1、现在,开花植物在地球上占有绝对优势,那么它们是怎样做到的呢?研究人员给出了答案Scientists think they have the answer to a puzzle that confused even Charles Darwin:How flowers evolved and spread to become the most important plants on earth?Flowering plants,or angiosperms (被子植物),make up about 90% of all living plant species,but how they did
2、 this has been a mystery.New research suggests it is due to genome (基因组) size.Hundreds of millions of years ago,the earth was dominated by ferns (蕨类) and conifers (针叶树) they were the main plants on the earth.Then,about 150 million years ago,the first flowering plants appeared on earth.They quickly s
3、pread to all parts of the world.Why angiosperms were successful and diverse on earth has been debated for centuries.Charles Darwin himself called it a “mystery”, fearing this apparent sudden change might challenge his theory of evolution.Kevin Simonin from San Francisco State University in Californi
4、a US and other researchers analyzed data held by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on the genome size of hundreds of plants,including flowering plants,gymnosperms (a group of plants including conifers) and ferns.They then compared genome size with anatomical (结构上的) features.This provides “strong evide
5、nce” that the success and rapid spread of flowering plants around the world is due to “genome downsizing”By reducing the size of the genome,which is contained within the nucleus (核) of the cell,plants can build smaller cells.The researchers say genomedownsizing happened only in the angiosperms, and
6、this was “a necessary condition for rapid growth rates among land plants”,理解Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)1Angiosperms are rare plants in South Africa.(F)2The smaller genome contributed to the success and diversity of angiosperms.(T)积累1mystery n谜;神秘的事物2due to 由于,因为3dominate
7、v. 支配,控制4diverse adj. 各种各样的,相异的5apparent adj. 明显的6analyze v. 分析Section_Starting_out_&_Understanding_ideasA Journey of DiscoveryThe captain of the ship,the Beagle,wanted someone 1who would “profit by the opportunity of visiting distant countries yet little known”The person 2who answered the call was
8、not the captains first choice.It was a young man who had left medical school without completing his degree.Whats more, he had recently received a letter from his father 3predicting that he would be “a disgrace to yourself and all your family”Despite all this, his adventures on this ship would lead t
9、o one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time.1who引导定语从句,修饰先行词someone。2who引导定语从句,修饰先行词person。3predicting .为现在分词短语作状语。The young man in question,Charles Darwin, was a geologist and naturalist, 4fascinated by rocks, plants and animals.He left England on the ship, the Beagle, in 1831.Th
10、e journey gave him the chance 5to study various living things in their natural environments. After Darwin had spent some time in South America, his room on the ship was crowded with samplesof the plants and animals he had collected.6As he studied these,he asked himself the question:how did different
11、 species come to exist?4过去分词短语作后置定语,修饰geologist and naturalist。5动词不定式短语作后置定语,修饰名词chance。6As引导时间状语从句,意为“当的时候”。At that time, people believed that all species had appeared on Earth at the same time, and had not changed since.But Darwin began to think differently.He noticed that some species of animals
