Lesson 1 课文精读 · The Sixth Extinction
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
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 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, asteroids 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.
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，期间90%至96%的物种灭亡。6600万年前发生的第五次灭绝导致了恐龙的灭亡。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、海洋氧含量下降和全球变暖。许多科学家认为地球的第六次大灭绝即将来临，这一次，人类活动是主要原因。
第2段
Although it is not unusual for species to die out naturally, 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 causing species to die out 1,000 times faster than normal. 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, including animals and plants.
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1000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。
第3段
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 also 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.
如果发生第六次大灭绝，研究这一问题的科学家认为，地球上多达四分之三的物种可能会灭绝。当然，由于我们人类的生存依赖于如此多的物种，我们也将面临灭绝的危险。我们的世界和我们的生命依赖于自然界中动物与植物之间的平衡。没有森林，我们将没有空气可以呼吸；没有干净的水，我们将无法生存。
第4段
Can a sixth extinction be avoided? Experts 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. 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 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.
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、更自然的能源来改变我们的工作和出行方式，例如风能和太阳能。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，如果想要生存，就需要停止破坏我们生活的星球并开始保护它。
The Black Robin 黑知更鸟（第5段）
Black robins are the birds that humans saved from extinction. In 1980, there were only five black robins left in the world. They all lived on a small island off the coast of New Zealand. Only one of those birds, a female called Old Blue, was able to lay eggs. Wildlife workers began a programme for raising black robin chicks. They protected Old Blue's eggs, helped them to hatch, and took care of the chicks. Thanks to their efforts, there are now more than 250 black robins, and the population is spreading. To help them survive, people are restoring their habitats and removing small animals that hunt them, such as mice and cats from the islands where they live.
黑知更鸟是人类从灭绝危机中拯救出来的鸟类。1980年，世界上只剩下五只黑知更鸟。它们栖息在新西兰海岸附近的一个小岛上，其中只有一只名叫老蓝的雌鸟能够产卵。野生动物工作者开始了一项黑知更鸟繁殖计划。他们保护老蓝的蛋，帮助孵化并照顾幼鸟。由于他们的努力，现在黑知更鸟已超过250只，而且数量还在增加。为了它们的生存，人们正在恢复黑知更鸟的栖息地并移除捕杀它们的小动物，例如岛上的老鼠和猫。
二、重点单词
extinction n.：灭绝，消亡。the sixth mass extinction
species n.：物种（单复同形）。entire species
extinct adj.：灭绝的，绝种的。are now extinct
mass adj.：大规模的，大量的。mass extinction
occur v.：发生，出现。which occurred 66 million years ago
dinosaur n.：恐龙。the death of the dinosaurs
varied adj.：各种各样的，不同的。The reasons are varied
volcanic adj.：火山的。volcanic eruptions
eruption n.：（火山）爆发。volcanic eruptions
asteroid n.：小行星。asteroids hitting the Earth
decrease n./v.：减少，下降。the decrease of the oxygen content
oxygen n.：氧气，氧。the oxygen content
content n.：含量，容量；内容。the oxygen content of the sea
blame v.：归咎，责怪。human activity will be to blame
rate n.：速度，比率。the rate at which ...
pollution n.：污染。air and water pollution
destroy v.：破坏，毁坏。forests being destroyed
overfishing n.：过度捕捞。factory farming and overfishing
negatively adv.：负面地，消极地。negatively affected
affect v.：影响。has negatively affected
issue n.：问题，议题。studied the issue
quarter n.：四分之一。three quarters
survival n.：生存，存活。depend on ... for our survival
balance n.：平衡。the balance in nature
avoid v.：避免。Can a sixth extinction be avoided
expert n.：专家。Experts say that ...
