全新版大學(xué)英語(yǔ)視聽閱讀3koalas

1、 Unit 2 KoalasA Lead inHow much do you know about the Commonwealth of Australia? Share your ideas with your partners on anything you know about Australia, e.g. geography and climate, environment, states and territories, demographics, culture, etc. As one of the symbols of Australia, how do you like

2、koalas? Do you know the status quo of koalas in Australia? 7,617,930 km2 Separated from Asia by the Arafura and Timor seas. The Coral Sea is lying off the Queensland coast The Tasman Sea is lying between Australia and New Zealand. The worlds smallest continent and the 6th largest country.Geography T

3、he Great Barrier Reef is the worlds largest coral reef. Mount Augustus, claimed to be the worlds largest monolith(單塊巨石), is located in Western Australia. The Great Dividing Range is Australias most substantial mountain range.Geography Geography The Great Barrier ReefGreat Dividing Range 大分水嶺Geograph

4、y Mount AugustusClimate Climatic zones in Australia Equatorial: 赤道的，赤道附近的 Tropical Subtropical Desert Grassland Temperate: 溫帶的Environment The majority of Australias trees are hardwoods, typically eucalyptus(桉樹) in less arid regions. In drier regions and deserts, wattles(金合歡樹) are the dominant specie

5、s. Environment Kangaroo, koala, wombat, birds-e.g. emu, kookaburra Wombat(袋熊) Kangaroo Emu (鴯鹋)Kookaburra (笑翠鳥)States 6 states: New South Wales (NSW) Queensland (QLD)South Australia (SA)Tasmania (TAS)Victoria (VIC) Western Australia (WA)Territories 2 mainland territories: The Australian Capital Terr

6、itory (ACT)The Northern Territory (NT)Demographics The indigenous(土著的，當(dāng)?shù)氐? population Aborigines(土著居民)Demographics Language: Australian EnglishThe next most common languages spoken at home are Mandarin (1.7%), Italian (1.5%), Arabic (1.4%), Cantonese (1.3%), Greek (1.3%), and Vietnamese (1.2%)Demogr

7、aphics Religion: no state religionRoman catholic: 羅馬天主教Anglican: 圣公宗教CultureLiterature: Patrick White/The Eye of the Storm/the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1973Music: The Sydney Opera HouseCuisine: The first settlers introduced British food to the continent, much of which is now considered typical A

8、ustralian food, such as the Sunday roast.B Watch and discussWatch the video and answer the questions on the book according to what you watch.C Text StudyPara 1a. The koala is so universally popular that it has become a kind of symbol for the country of Australia as well as being a very well-known-an

9、d loved-animal around the world. But what is it about koalas that attracts so many people, both young and old? The main factor seems to be the fact that koalas are just so incredibly cute! “Theyre nice and furry and cuddly,” says one koala-lover visiting a koala exhibit. “They look like toys,” says

10、another tourist from abroad. 1. Cuddly: adj. something that you could just cuddle with and hug forever. Usually cute, soft and sweet.e.g. He is a small, cuddly man with spectacles.他戴著眼鏡，是個(gè)令人想擁抱一下的小個(gè)子男人。他戴著眼鏡，是個(gè)令人想擁抱一下的小個(gè)子男人。Cuddle: v./n. if you cuddle someone, you put your arms around them and hold

11、them close as a way of showing your affection. 擁抱，摟抱擁抱，摟抱Para 1b. Its certainly easy to agree with these opinions when one looks at the furry gray animals sitting on tree branches, slowly eating eucalyptus leaves. The animals appear to be unbelievably relaxed and usually spend most of their time sle

12、eping in order to conserve their energy.2. Eucalyptus: a eucalyptus is an evergreen tree, originally from Australia, that is grown to provide wood, gum, and an oil that is used in medicines. 桉樹桉樹3. Conserve: (1) Protect sth from harm, loss or change. 保護(hù)保護(hù)e.g. Efforts to conserve the environment some

13、times clash with the advancement of technology. 致力環(huán)境保護(hù)有時(shí)和發(fā)展技致力環(huán)境保護(hù)有時(shí)和發(fā)展技術(shù)相矛盾術(shù)相矛盾.(2) If you conserve a supply of sth, you use it carefully so that it lasts for a long time. 節(jié)省節(jié)省e.g. He writes on both sides of the sheet to conserve paper.他在紙他在紙張的兩面都寫字以節(jié)省用紙張的兩面都寫字以節(jié)省用紙.Para 2. When Europeans first saw

