在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.Aborigines 土著人 2.spiritual attachment 精神依恋 3.curved 弧形的 4.boomerang 回力标 5.separate colonies 独立殖民地 原文 Australia：People The first people who lived in Australia were known as the Aborigines. The Aborigines came to Australia by boat more than 40000years ago. They are the first people in the world who are known to have used boat for transportation. Even though many parts of Australia were very inhospitable places，the Aborigines survived. They lived by hunting and gathering throughout the continent，even in desert areas where survival is almost impossible. The Aborigines felt a deep spiritual attachment to the land，and they made many beautiful paintings upon the rocks of many parts of the county. Their most famous invention is a curved hunting stick known as the“boomerang”. The design of the boomerang is remarkable，because it can be thrown in such a way that it will turn around and return to the person who threw it. Until about two hundred years ago，the Aborigines had only a very limited amount of contact with people in the outside world. The next people to migrate to Australia were from the British Isles. Beginning in the late eighteen century，Australia was used for a prison colony，where common criminal and political prisoners were sent from Britain. By the middle of the nineteenth century，many British people moved to Australia voluntarily to begin farms or to search for gold. By the late nineteenth century，Britain stopped sending its prisoners to Australia，but migration continued. After the arrival of the British colonists，the Aborigines population declined sharply. This was partly due to disease，partly due to cruel treatment by settlers，and partly due to the loss of their traditional way of life. Today，the Aboriginal population is growing again，and the Australian government has taken some steps to correct the injustices of the past. The various parts of Australia were governed at first as separate colonies，but in 1901 they joined to form a single country. Australia continue to grow during the twentieth century，and after World War Two it attracted many immigrants from countries in Europe. During the past few decades，many people have moved to Australia from various parts of Asia and from other parts of the world. Today，Australia consists of one territory（the Northern Territory）and six states（Western Australia，South Australia，Tasmania，Victoria，New South Wales，and Queensland）. Tasmania is a small island off the southern coast，and Victoria，New South Wales，and Queensland are found in the eastern part of the country. The two largest cities in Australia are Sydney and Melbourne，both of which are in the southeastern part of the country. Sydney has a beautiful harbor that is one of the largest in the world，and Melbourne has many beautiful parks and gardens. The capital city of the country is Canberra，which is located between Sydney and Melbourne. Other large cities in Australia are Brisbane（in the northeast），Perth（in the southwest），and Adelaide（in the south）.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.hemisphere 半球 2.remote 遥远的 3.outback 内陆 4.ranched 牧场 5.harsh 恶劣的 6.thick lush vegetation 茂密的植被 7.exotic 异国风情的 8.coral 珊瑚 9.reef 暗礁 10.barrier 障碍 11.category 类别 12.marsupial 有袋动物 13.pouch 育儿袋 14.hopping 跳跃 15.eucalyptus 桉树 原文 Australia：Nature Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. Located in the southern hemisphere，between the Pacific and Indian Oceans，Australia is also one of the largest countries in the world. Despite its vast size，Australia does not have a large population. In the year 2000，there were about 19 million people in Australia. Most Australians live within a short distance of the ocean，because much of the interior of Australia is extremely dry. The remote areas of Australia，known as the“outback”，contains several sandy，rocky deserts. Some parts of the outback receive somewhat rainfall，and can support some grassy vegetables. In these areas，there are many ranches or farms，where sheep and cattle are raised. Although the outback of Australia is a harsh place，some parts of it are quite beautiful. In the middle of the Australia continent，a large red rock known as Uluru stands in the deserts. It is nearly 350 meters tall and is nearly 10 kilometers around. Tourists come from all over the world to see this huge and beautiful rock in the middle of a flat desert. In contrast to the dry interior areas，the northern coast of Australia receive a great deal of rainfall. This area is covered in thick，lush vegetation，with tropic rainforests whose exotic trees and flowers are found nowhere else in the world. Off the north-east coast of the continent，a large coral reef known as the Great Barrier Reef if found. A coral reef is a structure that consists of the bodies of small underwater animal called coral，whose dead bodies created this unusual structure beneath the surface of the water. The reef and the underwater life surrounding it are especially beautiful. Australia was separated from the rest of the world for millions of years. As a result，many of the plants and animals species in Australia are very different those in other parts of the world. For example，many of the animals in Australia belong to a special category called the“marsupials”. Marsupials are mammals，but they are a special kind of mammal，because they give birth to offspring that are not yet well developed. In many marsupials，the offspring continue to develop，after being born，inside a pocket or“pouch”on the mother's body. The most famous marsupial is the kangaroo. Kangaroos can travel at great speeds by hopping on their hind legs and using their large tails for balance. The kangaroo is a rather large animal，with the large individuals sometimes weighing 90 kilograms. Another famous marsupial is the koala. This animal sometimes is called a koala bear，because it looks somewhat like a small bear. The koala lives in branches of trees called eucalyptus trees. Koala eats the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Of course，Australia also has people. We will discuss the people of Australia in the next passage. Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. Located in the southern hemisphere，between the Pacific and Indian Oceans，Australia is also one of the largest countries in the world. Despite its vast size，Australia does not have a large population. In the year 2000，there were about 19 million people in Australia. Most Australians live within a short distance of the ocean，because much of the interior of Australia is extremely dry. The remote areas of Australia，known as the“outback”，contains several sandy，rocky deserts. Some parts of the outback receive somewhat rainfall，and can support some grassy vegetables. In these areas，there are many ranches or farms，where sheep and cattle are raised. Although the outback of Australia is a harsh place，some parts of it are quite beautiful. In the middle of the Australia continent，a large red rock known as Uluru stands in the deserts. It is nearly 350 meters tall and is nearly 10 kilometers around. Tourists come from all over the world to see this huge and beautiful rock in the middle of a flat desert. In contrast to the dry interior areas，the northern coast of Australia receive a great deal of rainfall. This area is covered in thick，lush vegetation，with tropic rainforests whose exotic trees and flowers are found nowhere else in the world. Off the north-east coast of the continent，a large coral reef known as the Great Barrier Reef if found. A coral reef is a structure that consists of the bodies of small underwater animal called coral，whose dead bodies created this unusual structure beneath the surface of the water. The reef and the underwater life surrounding it are especially beautiful. Australia was separated from the rest of the world for millions of years. As a result，many of the plants and animals species in Australia are very different those in other parts of the world. For example，many of the animals in Australia belong to a special category called the“marsupials”. Marsupials are mammals，but they are a special kind of mammal，because they give birth to offspring that are not yet well developed. In many marsupials，the offspring continue to develop，after being born，inside a pocket or“pouch”on the mother's body. The most famous marsupial is the kangaroo. Kangaroos can travel at great speeds by hopping on their hind legs and using their large tails for balance. The kangaroo is a rather large animal，with the large individuals sometimes weighing 90 kilograms. Another famous marsupial is the koala. This animal sometimes is called a koala bear，because it looks somewhat like a small bear. The koala lives in branches of trees called eucalyptus trees. Koala eats the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Of course，Australia also has people. We will discuss the people of Australia in the next passage.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.stereos 立体音响 2.improvisation 即兴创作 3.syncopation 切分音 4.spontaneously 自发地 5.modified 修改 6.pattern 模式 7.uneven 不规律的 8.derived 起源 9.incorporated 包含 10.rhythm节奏 11.cornet 角 12.comprising 包括 13.blended 混合 原文 Jazz One of the most popular forms of music is known as jazz. Each year，hundreds of thousands of people attend jazz concerts and festivals in cities around the world. Jazz music，both old and new，is played on the radio and on home stereos. Two of the most important features of jazz music are“improvisation”and“syncopation”. Improvisation means that music is created spontaneously by the musician during a performance. In other words，the musician modifies some existing music in a new and interesting way. Syncopation means that the regular pattern found in music may be broken up with new accents and uneven patterns being created. The features of improvisation and syncopation are difficult to use with skill，and require great creativity on the part of the musician. Jazz music originated in the southern United States，during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was based on African-American music that was derived in part from rhythms in western Africa. The earliest musicians were influenced by a music style known as“ragtime”which was popular during the late nineteenth century. Jazz music incorporated some aspects of a related kind of music called the“blues”. By the beginning of the twentieth century，a fully developed form of jazz was being played in New Orleans，a city in the southern United States. Jazz musicians played instruments such as the trumpet，saxophone，cornet，and piano. Jazz soon became popular and played on the riverboats that travelled along the Mississippi River. Some jazz musicians moved north to the city of Chicago，and young musicians in the city developed some new forms of jazz music. By the 1920s and 1930s，jazz was popular in many parts of the United States，and some musicians began forming some large bands，comprising many musicians and many different instruments. This began the period known as the“big band”era