significantly adv.：显著地，极大地。significantly change
endangered adj.：濒危的。endangered species
solar adj.：太阳的，太阳能的。solar energy
source n.：来源，源头。sources of energy
method n.：方法，方式。farming methods
reduce v.：减少，降低。reduce pollution
restore v.：恢复，修复。restoring their habitats
habitat n.：栖息地。restoring their habitats
remove v.：移除，清除。removing small animals
hunt v.：捕猎，猎杀。animals that hunt them
hatch v.：孵化。helped them to hatch
chick n.：雏鸟，幼鸟。raising black robin chicks
female n./adj.：雌性（的）。a female called Old Blue
spread v.：扩散，扩大。the population is spreading
population n.：（物种的）种群数量；人口。the population is spreading
三、一词多义与熟词生义
mass 常见义为名词"团、块；群众"，课文 the third mass extinction 中作形容词，意为"大规模的、大批的"，mass extinction 即"大灭绝"。
varied 常见义为动词 vary 的过去式/过去分词"变化"，课文 The reasons ... are varied 中作形容词，意为"各种各样的、各不相同的"。
content 常见义为"内容"（如 the content of the book）或形容词"满意的"，课文 the oxygen content of the sea 中意为"（所含的）含量、成分"。
blame 常见义为动词"责怪、责备"（blame sb. for sth.），课文 human activity will be to blame 中 be to blame 为固定搭配，意为"应承担责任、是（某事）的成因"，用主动形式表被动意义。
rate 常见义为"比率、费率、价格"，课文 the rate at which this is now happening 中意为"速度、速率"，background extinction rate 即"背景灭绝率"。
issue 常见义为"（杂志的）一期、发行"，课文 scientists who have studied the issue 中意为"议题、问题"，相当于 problem / topic。
quarter 常见义为"一刻钟、季度"，课文 up to three quarters 中意为"四分之一"，three quarters 即"四分之三"。
source 常见义为"来源、出处"，课文 more natural sources of energy 中意为"能源（种类）"，sources of energy 为固定说法。
population 常见义为"人口"，课文 the population is spreading 中指"（某物种的）种群、种群数量"，是生物/环保语境下的专指用法。
lay 常见义为"放置、摆放"，课文 was able to lay eggs 中意为"产（卵）、下（蛋）"，lay eggs 为固定搭配。
spread 常见义为"传播、展开、涂抹"，课文 the population is spreading 中意为"（数量或分布）扩大、扩散开来"。
remove 常见义为"移走、脱下（衣物）"，课文 removing small animals that hunt them 中意为"清除、移除（有害动物）"。
hunt 常见义为"狩猎、搜寻"，课文 animals that hunt them 中意为"捕食、猎杀"，hunter 即"捕食者"。
四、重点词块
wipe out 彻底消灭，摧毁
die out 灭绝，逐渐消失
mass extinction 大灭绝
the Great Dying 大灭亡（第三次大灭绝别称）
volcanic eruptions 火山爆发
sea levels 海平面
global warming 全球变暖
be to blame 应承担责任，是……的成因
the rate at which ... ……的速度
due to 由于，因为
natural causes 自然原因
the background extinction rate 背景灭绝率
1,000 times faster than 比……快一千倍
a long list of 一长串，许多
air and water pollution 空气与水污染
factory farming 工厂化畜牧
overfishing 过度捕捞
negatively affect 对……产生负面影响
up to 多达，至多
depend on 依赖，依靠
at risk of 处于……的危险中
the balance in nature 自然界的平衡
take action 采取行动
significantly change 极大地改变
take steps to do 采取措施做某事
endangered species 濒危物种
set up 建立，设立
special areas 特别保护区
sources of energy 能源
wind and solar energy 风能与太阳能
farming methods 耕作方式
in short 简而言之
save ... from extinction 把……从灭绝中拯救出来
off the coast of 在……海岸附近
lay eggs 产卵
thanks to 多亏，由于
restore habitats 恢复栖息地
remove ... from 从……中移除
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】Extinctions, where entire species are wiped out, are not unusual in our Earth's history.
【主干】Extinctions ... are not unusual ...
【分层】两个逗号之间 where entire species are wiped out 为 where 引导的非限制性定语从句，修饰 Extinctions（where 在此相当于 in which，意为"在这种情况下、在其中"）；主句为"主+系+表"结构，not unusual 为双重否定表肯定，语气比 common 更委婉；in our Earth's history 为介词短语作状语。
【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。
【考点】where 引导的非限制性定语从句；双重否定表肯定。
【原句 2】These include the third mass extinction, known as the "Great Dying", which killed 90% to 96% of all species.
【主干】These include the third mass extinction ... which killed ...
【分层】known as the "Great Dying" 为过去分词短语作后置定语，修饰 the third mass extinction；which 引导非限制性定语从句，其先行词为 the third mass extinction（而非 the Great Dying），从句谓语 killed 后接"百分比 + of + 名词"作宾语。
【译文】这其中包括称为"大灭绝"的第三次灭绝，期间90%至96%的物种灭亡。
【考点】过去分词作后置定语；which 引导非限制性定语从句；百分数表达。
【原句 3】According to scientists, they include volcanic eruptions, asteroids hitting the Earth from space, changes in sea levels, the decrease of the oxygen content of the sea and global warming.
【主干】... they include volcanic eruptions, asteroids ..., changes ..., the decrease ... and global warming.
【分层】According to scientists 为插入性状语；include 后接五个并列的名词（短语）作宾语，分别是 volcanic eruptions、asteroids hitting ...（名词 + 现在分词作后置定语）、changes in sea levels、the decrease of the oxygen content of the sea（多重 of 属格嵌套）、global warming。
【译文】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、海洋氧含量下降和全球变暖。
【考点】并列名词宾语；现在分词作后置定语；of 属格的多层嵌套。
【原句 4】This time, human activity will be to blame.
