Understanding ideas 课文精读 · 黑脉金斑蝶的旅程（The Monarch's Journey）
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Many animals move from one place to another at certain times of the year. This annual movement is called migration. They migrate to find food, seek a partner, or in search of warmer weather. One of the most wonderful migrations in nature is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
许多动物都会在每年的特定时间从一个地方迁移到另一个地方。这种一年一度的行为叫做“迁徙”。它们为了觅食、寻找伴侣或温暖的环境而迁徙。自然界中最壮观的迁徙之一是北美洲黑脉金斑蝶的迁徙。
第2段
Every autumn, millions of these beautiful insects with fine black and orange wings begin a long and difficult journey. Somehow they manage to travel around 4,000 kilometres south and find their way to California or Mexico. However, until recently no one knew how they did this.
每年秋天，数百万这种翅膀橙黑相间的美丽昆虫都会开始漫长而艰辛的旅程。它们总是设法完成大约4000公里的南行之旅，成功到达加利福尼亚或墨西哥。然而，直到最近人们才明白它们是如何做到的。
第3段
A team of scientists led by Professor Eli Shlizerman at the University of Washington has now found the answer. They have found out that the monarch is able to tell the time of day. It uses its eyes to measure the position of the sun. These two pieces of information — the time of day and the point where the sun is in the sky — allow the butterfly to determine the way to go. Eventually, it manages to reach the places where it will spend the winter.
一支由伊莱·史莱泽曼教授领导的来自华盛顿大学的科学家团队现已找到了答案。他们发现，黑脉金斑蝶可以判断时间，并能用眼睛来测量太阳的位置。这两条信息——一天中的时间和太阳在天空中的位置——让黑脉金斑蝶判定前进方向，最终成功抵达过冬的地点。
第4段
The solution to the mystery of the monarch’s amazing ability comes at a time when it is in serious trouble. Its population has crashed by as much as 90 per cent in the last few years. Sadly, human activity is the main reason why the number of monarch butterflies is falling. In many of the places where the butterfly can be found, people are destroying the natural environment. They cut down trees and use chemicals that kill the plants that monarch caterpillars eat.
黑脉金斑蝶这一惊人能力的奥秘被揭晓时，这一生物正处于水深火热的生存状态中。其数量在近几年内减少了百分之九十之多。可悲的是，人类活动是黑脉金斑蝶数量下降的主要原因。在黑脉金斑蝶生存的许多地方，人们正破坏着那里的自然环境。他们砍伐树木，他们所用的化学制剂杀死了黑脉金斑蝶幼虫食用的植物。
第5段
The research on the monarch’s behaviour has however led to a greater awareness of this creature. People have been working together to record its migration and make sure that there are enough plants for it to feed on. If this works, there may come a time when the number of monarch butterflies increases once again. The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance it will survive and keep its place in the natural world for a long time to come.
不过，对黑脉金斑蝶行为的研究也使得人们对这种生物有了更多的认识。人们已经在共同努力，记录它的迁徙，并确保它有足够的食物。如果这些努力产生效果，黑脉金斑蝶的数量在未来有可能会再次回升。我们对这个可爱的生物了解越多，它们在自然界中得以长久生存并保持其地位的可能性就越大。
二、重点单词
annual adj.：每年的；年度的。This annual movement is called migration.
migration n.：迁徙；迁移。One of the most wonderful migrations in nature
migrate v.：迁徙。They migrate to find food.
