Using Language 课文精读 · 澳大利亚神奇的动物
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Our topic today is "Creatures Unique to Australia", with questions answered by wildlife expert, Dr Jim Smith.
我们今天的话题是"澳大利亚特有的生物"，由野生动物专家吉姆·史密斯博士回答问题。
第2段
Australia has lots of unique animals, but which animal is a symbol of the country?
澳大利亚拥有众多独一无二的动物，但哪种动物才是这个国家的象征呢？
第3段
It has to be the kangaroo, as it has a wide distribution throughout the country. It's a tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment. Also, it cannot walk backwards, so it is always moving forwards. This expresses the strength and resolve of the Australians as individuals and as a nation. Baby kangaroos weigh only two grammes at birth. They then find their way into their mothers pouch—a kind of a pocket—to stay safe and warm. They sleep and drink milk in that temporary, protected environment until they are about seven or eight months old. After this phase, they go out to try their legs. After they learn to jump, they gradually spend less time with their mother and learn to be independent. Kangaroos may look cute, but encounters with them don't always end so well. Kangaroos can hit and kick very hard, so please folks, if you see some kangaroos, remember they're not for petting!
毫无疑问是袋鼠，因为这种动物广泛分布于全国。袋鼠是一种强壮的动物，生存于恶劣的环境中。此外，它不会倒退行走，所以总是勇往直前。这表达了澳大利亚人作为个体和民族的力量与决心。袋鼠宝宝出生时只有两克重。然后，它们会钻进母亲的育儿袋——一种口袋——以保持安全和温暖。它们在这个临时、受保护的环境中睡觉和吃奶，直到七八个月大。在这个阶段之后，它们会出去试试腿力。学会跳跃之后，它们与母亲相处的时间就会逐步减少，学会独立。袋鼠可能看起来十分可爱，但与它们邂逅的结局并不总是那么美好。袋鼠的踢打相当有力，所以大家要小心，如果你们看到袋鼠，要记住它们不是用来爱抚的！
第4段
Koalas are cute, and we see so many pictures of people holding them. But in many places in Australia, it is against the law to even touch them. Can you clarify that?
考拉非常可爱，我们可以看到很多人抱着它们的照片。但是在澳大利亚的许多地方，即便碰一下它们都是违法的。你能说明一下这点吗？
第5段
They are really quite cute, but the truth is, koalas are very sensitive creatures who can easily panic because of even small changes in their environment. They spend quite a lot of time eating, sleeping, and hanging onto tree trunks, so interaction with humans can cause them a lot of stress. Because of this, the government began to make laws against touching koalas, in the interest of animal protection, as well as public safety. So, if you see one in the wild, you shouldn't approach it to pick it up or even touch it. If you want to hold a koala, you have to go to certain licensed zoos where animal experts make sure that the koalas selected for each session are in a good state for human contact and that they are handled for only a limited time and on a limited frequency of occasions.
考拉确实十分可爱，但事实是，考拉是非常敏感的动物，即便只是环境中的微小变化都会让它们惊慌失措。它们大部分时间都在吃东西、睡觉和挂在树干上，所以与人类互动会给它们带来极大的压力。因此，政府开始立法禁止触摸考拉，也是出于对保护动物和公共安全的考虑。所以，如果你在野外看到一只考拉，你不要靠近它去把它抱起来或即便是去触摸它。如果你想要抱一抱考拉，你必须去那些获得正式许可的动物园，在那里动物专家会确保为每场互动而选出的考拉状态良好，可以与人接触，而且只在有限的时间内，以有限的次数与人互动。
第6段
So, we've talked about some cute animals. What about animals which aren't so cute?
我们已经谈了一些可爱的动物，那么，不太可爱的动物呢？
第7段
My favourite is a little creature called the Tasmanian devil. If you are out camping in Tasmania and come across one, the experience might scare you! Tasmanian devils hunt at night, so you won't usually see them, but you may hear their loud cries when they are fighting or eating. The noise they make could wake the dead. Frightening! They are about the size of small dogs and look like rather large black rats. They also have a terrible smell! Their diet is mostly dead animals. Fortunately, despite their name, they are generally not violent towards people.
