what the weather would be like, but I can presume it would be very cold, since Mars is much further from the sun than the Earth. As for its special features, I think if one stands on the surface of Mars, we can see the whole universe clearer than on the Earth. And perhaps it's a million times more beautiful than the Earth. I hope one day we can have more exploration on Mars and solve the mystery.

Step Ⅱ Listening (Ⅰ)

First, ask the students to listen to the tape and complete the notes. Check the answers by asking some students to read their notes.

Then get them to discuss the questions in Activity 2 and talk about New Orleans.

T: What do you know about the place mentioned in the radio interview? Now work in groups and discuss the questions in Activity 2.

Sample answers to the questions in Activity 2:

1. New Orleans, one of North America's most distinctive and culturally diverse cities, located in southeastern Louisiana on the Mississippi River, about 180 km from the Gulf of Mexico. The city was founded in 1718 on the east bank of the Mississippi. New Orleans has been a leading commercial center since its founding and has one of the most active ports in the United States.

2. The Gulf of Mexico provides New Orleans with plenty of moisture-the city receives about 150 cm of rainfall annually and no season is immune from it.

Spring has sunny, mild days that are perfect for the festivals.

Summer is hot, sticky and steamy, often with thundershowers.

September and October days are the most likely to offer clear, temperate weather.

Winter temperatures average a comfortable 12°C (54°F), yet occasional drops in temperature, combined with the damp atmosphere, can chill you to the bone. Snow is rare but December's short days, fog and rain conspire to allow only a few hours of daily sunshine.

3. It is famous for sweet-tasting cocktails and jazz bands.

4. Nomadic Paleo-Indians probably spent time in the New Orleans area over 10,000 years ago. By the time the French founded the city in 1718, seven small tribes known as the Muskogeans inhabited the Florida Parishes north of Lake Pontchartrain and, occasionally, the banks of the Mississippi River. Other tribes south of New Orleans inhabited the bayous in Barataria and the lower course of the Mississippi River.

Ask the students to tick the boxes in Activity 3 and complete Activity 4; complete the activities after listening again.

Then check the answers with the whole class.

Step Ⅲ Listening (Ⅱ)

Ask the students to listen to the music and discuss the questions in Activity 1 on page 50. Then ask them to look at the pictures in Activity 2, learn the meanings of the words and discuss what they think is happening. Next, complete the sentences according to the tape about jazz funerals in Activity 3. At last, ask them to listen to the tape again and make notes in Activity 4 and write a short paragraph about it. Check the answers with the whole class.