【主干】... human activity will be to blame.
【分层】be to blame 为固定搭配，意为"应承担责任、是……的成因"，用不定式的主动形式表达被动含义（不可用 be to be blamed）；will 表对将来的推断，意为"将会是（人类活动的责任）"。
【译文】这一次，人类活动是主要原因。
【考点】be to blame 主动形式表被动意义；will 表推断。
【原句 5】Although it is not unusual for species to die out naturally, the rate at which this is now happening is cause for concern.
【主干】... the rate ... is cause for concern.
【分层】Although 引导让步状语从句，其中 it 为形式主语，真正主语是不定式 for species to die out naturally（for + 名词 + 不定式复合结构）；主句主语 the rate 后接 at which 引导的定语从句（介词 at + 关系代词 which，相当于 at the rate），从句中 this 指代"物种灭绝"；cause for concern 意为"令人担忧的原因/事由"。
【译文】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。
【考点】although 让步状语从句；it 作形式主语；介词 + 关系代词（at which）引导定语从句。
【原句 6】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".
【主干】A 2015 study ... looked at how quickly species die out ...
【分层】by scientists 为介词短语作后置定语，who were based at ... 为 who 引导的定语从句修饰 scientists（be based at 意为"任职于、常驻于"）；looked at 后接 how 引导的宾语从句（how quickly 表"多快"）；due to natural causes 作原因状语；that is 为插入语，引出同位语 the "background extinction rate" 解释前文概念。
【译文】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"。
【考点】who 定语从句；how 引导的宾语从句；that is 引出同位语。
【原句 7】They found that human activity is causing species to die out 1,000 times faster than normal.
【主干】They found that human activity is causing species to die out ...
【分层】that 引导宾语从句；cause sb./sth. to do 意为"导致……做某事"；1,000 times faster than 为"倍数 + 比较级 + than"结构，表示"比……快一千倍"；normal 后省略了与前文重复的 rate/speed，完整理解为 faster than (it is) normal。
【译文】他们发现人类活动导致物种灭亡的速度比正常情况快1000倍。
【考点】that 宾语从句；cause ... to do；倍数 + 比较级 + than 结构。
【原句 8】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.
【主干】... scientists ... believe that ... species ... could die out.
【分层】If 引导条件状语从句（真实条件句，主句用情态动词 could 表可能）；主句主语 scientists 后接 who 引导的定语从句；believe 后接 that 宾语从句，从句主语为 up to three quarters of all species（分数 + of + 名词，谓语与 species 一致用复数 could die out）；on Earth 为后置定语。
【译文】如果发生第六次大灭绝，研究这一问题的科学家认为，地球上多达四分之三的物种可能会灭绝。
【考点】if 真实条件句；who 定语从句；that 宾语从句；分数表达与主谓一致。
【原句 9】Without forests, we would have no air to breathe, and without clean water we would be unable to survive.
【主干】... we would have no air ..., and ... we would be unable to survive.
【分层】两个分句均由 "Without + 名词" 引导含蓄虚拟条件（相当于 If there were no forests / If there were no clean water），主句用 would + 动词原形，表与现在事实相反的假设（事实上森林与净水存在）；to breathe 为不定式作后置定语修饰 air；and 连接并列句，be unable to do 意为"无法做"。
【译文】没有森林，我们将没有空气可以呼吸；没有干净的水，我们将无法生存。
【考点】含蓄虚拟语气（Without ... , sb. would do）；不定式作后置定语；并列句。
六、语法点清单
1. where 引导的非限制性定语从句
Extinctions, where entire species are wiped out, are not unusual ... where 在此相当于 in which，指代先行词 Extinctions 所表"情形/过程"，从句起补充说明作用，去掉后主句仍完整。
2. 过去分词短语作后置定语
... known as the "Great Dying" ...；forests being destroyed（现在分词被动式作后置定语）。过去分词表被动、完成，常可改写为定语从句（which is known as ...），使表达更凝练。
3. be to blame 主动形式表被动
human activity will be to blame. be to blame 意为"应受责备、应承担责任"，虽为主动不定式却表被动含义，不能写成 be to be blamed；同类还有 be to let（待租）、be to seek（尚待寻找）。
4. 介词 + 关系代词引导定语从句
the rate at which this is now happening. "介词 + which/whom" 引导定语从句，介词的选择取决于先行词的搭配（at the rate），是正式书面语的高频结构。
5. 倍数 + 比较级 + than 结构
1,000 times faster than normal. 英语倍数表达"倍数 + 比较级 + than"，意为"是……的（N+1）倍/比……快 N 倍"；同类：three times as large as、twice the size of。