12、were very similar toeach other.Maybe animals evolved 7as they adapted to their changing environments?It was just an idea, but enough to inspire Darwin to look for more evidence.7as引导时间状语从句,意为“当的时候”。When the Beagle reached the Galpagos Islands in 1835,Darwin saw a variety of new species, but 8it was
13、the birds that interested him the most.Darwin noticed that there was a difference between the finches on each of the islands.It seemed their beaks had evolved according to 9what food was availableon that particular island.8it was .that.为强调句型,强调主语the birds。9what引导宾语从句,作介词to的宾语。Darwin suspected that t
14、he finches had evolved from a common ancestor,10which had arrived on the islands a long time before.Over time, it had slowly evolved into many new species.And that was the answer to 11how new species of plants and animals came to exist:they evolved from earlier ancestors.10which引导非限制性定语从句,修饰先行词ances
15、tor。11how引导宾语从句,作介词to的宾语。It was a completely new idea a theory of evolution.Darwin explained this theory in his book,On the Origin of Species.It was not published until 1859 and immediately caused a storm.Many people refused to believe that living things, including humans, had evolved from lower for
16、ms of life.They were shocked.But Darwins scientific studies were 12so convincingthat more and more people started to believe his theory.12so .that引导结果状语从句,意为“如此以至于”。Today,On the Origin of Species is regarded as one of the most important works 13ever written.It has changed ideas about life on Earth f
17、orever.And it all began with the journey on the Beagle.13过去分词作后置定语,修饰名词works。distant adj.遥远的answer the call响应号召first choice第一选择whats more此外,更重要的是predict v预言disgrace n丢脸,耻辱be a disgrace是耻辱,是丢脸的事 of all time有史以来;一直in question讨论中的;考虑中的geologist n地质学家be crowded with拥塞;挤满;充满sample n样本come to exist出现;产生at
18、 the same time同时be similar to与相似evolve v进化adapt to适应/适合evidence n证据a variety of种种;各种各样的finch n雀科鸣禽beak n鸟嘴,喙available adj.可利用的;可获得的;可找到的;有空暇的be available for对于可用的suspect v猜想,怀疑,觉得ancestor n(动物的)原种,祖先over time随着时间的推移evolution n进化(论)publish v出版;发表including prep.包含;包括convincing adj.令人信服的;有说服力的 be regar
19、ded as被认为是begin with开始于参考译文发现之旅贝格尔号的船长想要招募这样一名船员,这名船员将能“借此机会访问遥远而鲜为人知的国度并从中受益”。然而来应聘的人并不是船长心中的理想人选。这个年轻人从医学院肄业,并且在他刚收到的家书中,父亲预言他将会成为“自己和全家人的耻辱”。尽管如此,他的这次乘船探险之旅将带来有史以来最重要的一项科学发现。我们提到的这个年轻人就是地质学家和博物学家查尔斯达尔文,他对岩石和动植物有着浓厚的兴趣。1831年,他搭乘贝格尔号从英格兰启程。这趟旅程给了他研究自然环境中各种生物的契机。在南美洲度过一段时间后,他的船舱里堆满了收集到的动植物样本。当他研究这些样
20、本时,他产生了疑问:这些不同的物种是如何产生的? 当时,人们认为所有的物种都是同时出现在地球上的,并从此再无变化。但达尔文开始有了不同的想法。他注意到,有些不同物种的动物彼此间很相似。也许动物为了适应不断变化的环境会逐渐进化?虽然这只是一个设想,但足够鼓舞达尔文去寻求更多证据。1835年,当贝格尔号抵达加拉帕戈斯群岛的时候,达尔文发现了各种各样的新物种,但是其中最令他感兴趣的是鸟类。达尔文注意到,在群岛中的每一个小岛上,雀鸟之间有所不同。它们的喙似乎是根据所在岛屿上可觅得的食物进化而来的。达尔文猜想,这里所有的雀鸟都由共同的祖先进化而来。很久以前,雀鸟的祖先来到这片群岛,随着时间推移,慢慢进化
21、成许多新的种类。于是,关于动植物的新种类是如何产生的这个问题就有了答案:它们是从早期的祖先进化而来的。这是一个全新的观点进化论。达尔文在他的物种起源一书中对此进行了解释。这本书直到1859年才出版,出版后立即引起轰动。很多人拒绝相信包括人在内的所有生命都是从更低级的生命形式进化而来的。他们对此感到震惊。然而,达尔文的科学研究很有说服力,以至于越来越多的人开始接受他的理论。如今,物种起源被认为是迄今为止最重要的著作之一。它彻底地改变了人类对于地球上生命的认识。而这一切都开始于贝格尔号的探索之旅。Step One:Prereading Look at the evolutionary tree a