14、 koalas, they thought they resembled bears, and some actually believed they were nears. However, these small creatures are not a species of bear, but rather a type of mammal, called a “marsupial（有袋類哺乳動(dòng)物）（有袋類哺乳動(dòng)物）” and have stomach pockets in which mothers carry their young. Bear or not, the koala is

15、 truly one of the worlds favorite animals. Another visitor to the koala exhibit may sum it up best when he says, “I would be hard put to find another mammal that is so recognizable internationally and so beloved.” Unfortunately, while koalas may be cute and well-liked, love alone, the expert say, ma

16、y not be enough to ensure the koalas future.4. Resemble: vt. Be similar to sth/sbe.g. My brother resembles me in looks.我弟弟和我長(zhǎng)得很像。我弟弟和我長(zhǎng)得很像。e.g. His nails resemble the ivory keys of the spinet.他的指甲象白色的琴鍵一樣他的指甲象白色的琴鍵一樣.5. Species: a class of plants or animals whose members have the same main character

17、istics and are able to breed with each other.e.g. Several other sub-species of gull are found in the region.在該地區(qū)還發(fā)現(xiàn)了海鷗的其他亞種。在該地區(qū)還發(fā)現(xiàn)了海鷗的其他亞種。e.g. Given patience, successful breeding of this species can be achieved.只要有耐心，是能成功培育出這一品種的。只要有耐心，是能成功培育出這一品種的。6. mammal: female mammals give birth to babies ra

18、ther than laying eggs, and feed their young with milk.e.g. The function of a mammals fur is to insulate the body.哺乳動(dòng)物皮毛的功能在于使身體保溫哺乳動(dòng)物皮毛的功能在于使身體保溫.7. Beloved: a beloved person, thing, or place is one that you feel great affection for.e.g. She longs for the early return of her beloved.她盼著心上人早日歸來(lái)她盼著心上人

19、早日歸來(lái).Para 3a. Deborah Tabart is the executive director for the Australian Koala Foundation and is also an expert of koalas. According to Tabart, the koalas survival prospects are not looking very good. “I can tell you that I believe the koalas future in this country is bleak, very bleak,” she says.

20、The noise of the heavy machines clearing the forests on a local building site seems to reinforce Tabarts prediction. The development of natural areas in order to make residential and industrial buildings is big business in Australia and around the world. The eucalyptus forests that have always been

21、home to koalas are being increasingly claimed and cleared for housing, farms, and roads.8. prospect: if theres some prospect of sth happening, theres a possibility that it will happene.g. He was underwhelmed by the prospect of meeting the Queen.即將見到女王并沒(méi)讓他興奮不已。即將見到女王并沒(méi)讓他興奮不已。9. bleak: with little or

22、no hopee.g. Many predicted a bleak future.很多人都預(yù)測(cè)前景暗淡。很多人都預(yù)測(cè)前景暗淡。10. reinforce: if sth reinforces a feeling, situation, or process, it makes it stronger or more intense.n. reinforcemente.g. Eventually, they had to reinforce the walls with exterior beams.最終，他們不得不通過(guò)增加外梁來(lái)對(duì)墻體進(jìn)行加固。最終，他們不得不通過(guò)增加外梁來(lái)對(duì)墻體進(jìn)行加固。e

23、.g. Such jokes tend to reinforce racial stereotypes.這樣的笑話容易渲染種族偏見。這樣的笑話容易渲染種族偏見。11. Claim for: require, demand ofe.g. They intend to claim for damages against the three doctors.他們打算向那他們打算向那3位醫(yī)生索要損害賠償。位醫(yī)生索要損害賠償。Para 3b. This means that the koalas habitat in eastern Australia is being radically reduce

24、d in some areas some would even say decimated. The price of progress for human beings seems to be the koalas habitat.Para 4. According to Tarbart, each tree that is lost or cut down adds more pressure to the already vulnerable state of these animals. Australia has only been settled by people of Euro

25、pean background for less than 225 years, but in that time an enormous amount of damage has been done to the natural habitat of these animals. As she walks into a eucalyptus forest, Tabart explains: “Well, this is exactly the sort of habitat that used to be all over Australia. This is prime koala hab

