Reading 5.2

 

Unit 2  The Earth’s Mysterious Neighbor

Reading

The night was quiet except for the whistle ([`(h)wIsL] n. [C]呼嘯聲；口哨，哨音vi. 吹口哨) of the wind through the trees and the crackle ([`kr8kL] n. [C]劈啪聲) of torches ([tOrtS] n. [C]火把，火炬). Dozens of hunters glanced around nervously as they walked through the gloomy forest. They were looking for the mysterious murderer that had killed five people during the last full moon. In the distance (在遠處), a large shadow approached. When the clouds slipped past the full moon, the huge creature stood up on two legs, turned its head toward the moon, and growled ([Gra5l] vi.低聲吼叫) like a wolf.

The above is a typical description of a werewolf ([`wEr&w5lf] n. [C] (pl. werewolves)狼人) making his appearance under the full moon. In movies and in folklore ([`fok&lOr] n. [U]民間傳說，民間信仰), there are even more vivid ([`vIvId] adj.生動的，逼真的) accounts of how werewolves devour people, with blood dripping ([drIp] vi. (dripped | dripped | dripping)滴下，滴落n. [C]滴下的液體) down their jaws ([dZO] n. [C]下巴，下顎). Although not all lunar ([`lun2] adj.月亮的) legends are as terrifying ([`tEr1&faII9] adj.令人恐懼的，駭人聽聞的terrify [`tEr1&faI] vt. (terrified | terrified | terrifying) 使恐懼，使害怕) as the werewolf story, there are still many claiming that the full moon makes creatures lose control and act weirdly ([`wIrdlI] adv.怪異地，不尋常地weird [wIrd] adj.怪異的，不尋常的). According to some statistics, more murders and suicides, as well as animal attacks, are reported during full moons. In the mid­nineteenth century, the British Houses of Parliament ([`ha5zIz 1v `pArl1m1nt] n. pl. (the ～)(英國) 議會；(倫敦) 議會大廈parliament [`pArl1m1nt] n. sing. 議會，國會) even declared that anyone who lost his or her mind (發瘋，精神失常) and acted “funnily” only during a full moon should not face stiff ([stIf] adj.嚴厲的，嚴格的；僵硬的，僵直的) penalties ([`pEnLtI] n. [C]懲罰，處罰). In other words, those who committed crimes during a full moon would not be punished severely, since it was believed that the influence of the full moon had tempted them to behave abnormally ([8b`nOrm1lI] adv.異常地abnormal [8b`nOrm1l] adj.異常的，反常的) and violate the regulations ([&rEGj1`leS1n] n. [C]規定，法規regulate [`rEGj1&let] vt.(用規定、條令等)管理，約束). It is no surprise then that the English word “lunatic”([`lun1&tIk] n. [C]瘋子，行為極端的人adj.瘋狂的) comes from “luna,” the Latin word for the moon.

In fact, there are quite a few (相當多) theories explaining why serious cases of unusual behavior occur more frequently during a full moon. One common theory says that before the invention of light bulbs, it was difficult to see at night; as a result, most people stayed home and went to bed early. However, the bright moonlight during a full moon enabled people to stay up and engage in more activities. The more people stayed out (在外逗留，不回家) late, the more likely it was that certain incidents would take place ((尤指依計畫或安排) 發生，舉行). Thus, stories about bad things happening during a full moon have accumulated ([1`kjumj1&let] vi.(數量) 漸增，越來越多vt.累積，積聚accumulation [1&kjumj1`leS1n] n. [U] 累積) over time, and people then have made inferences ([`Inf1r1ns] n. [C]推斷的結果，推論infer [In`f3] vt. (inferred | inferred | inferring) (fml.) 推斷，推論) about the negative impact of the full moon on humans.

Whether those stories are true or not, it is undeniable that the moon is essential to life on our planet. When the moon rotates ([`ro&tet] vi.(繞著固定點)轉動，旋轉rotation [ro`teS1n] n. [U]旋轉) around the earth, its gravity creates tides ([taId] n. [C]潮汐tidal [taIdL] adj.潮汐的) in the ocean. As this gravitational force is exerted ([IG`z3t] vt.施加，運用) on the waters of the ocean, food is brought to some of the planet’s living creatures. For instance, crabs are able to find food in the intertidal zone ([&Int2`taIdL `zon] n. [C] (the ～)潮間帶) while the tide is ebbing ([Eb] vi.退潮). In brief (簡言之), tidal movements also allow wetlands ([`wEtl1nd] n. [C] (usu. pl.)溼地) to sustain life.

