Language Point 1
... I had been prospecting for gold in southern Alaska, ...(Para. 1)
prospect for: search for (minerals, etc.)
Geological workers will be prospecting for oil in that remote region. 地质工作者将在那个偏僻的地区勘探石油。
Whereas in the 19th century fortune hunters prospected for gold, today professional geologists prospect for oil, uranium, and industrial metals. 19世纪追求财富的人寻找金子，而今天的专职地质学家勘探石油、铀和工业用金属。
Language Point 2
... as I emerged from a forest, I froze in my tracks. (Para. 1)
Meaning: ... as I walked out of a forest, I suddenly stopped and stood motionless because of fright.
freeze: vi. become motionless because of fright or fear
The child froze at the sight of the snake. 这孩子看见蛇时吓得呆住了。
A wild animal will sometimes freeze in its tracks when it smells an enemy. 野生动物嗅到敌人的气味时会突然停下来。
Language Point 3
... the wolf was lucky I had happened along. (Para. 1)
Meaning: ... the wolf was lucky that I had come by chance.
happen along: arrive or appear unexpectedly and by chance
My friend happened along when I got into financial trouble. 正当我遇到经济困难时，我朋友恰好来了。
Guess who happened along while I was waiting for the plane? 我在等飞机的时候，猜猜谁碰巧来了？
Language Point 4
Yet now, confused and frightened at my approach, the wolf backed away, straining at the trap chain. (Para. 2)
Meaning: The wolf was frightened and upset as I came near; she moved back slowly, and pulled hard at the chain.
back away: step or move back slowly; withdraw gradually
The onlookers backed away and stood watching the dangerous game from a safe distance.旁观的人们后退几步，站在安全的地方看着这一充满危险的游戏。
He never backed away from difficulties. 他从未在困难面前退缩过。
strain: vi.
1) (at) use great effort in trying to tug or pull hard
The dog strains at the leash, eager to be off. 狗拼命地拉扯皮带，想挣脱开去。
2) exert maximum effort
The manufacturer is straining to get his orders out in time. 厂商正全力按时完成他的定单。
Language Point 5
... if I tried to release the wolf, she would turn aggressive and try to tear me to pieces. (Para. 2)
Meaning: ... if I tried to set the wolf free, she would be ready to attack me and pull me into pieces.
aggressive: a.
1) ready to attack or fight; offensive
dogs trained to be aggressive 被训练成攻击型的狗
Their purpose is to provide a cover for their own aggressive activities. 他们的目的无非是给自己的侵略行为施放烟幕而已。
2) boldly or assertively enterprising
an aggressive young executive 一个进取心很强的年轻管理人员
It is good to be aggressive in business. 做生意有闯劲是好事。
tear ... to pieces (shreds, tatters): forcefully or violently pull apart or into small bits
With trembling fingers the old lady tore the check to pieces. 老太太用颤抖的手指将支票撕成了碎片。
The girl tore her ex-boyfriend's photo to pieces. 女孩把她原来男朋友的照片撕得粉碎。
Language Point 6
I spotted paw marks on a trail skirting the marsh. (Para. 3)
Meaning: I saw paw marks on a path along the edge of the marsh.
spot: vt. pick out, recognize or see often as a person or a thing out of many
It was quite a while before we spotted our friend James. He was quite different from what he was two years ago. 我们好大一会儿才认出我们的老友詹姆斯。因为他与两年前大不一样了。
Did you spot the errors in your spelling? 你发现你拼写中的错误了吗？
skirt: v.