insect n.：昆虫。millions of these beautiful insects
manage v.：设法做成。Somehow they manage to travel around 4,000 kilometres
measure v.：测量；测定。It uses its eyes to measure the position of the sun
determine v.：确定；判定。allow the butterfly to determine the way to go
eventually adv.：最终；终于。Eventually, it manages to reach the places
mystery n.：奥秘；谜。The solution to the mystery of the monarch’s amazing ability
population n.：（物种）数量；人口。Its population has crashed by as much as 90 per cent
crash v.：暴跌；猛跌。Its population has crashed
chemical n.：化学品；化学制剂。use chemicals that kill the plants
caterpillar n.：毛虫；幼虫。monarch caterpillars eat
awareness n.：意识；认识。led to a greater awareness of this creature
survive v.：生存；存活。the chance it will survive
creature n.：生物；生灵。this lovely creature
三、一词多义与熟词生义
migrate 常见义多用于人“移居、迁移”，课文中指动物季节性“迁徙”，强调自然节律下的群体移动。
fine 常见义为“良好的、细小的”，课文 fine black and orange wings 中指“（色彩）鲜亮精美的、赏心悦目的”，修饰翅膀花纹。
measure 常见义“测量尺寸、措施”，课文 measure the position of the sun 意为“测定（太阳的方位）”，用于生物导航语境。
crash 常见义指“（车辆）撞毁、崩溃”，课文 population has crashed 引申为“（数量）暴跌、骤减”，是形象化表达。
chemical 常见作形容词“化学的”，课文 use chemicals 中转为名词“化学品、化学制剂”。
partner 常见义“伙伴、搭档”，课文 seek a partner 指动物“配偶、伴侣”，用于繁殖语境。
survive 常见义“在灾难中幸存”，课文指物种“延续生存、存续”，搭配 the chance it will survive。
四、重点词块
move from one place to another 从一个地方迁移到另一个地方
at certain times of the year 在每年特定时间
in search of 寻找；寻求
one of the most wonderful migrations 最壮观的迁徙之一
begin a long and difficult journey 开始漫长而艰辛的旅程
manage to travel 设法完成旅程
find one’s way to 设法到达；找到去……的路
tell the time of day 判断一天中的时间
the position of the sun 太阳的位置
determine the way to go 确定前进方向
spend the winter 过冬
in serious trouble 处于严重困境
crash by as much as 90 per cent 暴跌多达百分之九十
the main reason why ... ……的主要原因
cut down trees 砍伐树木
lead to a greater awareness of 引发对……更多的认识
the more ... the greater ... 越……越……
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】One of the most wonderful migrations in nature is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
【主干】One of the most wonderful migrations is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
【分层】in nature 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 migrations；that 为替代词，等于 the migration，避免重复，of the North American monarch butterfly 修饰 that。
【译文】自然界中最壮观的迁徙之一是北美洲黑脉金斑蝶的迁徙。
【考点】“one of + 最高级 + 复数名词”结构；that 替代前文名词；后置定语。
【原句 2】These two pieces of information — the time of day and the point where the sun is in the sky — allow the butterfly to determine the way to go.
【主干】These two pieces of information allow the butterfly to determine the way to go.
【分层】两个破折号之间为同位语，解释 two pieces of information 的具体内容；其中 the point 后接 where 引导的定语从句 where the sun is in the sky；allow sb. to do 为“使某人能做”。
【译文】这两条信息——一天中的时间和太阳在天空中的位置——让黑脉金斑蝶判定前进方向。
【考点】同位语（破折号插入）；where 定语从句；allow sb. to do 结构。
【原句 3】The solution to the mystery of the monarch’s amazing ability comes at a time when it is in serious trouble.
【主干】The solution comes at a time.
【分层】to the mystery ... 与 of the monarch’s amazing ability 为两层介词短语作后置定语修饰 solution；when 引导定语从句修饰 a time，when 在从句中作时间状语。
【译文】黑脉金斑蝶这一惊人能力的奥秘被揭晓时，这一生物正处于水深火热的生存状态中。
【考点】多层介词短语后置定语；when 定语从句（修饰表示时间的先行词）。
【原句 4】They cut down trees and use chemicals that kill the plants that monarch caterpillars eat.
【主干】They cut down trees and use chemicals.
【分层】and 连接 cut down 与 use 两个并列谓语；chemicals 后接 that 引导的定语从句 that kill the plants；该定语从句中又嵌套 that monarch caterpillars eat 这一修饰 plants 的第二层定语从句。
【译文】他们砍伐树木，他们所用的化学制剂杀死了黑脉金斑蝶幼虫食用的植物。
【考点】并列谓语；that 定语从句嵌套 that 定语从句（双层定语）。
【原句 5】The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance it will survive and keep its place in the natural world for a long time to come.
【主干】The more ..., the greater the chance ...