26、itat and in the last two hundred years since weve been here, weve cleared about eighty percent of this.”12. decimate: v. to destroy a very large number of something such as a group of people or animals.e.g. Silber says the tax rollback would decimate basic services for the needy.西爾伯說(shuō)稅收的回落可能會(huì)大大減少為貧困人

27、口提供的基本服務(wù)。西爾伯說(shuō)稅收的回落可能會(huì)大大減少為貧困人口提供的基本服務(wù)。13. Vulnerable: weak, with the result that they are easily hurt physically or emotionally.e.g. Lacking self-confidence and maturity, many teenagers are left feeling very vulnerable.許多十幾歲的孩子既缺乏自信又不夠懂事，所以感情上十分脆弱。許多十幾歲的孩子既缺乏自信又不夠懂事，所以感情上十分脆弱。Para 5. It seem, then,

28、that a huge percentage of koala habitat has been eliminated, but thats not the sole difficulty facing the cuddly, furry mammal. The other issue is that the severely reduced koala habitat that remains is not adequately protected by national legislation. While there are some laws protecting koalas, Ta

29、bart would say those laws dont enough. “Eighty percent of the koalas in Australia now live on private land,” she says, “so there is absolutely nothing that says that you and I just really cant cut those trees down.”14. eliminate: remove sth completely.e.g. America wants to eliminate tariffs on items

30、 such as electronics.美國(guó)打算取消電子產(chǎn)品等的關(guān)稅。美國(guó)打算取消電子產(chǎn)品等的關(guān)稅。e.g. Credit cards eliminate the need to carry a lot of cash.有了信用卡就用不著攜帶很多現(xiàn)金。有了信用卡就用不著攜帶很多現(xiàn)金。15. sole: the sole thing or person of a particular type is the only one of that type.e.g. The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.這次撞車的惟一幸存者是一個(gè)嬰兒這次撞車的惟一

31、幸存者是一個(gè)嬰兒.15. legislation: Ulegislation consists of a law or laws passed by a government.e.g. They think that any legislation that involved putting down dogs was wrong.他們認(rèn)為任何涉及捕殺狗的立法都是錯(cuò)誤的。他們認(rèn)為任何涉及捕殺狗的立法都是錯(cuò)誤的。e.g. 2. The legislation is expected to be passed in the next parliament.預(yù)計(jì)這項(xiàng)法案將在下一屆議會(huì)中通過(guò)。預(yù)計(jì)這項(xiàng)

32、法案將在下一屆議會(huì)中通過(guò)。Para 6. The Australian Koala Foundation is responding to this problem by advocating for a National Koala Act. The act, which will effectively protect the remaining eucalyptus forests by law, includes incentives for private landowners to help save the koala. Some consider changes to the

33、legal infrastructure such as this to be the way of the future. It may virtually be the only way that one can ensure the survival of some of the worlds threatened and endangered species.16. Incentive: sth that makes sb work harder; motivation (v.: motivate)e.g. A little bonus will give the employees

34、an incentive to work harder.一點(diǎn)獎(jiǎng)金可以刺激雇員更加努力地工作一點(diǎn)獎(jiǎng)金可以刺激雇員更加努力地工作.17. infrastructure: the infrastructure of a country, society or organization consists of the basic facilities such as transportation, communications, power supplies, and buildings, which enanle it to function. (國(guó)家、社會(huì)、組織賴以行使職能的國(guó)家、社會(huì)、組織賴以行

35、使職能的)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施e.g. Japanese proprietors are erecting a complex infrastructure of political influence throughout America.日本商人正在美國(guó)各地建立復(fù)雜的、具有政治影響力的基礎(chǔ)結(jié)構(gòu)。日本商人正在美國(guó)各地建立復(fù)雜的、具有政治影響力的基礎(chǔ)結(jié)構(gòu)。18. virtually: indicating sth is so nearly true that for most purposes it can be regarded as true. 事實(shí)上事實(shí)上e.g. When they fir

36、st captured the port, they virtually cleaned out its warehouses.他們剛占領(lǐng)港口時(shí)，把那里的倉(cāng)庫(kù)簡(jiǎn)直搶了個(gè)精光。他們剛占領(lǐng)港口時(shí)，把那里的倉(cāng)庫(kù)簡(jiǎn)直搶了個(gè)精光。Virtue: 優(yōu)點(diǎn)、美德、正直的品性等優(yōu)點(diǎn)、美德、正直的品性等Para 7. Tabart talks about the potential legislation and what I means for Australia. She reports that its a matter of establishing a piece of legislation that