我最喜欢的是一种被称为塔斯马尼亚恶魔的小动物。如果你在塔斯马尼亚野外露营时遇到一只，那经历可能会吓到你！塔斯马尼亚恶魔在夜间捕食，所以你通常不会看到它们，然而当它们打架或者吃东西时，你会听到它们震耳的嚎叫声。它们发出来的噪音能把死人叫醒。十分恐怖！它们个头跟狗差不多，看起来像只大黑鼠。它们身上还有一股难闻的气味！它们的食物主要是动物的尸体。幸运的是，尽管它们名为"恶魔"，但是它们基本上对人类没有攻击性。
第8段
Australia also has some animals that many people have never heard of, for example, the duck-billed platypus. Is that some kind of bird?
澳大利亚还有一些许多人从未听说过的动物，例如鸭嘴兽。那是某种鸟吗？
第9段
Not at all. While it may lay eggs in a nest like a bird, it's really a primitive mammal, with a unique biology. Its eggs hatch after about ten days, and then the baby platypus nurses from its mother like all other mammals. Its nose looks like a duck's bill and it has feet like a duck's so it can dive under the water, but it's covered in hair. Do you know what's really strange about a platypus? The platypus doesn't use its senses of sight or smell to find food. It has a capacity to find food in the water by using electrical sensors in its bill. There are only a small handful of animals in the world that can do that!
完全不是。虽然鸭嘴兽可以像鸟一样在巢中产卵，但它实际上是一种原始的哺乳动物，具有罕见的生物特性。它的蛋大约十天后孵化出来，然后新生鸭嘴兽像其他所有哺乳动物一样由母亲哺乳。它的鼻子看起来像鸭嘴，脚也跟鸭子的一样，所以它可以潜到水下，但它浑身都是毛。你知道鸭嘴兽真正奇怪的地方是什么吗？鸭嘴兽并非用视觉或嗅觉来觅食。它拥有一种能用嘴里的电传感器在水中找到食物的能力。世界上具备这一能力的动物屈指可数！
二、重点单词
unique adj.：独特的；特有的。Creatures Unique to Australia
expert n.：专家。wildlife expert, Dr Jim Smith
distribution n.：分布。it has a wide distribution throughout the country
tough adj.：强壮的；坚韧的；艰难的。It's a tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment
survive v.：生存；幸存。survive in a difficult environment
backwards adv.：向后；倒退。it cannot walk backwards
resolve n.：决心；坚定。the strength and resolve of the Australians
birth n.：出生。Baby kangaroos weigh only two grammes at birth
pouch n.：育儿袋；小袋。their mothers pouch—a kind of a pocket
temporary adj.：临时的；暂时的。in that temporary, protected environment
phase n.：阶段。After this phase, they go out to try their legs
independent adj.：独立的。learn to be independent
encounter n. / v.：相遇；邂逅。encounters with them don't always end so well
sensitive adj.：敏感的。koalas are very sensitive creatures
panic v.：惊慌；受惊。who can easily panic because of small changes
interaction n.：互动；相互作用。interaction with humans can cause them stress
clarify v.：澄清；说明。Can you clarify that?