1) (round, around) be on or pass along the edge of
We skirted the field so as not to damage the crops. 我们绕着田边走以免踩坏庄稼。
The road skirts the lake for a few miles. 这条路绕着湖边有几英里远。
2) (round, around)avoid direct reference to
In his speech he seemed to skirt (around) all the main problems. 在他的讲话中，他似乎回避了所有主要问题。
He deliberately skirted around the subject of his family. 他故意避开了有关他家庭的话题。
Language Point 7
Wolf pups are shy and timid, and I didn't have much hope of luring them outside. (Para. 3)
Meaning: Baby wolves are shy and easily frightened, and it seemed to me that I had little chance of tempting them out of their nest.
timid: a. easily frightened; afraid
That fellow is as timid as a rabbit. 那家伙胆小得像兔子。
The boy was timid about speaking before such a large audience for the first time. 这个男孩第一次在这么多人面前发言感到羞怯不安。
lure: vt. attract, tempt
lure sb. away from his duty 引诱某人离开职守
Life in the city lured him away from the countryside. 城市生活吸引他离开了农村。
Language Point 8
I extended my hands, and they tentatively sucked at my fingers; perhaps hunger had helped overcome their natural fear. (Para. 4)
Meaning: I held out my hands, and the baby wolves tried to suck at my fingers; probably it was their hunger that helped them to fight back their natural fear.
tentatively: ad. hesitantly, not confidently
She took each step tentatively. 她每走一步都迟疑不决。
Language Point 9
When the mother wolf spotted me, she stood erect. (Para. 4)
Meaning: When the mother wolf saw me carrying her young, she stood rigidly upright.
Language Point 10
Possibly picking up the scent of her young, she let out a high-pitched, miserable howl. (Para. 4)
Meaning: Possibly smelling the scent of her young, the mother wolf gave a high-pitched, miserable howl.
pick up: sense or smell (sth.), find or locate (sth.)
The cat picked up the fish's smell. 猫嗅出了鱼的气味。
The alert hunter picked up the scent of a big game nearby. 那位警觉的猎人闻到附近一头大型猎物的气味。
let out:
1) utter, give forth
The injured man let out a loud groan of pain when the surgeon was sewing up his wound. 当医生给那位受伤的人缝合伤口时，他发出了一声痛苦的呻吟。
The little girl let out a sharp scream when she saw a rat running towards her. 那小姑娘看见一只耗子朝她跑过来，吓得发出了一声尖叫。
2) reveal, disclose (a secret)
Keep this to yourselves — don't let it out to the press. 你们自己知道就是了——别泄露给新闻界。
He has let (it) out that he is going to quit the job. 他已放出口风打算要辞去这份工作。
Language Point 11
I released the babies and they darted towards her; ... (Para. 4)
Meaning: I let her babies go and they ran quickly to their mother; ...
dart: vi.move suddenly and quickly
Tom darted back into bed as he heard his aunt's step on the stairs. 一听到婶婶上楼的脚步声，汤姆立刻飞身躺回到床上。
Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子飞快地穿过空中。
vt. throw or direct suddenly and quickly
The shy girl darted a glance at the handsome lad from under lowered eyelids. 那个害羞的姑娘从她低垂的眼帘看了那位英俊小伙一眼。
He darted an angry look at me. 他怒气冲冲地瞪了我一眼。
Language Point 12
Yet each time I moved in her direction, a menacing sound rose from her throat. (Para. 5)
menace: vt. threaten
Two men menaced him with weapons and forced him to give up his money. 两个人用枪逼着他要他把钱交出来。
The tiger continued to menace us by walking round and round our tent. 老虎在我们帐篷外走来走去，不断地威胁着我们。
Language Point 13
With her young to protect, she was becoming aggressive. (Para. 5)
Meaning: In order to protect her young from being hurt, the mother wolf now became ready to attack.
Language Point 14
I hiked towards a creek, and spotted the leg of a winter-killed deer sticking out of the snow. (Para. 5)
Meaning: I walked toward a creek, and discovered the leg of a deer which died of severe winter poking up out of the snow.
hike: vi.go for a long walk in the mountains or country for pleasure or exercise
The kids often go hiking at weekends. 孩子们经常在周末徒步远足。
n. a long walk, esp. in the country for pleasure
After the hike to the river the soldiers camped for the night. 徒步行军到了河边，战士们开始搭帐篷过夜。
stick out: (cause to) come outwards from a surface, project
He stuck his head out of the window to call his mother. 他把头伸出窗外叫他母亲。
One branch stuck out and caught her by the hair. 一个树枝突出来，挂住了她的头发。
Language Point 15
...returned the still edible remains to nature's icebox. (Para. 5)
Meaning: ...placed the rest of the edible dead deer to the nature, where is very cold, just like in icebox.
edible: a. fit or suitable to be eaten
The apple got rotten, so it is no longer edible. 苹果坏了，不能再吃了。
an edible mushroom 一种可食用蘑菇
remains: n.