37、 will intervene in the decimation of habitat and provide benefits for the future. However, it must also be one that doesnt deny landowners too much and creates a conservation-friendly understanding about land use. Tabart explains: “We need to have a visionary piece of legislation that says, Look, th

38、is is the way it is. Were not telling you that you cant do everything. But if you want something for future generations, youre going to have to make some concessions because you cant keep doing it the way it is.”19. Intervene in: becoming involved in a situation and try to change it.e.g. The Governm

39、ent is doing nothing to intervene in the crisis.政府沒(méi)有采取任何行動(dòng)對(duì)這次危機(jī)進(jìn)行干預(yù)。政府沒(méi)有采取任何行動(dòng)對(duì)這次危機(jī)進(jìn)行干預(yù)。Interfere in/withe.g. Smoking and drinking interfere with your bodys ability to process oxygen.抽煙與酗酒有礙身體處理氧氣的能力。抽煙與酗酒有礙身體處理氧氣的能力。20. deny:(1) If you deny sb sth that they want or need, you refuse to let them have

40、 it. 拒絕給予，剝奪拒絕給予，剝奪e.g. I would not want to deny them a harmless pleasure.我不想剝奪他們這點(diǎn)無(wú)傷大雅的樂(lè)趣。我不想剝奪他們這點(diǎn)無(wú)傷大雅的樂(lè)趣。(2) When you deny sth, you state that it is not true. 否認(rèn)否認(rèn)e.g. They appeared at court yesterday to deny charges of murder.他們昨天出庭，否認(rèn)謀殺的指控。他們昨天出庭，否認(rèn)謀殺的指控。21. visionary: adj. far-seeinge.g. White

41、 was both visionary and rationalist.懷特既有遠(yuǎn)見又充滿理性。懷特既有遠(yuǎn)見又充滿理性。n. A person who is far-seeinge.g. An entrepreneur is more than just a risk taker. He is a visionary.企業(yè)家不僅要能承擔(dān)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，還應(yīng)富于遠(yuǎn)見。企業(yè)家不僅要能承擔(dān)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，還應(yīng)富于遠(yuǎn)見。22. concession: sth that is permitted or given to solve a disagreemente.g. We can not make heavy conce

42、ssion to the matter.我們?cè)谶@個(gè)問(wèn)題上不能過(guò)于讓步我們?cè)谶@個(gè)問(wèn)題上不能過(guò)于讓步.Para 8a. Tabart often speaks with conservationists, government representatives, and lawyers on behalf of the Koala Foundation. She attempts to convince them that, contrary to popular belief, koala legislation does not need to be complex; theres no nee

43、d for complicated documents that exploit landowners or set governmental limits on land use. She feels that they need a comprehensive habitat protection program, but one that will accommodate landowners needs. In her opinion, a few paradigm shifts regarding conservation as well as revisions to legisl

44、ation could prove to be the solution. 23. exploit: someone is being treated unfairly by using his work or ideas and giving him very little in return. 利用，剝削利用，剝削e.g. What the media should not do is to exploit peoples natural fears.媒體不應(yīng)該利用人們天生的恐懼心理。媒體不應(yīng)該利用人們天生的恐懼心理。e.g. Cary is hoping to exploit new o

45、pportunities in Europe.卡里希望好好利用歐洲的新機(jī)遇?？ɡ锵Ｍ煤美脷W洲的新機(jī)遇。24. comprehensive: adj. sth that is comprehensive includes everyhing that is needed or relevant. 全面的，綜合的全面的，綜合的e.g. There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.綜合性的社區(qū)具有比以前更加光明的前景。綜合性的社區(qū)具有比以前更加光明的前景。 Comprehend: v.

