Flying Cats 飛貓
新概念3課文內(nèi)容：
Cats never fail to fascinate human beings. They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well. They never become submissive like dogs and horses. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings. There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth. 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels. This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.
新概念英語3逐句精講：
1.Cats never fail to fascinate human beings.
貓總能引起人們的極大興趣。
語言點:句子結構分析:這是一個典型的雙重否定句，never(從來不)+fail（未能）的意思是“從未失敗過”，即“成功”。
2．They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well.
它們可以對人友好，充滿柔情。但是，它們又有自己神秘的生活方式。
語言點1:friendly從結構上看是副詞，其實是形容詞，和affectionate并列作表語。As well在此旨在加強語氣，沒有實際含義。
語言點2:重要寫作短語總結:
1.lead a mysterious life 過著神秘的生活
2.lead a luxurious life 過著奢侈的生活
3.lead a miserable life 過著凄慘的生活
3.They never become submissive like dogs and horses.
它們從不像狗和馬一樣變得那么順從。
語言點1:句子結構分析:become在此作系動詞。Submissive是形容詞，作表語。Like dogs and horses作方式狀語。
語言點2:與“狗”有關的短語或者諺語總結:
1.as faithful as a dog 像狗一樣忠誠
2.You're a lucky dog! 你真是個幸運兒！
3.Every dog has its day. 人人都有幸運時。
語言點3: 與“馬”有關的短語或者諺語總結:
1.be on one's high horse 趾高氣揚
2.work like a horse 辛勤工作
3.eat like a horse 吃得很多
4. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence.
結果是人們已經(jīng)學會尊重貓的獨立性。
語言點1:句子結構分析:as a result充當結果狀語。Have learned是現(xiàn)在完成時，強調(diào)結果是什么。
語言點2:as a result表示“結果是”，在寫作中可以用很多方式表達“結果是”:
Accordingly,consequently,in the issue,in consequence,in the sequel,in the event,when all is said and done
5. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives.
在它們的一生中，大多數(shù)貓都對人存有戒心。
語言點1:句子結構分析:remain(保持)是系動詞，后接形容詞。
6. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives.
使我們感興趣的一件事情就是一種通俗的信念—貓有九條命。
語言點1:句子結構分析:that fascinates us most about cats是定語從句，修飾one of the things。That they have nine lives是同位語從句，解釋說明popular belief。主句的主體結構是One of the things is the popular belief。
語言點2:they指代cats。
7. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea.
顯然，這種說法里面包含著許多真實性。
語言點1:句子結構分析:這是一個典型的there be句型。
語言點2:本句適合模仿寫作:
There is a good deal of truth in what you say. 你說的很有道理。
There is little truth in what you say. 你說的沒什么道理。
8. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
貓在跌落時能夠大難不死是有事實作為依據(jù)的。
語言點1:句子結構分析:to survive是動詞不定式，作ability的定語，說明是“…的能力”。
語言點2:sth.be based on的意思是“某物建立在…的基礎上”。
9. Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months.
近，紐約動物醫(yī)療中心對132只貓進行了為期5個月的綜合研究。
語言點1:句子結構分析:recently在句首充當時間狀語，比放在句尾效果好。Of 132 cats over a period of five months作study的后置定語，說明是“一項…的研究”。
語言點2:此句可以使用there be句型改寫為:Over a period of five months,there was a study of 132 cats made by the New York Animal Medical Center.
10. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries.
所有這些貓有一個共同的經(jīng)歷：它們都曾從高層建筑上摔下來過，但只有其中的8只貓死于震蕩或跌傷。
語言點1:句子結構分析:in common作賓語 one experience作賓語。冒號后的內(nèi)容是一個解釋性的句子，對one experience in common作具體說明。
語言點2:have…in common 表示“在…方面有共同之處”
例句支持:
The two tennis players,elder Williams and younger Williams,have a great deal in common. 大威廉姆斯和小威廉姆斯這兩名網(wǎng)球選手有很多共同之處。
11. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings.
當然，紐約是進行這種有趣的試驗的一個理想的地方，因為那里根本不缺乏高樓大廈，有的是高層的窗檻從上往下墜落。
語言點1:句子結構分析:of course放在句首作狀語，起強調(diào)作用。句中把New York說成the ideal place，看似簡單，其實是一種經(jīng)典的修辭格-暗喻。
語言點2:句中ideal的意思是“理想的，完美的”，該詞雖然是形容詞，但沒有比較級和高級形式。
12．There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from!
