【英语趣味课堂】动物园-Zoos

Jake: Hey, Lindsay, would you like to go with me to the zoo this Saturday?

Lindsay: The zoo.

 

Jake: Yeah, it's gonna be lot's of fun. We're going to see lions and tigers and bears.

 

Lindsay: Oh, my? Actually, I don't really like the zoo.

 

Jake: Why not. I thought everyone liked the zoo.

 

Lindsay: I don't think it's natural for the animals to be in a cage.

 

Jake: Yeah, I can see your point but on the other hand, zoos often rescue the animals in the wild that couldn't survive on their own, and I hear that zoos often take very good care of the animals and they have an even longer life expectancy¹ than they would have in the wild.

 

Lindsay: Yeah, I agree with you. I think the animals do live longer in the zoo, but my problem is more the fact that it's just not natural. For example, I once saw a polar² bear in California³. A polar bear should not be in a warm climate. It should be in a cold climate where there's snow.

 

Jake: OK, you got me there.

 

Lindsay: Yes, I think I did. But I understand your point that zoos could be good, especially for the animals and the fact that they rescue the animals. I mean, that's nice. But, I think that you know, animals should die in the wild.

 

Jake: Well, I think it's better that they're alive so that people can enjoy them.

 

Lindsay: So you think the purpose of animals is for them to be enjoyed?

 

Jake: No, no, but it's really interesting for us to be able to learn about the animals and see them in person instead of just on TV.

 

Lindsay: I guess I agree with you, but I don't know, I don't really think the purpose of the animals are for our pleasure. I think animals should be out in the wild living freely⁴.

 

Jake: OK, are you opposed⁵ to circuses too?

 

Lindsay: Oh, absolutely. I think they're very cruel to animals. Animals should not be there performing and living in close quarters and not being able to move around freely.

 

Jake: Well, I can see your point but I still think zoos and circuses are a lot of fun and I like to go to them a lot.

 

Lindsay: OK, I guess we'll just have to disagree a lot of this one. Have fun at the zoo Jake.

1 expectancy   

n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额

参考例句：

• Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。
• The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。

2 polar   

adj.两极的，极地的，南辕北辙的，南极的，北极的，极性的；n.极线，极面

参考例句：

• It's very cold in the polar regions.南北极地带是很寒冷的。
• Love and hatred are polar feelings.爱与恨是完全相反的感情。

3 California   

n.加利福尼亚(美国)

参考例句：

• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
• We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。

4 freely   

adv.自由地，随便地，无拘无束地

参考例句：

• She was unable to keep back her tears,and wept freely.她抑制不住泪水，痛痛快快地哭了起来。
• A liquid flows freely and has no fixed shape.液体能自由流动，无固定形态。

5 opposed   

vt.和…起冲突；和敌军起冲突；反抗，抗拒；相对：放在某事物对面以对比或平衡vi.对抗，对立adj.强烈反对某事物的；（表示对比）而，相对于；相反的；敌对的

参考例句：

• The development was bitterly opposed by the local community. 这一开发项目遭到了当地社区的愤怒抵制。
• We hold diametrically opposed views. 我们的观点大相径庭。