when a popular form of jazz known as“swing”music was played. During the 1940s and 1950s，other form of jazz，known as“bop”and“cool”jazz were developed. Some people preferred these newer kind of jazz，but others preferred the older varieties. By the 1960s，some jazz musicians began to experiment with different kinds of musical instruments and with other kinds of music. Some musicians incorporated musical styles from other parts of the world，or combined jazz with rock music，and today some musicians have blended jazz with rap music. However，some people prefer the more traditional forms of jazz music. Of course，most of the great jazz musicians of the early twentieth century-people such as Louis Armstrong，Duke Ellington，Count Basie，Dizzy Gillespie，and Billie Holiday-are no longer alive. However，many great jazz musicians are still alive，and many young musicians have continued this form of music. People will continue to enjoy jazz music for a long time to come.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.recommended 推荐 2.beaks 鸟嘴 3.bark 树皮 4.thick 厚的 5.offspring 后代 6.controversial 有争议的 原文 Charles Darwin Charles Darwin made what might be the most important scientific discovery of all time-the theory of evolution by natural selection. It was Darwin who first understood how it was that plants and animals evolved over time to produce new and different species. At first，this theory faced much opposition，but since that time it has been supported by evidence from many areas of science. Darwin was born in a small town in England in 1809. When he was a young man，he went to university，first to study medicine，and later to study religion. However，Darwin found his schoolwork to be very boring. Instead，he preferred outdoor activities，and was very interested in nature. While Darwin was at university，the British navy was planning to send one of its ships，called the Beagle，on a voyage of exploration. As part of the voyage，the ship needed a naturalist，who could study the various plants and animals that might be found. Darwin was recommended for this job by one of his professors，who had been impress by Darwin. Darwin was chosen as the naturalist of the Beagle，and the ship left England in 1831. The ship's voyage took Darwin around the world，and he observed many species of plants and animals on his trip. In one place near South America，Known as Galapagos Islands，Darwin observed many unusual species of birds. Several of these birds seemed close related to each other，but they differed in interesting ways. For example，some birds had long beaks that could reach insects hidden in the bark of trees，but other birds had thick beaks that could break open the shells of nuts. What Darwin realized was that certain characteristics could help an animal（or a plant）to survive and reproduce. Individuals that lacked those characteristics could be more likely to die without reproducing. Over many generations，the useful characteristics would then become more and more common and the surviving individuals passed the characteristics on to their offspring. Eventually，after many generations，the changes would be so great that a new species would exist. In this way，a single species would divide into two and more new ones. This was called the“process of evolution by natural selection”. When Darwin returned to England，he studied plants and animals in more detail. After much research，he began writing a book about his theory of evolution by natural selection. When the book，the Origin of Species，was published in 1859，it was very popular and very controversial. During the next twenty years，Darwin continued his scientific research，and he wrote several more books. By the time of his death，in 1882，many biologists had realized that Darwin had made one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time. For the first time，scientists could understand the origin of many different species of plants and animals.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.volcanic eruptions 火山爆发 2.molten 熔化的 3.spectacular explosions of lava 壮观的熔岩爆炸 4.dormant 休眠的 5.tropics 热带 6.unified 统一 7.sugar cane 甘蔗 8.naval base 海军基地 9.claim a diverse heritage 拥有多样化的遗产 原文 Hawaii Of the fifty states in the United States，forty-nine are located on the mainland of North America. The other state is Hawaii，which consists of several islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii is known as an especially beautiful and interesting place. The Hawaiian islands were formed by volcanic eruptions that pushed molten rock，called“lava”，above the surface of the ocean. Some of the islands no longer have any volcanic activity，but there are still active volcanoes on two Hawaiian islands Oahu and the“big island”（which is known as simply as Hawaii）. One of these volcanoes，Mauna Loa，still erupts sometimes，with spectacular explosions of lava. Another volcano，called Mauna Kea，is now dormant. These volcanoes are both very tall and reach over 4000 meters above sea level. The air above Mauna Kea is so clear and thin that scientists use the mountain as a base for observing the stars. The islands of the Hawaii are located in the tropics，and they are known for their beautiful weather. The temperatures are usually in the rage of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius，and the days are usually sunny. This weather allows people to enjoying swimming and surfing on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. Despite the sunshine，most of the islands also receive enough rainfall to support many beautiful