Developing ideas 课文精读 · B计划
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
In the 1960s and 1970s, the greatest fear was that the human race, and possibly all advanced life forms on the planet, could be wiped out by nuclear missiles, just at the push of a button. Today, however, environmental problems have taken over as the greatest risk to life on Earth. Scientists are thinking of ways to lower this risk, such as replacing coal and oil with forms of renewable energy. But they are also preparing for the worst: what can we do if the terrifying scenes in films such as The Day After Tomorrow happen in real life? What is our Plan B for Earth?
在20世纪60、70年代，最大的恐惧是，只需按下一个按钮，人类——甚至可能是地球上所有的高级生命体——就可能被核导弹彻底毁灭。然而今天，环境问题已经取代它，成为地球生命面临的最大威胁。科学家们正在思考降低这一风险的方法，例如用各种可再生能源替代煤炭和石油。但他们也在做最坏的打算：如果《后天》等电影中的恐怖场景发生在现实生活中，我们该怎么办？对地球，我们的B计划是什么？
第2段
One option is to explore other planets to see if we could live on them. The most likely choice is Mars, which is relatively close to Earth and has an environment less hostile than that of other planets. Mars has fascinated people since ancient times, and today our interest in Martian exploration is greater than ever before. Films such as The Martian enjoy worldwide popularity. More governments and organisations are making efforts to educate the public on the Red Planet, for example, the Mars Desert Research Station in the Utah desert of the US and the Mars Village in North-west China's Qinghai Province.
一种选择是探索其他星球，看看我们能否在上面生活。最有可能的选择是火星，它离地球相对较近，环境也不像其他行星那样恶劣。火星自古以来就吸引着人们，而今天我们探索火星的兴趣比以往任何时候都更浓厚。像《火星救援》这样的电影在全世界都很受欢迎。越来越多的政府和组织正在努力向公众普及"红色星球"的相关知识，例如美国犹他州沙漠中的火星沙漠研究站和中国西北青海省的火星村。
第3段
Since the 1960s, we have been sending unmanned spacecraft to Mars. Our probes have orbited the planet, sending back valuable data and stunning images. Our robots have explored the Martian surface, testing the soil and searching for resources, water and signs of life. Encouraged by discoveries over the years, space agencies of various countries are planning manned missions to Mars that could take place within the next 25 years.
自20世纪60年代以来，我们一直在向火星发射无人飞船。我们的探测器已经绕火星轨道运行，并发回了宝贵的数据和令人惊叹的图像。我们的机器人已经探索了火星表面，测试土壤并寻找资源、水和生命的迹象。受多年来这些发现的鼓舞，各国航天机构正计划在未来25年内实施载人火星任务。
第4段
There is no doubt that humankind is drawn towards Mars, with dreams of making it our second home. However, sending people there will require all the skill, courage and intelligence of the human race. While the moon can be reached within days, it would take months to reach Mars, travelling through dangerous solar radiation. And even if the first settlers do reach Mars safely, they may not be able to return to Earth — ever. Staying alive will be a daily challenge, but as proved by the Biosphere 2 experiment, not impossible. As early as the 1980s, scientists were building Biosphere 2 in the Arizona desert. It consisted of a closed space in which people, animals and plants could live together. The "closed" concept meant that the space was designed to function with its own oxygen, food and water, needing nothing from the outside world. Although the two-year experiment was not a success, it did provide us with a better understanding of how humans might be able to live on another planet. More recently, scientists have succeeded in growing a variety of plants in an environment similar to that on Mars. That definitely is a big step forward.
