【高级英语】unit4-zoology-student-version.docx

Unit Four ZoologyUnit Four Zoology 1. What can you do?1.1 Background informationTerms Definitions Zoology Ice AgeDomestication1.2 Word Expansion1.2.1 Word familyn.v.adj. adv.cautious possessacquirepresencepresentdomestic 1.2.2 Derivative roots Derivatives port formcessquire2. Lets readThe Domestication of AnimalsThe domestication of wild species led directly to denser human populations by yielding more food than the hunter-gatherer lifestyle could provide. In societies that possessed domestic animals, livestock helped to feed more people by providing meat, milk and fertilizer, and by pulling plows. Large domestic animals became the societies main source of animal protein, replacing wild game, and they also furnished wool, leather, and land transport. Humans have domesticated only a few species of large animals, with “large” defined as those weighing over 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Fourteen such species were domesticated before the twentieth century, all of them terrestrial mammals and herbivores. The five most import of these are sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and cattle or oxen.Small animals such as ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs, cats, mink, bees, and silkworms have also been domesticated. Many of these small animals provided food, clothing, or warmth. However, none of them pulled plows or wagons, none carried riders, and none except dogs pulled sleds. Furthermore, no small domestic animals have been as important for food as have large domestic animals. Early herding societies quickly domesticated all large mammal species that were suitable for domestication. There is archaeological evidence that these species were domesticated between 10,000 and 4,500 years ago, within the first few thousand years of the origins of farming-herding societies after the last Ice Age. The continent of Eurasia has been the primary site of large mammal domestication. Having the most species of wild mammals to begin with, and losing the fewest to extinction in the last 40,000 years, Eurasia has generated the most candidates for domestication.Domestication involves transforming wild animals into something more useful to humans. Truly domesticated animals differ in many ways from their wild ancestors. These differences result from two processes: human selection of individual animals that are more useful to humans than other individuals of the same species, and evolutionary responses of animals to the forces of natural selection operating in human environments rather than in wild environments.To be domesticated, a wild species must possess several characteristics. A candidate for domestication must be primarily a herbivore because it takes less plant biomass to feed a plant eater than it does to feed a carnivore that consumes plant eaters. No carnivorous mammal has ever been domesticated for food simply because it would be too costly. A candidate must not only weigh an average of over 100 pounds but also grow quickly. That eliminates gorillas and elephants, even though they are herbivores. Moreover, candidates for domestication must be able to breed successfully in captivity.Since almost any sufficiently large mammal species is capable of killing a human, certain qualities disqualify a wild animal for domestication. The animal cannot have a disposition that is nasty, dangerous, or unpredictable characteristics that eliminate bears, African buffaloes, and some species of wild horses. The animal cannot be so nervous that it panics around humans. Large herbivores mammal species react to danger from predators or humans in different ways. Some species are nervous, fast and programmed for instant flight when they perceive danger. Others are less nervous, seek protection in herds, and do not run until necessary. Most species of deer and antelope are of the former type, while sheep and goats are of the latter.Almost all domesticated large mammals are species whose wild ancestors share three social characteristics: living in a herd, maintaining a dominance hierarchy in the herd, and having herds that occupy overlapping home ranges instead of mutually exclusive territories. Humans have taken advantage of these characteristics in keeping domestic animals together with others of their species and in close proximity to other species of domestic animals.2.1 Exercises1. The word furnished in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to A. demanded B. invented C. provided D. changed2. According to the passage, what benefit of large domestic animals is not also provided by small animals? A. A source of food B. A source of clothing C. The ability to pull a plow D. The ability to be ridden3. Which of the following can be inferred about large mammal species? A. Relatively few species have the necessary characteristics for domestication. B. More species of large mammals are domesticated as pets than for food. C. Only a few large terrestrial mammal species are primarily herbivores. D. All large mammals can be classified into one of five important groups.4. According to the passage, when did early humans domesticate all suitable large mammal species? A. After humans had populated every continent B. Before the Ice Age caused many animals to become extinct C. At the same time they domesticated small animals D. Within a few thousand years after farming and herding began5. According to the passage, what is one reason that domesticated animals differ from their wild ancestors? A. Wild animals find food easily, but domesticated animals must work for food. B. Domesticated animals live near humans, so they forget their wild ancestors. C. Animals evolutionary responses in captivity differ from those in the wild. D. More animals survive in human environments than in wild environments.6. Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 5? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. A. Plant food is less expensive than meat, which explains why plant-eating animals are perfect candidates for domestication. B. Herbivorous animals are likely to be domesticated because they eat less plant matter than what carnivores consume indirectly. C. Domesticated animals are primarily plant eaters, but must wild animals are carnivores that feed on other animals. D. It is more difficult and costly to domesticate carnivores than to domesticate herbivores because carnivores are more dangerous.7. Why does the author mention gorillas and elephants in paragraph 5? A. To suggest that some overlooked animals could be domesticated B. To illustrate the wide variety among large herbivores C. To identify animals intelligent enough to avoid domestication D. To give examples of animals that grow too slowly for domestication8. The word disqualify in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to A. identify B. display C. reject D. punish9. The word panics in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to A. feels terror B. refuses to eat C. attacks others D. becomes ill10. What can be inferred from paragraph 6 about deer and antelope? A. They run away from humans only if threatened. B. They do not supply meat of a consistent quality. C. They are as dangerous as certain