有的是高層的窗檻從上往下墜落。
語言點1:句子結構分析:上一句中用no shortage of這個雙重否定形式來表示肯定，本句直接用plenty of表示肯定，意思雖然相同，但上句的雙重否定形式能更突出要強調(diào)的內(nèi)容。
語言點2:to fall from為典型的不及物動詞的不定式作定語的用法。
13. One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth.
有一只叫薩伯瑞的貓從32層樓上掉下來，但只摔斷一顆牙。
語言點1:句子結構分析:Sabrina是one cat的同位語，起解釋說明的作用。Yet only表示轉折，表面這只貓從32層樓上掉下后的結果令人吃驚。Broken是動詞的過去分詞，作定語，修飾tooth。
語言點2:suffer from…表示“遭受…的痛苦，因…而受罰”。
例句支持:
You must have suffered from a heavy cold. 你一定是得了重感冒。
14. “Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.” a doctor said.
“貓就像訓練有素的跳傘隊員，”一位醫(yī)生說。
語言點1:句子結構分析:引號里的句子為直接引語，整句內(nèi)容都是said的內(nèi)容。
語言點2:well-trained是復合形容詞，表示“訓練有素的”。
15. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves.
看起來，貓跌落的距離越長，它們就越不會傷害自己。
語言點1:句子結構分析:that引導的是一個表語從句。It是一個無具體意義的主語。Seem作系動詞。
語言點2:本句的“the+比較級，the+比較級”結構表示“越…越…”。需要注意的是，以上句式中的兩個句子中間不可以加and。
16. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more.
在一個長長的跌落過程中，它們可以達到每小時60里甚至更快的速度。
語言點1:句子結構分析:句中的of 60 miles an hour and more充當定語，修飾speed。句尾的more在此相當于faster，表示“更快的速度”。
語言點2:60 miles an hour表示“每小時60英里”，這種表達的結構是“N/度量衡標準+時間”。
17. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax.
在高速下落中，貓有時間放松自己。
語言點:句子結構分析:falling作定語，修飾cats。To relax 為動詞不定式，作后置定語，修飾time。表示“有做…的時間”。
18. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels.
它們伸展四肢，就像飛行中的松鼠一樣。
語言點1:句子結構分析:like flying squirrels在句中作方式狀語。
語言點2:stretch out一詞運用得非常恰當，如果使用put out或spread的話，都沒有那么生動。
19．This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.
這樣就加大了空氣阻力，并減少了它們著地時沖擊力帶來的震動。
語言點1:句子結構分析:句子的主語是this。And連接兩個并列的分句，在后一個分句中，when引導時間狀語從句。Hit the ground這個用詞比較夸張，雖然意思相當于fall to the ground(掉到地上)，但是后者的感覺就要差多了。
語言點2:本句可以改寫為:This raises their air-resistance and cuts down the shock of impact when they hit the ground.
新概念3課文內(nèi)容：
Cats never fail to fascinate human beings. They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well. They never become submissive like dogs and horses. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings. There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth. 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels. This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.
新概念英語3逐句精講：
1.Cats never fail to fascinate human beings.
貓總能引起人們的極大興趣。
語言點:句子結構分析:這是一個典型的雙重否定句，never(從來不)+fail（未能）的意思是“從未失敗過”，即“成功”。
2．They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well.
它們可以對人友好，充滿柔情。但是，它們又有自己神秘的生活方式。
語言點1:friendly從結構上看是副詞，其實是形容詞，和affectionate并列作表語。As well在此旨在加強語氣，沒有實際含義。
語言點2:重要寫作短語總結:
1.lead a mysterious life 過著神秘的生活
2.lead a luxurious life 過著奢侈的生活
3.lead a miserable life 過著凄慘的生活
3.They never become submissive like dogs and horses.
它們從不像狗和馬一樣變得那么順從。
語言點1:句子結構分析:become在此作系動詞。Submissive是形容詞，作表語。Like dogs and horses作方式狀語。
語言點2:與“狗”有關的短語或者諺語總結:
1.as faithful as a dog 像狗一樣忠誠
2.You're a lucky dog! 你真是個幸運兒！
3.Every dog has its day. 人人都有幸運時。
語言點3: 與“馬”有關的短語或者諺語總結:
1.be on one's high horse 趾高氣揚
2.work like a horse 辛勤工作
3.eat like a horse 吃得很多
4. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence.
結果是人們已經(jīng)學會尊重貓的獨立性。
語言點1:句子結構分析:as a result充當結果狀語。Have learned是現(xiàn)在完成時，強調(diào)結果是什么。
語言點2:as a result表示“結果是”，在寫作中可以用很多方式表達“結果是”:
Accordingly,consequently,in the issue,in consequence,in the sequel,in the event,when all is said and done
5. Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives.
在它們的一生中，大多數(shù)貓都對人存有戒心。
語言點1:句子結構分析:remain(保持)是系動詞，后接形容詞。
6. One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives.
使我們感興趣的一件事情就是一種通俗的信念—貓有九條命。
語言點1:句子結構分析:that fascinates us most about cats是定語從句，修飾one of the things。That they have nine lives是同位語從句，解釋說明popular belief。主句的主體結構是One of the things is the popular belief。
語言點2:they指代cats。
7. Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea.