毫无疑问，人类被火星所吸引，梦想着把它作为我们的第二家园。然而，把人类送上火星需要人类全部的技能、勇气和智慧。到达月球只需几天时间，而到达火星却需要数月，其间还要穿越危险的太阳辐射。而且即使第一批开拓者安全抵达火星，他们也可能永远无法返回地球。活着将成为每天的挑战，但正如"生物圈2号"实验所证明的，这也并非不可能。早在20世纪80年代，科学家们就在亚利桑那州的沙漠中建造"生物圈2号"。它由一个封闭空间构成，人、动物和植物可以在其中共同生活。"封闭"的概念意味着该空间被设计成依靠自身的氧气、食物和水运转，不需要外界的任何东西。尽管为期两年的实验并不成功，但它确实让我们更好地了解了人类可能如何到另一个星球上生活。最近，科学家们又成功在类似火星的环境中种植了多种植物。这无疑是向前迈出的一大步。
第5段
For now, human settlement of Mars is still decades away. In the meantime, scientific research shows that the planet Earth is getting warmer. This change is being caused by human activity and is having a terrible effect on the biosphere. Until we are finally able to live on another planet, we need to take much better care of our own. Right now, it's the only one we have!
到目前为止，人类在火星上定居仍需要几十年的时间。与此同时，科学研究表明地球正在变暖。这种变化是由人类活动造成的，并且正在对生物圈产生严重的影响。在我们最终能够到另一个星球上生活之前，我们需要更好地照顾我们自己的星球。此时此刻，它是我们唯一拥有的家园！
二、重点单词
advanced adj.：高级的；先进的。all advanced life forms on the planet
wipe out v.：彻底毁灭；消灭。could be wiped out by nuclear missiles
renewable adj.：可再生的。replacing coal and oil with forms of renewable energy
terrifying adj.：可怕的；令人恐惧的。the terrifying scenes in films
hostile adj.：恶劣的；敌对的；不友好的。an environment less hostile than that of other planets
fascinate v.：深深吸引；使着迷。Mars has fascinated people since ancient times
exploration n.：探索；勘探。our interest in Martian exploration
unmanned adj.：无人的；无人驾驶的。unmanned spacecraft to Mars
probe n.：探测器；太空探测器。Our probes have orbited the planet
orbit v.：绕轨道运行 n.：轨道。have orbited the planet
stunning adj.：极美的；令人惊叹的。valuable data and stunning images
agency n.：机构；（政府的）专门机构。space agencies of various countries
manned adj.：载人的；有人操纵的。planning manned missions to Mars
radiation n.：辐射。travelling through dangerous solar radiation
settler n.：移民；开拓者。the first settlers do reach Mars safely
biosphere n.：生物圈。is having a terrible effect on the biosphere
settlement n.：定居；移民。human settlement of Mars is still decades away
intelligence n.：智力；智慧；情报。all the skill, courage and intelligence of the human race
三、一词多义与熟词生义
take over 常见义为"接管、接任（公司、职务）"，课文 environmental problems have taken over as the greatest risk 中指"取代、占据（主导地位）"，后接 as 说明取代后的身份。
push 常见义"推、推动（动词）"，课文 at the push of a button 中作名词，表示"一按（按钮）"，是极言核战争一触即发的固定说法。
draw 常见义"画、拉、拖"，课文 humankind is drawn towards Mars 用被动形式表示"被……吸引"，draw 在这里是"吸引"义，与 attract 同义。
probe 作动词常见"盘问、探究"，课文中 our probes 是名词，指"（无人）探测器"，属航天语境下的专有用法。
orbit 常见作名词"轨道"，课文 have orbited the planet 中转为动词"绕……的轨道运行"，类似的还有 orbit the earth。
hostile 常见义"怀有敌意的（对人）"，课文 an environment less hostile 转指环境"恶劣的、不宜生存的"，是拟人化表达。
forward 常见义"向前（方向）"，a big step forward 中抽象化为"一大进步"，与 a step backward 相对。
四、重点词块
at the push of a button 一按按钮（就……）
take over as 取代……而成为
prepare for the worst 做最坏的打算
replace A with B 用B替代A
think of ways to do 想方设法做某事
be close to 接近；靠近
be hostile to 对……怀有敌意；对……不利
make efforts to do 努力做某事
send back 发回；送回
search for 寻找；搜寻
be encouraged by 受……鼓舞
there is no doubt that 毫无疑问
be drawn towards 被……吸引
consist of 由……组成
have an effect on 对……产生影响
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】In the 1960s and 1970s, the greatest fear was that the human race, and possibly all advanced life forms on the planet, could be wiped out by nuclear missiles, just at the push of a button.
