常春藤解析英语【73】Mysterious, Magical Moldavite神秘

Mysterious, Magical Moldavite　神秘的魔法石－捷克陨石

by Luke Dodds

This little-known and "otherworldly" stone is full of beauty and mystery.
这种鲜为人知的石头来自『另一个世界』，美丽且神秘。

With its strangewrinkled surface, glassy moldavite (捷克陨石) looks like a man-made prop¹ for a science fiction movie. However, the stone occurs naturally and is found scattered³ across central Europe, from the Czech Republic to Austria to southern Germany. With colors ranging from olive green to brown, moldavite is a rare type of stone called tektite (玻陨石), the origins of _(1)_ are still uncertain. Two main theories have been _(2)_ for their origins. Both place it in outer space.

Amonggeologists , the generally-accepted theory of tektite's origins is as _(3)_. Throughout history, the earth has been struck by countless⁶ meteorites⁸ that slam into the crust with tremendous speed and pressure. Not quite 15 million years ago, _(4)_ meteorite⁷, enormous in size, smashed into the earth in central Europe. The _(5)_ heat of the impact instantly liquefied the surrounding rocks, and molten rocks were flung high into the atmosphere. The molten materials cooled and hardened rapidly as they fell back to earth, producing moldavite. There are three other tektite fields on earth, and _(6)_ they were all produced by different meteorite impacts.

Another theory, which is less popular, places tektite's origins on the moon. Some scientists have noted⁹ similarities between tektite and rocks that exist below the surface of the moon. Some of these rocks reach the surface of the moon through volcanic¹⁰ processes. The theory states that our planet's tektite was actually blasted into space by an enormous moon volcano _(7)_.To end on an even more mysterious note: gem¹¹ enthusiasts¹² claim the stone's cosmic origins grant it magical powers.

1. (A) it 　(B) which 　(C) that (D) what
2. (A) defined 　(B) prescribed　(C) derived¹⁴ (D) proposed
3. (A) follows 　(B) follow 　(C) following (D) followed
4. (A) such one 　(B) a one such　(C) one such (D) one such a
5. (A) tense 　(B) intense 　(C) intensive (D) extensive
6. (A) in contrast(B) for instance(C) in theory (D) by chance
7. (A) eruption¹⁵ 　(B) erosion 　　(C) invasion (D) injection

原来如此

1. With colors ranging from olive green to brown, moldavite is a rare type of stone called tektite, the origins ofwhich are still uncertain.
理由:
a. 空格前为有主词（moldavite）及述部（is a rare type of stone called tektite）的完整句构，可知空格应置入关系代名词，以引导形容词子句修饰其前的名词 tektite。
b. 代名词 it 置入后，会造成两个句子没有连接词连接的状况，故 (A) 不可选。
c. which 为关系代名词，置入后可用来代替 tektite，作其前介词 of 的受词，亦可作形容词子句中的主词，符合用法，故选 (B)。
d. that 可等于 which，作关系代名词引导形容词子句，但其前不可有介词，而空格前有 of，故 (C) 不可选。
e. what 为复合关系代名词，即等于 the thing(s) which，故其前不可再有先行词（名词），而空格前有先行词 tektite，因此 (D) 不可选。

2. Two main theories have beenproposed for their origin. Both place it in outer space.
理由:
a. (A) define vt. 为……下定义
(B) prescribe vt. 开药方
(C) derive¹³ vt. 使源自于（与介词 from 并用）
be derived from...　　源自于……
例: Her name is derived from the Egyptian word for beauty.
（她的名字源自于埃及文，意思是『美丽』。）
(D) propose vt. 提议，提出
例: The manager proposed various changes for improvement at the office meeting.
（经理在公司会议上提出各种改进的意见。）
b. 根据语意，可知应选 (D)。

3. Among geologists⁵, the generally-accepted theory of tektite's origins is as follows.
理由:
a. 本空格测试下列固定用法：
as follows　 如下所述
例: The events will be held as follows.
（我们将举行以下活动。）
b. 根据上述，可知应选 (A)。

4. Not quite 15 million years ago,one such meteorite, enormous in size, smashed into the earth in central Europe.
理由:
本空格在测试 such 的用法：
a. such 可视为形容词，表『如此的』，须与名词并用。与单数可数名词并用时，要置于不定冠词（a/an）前。
例: She is such an attractive woman that every man dreams of dating her.
（她是如此迷人的女性，每个男人都想和她约会。）
b. such 与单数可数名词并用，且其前有 one 或 no 时，one/no 之前及 such 之后均不可再加冠词，否则将造成冠词重复。
例: There is one such a stone in Canada. (╳)
→ There is one such stone in Canada. (○)
（加拿大有这样的石头。）
c. 空格后有单数可数名词 meteorite（陨石），故根据上述，(C) one such 应为正选；无 "such one" 的用法，故 (A) 不可选。(B) a one such 与 (D) one such a 加了冠词，故均不可选。

