1、Section LESSON 1 THE SIXTH EXTINCTION Extinctions, where entire species are wiped out, are not unusual in our Earth s history. In fact, over 90 percent of all species that ever lived are now extinct. In the last 500 million years, there have been five times when life on Earth has almost ended. These
2、 include the third mass extinction, known as the “Great Dying”， which killed 90% to 96% of all species. And the fifth event, which occurred 66 million years ago, caused the death of the dinosaurs. The reasons for extinctions are varied. According to scientists, they include volcanic eruptions, aster
3、oids hitting the Earth from space, changes in sea levels, the decrease of the oxygen content of the sea and global warming. Many scientists say we are now entering the Earth s sixth mass extinction. This time, human activity will be to blame.Although it is not unusual for species to die out naturall
4、y, the rate at which this is now happening is cause for concern. A 2015 study by scientists who were based at Brown University and Duke University in the US, looked at how quickly species die out due to natural causes, that is, the “background extinction rate”. They found that human activity is caus
5、ing species to die out 1,000 times faster than normal.(1) There is a long list of reasons why so many species are dying out: air and water pollution, forests being destroyed, factory farming and overfishing. It is clear that human activity has negatively affected all other species on Earth, includin
6、g animals and plants.(1)本句是一个主从复合句。句中that引导宾语从句；1,000 times faster是倍数的表示方法。If a sixth mass extinction occurs, scientists who have studied the issue believe that up to three quarters of all species on Earth could die out. Of course, as we humans depend on so many species for our survival, we would al
7、so be at risk of dying out. Our world and our lives depend on the balance in nature between animals and plants. Without forests, we would have no air to breathe, and without clean water we would be unable to survive.(2)(2)本句是一个并列句。由and连接两个并列分句，其中without与no构成双重否定。Can a sixth extinction be avoided? Ex
8、perts say that it is not yet too late, if we take action now.This would mean we have to significantly change the way we live.(3) For example, we need to take steps to save endangered species, including setting up special areas where plants and animals can be protected. We need to change how we work
9、and travel by using cleaner, more natural sources of energy, such as wind and solar energy. We also need to improve our farming methods to reduce water, air and land pollution. In short， if we want to survive, we need to stop destroying the planet that we live on and start to protect it.(3)本句是一个主从复合
10、句。mean后面跟宾语从句；we live为定语从句，修饰先行词the way。species n物种，种wipe vt. 擦；拭wipe out 彻底毁灭unusual adj. 异常的；不平常的mass adj. 大量的varied adj. 各种各样的，形形色色的asteroid n. 小行星decrease vi.& vt. 减少；减少的量n. 减少 blame vt. 责怪，指责be to blame 把归咎于die out 消失；绝迹，灭绝affect vt. 影响up to 多达depend on 依赖，依靠be at risk 处境危险，受到威胁take action 采取行动
11、take steps 采取措施endangered adj. 濒危的solar adj. 太阳光(能)的in short 总之参考译文物种灭绝，即某个物种的完全消失，在地球的历史上并不罕见。事实上，曾经存在的物种中90%以上现在都已经灭绝。在过去的五亿年中，地球上出现过五次生物几乎全部灭绝的情况。这其中包括称为“大灭绝”的第三次灭绝，那期间 90%至 96%的物种灭亡了。6,600 万年前发生的第五次灭绝导致了恐龙的灭亡。关于灭绝的原因各不相同。科学家认为原因包括火山爆发、小行星从太空撞击地球、海平面变化、海洋含氧量下降和全球变暖。许多科学家认为地球的第六次大灭绝即将来临。这一次，人类活动是主
12、要原因。虽然物种的自然灭绝并不罕见，但现在灭绝的速度让人担忧。 2015年在美国布朗大学和杜克大学的科学家进行的一项研究，调查了物种自然状态下灭亡的速度，即“背景灭绝率”。他们发现人类活动导致物种灭亡的速度比正常情况快1,000倍。这么多物种正在消亡的原因有很多：空气和水污染、森林被毁、工厂化畜牧和过度捕捞。显然，人类活动对地球上所有其他物种产生了负面影响，包括动物和植物。研究该问题的科学家们相信，如果发生第六次灭绝，地球上多达四分之三的物种有可能灭绝。当然，由于人类的生存依赖很多种物种，我们也有可能濒临灭绝。我们的世界和我们的生命依赖于动植物之间的自然平衡。没有森林，我们就不能呼吸空气；没有