22、nd answer the questions.1What species do you recognise in the picture?Snail,crab,fish,tortoise,bird,horse,human,frog,paramecium_(草履虫),earthworm_(蚯蚓),algae_(藻类),moss_(苔藓),fern.2What factors can cause the process of evolution?Natural_environment_(自然环境),genes_(遗传基因),and_mutation_(变异)Step Two:Whilereadi
23、ng.Read for the main ideaWhat is the text mainly about?ADarwins interest in various things made him a great naturalist.BDarwins journey on the Beagle inspired his theory of evolution.CDarwin went on a journey to confirm his theory that humans had evolved over time.DWhy Darwin was chosen to go on a j
24、ourney with the captain of the Beagle.答案:B.Read for detailsRead the passage carefully and choose the best answers.1According to the text, which of the following is NOT correct?ACharles Darwin was not the captains first choice.BCharles Darwins father predicted he would be a disgrace to his family.CHe
25、 came back to England on the Beagle in 1831.DThe journey aroused his interest in the question how different species came to exist.2What was the common belief at that time?AAll species had appeared on earth at different times.BAll species had not changed since they appeared.CSome species of animals w
26、ere the same.DAnimals adapted to the changing environment gradually.3_ interested Charles Darwin most in 1835 on the island.APlantsBDogsCNew species DBirds4What can we infer from the passage?ACharles Darwin was not an excellent graduate from the medical school.BCharles Darwin was well received by th
27、e captain.CAll his achievements began with the journey on the Beagle.DCharles Darwin explained his theory immediately he came back.答案:14CBDAStep Three:Postreading阅读课文内容, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。The captain of the ship named the Beagle wanted someone to profit by 1.visiting (visit) distant countries
28、.Luckily,Darwin got the opportunity,2.although/though he was not the captains first choice.Darwin was a geologist and naturalist,3.fascinated(fascinate) by rocks,plants and animals.The journey gave him the chance 4.to_study (study) various living things in their natural environments.After Darwin 5.h
29、ad_spent (spend) some time in South America,his room was crowded with samples of the plants and animals he had collected.He began to consider the question 6.how different species came to exist.He noticed that some species of animals were very similar 7.to each other.Maybe animals evolved as they ada
30、pted to their 8.changing (change) environments? Darwin decided to find out the truth.In 1835,Darwin saw a variety of new species,but it was the birds that interested him the most.After much research,he came to the 9.conclusion (conclude) that new species evolved from earlier ancestors.Darwin explain
31、ed this theory in his book,On the Origin of Species,which 10.is_regarded (regard) as one of the most important works ever written.It has changed ideas about life on Earth forever,and it all began with the journey on the Beagle.重点单词1another example of seeds travelling 另一个关于种子传播的例子2fascinated by rocks
32、, plants and animals 对岩石、植物和动物着迷3samples of the plants and animals 植物和动物的样本4inspire Darwin to look for more evidence 激励达尔文去寻找更多的证据5evolve from earlier ancestors 从早期祖先进化而来6On the Origin of Species 物种起源7convincing scientific studies 有说服力的科学研究8The man is always distant towards his neighbours, so his ne