1) what is left
The remains of a meal are (is) in the refrigerator. 剩饭在冰箱里。
We found the remains of a fire in the hut. 在那间茅棚里我们发现了一堆火的余烬。
2) a dead body; corpse
His remains lie in the churchyard. 他的遗体葬在教堂的墓地。
Language Point 16
Hoisting the meat, I went back to the wolf and whispered to her in a gentle tone, ... (Para. 5)
hoist: vt. raise or pull up, esp. using ropes
The sailors hoisted the flag, and the ship was ready to start on a long voyage. 水手们升起船上的旗子,轮船准备好出发远航。
Language Point 17
But only if you stop glaring at me... (Para. 5)
Meaning: I wish that you did not stare at me that way ...
glare: vi. (at) stare fixedly and angrily
The teacher glared at the naughty boy. 老师生气地盯着那个淘气的男孩。
They didn't quarrel, but stood there glaring at each other. 他们没有吵架，只是站在那里怒目相视。
Language Point 18
I tossed chunks of deer meat in her direction. (Para. 5)
Meaning: I threw pieces of deer meat to the mother wolf.
toss: vt. throw up into or through the air
The children tossed the ball at each other. 孩子们把球抛来抛去。
v. (cause to) move restlessly from side to side
The boat was tossed this way and that in the stormy sea. 船在波涛汹涌的海浪中颠簸着。
Language Point 19
She sniffed them, then started feasting. (Para. 5)
sniff: v. (at) draw air into the nose with a sound to discover a smell in or on
sniff at a rose (the medicine) 闻玫瑰花 (药)
The dog sniffed suspiciously at the stranger. 狗对那个陌生人怀疑地嗅来嗅去。
vi. draw air in through the nose with a sound
He caught a cold and was sniffing. 他感冒了，呼吸时鼻子呼哧呼哧的。
feast: vi. (on, upon) eat heartily; have a specially good meal (of)
The birds are feasting on the berries. 这些鸟正在饱餐浆果。
We feasted on coconuts. 我们吃椰子。
vt. give a splendid meal to
The president feasted the visiting delegates. 总统宴请来访的代表团成员。
Language Point 20
Cutting some sturdy tree branches, I fashioned a rough shelter for myself ... (Para. 5)
Meaning: I cut some strong tree branches, and used them to put up a simple and crude shelter for myself ...
sturdy: a.
1) strong and solid
a sturdy oak tree 结实的橡树
The child had sturdy legs. 这个孩子有健壮的双腿。
2) unwilling to be defeated; determined
Our troops offered a sturdy resistance against the enemy's aggression. 我们的军队对敌人的侵略进行了坚决的抵抗。
He kept up a sturdy opposition to the plan. 他坚决反对这项计划。
fashion: vt. give form or shape to by using hands or few tools; make
Primitive men fashioned tools from stones. 原始人用石头制作工具。
He fashioned a whistle out of a piece of wood. 他用一块木头做了一只哨子。
Language Point 21
... I was awakened by four cute bundles of fur sniffing at my face and hands. (Para. 6)
cute: a. (esp. of sth. or sb. small) attractive in an amusing or interesting way
She is such a cute baby. 她真是个可爱的小宝宝。
The baby wore a cute dress. 婴儿穿着一件漂亮的衣服。
Language Point 22
Over the next few days, I divided my time between prospecting and trying to win the wolf's trust. (Para. 6)
Meaning: Over the next few days, I spent half my time searching for gold and half my time attempting to win the mother wolf's confidence.
divide between: split or break up between; share between
We'll have to divide the work between us. 我们共同分担这项工作。
After his death his wealth was divided between his children. 他去世后，孩子们分了他的财产。
Language Point 23
... I delivered her daily fare of deer meat. (Para. 6)
Meaning: ... I took her daily food of deer meat to her.
fare: n.