13、干净的水，我们将无法生存。第六次灭绝可以避免吗？专家说，如果我们现在采取行动还为时不晚。这意味着我们必须极大地改变我们的生活方式。例如，采取措施拯救濒临灭绝的物种，包括建立动植物的特殊保护区。通过使用更清洁、更自然的能源，例如风能和太阳能来改变我们的工作和出行方式。我们还需要改进耕作方式，减少水、空气和土地污染。简而言之，如果我们想要生存，就需要停止破坏我们生活的星球并开始保护它。.What s the main idea of the passage?The passage talks about extinction and its effects on our planet.Read t
14、he text fast and judge the following statements TRUE or FALSE.1Over 90 percent of all ever living species extincted in 500 million years.2It is natural for species to die out usually.3If a sixth mass extinction occurs, entire species will be wiped out.4In order to avoid the sixth extinction, we need
15、 to stop traveling around.答案：14FTFF.Read the text carefully and choose the best answer.1What is one of the reasons for extinction?ASleep of volcano.BChanges in sea levels.CRise in oxygen. DDrop in temperature.2What are scientists mainly concerned about as to reasons of species death?AAges. BWays.CNu
16、mbers. DRates.3Why would we humans die out with 75% of all species on Earth could die out?ABecause we will have no clean water.BBecause we will kill all species for food.CBecause we will have no factory farming.DBecause we will kill one another for water.4How can we avoid the sixth extinction?ABy pr
17、oducing more species.BBy stopping destroying the planet.CBy taking action to protect ourselves.DBy moving to another planet immediately.答案：14BDAB.Fill in the blanks with right words or phrases according to the passage.ExtinctionMeaning of extinctionentire species are 1.wiped out.The number of extinc
18、tions that have occurred so farover 2.90% of all species that ever lived.Two notable extinctions and their consequencesthe 3.third mass extinction, killed 490% to 96% of all species; the 5fifth event, which occurred 6.66 million years ago, caused the death of the 7.dinosaurs.Main reasons that cause
19、extinctionsvolcanic 8.eruptions, asteroids hitting the Earth from space, changes in 9.sea levels, the decrease of the 10.oxygen content of the sea, 11.global warming.How to avoid the sixth mass extinction change the way 12.we live, including 13.setting up special areas where plants and animals can b
20、e protected; change how we work and travel by 14.using cleaner, more natural sources of energy; improve our 15.farming methods.语境写单词1a strange species奇怪的物种2wipe her tears away 擦干她的眼泪3weapons of mass destruction 大量的毁灭性武器4the impact site of the asteroid 小行星的撞击地点5a huge decrease in population 人口的大幅度减少6
21、blame him for the failure 把失败归咎于他7the center of the solar system 太阳系的中心8hatch chicken 孵化鸡.拓展识变化1unusual adj.异常的；不平常的unusually adv.异常地；不平常地usual adj.往常的2varied adj.各种各样的，形形色色的vary v改变various adj.多种多样的variety n种类3affect vt.影响affection n影响4endangered adj.濒危的endanger v危及，危害5restore vt.(使) 恢复restoration
22、n恢复.语境记短语1die out hundreds of years ago消失；绝迹，灭绝2wipe out through ignorance 彻底毁灭3be to blame for the accident 把归咎于4be at risk any time 处境危险，受到威胁5up to 500 guests 多达6depend on their parents for food and clothing 依赖，依靠7take action to stop them 采取行动8take steps to prevent the spread 采取措施9in short 总之10due
23、 to his carelessness 由于.仿写练句式1教材原句 In the last 500 million years, there have been five times when life on Earth has almost ended. 句式分析现在完成时佳句仿写近几年来，这一艺术有了新的跃进。In the last few years, this art has made a big leap.2教材原句They found that human activity is causing species to die out 1,000 times faster than