wild horses. D. They have not successfully been domesticated.11. All of the following are characteristics favorable to domestication EXCEPT A. weighing over 100 pounds B. unpredictable behavior C. ability to breed in captivity D. living in a herd with a hierarchy12. Look at the four squares, A, B, C, and D, which indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Where could the sentence best fit?Eurasia is a huge, ecologically diverse landmass, and therefore has a great many large mammal species. Early herding societies quickly domesticated all large mammal species that were suitable for domestication. A There is archaeological evidence that these species were domesticated between 10,000 and 4,500 years ago, within the first few thousand years of the origins of farming-herding societies after the last Ice Age. B The continent of Eurasia has been the primary site of large mammal domestication. C Having the most species of wild mammals to begin with, and losing the fewest to extinction in the last 40,000 years, Eurasia has generated the most candidates for domestication. D13. Read the first sentence of a summary of the passage. Complete the summary by selecting THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. The domestication of animals provided humans with food, clothing, and other benefits.lllA. The most important domestic animals are large herbivorous mammals that live in herds.B. Ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs, cats, and many other small animals have been domesticated.C. Although herbivores eat mainly plant matter, some species occasionally eat small animals.D. Humans quickly domesticated all large mammal species that were suitable for domestication.E. Animals must have several essential characteristics in order to be domesticated successfully.F. Large herbivorous mammals respond in various ways when threatened by predators.2.2 Words & Expressionswordsv.Definitionsdomesticationn. adaptation to intimate association with human beings 驯化，驯养speciesn. (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed 种类，类别livestockn. any animals kept for use or profit 总称家畜；牲畜fertilizern. any substance such as manure or a mixture of nitrates used to make soil more fertile 肥料proteinn.essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues 蛋白质vide 供给，提供，给予terrestriala.of or relating to or inhabiting the land as opposed to the sea or air 地球的，陆地的mammaln. any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair 哺乳动物herbivoren. any animal that feeds chiefly on grass and other plants 食草动物archaeologicala. related to or dealing with or devoted to archaeology 考古学的extinctionn. no longer in existence 消失，废止biomassn. the total mass of living matter in a given unit area 生态 生物量carnivoren. any animal that feeds on flesh 食肉动物breedv. cause to procreate (animals) 繁殖，饲养captivityn. the state of being imprisoned 囚禁，关押dispositionn. natural or acquired habit or characteristic tendency in a person or thing 性情，脾气，气质hierarchyn. a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system 层级，等级制度overlappinga. related by having something in common with or coinciding with 重叠的proximityn. the property of being close together 接近，邻近2.3 All In One:a) Eurasia has the most species of wild mammals to begin with.b) Eurasia loses the fewest to extinction in the last 40,000 years.c) Eurasia has generated the most candidates for domestication.Long sentence 1: _ _a) A candidate for domestication must be primarily a herbivore.b) It takes less plant biomass to feed a plant eater than it does to feed a carnivore.c) A carnivore consumes plant eaters.Long sentence 2: _ _ _a) Not all species can be domesticated.b) Only the species with the following three social characteristics can be domesticated.c) They live in a herd.d) They maintain a dominance hierarchy in the herd.e) These herds occupy overlapping home ranges instead of mutually exclusive territories.Long sentence 3: _ _ _2.4 Summary 3. Lets Listen3.1 Note taking3.2 Exercises1. What topics does the professor mainly discuss? A. How predators find, catch, and eat prey B. Behaviors that help prey avoid predators C. Changes in predator and prey populations D. Defensive coloration in prey animals2. Why does the professor say this: A. To explain why prey animals must be fast runners B. To compare the amount of energy used by predators and prey C. To illustrate a disadvantage of an active anti-predator response D. To give an example of an adaptation that benefits predators3. What takes place during a mobbing event? A. A prey animal runs away from a predator. B. Prey species chase, scold, and attack a predator. C. Predators join together in a group to hunt prey. D. The population of a prey species increases rapidity. 4. Listen again to part of lecture. Then answer the question. A. To explain why camouflage is not a perfect defense B. To imply that birds and moths evolved at the same time C. To describe how birds use their eyesight to find food D. To compare the survival strategies of birds and moths5. What does the professor mean when she says this: A. Some birds have discovered that brightly-colored insects taste good. B. Some birds have chemical defenses similar to those of insects. C. Some birds appear able to manage the poison of bees and wasps. D. Some birds may have forgotten the meaning of bright coloration.6. Based on the information in the lecture, indicate whether each situation below involves camouflage, chemical weapons, or warning coloration. Camouflage Chemical weaponsWarning colorationA toad squirts a nerve poison from glands on it back.A fish cannot be seen against rocks of the same color.A bird avoids eating a black and yellow striped wasp.An insect disguises itself to look like a leaf.3.3 Words & Expressionswordsv.Definitionspredationn. a biological interaction where a predator (an animal that is hunting) feeds on its prey (the animal that is attacked) 捕食preyn. animal hunted or caught for food 被捕食的动物eludev. escape, either physically or mentally 逃避，躲避encounterv. come upon, as if by accident遭遇，偶然碰见fleev. run away quickly 逃走，消失sheltern. a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger 庇护所vocalizationn. the sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract 发声，发音presencen. the state of being present 存在，参加triggerv. put in motion or move to act 引发，触发mobv. press tightly together or cram 大举包围，围攻spotv. catch sight of 认出strikev. make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target 侵袭camouflagen. an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something 伪装，掩饰blendv. mix together different elements 混合populousa. densely populated 人口稠密的peckv. eat like a bird 啄食synthesizev. combine so as to form a more complex, product 合成，综合stripen. a marking of a different color or texture from the background 条纹，斑纹instinctivea. unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct 直觉的，本能的4. Lets speakYou will read a short passage and then listen to a talk on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about them. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.Alarm CallsMost animals have predators that they have to worry about, and with social animals, one of the methods that they use is something called an alarm call. It is a method that animals use to signal to an