英语大赢家 下册 192.Scene 8.Topic 4能源和环境危机 Fuel and Environment Crisis

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Human beings have always used the resources of the Earth of their own development. The environment was changed for the use of man rather than changing our own nature to fit the environment. This past action has now caused us serious problems as vast numbers of people are struggling to further the development of their own societies despite the harm that it may do. Two major problems are developing which feed off each other and combine to create other problems. The first is that developed and developing nations need fuel in order to operate and continue their standard of living. The fuel is rapidly dwindling¹ and may in the future run out unless alternative sources are found. The second is that the use of these fuels, particularly coal and petroleum², are dangerous to the environment. They create a huge amount of pollution. If scientists are to be believed, this can have an adverse³ reaction on the planet's weather. It may even cause a global warming effect, which would raise the sea level, killing⁴ millions of people. The solutions to these problems are complex and will require efforts made by the international community. This is not just a national responsibility, as individuals and local communities must come up with solutions. We must either solve the problem or limit their effects.

 

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人类一直利用地球上的资源来发展自身。环境因人的使用而改变，而人类并没有改变自己来适应环境。随着数目庞大的人群都在努力进一步发展自己的社会，却不顾这可能产生的害处，过去的这种行为现在已经给我们带来了严重的问题。其中的两个主要问题相辅相成，并且可能结合起来产生其他问题。第一个问题是，发达国家和发展中国家都需要燃料来运作并维持它们的生活水平。但燃料急剧减少，如果找不到替代能源，燃料将来就可能耗竭。第二个问题是这些燃料的利用，尤其是煤和石油，对环境是有害的。它们造成了大量的污染。如果科学家是可信的，燃料的使用就可能给地球的天气造成不利的影响，甚至可能导致全球温室效应，使海平面升高，成千上万的人将会因此丧命。这些问题的解决方案很复杂，需要国际社会的努力。这不仅仅是国家的责任，个人和地方组织也必须找出解决的方案。我们必须解决问题，或是消减其影响。

 

Grammar语法小结——条件状语从句

 

引导条件状语从句最常用的连词是if, 表示在某种条件下某事可能发生，例如：

 

If you ask him, he will help you. 如果你请他帮忙，他就会帮你。

 

If you fail in the exam, you will let him down.

 

如果你考试不及格，你就会让他失望的。

 

另外，if 引导的从句还表示不可实现的条件或根本不可能存在的条件，也就是一种虚拟的条件或假设，此时从句多用一般过去时或过去完成时，例如：

 

If I were you, I would invite him to the party. 如果我是你，我就会邀请他参加聚会。

 

If I were you, I would let him go. 如果我是你，我就让他走。

 

除了if可以引导条件状语从句外，unless, on condition(that)…等也可以引导条件状语从句，例如：

 

Unless it rains, the game will be played. 除非下雨，比赛将照常进行。

 

I can tell you the truth on condition that you promise to keep a secret.

 

我可以告诉你真相，条件是你承诺会保守秘密。

1 dwindling   

adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The number of wild animals on the earth is dwindling. 地球上野生动物的数量正日渐减少。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He is struggling to come to terms with his dwindling authority. 他正努力适应自己权力被削弱这一局面。 来自辞典例句

2 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

3 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。