24、 normal.句式分析倍数表示法佳句仿写这颗恒星绝对是个巨无霸。它要比我们的太阳大百倍。This star is absolutely huge. It s 100 times bigger than our sun.3教材原句Without forests, we would have no air to breathe, and without clean water we would be unable to survive.句式分析双重否定佳句仿写没有战时的经历的话，海明威就不可能写出永别了，武器这部名著。Without his wartime experiences, Heming
25、way wouldn t have written his famous novel A Farewell to Arms. 1(教材p.52)Extinctions, where entire species are wiped out, are not unusual in our Earth s history.物种灭绝，即某个物种的完全消失，在地球的历史上并不罕见。wipe out彻底毁灭Five hundred years ago, the plague almost wiped out the population of the island.五百年前，瘟疫几乎消灭了岛上所有的人。
26、归纳拓展wipe . with .用擦wipe away 擦掉，擦干wipe sth off/from . 把某物从处擦掉(消除掉)wipe sth/sb from/off one s mind/memory 有意忘记某事物/某人活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子These measures will help to wipe out poverty in rural areas.Whole villages were wiped out by the earthquake.地震把整座整座的村庄夷为平地。She bent down and wiped the dirt off her shoes
27、using a dry cloth.她弯下腰，用一块干布把鞋上的泥土擦掉了。I tried several times to wipe him off my mind, but I just couldn t.我几次想把他忘掉，但就是做不到。2(教材p.52)The reasons for extinctions are varied.关于灭绝的原因各不相同。varied adj.各种各样的，形形色色的Yet, outdoor activities are varied and tempting in the USA.然而，美国的户外活动是多种多样的和吸引人的。归纳拓展(1)varied ar
28、t forms多种艺术形式(2)variety n. 变化；多样性；种类 种类繁多的；各种各样的(3)vary vt.& vi. 改变；变化；不同vary from .to . 从到不等；在到之间变动vary with 随而变化(4)various adj. 各种各样的；多方面的(a variety of)活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子As we can see, the prices of vegetables vary with the season.We may have various (vary) ways to deal with such a situation.If you c
29、ome to visit China, you will experience a culture of amazing depth and variety (vary)House prices vary from place to place and are usually high where there are famous schools.各个地方的房价都不同，在有名校的地方房价通常很高。With the help of this technique, providing various/a variety of/varieties of suggestions on appropri
30、ate ways of exercise for patients becomes much easier.在这种技术的帮助下，给病人提供各种关于合适的锻炼方式的建议变得容易多了。小话题写作这些书有很多优点。 其中之一是我们可以从中找到各种话题，例如科学、文化和历史。These books have many advantages. One of them is that we can find a variety of topics, such as science, culture and history.3(教材p.52)According to scientists, they inc
31、lude volcanic eruptions, asteroids hitting the Earth from space, changes in sea levels, the decrease of the oxygen content of the sea and global warming.科学家认为原因包括火山爆发、小行星从太空撞击地球、海平面变化、海洋含氧量下降和全球变暖。decrease n减少；减少的量 vi.& vt.减少It has been reported that the exports of that company have decreased by 3%.
32、 据报道，那家公司的出口下降了3%。归纳拓展(1)decrease in在减少(2)decrease to 后接数字，表示“下降到”(3)decrease by 后接分数、百分数或其他表示数量的词，表示“下降了”(4)有同样用法的还有grow及increase活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子The number of new students decreases to 800 this year.The price of wheat has decreased by 10%.Increase in population caused a shortage of food.人口的增加导致了食物的短
33、缺。As our family income decreased，father argued against an increase in our pocket money.随着家庭收入的减少，爸爸反对增加我们的零花钱。4(教材p.52)This time, human activity will be to blame.这一次，人类活动是主要原因。blame vt.责怪，指责We tend to blame TV, he says, for problems it doesn t really cause, overlooking our own roles in shaping child
34、ren s minds.他说，我们倾向于把责任归咎于电视而忽略了我们自己在塑造孩子思想上产生的影响，而问题却不在电视上。归纳拓展(1)be to blame (for sth)应该为(某事)负责任，应该(为某事)受责备blame sth on sb/sth把某事归咎于某人/某事blame sb for sth/doing sth 因(做)某事而责备某人(2)blame n. 过失；责备put/lay/place the blame (for sth) on sb 把(某事)归咎于某人活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子She blamed her husband for the failure of