5. Theintense heat of the impact instantly liquefied the surrounding rocks, and molten rock was flung high into the atmosphere.
理由:
a. (A)tense a. 紧张的；绷紧的
例: The salesman leads a tense life.
（该业务员生活过得很紧张。）
(B)intense a. 强烈的，极度的
intense heat　　酷热
例: Hitler was known for his intense hatred¹⁶ of minorities.
（希特勒以他强烈仇视少数族群而闻名。）
(C)intensive a. 密集的
intensive course　　密集课程
intensive training　　密集训练
例: Sam obtained his driver's license¹⁷ after taking an intensive course.
（山姆上完密集课程后拿到了驾照。）
(D)extensive a. 广泛的
例: I did some extensive research on computers before buying one.
(在买计算机前，我先对计算机做了些广泛的研究。）
b. 根据语意及用法，可知应选 (B)。

6. There are three other tektite fields on earth, andin theory they were all produced by different meteorite impacts.
理由:
a. (A)in contrast　　相较之下，对比地
例: Mary is beautiful. In contrast, her sister isn't very attractive.
（玛莉很漂亮，相对之下，她姊姊就不那么迷人。）
(B) for instance　　例如
= for example
(C)in theory　　理论上
in practice　　实际上
= in reality
例: The proposal sounds all right in theory, but it doesn't work at all in practice.
（这项提议理论上听起来还不错，但实际上完全行不通。）
(D) by chance　　偶然地
= by accident
= accidentally adv.
例: By chance, David heard his favorite song on the radio.
（戴维无意间在收音机里听到他最爱的那首歌。）
b. 根据语意，可知应选 (C)。

7. The theory states that our planet's tektite was actually blasted into space by an enormous moon volcano eruption.　
理由:
a. (A) eruption n.（火山）爆发
(B) erosion n. 腐蚀
(C)invasion n. 侵略
(D)injection n. 注射
b. 空格前有名词 volcano（火山），故根据语意，可知应选 (A)。

精解字词词组

1. scatter² vt. 散布 & vi. 散开
例: When I dropped the bowl, grapes scattered everywhere.
（我打翻碗时，葡萄散落各处。）

2. range from A to B　　（范围）从……到……都有
例: Bicycle prices can range from US$20 to US$5,000.
（脚踏车从 20 元美金到 5,000 元美金都有。）

3. slam vi. 猛力关闭
slam into...　　猛力撞上……
slam on the brakes　　猛踩煞车，紧急煞车
例: I slammed into a wall when I wasn't looking.
（我没注意看，所以撞上一面墙。）
例: Sarah slammed on the brakes when she saw the dog.
（莎拉看到狗狗时紧急煞车。）

4. smash vi. 猛撞 & vt. 重击，粉碎
smash into...　　撞上……
例: The truck smashed into a tree.
（那辆卡车撞到了一棵树。）
例: I'm so angry I want to smash a window.
（我好生气，气到想击碎窗户。）

5.impact n. 冲击，撞击
on impact　　在冲击时，在碰撞时
例: The car burst into flames on impact.
（那辆车因冲撞而起火燃烧。）

6. note vt. 注意到 & n. 笔记
jot¹⁸ down notes　　做笔记
= take down notes
= write down notes
take note of...　　注意到……
例: You tell me what happened and I'll jot down notes.
（你告诉我发生了什么事，我来做笔记。）
例: You should take note of his behavior. He is a little bit weird¹⁹ today.
（你要多注意他的行为。他今天有点怪怪的。）

7. grant vt. 给予
例: I grant you the permission to have three wishes.
（我准许你许三个愿望。）

单字小铺

1. moldavite　n. 捷克陨石
2. wrinkled　a. 有皱折的；有皱纹的
wrinkle　n. 皱折；皱纹
3. glassy　a. 玻璃似的，光亮透明的
4. prop　n. 道具
5. olive green　n. 橄榄绿
6. tektite n. 玻陨石
7. origin n. 起源，由来
8. geologist⁴ n. 地质学家
9. meteorite n. 陨石，陨星
10. crust n. 地壳
11. tremendous a. 巨大的
12. enormous a. 巨大的
13. liquefy vt. 使液化
14. surrounding a. 周围的
15. molten a. 溶化的
16. fling vt. 投，掷 （三态为：fling, flung , flung。）
17. harden vi. 变硬
18. similarity n. 相似处
19. volcanic a. 火山的
20. blast vi. 炸开
21. volcano n. 火山
22. cosmic a. 宇宙的