flowers and trees. The first people to live in Hawaii were Polynesian groups who arrived from other islands in Pacific，well over 1000 years ago. The islands were visited by European explorers during the late eighteenth century. During the early nineteenth century，the islands became unified under a single king. However，during this time，many Hawaiians died from diseases that were brought by European and American visitors. The Hawaii islands are excellent places for growing sugar cane and pineapples. In the late eighteenth century，some Americans became large farms，called“plantations”in Hawaii. The Americans eventually gained the control of the government，and Hawaii became a territory of the United States. The United States built a naval base on the island of Oahu，at Pearl Harbor. This base was attacked by Japan in 1941，but it was soon repaired. The naval base is still in use today. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries，there were great demand for labor on the sugar and pineapple plantations. People came to Hawaii from many lands，and Hawaii became a place of many cultures. The native Hawaiians mixed with people from places such as Japan，China，Korea，the Philippines，Portugal，and Puerto Rico，as well as the mainland United States. Today，many Hawaii can claim a diverse heritage . In 1959，Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States，with the city of Honolulu as its capital. Today，there are more than one million people in Hawaii，more than half of whom live in Honolulu. Each year，many people visit Hawaii as tourists，to experience the beauty of these islands.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.coast 海岸 2.assembled 集合 3.dissatisfied 不满意 4.represented 代表 5.settlers 定居者 6.rebel 造反 7.invaded 入侵 8.conquer 占领 原文 The Origins of Canada and The United States Most people are aware of that Canada and the United States are two very large countries in North America. However，most people do not know how these countries came to exist. The story of the creation of these countries is a very interesting one. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries，some people from England and from France moved across the Atlantic Ocean. English people lived on what is now the east coast of the United States，and French people lived on what is now Quebec，in the eastern part of Canada. The kings of England and France were often at war with each other. This meant that there were often fighting in the north America between the soldiers of England and France. By about the year of 1750，there were many more people in the English colonies than in the French colonies. When the next war began，the English king was determined to defeat the French and gain complete control of North America. The English assembled a large force of ships and soldiers and attacked the French at Quebec. The French fought bravely，but they were too few in numbers，and the English won the war. England then gained control of all of North America. After this war，the people of the English colonies in North America began to feel dissatisfied with their government. They were not represented in the English government，but they had to taxes to the English king. The taxes were used to paid for English soldiers who defended the American colonies，but the Americans did not want these soldiers. In 1775，the American settlers began to rebel，and in 1776 the Americans declared their independence. For several years，there were much fighting between the Americans and the English soldiers. For a wile，it appeared that the Americans would lose，even though they fought bravely. Then，the king of France decided to help the Americans. He sent his ships and soldiers to America，and they helped the Americans to defeat the English forces. England recognized the United States of America as an independent country in 1783 However，England kept control of Canada. When the American colonies rebelled against England，some of the people who lived in those colonies did not rebel. These people were called“Loyalists”，because they were loyal to the king. When the war ended，the Loyalists had to leave the country. They moved northward to Canada，where they started new English-speaking colonies. During the year 1812，the Americans invaded Canada，but they were not able to conquer the country. During the nineteenth century，the people of Quebec continued to speak French and to maintain their French culture. Meanwhile，many people moved to the English-speaking areas in Canada. In the year 1867，Quebec and the English-speaking colonies agreed to form a single country，Canada. By this time，there were two large countries in the northern part of North America！

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.beverages 饮料 2.fermentation 发酵 3.yeasts 酵母 4.bacteria 细菌 5.break down 分解 6.convert 转变 7.spirits 烈酒 8.precision 精确 9.category 类别 10.depressants 镇静剂 11.inhibited 抑制 12.restrained 克制 13.co-ordination 协调 14.attempts 企图 15.campaigns 运动 16.punishments 惩罚 原文 Alcohol Alcohol is the oldest drug that is used in Western countries. For thousands of years，people have made alcoholic beverages. These beverages are made by allowing a process fermentation to occur. Alcoholic fermentation happens when yeasts or bacteria break down the sugars that occur in some liquids，and convert some of those sugars into alcohol. Many liquids，such as fruit juices，can ferment. Thousands of years ago，alcoholic drinks were common in the Middle East. However，the Islamic region forbids alcohol，so very little alcohol is consumed in this