Language Point 1
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most significant and largely intact ecosystems left on the earth. (Para.1)
Meaning: The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important and basically untouched ecosystems remaining on the Earth.
intact: a. remaining sound, entire, or undamaged; not impaired in any way
An intact ozone layer prevents about 99% of the sun's UV rays from reaching the Earth. 完好的臭氧层可防止99%的太阳紫外线照射到地球上。
Despite his misfortunes, his faith and optimism remained intact. 虽然他遭遇到一些不幸, 他的信心和乐观丝毫未减。
Language Point 2
It is often characterized as an essentially untouched natural environment...(Para.1)
be characterized as: be described as
He is characterized as a man of principles.
The dam is characterized as one of the greatest pieces of engineering work in the world. 这个大坝被描述为世界上最伟大的工程之一。
Compare:be characterized by: exhibit or possess certain qualities or features
The camel is characterized by an ability to go for many days without water. 骆驼的特性是能许多天不喝水。
Your work is characterized by lack of attention to detail. 你的作品特点是对细节重视不够。
Language Point 3
However, vast reaches of the rainforest have been lived in and shaped by human hands for thousands of years. (Para.1)
Meaning: However, people have lived in the vast reaches of the rainforest and made changes in them for thousands of years.
reach: n. (often pl.) a continuous stretch; an expanse
The upper reaches of the river are quiet. 河流的上游地区是宁静的。
Further to the north, there are great reaches of forest. 再往北有大片的森林地带。
Language Point 4
The Amazon River Basin boasts the largest river system on Earth and harbors an ecosystem that is tremendously complex. (Para.2)
Meaning: The Amazon River Basin possesses the largest river system on Earth and contains an extremely complex ecosystem.
boast: vt. have (sth.) to be proud of
The library boasts first edition of Shakespeare. 这个图书馆藏有初版的莎士比亚作品。
The town boasts four swimming pools. 这座城镇拥有四个游泳池。
harbor：vt. provide a habitat, place, or home for
This is a stream that harbors trout and bass. 这条溪流为鳟鱼和鲈鱼提供了栖息地。
There will be a serious punishment for anyone who harbors criminals. 任何窝藏罪犯的人都将受到严厉的惩处。
Language Point 5
Early travelers from Renaissance Europe were overwhelmed by their first encounters. (Para.2)
Meaning: Early travelers from Renaissance Europe were deeply impressed by their first experiences of the Amazon River.
Renaissance: n. (the ~) the period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, when the art, literature, and ideas of ancient Greece were discovered again and widely studied, causing a rebirth of activity in all these things
encounter：n. a meeting, esp. one that is unplanned, unexpected or brief
We had a chance encounter in the park. 我们在公园里偶然相遇。
Our encounter with the President at the airport was exciting. 我们在机场和总统的不期而遇令人兴奋。
Language Point 6
In 1531, Francisco Pizarro overthrew the Incan empire, removing the emperor from his throne and taking for Spain the Incan imperial treasures. (Para.2)
Meaning: In 1531, Francisco Pizarro brought down the Incan empire, removing the emperor from his throne and taking the Incan imperial treasures for Spain.
overthrow: vt. remove from power or cause the downfall of, esp. by force
They foiled a plot to overthrow the government. 他们粉碎了一个推翻政府的阴谋。
Scientists, especially theoretical physicists, are all awaiting the next revolutionary breakthrough that overthrows the existing paradigms of theory and practice. 科学家，特别是理论物理学家，都在等待着下一次革命性的突破，因为那将推翻现存理论和实践的范例。
imperial: a. of, relating to, or suggestive of an empire or a sovereign, esp. an emperor or empress
imperial garden （皇家）御花园
Opposition to government policy was not confined to parliamentary members, but extended even to members of the imperial family. 对政府政策的反对意见不仅来自议会，而且还来自皇室家族。
Language Point 7
A decade later his younger brother ventured east from the high plateau of the Andes Mountains...(Para.2)
Meaning: Ten years later his younger brother set out from the high plateau of the Andes Mountains on a journey...
plateau: n. a large stretch of level land that is higher than the land around it on at least one side
The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau. 这个大牧场位于一个大高原的中央。
Oxygen is usually scarce on plateau. 高原上往往氧气稀少。
Language Point 8
...in pursuit of the famous cities of gold and spices thought to be hidden in the jungle forest.(Para.2)
in pursuit of: seeking; striving to achieve or obtain (some goal)
The dog ran in pursuit of the rabbit. 狗追兔子。
He went to the US in pursuit of further study. 他去美国学习深造。
spice: n. any of the vegetable substances used to give food a special smell or taste (e.g. pepper, mustard, ginger)
Pepper is one of my favorite spices. 胡椒粉是我最喜爱的调味品之一。
Oriental spices are welcome in the western world. 东方香料深受西方人喜爱。
Language Point 9
...having made what would prove to be the first descent of the length of the river. (Para.2)
Meaning: ...having made the first recorded journey along the entire length of the river from its upper reaches down to its mouth.