46、understand. 理解，領(lǐng)會(huì)理解，領(lǐng)會(huì) Comprehension: n. the ability to understand sth. 理解力，理解理解力，理解e.g. They can neither read nor write, nor can they comprehend such concepts.他們不會(huì)讀，不會(huì)寫，也理解不了這樣的概念。他們不會(huì)讀，不會(huì)寫，也理解不了這樣的概念。25. accommodate: if sth is planned or changed to accommodate a particular situation, it is planned

47、 or changed so that it takes this situation into account. 使適應(yīng)使適應(yīng)e.g. Some animal and plant species cannot accommodate to the rapidly changing conditions.某些種類的動(dòng)植物不能適應(yīng)迅速變化的環(huán)境。某些種類的動(dòng)植物不能適應(yīng)迅速變化的環(huán)境。Para 8b. But while plans and ideas for the National Koala Act may be submitted in meetings, they are inspir

48、ed in the forests. By taking groups of conservationists through the forests, Tabart is able to show them exactly what might be lost. “Now this is a spot where koalas usually love. There are some lovely habitat trees just here,” she explains to one group as they walk through the forest.Para 9. The ap

49、peal of the koala and the need to help save its habitat even seems to reach overseas. American conservation lawyers and scientists have come to Australia to share share their experience in helping to save habitats with their Australian colleagues. The United States and Australia may be on opposite s

50、ides of the globe, but people such as Mark Shaffer from a group called Defenders of Wildlife in Washington, D.C., have a common desire: they want to save threatened and endangered species.Para 10. The Defenders of Wildlife are all too familiar with the troubles and concerns that arise from the clear

51、ing of land and the increased development of natural areas. Shaffer explains why he has come. “I think were really here to share our experience,” he says. “I mean, the United States has had a long, long history of its own land-clearing, settlement, and development. And weve got about twelve hundred

52、of our own species on our threatened and endangered species list.”26. arise from: result frome.g. The countrys present difficulties arise from the reduced value of its money.該國(guó)目前的困難起因于其貨幣的貶值該國(guó)目前的困難起因于其貨幣的貶值.Para 11. As the group of lawyers and conservation scientist walk deep into the forest, its ea

53、sy to see how their shared love of nature brings them together. Although the views along the Australian coast are amazingly beautiful, theyve not come here to look at the ocean. Everyone in the group is looking up to the forest canopy, hoping to catch sight of a koala. “Theres one!” says one member

54、of the group excitedly as she smiles, looking up at the gray ball of fur sitting sleepily in a tree.27. catch sight of: glimpse at 看見，瞥見看見，瞥見e.g. Dont let me catch sight of you doing it again!別讓我再看到你干這種事了別讓我再看到你干這種事了!Every time I catch sight of myself in the mirror, I feel so disappointed.每次我瞥見鏡子里的自

55、己就覺(jué)得沮喪。每次我瞥見鏡子里的自己就覺(jué)得沮喪。Para 12a. Part of the appeal for the group when theyre looking for koalas is actually being able to find them in the thick forests of eucalyptus. Val Thompson of the San Diego Zoo explains how to spot a koala. “I wouldnt say theyre easy to spot,” she says, “but you know, once

56、 you have a certain search image, it makes it a little easier.” She then adds, “But theyre pretty good at being camouflaged.”28. camouflage: Using leaves, branches or brown and green paint to make it difficult for an enemy to see military forces and equipment.（軍事）（軍事）偽裝偽裝 Some animals are colored an

57、d shaped so that they cannot easily be seen in their natural surroundings. （某些動(dòng)物的）保護(hù)色；偽裝（某些動(dòng)物的）保護(hù)色；偽裝手段手段e.g. They were dressed in camouflage and carried automatic rifles.他們身穿迷彩服，攜帶自動(dòng)步槍。他們身穿迷彩服，攜帶自動(dòng)步槍。e.g. The white fur of the polar bear is a natural camouflage.北極熊身上的白色的濃密軟毛是一種天然的偽裝北極熊身上的白色的濃密軟毛是一種天

58、然的偽裝.Para 12b. Thompson also points out that the koalas seem to be somewhat funny and shy too. She explains, “The funniest thing is once you find them, they kind of try to hide their faces because I think theyre thinking if they cant see you, you cant see them.”Para 13. While koalas may be thought o

59、f as cute by almost everyone, theyre more than just a so-called “pretty face,” especially when considering Australias economy. According to data from a study conducted on behalf of the Australian Koala Foundation, koalas generate half a million U.S. dollars in revenue for Australia every year throug

60、h tourism and marketing, thereby contributing significantly to the countrys economy.29. generate: causing sth to begin and develope.g. This book will continue to generate excitement for a long time.這本書將在很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間里繼續(xù)使人們?yōu)橹?dòng)這本書將在很長(zhǎng)一段時(shí)間里繼續(xù)使人們?yōu)橹?dòng). e.g. The company, New England Electric, burns coal to gene