Moreover, scientists have confirmed ([k1n`f3m] vt.證實，確認confirmation [&kAnf2`meS1n] n. [U] 證實，確認) that the moon’s gravity keeps the earth stable ([`stebL] adj.穩定的stability [st1`bIl1tI] n. [U] 穩定stabilize [`stebL&aIz] vt. 使穩定). If it were not for the moon, the earth would sway ([swe] vi.搖擺，搖晃) on its axis ([`8ksIs] n. [C] (pl. axes)(物體旋轉的) 軸心), and different parts of the planet would point at the sun every year. Taiwan, for example, might be frozen like the North Pole one year but hotter than the Sahara ([s1`hEr1] n. (the ～)撒哈拉沙漠) the next. The climate would be a terrible mess, not to mention the fact that people around the world would face a tough challenge of adjusting ([1`dZ^st] vi.適應，習慣vt.調整adjustment [1`dZ^stm1nt] n. [C] 調整，校正) to harsh ([hArS] adj.嚴峻的，惡劣的adj.嚴苛的，殘酷的) weather conditions ([k1n`dIS1nz] n. pl.情況condition [k1n`dIS1n] n. [U] 狀況).

Lacking sufficient knowledge about the moon, the ancients made up mysterious legends and performed rituals ([`rItS51l] n. [C]儀式). They adjusted their behavior according to the different phases of the moon. Today, we have more accurate information about how the moon constantly influences us and our planet. We know more about the moon than our ancestors ([`8nsEst2] n. [C]祖先) did; however, there are still many aspects of it waiting to be discovered. Maybe in another decade, we’ll be able to have a far deeper understanding of the moon, the earth’s mysterious neighbor.

—Robert Gouthro

Comprehension Check

Choose the correct answer to each question or statement.

(　　) 1. The reading is mainly about ________.

(A) the mystery of werewolves during a full moon

(B) how the moon is portrayed in folklore and movies

(C) how the moon influences the living things on Earth

(D) technological developments in the field of lunar research

(　　) 2. According to the reading, before light bulbs were invented, unusual behavior occurred frequently during a full moon because ________.

(A) a full moon would exert magical power on people

(B) it was so dark that people couldn’t see things clearly

(C) people tended to stay up doing more things at this time

(D) werewolves would appear and cause injuries and deaths

(　　) 3. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

(A) The moon helps control the earth’s climate patterns.

(B) The moon is vital to creatures of the earth’s wetlands.

(C) Without the moon, the earth would not rotate around the sun.

(D) The British believed that the full moon caused people to commit crimes.

(　　) 4. What can we infer from the reading?

(A) The author agrees that the moon makes some people lose their minds.

(B) “Acting funnily” means “making a face and telling amusing jokes.”

(C) According to current British law, if people commit crimes during a full moon, they will be punished severely.

(D) Although people nowadays have a better understanding of the moon, many aspects of it still remain unknown.

 Comprehension Check

1 C 2 C 3 C 4 D

Patterns in Use

1  . . . a person/anyone/those who + be/V . . . Examples: ‧Anyone who lost his or her mind and acted “funnily” only during a full moon should not face stiff penalties. ‧Those who committed crimes during a full moon would not be punished severely. ‧A person who gets up early is more likely to stay healthy.

◎Exercise:

Vivian (“V”) and Jade (“J”) are talking about the moon. Complete their conversation by using the given words and the above pattern. The first one has been done for you.

V: Have you read this interesting report? It says that ¹__those who lived in ancient times believed in the existence of werewolves__ (those/live/ancient times/believe/existence/werewolf ).

J: Yes. The report also mentions that ²________________________ (those/not/fully understand/moon/tend/think) that the moon affected many living things on Earth, including werewolves.

V: Additionally, ³________________________ (anyone/act/strangely/only during a full moon/not/face/severe/penalty), for it was believed that their unusual behavior was involuntary, and it was the full moon that had made them behave unreasonably.

J: But, from a common­sense point of view, maybe it was just because people could spend a lot more time outside finishing their work, having fun with their friends, or simply fooling around in the moonlight of a full moon. ⁴________________________ (those/stay out/late/behave/bizarrely) with exhaustion, and you know what usually happens when people get really tired.

V: That’s right. Thanks to science and technology, ⁵________________________ (a person/be/educated/now/have/more accurate information/moon). Some of the old mysteries about the moon have been solved, and people today know more about the moon, in general.

 句型一

Exercise

2 those who did not fully understand the moon tended to think

3 anyone who acted strangely only during a full moon would not face severe penalties

4 Those who stayed out late behaved bizarrely

5 a person who is educated now has more accurate information about the moon

2  If it were/Were it not for + N, S + would/should/could/might + be/V . . . Examples: ‧If it were not for the moon, the earth would sway on its axis. ‧Were it not for air, water, and sunshine, there would be no life on Earth.

Exercise:

Rewrite the following sentences by using the above pattern.