descent: n. the act or fact of going or coming down
The descent of the mountain took nearly two hours. 下山差不多花了两个小时。
The road makes sharp descent just past the lake. 道路一过湖泊便陡然下倾。
Language Point 10
A missionary who accompanied the group sent a remarkable account of their adventures to the Pope, including mention of the great signal drums that sounded from village to village far in advance of their arrival, warning of the coming of the European strangers. (Para.3)
Meaning: A missionary who went together with the group sent the Pope a remarkable account of their adventures, mentioning, among other things, the great signal drums sounding from village to village long before they arrived.
missionary: n. one who is sent, usu. to a foreign country, to spread religion
The missionary went to India to convert people to Christianity. 传教士去印度让人们改信基督教。
Language Point 11
His manuscript records seeing innumerable settlements along the river...(Para.3)
Meaning: His manuscript keeps a record of many many communities along the river...
manuscript: n. a typed or handwritten version of a book, an article, a document, or other work, esp. the author's own copy, prepared and submitted for publication
I have seen medieval manuscripts in which a given word is spelled four different ways on a single page! 我见过在同一页上一个单词竟有四种不同拼法的中世纪手稿！
At his death he left a great mass of undigested manuscripts. 他去世时留下大量尚未整理的手稿。
Language Point 12
Such reports have intrigued scientists ever since, ... (Para.3)
Meaning: Reports about Amazonian society, such as the one by the missionary, have greatly interested scientists since then, ...
Language Point 13
..., for they describe dense populations and large federations of tribes which, if verified, would be entirely at odds with modern stereotypes of hidden, thinly scattered tribes scratching out an uncertain existence.( Para.3)
Meaning: If (such reports about Amazonian society are) verified, they would be completely different from our modern images of Amazonian tribes as hidden and thinly scattered groups managing with difficulty to survive.
federation: n. a union
the American Federation of Labor (AFL) 美国劳工联合会
the regional federation of musicians 地区性音乐家联合会
stereotype: n. a fixed conception, opinion, or image (of sb. or sth.) that is oversimplified
We need to break through the stereotypes. 我们要打破陈规。
She does not fit the stereotype of a woman. 她不符合妇女的传统形象。
Language Point 14
Beginning in the late seventeenth century, the successors to the first explorers ... (Para.4)
successor: n. a person who follows or succeeds another in office, position, or ownership of property
A temporary successor has already been appointed. 临时继任者已被任命。
We have found a good successor. 我们找到了一位理想的接班人。
Language Point 15
...and collected many of the everyday objects fashioned from wood and other organic materials that usually rot in a tropical climate. (Para.4)
Meaning: ...and collected many of the everyday objects made of wood and other organic materials that decay easily in a tropical climate.
rot: vi. (cause to) decay by a gradual natural process; (cause to) go bad
Meat may rot if it is not refrigerated. 肉若不冷藏就可能腐烂。
Electric cables and water pipes rot in the ground. 电缆和水管在地下腐烂。
Language Point 16
Such collections housed in European museums preserve a "window" into cultures ...(Para.4)
Meaning: The collections kept in European museums present us with a window, through which we can get to know or observe the cultures of Amazon ...
preserve: v. keep from being lost; keep safe or free from harm or decay
People preserve fish in salt to prevent it from decay. 人们用盐腌鱼防止鱼变坏。
They preserve the scene in motion pictures. 他们把这一场面拍成电影保存下来。
Language Point 17
Population collapse and movement along the principal rivers of the Amazon system have contributed to a veil of misunderstanding ...(Para.5)
Meaning: Population decline and movement along the main rivers of the Amazon system are factors that prevent the outside world from better understanding...
veil: n. sth. that covers or hides sth. else
The discovery will help lift the veil of mystery about the ancient town. 这一发现将有助于揭开这座古城的神秘面纱。
A veil of mist hung over the hills. 一层薄雾笼罩着山丘。
Language Point 18
Diffuse bands hunting deep in the forest interior ...(Para.5)
Meaning: Scattered groups of people hunting deep in the forest interior ...
diffuse: a. widely spread or scattered; not concentrated
This is a diffuse organization. 这是一个松散的组织。
His talk was so diffuse that I missed his point. 他的谈话漫无边际，我抓不住他的要点。
Language Point 19
Two factors have been instrumental in lifting the veil of misunderstanding. (Para.6)
instrumental: a. serving as a means of bringing sth. about; helpful (in)
His proposal was instrumental in solving the problem. 他的提议有助于解决这个问题。
He was chiefly instrumental in introducing Shakespeare to the Chinese public. 在把莎士比亚介绍给中国公众方面他起了主要作用。
Language Point 20
Archaeological digs in the highest reaches of the Upper Amazon have demonstrated the existence of a widespread style of painting large watertight jars in bold black, ... (Para.6)
Meaning: What have been dug in the highest reaches of the Upper Amazon have showed us that there was a widespread style of large painting watertight jars in eye-catching black, ...
watertight: a.
