Reading Actively
1.When spring is in the air, everyone looks forward to seeing the beautiful and eye-pleasing flowers and plants. 春季来临,人人都盼望着见到那些漂亮、养眼的花花草草。
in the air that is going to happen very soon 即将来临
Change is in the air. 变革即将到来。
The final exam is in the air. 马上就要期末考试了。
【拓展】“即将来临”还可以使用如下表达:
Winter is almost upon us. 冬天就快来临。
Christmas is drawing near. 圣诞节就快到了。
With winter approaching, many animals are storing food.
冬天快到了,很多动物都在储存食物。
With Christmas coming up, few people have much money to spare.
随着圣诞节的临近,有大笔闲钱的人不多了。
When Thanksgiving Day is around the corner, stores and supermarkets are busy with people.
感恩节要到时,商店和超市都挤满了人。
look forward to to be excited and pleased about sth. that is going to happen 期待；盼望
I am looking forward to your prompt reply. 期待你的尽快回复。
I am really looking forward to meeting you again. 我很期待再次遇见你。
【注意】look forward to 短语中的to 是介词,后面接名词或-ing 分词。 类似的短语有:
The event gave rise to （led to； brought about) the start of the First World War.
这件事导致了“一战”的爆发。
I am accustomed to （am used to) getting up early in the morning. 我习惯早上早起。
He is devoted to （is dedicated to) writing the novel. 他致力于写小说。
We should attach great importance to （stress； emphasise) the students’ metal health.
我们应该重视学生的心理健康。
Working out in the gym on a regular basis contributes to （is beneficial to) good health.
有规律地在健身房锻炼有利于身体健康。
It’s hard for me to adapt to （adjust to) the new environment. Could you please give me some tips?
我很难适应新的环境。 你能否给我一点建议呢?
2.The following flowers and plants might not be so eye-pleasing, but are certainly eye-catching, since they all look like some objects. 以下的花草植物或许没那么悦目,但是肯定抢眼,因为它们全都看起来像某些东西。
might
1)model verb: used to say that sth. may happen or may be true 也许；大概（情态动词,表示推测)
The traffic is heavy these days. I might arrive a bit late, so could you save me a place?
最近交通拥堵,我也许会迟到一点点。 你可不可以帮我留一个位置?
2)如果表示对过去的推测,则要用might have done 的形式。
He might have missed the meeting yesterday. 他也许错过了昨天的会议。
Peter might have been hurt seriously in the car accident last week.
皮特可能在上周的车祸中受了重伤。
since conj. used to give the reason for sth. 因为；由于；既然
Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.
既然你不能回答这个问题,也许我们可以问下其他同学。
Since everyone is here, let’s get started. 既然大家都到了,我们就开始吧。
3.Moreover, it is one of the most difficult plants to grow. 而且,它也是最难种植的植物之一。
moreover adv. used to introduce information that adds to or supports what has been said 此外；而且
The rent is reasonable and, moreover （besides； plus), the location is perfect.
租金合理,而且位置也非常好。
Bicycling is good exercise； moreover （additionally), it doesn’t pollute the air.
骑自行车是一种很好的锻炼,而且还不会污染空气。
【拓展】表示递进还可以使用如下表达:
What’s more, music can help people calm down from pressure and tension.
而且,音乐还能帮助人们从压力和紧张中镇定下来。
Furthermore, my fluent spoken English will help me communicate better with others.
而且我流利的英语口语有助于我跟别人更好地交流。
In addition to the delicious food, what is equally well-known about Chongqing is its rich history and picturesque scenery. 除了美味的食物,重庆同样出名的还有它丰富的历史和如画的美景。
4.Fortunately, strict protection policies have been established to protect it since 1917 when this endangered plant was once declared extinct in England. 幸运的是,至1917 年起,英国政府就颁布了严格的保护政策来保护这一曾经面临灭绝的濒危植物。
endanger vt. to put sb. or sth. in danger 危及；危害
That one mistake may endanger the future of the company （put the future of the company in danger).
那一个失误就可能会危及公司的未来。
The sea turtle is an endangered species. （It may soon no longer exist.)