顯然，這種說法里面包含著許多真實性。
語言點1:句子結構分析:這是一個典型的there be句型。
語言點2:本句適合模仿寫作:
There is a good deal of truth in what you say. 你說的很有道理。
There is little truth in what you say. 你說的沒什么道理。
8. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
貓在跌落時能夠大難不死是有事實作為依據(jù)的。
語言點1:句子結構分析:to survive是動詞不定式，作ability的定語，說明是“…的能力”。
語言點2:sth.be based on的意思是“某物建立在…的基礎上”。
9. Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months.
近，紐約動物醫(yī)療中心對132只貓進行了為期5個月的綜合研究。
語言點1:句子結構分析:recently在句首充當時間狀語，比放在句尾效果好。Of 132 cats over a period of five months作study的后置定語，說明是“一項…的研究”。
語言點2:此句可以使用there be句型改寫為:Over a period of five months,there was a study of 132 cats made by the New York Animal Medical Center.
10. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries.
所有這些貓有一個共同的經(jīng)歷：它們都曾從高層建筑上摔下來過，但只有其中的8只貓死于震蕩或跌傷。
語言點1:句子結構分析:in common作賓語 one experience作賓語。冒號后的內(nèi)容是一個解釋性的句子，對one experience in common作具體說明。
語言點2:have…in common 表示“在…方面有共同之處”
例句支持:
The two tennis players,elder Williams and younger Williams,have a great deal in common. 大威廉姆斯和小威廉姆斯這兩名網(wǎng)球選手有很多共同之處。
11. Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings.
當然，紐約是進行這種有趣的試驗的一個理想的地方，因為那里根本不缺乏高樓大廈，有的是高層的窗檻從上往下墜落。
語言點1:句子結構分析:of course放在句首作狀語，起強調(diào)作用。句中把New York說成the ideal place，看似簡單，其實是一種經(jīng)典的修辭格-暗喻。
語言點2:句中ideal的意思是“理想的，完美的”，該詞雖然是形容詞，但沒有比較級和高級形式。
12．There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from!
有的是高層的窗檻從上往下墜落。
語言點1:句子結構分析:上一句中用no shortage of這個雙重否定形式來表示肯定，本句直接用plenty of表示肯定，意思雖然相同，但上句的雙重否定形式能更突出要強調(diào)的內(nèi)容。
語言點2:to fall from為典型的不及物動詞的不定式作定語的用法。
13. One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth.
有一只叫薩伯瑞的貓從32層樓上掉下來，但只摔斷一顆牙。
語言點1:句子結構分析:Sabrina是one cat的同位語，起解釋說明的作用。Yet only表示轉折，表面這只貓從32層樓上掉下后的結果令人吃驚。Broken是動詞的過去分詞，作定語，修飾tooth。
語言點2:suffer from…表示“遭受…的痛苦，因…而受罰”。
例句支持:
You must have suffered from a heavy cold. 你一定是得了重感冒。
14. “Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.” a doctor said.
“貓就像訓練有素的跳傘隊員，”一位醫(yī)生說。
語言點1:句子結構分析:引號里的句子為直接引語，整句內(nèi)容都是said的內(nèi)容。
語言點2:well-trained是復合形容詞，表示“訓練有素的”。
15. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves.
看起來，貓跌落的距離越長，它們就越不會傷害自己。
語言點1:句子結構分析:that引導的是一個表語從句。It是一個無具體意義的主語。Seem作系動詞。
語言點2:本句的“the+比較級，the+比較級”結構表示“越…越…”。需要注意的是，以上句式中的兩個句子中間不可以加and。
16. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more.
在一個長長的跌落過程中，它們可以達到每小時60里甚至更快的速度。
語言點1:句子結構分析:句中的of 60 miles an hour and more充當定語，修飾speed。句尾的more在此相當于faster，表示“更快的速度”。
語言點2:60 miles an hour表示“每小時60英里”，這種表達的結構是“N/度量衡標準+時間”。
17. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax.
在高速下落中，貓有時間放松自己。
語言點:句子結構分析:falling作定語，修飾cats。To relax 為動詞不定式，作后置定語，修飾time。表示“有做…的時間”。
18. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels.
它們伸展四肢，就像飛行中的松鼠一樣。
語言點1:句子結構分析:like flying squirrels在句中作方式狀語。
語言點2:stretch out一詞運用得非常恰當，如果使用put out或spread的話，都沒有那么生動。
19．This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.
這樣就加大了空氣阻力，并減少了它們著地時沖擊力帶來的震動。
語言點1:句子結構分析:句子的主語是this。And連接兩個并列的分句，在后一個分句中，when引導時間狀語從句。Hit the ground這個用詞比較夸張，雖然意思相當于fall to the ground(掉到地上)，但是后者的感覺就要差多了。
語言點2:本句可以改寫為:This raises their air-resistance and cuts down the shock of impact when they hit the ground.