Porpoises

原文

There has long been a superstition among mariners that porpoises will save drowning men by pushing them to the surface, or protect them from sharks by surrounding them in defensive formation. Marine Studio biologists have pointed out that, however intelligent they may be, it is probably a mistake to credit dolphins with any motive of lifesaving. On the occasions when they have pushed to shore an unconscious human being they have much more likely done it out of curiosity or for sport, as in riding the bow waves of a ship. In 1928 some porpoises were photographer working like beavers to push ashore a waterlogged mattress. If, as has been reported, they have protected humans from sharks, it may have been because curiosity attracted them and because the scent of a possible meal attracted the sharks. Porpoises and sharks are natural enemies. It is possible that upon such an occasion a battle ensued, with the sharks being driven away or killed.

Whether it be bird, fish or beast, the porpoise is intrigued with anything that is alive. They are constantly after the turtles, who peacefully submit to all sorts of indignities. One young calf especially enjoyed raising a turtle to the surface with his snout and then shoving him across the tank like an aquaplane. Almost any day a young porpoise may be seen trying to turn a 300-pound sea turtle over by sticking his snout under the edge of his shell and pushing up for dear life. This is not easy, and may require two porpoises working together. In another game, as the turtle swims across the oceanarium, the first porpoise swoops down from above and butts his shell with his belly. This knocks the turtle down several feet. He no sooner recovers his equilibrium than the next porpoise comes along and hits him another crack. Eventually the turtle has been butted all the way down to the floor of the tank. He is now satisfied merely to try to stand up, but as soon as he does so a porpoise knocks him flat. The turtle at last gives up by pulling his feet under his shell and the game is over.

--RALPH NADING HILL Window in the Sea --

译文

长期以来，海员中一直流传着一种迷信，认为海豚会把溺水者推向水面以救他们一命，或者以防御队形包围他们来抵御鲨鱼的攻击。然而，海洋生物研究所的生物学家们指出，尽管海豚可能非常聪明，但把拯救生命的动机归于它们很可能是一种误解。它们偶尔把一个失去知觉的人推向岸边，更有可能是出于好奇心或玩乐的兴致，就像它们在船首波浪上嬉戏一样。1928年，有人拍到一些海豚像海狸般辛勤工作，将一块浸水的床垫推上岸。如果如报道所述，它们曾保护人类免遭鲨鱼袭击，那可能是因为好奇心吸引了它们，而鲨鱼则被潜在食物的气味引来。海豚和鲨鱼是天生的敌人。在这种情况下，一场战斗可能随之发生，导致鲨鱼被赶走或杀死。

不论是鸟类、鱼类还是兽类，海豚对任何活物都充满兴趣。它们总是追逐海龟，而海龟则平静地忍受着各种侮辱。其中一只小海豚特别喜欢用鼻子将海龟托到水面，然后像水上滑行器一样把它推过水槽。几乎每天都能看到一只年轻的海豚试图将一只重达300磅的海龟翻转过来——它把鼻子伸到海龟壳的边缘，用尽全力向上顶。这可不容易，有时需要两只海豚合作。在另一个游戏中，当海龟游过海洋馆时，第一只海豚从上方俯冲下来，用腹部撞击海龟的壳。这一下就把海龟撞下几英尺深。海龟刚恢复平衡，下一只海豚就赶来再给它一击。最终，海龟被撞击到水槽底部。它现在只想试着站起来，但一站起来，海豚就把它撞倒在地。海龟最后只好缩回脚藏进壳里，游戏就这样结束了。

--RALPH NADING HILL Window in the Sea --

词汇表

superstition

名词

英:/ˌsuː.pərˈstɪʃ.ən/

美:/ˌsuː.pɚˈstɪʃ.ən/

定义

1. 迷信 - A belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic or chance.

例子: Many people hold the superstition that breaking a mirror brings bad luck.

例子: In some cultures, the superstition about black cats is still common.

2. 盲目信仰 - An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.

例子: The superstition that walking under a ladder is unlucky has been around for centuries.

例子: He dismissed the superstition about Friday the 13th as nonsense.

近义词

myth: 更侧重于虚构的故事或传说，而 superstition 强调非理性的信念和恐惧。

folklore: 通常指文化传统中的故事或习俗，superstition 则更具体地涉及个人或社会的不理性信仰。

old wives' tale: 一种非正式的表达，常用于轻视性的描述民间迷信，superstition 更中性。

反义词:

fact, rationality, science

用法

常用于描述非科学或非理性的信念，常见于文化、历史或心理语境中，如 'superstition about ghosts'（关于鬼魂的迷信）。在正式写作中可能带有负面含义。

形式:

复数: superstitions, 形容词形式: superstitious

关键句型 "It is possible that [clause]."