1) through which no water can pass
The box is watertight. 这个盒子不漏水。
He invented watertight bulkheads. 他发明了不透水隔离壁。
2) produced with great care, so that no one can find anything wrong
They got watertight argument. 他们的论据无懈可击。
They made a watertight plan. 他们制订了严密的计划。
Language Point 21
The style transcends local and regional cultures ...(Para.6)
transcend: vt. pass beyond the limits of
These issues transcend the limits of language study. 这些问题超出语言研究的范围。
This is a film rooted in personal memory but transcending it. 这是一部源于个人回忆，但远远超出个人回忆的电影。
Language Point 22
...and points to considerable intercourse between societies along the vast river network. (Para.6)
Meaning: ...and indicates a large amount of communication among societies along the vast river network.
intercourse: n. exchang of feelings, actions, etc. which make people know each other closely
There is increasing intercourse between the scientific community and the ordinary people. 科学界与普遍民众之间的交往正日益增多。
Social intercourse took up much of his time. 社交占去了他很多时间。
Language Point 23
... implies an occupation of the Amazon Basin for at least 14,000 years, ...(Para.7)
Meaning: ... means that humans have lived in the Amazon Basin for at least 14,000 years,...
occupation: n. the act or process of holding or possessing a place
the occupation of a house by a family 某家庭在某房子中的居住
This house is ready for immediate occupation. 这所房子可以马上住人了。
Language Point 24
Recent archaeological research has focused on a phenomenon barely noticed before: extensive patches of rich black soil found along the banks and on terraces above all major rivers in the Amazon. (Para.8)
patch: n. a small plot or piece of land, esp. one that produces or is used for growing specific vegetation
We chased the rabbits out of the cabbage patch. 我们把兔子从卷心菜地撵走了。
I was given a little patch of their garden to cultivate. 他们小花园的一小块地分给了我耕作。
terrace: n. one of a series of flat areas cut out of a hill like steps, and used to grow crops
rice terraces 水稻梯田
Language Point 25
These soils are usually filled with fragments of busted ceramics ...(Para.8)
bust: v. (infml.) break
The boy busted the glass. 小男孩弄碎了玻璃。
Sam and his wife busted up a year ago. 萨姆和他的妻子一年前关系就破裂了。
Language Point 26
...and are now being studied for clues to the rise of tropical forest civilizations in the Amazon Basin. (Para.8)
Meaning: ...and these soils or, more exactly, fragments of busted ceramics are being studied so as to find what helps to lead to the rise of tropical forest civilizations in the Amazon Basin.
Language Point 27
It seems that the sites were visited regularly over the years and new jars added as family members expired. (Para.9)
Meaning: It appears that the sites were visited regularly over the years and new jars added when family members died.
expire: vi.
1) (literary.) die
The patient expired early this morning. 那个患者是凌晨死亡的。
The old man expired at the age of eighty. 老人于80岁时过世。
2) (of sth. which lasts for a period of time) come to an end; run out
Our trade agreement with Holland will expire at the end of this year. 我们同荷兰的贸易协定今年年底期满。
My season ticket will expire this week. 我的季票这周到期。
Language Point 28
These burials reflect the family ties of ancient settlements and their nurturing of links between the living and the dead. (Para.9)
Meaning: These burials that used funeral jars show the family relationships among ancient settlements and also show they took care to maintain connections between the living and the dead.
Language Point 29
The native peoples of the Amazon can no longer be seen as isolated communities in the depths of the forest or dispersed along rivers. (Para.10)
disperse: v. (cause to ) scatter or spread in different directions, so as to be no longer present
After school the children dispersed to their home. 放学后孩子们各自回家。
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. 警察用催泪弹驱散人群。
Language Point 30
Archaeology points to successful methods for adapting to the forest, grounded in practical expertise and empirical knowledge of the limitations and possibilities of this environment. (Para.11)
Meaning: Archaeological studies show us successful methods for adapting to the forest, based on practical knowledge and knowledge gained through experience of the limitations and possibilities of this environment.
expertise: n. skill or knowledge in a particular field
expertise in the economic and industrial matters 在经济和工业事务方面的专门知识
His expertise was not equal to the task. 他的知识技能不能适应那项工作的要求。
empirical: a. based on practical experience rather than on theory
He had empirical knowledge. 他有从实践经验得来的知识。
Scientists are hoping to find empirical evidence to confirm their theory. 科学家们希望有实践经验证明自己的理论是正确的。