1) food and drink; diet
good/simple/standard fare 良好(简单，标准)的饮食
2) a transportation charge, as for a bus
pay one's taxi fare 付出租汽车费
Language Point 24
One snap of her huge muscular jaws and she could break my arm, or my neck. (Para. 7)
Meaning: One bite with her strong jaws would be enough to break either my arm or my neck.
snap: n. a sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp
The dog made a snap at my finger when I fed it. 我在喂狗时，它咬了我的手指。
v. bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite or try to bite
The enormous fish snapped the hook. 那条大鱼咬钩了。
The puppy snapped the cookie out of the child's hand. 那只小狗从那孩子手里咬饼干吃。
Language Point 25
I wedged a stick between the jaws of the trap ... (Para. 7)
wedge: vt. force into a narrow or limited space
He wedged a bag into a corner of the suitcase. 他把一只包塞进了手提箱的一角。
I was wedged in the corner so tightly that I could not move. 我被紧紧地挤在角落里，一动也不能动。
Language Point 26
My experience in the wild suggested the wolf would now gather her pups and vanish into the woods. (Para. 8)
Meaning: My experience in the wild made me think that the wolf would collect her babies and disappear into the woods.
suggest: vt.
1) make one think that sth. is likely to exist or be true
His attitude suggested that he was not really interested in my proposal. 他的态度表明他对我的建议并不感兴趣。
Evidence suggests a link between asthma and pollution. 证据表明哮喘和污染有关联。
2) propose; put forward for consideration as a possibility
The police suggested that the motive for the crime was jealousy. 警察认为这桩案子的动机是出于妒忌。
His report suggested a further investigation into this case. 他在报告中建议应对此案做进一步调查。
3)hint at; state or express indirectly
Are you suggesting that I'm too old for the job? 你在暗示我老得干不动这活了吗？
Language Point 27
What a thrill! (Para. 8)
Meaning: What an excitement! What an exciting experience it is!
thrill: n. a sudden strong feeling of excitement, joy, or sometimes fear
Then came a letter which gave the people present an extraordinary thrill. 这时来了一封信，使在场的人们感到非同寻常的激动。
His first plane trip was a thrill for him. 第一次乘飞机对他来说是一件令人激动的事。
v. (cause to) feel an excited feeling
The children thrilled with joy at the sight of the Christmas tree. 孩子们看到圣诞树都兴奋不已。
The match was so fierce that it thrilled all the audience. 比赛很激烈，观众都兴奋不已。
Language Point 28
This went against everything I'd ever heard about timber wolves. (Para. 8)
Meaning: This is completely contrary to what I'd heard about timber wolves.
go against: be contrary to; oppose
This business goes against my conscience. 这桩交易违背我的良心。
It goes against the principles. 这件事违背原则。
Language Point 29
... the mother wolf was ready to leave and began to limp off toward the forest. (Para. 8)
limp: vi.
1) walk lamely or unevenly as one leg or foot is hurt or stiff
The wounded soldier limped off the battlefield. 那负伤的士兵一瘸一拐地离开了战场。
2) (of a damaged vehicle) proceed with difficulty
The damaged ship limped back to the port. 那只受损的船费力地驶回港口。
Language Point 30
After a few minutes of greeting, the wolf clan broke into howling. (Para. 9)
clan: n.
1) a large family or group of animals
The whole clan is coming to stay with me at the Spring Festival. 我那一大帮亲戚要在春节期间在我这里住。
2) a large family group, with a common ancestor and usu. the same family name
The McRobert clan 麦克罗伯特宗族
break into: suddenly burst into
After reading the letter, he broke into weeping. 看完信，他突然呜呜地哭了起来。
The audience broke into cheers. 观众爆发出一阵欢呼。
Language Point 31
... ranging from low moaning to high-pitched crying. (Para. 9)
range from ... to: vary between limits
The temperature in North China in summer ranges from 29oC to 38oC. 中国北方夏天的气温从29度到38度不等。
The quality of food ranges from ordinary to excellent. 食品质量由一般到优质不等。