中文翻译

玻璃状的捷克陨石有着皱巴巴的奇特表面，看起来就像科幻电影里的人工道具。不过，这种石头是自然形成的，散布在中欧一带，范围从捷克、奥地利一直到德国南部。捷克陨石的颜色从橄榄绿到棕色都有，是一种十分罕见的玻陨石。其来源尚不明确，不过主要有两套理论曾被提出，而且都认为它是外层空间的产物。

关于玻陨石的起源，地质学家普遍接受的理论如下。综观历史，地球曾被无数陨石撞击过，它们以高速和高压撞上地壳。约 1,500 万年前，有这样一颗巨大陨石撞上欧洲中部的地表。冲击的强烈高温立刻使周围的岩石液化，而熔化的岩石被高高抛到大气层。熔化的物质掉回到地球时，很快地冷却变硬，捷克陨石因而诞生。地球上另有三处玻陨石产地，理论上都是因为不同的陨石冲击而产生的。

另一个理论较少人支持，认为玻陨石来自月球。有些科学家注意到，玻陨石和月球表面下的岩石极为相似。它们有些经由火山运动露出月球表面。这套理论认为，由于某次月球上的火山爆发，被炸到外层空间的岩石落到地球，因而产生了玻陨石。

以一个更神秘的批注来做总结吧。宝石迷们声称由于这种石头来自太空，因而赋予了它神秘的力量。

标准答案: 1. (B)　2. (D)　3. (A)　4.　(C) 5. (B)　6. (C)　7. (A)
 

1 prop   

vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山

参考例句：

• A worker put a prop against the wall of the tunnel to keep it from falling.一名工人用东西支撑住隧道壁好使它不会倒塌。
• The government does not intend to prop up declining industries.政府无意扶持不景气的企业。

2 scatter   

vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散

参考例句：

• You pile everything up and scatter things around.你把东西乱堆乱放。
• Small villages scatter at the foot of the mountain.村庄零零落落地散布在山脚下。

3 scattered   

adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的

参考例句：

• Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。

4 geologist   

n.地质学家

参考例句：

• The geologist found many uncovered fossils in the valley.在那山谷里，地质学家发现了许多裸露的化石。
• He was a geologist,rated by his cronies as the best in the business.他是一位地质学家，被他的老朋友们看做是这门行当中最好的一位。

5 geologists   

地质学家，地质学者( geologist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Geologists uncovered the hidden riches. 地质学家发现了地下的宝藏。
• Geologists study the structure of the rocks. 地质学家研究岩石结构。

6 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

7 meteorite   

n.陨石；流星

参考例句：

• The meteorite in Jilin Exhibition Hall is believed to be the largest in the world.吉林展览馆的陨石被认为是世界上最大的。
• The famous Murchison meteorite smashed into the Australian ground in 1969.1969年著名的默奇森陨石轰然坠落在澳大利亚。

8 meteorites   

n.陨星( meteorite的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Small meteorites have left impact craters all over the planet's surface. 这个行星的表面布满了小块陨石留下的撞击坑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One theory about the existence of extraterrestrial life rests on the presence of carbon compounds in meteorites. 地球外存在生命的理论是基于陨星上存在碳化合物质这一事实的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

10 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

11 gem   

n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel

参考例句：

• The gem is beyond my pocket.这颗宝石我可买不起。
• The little gem is worth two thousand dollars.这块小宝石价值两千美元。

12 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册

13 derive   

v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自

参考例句：

• We derive our sustenance from the land.我们从土地获取食物。
• We shall derive much benefit from reading good novels.我们将从优秀小说中获得很大好处。

14 derived   

vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 eruption   

n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作

参考例句：

• The temple was destroyed in the violent eruption of 1470 BC.庙宇在公元前1470年猛烈的火山爆发中摧毁了。
• The eruption of a volcano is spontaneous.火山的爆发是自发的。

16 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

17 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

18 jot   

n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下

参考例句：

• I'll jot down their address before I forget it.我得赶快把他们的地址写下来，免得忘了。
• There is not a jot of evidence to say it does them any good.没有丝毫的证据显示这对他们有任何好处。

19 weird   

adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的

参考例句：

• From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来，他好像有点怪。
• His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。