licensed adj.：获得许可的；有执照的。certain licensed zoos
frequency n.：频率；次数。on a limited frequency of occasions
creature n.：生物；动物。a little creature called the Tasmanian devil
hunt v.：狩猎；捕食。Tasmanian devils hunt at night
diet n.：日常饮食；食物。Their diet is mostly dead animals
violent adj.：暴力的；有攻击性的。they are generally not violent towards people
primitive adj.：原始的。it's really a primitive mammal
mammal n.：哺乳动物。like all other mammals
hatch v.：孵化。Its eggs hatch after about ten days
nurse v.：哺乳。the baby platypus nurses from its mother
sensor n.：传感器。by using electrical sensors in its bill
capacity n.：能力。It has a capacity to find food in the water
三、一词多义与熟词生义
unique 常见义"独一无二的、独特的"，课文 Creatures Unique to Australia 中特指"（某一地区）特有的"生物，强调地域专属性。
tough 常见义多形容人"坚强的"或处境"艰难的"，课文 a tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment 指动物"强壮的、能吃苦耐劳的"。
resolve 常见义为动词"解决、决心（v.）"，课文 the strength and resolve 中作名词"决心、坚定"，与 strength 并列。
encounter 常见义多含贬义"遭遇（冲突、危险）"，课文 encounters with them 指中性的"遇见、邂逅（动物）"。
nurse 常见义为名词"护士"，课文 nurses from its mother 中作动词"哺乳"，是动物类说明文中的专用义。
panic 常见义为名词"恐慌"，课文 can easily panic 中作动词"受惊、惊慌"，主语为动物。
四、重点词块
unique to 某地特有的
a wide distribution 广泛分布
survive in a difficult environment 在恶劣环境中生存
walk backwards 倒退行走
move forwards 勇往直前；向前
at birth 出生时
find one's way into 钻进；进入
a kind of 一种
after this phase 这一阶段之后
try one's legs 试试腿力（学步）
learn to be independent 学会独立
against the law 违法的
in the interest of 出于……的利益
approach sb / sth 靠近；接近
pick up 抱起；捡起
on a limited frequency of occasions 以有限的次数
come across 偶然遇到；碰见
wake the dead 把死人叫醒（夸张说法）
despite one's name 尽管名字叫……
lay eggs 下蛋；产卵
nurse from 由……哺乳
a capacity to do 做……的能力
a small handful of 屈指可数的；少量的
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】It has to be the kangaroo, as it has a wide distribution throughout the country.
【主干】It has to be the kangaroo.
【分层】as 引导原因状语从句，解释"必然是袋鼠"的理由；has a wide distribution 为主谓宾结构，throughout the country 为介词短语作范围状语。
【译文】毫无疑问是袋鼠，因为这种动物广泛分布于全国。
【考点】as 引导原因状语从句；主谓结构 have a distribution。
【原句 2】They then find their way into their mothers pouch—a kind of a pocket—to stay safe and warm.
【主干】They find their way into their mothers pouch.
【分层】a kind of a pocket 为同位语，解释 pouch；to stay safe and warm 为不定式作目的状语，说明钻进育儿袋的目的。
【译文】然后，它们会钻进母亲的育儿袋——一种口袋——以保持安全和温暖。
【考点】同位语；不定式作目的状语。
【原句 3】The truth is, koalas are very sensitive creatures who can easily panic because of even small changes in their environment.
【主干】koalas are very sensitive creatures.
【分层】The truth is 后接省略 that 的表语从句；creatures 后接 who 引导的定语从句；because of even small changes 为介词短语作原因状语，in their environment 修饰 changes。
【译文】事实是，考拉是非常敏感的动物，即便只是环境中的微小变化都会让它们惊慌失措。
【考点】表语从句；who 定语从句；because of 原因状语。
【原句 4】If you want to hold a koala, you have to go to certain licensed zoos where animal experts make sure that the koalas selected for each session are in a good state for human contact and that they are handled for only a limited time and on a limited frequency of occasions.
【主干】If you want to hold a koala, you have to go to certain licensed zoos.
【分层】If 引导条件状语从句；where 引导定语从句修饰 zoos；make sure 后接两个由 and 连接的 that 宾语从句（并列宾语）；selected for each session 为过去分词作后置定语修饰 koalas。
【译文】如果你想要抱一抱考拉，你必须去那些获得正式许可的动物园，在那里动物专家会确保为每场互动而选出的考拉状态良好，可以与人接触，而且只在有限的时间内，以有限的次数与人互动。
【考点】条件状语从句；where 定语从句；并列 that 宾语从句；过去分词作定语。
【原句 5】While it may lay eggs in a nest like a bird, it's really a primitive mammal, with a unique biology.
【主干】it's really a primitive mammal.
【分层】While 引导让步状语从句（"虽然"），与主句构成转折；in a nest / like a bird 分别为地点与方式状语；with a unique biology 为 with 复合结构作伴随/补充说明。
【译文】虽然鸭嘴兽可以像鸟一样在巢中产卵，但它实际上是一种原始的哺乳动物，具有罕见的生物特性。
【考点】while 引导让步状语从句；with 复合结构作补充。
【原句 6】It has a capacity to find food in the water by using electrical sensors in its bill.
