大自然的暗器！危机四伏的沙盒树 Nature’s Most Dangerous Tree: The Sandbox Tree
Nature’s Most Dangerous Tree: The Sandbox Tree
#植物 #环境·保育 #国外
9/12 生活英语
作者 Enjoy Editors
阅读时间 5分钟
听讲解 听朗读
本图文出处:
https://www.ivy.com.tw/newsLetter/l...0809575265012?MP3:
大自然的暗器！危机四伏的沙盒树 Nature’s Most Dangerous Tree: The Sandbox Tree
来了解世界上最奇怪的植物之一。
目录 / Tips in Use 重点解析 / You Can Do This 英文试金石 / 中文翻译
探索自然 ｜本集 精彩教学影片（讲解老师：Chris & Antony 老师）
Learn about one of the world’s strangest plants.
The sandbox tree is a large tree that is native to South America. It can grow up to 40 meters tall in the right conditions. Their wide canopy of soft, thin leaves can also be inviting. However, it’s best to keep your distance because the sandbox tree can be quite dangerous.
The sandbox tree is covered in tiny spikes. These spiky thorns are a warning for humans and animals to stay away. The tree’s sap is also poisonous. In the past, native tribes in the Amazon rainforest used the sap to create poison for their arrows. In modern times, the sap has been used to make tear gas, which can temporarily cause blindness and breathing difficulties.
The danger doesn’t end there. The scariest part of the sandbox tree is its fruit. Though they look like tiny pumpkins, don’t let their appearance fool you. Once the fruit matures and falls from the tree, it becomes a ticking time bomb. When it dries, it will explode and shoot lots of tiny seeds at 250 kilometers per hour in all directions. This force can cause serious injuries to anyone nearby. This is why sandbox trees should never be planted anywhere near people.
单字片语整理
Words in Use
●
warning [ˋwɔrnɪŋ]
n. 警告
●
tribe [traɪb]
n. 部落
●
arrow [ˋæro]
n. 箭；箭头（符号）
●
temporarily [ˋtɛmpə͵rɛrəlɪ]
adv. 暂时地
●
explode [ɪkˋsplod]
vi. 激增
vt. & vi. 爆炸，炸掉
●
injury [ˋɪndʒərɪ]
n. （身体）伤害（可数）；（名誉）损坏（不可数）
Extra Words
●
canopy [ˋkænəpɪ]
n. 树冠层
●
spike [spaɪk]
n. （数量或比率的）激增
●
spiky [ˋspaɪkɪ]
a. 尖的
●
thorn [θɔrn]
n. 刺
●
sap [sæp]
n. 树汁
●
poisonous [ˋpɔɪznəs]
a. 有毒的
●
mature [məˋtjʊr]
adj. 成熟的
vi. 成熟
Practical Phrases
●
be native to + 地方 是某地所独有的
This kind of bird is native to that island.
这种鸟是该岛所独有的。
●
keep one´s distance 保持距离
The paint is still wet, so please keep your distance.
油漆尚未干，请保持距离。
Tips in Use 重点解析
♦ once 作副词连接词与副词的用法
1. 作副词连接词
once 当副词连接词时，表「一旦∕一……（就……）」，等于 as soon as，如第一天文章中第三段的用法。
例 We headed outside once the rain stopped.
雨一停我们就出门了。
2. 作副词
a. once 当副词时，可表「曾经，一度」，如第二天文章中最后一段的用法。
例 My grandmother was once a fashion model.
我的祖母曾经是一名时尚模特儿。
b. once 当副词时，也可表「一次」，可单独使用或以下列句构表达事情发生的频率：
once a / every + 时间单位（day, week, month, year 等）
例 Gary has only been to Japan once.
盖瑞只去过一次日本。
例 Emma waters her plant once a day.
艾玛每天为她的植物浇一次水。
You Can Do This 英文试金石
请依文意选出最适当的一个选项
❶ What is the purpose of the thorns on the sandbox tree?
(A) To keep animals from getting close.
(B) To make it easier for animals to climb up it.
(C) To make the tree look more beautiful.
(D) To draw in animals to spread its seeds.
❷ Why is the fruit of the sandbox tree described as a ticking time bomb?
(A) Because it makes sounds like a clock.
(B) Because it looks like a bomb.
(C) Because it can burst suddenly.
(D) Because it has been used to scare people.
答案: 1. A 2. C
中文翻译
沙盒树是一种原产于南美洲的大型树种。在适当的条件下，它能长到四十公尺高。它们有柔软薄叶的宽阔树冠也很吸引人。不过，最好与沙盒树保持距离，因为它可能非常危险。
沙盒树上布满细小的尖刺。这些尖刺警告人类与动物不要靠近。这种树的树汁也有毒。在过去，亚马逊雨林的原始部落用树汁制作箭的毒。在现代，其树汁被用来制作催泪瓦斯，可造成短暂的失明和呼吸困难。
危险不仅止于此。沙盒树最可怕的部分是它的果实。尽管它们形似小南瓜，不要被它们的外表骗了。一旦果实成熟并从树上掉下后，它就变成了一颗定时炸弹。当它干燥时，它会爆炸并以每小时两百五十公里的速度朝四面八方射出大量的小种子。这种威力可能会对附近的人造成严重伤害。这就是为什么沙盒树不应种植在任何靠近人的地方。