海龟是一种濒临灭绝的物种。
【注意】endanger 中的en 既可以用作前缀,也可以用作后缀,表示“使……怎样”的意思。 更多例子(https://www.daowen.com)
如下:
The software enables you （makes it possible for you) to access the Internet in seconds.
这种软件使你在几秒钟内便可访问互联网。
Reading a lot of literary classics helps enlarge your vocabulary （make your vocabulary larger).
大量阅读文学经典有助于扩大你的词汇量。
Participating in a wide range of after-school activities enriches my life （makes my life richer).
参加广泛的课外活动可以充实我的生活。
Our friendship has steadily strengthened （been made stronger) over the years.
我们的友谊逐年不断加深。
Injury problem could shorten his career （make his career shorter).
受伤的问题有可能缩短他的职业生涯。
Travelling broadens our horizons （makes our horizons broader). 旅行让我们的眼界更开阔。
declare vt. /vi. to say sth. officially or publicly 宣布；申报
The government declared a state of emergency. 政府宣布进入紧急状态。
Do you have anything to declare （tell the customs officers that you are carrying goods on which you should pay tax)? 你有没有要申报的东西?
5.Due to the cutting down of trees, these unique and rare plants have become endangered.
由于树木的过度采伐,这些独特、稀有的植物已濒临灭绝。
due to because of sth. 因为
She has been absent from school due to （because of) illnesses. 她因病没去上学。
His success was due largely to his efforts. （He owes his success to his efforts.)
他的成功很大程度上归功于他的努力。
【拓展】表示“原因”还可使用如下表达:
Because of the heavy rain, we had to put off the football match.
因为大雨,我们不得不推迟比赛。
On account of the heavy traffic, he was late for the meeting. 因为交通堵塞,他开会迟到了。
Thanks to the teacher’s encouragement, she became more confident.
幸亏老师的鼓励,她变得更自信了。
Owing to his determination and efforts, he made it. 因为他的决心和努力,他成功了。
cut down 砍倒（树木)；减少使用
Deserts are created because people cut down trees and dig up grass.
沙漠的形成是因为人们伐树掘草。
My uncle hasn’t been able to quit smoking, but at least he has cut down （decreased/reduced).
我的叔叔还没有戒烟,但是至少减量了。
6.This plant bears a bright red flower which is similar to the lips of a woman with red lipstick.烈焰红唇有鲜艳的红色花瓣,就像女士涂了口红的红唇。
bear vt. /vi. 承受；带有；记住
The pain was almost more than he could bear （stand； put up with).
这种痛苦几乎令他无法忍受。
The title of the essay bore little relation to （was not much connected with) the contents.
这篇文章的题目和内容很不相符。
Bear in mind （Keep in mind； Remember) everything comes with a price and there is no such thing as a free lunch. 记住,任何事情都是有代价的,世界上没有免费的午餐。
be similar to to be like sb. or sth. but not exactly the same； to resemble sb. or sth.与……相似
His ideas are quite similar to mine. 他的想法和我的很相似。
She is similar to her sister in characters （resemble her sister in characters).
她和她妹妹在性格上很相似。
7.All the plants mentioned above are rare, so you can consider yourself lucky if you actually witness one.
以上提及的各种植物都十分罕见,所以你要是能见到其中一种就很幸运了。
【注意】 mentioned above 是动词短语后置做定语修饰plants。 因为修饰的名词是“植物”,属于被动关系,所以用-ed 分词。 如果被修饰的名词和修饰的动词是主动关系,则用-ing 分词做后置定语。
例如:
Have you read the novel written by Dickens? 你读过狄更斯的小说吗?
The boy sitting by the window is Tom. 坐在窗边的男孩是汤姆。
I want to write about people addicted to drugs. 我想写写吸毒成瘾的人。
witness vt. /n. 目击,目睹；目击者
She was shocked by the violent scenes she had witnessed （seen).
她被亲眼所见的残暴场面惊到了。
The city has witnessed （experienced) tremendous changes during the last few years.
过去几年,这个城市发生了巨大的改变。
Police have appealed for witnesses （people who saw the accident happen) to the accident.
警察呼吁这起事故的目击者出来作证。