part of the world. In European countries，and in other parts of the world，many different kinds of alcoholic beverages are produced and consumed. In warmer areas of Europe，people make wine by allowing grape juice to ferment. In cooler areas of Europe，people make beer by fermenting liquids made from water and various grains. The process of fermentation is also used to make stronger drinks known as spirits These drinks include vodka，whisky，and rum. The techniques for making good wine，beer，and spirits have been developed over hundreds of years，and require scientific precision. Some people have developed a great appreciation for well-made wine，beer and spirits，and have become experts about the many different varieties of these beverages. Many people appreciate the taste of alcoholic beverages，but many also enjoy the feeling that alcohol causes. Alcohol belong to a category of drugs called“depressants”，because it“depresses”the central nervous system，causing a person to feel less inhabited or restrained. Many people enjoy this feeling，but when a person drinks a lot of alcohol，he or she loses co-ordination，balance，and judgement. Speech may become unclear，and the person may speak too much. Some people become aggressive or depressed. When a person under the influence of alcohol，the person is said to be drunk. One of the problems that can result from alcohol consumption is known as“drunk driving”. Some people try to drive a car after having consumed alcohol，but this is extremely dangerous. Each year，thousands of people are killed by drunk drivers who lose control of their cars. In recently years，attempts have been made to reduce this problem，by public education campaigns and by strict laws and punishments. If you drink，don't drive！ Another problem associated with alcohol is addiction，and it is known as alcoholism. Some people drink so frequently that they develop a psychological addiction to alcohol. This problem can have terrible consequences for a person's health，personal relationships，and career. Alcoholic beverages are firmly a part of Western culture，and of many other cultures also. On the one hand，drinks provide many people with much enjoyment and appreciation. On the other hand，alcohol is a drug that can be abused，leading to accidents and addiction.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.mammals 哺乳动物 2.whales 鲸鱼 3.sleds 雪橇 4.lamps 灯 5.territory 版图 6.carvings 雕刻 7.sculptures 雕塑 8.depict 描绘 9.sketches 素描 原文 The Inuit Not many people would want to live in the Arctic areas of northern Canada，Alaska，and Greenland. In these places，the summers are very short and the winters are extremely cold and dark. However，there are some people who have made this place their home for many generations. These people are called the Inuit. The word“Inuit”means“person”in the language of Inuit，which is called Inukitiut Before modern times，the Inuit had to survive by hunting. Because their homeland was in such a cold，northern place，the Inuit could not make a living by farming or by gathering plants. Many of the animals that the Inuit hunted are mammals that live in the water. For example，the Inuit used the boats to hunt whales. Also，they hunted seals by waiting for the seals to rise to the surface of the water. Sometimes，the Inuit would hunt the land mammals，such as polar bears. When eating the meat of the animals they had hunted，the Inuit often ate the meat raw. This was necessary because only raw meat could provide them with enough nutrients to survive in a place where fruits and vegetables were not available. In previous times，the Inuit were known as the“Eskimos”，which means“people who eat raw meat”. However，the Inuit did not like this name. The Inuit invented many useful tools for surviving in the cold，northern areas. They sewed warm clothing from the furs and skins of the animals they hunted. For transportation，they used the dogs，which could pull them in sleds across the snow. For making heat and light，they used the lamps that burned the fat and oil of whales. The Inuit were famous for their houses made of snow，which were called igloos. The igloos were made by cutting blocks of snow and then using these blocks to build a small round-shaped house. People could enter or exit the igloo through a narrow tunnel. In recently decades，the Inuit have had much contact with the modern world. Inuit children now attend schools，and Inuit adult work at a variety of occupations. In some ways，the Inuit have found it difficult to adjust to the changes from their traditional ways，but the Inuit are meeting this challenge. In Canada，there is a new territory in the far north，called Nunavut，where most of the people，including the leaders，are Inuit. The Inuit are famous for their beautiful artwork. In particularly，Inuit carvings and sculptures are known for their excellent quality. These carvings，which nowadays are made from a kind of stone called soapstone，depict people or animals such as bears，seals，or whales. In addition to paintings，Inuit artists have produced beautiful sketches and painting of northern scenes.