【主干】the greatest fear was that ...（that 引导表语从句）。
【分层】In the 1960s and 1970s 为时间状语；表语从句的主语是 the human race，and possibly all advanced life forms on the planet 是插入的同位性并列成分，对主语作补充；could be wiped out 为含情态动词的被动语态；just at the push of a button 为方式状语，强调"轻而易举"。
【译文】在20世纪60、70年代，最大的恐惧是，只需按下一个按钮，人类——甚至可能是地球上所有的高级生命体——就可能被核导弹彻底毁灭。
【考点】that 表语从句；并列成分插入；情态动词被动语态。
【原句 2】One option is to explore other planets to see if we could live on them.
【主干】One option is to explore other planets.
【分层】主语 One option，系动词 is 后接不定式 to explore 作表语；to see ... 为不定式作目的状语；see 后接 if 引导的宾语从句，if 在此表"是否"，相当于 whether。
【译文】一种选择是探索其他星球，看看我们能否在上面生活。
【考点】不定式作表语；不定式作目的状语；if 引导宾语从句表"是否"。
【原句 3】The most likely choice is Mars, which is relatively close to Earth and has an environment less hostile than that of other planets.
【主干】The most likely choice is Mars.
【分层】which 引导非限制性定语从句修饰 Mars，从句内 is ... and has ... 为并列谓语；less hostile than that of other planets 为比较结构，that 替代前面的 an environment，避免重复。
【译文】最有可能的选择是火星，它离地球相对较近，环境也不像其他行星那样恶劣。
【考点】which 非限制性定语从句；并列谓语；比较级中 that 的替代用法。
【原句 4】Encouraged by discoveries over the years, space agencies of various countries are planning manned missions to Mars that could take place within the next 25 years.
【主干】space agencies are planning manned missions.
【分层】Encouraged by ... 为过去分词短语作原因状语，其逻辑主语是主句主语 space agencies，故用被动含义的过去分词；of various countries 作后置定语；that could take place ... 为定语从句修饰 missions。
【译文】受多年来这些发现的鼓舞，各国航天机构正计划在未来25年内实施载人火星任务。
【考点】过去分词作状语；定语从句；被动含义的分词选择。
【原句 5】While the moon can be reached within days, it would take months to reach Mars, travelling through dangerous solar radiation.
【主干】it would take months to reach Mars.
【分层】While 引导让步/对比状语从句，意为"尽管、而"，与主句形成对比；主句用 it takes + 时间 + to do 句型，it 为形式主语；travelling through ... 为现在分词作伴随状语，说明旅途中的情形。
【译文】到达月球只需几天时间，而到达火星却需要数月，其间还要穿越危险的太阳辐射。
【考点】while 表对比；it takes time to do 句型；现在分词伴随状语。
【原句 6】Although the two-year experiment was not a success, it did provide us with a better understanding of how humans might be able to live on another planet.
【主干】it did provide us with a better understanding.
