(选自2008年职称英语理工类b/c级阅读理解考题)
 
sunspots
it's not surprising （令人惊讶的）that sunspots(太阳黑子)were observed （观察）by ancient astronomers (天文学家)．the largest soupspoon the sun can be seen （看见）without a telescope．it was not until the invention of the telescope(望远镜)in the early 17th.century，however，that systematic studies of sunspots could be undertaken（着手进行）．the great astronomer galileo was among the first to make telescopic（用望远镜的） observations of sunspots（太阳黑子）.
 
make a call v. 访问
make a contribution to v. 对...作出贡献
make a decision v. 作出决定
make a living v. 谋生

动名词与动词不定式一样，也是一种非谓语形式，它可以带宾语、状语等构成动名词短语。动名词由动词原形＋ing构成，没有人称和数的变化，但有语态的变化，且有一般式和完成式。
以动词study为例：
 
主动
被动
一般式
studying
being studied
完成式
having studied
having been studied
 
 
动名词的用法
动名词（或动名词短语）在句中起名词的作用，可用作主语、表语、宾语（动词或介词的宾语）和定语等。

 talking about it is no use. 讨论这件事情没用。
 seeing is believing.
 
提示：动名词（或动名词短语）作主语时，有时句中使用形式主语it，如：
 it is no use talking about it. 讨论这件事情没用。
常见的形式主语结构(真正的主语是在句子的结尾部分出现的动名词结构)
it is +no use , no good , fun（有趣）, a great pleasure（快乐的事情）, a waste of time（浪费时间） 等名词+ doing sth.
it is no use crying.