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.debated 辩论 2.restrictions 限制 3.imitate 模仿 4.wrestlers 摔跤手 5.disputes 争执 6.conduct 安排 7.conflict 冲突 原文 Violence on Television Nowadays，the issue of violence on television is often debated. Many people are concerned that the images of violent acts might cause the viewers to become more aggressive. Some of these people believe that there should be restrictions on violent television programs. Other people feel that individuals should be able to choose what they want to watch on TV. Many of these people believe that violent television is unlikely to affect people's behavior. One of concerns that some people have about violent TV is that viewers might imitate aggressive acts. For example，consider a TV program that shows professional wrestlers. Some people believe that children watch the program might copy the actions of the wrestlers and that this could lead to serious injuries. As another example，consider a TV program that shows people shooting guns at each other. Some people believe that viewers of such a program might be more likely to use a gun in their disputes with others. Another concern that some people have with violent TV is that it might make people less sensitive to the effects of violence. In other words，people who watch many acts of violence on television might no longer be shocked by violet acts. They might then become quite tolerant of the use of violence. Some people do not believe that violence on television is likely to have harmful effects. They point out that many terrible acts of violence occurred long before television. They also argue that people can tell the difference between television and real life. That is，they say that people are unlikely to imitate violent acts，and are unlikely to become less sensitive to violence in real life. Also，they argue that parents are able to prevent their children from watching violent television. Psychologists have conducted some research studies on the effects of violent television. Some studies have shown that children who watch a lot of violent TV do become slightly more aggressive as adults. Other studies have found that people behave somewhat more aggressively after watching a violent program. This is especially true for people who have an aggressive personality. Finally ，some other research has found that rates of murder tend to increase slightly in the days following a televised boxing match. Nearly all psychologists now agree that violence on television does contribute to aggressive behavior in everyday life. The issue of violence on television is difficult because it is a conflict between public safety and individual freedom. Some people feel that violent TV should be restricted because it might have harmful effects on society but other feel that individuals should be free to watch the programs that they like.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.carbon dioxide 二氧化碳 2.absorbing 吸收 3.species 种 4.extinct 灭绝 5.declare 宣布 原文 Preservation of Forests Many thousands of years ago，much of the world's land area was covered in forests. Since that time，people have needed to clear the forests by cutting the trees in order to make room for their farms and cities. Today，forests are still being cleared，and many people are worried that too much forest area is being lost. There are many reasons why it is important to preserve forests. One reason is that the trees inside the forests help to remove carbon dioxide from the air and put oxygen back into the air. This is important，because scientists believe that too much carbon dioxide in the air might be causing the world's temperature increase quickly. The forests might help to reduce the problem by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. Another reason for preserving forests is maintain many different species of plants and animals. The forests are the home of a huge variety of plants and animals，which will be extinct if the forests are destroyed. These plants and animals are both beautiful and interesting，but they also have practical benefits for people. For example，doctors believe that many diseases might be treated by chemicals that are obtained from forest plants. Forests are also important for providing wood，or lumber，but sometimes people cut down too many trees for lumber. To preserve the forests，it is important to ensure that the amount of wood removed is not more than the amount of new wood that grows in the forest. Otherwise，the forest will gradually disappear. In many parts of the world，forests have already been cleared. In recently years，many forests have been cleared in South America，Africa，and southeast Asia. In other parts of the world，the forests had been cleared a long time ago. There are only a few areas of the world where very large areas of forests have not yet been changed by people. These areas include the Amazon rain forest in Brazil，and the northern forests of Canada，Alaska，and Siberia. Some countries have passed laws to protect their forests from being cleared. For example，a country can declare its forest areas to be a national park and prevent the forests from being cut down. However，this is very difficult for poor countries to do. The people may want to cut down the forests to obtain wood，to gain access to natural resources in the forest areas ，or to have new land for farming. When forests are cut down to gain new farmland，however，people usually find that the soil is not very good for farming. It is a difficult challenge to provide opportunities for poor people of these countries，and to protect the forests at the same time. However，it is very important that this challenge be met successfully because the forests will be needed by future generations of people.