35、 their marriage.One of the computers is broken and she is blaming it on me.Don t try to lay the blame for this on others.I am not to blame for my laziness, mum.I m what you have made me.妈妈，你不该责备我懒惰。我这么懒也是你娇惯出来的。小话题写作说实话，这是苏的错，但李也应该负有责任。To be honest, it was Su s fault but Li was also to blame.5(教材p.5
36、2)Although it is not unusual for species to die out naturally, the rate at which this is now happening is cause for concern.虽然物种的自然灭绝并不罕见，但现在灭绝的速度让人担忧。die out消失；绝迹，灭绝In fact, half of the 6,0007,000 languages spoken around the world today will likely die out by the next century, according to the Unit
37、ed Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)实际上，根据联合国教科文组织报告，到下个世纪，世界上现有使用的6,0007,000种语言中有一半将可能消失。归纳拓展die away(声音、风、光等)逐渐消失die off (一群生物)相继死去die down (慢慢地)熄灭；平息(静)下来活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子The practice of children working in factories has nearly died out.We no longer see this animal
38、maybe it has died out.我们再也看不到这种动物了，或许它早就灭绝了。The sound of the car died away in the distance.汽车的响声消失在远处。Although the wind has died down, the rain remains steady, so you still need a raincoat.尽管风停了，但是雨还在下，因此你仍需要带上一件雨衣。6(教材p.53)Of course, as we humans depend on so many species for our survival, we would
39、 also be at risk of dying out.当然，由于人类的生存依赖很多种物种，我们也有可能濒临灭绝。be at risk 处境危险，受到威胁The disease is spreading, and all young children are at risk.疾病正在流行，所有的幼儿都有危险。归纳拓展(1)risk vt.冒的危险；冒险做risk one s life 冒着生命危险risk doing sth 冒着做某事的危险/冒险做某事risk n. 冒险；危险的人或物(2)reduce/increase the risk of降低/增加的危险at the risk of
40、 doing sth 冒着做某事的危险run/take the risk of doing sth 冒着做某事的危险take a risk/take risks to do sth 冒险做某事(3)risky adj. 危险的；冒险的活学巧练单句语法填空/补全句子I mustn t annoy my boss because I won t risk losing (lose) my job.It s nice to get out in the sun, but if you overdo it, you could put your life at risk.I won t let you
41、 take such risks. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.我是不会让你冒这种险的。毕竟，小心一点好，以免以后后悔。They prevented a serious railway accident at the risk of losing their own lives.他们冒着失去生命的危险阻止了一次严重的铁路事故。能力提升一句多译有一大家人要养活，所以他不能冒险失去这一次好机会。He has a large family to support，so he can t take risks/a risk to lose
42、the good chance.(risk n)He has a large family to support，so he can t take/run the risk of losing the good chance.(risk n)He has a large family to support，so he can t risk losing the good chance.(risk v)(教材p.53)They found that human activity is causing species to die out 1,000 times faster than norma
43、l.他们发现人类活动导致物种灭亡的速度比正常情况快1,000倍。句式分析句中1,000 times faster than意为“比快一千倍”，表示倍数。The researchers found that laptop users took twice as many notes as those who wrote by hand. 研究人员发现，笔记本电脑用户记的笔记数量是那些手写者的两倍。归纳拓展英语中表示倍数增减或倍数对比的句型多种多样，常见的有以下5种：(1)A is N times as long/wide/high/large/deep . as B如：The dictionar
44、y is almost five times as expensive as that one.这本字典比那本差不多贵5倍。(2)A is N times longer/wider/higher/larger/deeper . than B如：The new street is 3 times wider than the old one.新街是老街的4倍宽。(3)A is N times the length/width/height/size/depth . of B如：China is almost twice/double the size of their country in ar
45、ea.在面积上中国差不多是他们国家的2倍大。(4)A is N timeswhat从句如：The length of the road is double what it was three years ago.这条路的长度是三年前的2倍长。(5)A has increased/decreased/reduced/gone up/risen . by N times.如：The costs have been reduced by 20% after the new equipment was brought in.新设备引进后，成本已经减少了20%。活学巧练补全句子The populatio
46、n now in this village is five times what it was ten years ago.现在这个村庄的人口是十年前的五倍。Our grain output will be 10 times that of 1960.我们的粮食产量将是1960年的10倍。能力提升句型转换The red ruler is three times as long as the yellow one.The red ruler is twice longer than the yellow one.The red ruler is three times the length of the yellow one.