常春藤生活英语【147】Naked Science 6 科学新发现

Naked Science 6 科学新发现

It is said that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but there are more to these precious gems than their bling quality. Diamonds are four times harder than any other mineral found on Earth. Therefore, they are the hardest material on the planet. They conduct heat and even electricity. They are able to cut through metal and are nearly impossible to destroy. However, diamonds are not as everlasting as most people believe, but what if they could be?

In National Geographic Channel's "Naked Science 6: Super Diamonds," scientists from around the world reveal the secrets of diamonds. They also explain how they are working on creating a super diamond. The super diamond would be stronger than any natural diamond and could be produced in any shape or size. Better yet, a super diamond could even be made to top the Hope Diamond. Valued at 250 million dollars, the Hope Diamond is the world's largest and most perfect natural diamond. In NGC's "Super Diamonds", you will get to see if scientists can really outdo Mother Nature and create a super hard, super valuable, and super sparkling super diamond.

据说钻石是女孩最好的朋友，但这种珍贵宝石所蕴含的不光是只有其闪耀的特质。钻石的硬度是地球上任何其它矿物的四倍。也因此它们是这个星球上最坚硬的物体。钻石可以导热，甚至能导电。它们可以切割金属，也几乎无法摧毁。然而钻石并不像大家所认为的这般恒久远，但如果它们真能这样又如何呢？

本月份在国家地理频道的《科学新发现６：超级钻石》当中，来自全球各地的科学家将揭露钻石的秘密。他们还会解释他们如何致力于制造一种超级钻石。这种超级钻石将会比任何天然钻石都还要坚硬，并可塑造成各种形状及尺寸。更棒的是，科学家甚至可以制作出一颗比希望之钻还要完美的超级钻石。希望之钻价值两亿五千万美元，是世界上最大也最完美的天然钻石。在本月国家地理频道的《科学新发现６：超级钻石》中，您将得以发现科学家们是否真能超越大自然，创造出一颗超级坚硬、超级贵重、超级耀眼夺目的超级钻石。 
 
Building Your Vocabulary  

1. precious　a. 珍贵的，宝贵的
Ida captured the precious moment on video.
埃达用摄影机捕捉了这珍贵的一刻。
2. everlasting　a. 永久的，永恒的
Parents' love for their children is everlasting.
父母对孩子们的爱是永恒不变的。
3. top　vt. 优于，超过
Our profits have topped $1 billion this year.
我们今年的利润超过十亿元。
4. outdo　vt. 胜过，超越；比……更成功（三态为：outdo, outdid, outdone。）
Will outdid all of his classmates in Math.
威尔的数学比他班上的同学都还强。
5. valuable　a. 值钱的；有价值的
Time is valuable, so you shouldn't waste it.
时间很宝贵，所以你不该虚掷光阴。
6. sparkling　a. 发光的，闪亮的
I was blinded by the sparkling snow.
洁白光耀的雪刺得我睁不开眼。 
 
Phrases for Learning  
 
1. work on + 动名词∕名词　　致力于……
The director is working on his new film.
那位导演正致力于拍摄他的新片。
2. be valued at...　　价值……
Bob's gold watch is valued at $50,000.
鲍伯的金表价值五万块。 

参考字词  

1. gem　n. 宝石；宝玉
2. bling　a. 金光闪闪的；珠光宝气的（亦常写为 bling bling）
3. mineral　n. 矿物
4. conduct　vt. 传导（热、电等）
5. Mother Nature　n. 大自然 

Tips In Use  

...there are more to these precious gems than their bling quality.
（……这种珍贵宝石所蕴含的不光是只有其闪耀的特质。）
there is more to + 名词∕动名词 + than...某物∕某事不光是只有……
There is more to learning English than memorizing words.
（学英文不光是只有背单字而已。）
此类的句型尚有一经典句构：
there is more to + 名词∕动名词 + than meets the eye　　某物∕某事不光是表面看起来那么单纯
There is more to politics than meets the eye.
（政治不光是表面看起来那么简单，里头大有文章。） 

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