【分层】Although 引导让步状语从句；主句用助动词 did 加强语气，强调"确实做到了"；provide sb. with sth. 为固定搭配；of how ... 中介词 of 后接 how 引导的宾语从句，说明 understanding 的内容。
【译文】尽管为期两年的实验并不成功，但它确实让我们更好地了解了人类可能如何到另一个星球上生活。
【考点】although 让步从句；do 表强调；provide sb. with sth.；介词后接 how 从句。
六、语法点清单
1. 表语从句（that / how）
the greatest fear was that the human race could be wiped out；That definitely is a big step forward 中的表语为名词短语。注意 that 在表语从句中不作成分、只起连接作用，且一般不省略。
2. 定语从句（which / that / in which）
Mars, which is relatively close to Earth（非限制性，指物）；manned missions to Mars that could take place ...（限制性，修饰 missions）；a closed space in which people, animals and plants could live together（"介词+which"引导）。
3. 过去分词作状语
Encouraged by discoveries over the years, space agencies ...。分词逻辑主语与主句主语一致，且与主语为被动关系，故用过去分词；可还原为 Because they were encouraged by ...。
4. 现在分词作伴随/结果状语
sending back valuable data and stunning images；testing the soil and searching for ...；travelling through dangerous solar radiation。分词动作与主句谓语同时发生，表伴随或自然结果。
5. 让步与对比状语从句（while / even if / although）
While the moon can be reached within days ...（对比）；even if the first settlers do reach Mars safely ...（让步，用 do 强调）；Although the two-year experiment was not a success ...（让步）。
6. 现在完成进行时（have been doing）
Since the 1960s, we have been sending unmanned spacecraft to Mars。since 引出起点，强调动作从过去持续至今且仍将继续，常与 recently、over the years 等连用。
7. 被动语态与情态动词的被动
could be wiped out by nuclear missiles；the moon can be reached within days；This change is being caused by human activity（现在进行时被动）。说明主语是动作承受者，施动者由 by 引出。
七、逻辑链
提出问题（第1段）：冷战时代的恐惧是核战争 → 今天最大的威胁变成环境问题 → 追问"地球的B计划是什么"
↓
给出方案（第2段）：B计划＝移民其他星球，首选火星（距离近、环境相对不恶劣、关注度高）
↓
现实进展（第3段）：无人飞船、探测器、火星车已积累数据 → 各国计划25年内实现载人登陆
↓
揭示困难（第4段）：旅途漫长、辐射危险、可能一去不返 → 但"生物圈2号"与火星环境种植实验证明并非不可能
↓
回归现实（第5段）：火星定居仍需数十年 → 地球正在变暖 → 结论：先照顾好唯一的地球
这是一篇"提出问题—设想方案—列举证据—指出困难—回归现实"的科普议论文：第1段用今昔对比制造悬念，抛出 Plan B 之问；第2—3段正面论证火星的可行性与已取得的进展；第4段用 However 转折，客观呈现风险，又以实验为例保留希望；第5段以 For now、Until 收束，把话题拉回地球环保，形成"欲扬先抑、落脚当下"的闭环。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：In the ..., the greatest fear was that ... Today, however, ... have taken over as the greatest risk to ...
课文：In the 1960s and 1970s, the greatest fear was that the human race could be wiped out by nuclear missiles. Today, however, environmental problems have taken over as the greatest risk to life on Earth.
仿写：In the past, the greatest fear was that machines would take our jobs. Today, however, AI has taken over as the greatest challenge to the job market.（过去人们最怕机器抢走工作，而今天人工智能已成为就业市场最大的挑战。）——用于今昔对比引出话题。
模板 2：One option is to ... to see if ...
课文：One option is to explore other planets to see if we could live on them.
仿写：One option is to build floating cities to see if people could live on the sea.（一种选择是建造漂浮城市，看看人们能否在海上生活。）——用于提出设想的解决方案。
模板 3：The most likely choice is ..., which is ... and has ... than that of ...
课文：The most likely choice is Mars, which is relatively close to Earth and has an environment less hostile than that of other planets.
仿写：The most likely choice is Chengdu, which is close to the mountains and has a climate milder than that of most northern cities.（最可能的选择是成都，它靠近山区，气候比北方多数城市温和。）——用于推荐并给出理由。
模板 4：Encouraged by ..., ... are planning ... that could ...
课文：Encouraged by discoveries over the years, space agencies of various countries are planning manned missions to Mars that could take place within the next 25 years.
仿写：Encouraged by the early results, our team is planning a larger experiment that could take place within the next two years.（受初步结果鼓舞，我们团队正筹划一项两年内可开展的大规模实验。）——用于说明进展与规划。
模板 5：Although ..., it did provide us with a better understanding of how ...
课文：Although the two-year experiment was not a success, it did provide us with a better understanding of how humans might be able to live on another planet.
仿写：Although the first attempt was not a success, it did provide us with a better understanding of how the system fails under pressure.（尽管首次尝试并不成功，但它确实让我们更清楚地了解了系统在压力下如何失效。）——用于客观评价失败的价值。
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