英语听力：自然百科 北极熊 冰上间谍 Spy_Bear—4

 But polar bear courtship is never straightforward¹. She likes to play hard-to-get. It's also a challenge for blizzardcam. 

 

She's testing his fitness, making sure he is a good catch. He skills on the slopes show room for improvement. And now, the female invents a new challenge--a climbing contest. Her huge claws act like crampons. Being lighter² and nimbler, she has the advantage. Males can be twice as heavy reaching three quarters of a ton.

 

She's after a mate that's playful and energetic, one with strong genes³. But his chances are slipping away. She tested his performance and pushed him too far. Meanwhile, the mother with one cub⁴ is still sticking to higher ground. But deep snow is a real struggle for her little cub. She encourages him with reassuring⁵ calls.

1 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

2 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

3 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

4 cub   

n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人

参考例句：

• The lion cub's mother was hunting for what she needs. 这只幼师的母亲正在捕猎。
• The cub licked the milk from its mother's breast. 这头幼兽吸吮着它妈妈的奶水。

5 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。