定义

此句型用于表达某事发生的可能性，结构为：It is possible that（这是可能的）+ [clause]（从句）。根据《剑桥英语语法》教材，这种句型是英语中常见的形式，用来表示不确定性或潜在情况，It 作为形式主语，possible 描述可能性，后面跟一个完整的从句。举例来说，在文章中，“It is possible that upon such an occasion a battle ensued” 就展示了这种结构，意思是某事可能发生，但不是确定的。

这个句型帮助学习者礼貌地表达假设或推测，避免直接断言。

用法

此句型常用于讨论假设场景、科学假设或日常推测中，例如在对话中表达不确定事件。规则：It is possible that 后必须接一个主语-谓语完整的从句，动词通常是过去式或现在式，取决于上下文。在语法体系中，它属于表示可能性的表达，与 might 或 could 相关联，但更正式。

横向比较：与 "Maybe [clause]" 相比，It is possible that 更正式和书面化，适合学术或叙述性文本；与 "It might be that [clause]" 类似，但 possible 强调客观可能性，而 might 更主观。跨语法联系：它可以与条件句结合，如 "If [condition], it is possible that [result]"，帮助学生连接到 if 从句的学习中。

例如，在文章中，它用于描述海豚和鲨鱼可能发生的战斗，展示了在叙述故事时如何使用这种句型来添加悬念。

注意事项

学生常犯的错误包括：忘记从句的完整性，比如说 "It is possible that a battle"（缺少谓语），应为 "It is possible that a battle ensued"；或将 possible 与其他词混淆，如用 probable 代替，但 probable 表示更 probable 的可能性。纠正建议：练习时，确保从句有主语和谓语，并注意语调保持中性以示不确定性。

另一个常见偏误是过度使用，导致语句冗长；建议在口语中交替使用更简单的表达如 "Perhaps [clause]"。具体例句：

错误示例：It is possible a battle happened.（缺少 that 和完整从句）
正确示例：It is possible that a battle happened, with the sharks being driven away.

练习

原创例子：假设你在讨论野生动物行为，可以说：“It is possible that the porpoises are playing with the turtles out of curiosity.” 学生可以替换 [clause] 为其他场景，如 “It is possible that it will rain tomorrow, so we should bring umbrellas.” 这能帮助他们在日常对话中应用，例如谈论新闻事件。

通过替换关键词，如将 "possible" 换成类似结构，或修改从句内容，学生能加深对句型的掌握，并练习在不同语境中使用。

额外内容

背景知识：这种句型源于英语中正式表达的不确定性，常见于科学写作或报告中，类似于拉丁语的影响，强调逻辑推理。对比分析：与中文的 "可能…" 类似，但英语结构更强调形式主语，增强了句子的正式感。而在法语中，类似表达如 "Il est possible que..."，结构相似，帮助学习者看到语言间的共通点。这能丰富学生的跨文化理解，鼓励他们在写作中多用此类句型来提升表达的精确性。

关键句型 "As soon as [clause], [main clause]."

定义

此句型用于表示一个事件紧接着另一个事件发生，结构为：As soon as（一…就…）+ [clause]（从句）+ , + [main clause]（主句）。根据《牛津现代英语语法》，它是一种时间从句，表示立即性或快速响应，As soon as 引导的从句通常用一般现在时或一般过去时，强调事件的顺序。文章中的例子如 “As soon as he does so a porpoise knocks him flat” 展示了海豚如何立即反应。

这个句型在叙述故事或描述实时事件时非常实用，帮助学习者表达因果或时间顺序。

用法

此句型主要用于描述快速 succession 的动作，在故事、说明文或口语中很常见。规则：As soon as 后跟一个从句（主语 + 谓语），主句紧随其后；从句常用现在时表示将来动作，以符合英语的时态规则。在语法体系中，它属于连接词引导的时间从句，与 when 或 after 相关，但 as soon as 强调即时性。

横向比较：与 When [clause], [main clause] 相比，as soon as 更强调“立刻”，如 "When I arrive, I’ll call you" 可能有延迟，而 "As soon as I arrive, I’ll call you" 表示立即；与 Once [clause] 类似，但 as soon as 更口语化。跨语法联系：它常与条件句或结果句结合，如 "As soon as it rains, the game will stop, so we need to prepare."，帮助学生构建更复杂的句子结构。

在文章中，它生动地描述了海豚的互动，突出了行为的动态性。

注意事项

学生易犯的错误包括：时态混淆，例如用将来时在从句中，如 "As soon as I will arrive"，应为 "As soon as I arrive"；或遗漏逗号，导致句子不清晰。纠正建议：记住从句用一般时态，并练习添加逗号以分隔从句和主句。

另一个问题是过度使用，导致重复；建议结合其他连接词多样化表达。具体例句：

错误示例：As soon as the turtle stands up, then a porpoise knocks him.（多余的 "then" 使句子 awkward）
正确示例：As soon as the turtle stands up, a porpoise knocks him flat.

练习

原创例子：在描述日常生活时可以说：“As soon as I finish my homework, I’ll go for a walk.” 学生可以替换 [clause] 和 [main clause]，如 “As soon as the porpoise sees the turtle, it starts playing.” 这适用于故事讲述或计划讨论，帮助他们在实际场景中应用。

通过替换练习，学生能探索不同变体，如改变主句的动作，增强对时间顺序的理解。

额外内容

背景知识：As soon as 句型反映了英语中强调效率和即时反应的文化特征，源自古英语的连接方式。对比分析：与中文的 "一…就…" 非常相似，便于学习者过渡；而在西班牙语中，类似 "En cuanto..."，结构也强调快速性。这类比较能帮助学生欣赏语言的共性，同时在阅读如文章的叙述中，更好地理解动物行为的生动描述。