33、ighbours often keep him at a distance.(distant)9Im not the one who disgraced (disgrace) her at the wedding!10Difficulties and hardships have brought out the best character of the young geologist (geology)11Evolution (evolve) is the answer to how new species of plants and animals come to exist.12He w
34、as one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation (generate)13The police suspected that two of the suspects caught yesterday were connected with another case.They were more suspicious.(suspect) 掌握规律巧记单词distant(adj.遥远的)变t为cedistance(n.距离)difference 不同intelligence 智力silence 寂静 con
35、fidence 信心evolve(v.进化)去eionevolutionn.进化(论)solution 方案 resolution 决心.重点短语1The person who answered_the_call (响应号召) was not the captains first_choice (第一选择)2. .he would be_“a_disgrace (是耻辱)to yourself and all your family”3His adventures on this ship would lead to one of the most important scientific d
36、iscoveries of_all_time (有史以来)4The young man in_question (讨论中的),Charles Darwin, was a geologist and naturalist.5His room on the ship was_crowded_with (充满) samples of the plants and animals he had collected.6How did different species come_to_exist (产生)?7Maybe animals evolved as they adapted_to (适应) th
37、eir changing environments?8When the Beagle reached the Galpagos Islands in 1835,Darwin saw a_variety_of (各种各样的) new species.典型句式1教材原句As he studied these, he asked himself the question:how did different species come to exist?句式分析as引导时间状语从句佳句仿写The guide told us his adventures in the Arctic as_we_went_
38、along.我们一边走着,这个导游一边给我们讲他在北极的冒险经历。 2教材原句When the Beagle reached the Galpagos Islands in 1835, Darwin saw a variety of new species, but it was the birds that interested him the most.句式分析强调句型:Its . who/that .佳句仿写It_is when you need what youve learned from books that you realise you should have read mor
39、e.书到用时方恨少。3教材原句It seemed their beaks had evolved according to what food was available on that particular island.句式分析It seemed (that) . 好像 佳句仿写It_seemed_(that) the water was to blame.看来水是罪魁祸首。 4教材原句It was not published until 1859 and immediately caused a storm.句式分析not .until . 直到才佳句仿写I didnt_realise_
40、how_much_time_I_had_wasted_until I began to work.直到我开始工作,我才意识到我浪费了多少时间。1(教材P50)The captain of the ship, the Beagle, wanted someone who would “profit by the opportunity of visiting distant countries yet little known”贝格尔号的船长想要招募这样一名船员,这名船员将能“借此机会访问遥远而鲜为人知的国度并从中受益”。distant adj.遥远的;远处的;远亲的(1)a distant c
41、ousin/aunt/relative远房堂兄弟/姑母/亲戚(2)distance n. 距离;远方in the distance 在远处from a distance 从远处at a distance (of) 在远的地方;距离稍远keep sb.at a distance 对某人冷淡;与某人疏远;与某人保持一定距离(佳句)The time we spent together is now a distant memory.我们在一起度过的时光现在已经成为遥远的回忆。练透单句语法填空/补全句子Paul has to drive a very long distance (distant) a
42、s part of his job.We spotted them waving to us at a distance of 100 meters.The old man stood on the top of the tower,looking at the trees in_the_distance.老人站在塔顶上,看着远处的树。写美一句多译有人告诫她说,如果她不想受到伤害,就离查理斯远一点。She was warned to keep_her_distance_from_Charles if she didnt want to get hurt.She was warned to ke
43、ep_Charles_at_a_distance if she didnt want to get hurt.2(教材P50)Whats more, he had recently received a letter from his father predicting that he would be “a disgrace to yourself and all your family”并且在他刚收到的家书中,父亲预言他将会成为“自己和全家人的耻辱”。disgrace n丢脸,耻辱 v丢脸;使蒙羞 (1)be a disgrace是耻辱,是丢脸的事in disgrace 为人所不齿;失宠d