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.politics 政治 2.printer 印刷商 3.almanace 年历 4.experiments 实验 5.bifocals 双光眼镜 6.supervised 监督 7.ambassador 大使 原文 Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was one of the most famous people in American history. He was never a President of the United States，but he made great achievements in many areas in life，including business，literature，science，and politics. Benjamin Franklin was born in the city of Boston，during the year 1706. In his early years，Franklin was very poor. As a young man，he worked for his older brother，who was a printer. However，the two brother soon argued with each other. Benjamin decided to leave，and he moved to the city of Philadelphia. He worked very hard and soon became a successful printer. He published his own newspapers，and he also published books called almanacs，which contained many wise sayings. Many of the wise sayings in Franklin's almanacs are still repeated today. Franklin's printing business was very successful ，but he was also very interested in science. He performed experiments on the topic of electricity. Some of these experiments were very dangerous. In one experiment，Franklin was almost killed when he went outside during a lightning storm and flew a kite that had a metal key attached. However，Franklin was lucky enough to avoid injury，and he learned new facts about electricity. In addition to scientific research，Franklin was also an inventor. He invented a new kind of eye-glasses called“bifocals”. Bifocals are eye-glasses that allow people to see things that are far away，but also allow them to read things that are very close. Another invention was a new kind of stove for burning wood. This new stove was much more efficient than the older stove had been. He also invented a new lightning rod，which keeps house safe from lightning. Franklin was also interested in making his city a better place to live. He started a public library，and he helped to organize a hospital and a fire department. In addition，he supervised the postal service，which operated profitably under his command. In his later years，Franklin became heavily involved in politics. For most of Franklin's life，the United Sates was not yet a country. Instead，the states were still colonies of England，but Franklin encouraged other Americans to become an independent country. When the United States became a country，Franklin became the American ambassador to France. The French people like Franklin very much. Franklin later returned to the United States，and he died in 1790. Today，many Americans still admire the brilliant achievements of Benjamin Franklin，who did so much to improve people's lives. The picture of Benjamin Franklin can be seen on the American one hundred-dollar bill.

在喜马拉雅已支持实时字幕 关注公众号“高效英语磨耳朵”获取文稿和音频 词汇提示 1.trial by jury 陪审团审判 2.accused 控告 3.guilt 罪犯 4.innocence 无辜 5.crime 罪行 6.jurors 陪审员 7.ridiculous 荒唐的 8.ordeal 折磨 9.blistered 起泡 10.combat 搏斗 11.witchcraft 巫术 12.barbaric 野蛮 13.victim 受害者 14.bias 偏见 15.prejudice 成见 16.accurate 精确的 17.inconvenient 不方便 原文 The History of Trial by Jury In most English-speaking countries，a person is accused of a crime has the right to a“trial by jury”. In a trial by jury，the guilt or innocence of the accused person is decided by a group of 12 people，called jurors，who must listen to the evidence about this case. The idea of trial by jury is over 800 years old，but there was a time when criminal cases were decided in other ways. Today，many of these methods seem ridiculous and cruel. Many accused people were forced to undergo a trial by ordeal. There were several different kinds of this trial. For example，in the ordeal by fire，an accused man was forced to carry a red-hot piece iron in his hand. People believed that if the man was innocent，then the gods would protect him，and his hand would not be burned or blistered by the iron. Another form of the trial by ordeal was the ordeal by combat. If one person accused another of a crime，they would be forced to fight each other with some weapon. People believed that the gods would help the man who was right and allow him to win the fight. Yet another kind of ordeal was the ordeal by water. If a woman was accused of a crime，such as witchcraft，she might be thrown into a river with rocks attached to her. People believed that if the gods would help an innocent woman and allow her to float on the water. Gradually，people realized that the trial by ordeal was a completely worthless way to judge person's innocence or guilt. They wanted a less barbaric way to decide criminal cases. During the twelfth century，a new method was introduced by one of the kings of the England，Henry the Second. Henry said that criminal cases should be decided by the opinions of twelve honest men who knew about the crime，the victim，and the accused person. This was the beginning of trial by jury in English-speaking countries，and the method soon became very popular. People trusted this new method much more than they trusted the old methods Later，the system of trial by jury changed somewhat. Instead of having twelve men and women who knew about the crime，juries were chosen so that the twelve people did not know anything about the crime. This change ensures that the jurors do not have any bias or prejudice about the case. When jurors do not know any of the people involve in the case，their decisions are more like to be fair and accurate. Today，citizen in many countries are called occasionally for jury duty. This can be inconvenient for the people who are busy with their work and family life. However，many men and women are willing to serve on juries because of a feeling of responsibility to society. The use of juries in criminal cases helps to ensure that justice is done.