daily life. /We should work hard to make our dreams come true.（言之有理即可）