6. 含蓄虚拟语气（Without ... , sb. would do）
Without forests, we would have no air to breathe ... 用介词短语 Without ... 代替 if 从句，主句用 would + 动词原形，表与现在事实相反的假设；含蓄条件还可用 but for、otherwise 等表达。
7. if 真实条件句与情态动词
If a sixth mass extinction occurs, ... species ... could die out.（真实条件，could 表可能）；if we want to survive, we need to ...（真实条件，主句用 need）。条件句分真实与虚拟两类，本课两种均出现，需据语境判断。
8. 现在进行时表持续动作与 such as 举例
people are restoring their habitats and removing small animals ... such as mice and cats. 现在进行时表当前正在进行的持续性动作；such as 用于列举同类事物，后接名词（短语），与 for example（后接句子）用法不同。
七、逻辑链
引子·立论（第1段）：灭绝在地球史上并不罕见——90%物种已灭绝；过去5亿年五次大灭绝（第三次"大灭绝"杀96%、第五次灭恐龙）；成因多样（火山、小行星、海平面、含氧量、全球变暖）；如今第六次将至，人类活动是主因（be to blame）
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警讯·数据（第2段）：自然灭绝不罕见，但速率堪忧；2015年研究对照"背景灭绝率"——人类活动使灭绝快1000倍；原因清单（空气与水污染、森林被毁、工厂化畜牧、过度捕捞）
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后果·自危（第3段）：若第六次发生，多达3/4物种消失；人类依赖众多种群，亦在危险中；世界与生命依赖自然平衡；无森林则无空气、无净水则无法生存（虚拟语气强化）
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出路·举措（第4段）：可以避免——现在行动为时不晚；须极大改变生活方式；四项举措：建保护区、用清洁能源（风能与太阳能）、改进耕作、减少污染；收束：停止破坏、开始保护
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例证·希望（The Black Robin）：黑知更鸟——1980年仅剩5只、唯一能产卵的雌鸟"老蓝"，经人工繁育、护卵孵化、照护幼鸟，如今逾250只且数量在增长；恢复栖息地、移除捕食者（鼠、猫）
这是一篇"提出问题—分析问题—解决问题"的环保说明文：第1段以科学史实立论，先说"灭绝本是常态"以退为进，再点出本次不同在于"人祸"；第2段用权威研究与"1000倍"这一触目惊心的数据把问题量化；第3段由物种推及人类自身，用虚拟语气（Without ...）把后果推到极致，完成"唇亡齿寒"的逻辑；第4段转向可操作的四条出路，并用 In short 收束为"停止破坏、开始保护"的行动口号；黑知更鸟一则真实案例收尾，以"从5只到250余只"的实绩证明"行动有效"，为全文的忧思注入希望，也使议论落到可验证的事实上。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：..., where ..., is / are not unusual ...
课文：Extinctions, where entire species are wiped out, are not unusual in our Earth's history.
仿写：Traffic jams, where thousands of cars are stuck for hours, are not unusual in big cities.（交通堵塞，即成千上万辆车被困数小时，在大城市并不罕见。）——用 where 非限制性定语从句给抽象名词下定义，开篇即显笔力。
模板 2：... is causing ... N times faster than normal.
课文：They found that human activity is causing species to die out 1,000 times faster than normal.
仿写：The study found that screens are causing children's eyesight to worsen three times faster than normal.（研究发现，电子屏幕正导致儿童视力以正常情况的三倍速度恶化。）——用"倍数 + 比较级 + than"把问题量化，增强说服力。
模板 3：Without ..., we would have no ... to ...
课文：Without forests, we would have no air to breathe, and without clean water we would be unable to survive.
仿写：Without books, we would have no window to other worlds, and without curiosity we would be unable to grow.（没有书籍，我们将没有通往其他世界的窗；没有好奇心，我们将无法成长。）——用含蓄虚拟语气（Without ...）把后果推到极致，适合议论高潮。
模板 4：Experts say that it is not yet too late, if we take action now.
课文：Experts say that it is not yet too late, if we take action now.
仿写：Teachers say that it is not yet too late to catch up, if we start working hard today.（老师说，如果我们从今天开始努力，赶上来还为时不晚。）——先给希望再设条件，是"呼吁行动"的标准句式。
模板 5：Thanks to their efforts, ...
课文：Thanks to their efforts, there are now more than 250 black robins, and the population is spreading.
仿写：Thanks to their efforts, the once-dirty river is now clear again, and fish are returning to it.（多亏他们的努力，那条曾经污浊的河如今重新清澈，鱼儿也回来了。）——用 thanks to 归因并引出积极结果，适合案例佐证与结尾升华。
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