【主干】It has a capacity.
【分层】to find food 为不定式作后置定语修饰 capacity；in the water 为地点状语；by using electrical sensors 为 by + 动名词作方式状语，in its bill 修饰 sensors。
【译文】它拥有一种能用嘴里的电传感器在水中找到食物的能力。
【考点】不定式作后置定语；by + doing 方式状语。
六、语法点清单
1. 定语从句（who / which / where）
who can easily panic（修饰 creatures）；animals which aren't so cute（修饰 animals）；licensed zoos where animal experts ...（where 作地点状语，修饰 zoos）。注意 where 在定语从句中作状语。
2. 让步状语从句（While / despite）
While it may lay eggs ... it's really a primitive mammal；despite their name, they are generally not violent。while 表"虽然"，despite 为介词表"尽管"。
3. 原因状语从句（as / because of）
as it has a wide distribution；because of even small changes in their environment。as 引导从句，because of 后接名词短语。
4. 并列宾语从句（make sure that ... and that ...）
make sure that ... are in a good state ... and that they are handled ...。两个 that 宾语从句由 and 连接，that 不省略更清晰。
5. 非谓语动词（不定式 / 动名词 / 过去分词）
to stay safe（目的）；by using electrical sensors（方式）；selected for each session / called the Tasmanian devil（过去分词作定语）。
6. 情态动词与建议语气
has to be / have to go / can easily panic / you shouldn't approach。用 have to 表客观必须，can 表能力，shouldn't 表劝诫。
七、逻辑链
开场（第1段）：话题——澳大利亚特有生物，专家吉姆·史密斯博士答疑
↓
象征动物（第2—3段）：哪种是国象征？→ 袋鼠（分布广、不后退、育儿袋、学独立）→ 提醒"不可爱抚"
↓
可爱但敏感（第4—5段）：考拉为何受法律保护 → 敏感易惊 → 仅限许可动物园接触
↓
不可爱者（第6—7段）：塔斯马尼亚恶魔（夜行、厉叫、气味、不伤人）
↓
冷门者（第8—9段）：鸭嘴兽（卵生哺乳动物、电感应觅食）→ 世界罕见
这是一篇"问答 / 访谈"体科普文：第1段设定话题与受访者；第2—9段以"可爱→不可爱→冷门"为线索逐一介绍四种动物，每种都遵循"特征 + 趣闻 + 提示"的小结构；第3、5、7、9段结尾各带一句面向读者的提醒或升华，互动感强。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：It has to be ..., as ...
课文：It has to be the kangaroo, as it has a wide distribution throughout the country.
仿写：It has to be the panda, as it is found almost only in China.（毫无疑问是大熊猫，因为它几乎只产于中国。）——先下判断，再用 as 补原因。
模板 2：... is a tough animal that has to survive in ...
课文：It's a tough animal that has to survive in a difficult environment.
仿写：The camel is a tough animal that has to survive in the desert.（骆驼是一种能在沙漠中生存的强壮动物。）——that 定语从句描述特征。
模板 3：Can you clarify that?
课文：But in many places it is against the law to even touch them. Can you clarify that?
仿写：The rule says phones are not allowed in class. Can you clarify that?（规定说课堂上不许用手机，你能说明一下吗？）——访谈中自然追问。
模板 4：in the interest of ..., as well as ...
课文：the government began to make laws ..., in the interest of animal protection, as well as public safety.
仿写：We planted more trees, in the interest of the environment, as well as our own health.（我们种了更多树，既为环境，也为我们自身的健康。）——并列目的。
模板 5：While it may ... like ..., it's really ...
课文：While it may lay eggs in a nest like a bird, it's really a primitive mammal.
仿写：While it may look like a plant, it's really a kind of animal.（虽然它看起来像植物，其实是一种动物。）——while 让步对比，破除误解。
模板 6：There are only a small handful of ... that can do that!
课文：There are only a small handful of animals in the world that can do that!
仿写：There are only a small handful of birds that can sing like this!（世界上能这样歌唱的鸟屈指可数！）——强调稀有，收尾有力。
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