常春藤生活英语【115】Giant Pandas 大熊猫

Giant Pandas 大熊猫

National Geographic Channel follows a team of filmmakers as they search for giant pandas in the heart of China. The team goes high into the misty Qinling Mountains in order to understand more about the giant pandas' complex lives. These rare animals were once found all over China, but now there are only small numbers of them scattered across the central region. This fact, the harsh weather conditions, and the rough terrain are all challenges the team must face to make "Giant Pandas."

Pandas live in places over 1,500 meters high, and it is around this altitude that the team finds its first clue—panda droppings. Ninety-nine percent of a panda's diet is bamboo, but they can't digest it well. Therefore, they must spend up to 16 hours a day eating roughly 18 kilograms of it. This would be like a human eating 40 loaves of bread each day!

After 10 days, the team climbs to 3,000 meters and finally finds panda activity. They catch a glimpse of a rare sight—pandas gathering together in the wild. Usually pandas live alone unless it is a female taking care of her cub.

国家地理频道跟随一组制片人员，一同进入中国内地寻找大熊猫。小组人员登上浓雾深锁的秦岭，以便进一步了解大熊猫复杂的生活型态。这些罕见的动物曾一度在中国遍处可寻，如今却只零星分布在中部地区。此一事实，以及严酷的气候条件和崎岖的地势，都是摄影小组在拍摄《大熊猫》时所必须面临的挑战。

熊猫栖息在高度为一千五百公尺以上的高山里，而小组成员正是在这个高度左右发现熊猫踪迹的第一条线索－－熊猫粪便。熊猫的饮食中有百分之九十九都是竹子，不过牠们却无法妥善地消化这种食物。因此牠们一天得花长达十六个小时吃下大约十八公斤的竹子。这相当于一个人每天要吃下四十条面包！

十天之后，摄影小组登上三千公尺的高度，并终于发现熊猫活动的身影。他们瞥见到难得的一幕－－熊猫在野地中群聚在一起。通常熊猫会离群索居，除非是母熊猫要照顾牠的宝宝。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.scattered　a. 分散的，稀疏的
The books are scattered around his room.
他的房间里到处散落着书本。
2.harsh　a. 严峻的，恶劣的
The living conditions in this area are harsh.
这个地区的生活条件十分恶劣。
3.clue　n. 线索；提示
Give me some clues, and I will be able to guess the answer to your riddle.
给我一些提示，我就能猜出你谜语的答案来。
4.diet　n. 日常饮食
Rice is a main part of an Asian's diet.
米饭是亚洲人日常饮食中最主要的一环。
5.digest　vt. 消化
A cup of tea will help you digest your food.
喝一杯茶有助你消化食物。
6.unless　conj. 除非，如果不
Unless you work hard, you won't succeed.
如果你不努力工作，就不会成功。

Phrases for Learning

1. up to...　　多达∕高达……
This bus can carry up to 70 people.
这辆巴士能搭载多达七十人。
2. catch a glimpse of...　　一瞥……
I was lucky to catch a glimpse of my idol.
我幸运地瞧见了我的偶像。

Extra Words

1. panda　n. 熊猫（本文中亦作形容词用）
2. misty　a. 多雾的
3. terrain　n. 地形，地势
4. droppings　n.（恒为复数，鸟兽的）粪便
5. loaf　n.（面包的）一条

Tips In Use

Therefore, they must spend up to 16 hours a day...
（因此牠们一天得花长达十六个小时……）
1. 本句中的"up to..."表『多达∕高达……』。
Up to 40,000 people took part in this event.
（多达四万人参与了这项活动。）
2. "be up to..."则表『做……（秘密的事或坏事）』。
I wonder what Gary is up to now.
（真不知道盖瑞现在又在干什么勾当。）
3. "be up to..."亦表『胜任∕有资格做……』。
Kai's boss thinks he is up to the task.
（阿凯的老板认为他能胜任这项任务。）
4. "be up to + 人"又表『由某人作主』。
What we do this Sunday is up to you.
（我们这个星期天要做什么由你来决定。）

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