44、isgrace oneself 使某人自己丢脸/蒙羞(2)disgraceful adj. 不名誉的,可耻的grace n. 优雅,高雅(佳句)Before the competition, all in my mind was determination: not to be a disgrace to my country and myself.比赛之前我下定决心:不给国家和自己丢脸。辨析disgrace, shamedisgrace指某人因某种不光彩行为而使名誉受损或蒙受耻辱 shame使用范围较广。指某人因犯罪、做坏事或无能等引起心理上的惭愧或羞耻。shame的耻辱程度比disgrac
45、e更深练透单句语法填空/选词填空(disgrace, shame)I would sooner die than disgrace myself (me)When it was proven that Sam had accepted bribes, the family was in disgrace.Its disgraceful (disgrace) that none of the family tried to help her.His actions brought disgrace on his family.Stealing is no shame in the case of
46、 him.写美补全句子Poverty is not a sufficient cause of disgrace, but poverty without resolution to help oneself is_a_disgrace.贫穷并不可耻,穷而不争气才可耻。3(教材P50)Despite all this, his adventures on this ship would lead to one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time.尽管如此,他的这次乘船探险之旅将带来有史以来最重要的一项科学发现。of
47、all time 有史以来;一直 at times有时;不时at a time 一次,每次at one time 曾经,一度in no time 立刻,马上at no time 在任何时候都不;决不(位于句首时句子倒装) (佳句)Marc Jacobs is undoubtedly one of the most influenced designers of all time.马克雅可布无疑是史上最具影响力的设计师之一。练透选用time的相关短语填空He was made to practise the piano so much that at_times he thought about
48、 giving up.This used to be a very pretty valley at_one_time,but now it has changed a lot.At_no_time did they actually break the rules of the game.It was unfair to punish them.写美补全句子Luckily,I adapted to the new surroundings and everything_returned_to_normal_in_no_time.幸运的是,我适应了新的环境,一切很快就恢复了正常。4(教材P50
49、)The young man in question,Charles Darwin,was a geologist and naturalist,fascinated by rocks,plants and animals.我们提到的这个年轻人就是地质学家和博物学家查尔斯达尔文,他对岩石和动植物有着浓厚的兴趣。in question讨论中的;考虑中的 beyond question 不容置疑out of question 毫无疑问,没有问题out of the question 不可能;不允许;不值得讨论(佳句)One post said:“I hope the people in quest
50、ion are well.”一个帖子说:“我希望我们在谈论着的人会没事。”练透 单句语法填空/补全句子Where were you during the evening in question?Her efficiency and intelligence are beyond question.Some of my classmates think Mary will get full marks in the English exam, but I think that is out_of_the_question.有的同学认为玛丽会在英语考试中拿到满分,但我认为这是不可能的。写美翻译句子
51、他考试会不及格,这是毫无疑问的。He_will_fail_in_the_examination_again,_which_is_out_of_question.5(教材P51)After Darwin had spent some time in South America, his room on the ship was crowded with samples of the plants and animals he had collected.在南美洲度过一段时间后,他的船舱里堆满了收集到的动植物样本。be crowded with 拥塞;挤满;充满 (1)crowd in (on s
52、b.) (想法、问题等)涌上心头;涌入脑海crowd into ones mind 涌入某人的脑海crowd in/into (sth.) 大批地涌入(某物)crowd around 聚集在周围;聚拢 (2)crowded adj. 拥挤的;挤满的;充满的(3)a crowd of (crowds of) 一群(成群)(佳句)The hall was crowded with his devoted fans.大厅里挤满了他的忠实粉丝。练透单句语法填空The landscape of public health is crowded (crowd) with an ever growing n
53、umber of partnerships, initiatives, and implementing agencies.When species crowd into an area, they compete for resources and become efficient at using them.Crowds (crowd) of people poured into the street.写美补全句子Vivid memories of my grandparents came crowding_into_my_mind.对祖父母清晰的记忆涌入我的脑海。名师指津crowd是集合