1. If it were not for medical advances, there would be no treatments for cancer.

→ __________________________________________________________________________

2. Were it not for his uncle’s support, Jason might not have enough money to attend college.

→ __________________________________________________________________________

3. If it were not for the Internet, I could not collect detailed information so quickly for my assignments.

→ __________________________________________________________________________

4. Were it not for the destruction of their natural habitats, tigers might not be in danger of extinction today.

→ __________________________________________________________________________

句型二

Exercise

1 Were it not for medical advances, there would be no treatments for cancer.

2 If it were not for his uncle’s support, Jason might not have enough money to attend college.

3 Were it not for the Internet, I could not collect detailed information so quickly for my assignments.

4 If it were not for the destruction of their natural habitats, tigers might not be in danger of extinction today.

◎Extra Exercise:

Translate the following pairs of Chinese sentences into English by using the patterns on pages 42 and 43.

I.

1. 任何騎機車的人都必須戴安全帽。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

2. 要不是有這項規定，許多騎士在交通事故時會頭部受傷。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

II.

1. 要不是有空氣和水，人類就無法存活。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

2. 將這些東西視為理所當然的人們應該學著珍惜它們。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

III.

1. 要不是有字典，學生們就無法學習單字的正確用法。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

2. 想要學好英文的人都應該善用字典。

→ __________________________________________________________________________

Extra Exercise

I

1 Anyone who rides a motorcycle must wear a helmet.

2 If it were/Were it not for the rule, many motorcyclists would injure their heads in a road accident.

II

1 If it were/Were it not for air and water, humans could not survive/live.

2 Those who take these things for granted should learn to value/cherish them.

II

1 If it were/Were it not for dictionaries, students could not learn the correct usage of words.

2 Those who want/Anyone who wants to learn English well should make good use of dictionaries.

Writing Hands-on

Problems and Solutions: Part II

Problems can be solved in different ways. Solutions can be based on:

‧theory

‧case studies

‧information

‧logical reasoning

‧personal experience

‧cases of successful solutions

To write a problem­solving essay, you first present the details of the problem. Then, propose a solution and analyze how it works to solve the problem.

Examples:

Problem: Our ancestors felt unsafe on nights when the moon was full.

Details of the Problem

‧Huge animals were seen under the full moon and heard growling like wolves.

‧Many creatures acted strangely during the full moon.

‧More murders and suicides, as well as animal attacks, were reported during full moons.

‧There were frequent occurrences of unusual behavior.

Solutions

‧People were advised to stay home and go to bed early.

‧People made up mysterious legends about the moon.

‧People performed rituals and adjusted their behavior according to the different phases of the moon.

Exercise A:

Fill in the following blanks with details about the given problem and think of some possible solutions.

Problem: I had the fear of public speaking.

Details of the Problem

‧_______________________________________________________________________________

‧_______________________________________________________________________________

‧_______________________________________________________________________________

Solutions

‧_______________________________________________________________________________

‧_______________________________________________________________________________

 Exercise A

Problem: I had the fear of public speaking.

Details of the Problem

My heart was in my mouth when I stood on the stage.

It seemed like the audience could hear the hammering of my heart while I was delivering a speech.

Nervousness filled my veins and made me light­headed.

Solutions

I told myself to think of the audience as stone instead of human beings.

With the crowd quieting down, a growing sense of confidence began to build inside me.

Transitional words or phrases that are often used in a problem­solving essay can be categorized as follows:

(A) Explaining:

in fact, as a matter of fact, actually, in theory, that is (to say), in other words, on the one hand, on the other hand, . . .

(B) Showing more solutions or explanations:

besides, in addition, what’s more, also, more importantly, . . .

Example:

Our ancestors used to feel unsafe on nights when the moon was full. They believed murders, suicides, and animal attacks would happen. They heard animals growling like wolves. In addition, there were frequent occurrences of unusual behavior happening during full moons.

To be on the safe side, people were advised to stay home and go to bed early during full moons. Quite a few theories were offered to explain why people used to feel unsafe during full moons. One common theory says that before the invention of light bulbs, it was difficult to see at night. However, the bright moonlight during a full moon enabled people to stay up longer and allowed some people to engage in bad activities. Over time, people made inferences about the negative impact of the full moon on humans. Other groups found comfort in making up mysterious legends about the moon to explain this perceived difference. What’s more, they performed rituals and adjusted their behavior according to the different phases of the moon.

Today, people still enjoy talking about the legends about the moon. However, they no longer feel terrified. With more accurate information about the moon, people have realized that it has no direct influence on human behavior.

Exercise B:

Write a problem­solving essay based on your answers from Exercise A. Your essay should be at least 120 words in length.

Exercise B

Even now, I still remember how frightened I was the first time I made a speech in public. My heart felt like it was in my mouth. It seemed like the audience could hear it hammering. It was, I felt, not butterflies but elephants that were in my stomach. The thundering herd was threatening to trample me thoroughly. Nervousness filled my veins, making me light­headed.

My mind went blank for a while. Then, I told myself to pretend that the audience was stone─Stones can’t hear or criticize. Slowly I began to talk. As the crowd began to quiet down, a growing sense of confidence began to build inside me. My muscles relaxed and my breathing eased. I finished my speech and went off the stage to thunderous applause.