Vocabulary Idioms & Phrases

Reading~Paragraphs 8-12

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Have scientists found species which can serve as a substitute mother for China’s endangered panda?

No, not yet, because the panda is a unique animal.

Can extinct animals survive if they were brought back to today’s world? Why?

An animal brought back from extinction could not survive in today’s world because most extinct animals have no habitat to live in. The other plants andanimals that they depended on for food may also be gone.

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What species could possibly serve as a substitute mother to China’s endangered panda?

What about an animal as unique as the panda?

What about an animal as unique as the panda?→ In this way, what will happen to the unique panda?serve/act as 充當The long and gray buildingserves as a cafeteria. Next

What about an animal as unique as the panda? What species could possibly serve as a substitute mother to China’s endangered panda?

What species could possibly serve as a substitute mother to China’s endangeredpanda?→ What kind of animal could be used as the substitute mother to China’s panda that may soon disappear?

Scientists are pondering that question right now.

Scientists are pondering that question right now.→ At present scientists are considering what species could serve as the substitute mother to China’s panda.

Is cloning a cure for extinction? Cloning presents manyexciting possibilities, but not everyone is excited about this new technology.

Cloning presents many exciting possibilities....→Cloning provides us many exciting chances of success in bringing extinct animals back....

Many people argue that cloning extinct animals is just a gimmick. Cloning can never solve the problem of extinction.

Many people argue that cloning extinct animals is just a gimmick.→ Quite a few people express an opposite opinion that it is only/merely/nothing but a trick to clone extinct animals.

First, even if extinct animals are brought back, they could not survive in today's world.

even if/though = in spite of the fact that; no matter whether 　即使；儘管Even if you don’t like it, you must do it.She will never let it on even though she knows the secret.First, even if extinct animals are broughtback, they could not survive in today’s world.→ Despite the fact that extinct animals become alive again, they still couldn’t continue to live in this modern world.

Most extinct animals have no habitat to live in.

Most extinct animals have no habitat to live in.→ There is no proper place in nature for most extinct animals to live in.

The other plants and animals that they depended on for food may also be gone.

depend/rely on... (for...) = need... (for...) 　依靠…（而得到…）Children usually depend on their parents for food and clothing.sth depend on... = be decided by; ...follow from 　視…而定；取決於…Whether we'll have a picnic tomorrow depends on the weather.How much you'll earn depends on how hard you work.

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The other plants and animals that they depended on for food may also be gone.

The other plants and animals that they depended on for food may also be gone.→The other plants and animals that these extinct animals lived on may also disappear. 

An animal brought back from extinction would become just another sad animal in a zoo.

An animal brought back from extinction would become just another sad animal in a zoo.→ A clone may end up as another poor animal (living) in a zoo.

Second, cloning animals requires a lot of time, money andresearch. Scientists can only afford to clone a very small percentage ofextinct animals.

Second, cloning animals also requires alot of time, money, and research.→ It also takes a lot of time, money, and efforts to clone animals.afford N/to V 力足以…They walked because they couldn't afford (to take) a taxi.Scientists can only afford to clone a very small percentage of extinct animals.→ Scientists are able to clone only a tiny part of extinct animals.

Thousands of creatures would stillhave no hope of ever being saved from extinction.

save...from = make/keep...safe from 　解救；保護…以免It's nice of the young man to save the little boy from the fire/drowning.

Thousands of creatures would still have no hope of ever being saved from extinction.→ It seems that there is still no hope for thousands of animals to be saved from dying out.

The only real “cure” for extinction may simply be better protection of the environment.

The only real “cure” for extinction may simply be better protection of the environment.→ The only real solution to extinction may be just by protecting the environment better.

We must protect animals and theirhabitats before they become extinct. If we don't, Earth's great animal diversity will certainly be destroyed.

great animal diversity = a wide variety of animals If we don't, Earth's great animal diversity will certainly be destroyed.→ If we don't take any action to protect the environment, the various kinds of animals on earth will sure disappear.

And even the world's best scientists may not be able to put it back together again.

And even the world's best scientists maynot be able to put it back together again. → Then, even the best scientists in the world may find it impossible to make these extinct animals alive again. 

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Reading for the Main Idea__ 1. Cloning is the only way to bring animals back from extinction.__ 2. In order to save extinct animals, we should develop cloning technology.__ 3. Although cloning may bring animals back from extinction, we still have to do our best to protect them and their habitats.__ 4. Animals should be sent to zoos, or they will not survive in today's world.

Discussion : Is there a danger in cloning animals? If you were a scientist, would you clone animals? Explain your reasons.

Reference answer 1:If I were a scientist, I would not clone animals. I think it's unnatural. I agree with the authorof this reading that the only bestcure for extinction is simply betterprotection of the environment. We must protect animals and their habitats before they becomeextinct.

Reference answer 2: If I were a scientist, I would clone animals. The first animal that I would like to clone is a dinosaur because I would really like to see one.

Discussion 2: Have you ever heard anything about cloning animals? Share what you have heard with your classmates.

Reference answer 1:In 1996, a group led by British scientist Ian Wilmut used the procedure to clone a sheep. They named the clone “Dolly.” The event marked the first time a mammal had been cloned in this way.

Reference answer 1:Since the cloning of Dolly, scientists from Japan, the UnitedStates, and elsewhere have used asimilar technique to produce clones of mice, cattle, and other mammals.

Reference answer 2 :Recently, I heard that, at a scientific conference, in Rome in March 2001, fertility specialist Severino Antinori announced his intention of cloning (producing a genetic duplicate) of a human being in the near future.

Reference answer 2 :Also in 2001, a company called Clonaid was planning to clone a human being using genetic material from a dead child on behalf of a religious organization called the International Raelian Religion.

Reference answer 2 :These groups were striving to carry out the first human cloning, but their efforts were opposed by many scientists, much of the public, and government officials in a number of countries.

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