54、名词,作主语时,若视为整体则谓语动词用单数形式;若强调个体成员,则谓语动词用复数形式。6(教材P51)Maybe animals evolved as they adapted to their changing environments?也许动物为了适应不断变化的环境会逐渐进化?adapt to适应/适合(1)adapt oneself to 使自己适应adapt .to do . 调整以做(2)adapt .from 根据改编adapt .for 把 改写/改编成(3)adaptation n. 适应;改编;改写本(佳句)Many students find it hard to adap
55、t to the new school.许多学生发现很难适应新学校。练透单句语法填空/补全句子Thirdculture kids may not be able to adapt themselves (they) completely to their new surroundings as expected.Adapted (adapt) from JK.Rowlings book series of the same title, the “Harry Potter” movies are universally acknowledged as classics.The famous e
56、xpert adapted_his_speech_to_suit the interests of his audience.那位著名的专家修改了他的演讲以满足听众的兴趣。写美翻译句子众所周知,电影红高粱改编自莫言的同名小说。It_is_well_known_that_the_film_Red_Sorghum_is_adapted_from_the_novel_of_the_same_title_by_Mo_Yan.7(教材P51)Darwin suspected that the finches had evolved from a common ancestor, which had ar
57、rived on the islands a long time before.达尔文猜想,这里所有的雀鸟都由共同的祖先进化而来。很久以前,雀鸟的祖先来到这片群岛。suspect v猜想,怀疑,觉得 n嫌疑犯,可疑对象(1)suspect that . 怀疑suspect sb.of (doing) sth. 怀疑某人有某种罪行suspect sb.to be 猜想/怀疑某人是(2)suspected adj. 疑似的(佳句)I suspect that Emily was lying when she described the incident, for I know her well.我
58、怀疑埃米莉在描述该事件时撒谎了,因为我很了解她。练透单句语法填空Suspecting (suspect) the traveler of carrying drugs, the customs officials stopped him and went through his suitcase.My last advice is modesty.Dont let others suspect that you are being arrogant and showing off.He was taken to hospital after a suspected (suspect) hear
59、t attack.写美补全句子These are the personal details of a man the police suspect_of_robbing_a_bank.这些是一个被警方怀疑抢劫银行的人的个人资料。 1句型公式as引导时间状语从句 (教材P51) As he studied these,he asked himself the question:how did different species come to exist?当他研究这些样本时,他产生了疑问:这些不同的物种是如何产生的?as在此引导时间状语从句,意为“当的时候;随着”。as作连词时,有以下用法:(1
60、)意为“当时候;一边一边;随着”时,引导时间状语从句。(2)意为“按照的方式(办法);如同”时,引导方式状语从句。(3)意为“因为;既然”时,引导原因状语从句。(4)意为“尽管”时,引导让步状语从句。(5)引导比较状语从句,常用于as . as . 句型,意为“像一样(第一个as是副词,第二个as是连词)”。(佳句)As years go by, China is getting richer and stronger.随着一年一年过去,中国变得越来越富强。练透补全句子I got close enough to hear them speaking Chinese, and I said “N
61、i Hao”, just as_I_might_do_in_China.我离他们足够近能听见他们正在说汉语,并且我像在中国可能做的那样说了声“你好”。As_I_was_busy_preparing_for_my_final_exam,_I didnt reply to your email as soon as I received it.因为我正忙着准备期末考试,所以我才没有一收到电子邮件就给你回复。Child as_he_is,_he knows how to help others.他虽然是个孩子,却知道如何帮助别人。写美句型转换As time went on/by, he conten
62、ted himself with a simple life.With_time_going_on/by,_he contented himself with a simple life.(with复合结构)名师指津(1)当as引导让步状语从句时,从句使用部分倒装,即将形容词、副词、名词、动词等放于as前面;单数可数名词提前时应该省掉冠词;(2)with意为“随着”时是介词,后接名词或代词等构成with短语或with复合结构。2句型公式not .until .直到才 (教材P51)It was not published until 1859 and immediately caused a
63、storm.这本书直到1859年才出版,出版后立即引起轰动。 (1)until用在肯定句中,谓语动词通常是延续性动词,如:stand, stay, talk, wait等,表示主句动作终止的时间。(2)如果用在否定句中,谓语动词既可以是瞬间性动词也可以是延续性动词,强调主句动作开始的时间。(3)当not until 位于句首时,句子要倒装。其结构为Not until从句/表时间的词助动词(主句)主语谓语其他。(4)not until的强调结构为:It is/was not until从句/表时间的词that其他。(佳句)The plane wont take off until the sno
64、wstorm stops.飞机要等暴风雪停了才会起飞。练透补全句子You may stay here till/until_the_rain_stops.你可以待在这里,一直到雨停为止。It_was_not_until_last_week_that the stolen car was found.直到上周,那辆失窃的汽车才被找到。写美句型转换He didnt know about it until I told him.Not_until_I_told_him_did_he know about it.(倒装句)It_was_not_until_I_told_him_that he knew about it.(强调句)