【分层】“the + 比较级 ..., the + 比较级 ...”句型；前句为 the more we know ... 省略系动词的从句；后句 the greater the chance 为倒装，正常语序 the chance is greater；it will survive ... 为省略 that 的定语从句修饰 chance，其中 and 连接 survive 与 keep 两个谓语。
【译文】我们对这个可爱的生物了解越多，它们在自然界中得以长久生存并保持其地位的可能性就越大。
【考点】“the + 比较级，the + 比较级”句型；定语从句；并列谓语。
六、语法点清单
1. 一般现在时叙述客观事实
move, migrate, is called, uses, allow 等一般现在时，是说明文描述自然规律与普遍事实的时态骨架。
2. 现在完成时与现在完成进行时
has now found；has crashed；have been working together。完成时强调对现在的影响，完成进行强调动作持续至今。
3. 定语从句 that / where / why
plants that monarch caterpillars eat；places where it will spend the winter；the reason why the number ... is falling。注意 where / why 在从句中分别作地点、原因状语。
4. 同位语与插入语
These two pieces of information — the time of day and the point where ... — 用破折号引出同位语，对前文名词作具体解释。
5. “the + 比较级 ..., the + 比较级 ...” 句型
The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance ...。表示“越……，越……”，前因后果。
6. 并列结构（谓语 / 不定式 / 主语）
to find food, seek a partner, or in search of warmer weather（并列目的）；cut down trees and use chemicals（并列谓语）；the meaning ... and our longing ...（并列主语，见U4）。本课重点在 and / or 连接的并列成分。
7. there may come a time when ...
there may come a time when the number ... increases once again。there be 的变体，when 引导定语从句修饰 time，表“可能会有……的时刻”。
七、逻辑链
普遍现象（第1段）：动物季节性迁徙普遍 → 黑脉金斑蝶的迁徙最为壮观
↓
迁徙奇观（第2段）：秋日南迁约4000公里至加州/墨西哥，导航之谜长期无解
↓
科学揭秘（第3段）：科学家发现其靠“一天中的时间 + 太阳方位”双信息导航，最终抵达越冬地
↓
生存危机（第4段）：数量暴跌90%，人类活动（毁林、化学品）是主因
↓
保护希望（第5段）：研究提升公众认知，协作保护，了解越多生存希望越大
这是一篇“现象—特征—原理—危机—保护”的说明文：第1—2段引出说明对象并突出其迁徙的壮观与神秘；第3段是核心，解释导航机制；第4段笔锋转向生存威胁；第5段收束于人类的保护行动与乐观展望。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：One of the most wonderful ... in nature is that of ...
课文：One of the most wonderful migrations in nature is that of the North American monarch butterfly.
仿写：One of the most fascinating phenomena in nature is that of the glowing firefly.（自然界中最迷人的现象之一，便是萤火虫的发光。）——用于引出说明对象并强调其非凡。
模板 2：Somehow they manage to ... and find their way to ...
课文：Somehow they manage to travel around 4,000 kilometres south and find their way to California or Mexico.
仿写：Somehow the seeds manage to cross the ocean and find their way to a distant shore.（这些种子不知怎的漂越海洋，抵达遥远的彼岸。）——用于描写生物克服困难的本能。
模板 3：These two pieces of information — ... — allow ... to determine ...
课文：These two pieces of information — the time of day and the point where the sun is in the sky — allow the butterfly to determine the way to go.
仿写：These two clues — the footprint and the broken branch — allow the tracker to determine the animal’s path.（这两处线索——脚印与折断的树枝——让追踪者判明动物的去向。）——用于说明“依据某信息得出结论”。
模板 4：Sadly, ... is the main reason why ...
课文：Sadly, human activity is the main reason why the number of monarch butterflies is falling.
仿写：Sadly, overfishing is the main reason why some ocean species are disappearing.（可悲的是，过度捕捞正是某些海洋物种消失的主因。）——用于揭示问题根源。
模板 5：The more we know about ..., the greater the chance ...
课文：The more we know about this lovely creature, the greater the chance it will survive and keep its place in the natural world.
仿写：The more we learn about our planet, the greater the chance we will protect it for future generations.（我们对地球了解越多，为后代守护它的可能性就越大。）——用于结尾升华“认知带来希望”。
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