英语科普：中国出土最大最完整的翼龙化石.docx

A newly identified species of feathered dinosaur1 is the largest ever discovered to have a well-preserved set of bird-like wings, research suggests. Palaeontologists working in China unearthed2 the fossil remains3 of the winged dinosaur - a close cousin of Velociraptor, which was made famous by the Jurassic Park films. Researchers say its wings - which are very short compared with other dinosaurs4 in the same family - consisted of multiple layers of large feathers. They found that the species feathers were complex structures made up of fine branches stemming from a central shaft5. Although larger feathered dinosaurs have been identified before, none have possessed6 such complex wings made up of quill7 pen-like feathers, the team says. Scientists have known for some time that many species of dinosaur had feathers, but most of these were covered with simple filaments8 that looked more like hair than modern bird feathers. This latest discovery suggests that winged dinosaurs with larger and more complex feathers were more diverse than previously9 thought. The species belonged to a family of feathered carnivores that was widespread during the Cretaceous Period, and lived around 125 million years ago, the team says. The near-complete skeleton of the animal - which is remarkably10 well preserved - was studied by scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. The fossil reveals dense11 feathers covered the dinosaurs wings and tail. The newly discovered species - named Zhenyuanlong suni - grew to more than five feet in length. Despite having bird-like wings, it probably could not fly, at least not using the same type of powerful muscle-driven flight as modern birds, researchers say.词汇解析：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 unearthed 出土的（考古）参考例句：Many unearthed cultural relics are set forth in the exhibition hall. 展览馆里陈列着许多出土文物。Some utensils were in a state of decay when they were unearthed. 有些器皿在出土时已经残破。3 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。4 dinosaurs n.恐龙( dinosaur的名词复数 )；守旧落伍的人，过时落后的东西参考例句：The brontosaurus was one of the largest of all dinosaurs. 雷龙是所有恐龙中最大的一种。 来自简明英汉词典Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. 恐龙绝种已有几百万年了。 来自简明英汉词典5 shaft n.(工具的)柄，杆状物参考例句：He was wounded by a shaft.他被箭击中受伤。This is the shaft of a steam engine.这是一个蒸汽机主轴。6 possessed adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的参考例句：He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。7 quill n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶参考例句：He wrote with a quill.他用羽毛笔写字。She dipped a quill in ink,and then began to write.她将羽毛笔在墨水里蘸了一下，随后开始书写。8 filaments n.（电灯泡的）灯丝( filament的名词复数 )；丝极；细丝；丝状物参考例句：Instead, sarcomere shortening occurs when the thin filamentsslide by the thick filaments. 此外，肌节的缩短发生于细肌丝沿粗肌丝“滑行”之际。 来自辞典例句Wetting-force data on filaments of any diameter and shape can easily obtained. 各种直径和形状的长丝的润湿力数据是易于测量的。 来自辞典例句9 previously adv.以前，先前（地）参考例句：The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。10 remarkably ad.不同寻常地，相当地参考例句：I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。11 dense a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；