VOA慢速英语--科学家制作逼真的恐龙模型

AS IT IS 2016-10-09 Scientists Create Realistic Model of Dinosaur¹ 科学家制作逼真的恐龙模型

British scientists have created what they believe is the best three-dimensional model of a dinosaur ever built.

They say the model is almost the exact the length, width and height of a real dinosaur called a Psittacosaurus.

The Psittacosaurus was a plant-eating creature about the size of a large dog.

The model has colors and markings that scientists think the creature had when it lived in what is now northern China about 100 million years ago.

Hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been discovered in the area -- including complete remains² of some creatures.

The British scientists created their model with help from a fossilized remain that had preserved skin pigment³.

Jakob Vinther is with the University of Bristol.

“Getting exceptional preservation⁴ and being able to tell colors in a fossil is really unique. Usually you only get the hard parts preserved, such as bone or shell. But under exceptional circumstances we can be lucky and find soft tissues and also these pigments⁵ preserved.”

The scientists believe the colored markings show that the Psittacosaurus lived in forests with plenty of trees and other plant life. They also believe the dinosaur's markings made it difficult to be seen by other animals who wanted to kill it.

Words in This Story

three-dimensional – adj. having or seeming to have length, width, and depth

fossil – n. something (such as a leaf, skeleton, or footprint) that is from a plant or animal which lived in ancient times and that you can see in some rocks

preserved – adj. kept in good condition over a long period of time

skin – n. the natural outer layer of tissue that covers the body of a person or animal

pigment – n. a natural substance that gives color to animals and plants

circumstances – n. the way something happens; the specific details of an event

pattern – n. a repeated form or design especially that is used to decorate something

1 dinosaur   

n.恐龙

参考例句：

• Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击？
• He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 pigment   

n.天然色素，干粉颜料

参考例句：

• The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls.古罗马人在织物和墙壁上使用天然颜料。
• Who thought he might know what the skin pigment phenomenon meant.他自认为可能知道皮肤色素出现这种现象到底是怎么回事。

4 preservation   

n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持

参考例句：

• The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
• The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。

5 pigments   

n.（粉状）颜料( pigment的名词复数 )；天然色素

参考例句：

• The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls. 古罗马人在织物和墙壁上使用天然颜料。 来自辞典例句
• The original white lead pigments have oxidized and turned black. 最初的白色铅质颜料氧化后变成了黑色。 来自辞典例句